Planning a trip to Japan can be exciting but overwhelming. With so much to see, it’s essential to balance your time, money, and interests. This guide will help you decide how many days to spend in Japan based on your budget. Whether you’re traveling on a shoestring, with a mid-range budget, or in luxury, there’s something for everyone. Instead of Kyoto, we’ll feature Kawagoe in the Short Trip section for a fresh perspective.
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Understanding Japan’s Travel Costs
Before diving into itineraries, let’s understand the basic travel costs in Japan. Prices will vary depending on your travel style:
Accommodation
Budget: ¥3,000–¥5,000 per night (hostels, capsule hotels, or budget hotels).
Mid-Range: ¥10,000–¥15,000 per night (business hotels or Airbnbs).
Luxury: ¥30,000+ per night (luxury hotels, traditional ryokans).
Food
Budget: ¥500–¥1,000 per meal (convenience store meals, ramen, or kaiten sushi).
Mid-Range: ¥2,000–¥5,000 per meal (izakayas or casual restaurants).
Luxury: ¥10,000+ per meal (kaiseki or upscale restaurants).
Transportation
Local: ¥200–¥500 per trip on trains or buses.
Long-distance: ¥10,000–¥30,000 for shinkansen or domestic flights (consider a Japan Rail Pass for savings).
Attractions
Budget: Many shrines, temples, and parks are free or under ¥500.
Popular spots: ¥1,000–¥3,000 for entry to museums or castles.
Short Trip (3–5 Days): Budget-Friendly Exploration
Itinerary Overview
For a short trip, stick to one or two major cities and a nearby destination. Tokyo and Kawagoe are perfect choices.
Day 1-2 Tokyo
Activities:
- Explore Asakusa and the iconic Senso-ji Temple (free entry).
- Walk through Akihabara, the anime and gaming hub.
- Visit Ueno Park and its free museums or the famous Ameya-Yokocho Market.
Food:
- Eat cheap and delicious meals like ¥300 gyudon (beef bowl) or ¥100 sushi plates.
Transportation:
Get a prepaid Suica card for easy travel around the city (¥500 deposit).
Kawagoe (Day Trip from Tokyo)
Getting There:
Take the Tobu Tojo Line from Ikebukuro Station to Kawagoe (¥760 round trip).(More Detail)
Activities:
- Stroll through Kawagoe’s “Little Edo” (Koedo) with its well-preserved Edo-era streets.
- Try sweet potato treats, a local specialty, like sweet potato chips or ice cream (¥500–¥1,000).
- Visit Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, famous for its love-related charms (free entry).
Budget Tip:
Most attractions in Kawagoe are free or have minimal entry fees.
Estimated 3-day budget trip:
| Category | Cost (per unit) | Duration | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥3,000 | 2 nights | ¥6,000 |
| Food | ¥1,000 | 3 days | ¥3,000 |
| Transportation | – | – | ¥3,000 |
| Attractions | – | – | ¥1,000 |
| Total | – | – | ¥13,000 (approx. $90) |
Moderate Trip (7–10 Days): Balanced Travel
Itinerary Overview
This plan skips Kawagoe to cover Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto/Nara, offering a mix of modern and traditional experiences.
Day 1–3: Tokyo
Explore Tokyo as outlined in the Short Trip section, visiting iconic neighborhoods like Shinjuku, Ginza, and Odaiba.
Add a day to explore trendy areas like Shimokitazawa or visit teamLab Borderless or Tokyo Disney Resort
Day 4–6: Osaka
Getting There:
Use a Japan Rail Pass (¥29,650 for 7 days) for a shinkansen ride to Osaka.
Activities:
- Visit Osaka Castle (¥600) and take a stroll in its surrounding park.
- Explore the lively streets of Dotonbori, famous for its neon lights and street food.
- Try local delicacies like takoyaki (¥500) and okonomiyaki (¥1,000–¥1,500).
Optional:
Spend an evening at Universal Studios Japan (¥8,500 for a day pass).
For Transportation: You might use Osaka Amazing Pass
Day 7–10: Kyoto and/or Nara
Kyoto:
Discover Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of red torii gates (free entry).
Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) for ¥400.
Walk through the historic Gion district to spot traditional wooden machiya houses.
Nara (Day Trip):
Feed the friendly deer at Nara Park (¥200 for crackers).
Visit Todai-ji Temple to see the giant Buddha statue (¥600).
Estimated 7-day moderate trip:
| Category | Cost (per unit) | Duration | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥10,000 | 6 nights | ¥60,000 |
| Food | ¥2,500 | 7 days | ¥17,500 |
| Transportation | – | – | ¥30,000 |
| Attractions | – | – | ¥5,000 |
| Total | – | – | ¥112,500 (approx. $750) |
Extended Trip (14+ Days): A Comprehensive Journey
Itinerary Overview
A two-week itinerary lets you dive deeper into Japan’s regions. This extended plan skips Kawagoe to explore more remote and unique destinations.
Day 1-3 Tokyo
Activities:
- Explore Asakusa and the iconic Senso-ji Temple (free entry).
- Walk through Akihabara, the anime and gaming hub.
- Visit Ueno Park and its free museums or the famous Ameya-Yokocho Market.
Food:
- Eat cheap and delicious meals like ¥300 gyudon (beef bowl) or ¥100 sushi plates.
Transportation:
Get a prepaid Suica card for easy travel around the city (¥500 deposit).
Day 4–6: Hakone or Nikko
- Relax in hot springs and enjoy stunning views of Mt. Fuji from Lake Ashi.
- Visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum for art in a natural setting (¥1,600).
Nikko
Admire Kegon Falls, one of Japan’s most beautiful waterfalls.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Toshogu Shrine (¥1,300).
Day 7–10: Kyoto and Osaka
Follow the same Kyoto and Osaka itinerary as in the Moderate Trip section.
Day 11–14: Hiroshima and Beyond
- Visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum (¥200–¥400) to learn about history.
- Take a ferry to Miyajima to see the famous “floating” torii gate (¥1,000 round trip).
Hiroshima:
Optional: Explore Kurashiki, a picturesque town with historic canal-side streets.
Optional: Travel to Himeji to see Japan’s most beautiful castle, Himeji Castle (¥1,000).
Ski
In winter, you can enjoy skiing in Japan. There are several fantastic ski resorts with amazing snow quality and slopes, including the famous Hakuba Ski Resort, which was once used for the Winter Olympics.
Fukuoka
If you love ramen, Fukuoka is a must-visit destination, especially known for its Hakata ramen. Additionally, you can visit Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to the god of learning. Make sure to check it out!
Estimated 14-day luxury trip:
| Category | Cost (per unit) | Duration | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥30,000 | 13 nights | ¥390,000 |
| Food | ¥10,000 | 14 days | ¥140,000 |
| Transportation | – | – | ¥50,000 |
| Attractions | – | – | ¥10,000 |
| Total | – | – | ¥590,000 (approx. $4,000) |
Tips for Stretching Your Budget
Stay in Budget-Friendly Lodgings
Capsule hotels and hostels are affordable and clean.
Eat Smart
Enjoy convenience store meals or chain restaurants like Sukiya for filling, low-cost meals.
Use the Japan Rail Pass if traveling between cities.
Take overnight buses to save on both transportation and accommodation.
Shrines, parks, and public markets often cost nothing to explore.
Conclusion
Japan offers something for everyone, no matter your budget or the length of your trip. A short visit can focus on Tokyo and Kawagoe for a mix of modern and historical experiences. For longer stays, broaden your horizons to Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. By planning wisely, you can make the most of your trip and create unforgettable memories. Start planning your adventure today!
