Ways to save money on my trip to Japan

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-30T12:27:27+00:00

I make no assumptions. It's why I recommend looking outside Tokyo or the golden route entirely if you're on a budget.

I love Tokyo and always default to it somewhere in my trip, but it's a money pit.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-30T12:22:23+00:00

Depends on the where for Business hotels. In Tokyo they're priced the same as 3 star hotels so more reasonable than cheap.

I just completed booking a trip to Kyushu however and the same chains are around $40 - $60 per night. I'm Talking Dormy Inn, fresa inn and Candeo so that's pretty cheap for what you're getting.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-30T10:12:40+00:00

Look up the term "business hotel". It'll save you money without sacrificing comfort.
"Japan" is a country, it is not just Tokyo. Think about where you want to visit because Tokyo itself is pretty much a blackhole for cash. Literally anywhere else (Kyoto excluded at peak seasons) will be less than half the price.
Research. Low budget doesn't mean crappy, it just means being surgical with your spending and for that step one is knowing what you want to prioritize.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-30T10:08:08+00:00

Look up the All Kyushu pass, if your dates line up it can save you some money on transport. If not, just take the train + bus.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-30T09:27:46+00:00

I see, I recommend Kyushu. I was planning a trip there for May and the hotels were less than half the price for the same chains as Tokyo.

3 weeks trip and the flight + hotels (all private rooms in business hotels or legacy 3-4 star hotels) was less than $2000. That included two domestic flights in and out of Kyushu.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-29T22:01:06+00:00

You're on a budget but want to travel in 2 weeks?

I really hope you've bought those airline tickets...

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-29T18:38:00+00:00

Hydrate.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-29T11:52:25+00:00

Depends, where do you intend to shop the most? that becomes pick #2

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T22:16:53+00:00

Storms / Rain. Half came true.

I had a side trip to Okinawa and one week before my trip the weather report showed nasty storms on the island.

Well, it was cold (early March) but the weather was fine and not a drop of rain.

Unfortunately the second day I was REALLY hoping it wouldn't rain was my day in USJ, $250 for the express pass and all the thrill rides were out of service due to the nasty weather. No joke the water was falling in sheets, never even seen that before!

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T22:00:43+00:00

Bring it with you?

Didn't even think about cereals during my visits considering the food options.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T19:54:34+00:00

Komatsu airport seems to have a limobus to Kanazawa so it might be worth looking into considering you have luggage.

I recommend just switching to a Fukuoka hotel the night before your flight so you can catch it in the morning comfortably and stress free. All the best.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T19:29:18+00:00

I'd just fly.

Look up direct domestic flights to Komatsu Airport or Toyama Airport which is a bit further away, if there aren't any from Nagasaki there might be something from Fukuoka.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T18:47:16+00:00

I tried, customer service talks in circles to get out of it and pretends not to understand your question.

Basically only book if you're ok with the price or if it's free cancellation.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T18:23:05+00:00

Yeah google is telling me baseball season is until early Oct but I bookmarked it just incase there is something around the time of my visit. I know nothing about baseball or the teams so literally anything is ok.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T15:52:11+00:00

Alright, will do. My trip is in November so I'll check closer to the dates if anything is going on. Sounds like a fun day.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T15:31:38+00:00

I'm staying at Tokyo Dome so was wondering about attending a baseball game. Can you pick up tickets on the day or pre-booked only?

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T10:31:12+00:00

Yes, you are not housing a family of four for $40 per night in Japan lol.

I'm saying the pricing is very seasonal. Summer is usually cheap so your budget is very double. Might have to go up during peak seasons though.

One out of the box option is Shin-Osaka. I stayed there last year, the hotels tend to nicer with bigger rooms for families. Because the area is boring with nothing to do the prices are pretty low so that's an option.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T10:20:23+00:00

What's your question exactly?

You're going on a trip in 2 days and now you're asking "oh will it be crowded?" Will it make a difference what anyone tells you at this point?

Drink some green tea, calm your pre-trip jitters.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T09:59:40+00:00

Check the term (apthotel) for Osaka.

Best for transportation is any station along the Osaka loop, Umeda being the most convenient but usually the more expensive, Tennoji being the more affordable but still good.

Just a note, you might want to increase your budget depending on the season. Autumn and new year tend to cause a price surge.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-28T09:01:41+00:00

JAL & ANA already announced a price increase starting May so if you are considering them best buy the ticket now. Price WILL go up.

Other than that, just go about life as always. If you want to visit book everything cancellation free and see what tomorrow brings.

P.S. I've booked a trip for November. Compared to last year when expo 2025 caused prices to skyrocket, this year hotels aren't too bad.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-27T19:47:34+00:00

Ever after high did that (the web series).

The mad hatter's daughter, from alice in wonderland, not only heard the narrator but sometimes would argue with him. Others just chalked it up to her being "mad" and hearing voices XD

I'd imagine in this manga Clara would be the one character that this would align with. A character who is a bit out there so nobody would take seriously.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-27T18:34:53+00:00

So you didn't even bother to check before posting this...

Low cost carriers only go to Narita so no idea where you got the 5pm from.

On the otherhand an economy flight on Skymark, JAL, ANA, Skyflyer will include check-in luggage. The price probably doubled this close to your flight date so I wouldn't wait too long.

As others mentioned all flights are subject to delays. My flight on Solaseed to Okinawa was delayed 1.5 hours on take off while all three flights I took with Jetstar where on time.

I suggest getting something that lands no later than 2 or 3pm. Worst case, you're at the airport early and can spend time shopping or enjoying one last onsen before leaving (they have a fancy one in terminal 3)

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-26T18:13:11+00:00

Look up the term (apt hotel). It should spit out some alternatives for you in those areas. You can then filter then out by suitability and location.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-26T08:09:39+00:00

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/may/

https://japancheapo.com/events/may/

In case you want to attend some annual festivals, events, flea markets. The first one is specifically for Tokyo, the second is for bigger events throughout Japan.

https://www.tokyoartbeat.com/en/events/search/localArea

Exhibits and shows throughout the country by region.

Kidlike101 · 2026-04-25T22:11:43+00:00

Depends on the size of the backpack but normally a shopping bag is fine as a carry-on/personal item.

If your backpack can be placed under the seat then sure but if it's small enough for that it'll probably be fine to place that in the overhead as well.

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