Traveling to Japan on a Budget

Japan is a country that every living human being must visit. It is the home of the nicest people, the most advanced technology, one of a kind places and so much more. However, if you don't know how to look, a vacation in Japan can be very expensive. So in this article, we're going to share everything we know so you can make the most out or your Japan vacation without breaking the bank.

Where to Stay in Japan

If you ask us, Tokyo is always the best city to stay in for tourist unless you decide other cities too. The average accommodation rate per person in Tokyo is 700 Pesos to 900 Pesos or 350 USD to 9 USD. However, you need to book early as hotels and homes can get fully booked or raise their fees as your travel dates gets closer. As always, we recommend traveling by group so you don't need to share room or bathroom with strangers. You can just rent the whole house for 3,000 to 5,000 a night or $60 to $100 a night and share it with 6 to 16 of your companions.

Our team always just look at the two sites whenever looking for hotels or homes to rent abroad:

• Agoda.com (check hotels and Agoda homes)
• AirBnB.com

Where to Eat in Japan

The best and cheapest place to eat in Japan is in 7 Eleven, Lawson, Circle K, and any other convenience store you see in Japan. Unlike other countries, almost every food served in Japan, including convenience stores, are made fresh and with excellent quality! The prices are very friendly too!

You should also visit 24 hour grocery stores and small restaurants at night, one to two hours before closing time, as most of the food are sold on sale. So if you're really on a budget, you can buy your dinner and your breakfast tomorrow. :)

But if you're really on a budget and want to save as much as you can in food, why not try every instant noodles or cup noodles you can find in the convenience store. Unbeknownst to many, instant noodles in Japan are sold x3 to x4 its original price when exported to another country. Plus, the quality is so much different. Another option is to eat Onigirii (triangle-shaped rice) that are sold for only 100+ Yen which is only 50 Pesos in Philippine money.

Where to Shop in Japan

One of our favorite place to shop in Japan is in Uniqlo. Winter clothes sold in Philippines for 4,000 Pesos or 80 USD is sold there for only 1,000 Pesos or 25 USD. And then there's the sale area where I can get a Disney T-shirt for only 200 Pesos or 4 USD!

If you're shopping for goods to bring home and give your loved ones like chocolates and chips, go for the small drug stores. The ones that offer unbeatable price are usually found near residential areas outside Tokyo. You should also check Don Quijote which sells almost every unique thing that's sold in Japan.

Don't forget to drop by the different 100 Yen shops too because each item there is sold for only 1 USD or 50 Pesos compared to its price in the Philippines at 88 pesos. Below is a list of the 100 Yen shops you can check in Japan:

• Can Do
• Seria
• Le Plus
• Daiso
• Lawson Store 100
• Natural Kitchen
• Meets

Free Places to Visit in Japan (Tokyo)

• Shibuya Crossing
• Hachiko
• Watch a Sumo practice at Musashigawa-Beya
• Sakura flowers if you visit during its season
• Suntory Musashino Free Brewery Tour
• Yoyogi Park
• The Imperial Palace East Garden
• Meiji Shrine and Harajuku
• Sensoji Temple in Asakusa
• Free Boat Tours in the Koto Ward
• Origami Gallery in Ochanomizu
• The Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts Museum