Not quite. But there is no doubt that it has never been cheaper for travellers and backpackers to visit Japan. You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the best of this fascinating country. Here are a few reasons why it’s possible to do Japan on a budget.
Thank you, Abe
Since 2012 Japan has undergone a series of major economic reforms that have seen the value of the yen crash versus other major currencies. The era of “Abenomics”, named after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who introduced the reforms, has made visiting Japan much more affordable. You’ll feel a meaningful difference when you go to the Bureau de Change to swap your pounds, euros or dollars for Japanese Yen.
Today, £1 will get you around 170 yen, though this was as high as 190 yen at the end of 2015. If you’d gone to Japan in 2011 your £1 would have got you around 120 yen.
New airlines
Flying from Europe to Japan on a budget is not easy. Routes have historically been dominated by major airlines, such as British, Virgin and Japan Airlines. But the old guard are now facing some competition from other airlines. For instance, Turkish Airlines now flies from London to Tokyo with a short stopover in Istanbul and is offering a number of price promos for customers. Emirates, Air India and Aeroflot also fly to Tokyo with a single stopover at very competitive prices, so hunt around for a bargain.
Get the rail pass
Foreign visitors are eligible for a rail pass that covers nearly all bullet and local trains. The pass is NOT sold in Japan, so it is vital you apply for it in advance. There are 7-day, 14,-day and 21-day options, as well as two different classes of ticket available. The pass really opens up the country for travellers, enabling you to cover an enormous amount of ground at a very reasonable price. A no-brainer!
Great food whatever your budget
Japan has many of the best fine-dining restaurants in the world, but quality is not limited to those handful of restaurants. There is culinary excellence across the board, especially in the many smaller shops and stands that really specialise in a select few dishes and do them really well. A big bowl of ramen or soba noodles with all the trimmings will set you back around £5 – £7 in Tokyo. If you really want to keep hunger at bay, many of these smaller restaurants will also provide unlimited rice for around 50p extra. If you want a taste of the Michelin-starred world, then many of those restaurants offer a lunch time set menu, sometimes for as little as £10, so have a look around.
Keep it local for cheaper drinks
Avoid hotel bars (sorry, that “Lost in Translation” whiskey will have to wait) and areas targeted mainly at Westerners and you’ll find that drinks are reasonably priced. Stick to izakayas (Japanese bars) for better prices and a more local experience. A beer or glass of wine in these types of bars should cost around £2.50 to £3. Hit up a yokocho – an alleyway bar – for an even more local flavour and toast the salarymen getting stuck in after work. If you really want to hit it hard, keep an eye out for nomihodai , which is a type of happy hour without the watered down beer and 4pm start time. Find a bar offering nomihodai and you’ll pay as little as £12 for unlimited drinks through the evening.
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