There’s a misconception that Japan is a highly expensive country for foreign visitors. However, even if it has been comparatively pricier, the country recently grabbed headlines for being a cheap place to travel to in 2025. If you too are eyeing to visit Japan soon, here’s a Japan cheap travel 2025 guide for you!
Japan Cheap Travel 2025 Guide
The Yen Crisis Of Japan
As of late 2024, the Japanese Yen is experiencing a downfall, the lowest since 1990. The Japanese Yen has been one of the strongest currencies in the world for a long time.
However, in April 2024, the Yen dropped down to its lowest level since April 1990. The currency stood at about 160.17 against the US dollar, marking the lowest it has ever been since the 90s.
The fall of the Yen has been majorly attributed to the increasing rift in the interest rates between the U. S. and Japan. While the interest rate of the US Federal Reserve, as of 2024, is 5.25 to 5.50 percent, the equivalent interest rate of the Bank of Japan is only 0 to 0.1 percent.
There are in fact several other economic factors associated with the fall of the Yen, however, we shall not delve too deeply into them as they are quite technical to understand.
The main question for us (and you) remains: “Is Japan cheap to travel?”
Why Japan Is Cheap For Travel Right Now
The simple answer to this question is – the falling Yen. With the Yen declining, most things in Japan have become comparatively cheaper for tourists.
While flights to Japan from India remain pricey, many services within Japan have become cheaper. Be it food, or sightseeing, the downfall of the Japanese Yen has given an upper hand to eager tourists in terms of prices. This means that tourists will be able to buy more for less.
With the decline of the Yen, hotel prices have dropped to a certain extent. This makes staying in Japan more affordable for tourists.
How Japan Has Become More Accessible To Indians
Traveling to Japan has become more accessible to Indians, thanks to more and more airlines offering flights to Tokyo from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai.
These flights are either direct or stop for a layover at other South Asian cities like Singapore or Seoul. Plus, there are many companies that offer flights at discounted prices and steal deals, making it more accessible for Indians to fly to Japan.
In fact, in 2024, Japan saw 233,000 Indian tourists alone. This was a 40% increase from the previous year, according to data from Japan National Tourism Organization.
Best Time To Travel To Japan Cheap
The best time to travel to Japan cheap is in the shoulder seasons of April to June and September to November. Tourists, though present, are comparatively lesser than the peak season. This means that prices for many services like hotels, food, and travel will be relatively affordable for Indian tourists.
Japan Cheap Travel 2025: Essential Tips
- Plan your complete itinerary and budget well before you set foot in Japan. Be it the flight tickets, accommodation bookings, or sightseeing packages, if any, make sure you plan it all in advance. This will help you gain an estimated overview of the budget, and you can cut down or add to your budget as required.
- If you don’t want to end up splurging on expensive food in Japan, it is highly recommended that you fully make use of Japanese convenience stores. They offer delicious food for affordable prices and they’re almost everywhere in Japan – making them cheap and efficient!
- Many cities and towns in Japan have plenty of experiences and attractions that you can enjoy free of charge. From local markets and temples to beaches, parks, and even observatories, the right research will help you add a lot of ‘free’ spots to your itinerary!
- Use public transport or walk whenever you can to save on spending too much on expensive cabs!
Summing Up
Traveling cheap in Japan in 2025 is possible with just the right budget planning and looking for the best deals on food, shopping, and accommodation.
The country, because of its falling Yen, has become more accessible to tourists worldwide. So if you haven’t yet lived your Japan dream, 2025 is the year to do so!
FAQs
Which Is Cheaper, India Or Japan?
If we compare economies, India is comparatively cheaper than Japan. If you’re a traveler traveling to India and Japan, you’ll find India cheaper than Japan, be it accommodation, food, activities, or experiences.
Why Is The Japanese Yen Going Down?
The downfall of the Japanese Yen has been attributed to the rising rift in the interest rates of the United States and Japan.
Is Japan Visa Free For India?
No, Japan is not visa-free for Indians. Japan has rolled out e-visas for Indians that cost INR 500.
