Japan has been on my bucket list forever and I am adamant that I can make it more affordable. But, I’ve heard and read enough to know that it’s not a trip that can be planned easily. Getting there is expensive. Also, the best seasons to visit are, of course, more expensive and more crowded. I’d love to visit from March to May when the weather is stable and pleasant. That is also the cherry blossom season. Alternatively, in autumn when the foliage decorates the scenery just as magnificently.
At the beginning of this year, my partner and I bought a huge piggy bank only for Japan. The idea is to put only the highest denomination coins or paper money. When it’s full, we’ll open it, check how much we have, and then calculate what we can cover with that money. If it’s not enough for at least tickets only, we’ll put the money aside and start a new piggy bank. This way we are saving for the trip but we are aware that it might take longer to get there. And, we are doing it in a way that will not stop us from planning other things in the meantime.
How to get to Japan?
Like many, the first thing we need is a visa. Apparently shouldn’t be a problem and costs 3000 yen, which is less than 20 euros. This is much more affordable than a visa for the UK, US or Canada, and not as difficult to obtain.
Transportation-wise, I know there are direct flights to Tokyo from Istanbul and Dubai if we want to avoid flying over 10 hours at a time. We can go either from Sarajevo, Belgrade, Vienna or Zagreb. It’s all about finding the cheapest combination and the best moment to buy the tickets.
Right now it seems the cheapest we can get is 1000 euros from any airport in the Balkans – Istanbul/Dubai – Tokyo and back.
Another option is a direct flight from Vienna, which is cca 12h. I’m not sure if I’m up to that. But if it is more affordable, I’m sure I’ll warm up to the idea.
Where to go in Japan?
The next thing to consider is what to visit in Japan. Limited by time and budget, we have to focus only on the most attractive places. At this point, those are Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okinawa.
Getting from one place to another should be fairly easy by train, but we would fly from Osaka to Okinawa. If I plan it on time, the tickets can be less than 100 euros per person.
So, for now, the idea is this:
Fly to Tokyo, spend 3-4 days, then take a train to Kyoto, and then take a train to Osaka. From Osaka fly to Okinawa, back to Osaka after 3 days, or straight to Tokyo and fly back home. All of this should be squeezed into two weeks. No biggie 😀
So Tokyo 4 nights, Koyto 2 nights, Osaka 2 nights, Okinawa 3 nights…which leaves us with 3 days to spare on traveling to and from Tokyo.
Cherry Blossom Viewing
The main reason I prefer going there during spring rather than autumn is to experience cherry blossom or Sakura viewing. Although cherry trees are common in Bosnia, Sakura viewing in Japan is a different experience. There are streets in most cities with hundreds of cherry trees all blossoming around the same time and coloring the streets in pink and white. Anyone who has experienced this says the view and the atmosphere are enchanting. I’ve found a list of spots for Sakura viewing that are not the ones the tourists most commonly flock to. Hopefully, this will help us have this experience without fighting hundreds of other people for a little bit of space to get a nice photo.
Mt. Fuji
Another important thing for me to see is Mt. Fuji. I know it’s a cliche, but I can’t imagine going to Japan and not seeing it. The best option would be to stay at least one night there, but considering the prices and our packed schedule, I’ll be happy with a day trip from Tokyo.
As Mt. Fuji is just 100 kilometers away from Tokyo, there are tours organized of course. But we prefer to go at our own pace so I’ll probably research the best areas around Mt. Fuji, find the right train or bus, and organize everything myself. There are several options to get there but to save money, we will probably choose the bus. The prices vary and can be found from 25 to 50 euros per person, depending on the mode of transport and time.
When it comes to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okinawa, we, of course, have the list of the most famous tourist attractions to see. However, I’ll do in-depth research to ensure we are not missing anything and that we are getting the cheapest options.
Getting around in Japan
The public transportation in Japan is considered one of the best in the world. There are different train options; shinkansen (super express), limited express trainer, express, rapid, and the quirky joyful trains.
