How To Travel Japan on a Budget (Yes even Tokyo!)

Let’s start with a travel hack that could cut your costs in half — or more.

Rental companies across Japan offer campervan relocation deals through Imoova for as little as ¥100 per day (about $1). You get travel and accommodation in one — ideal for exploring off-the-beaten-path places like Mount Fuji's surrounding towns, the Japanese Alps, or the countryside between Fukuoka, Osaka, and Tokyo.

Why it’s amazing:

• ✅ No hotels = major savings

• ✅ Cook your own food

• ✅ Flexible routes and stops

• ✅ Perfect for seeing more than just the big cities

Relocations are available year round, often with a few months notice - even in sakura season!

Campervans aren’t the only way to save on travel in Japan — here’s how to cut transport costs if you’re using public transit.

🚅 1. Don’t Buy the JR Pass Blindly

The Japan Rail Pass used to be a bargain, but recent price hikes mean it only makes sense if you're doing long distances in a short time. For slower travel or shorter routes, it may be cheaper to:

• Buy individual regional passes (e.g. JR Kansai Area Pass, JR Kyushu Pass)

• Use highway buses like Willer Express or Sunflower ferries

• Take local trains with IC cards like Suica or Pasmo. (Suica cards can be added directly to your Apple Wallet before even landing in Japan).

🚌 2. Use Budget Bus Lines

Long-distance night buses are cheap and save you on a night's accommodation. Try:

• Willer Express

• Japan Bus Online

• Kosoku Bus

Fares from Tokyo to Osaka can be as low as ¥2,000!

🧾 1. Gakuwari = Student Discount

Many museums, temples, and attractions offer gakuwari (学生割引) — a student discount. Always bring your student ID (even international cards like ISIC).

Examples:

• Kyoto’s museums and gardens

• Some bullet train tickets (via special promotions)

• Movie theaters and galleries

🚇 2. Youth & Backpacker Deals

Even if you're not a student, look for:

• Hostel loyalty cards (e.g., Japan Youth Hostels)

• Youth 18 Ticket (Seishun 18 Kippu) – unlimited JR local train rides for 5 days (seasonal)

Good news: Japan’s cheap food is often also its best.

🍱 Budget Meal Tips:

• Convenience stores (konbini) – fresh bento, onigiri, and sandwiches for under ¥500

• 100-yen sushi – places like Sushiro or Kura Sushi

• Gyudon chains – Sukiya, Matsuya, and Yoshinoya offer rice bowls for under ¥400

• Department store basements (depachika) – discounts after 6 p.m. on gourmet takeaway

• Izakaya deals – local pubs often have “¥300 menu” sections and happy hour

Even without a campervan, sleeping in Japan can be surprisingly cheap.

💡 Where to stay on a budget:

• Capsule hotels – from ¥2,000/night

• Manga cafes – overnight stays with showers and free drinks from ¥1,500

• Business hotels – look for last-minute deals on Rakuten Travel or Booking.com

• Hostels & guesthouses – social and affordable, especially in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Fukuoka

• Couchsurfing or Workaway – free stay in exchange for light work or cultural exchange

Japan offers lots of free experiences — many of them unforgettable.

🎎 In Tokyo:

• Walk around Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple

• Catch city views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (free observation deck)

• Stroll through Yoyogi Park, especially during cherry blossom season

• Join a free walking tour in Shibuya or Ueno

🌸 In Kyoto:

• Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine (thousands of torii gates)

• Explore the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

• Join local events & festivals (many are free and seasonal)

🏞️ Nationwide:

• Use Michi-no-Eki if in a campervan – free overnight rest stops with toilets & food

• Check out local sento (public baths) – often just ¥300–¥500

• Hike in national parks or trails – free entry almost everywhere

• Japan Travel by NAVITIME – route planning, bus & train times

• Hyperdia – plan train journeys (offline use with a bit of practice)

• Tabelog – user reviews for restaurants with budget filters

• Booking.com + Rakuten Travel – hotel deals & local inns

Japan doesn’t have to be expensive. Whether you're riding a bullet train, wandering a temple garden, or parking a 100-yen campervan by Mount Fuji, there's always a smarter, cheaper way to explore.

A few key swaps — like free campsites over hotels, gyudon bowls over sit-down sushi, or campervan relocations over rail passes — and you're looking at a cultural, scenic, unforgettable Japan trip for a fraction of the typical cost.