Having been twice to the land of the sushi, maid cafes, shiba doggos, and vendo machines, I can say I have developed a good grasp of the ¥en.
*** I am fully aware of our different income brackets. It may take a longer time for some to save up, or some may not even have to think twice because money is overflowing. All I'm saying is if you are 110% determined to visit Japan, these are the prices you could expect to face. ***
I grew up knowing only these things about Japan: anime, Takeshi’s Castle, Hiroshima bombing, comfort women, yakuza, Filipina japayukis marrying old Japanese men. How sad, no? I was an ignorant fool for most of my life.
My curiosity about Japan as a travel destination only flourished when my husband expressed his dream of touring. I wasn't into it at first. My dream destination has always been Europe. Thanks to the things we do for love, I researched far and wide from YouTube to Facebook. I found out that A) Japan appears expensive B) There are promo fares via Cebu Pacific and Jetstar and C) We’re game to try backpacking style.
So how much did our first nine-day trip in 2017 cost? Less than Php90,000 for two pax, all-in. How did that happen? Serving you juicy details below:
20,000 (airfare and taxes)
10,000 (hostel)
13,000 (Universal Studios Japan with Express Pass)
+ 5,000*9 days (food, transpo, entrance fees, gacha machine games, souvenirs)
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= Php88,000 two pax
Airfare
You know you caught a good promo if your round-trip ticket to either Osaka or Tokyo is Php10,000 for one passenger, inclusive of baggage fee, insurance, seat selection, travel tax and airport terminal fee.
Many swear they have paid for much less. I am sure you can get lower prices for travel dates during Japan's summer months (which we consciously avoid). And even cheaper rates for flights to less popular destinations like Nagoya or Fukuoka. These places cost less because you need to take another train/bus/plane ride to get to the actual sites that first-time tourists enjoy. Not originally a fan of this trick since you'll end up paying more in the end. But I totally understand if budget is tight at the moment of the seal sale, so you just save up for the additional fares in the coming months prior your trip.
Accommodation
We paid Php500/night per person in our first trip to the Kansai region. A price this cheap means you share the room and amenities with backpackers. We had a pleasant stay at Khaosan World Hostel Namba in Osaka because each person kept to himself.
We had privacy through the blackout curtains. The hostel was actually pretty cool and modern, obviously catering to the younger crowd. The toilets and shower rooms were spotless despite the number of guests using them. Of course, the iconic Japanese toilet seats were everywhere. It was also walking distance to every single thing we needed: Dotonbori, convenience stores, vendo machines, train station, laundromat, Bic Camera, and the tourist information center.
The downside was we moved quietly every time, just as every one did. We had to unpack things gently and slowly. Whenever we go home from our nightly food trips along Dotonbori street, the rest of the travelers were already asleep.
Food estimates
We indulged as much as we can. There were nights when we spent more than Php3000 on expensive sushi (otoro) dinner alone. But our typical breakfasts were a couple of onigiris from Family Mart (Php50) and boxed Lipton milk tea (Php60 - no pearls, guys). Our lunch depended on where we were at that moment, but it was almost never above Php500. I love trying out random vendo drinks (there is a machine for every few steps, I tell you). Average price range per drink is Php60-80. Street food is a must, especially in Osaka, and it usually costs more or less Php200. Because street food tastes absolutely delish in Japan (add to that they are sanitary), we sometimes no longer needed to eat three full meals.
Transportation
A short train or bus ride, say two to three stations apart, could cost you Php70. Taxis were a no-no for us then since I was afraid we'd rack up the bill, but we proved on our second visit that they were actually pretty affordable (more on that *maybe* on my next blog).
We were able to save further when we bought the Kansai Thru Pass valid for three days. The pass allows unlimited rides on subways and buses within the Kansai region. It was the cheaper and easier option for us since our home base was Osaka, and we frequented Kyoto. Purchasing KTP saved us the hassle of computing for our fare every single time we commute.
Entrance fees
I could say with confidence that if you only have more or less a week to spend for your first-time in Japan, our relaxed but still fun-filled itinerary is the best way to experience the Kansai region. Basically, it's Osaka-Kyoto-Nara. As much as possible, I do not recommend squeezing in Kanto region (where Tokyo is) in a week with Kansai. That's not a vacation -- that's Amazing Race.
I also understand that not everyone can have the time, money and energy to go back, so a lot of pressure is on to make sure all touristy things are ticked off in short visit.
So just how much should you expect to spend on average for entrance fees? I'd estimate around Php200 for temples and shrines, and Php500+ for museums and viewing towers like Umeda Sky Building (pictured above).
Noticeably in my computation above, Universal Studios Japan is an exception. A regular ticket is Php3,500 per person, and additional Php3,500 for the all-important Express Pass. Difference? Express Pass skips lines.
Games and souvenirs
This is highly dependent on how you are as a traveler. Do you like to come home with lots of treats for family and friends, or do you prefer pictures better?
We played gacha and UFO machines almost on a daily basis and lost money a lot of times. But we loved it like so many locals around us. A coin to play one round is usually Php50. I really can't remember how many coins we used up throughout those nine days. What I can vividly remember until now is the excitement and enjoyment we had.
My gacha toys also served as my souvenirs to co-workers, so that was cost-efficient. Hehe! We bought treats for family and friends at Don Quixote, roughly at Php200 per weirdly-flavored Kitkat pack. LOL! Of course, ref magnets are staple souvenirs, and they are around Php150 each. We also made sure to line up at the tax-free counters for tourists to save more money.
QUICK TIPS
1. Bring a tumbler and refill it for the day
2. Buy onigiri before entering USJ so you won't eat overpriced theme park food
3. Hostels usually offer free breads and instant ramen for breakfast
4. Book months in advance via Booking.com, and choose those that offer Free cancellation
5. Wait for seat sales during midnight of PH public holidays. Don't pay for travel tax and terminal fee if you're not yet 100% sure of your trip
6. Don't visit during winter so you won't have to buy additional clothes and shoes
7. Have your currency exchange in the Philippines as rates are better
8. If you have no choice, choose 711 ATMs to withdraw cash
9. Use the Japan-guide calculator to know if you really need a JR pass
10. Always bring cash. Credit card payments are not common. Ironic for an ultra-modern country but yeah
11. Sometimes doing the laundry (around Php75-100) is cheaper than buying new clothes solely for this trip
12. Daiso and Don Quixote are the cheapest souvenirs shops
13. Always take advantage of tax-free lanes in Don Quixote, Bic Camera, and the likes.
Final note:
Husband and I spent our first trip in November 2017 for our first wedding anniversary and 28th birthdays. We revisited Japan same month of 2018, but for 14 days. In total, we have had 23 days of autumn in different parts of Japan. We are coming back this year for Christmas, and I am pegging our budget to be relatively the same — Php5,000 pocket money per day for two pax.
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