Known for its dazzling cherry blossoms, inviting pagodas, and bustling (yet perfectly organized cities), Japan is a top travel destination for obvious reasons.
Despite once being isolated for about 200 years and its slow re-opening post-Covid, it seems that’s only made the island nation all the more enticing to travelers. If you have Japan at the top of your bucket list and are wondering, “How much does it cost to travel to Japan?” you may be a bit discouraged by the cost of the journey. But, don’t worry, we’ve uncovered a few crucial ways for you to enjoy all of Japan without breaking the bank.
Keep reading to see how you can save on all of Japan’s top adventures. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
Save big on flights and accomodations
On your quest for understanding how much does it cost to travel to Japan, the first thing to tackle is flights and accomodations.
Despite the distance, it’s fortunately very possible to save quite a bit on flights to Japan. Cards like this one or this one can get you there entirely on points. The latter can even get you there in the luxury of first class. And, with basic economy flights starting at well over $1,000, you’ll definitely need all the help you can get to cut costs.
As for accommodations, if you open one of these cards, you can save big on hotels too. Just plan ahead and time out opening these cards a few months in advance so you can earn the intro bonuses before you have to book your trip.
Save on transportation
Once your feet hit the ground in Tokyo or Osaka, you’ll have to think about transportation costs and getting around the massive cities in terms of how much does it cost to travel to Japan.
Luckily, Japan has some of the most advanced train systems in the world, and even better, Klook provides some sweet discounts and the best prices on rail passes and subway cards.
The Japan Shinkansen & Train Tickets can get you one-off tickets for popular routes at a fraction of the cost. This is perfect for people only planning on doing a few day trips or those mostly staying in one area.
However, if you plan to see a lot of Japan (and you should), we recommend the JR Pass for Whole Japan. It gets you access to the whole Japan area and comes with a complimentary digital guide, and unlimited rides on JR lines so you can navigate all the rail systems with ease. On top of that, you’ll also get a free 3GB eSIM to use while on your journey.
Based on the reviews, users say the pass is worth it even for just avoiding the queues at ticketing machines. Plus, you can use the pass for multiple cities and purchase it for seven, 14, or 21 days.
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture
Whenever you travel to a new and vibrant place, it’s easy to feel like there’s not enough time for everything. One of the best ways to prevent that is by finding ways to culturally immerse yourself in unique experiences. And why not save money while doing it?
In terms of how much does it cost to travel to Japan, you can keep costs low by utilizing the right resources.
Travel company Klook works with some of the best local businesses to help you create memorable and special experiences while in Japan at a fraction of the cost. With Klook, you can book everything from traditional kimono photoshoots to authentic matcha tea ceremonies.
Other popular experiences include a sushi-making class, a ninja workshop, and even a pottery class where you can walk away with a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
One of the more unique and highly-rated experiences includes a jeans-making experience where you can learn the manufacturing method used by Japan’s domestic denim maker, Okayama Denim. A denim-making experience might not be the first thing you think of when you think of Japan, but how cool is it to walk away with your own customized piece?
The unique experience I’d personally pick would be the traditional kintsugi experience. The ancient kintsugi process involves transforming broken ceramics into art pieces by repairing them with powdered gold. And, at the end of the class, you get to take home your transformed art piece!
Take in the view
Sometimes the best things to see while traveling happen to be the touristy landmarks. Mt. Fuji is the perfect example of this. The iconic volcano is in nearly every stock photo of Japan and for a good reason—it’s breathtaking, massive, and the country’s tallest peak.
And, of course, because it’s such a frequented area, it’s a good idea to book a day tour in advance to see it. This day tour, for example, includes lunch and guides you through all the top things to see around the volcano. Besides getting an incredible view at 2,300 meters above sea level, the tour also takes you on a scenic stroll of Mt. Fuji’s second-largest lake and a visit to the eight picturesque ponds of Oshino Hakkai which are believed to have been formed after Mt. Fuji’s eruption.
Day tours like the one above make a stressful, touristy area much easier to navigate. Just think of how nice it’ll be to not even have to think about transportation. When you don’t have to plan a single moment, you can just relax and enjoy the (almost) unbelievable view.
