Japan on a Shoestring

The land of the rising sun is known to be one of the most expensive places to go to. Japan is expensive, don’t get me wrong. But you can survive in one of the world’s most expensive cities with ample preparation. I don’t usually have the patience to make an itinerary other than my own. But this recent trip inspired me to make one especially for those in a tight budget.

First, I spent eight days in Japan and those aren’t enough. But since most of us who have regular jobs, have these number of days to contend with. Let’s work on a seven-day itinerary.

For the fare, well one of the highest expense in going to Japan is the plane fare. So scout for cheap tickets. I got mine for a very good deal but the catch is we fly in Osaka not Tokyo. Actually with Osaka as our gateway, Japan’s cultural heritage is within our reach with the Kansai region’s Kyoto, Narra, Himeji, among others. So it turned out it was for the better.

Ten Tips for Japan

1. For accommodations, if you don’t have friends in the area. Try staying in ryokan. These are traditional Japanese inns which serve travelers since the Edo Period. Or you can stay in guest houses which cater to backpackers. In Tokyo, I recommend Koenji guest house. http://kouenji.seesaa.net/
2. Guides, there are a lot of tour guides that offer free services especially in the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka, Himeji, Narra).  Here's a link: http://www.visitkansai.com/
3. Food, don’t scrimp on food. Splurge on Japanese food. I was surprised since I was prepared for exorbitant food prices. Surprisingly food prices in Japan are comparable to Singapore’s hawker centers, most oftentimes cheaper.  
4. Transportation, if there’s one thing that makes Japan expensive, it’s the transportation expenses. The minimum cab fare is 710 yen. And the cost from one station to another is 50 to 70 pesos. So good thing, we availed of the Japan Rail Pass which allowed us to ride as many trains, buses, bullet trains (except Nozomi bullet trains) as we want for seven days.
5. Walk, as they say the best way to explore a place is to walk. So walk and walk and you’ll be in for a treat. This is the best way to encounter Japan’s fashionistas.
6. Don’t hesitate to ask for directions. The Japanese are more than willing to help you. They may even accompany you if they have time.
7. Don’t be intimidated by Tokyo or even Osaka’s very complex train system. As I have learned, just divide and conquer. In Tokyo, just take note of the Yamanote and the Chuo Line. The Yamanote Line encircles or makes a loop around the entire city, while the Chuo Line cuts the city "crosswise". The Yamanote Line is where you can find the famous stations of Shibuya, Harajuku, Ebisu and Shinjuku.
8. There is a website that has become my best friend during this entire trip, www.hyperdia.com. Just input your origin and destination and select possible modes of transport. And Voila, several options are presented to you.
9. Watch out for a lot of street performers.
10.  There are not a lot of places with free wifi so if you want internet connection, try a manga kissa. These used to be manga libraries but have evolved to 24/7 internet cafes. Some even have shower rooms. So you can actually spend a night in one of their lounge chairs. And drinks are unlimited in most of them. So if you're in really tight budget, stay in one of those manga kissas.