Japan Rail Pass is great, but I am still considering if it would be cost-efficient for us. The 14-day ticket is about 315 Eur per person. So I should calculate how much money we need for all our train tickets and if it makes more sense to buy them separately. For example, we need tickets from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji, from Tokyo to Kyoto, from Kyoto to Osaka, and then back to Tokyo, after we return from Okinawa.
A quick search on Google says that the ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto is about 60 euros, from Kyoto to Osaka about 10 euros, from Osaka to Tokyo 80 euros. Finally the plane tickets from Osaka to Okinawa and back are about 80 euros. Buying them separately appears to be the more affordable option.
Taxi and rent-a-car options are too expensive in Japan, so we are not even considering them. Honestly, with the scenery there and the punctuality of their public transport system, trains and busses are not only more affordable but also more attractive options. The adventure in Japan isn’t complete without enjoying the Shinkansen ride and all the magical scenery it offers.
Cheap Accommodation in Japan
Choosing places to stay in will be one of our biggest struggles. I know it is expensive and the rooms are tiny, but another challenge will be finding a cost-effective location. For us, this means finding something that will allow us to explore the city without spending too much on transportation. Because, if I am going to save 50 euros on accommodation by choosing a neighborhood that is not as convenient, only to spend that or more on a metro/bus while sightseeing, it makes no sense whatsoever.
However, Tokyo is huge and I think no matter where the accommodation is, it will require going from one part of the city to see everything we want. This is why I research everything in advance, check the locations of all sightseeing spots we want to see, and then look for accommodation that makes the most sense.
Hostels are more affordable, but not an option for us since one of the rare conditions we have is to have a private bathroom. Other than that we are not too picky, but it has to be clean and have a WIFI.
Finding a good place will not be easy and will probably take up a lot of time. The good thing is, I’m not in a lot of rush. I’ll look up the cities we are planning to visit on Google and Instagram, and let the algorithm do its thing in the next few months.
Sightseeing Spots on our Adventure in Japan
Japan is interesting in so many ways that seeing everything we want would be impossible. I am always aware of our limited budget and that we have to compromise.
Tokyo & Kyoto
For example, in Tokyo, two great towers offer an amazing view of the city. Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree are both appealing, but visiting both would be a waste of time and money. So, I’ll check the pros and cons to decide which is better for us.
Other interesting spots in Tokyo are the Imperial Palace, Roppongi Hills, Nezu Shrine, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, The Tsukiji Outer Market and so much more. Given its size, Tokyo seems like the perfect city for the hop-on-hop-off bus. We don’t always use this service, but in bigger cities where we have a lot of sightseeing to do, it can be more affordable than public transport.
After exploring the contemporary and futuristic Tokyo, Kyoto should satiate our needs for the more traditional aspects of Japan. There are numerous interesting spots, including Ninna-ji Temple, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nijo Castle and Ninomaru Palace. Aside from this, I’d love to attend a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Osaka & Okinawa
In Osaka, we are eyeing Kuchu Teien Observatory, Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, Namba district. After the first part of the trip which will be all about sightseeing, this second part should be more relaxing.
Lastly, Okinawa is on the itinerary because there is no way to visit Japan and not dip our toes in one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I don’t think we will be doing much sightseeing in Okinawa, but should something irresistible come up, hopefully, we will have enough time, energy, and money for it.
Care to Share Your Adventure in Japan?
Have you ever been to Japan? Do you have any tips or tricks that you’d like to share to make it even more affordable? I’d love to hear about your experiences, best accommodation locations, and restaurants. We aren’t foodies per se, but of course, we’d like to try some traditional food.
Let me know in the comments about your favorite places in Japan, what we could skip, and what not. Any transportation hacks or warnings? Whatever knowledge you have, please do share. Let’s help each other plan a more affordable trip to Japan.
For Travel Tips and Tricks check the following articles:
Travel Planning Made Easy: Tips for a Perfectly Organized Trip
Travel Smarter Not Harder: Practical Tips To Make the Best of Any Trip
Longing for Japan: unlocked.