How Expensive is it to Travel in JAPAN? 🇯🇵 Budget Breakdown

In 2018 we spent one month backpacking around Japan, taking in many of the classic sites.

I've broken down the budget of what we spent travelling in Japan, and updated it for 2024 / 2025.

I've also given budget estimates for 14 day itinerary and 21 day itinerary in Japan.

You watch our journey in the 2 part documentary series "A Journey In Japan" here:

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--------------------- About Karl Watson ---------------------

My name’s Karl, welcome to my channel that’s all about sharing my backpacking adventures from around the world, through fun, entertaining and honest travel documentaries.

Through these films I want you - the audience - to escape and come on the journey with me, and then be inspired to start an adventure of your own.

In between my travels I’m based in Winnipeg, Canada where I’ve just moved to from the UK.

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[karlwatsondocs]

Here's a link to an online calculator to see whether the JR pass is worth it for the trips you're taking:

[joewilliams]

This is super helpful as I’m considering adding a 3 week trip to Japan at the end of my 6 month SE Asia and Australia trip which starts in a few weeks!

[xixingpooh]

Perfect timing! I will be going to Japan next month for the first time, this will be very helpful!

[njs_gc]

1) The Japan series is my favourite.

2) I didn't us the JR pass. I downloaded the smartEX app and linked it to my SUICA card. The night before I would find cheap seats on the Shinkansen and book through the app.
Then when you used your SUICA card to get into the Shinkansen area your ticket would pop up out of the turnstile.

3) The egg sandwiches at Lawsons are absolutely fantastic.

[mcgillogon]

Really appreciate the effort you've gone to, to provide 2024 ballpark figures. Thinking of honeymooning in Japan next year so a bit more bougie than backpacking, but your itinerary has been great for getting ideas!

[johnroley]

Love the video man! Japan airlines have announced free domestic flights for any tourists who book their international flights with them!

[mrg]

A lot of the time the JR pass is no longer worth it, unless you travel a lot between cities in a short period of time. There is an online calculator if you search google so you can work out if it is worth it based on your itinerary. Also note there are regional passes

[gochellego]

Suica card on the apple wallet is magic! saved so much time not having to figure out buying metro & regional train tickets. Just top up in wallet with connected credit card as needed :)

[mrg]

I have just booked hotel accommodation (budget/mid range) in Japan for 23 nights and it came in at roughly £60 per night ($80). Flights seem to be quite expensive from the UK unless you fancy going via one of the Chinese airlines and transferring in China

[Camgaming]

Great video mate. Would love to see one on your Itinerary/budget for Vietnam. Also how was your experience effected by Tet?

[alexramsay]

Good job Karl, have an engagement comment

[zoegilroy]

I’m going in October and hoping to cut down on transport costs using the Willer bus pass. Hopefully it saves us some money!

[Green_Brin]

Please do this for Australia/New Zealand!!

[Oliverrees-horsley]

Quality vid mate. Can't believe how cheap the JR pass is relative to crappy trains in England

[holdenb]

Spent a month in Japan this summer! Absolutely loved it! I was very pleasantly surprised with how affordable it was

[AD-Dom]

It’s kinda on par with the Canadian dollar, so that’s okay for us. We generally are only there for lengthy layovers (10-18 hours), on our way to much cheaper Southeast Asia.

[dawg]

Amazing info Karl! Going next week! 😬
Can you recommend a Sim or phone carrier to pick up when there? Is there a lot of public wifi?

[tikifhe]

i found capsule hotels quite expensive and bad quality compared to budget hotels. any major city has a range of budget hotels that area clean, great bathrooms (with bathtub!) and are generally more comfortable (can start at $45 even). what was most surprising to me was that the ones i stayed in, they were literally as good as i.e. 4 star hotels in london which you pay silly amounts of money for!

[chrisg]

The JR Pass is a bad deal since the price hike in October last year. It's not worth it anymore.

[adamcook]

What airlines do you use and find best to travel with?