No More Travel Funds for Japan Travel Itinerary 14 Days
Budget Japan Travel Itinerary 14 Days has been the first and most ambitious trip that I ever had. If you were aware of my previous post about what happened to my father, my travel fund for Japan was already wiped out. There was hesitation on my part if I should pursue this trip or not. Somehow, my former Canadian client understood my situation and sent $500 to my PayPal account. I challenged myself to travel solo on a low budget of just $500 or PHP 20,000.
7 days in Tokyo, 5 days in Osaka with my Japanese family, and 2 nights stranded at Narita airport.
Check out: 7 Lessons I Learned When I Missed My Willer Express Bus From Tokyo to Osaka
Total expenses for my 14 days trip in Japan cost me less than PhP30,000 including airfare, travel tax, terminal fee, and Japan visa. More detailed explanation if you keep on reading. Find out the things to do in Tokyo.
Related Article: Things To Do in Tokyo 2023 by iTravelRox
The photo above shows how I spent the $500 or PhP20,000 given to me by my former client. Everything was spent in Tokyo and Narita airport (got stranded for 2 nights).
Related Article: How to Prepare for your First Solo Trip in Japan
Tip #1 – Japan Travel Itinerary 14 Days
Buy baggage fees in advance.
Tip #2
Do not buy baggage if not shopping.
Tip #3
The terminal fee at PhP750
Related Article: Getting Japan Tourist Visa in the Philippines Without Income Tax Return
Tip #4
With my Philippine Peso, it is best to exchange it for Japanese Yen at Narita airport because it has a bigger value compared to the one I exchanged money for in Shibuya. It was a big loss.
Tip #5
Get a Suica card the moment you arrived at the airport loaded with at least JPY 1000 + JPY 500 deposit fee.
Tip #6 – Japan Travel Itinerary 14 Days
Book Willer Bus ahead of time because it’s cheaper.
Tip #7
Do not ever ride a taxi.
Tip #8
Book accommodation in advance for cheaper deals.
Related Article: How I Wrote my Letter of Explanation for Japan Tourist Visa
Tip #9
If stranded in Tokyo, find a 24-hour McDonald’s to stay for a night.
Tip #10
Spend lesser on food buying from 7-11 but splurging on Japanese food is not really a problem.
Activities in Tokyo – Japan Travel Itinerary 14 Days
You can see that I didn’t spend much during my DIY tour or Do-It-Yourself tour in Japan because there are several things to do that are free in Tokyo.
Related Article: Things To Do in Tokyo 2023 by iTravelRox
Tip #11
Download Tokyo Subway on your smartphone
Tip #12
Get a Tokyo Guidemap, it’s a must and it will save you ass and time.
Related Article: Photos – Autumn in Japan 2015
Activities in 5 Cities – Japan Travel Itinerary 14 Days
In Osaka, I stayed there for 5 days with my Japanese family and they showed me around Osaka, Kyoto, Kuwana, and Nara. In Yokohama, I met this Japanese guy in the club of Roppongi who was very nice to me and invited me for a day trip to his hometown. Will blog more about this in separate articles.
Tip #13
Be friendly with the locals, who knows they can give you a free tour.
Tip #14
Rent a bike in Japan if you got the chance, I find it least expensive than using a train. I haven’t tried it yet but I will do it on my next trip, especially in Kyoto.
That’s it. I’m just glad I am now able to create this blog post because this has been long overdue.
Helpful Article: Sample Japan Trip Itineraries You Can Follow
Special Thanks
To the Kitagawa family who made this Japan trip unexpectedly incredible, to Hide for showing me in Yokohama, to my former Canadian client who was understanding of the situation, and to all the people I’ve met from different parts of the world for looking after me. 😀
Check out my Japan Travel Series!
New Update: I got my Japan Multiple Entry Visa (2019 Guide)
You can check out this article now: How to Get a Japan Visa Multiple Entry Without Income Tax Return?
2023 update: Things to Do in Tokyo 2023
Book your Japan activities with Klook
Klook.comMore from my site
How To Prepare For Your First Solo Trip in Japan
Sample Japan Trip Itineraries You Can Follow
My Travel Summary in 2015
An Unexpected Yokohama Day Trip in Japan – a Date Tour Actually!
Getting Japan Tourist Visa in the Philippines without Income Tax Return
Japan Itinerary 9 Days Autumn in Tokyo on a Budget for Less Than 20K Pesos
So cool! It has been a dream since then to go to Japan. I really love the country. I enjoyed reading your tips and itineraries. Very helpful! Hoping I could visit Japan someday just like you.
Yes you can do it! Follow your dreams. 🙂
Wow! So glad you still made the trip and enjoyed it! This is certainly very helpful to those wanting to travel on a budget. Thanks for sharing!
xo
LaKatwoman
http://www.KatrinaJeanCarter.wordpress.com
San yung terminal fee? Ang natatandaan ko lang ung travel tax. Yung lang ung alam kong binayaran ko sa airport.
Di ko ba nasama jan sa photo? Pero nalagay ko sa tips na 750 pesos ang terminal fee.
Wow. Di ko naisip na pwede ang 500 dollars for two weeks sa Japan… Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kuwana, Nara and Yokohama pa! Parang usually pang Southeast Asia levels lang yun. Pero keri naman pala. For me, ang nilu-look forward ko is yung pagsakay sa public transpo nila and of course, reminiscing Japanese anime shows!
Yes pwede. 2nd time ko sa Japan below 20k din for 9 days Lang.
Grabe sa budgeting skills! Noted this for reference for next time! 😀
Oo nakabalik ako ng Japan ng December sa Tokyo Lang ako naka concentrate. Hehehe! Pero sulit pa din. 😊
Hi! 🙂 been reading your posts abt Japan, super helpful! Question lang though, nagpaplan kami ng trip this year ng friend ko,sa Tokyo and Osaka (First time ko) and i’m not sure if enough yung budget na sinuggest nya, 50-60K daw kasama na hotels, food, tickets, transpo, pasalubong, pati airfare. Di kaya bitin yun? Tipid naman both lalo na sa food. But yung transpo kasi i read na mahal yung train?
Hi,
Mahal po ang train. nag Willer Bus ako from Tokyo to Osaka mga 6000 yen bili ko one way.
Reading through your article made me remember my time in Japan. It was great, very unique and the people were very disciplined. Certainly a place I would go back to. It’s great how you shared your experience – and your detailed itinerary – I could totally use these next time I visit!
Thanks for dropping by Agnes. Yeah I really like Japan and want to go back there someday. 😊
Hi Ms. Roxanne! Taning lang po, magkano po bank balance nyo when you applied for visa? Salamat!
At least 50k pesos.
As an alternative for tip #9, I’ve heard backpackers stay at Manga Kissaten (Manga Cafes), you can sleep in a private room and have unlimited access to drinks/food depending on the cafe.
hi. did you include your friend’s address in the itinerary you submitted for your visa application? is that okay, or did they ask for your friend’s residence certificate and invitation letter?
Yes I added my cousin’s address sa itinerary.
No, they never asked certificate or invitation letter.
I’m going to Japan in two months, all your tips have been very helpful. Thanks for taking the time for writing and sharing it!!!
Wow that’s awesome! Have a good time in Japan.