Holiday to Japan?

[Lozza]

I'm thinking of going on holiday to Japan next year does anyone know roughly how much American $ I would need to save to have a good 2 week trip? Going to Japan has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I don't make alot of money but I'm sure I can save enough. I saved enough to move back to the UK and after 10 months I'm going to the US again, so I think I can make it happen.

I'm sure lots of you have been, so how much money are we speaking here? Bearing in mind I'm aware of Japan's high prices.

[Funk Buddy]

Are you talking about just the cost of staying two weeks, or airfair included?

[Lozza]

Are you talking about just the cost of staying two weeks, or airfair included? Not including airfare, because prices fluctuate loads.

I only ask because it seems alot of people here seem to visit Japan, and who better to ask?

[Funk Buddy]

Are you planning on staying in hotels or a hostel type place?

Are you going to eat Mc Donalds or at the combini?

I would plan on $2000 at least and that's without buying tons of games.

There are some good threads here:

http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=17

[Lozza]

Are you planning on staying in hotels or a hostel type place?

Are you going to eat Mc Donalds or at the combini?

I would plan on $2000 at least and that's without buying tons of games.

There are some good threads here:

http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=17

I was planning to sleep in one of those pods. :D

[GaijinPunch]

Then you won't have any place to store your stuff. You can get cheap-o rooms, but I have no clue where good ones are. Sakura House in Jinbochou (not too far from Akihabara) is a favorite amongst gaijin.

[Lozza]

Hmm. I'll save for a year and see if I have the money. But I plan on buying ALOT of stuff. Like a case full lol. Then ebay. then profit paradise. :D

[smork]

OK, here's some advice from travel agent Smork.

First, it depends on what you want to do in Japan. Shopping? Check. Lots of travel around the country, or mostly in one region? Super budget, midrange, or pricy?

I'll assume you want to move around a bit, shop, and stay in midlevel places.

To get an idea of times involved and costs, check out this train schedule:
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

You can pop in any two stations, and it can show you how to get there, how long it takes, and what it'll cost. Of course, there's always the JR Rail pass, but that's only good on JR lines, which is great in Tokyo, not so great in Kansai (where more often than not you'll be on something other than JR lines).

OK, well how about hotels? I always book via Rakuten travel:
http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/

Reliable, and lots of business hotels for mid-range prices. Some capsule hotels are listed, too. Some things to note for capsule hotels: 1) they're really small, only really good if you missed the last train and want to sleep. 2) Not so gaijin-friendly. Some won't even allow foreigners.

A good rule of thumb for hotels is plan on $50-70 for a md range place in Kansai/Kanto, less than that outside the bigger cities. When I need a hotel while visiting my sister in Nara-ken, the nice local hotel I stay at is roughly US$40/night.

What about food?
Well, if you eat at cheaper kaiten sushi places, make a few meals at Lawson's or Family Mart, and don't drink so much, you'll easily make it on $20/day. Go for beers or a party with friends at an izakaya, things get pricier. Sit down for a nice formal meal, $$$$$. Depends on you.

Japan ain't so bad if you know the tricks. You won't get by as cheaply as you do in SE Asia, but I find it a hell of alot cheaper than travel in Britain, or N Europe...

Hope that helps some!

Sm

[Lozza]

OK, here's some advice from travel agent Smork.

First, it depends on what you want to do in Japan. Shopping? Check. Lots of travel around the country, or mostly in one region? Super budget, midrange, or pricy?

I'll assume you want to move around a bit, shop, and stay in midlevel places.

To get an idea of times involved and costs, check out this train schedule:
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/

You can pop in any two stations, and it can show you how to get there, how long it takes, and what it'll cost. Of course, there's always the JR Rail pass, but that's only good on JR lines, which is great in Tokyo, not so great in Kansai (where more often than not you'll be on something other than JR lines).

OK, well how about hotels? I always book via Rakuten travel:
http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/

Reliable, and lots of business hotels for mid-range prices. Some capsule hotels are listed, too. Some things to note for capsule hotels: 1) they're really small, only really good if you missed the last train and want to sleep. 2) Not so gaijin-friendly. Some won't even allow foreigners.

