You cannot visit Japan and do what every other tourist does. You just can’t. It’s against the law, and I won’t let you.
If you are looking for cheap or inexpensive things to do in Japan, you have a sense of adventure, don’t mind heights and want to experience a slightly different Japan then you are in the right place!
Let’s be friends.
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We travelled to Japan with our two teenage kids.
We backpacked around the country for a month and, because we were on a super tight budget, we were constantly looking for inexpensive (but unique) things to do. I spent weeks planning our trip to include experiences in Japan that other people might not have considered – or just didn’t know about.
How Much Does It Cost To Vacation In Japan?
That depends entirely on how you want to experience the country.
Popular to contrary belief, we didn’t find Japan to be as expensive as everyone said it would be.
Your biggest expense will probably be your flights, but if you can be flexible with your dates, times and destinations, you will be surprised at how much you can shave off the price of a plane ticket. Use the flight comparison website Skyscanner to play around with different locations and days.
It is easy to find very cheap (and delicious) food from street stalls in Japan or by visiting the supermarket after 8 pm (when lots of fresh food is reduced drastically because the shop can’t sell it the next day).
Avoid the fancy restaurants and instead, go under the subways and eat noodles with the office workers (a lot cheaper and much more entertaining!)
We didn’t pay for accommodation anywhere in Japan because we couchsurfed as a family.
This post isn’t the time or place to talk about our couchsurfing antics, but if couchsurfing in Japan isn’t on your agenda then check out our two-week Japanese itinerary to see lots of different price options for accommodation.
If you are willing to think outside the box then there are many attractions you can experience in Japan for free (or by paying a fraction of what others are paying).
Here are five ideas that will save you money but will reward you with life riches!
5 Unique And Inexpensive Things To Do In Japan
Are you ready to do things differently in Japan?
#1: Slurp Noodles To Your Hearts Content.
- Underneath Tokyo station, there is a labyrinth of cheap noodle bars all vying for your attention.
- Pick the one with the longest line of Japanese office workers – it will be the best, join the line and prepare yourself for a unique culinary experience.
- Once you are efficiently seated you will be handed a disposable, paperwhite apron. We were in total confusion as to what we had to do with them until we looked over to the table next to us. Then it made perfect sense.
- When the Japanese eat noodles and broth they turn into completely different people. It is quite literally, out with the quiet and serene and in with the Cookie Monster.
- It is wonderful. Especially if you are travelling with kids who can’t stand to be told to get their elbows off the table.
Being able to slurp noodles is one of those things that surprised me the most about Japan.
I knew about the noodles, obviously, but what I didn’t realise was that it is etiquette to slurp the delicious hot steaming broth as loud as you can in public.
- Life in Japan is very different from how I imagined it would be, and this was one of those experiences that took me by surprise. In a nice way, I might add.
- My teenage kids thought they were in heaven. There was me, telling them that Japan is super quiet and they must not raise their loud teenage voices, and then they go into a restaurant only to discover they can eat like Shrek.
My daughter. Her favourite thing to do in Japan was to slurp her noodles as loud as she could!
#2: Do NOT rule out Housesitting in Japan! (You’ll save a fortune!)
We are HUGE fans of housesitting. We do it whenever we travel. If anyone ever tells you that you can travel for FREE by housesitting, they are absolutely right. Spot on. We have saved $$$ (approximately twenty grand – yes you read that right!) by housesitting throughout the world.
Japan is the perfect country in which to housesit because there are many ex-pats (mostly Americans and British) who live there. When they take a vacation back home, they look for English-speaking sitters to take care of their property while they are away.
Honestly, I can’t understand why more people don’t do this!
How to housesit in Japan
We spent three days housesitting in Kyoto Japan in a very nice house (and with a beautiful little cat!). The owners were taking a business trip and needed someone to look after their place and cat and lucky for us they gave us the job.
So you can see why I’m so passionate about housesitting in Japan!
Housesitting is VERY straightforward: You join Housesitters and you can use my exclusive discount code to save yourself 20% by Clicking here. you can view many beautiful places around the world (including Japan) that are available and waiting for travellers like YOU to take care of them.