A lot of companies charge upwards of $150 for subpar tours, but with Klook, you can get a highly-rated tour starting at only $42. And the best part is, you have many stellar tours to choose from and can add select ones with options for lunch, flower viewings, or even hot springs visits. Klook tours to Mt. Fuji typically only cost between $40 and $70, so even the most expensive one can save you at least $30 per person!
Get your thrills at popular amusement parks
Make sure to take some time to carve out a bit of thrill-seeking. Luckily, Japan has both a Disney Resort and a Universal Studios that are jam-packed with gripping rides. Klook offers great deals on passes to help keep your expenses in check for the whole family. Booking on Klook is easy. The platform accepts all kinds of credit cards, debit cards, and even e-wallets.
Tokyo Disneyland features favorites like Big Thunder Mountain and the Dumbo ride, but it also includes areas like Ariel’s Little Mermaid Kingdom and hair-raising rides like Journey to the Center of the Earth. And, as of June 2024, you can also book a pass for the newest area in the park: DisneySea! Book your Tokyo Disney Resort Park Ticket or DisneySea Pass with Klook for only $57.69.
If things like a Mario Kart-themed land, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, or Despicable Me are more up your alley, I would recommend grabbing a Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass. Passes start at $57.15 but you can choose from a one-day, one-and-a-half-day, or two-day studio pass.
And, do yourself a favor and book the Universal Studios Japan Express Pass so you can skip the lines and dive into the adventures quicker. You can even choose whether you want the Express Pass for four or seven attractions. And, there are passes for the popular Halloween Horror Nights and ones that come with the Kansai and Osaka metro passes so you don’t have to worry about transportation either!
Be a part of the art
No trip is complete without at least one museum visit. Japan has some of the most transcendent digital art museums that will test your eyesight and perhaps make you question what’s in front of you.
With the teamLab Planets Tokyo DMM Ticket, you can place yourself in the middle of interactive art installations, like floating flowers and a room that appears to be made of infinite crystals, just to name a few.
Then, hop over to teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM in Tokyo and marvel at rooms that transport you to different universes, like bubbles of light, blooming flowers, and swirling vortices. With tickets close to $70 on the Borderless website, it’s a wise idea to get your tickets on Klook for only $30.39!
Defy gravity
Warning: These next two activities are not for those with a weak stomach. But, if you’re brave enough to go to soaring heights, Japan has two great experiences that give you incredible panoramic vistas of Tokyo.
First, you can visit the Tokyo Skytree Tower, AKA the tallest building in all of Japan. Once you’re at the top, you can stroll around the spiraling skywalk and see the city from all sides. If you get the combo ticket, you can also get access to the Sumida Aquarium, the Japanese sweets cafe, and a 24-hour pass for the Tokyo Metro, all for a discounted rate.
If that’s not enough, you can also defy gravity at the Shibuya Sky, complete with an outdoor rooftop area that gives you access to one of the most picturesque and Insta-worthy spots to snap a vacation pic. You can also literally hang out in a Cloud Hammock, where you hang off the edge of a helipad!
Just make sure you stay for the Crossing Light show they put on at night. It’s a dazzling light show created with 18 beams that light up the night sky. Pro tip: Book your time slot for about an hour before sunset, so you can have enough time to explore the building and then enjoy the view at the end of a long travel day.
All-around savings
Of course, if you’re an inquisitive traveler, you likely want to experience all the things above.
When calculating how much does it cost to travel to Japan, it’d be wise to spring for the Greater Tokyo Klook Pass.
The pass starts at only $48.45 and is customizable, so you can pick the number of attractions you want to see (between two and seven attractions) and you can add on an optional premium attraction.
From there, it’s simple. All you have to do is book your reservations for all the experiences you want to see. It’s a surefire way to make your Japan trip memorable (at a fraction of the price)!
Want more discounts?
With Klook, you can enjoy all the top experiences in Japan at a fraction of the cost. Klook is a world-leading travel and experiences platform with over half a million offerings in over 2,700 destinations, and it’s particularly popular with those visiting Japan! You can book everything from bus tickets to amusement park tours to visits with alpacas.
Whether you want to try something new in your neighborhood or are venturing abroad, Klook can help you book it while saving a pretty penny. So, for anyone wondering, “How much does it cost to travel to Japan?” consider Klook to keep costs low and your culture and adventure intake high.
