I haven't been to Japan, but I'd like to go there too.

The estimation budget depends on where you want to go to, what places you want to see, where you want to stay (5star luxury hotel???) and how much time you would like to stay in Japan.....

I will be staying there for around 2 - 5 weeks depending on my spending.

I haven't got any idea which part of Japan i would be visiting also limiting myself to few areas would be cost saving too since travelling in Japan would be expensive.

I might be travel alone or with my buddy. Not decided yet. Beside i knew a friend living in Japan but wouldn't sure if i can stay at her appartment. Her mum would be disagree.

I had done some quick research and learned that Youth Hostel and dormitories would be among the most affortable accommodation in Japan. There are over 300 youth hostels across the country, where members spend about 3000 Yen per night. Non-members pay about 1000 Yen more or purchase a one-year membership at the hostel. Dormitories typically cost between 1500 and 3500 Yen per night and are mainly found in Japan's larger cities.

Breakfast is included also some some hostel provide 2 meal (breakfast and dinner). I believe youth hostel is run by the Japanese housewife (mainly) as side income. Basically we share the rooms with others roomate traveller. There's other type of accomodation like Capsule Hotel and gaijin houses (guesthouses or foreignhouses) which i'm not sure how's it works.

Youth Hostel, Accomodation : 4000 Yen = 33.90 USD perday + breakfast

I'm gonna check out the transportation and food expenses later.

I suggest you try a traditional Japanese Hotel which is called "Ryokan". It's uniquely Japanese and cannot be compared to Western style Hotels. The rooms have no beds but futons spread out on tatami mats. It shouldn't be too expensive, I think you'll be able to afford it

Getting to Japan and finding accommodation there is one thing, but how about other expenses?

How expensive is the public transport?

And my guess is that museums and other points of interest, especially if you want to take pictures, also have taxes.

Take these into consideration when you are planning your trip.

OMGGGGGGG

After i did some research on the so call Ryokan, I think it was very very expensive. I don't think i can afford it for long run and i'm not rich. The Youth Hostel is still the most inexpensive choice. I think ryokan is tradisional japanese Inn style and the charges maybe more expensive than the capsule hotel.

Here's a link to Japan Ryokan information with the addresses and the charges *fainted* http://www.ryokan.or.jp/index_en.html

Ryokan, Accomodation: 12,000 Yen - 20,000 Yen = 101.69 USD - 169.49 USD perday + 2 meals usually

That's like 3 - 5 times more expensive than renting a Youth Hostel. *fainted again* A janitor or waitress working at New York can earn around 600 USD permonth = 6 days at Japan renting Ryokan.

Thats not really a fair comparison. I always spend more on my vacations, but it is also part of the experience. I have never stayed in a Youth Hostel but always in some affordable hotels.

Even though I spend most of the day outside exploring the country, I would not want to have to worry about clean sheets or roaches. I am not saying that Youth Hostels are necessarily dirty, but I think $100/night is not too much for a nice stay.

But then I never considered staying longer than one week. Here in the US we have only two weeks vacation anyways. Its better to get the most out of them.

If youre going to japan.My suggestion is bring as much money as you can bring because

when I went to Japan lot of stuffs there and foods that is simply the best.Too bad I didn't bring 

that much money to buy all the stuff that I craving. 

This brings up an interesting point. I though everyone is travelling with credit cards? Do you really carry around all this cash when you go somewhere? Aren't you afraid of robbery? What about emergencies? 

@cy - i don't think i can afford such expensive accomodation. But i do agreed on you since you got less vacation time. It would be better to spend more and enjoy a better accomodation. Some of the Ryokan have onsen (Hot Spring). So it would be better to check it out first.

LOL. I had meet a lot of westerner before and they are very enjoying the japanese and the chinese food. The chinese cuisine influence the japanese cuisine a lot in they way of cooking. Even the sushi and ramen  are origin from chinese.