A good rule of thumb for hotels is plan on $50-70 for a md range place in Kansai/Kanto, less than that outside the bigger cities. When I need a hotel while visiting my sister in Nara-ken, the nice local hotel I stay at is roughly US$40/night.

What about food?
Well, if you eat at cheaper kaiten sushi places, make a few meals at Lawson's or Family Mart, and don't drink so much, you'll easily make it on $20/day. Go for beers or a party with friends at an izakaya, things get pricier. Sit down for a nice formal meal, $$$$$. Depends on you.

Japan ain't so bad if you know the tricks. You won't get by as cheaply as you do in SE Asia, but I find it a hell of alot cheaper than travel in Britain, or N Europe...

Hope that helps some!

Sm

Cheers for that. I wish I had people in Japan so I wouldn't have to pay for a place to sleep. If I save for a year I should be ok. I wish I wasn't going to the states though because my £ would go much farther than my $. But that's the trouble when you keep moving around...

[Yamazaki]

Just stay at home, please ;)

You wanna go to Japan so you can buy a lot of stuff and rip people off on ebay?

Quite sad if thats the only reason?

or am I getting smth wrong?

[Lozza]

Just stay at home, please ;)

You wanna go to Japan so you can buy a lot of stuff and rip people off on ebay?

Quite sad if thats the only reason?

or am I getting smth wrong?

Nah, I would only buy things for myself. I have a general interest in Japanese culture. I've always wanted to live there for a year or so, but that would be hard since I don't know anyone. I'm not much into touristy shit, I just really, really want to see what it's like. I have no "home" I'm still searching for a place I want live when I'm older., actually.

[petewhitley]

Unless you have a genuine interest in Japanese culture specifically, you'd be better off visiting numerous other Asian countries (in respect to finances). You probably (no, make that DEFINITELY) aren't going to find anything for sale there that's going to make the trip cost efficient for shopping purposes. If you do go, I would recommend staying at love hotels (provided you are travelling with your non-same sex significant other), as they're relatively luxurious for the price (at least in general). Capsule hotels aren't really a viable option, as they're relatively few and far between and actually more expensive than you might think (and do not allow women, which may or may not be a problem). Unless you know people there (closely that is), budget a $1,000 per week at the minimum. Seriously, with lodging and transport you're looking at $100 per day to be comfortable. Then add on food, sightseeing, shopping, etc. Unless money isn't an object, Japan is a poor choice for a vacation. That's coming from someone who adores the country and visits yearly.

[delafro]

Japan (and I'm assuming you'd spend most of your time in Tokyo) just isn't that great of a tourist destination. Especially if you're a first timer and don't know anyone. To me the biggest obstacle if getting around. The trains can be pretty confusing, and taxis are too expensive. Domestic travel can be just as expensive as going overseas. Food can be found for cheap, but would you know where to go other than McDonalds? Would you know how to order food at a Matsuya or a how to pay at a kaiten sushi?

And sure there are cheap hotels, but don't forget Narita is one of the most expenive airports in the world. And you'll have to add on another 1-2 bus ride from Narita to get into the city. Tokyo is a huge place, do you know where you would go from the airport? So, don't pack too much because unless you got straight to a hotel you'll have to carry it.

If you go to Akihabara, I wouldn't expect too many flat out bargains. Everybody there knows what's worth money and what isn't, so while you might be able to pick up some loose PC Engine games at a good rate any worthwhile Saturn title will be a pain on the wallet.

One last point, urban Japan is an ugly and hectic place. It's really crowded, and it's a jumble of gray buildings and concrete roads pointing every which way (again making it tricky to get around). It can wear down on you pretty quickly if you're not careful. With only a handful of exceptions, don't expect a pleasant, scenic paradise.

So, bottom line is I would not recommend going unless you were good and familiar with the area or knew someone. Japan's just a tricky (and pricy) place to go traveling in.

If you're still young (under 30) and looking for place in the future, you can try the JET program or a english teaching school like say AEON. At least they will help you adjust to life in the country, and you'll get paid too.

[noriaki_kakyouin]

My wife and I are going again this year in September and are staying at Minshukus and Hostels. They are incredibly cheap and the best value. Minshukus are $40-$60 depending on where they are and give you dinner and breakfast. You pull out your own futon and put it back in the morning. Hostels are a basic 'flop-house' and can range from $25-$40. No food included.