If Housesitting seems like a good fit and you too would like to join us, and thousands of other savvy travellers who get to travel the world without paying for accommodation then sign up for a year’s membership (for less than the cost of a night’s accommodation in Japan) and you can use my exclusive discount code to save yourself 20% by Clicking here.
Available Houses for you to stay in (for FREE!) in Japan
You make a profile and then twice a day you are sent emails (such as the screenshot from my phone below) listing available properties in Japan.
As we all know, accommodation in Japan isn’t the cheapest in the world so if you want to travel to Japan on a budget then become a Housesitter!
I have enclosed a screenshot that I received this morning.
Click here to see all the current house sits in Japan.
This is one of the many emails you will receive weekly, telling you about the latest housesits in Japan!
How easy would it be to look after three rabbits in return for a MONTH’S Free accommodation in Japan!
These are the kind of offers that I get weekly. At least consider housesitting! You will save a fortune and get to stay in places that are unbelievable!
If you are planning a trip to Japan, do not rule out the possibility of Housesitting!
It’s not hard and is a fabulous way to experience living in beautiful parts of Japan in return for looking after someone’s property (and maybe a pet!)
Click here to see all of the current housesits in Japan and remember that if you do choose to sign up, use the discount code “SITTERLIZ” to get your 20% discount!
3: Visit A Jaw-Dropping Movie Place in Tokyo. (It’s cheaper than you think!)
- If, like us, you find yourself in the capital city of Japan on a budget and with no desire to look around shopping malls, then head to one of the many English-speaking cinemas located around the city.
- Don’t worry about finding one to suit; when I say there are loads, I am not exaggerating. Check out this website that will tell you how to acquire cheap tickets for the movie you want to see.
- I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is to experience a Japanese movie house. You must go and do it for yourself. Is that an old-fashioned word? Moviehouse? It sounds like something my Granny would have said, but anyway, the cinema. The Moviehouse.
Huge bucket seats with a screen bigger than something big, the cinemas in Japan are worth a plane trip on their own.
How wonderful not to have to worry about a tall person sitting in front of you, literally, your row of seats is on its own raised platform. You will LOVE it.
There are not many things that will stop my teenage boy in his tracks but the size of the screen at the cinema in Tokyo Japan did just that!
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#4: Climb Mt Yoshinoyama (Nara Prefecture)
I have included a small map to give you an idea of the scale of Mt Yoshinoyama
- Mt Yoshinoyama is famous for its cherry blossom viewing spot. The mountain is adorned with over 30,000 cherry trees.
- As you start to make your way from one level to the next (don’t think mountain climbing here – it is a moderate climb and very easy if you are used to walking) halfway up the mountain you will come to the beautiful town of Yoshinoyama.
- I have read in other blogs that it is super touristy, but I didn’t think so, I thought it was charming. Perhaps that’s because we were there out of season and maybe I’m getting older so enjoy twee Japanese towns.
- In the spring Yoshinoyama sees hoards of visitors, all clambering to get the best spot. This is where you need to listen carefully. What better way to see these vibrant pink trees than to get as high up as you can?
- Go to the visitor area at the bottom of the town and then, instead of following the crowds, look for the white sign that says ‘walking track’. Follow the path, up, up, up. You will come to a graveyard, there is absolutely no one around. Find a nice spot overlooking the trees and relax.
- Watch from above as the hoards of tourists look for a parking space for their car. It’s very entertaining!
As you can see it is a pretty easy climb (note that I am the one at the back – huffing and puffing and taking the photos)
Finding the best spot to view not just the cherry trees but the circus that is happening in the tourist car park! A fabulous way to enjoy a picnic!
Related Posts That You May Enjoy!
Couchsurfing. What it is and what it isn’t.
Deciding to leave everything behind for a year and travel the world with two teenagers
#5: Visit a Carp Farm.
I didn’t know anything about Carp until I visited Japan. We stayed with a couple who had a pond in their garden and it was filled with these beautiful, large, bright orange fish that I now know are called Carp. (don’t judge me; I didn’t listen in school).
I wondered why our host had security cameras aimed at the pond; it was then that I learned how valuable these fish are to the Japanese people. Sitting in that mans pond was the equivalent to three Ford Fiestas.
