Transport networks in Japan are generally quite extensive and super convenient. However, it can add up pretty quickly when you catch a train here and a taxi there to get where you need to go. With my background as a travel agent and 8 trips to Japan under my belt, I’ve put together my top tips for travelling around Japan on the cheap. With a bit of forward planning, you too can see the sights in Japan affordably and save some cash for the more important things… like sampling all the food.
By Plane
Flying with Low Cost Carriers (LCC) will cut down on costs. Domestically, Jetstar Japan now flies to: Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Matsuyama, Takamatsu, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Oita, Miyazaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima and Okinawa. This is often much cheaper than flying with JAL or ANA, and depending on the route, often cheaper than catching the shinkansen. For example, based on 1st November departures this year, you can fly from Tokyo to Osaka for around ¥4,400 plus baggage and booking fees. Catching the shinkansen will cost around ¥14,000-15,000 for the same route, same day. (These prices are current at the time of writing this blog and are subject to change depending on availability and seasonality) There are also other LCCs in Japan you could try- Peach Aviation has about 16 domestic routes, and Vanilla Air has about 7 domestic routes.
As always, you get what you pay for with budget airlines, and meals, entertainment, extra leg room, extra baggage e.t.c. will incur an additional fee, so you need to weigh these options up. But maybe next time you might consider flying LCC and save some serious ¥¥¥.
By Train
As shown above, catching the shinkansen isn’t the cheapest way to travel around Japan. Point to point, travelling on the shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka, then Osaka to Hiroshima, then Hiroshima back to Tokyo will cost you roughly ¥38,000. If you are doing this kind of busy itinerary with multiple long distance journeys, then it might be worth your while to get a Japan Rail Pass. A 7 day Japan National Rail Pass in ordinary class will set you back about $364 AUD (this is must be ordered in your country before traveling), so as long as you are doing at least three long distance journeys on the shinkansen in this time frame, you’ll get your money’s worth. Note that this pass does not cover travel on the Nozomi or Mizuho service. Alternatively, look at where you are travelling to. If you are mainly staying in the one area, you might want to narrow it down to a JR East or JR West pass, which will cut down on costs a little.
For any train service, I recommend checking HyperDia before travelling. Enter your location and destination, your travel date and time, and voila! It gives you every service and connection available, JR or private, in chronological order. The best part about HyperDia is that it gives you the total travel time and price in yen, so that you can compare options. Which one is going to get me there quickest and cheapest? Many trains, namely the Limited Express services, require the fare plus a seat reservation fee, so swapping these out for a different service, like a Special Rapid which just requires the fare, is a huge money saver.
By Car
Travelling by car in Japan gives you the freedom to get off the beaten track and venture to more seemingly ‘untouched’ places. I recommend hiring a car if you are staying away from the cities, have an international licence and are up for the drive. However, there are a few things to watch out for to make sure you don’t get stung.
Parking. Parking spots are hard to come by in Japan, and free parking spots are almost non existent! Depending on where you are going during the day, you could get slugged with multiple parking lot fees. Obviously, parking in the cities and at major tourist attractions are going to cost you more than parking in the countryside, but you are looking at about ¥500 to park at your average temple and could pay over ¥1000 for 24 hours. Weigh it up first before you go- is it going to be better for you to train it in, or drive?
Highways. The highway tolls in Japan are expensive. If you are driving, and want to stick to your budget, then being a back road bandit is the way to go. Sure, it takes longer, but think of it as taking the ‘scenic route’- you are getting to see small towns that you wouldn’t be able to see or stop at if you were driving on the highway. If you are in Japan for a bit longer and have a bit of domestic travel to do, you might want to look into getting an ETC card, which offers different specials from time to time. For example, giving you a discounted toll rate if you enter the highway in Kyushu say after 10pm.
By Taxi
If you are on a budget in Japan, then I recommend avoiding traveling by taxi (trust me, I learnt this the hard way). Costs differ depending on region and taxi type, but your typical fare will start at about 600 yen, and increase by about 260 yen per km traveled after that. If your driver takes you on any toll roads, the toll will be added to the fare, and if you are travelling late at night, you can expect to pay a surcharge on top of that.
By Bus
Local buses are generally an affordable way to travel in Japan. As well as being cheap, you have the added benefit of reaching some places that might not be accessible by train or subway networks. So before catching a taxi there, see if a bus goes there. Overnight buses are also a great option for travelers on a budget. They are clean, comfortable, and travel long distances during the night, so you save on time, and by not paying for accommodation. Catching an overnight bus from Tokyo to Osaka will start from around ¥6000.
By Bicycle
Have you considered travelling by bike? By riding a bicycle, you’re not only doing your body a favour, but also the environment and your wallet. Last October, I hired a bicycle for the day for 200 yen with Machi Nori in Kanazawa. This was such a fun and convenient way to see the city, and I could drop off my bike at any of their ports around the city. There are also similar bike rental services in most major cities around Japan.
So before heading to Japan, have a good look at your itinerary. Which parts could you fly with a Low Cost Carrier? Would you save with a Japan Rail Pass, or cut out a night of accommodation by travelling on an overnight bus? Are you an off the beaten track kind of adventurer and would benefit from exploring by hire car? Or do you prefer the convenience of a train or bicycle? Make sure you plan ahead, and save some of your hard earned cash along the way.
Crane & Maple 