You must’ve often heard that Japan is an expensive country to visit. However, with a little planning and following a set budget will definitely make your ‘India to Japan in 2025’ experience worth it, even without burning a hole in your wallet. So, without any further ado, let’s understand Japan travel budgeting for Indians 2025.
Why Is Budgeting For An International Trip Important?
Budgeting is an important part of any kind of travel, and is especially important if you’re traveling internationally. Planning a rough budget will not only help you gauge the estimated costs, but also lessen the chances of you overspending.
In fact, if you plan the entire budget and then divide it into day-wise budgets, you’ll be able to limit your spending of the day. If you end up saving some money on that day, you can add it to your budget for the next day!
Also, the Japanese Yen is currently at its weakest since 1990, making 2025 one of the cheapest years to travel to Japan. While flights are expensive and the rates depend on your respective country’s economy, expenses such as food, traveling, and accommodations within Japan have become comparatively affordable due to the slip of the Yen! This makes 2025 the cheapest time to visit Japan!
Important Expenses In Japan That You Should Know
Transport
Opt For A Suica Or Pasmo Card
If you’re planning to use public transport often in Japan, we recommend getting an IC Card. An IC Card is a rechargeable card that you can use in most of Japan’s subways, convenience stores, and even restaurants.
Suica and Pasmo are two of the most popular IC Cards that you can buy at any metro station in Tokyo or other cities, and even at the airport. The Suica Card is used for JR trains in the Greater Tokyo, Niigata and Sendai regions. It requires a 500 Yen (288 INR) deposit and you can top it with additional money.
Similarly, the Pasmo Card is Tokyo’s railway, subway and bus operators other than JR. It requires a non-refundable fee of 500 Yen and you can top it with additional money.
Japan Rail (Jr) Pass
The JR Pass is a nationwide pass for long-distance train travel that is exclusively for foreign tourists. It offers unlimited train rides for either one, two, or three weeks. The pass comes in two types: ordinary and green.
For 7 consecutive days, the ordinary pass costs 50,000 Yen (28, 839 INR), while the green pass costs 70,000 (40,374 INR).
If you are using the pass for 14 days, the ordinary pass costs 80,000 Yen (46,142 INR), while the green pass costs 110,000 Yen (63,446 INR).
For 21 days, the ordinary pass costs 100,000 Yen (57,678 INR), while the green pass costs 140,000 Yen (80,749 INR).
Accommodation
We highly recommend booking your accommodation well in advance, right after you’ve decided your itinerary. Booking the accommodation in advance will save you from last minute inconveniences such as unavailable rooms or unexpected price hikes. Rakuten Travel, Jalan, and Agoda are some of the best websites to book your accommodation.
If you’re a solo traveler or only with one more person, you can opt for hostels that start from 2,000 Yen per night (INR 1,153). If you want to save up on accommodation costs, we recommend avoiding places that are right in the city center or near important train stations or tourist attractions. Instead, you can look for hotels that are about 10-20 minutes away (walking distance) from that place or a few subway stations away. In fact, many hotels also give customers discounted or free bicycles and sightseeing tour packages.
Capsule Hotels are another great option for budget travelers who wish to live in a unique accommodation. These capsule hotels don’t have rooms – instead, you have individual capsules. These hotels have common bathrooms, cafeterias, lockers, and lounges, and are great for budget travelers. They generally start from 3,000 Yen per night (INR 1,730).
Most mid-budget hotels start from 6,000 Yen per night (INR 3,461), while traditional Japanese accommodations called Ryokans start from 5,000 Yen, including breakfast (2,884 INR). In short, there are accommodation options for almost every kind of traveler, be it a solo budget traveler or a luxury traveler!
Food
While it is generally thought that food in Japan is fairly expensive, it is largely a myth. In fact, it is only true if you are having a multi-course premium Japanese meal at a fancy restaurant. Most local restaurants in Japan have delicious Japanese food that starts as low as 1,000 Yen (576 INR).
Other restaurant chains have comparatively pricier menus starting from 2,000 Yen (INR 1,153), however, the experience is totally worth it. Many railway stations also have small shops that offer bento boxes for as low as 500 Yen (288 INR).