Think racehorses but with fins and wearing an orange jumpsuit. That’s how prized these fish are.
Once I found this out I was desperate to see more Carp. I was curious as to what made one fish worth $100,000 (yes, really) more than another.
Carp farms in Japan can be found in the countryside. The farm that we visited was outside of Tokyo.
Go to a Carp Farm. Ask if you can look at the fish and if possible, do as we did and let the farm owner explain to you the worth of each Carp.
Watch the excitement in the farmer’s eyes.
There is nothing better than talking with a person who is passionate about their subject, and Carp farmers are certainly that. We were allowed to feed the fish and we learned an incredible amount. Best of all? It was free!
Go away, you yellow traitor. You are not worthy to be in this pond.
So Far So Good, But Are You Sure The Next Suggestion Is Not Going To Break My Japan Budget?
Everything we did, we did on a budget. You don’t need me to tell you that Japan is expensive, but there are certainly ways that you can enjoy yourself in this country without breaking the bank.
You are going to love my next and final suggestion.
As much as kids enjoy looking at cherry blossoms and doing long hikes through mountains, they are young and adventurous. What they wanted most from Japan was to be thrilled.
#6: A Japanese Theme Park (& no, it’s not Disney)
Like everything in Japan, the Japanese theme parks are perfect; clean, calm and super safe. If you have ever travelled on a Japanese train you will know what I am talking about.
The theme parks are no different, you almost feel guilty for not taking your shoes off as you walk into one of their immaculate public bathrooms.
When I was planning the trip I had looked into the prices of Tokyo Disneyland, not only could we not afford it, to be honest, I just couldn’t face it.
We have been to Florida Disney Land and that is enough.
One of the best things that we did while we were in Japan was to experience a Japanese theme park. They really are like no other in the world.
I told you at the beginning of this post, if you are looking for things to do in Japan then you need to have a head for adventure! And heights.
Get Your Thrills at Nagashima Spa Land
Nagashima Spa Land is an amusement park in Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, Japan.
We were staying in Nagoya and looking for things to do when we were told about this unadvertised theme park. If you are planning a trip to Japan DO NOT miss this fabulous experience.
Getting To Nagashima Spa Land From Nagoya
You can take the train but that’s not as cheap and as easy as the bus. Here’s what to do: Go to the Meitetsu Bus Station (located just outside the Nagoya railway station) and get a bus directly to Nagashima resort.
Don’t worry, everyone on that bus is going to the same place as you are and to our surprise, the driver spoke a little English. You can’t go wrong, just ask. Click here for the timetables and the cost of the bus.
What You Can Expect From The Nagashima Resort In Japan
According to a report carried out by CNN Travel, the Nagashima Spa Land was number 19 in the most visited amusement parks in the world, having a whopping 5.93 million people passed through the gates in 2017.
Well. I don’t know when all of these people came, but they certainly weren’t there when we visited. We made a vlog of our experience there you will see for yourself, the park was empty. It was fabulous!
Check out our video of the fabulous theme park (only the Japanese could keep the place so clean!)
Top Tips For Visiting Nagashima Theme Park In Japan
- I suggest you visit off-peak season, we were there in early May, and I don’t know if we just caught it lucky but as I said, you will pretty much have the place to yourselves.
- Nagashima Resort is said to be the best theme park for roller coasters in western Japan. There are over forty rides at the resort ranging from thrill-seeking, sky topping rollercoasters, kids rides and the icing on the cake – the huge Ferris wheel.
- Ride the Steel Dragon and scream for your life. I am not kidding; it was the terrifying ride I have ever encountered, but, like everything in Japan it felt incredibly safe – almost a little too over-engineered!
- There are places to eat; we got burgers and fries – come on, you are at a fairground in Japan, you can’t eat noodles all of the time.
- If you are visiting Japan with kids or, you would like to experience how the Japanese people let their hair down, then please, do not miss this fabulous once in a lifetime experience.
- While Nagashima is not Disneyland Tokyo or Legoland it is an old-style new engineered, underrated, thrilling, and immaculate Japanese theme park that will leave you breathless – certainly, if you ride the cray rollercoasters then literally, yes, it will leave you breathless.
