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Japan is not the cheapest of countries to visit, but that doesn't mean you can't explore the Land of the Rising Sun on a budget.

Is it expensive to visit Japan?

Visiting Japan can cost as little as £400 for a return flight, with prices rising to £600 if you want a direct flight. Compared to the past, this is a lot cheaper than it used to be. For those who are after a stopover, Seoul is the perfect place to spend a weekend before landing in Japan.

The next travel cost you need to consider is regional transportation. Trains can get you anywhere in Japan, and with the bullet train (also known as the Shinkansen) you can get from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over 2 hours.

Tips on saving money in Japan

The first thing you will want to do when you stay in Japan is to book three things:

• Your Japan Rail Pass
• Pocket Wi-Fi
• A Public Transportation Card

You cannot get a Japan Rail Pass in Japan. However, you will be able to buy and load a Suica or Pasmo card at any subway station.

Doing this can help you save hundreds of pounds, alongside opening up the possibilities of where you can go on your trip. Another way to save money is by getting travel insurance that covers your whole trip, from accidents to natural disasters, so if anything does happen, you're fully covered.

The cheapest places to stay in Japan

There are a variety of budget-friendly places all around Japan to help you reduce your costs even further:

• Stay in a Hostel (£10 – 25 per night)
• Stay in a Ryokan (£25 – 75 per night)
• Manga Cafes (£10 – 25 per night)
• Capsule Hotels (£15 – 40 per night)

Just remember to book in advance – last minute deals are not common in Japan.

Related content

If you enjoyed this article and would like more info on travel to Japan, check out our other posts on the topic.

• Top things to see and do in Japan
• Tips for first-time travellers to Japan
• Kyoto: Things to see and do
• Tokyo: Things to see and do
• Best places for sushi in Tokyo
• Osaka: Things to see and do
• Sapporo: Things to see and do
• Coffee in Japan
• Top 5 Ramen shops in Tokyo
• The History of Ramen
• Is ramen healthy?
• Summer in Japan: Best things to do
• Winter in Japan: Best things to do