There are many convenience stores where you can get full meals and light snacks that start from as low as 100 or 200 Yen (57 INR to 115 INR). Here, you can get almost anything that you want – not just food, but also other essential supplies like power banks, travel adapters, umbrellas, and many other items.
How Much Does It Cost To Visit Japan From India?
Flights are where you’ll likely spend the most money as flight prices from India can cost quite a bit. India to Japan cheapest flight (return flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport) start from approximately INR 50,000 per person and the prices can hike up in the peak season.
Tips For Japan Travel Budgeting For Indians
Plan Your Itinerary In Advance
Japan is a vast country and if you’re planning to explore a lot of different places spread throughout the country, it is best recommended to have a solid itinerary by your side. If you’re only visiting one or a few cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka, you may get a little flexible with your itinerary.
However, if there are many different places, including countryside Japan, we highly recommend planning your itinerary well in advance. This way, you’ll have a clear idea of where you’ll be going, and that way you can plan your transport, accommodation, activities, and food accordingly.
Avoid Peak Tourist Season
It is natural that the prices of most services in Japan will likely be inflated during the peak tourist season. So, if you’re planning to visit Japan, avoid the peak tourist season – instead plan your trip just a little prior or a little later to the peak season.
Japan experiences its peak cherry blossom season between March and May. The months between September and November also see tourist influx, as they flock to witness the autumn foliage. You can visit the country in February, early March, late May, or June for a good experience.
Check Out Free Walking Tours
There are many places in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and other cities that offer walking tours of many historical monuments, localities, and parks. If you wish to explore a neighborhood or a district and know about its history and significance, you can sign up for these free walking tours. Now that’s a win-win!
Check Out Free Activities
Japan’s cities have many tourist attractions that offer free entries. There are many parks, temples, historical sites, and even museums that offer free tours and activities. Most of these places are fun to visit and there are plenty of things you can do for absolutely free of cost.
If you’re traveling on a budget, we highly recommend doing as many free activities as you can to not only cut costs but also enjoy to your heart’s content.
Supermarkets Will Save The Day!
If you think eating out in Japan is expensive, there are plenty of supermarkets and convenience stores where you can get a lot of delicious meals at affordable prices. The convenience store culture in Japan is quite efficient – you can get almost anything under the sun in their convenience stores. Be it your morning breakfast, evening tea, or even a full dinner, we highly recommend checking out Japan’s convenience stores to save on expensive meals.
Use Public Transport Or Walk Instead Of Opting For Expensive Cabs
Japan’s public transport is one of the best in the world, and getting in and around places in the country isn’t much of a hassle. However, the seemingly complicated network of trains in Japan can make a tourist quite intimidated and you might opt for cabs to get from one location to another.
Instead of spending money on expensive cabs, it is best recommended to use reliable public transport. The signs and announcements are usually in English and Japanese, making it convenient for foreign tourists to navigate. Plus, the public transport is quick, efficient, and punctual, so you can reach your destination on time in a quick span of time.
Also, if you’re in Japan, prepare to walk a lot! While it may seem like a tiresome job to do, walking in Japan will definitely save you plenty of money. Plus, you might even stumble across a hidden gem!
Summing Up
Going to Japan doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg anymore – you can do so on a budget. Besides the pricey tickets from Indian cities, traveling, staying, and eating in Japan can easily become affordable if you plan in the right way.
FAQs
What Is The Cheapest Month To Go To Japan?
Many travel websites and internet results say that January is the cheapest time to visit Japan. January is an off-season for tourists, so you can visit the country during this time to avoid large crowds.
How Far Is Japan From Mumbai By Flight?
Japan is approximately 6,724 kilometers away from Mumbai by flight and a non-stop flight between the two cities can take up to 7 to 8 hours.
Is 5000 Yen A Day Enough For Food?
Yes, 5000 Yen for one person per day is quite doable. You can have a filling breakfast or dinner at a mid-level restaurant and opt for light snacks in between meals at convenience stores.