There's so many posters here who are really giving it a bad-rep. It's not that bad. As long as you buy a good guide I found it very easy to navigate... but you NEED to learn some of the language. Not much, just a bit.

McDonalds IS a great value (about the same cost as in the US) and there are MANY places that are inexpensive to eat at. I would agree with the $1000 a week... but for me I would include shopping with that.

Some good sites that I can add here are these:

Japan National Tourist Organization (http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/)

Minshuku Information (http://www.minshuku.jp/english/etop.html)

Youth Hostel Information (http://www.jyh.or.jp/english/index.html)

There are also pamphlets that can get you in free to some museums, discounts on trains, and other free/discounted things.

As for buying stuff, I need to agree that it is not as discounted as you may think. Many things are more expensive there gaming wise and many things would make it worth your while (a $4 MSX system, a $30 Saturn system, etc). Do a Google search and find some good stores in Akihabara and Ginza. But you will NOT make money off of them selling it on ebay after shipping costs. I need to agree here.

Also, you WILL have to ship your stuff or check it (and then you run the risk of losing it). You can only carry-on 22lbs both ways. They do weigh it.

But don't let them discourage you. It's expensive to holiday anywhere nowadays... but Japan is a great place to vacation. My wife and I go and spend an avereage of $3000 each for 2 weeks (airfare included).

[japancollector]

I have been two times in japan

First time was in winter 2002.I was sleeping in sometype of gajjing hotel ( http://www.newkoyo.com/ ) .You need to share the shower and kitchen witch other gajjing.First time i was thinking what a lot lockers are here.But it where door to the room that was very small.The rooms are fine you have television.But dont espect much its basic.I Have eat noodles and curry every day to save money..You can eat cheap in japan .Have in this trip sleeping in a more exspensive hotel later.Was a trip in tokyo/yokohama.I recommand to visite the landmark tower in yokohama

the second time i wasnt toerist on vacation .it was in summer 2003 .I was exchange student have lived for 2 months in japan hostfamilie in okinawa.Even in this place you have tsutaya, bookbox games everywhere.Here i have eat at hostfamilie house.Been two weeks on japanese highschool and have seen japan is the best country for me in the world.I have stayed for 3 days in hostfamilie in tokyo.I have even eaten at an exspensive resturant at the landmark tower

If you buy a lot of games its maybe handy to ship it in a big package by seamail to usa.I dont know how much its cost .Because i have shipped to europa.And ofcource smart hunting.When i was in 2002 in japan i find kirby for 1500 yen new for gba.And this games yust realesed in japan and not in europa and usa.In all othere stores this game costed 4500 yen.In that time you can buy 10 dreamcast games new for 500 yen in japan.Now you cant buy one of those games i buyed then under 1500 yen on japanyahoo.You had also some gba games voor 100-300 yen new and some superfamicom games.In everytime there are specials in japan try to find them.These items are for a short time cheap.In some shops they are at the front of shop

[Yamazaki]

@noriyaki: Mc Donalds? That's sad. Japanese cuisine has so much to offer, I just ate once at Mc DOnald in Japan.

For visiting: Kyoto is a great place to visit in my opinion.

Okinawa is also nice, though it resembles Hawaii. Especially since there are a lot of american people living there.

I'm going again in July, but this time I won't buy anything (besides Ookami for PS2...), just spend a week with friends in Kyoto and enjoy the summer.

[Von-Zipper]

Well, if you eat at cheaper kaiten sushi places, make a few meals at Lawson's or Family Mart, and don't drink so much, you'll easily make it on $20/day.Japan ain't so bad if you know the tricks. You won't get by as cheaply as you do in SE Asia, but I find it a hell of alot cheaper than travel in Britain, or N Europe...


In France it's $30 a week...

[noriaki_kakyouin]

I agree... there are a lot of better places to go that are around that price. It's just that many people say that places are so expensive there and I was just comparing one well-known place in two countries.

I like the ramen bars and street vendors. You get good food at great prices there. But yes... I admit I'm a sucker for the McDonalds teriyaki burger. The Japanese KFC Spicy chicken is good too. What can I say? I'm a creature of habit.

But ramen bars/street vendors are the best for your cash. Don't worry about it. You can eat cheap everywhere in Japan.