Ok, let's continue the topic. Since i will be staying long, i need low cost inexpensive food. I had been searching for articles regarding inexpensive food in Japan. If i live at Youth hostel, the breakfast is settle. You just have to worry for lunch, evening time, and dinner. Save more money during the day and have a nice dinner at nice would be a good idea.

Inexpensive food, such as a selection of bread, rice balls (onigiri) and other snack can be found at convenience stores. In business areas and around train stations, there are usually a number of fast food type restaurants where you can easily have a full meal for under 1000 Yen. Noodles (ramen, soba and udon), domburi, curry rice and hamburgers are some typical dishes available at such restaurants. I think 1 of the cheapest fast food would be macdonald hamburger which cost around 65 Yen.

Some people recommend making lunch your biggest meal of the day, as many restaurants offer inexpensive teishoku (set menus) for around 1000 Yen during the lunch hours. If you plan to travel around that day, it would be wise not to eat too much during lunch time or else you would be too lazy and get tired easily to travel later.  

Obento ("lunch boxes") are another good deal (usually 500-1000 Yen), sold at temporary stands in business areas during lunch hours, or at convenience stores, department stores and train stations throughout the day.

Ok, now for the good food. If you would like to have nice meal at reasonable price you can try visiting restaurant run by family. Mostly it will be partial business restaurant and partial home resident type. This type of business are run by the japanese family. It's not a large place but thier food is kinda good also they charge at reasonable price. 

You can go to this kinda family run restaurant like sushi restaurant. I bet you can find fresh sushi at resonable price. This is a nice tips anyway. Raw fish is called sashimi in Japan and is not the same as sushi. Sushi indicates foods that use rice seasoned with sweet rice-wine vinegar. Of course, raw fish is the most popular ingredient in sushi, but the main element of sushi is Japanese sticky rice. There are many kinds of sushi, which don't include raw fish. Cooked fish, shellfish, and various other ingredients can be combined in sushi. You have to try it.

Also avoid restaurant with no price board or pricing at the front shop displayed. Mostly this type of restaurant might charge you plenty. People who went in usually don't care about the cost they are paying. And we can't guarantee the food is nice too.  

Regarding money, Japan is still very much a cash based society - credit cards are taken in larger stores and hotels, but not much in small shops and restaurants. But you can go to any Japanese post office and get yen from a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Diners Club credit card, or ATM card in the Plus or Cirrus networks (look on the back of the card), or debit cards in theVisa Electron or Maestro Networks.

Sounds to me like you got your budget vacation figured out pretty well.

I didn't know that a country at this level of technology is still so much cash based. After all the Japanese are known for their love of technology. I rarely ever use cash unless I absolutely have to. Maybe you should consider traveller cheques.

Andre Check out my Photos

I heard that Tokyo is one of the most expensive city to visit, if I'm not mistaken. Even though the Yen has very low conversion rate against US$, the value of the products and services there are high. So prepare a lot of money, cash or credit, when going for a tour there.

Hi,

I run a Hokkaido tourist information site. Hokkaido is the most northern island of Japan and I have lived here for about 6 years. I saw your post and thought Id just say that most of your posts are pretty accurate. Ryokans are usually very expensive as they tend to be very traditional. Beautiful old buildings and old style service etc.

Hostels or "pensions" as they tend to be called here are about 3000 to 5000 yen per night. In regards to transport most subways are between 90 to 500 yen per ride depending on the distance of course. City buses are about the same. Travel buses tend to be between about 2000 to 10000 yen depending again on distance and type of "tour" done (if your doing a tour) Tokyo is by far the most expensive city in Japan and one of the most expensive in the world. I would say however if you are a big city kind of person Tokyo is an absolutely crazy place to visit. It has almost anything you could want to do and for its size is one of the safest cities in the world.

Also if you want to check out some where a little slower and greener please come up to Sapporo and Hokkaido. Its a great place with lots of outdoor activities.

Please check our info at hokkaidoguide.com

Hope this helps.

Hokkaido Guide Admin

i have a book from guy who lived in japan fr a few years. he said robbery is not a problem, because the yakutzi do not allow others than their own organized crimes, and robbery is just not their business