5 Things You Really Need To Do In Japan (& I’m sorry, these aren’t so cheap)
Before I go any further I have to tell you something about our month in Japan.
Yes, we were trying to see the country as inexpensively as possible, but, there were two things that we had to buy; come hell or high water.
Riding The Bullet Train (The Shinkansen) in Japan
The first big expense for us was purchasing tickets to travel on the Shinkansen train in Japan.
This blew our budget so far out of the water that I had to throw a life vest out to try and save it.
But.
You cannot come to Japan and fail to experience the bullet train.
You just can’t.
Even if you only get a three-day pass – yes it’s extortionately priced but you will never regret it. I promise.
Click here to buy advance tickets for the bullet train in Japan.
Yes, it will cost you half of your spending money but DO NOT miss the opportunity to travel on one of the Japanese bullet trains.
The second is the wifi.
Wifi in Japan
Apparently, (so my techy husband tried to explain to me) the Japanese cell towers perform on different frequencies and not all cell phones work with a local SIM card.
Before you freak out as I did (my 17-year-old almost had a heart attack) there is a perfect Japanese solution.
You can hire a pocket Wi-Fi router.
This is what we did, and it was a lifesaver.
You hire the pocket router from this company for about $25 a day, they deliver it to your hotel (or you can pick it up at an agreed location) and that is the end of your wifi problems in Japan.
Ok then.
Those are the two things that will cost you money (but you may find hard to do without, next for the fun stuff!
Related posts that you will enjoy!
Arrive in Japan feeling beautiful. 10 Plane essentials that you will never leave home without again
How people travel the world when they are not rich
Going home after a year of travel
8 travel tips you need to ignore ’cause they are rubbish
If a family of four can backpack around Japan on a budget then so can YOU!
Would you love to travel to places like Japan more often but could use some tips on how to do it for a lot less? Then join me & I’ll show you how!
There you have it!
My top things to do in Japan when you want something other than the usual fare. Be brave, do things differently while you are in Japan avoid the crowds, get off the tourist track and you will discover a Japan that not many people know about. Enjoy!
Hi! My husband and I just moved to Japan and we will be here for about 3 years. I happened upon your blog and I just have to ask: how do you do it all? My husband and I absolutely love travel, but we do not have kids yet, so it is relatively easy. Do you have any advice for prospective parents who love to travel?
Hi Peggy,
When out kids were little and at school, we did what other parents do and took them travelling in the school holidays, and then once we emigrated to New Zealand we started to homeschool and never had to worry about that again!
I believe that kids learn just as much while travelling the world as they do in school and if there is something crucial they need to learn then they can do it if and when they are ready. (but that’s a different rant – sign up for my newsletter, I discuss it more on that!)
If homeschooling isn’t on your agenda then you can still do lots of fun things in and around the holidays (taking them out a week either side; yes, you may have to write a report to the school – depending on where you live – but it’s worth it! Other than that? How about a camping adventure at the weekends? Hope this helps Peggy and enjoy Japan! I am very jealous (I’ll come and be you nanny for a month or two once you have kids!!)
which Koi Farm did you visit??
it sounds quite interesting.
btw, they usually call the fish “Koi” as it brings luck to the owner. calling them crap , make me wanna eat them 😁
Thanks for that tip Jess! You know, I can’t remember the name without going through all of the photos and finding the address on Google maps! It was super interesting to see the look of pride from the farmer. One of the hosts that we stayed with when we couchsurfed had a huge garden filled with Koi and they were his pride and joy. He also took us to the man where he buys his fish.
If you would like to drop by and see the little place at the side of the road it was in Wakuri, Obama-Shi, Fukui.
Thanks for your comment and let me know if you loved it as much as I did!
Great article! We have been a fulltime traveling family of 5 since 2014, and our oldest son moved to Tokyo almost 2 years ago, so we need to go visit. I found this article to be very helpful, as I like to do things all the other tourists aren’t doing. Thanks for sharing your experiences, and you’ve convinced me to look into housesitting.
Thank you Theresa and please look into housesitting!! We have saved $$$$ by doing it, it really is wonderful. Thankyou for reading and for taking the time to say hi!