Hi!
My name is Ariel, and I’m from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I’ll be visiting Japan for the first time from October 24 to November 20. I’ll start my trip in Otsuka, and then travel around the main cities.
I wanted to ask:
Would around $5,000 USD in cash (no credit card, just cash) be enough for an average traveler?
I’ll be staying in hostels and capsule hotels, visiting temples, using trains, and buying a few souvenirs — nothing luxurious.
My Itinerary:
Tokyo (arrival): 4 days
Kamakura: 1 day (day trip)
Hakone: 3 days
Kyoto: 5 days
Osaka: 3 days
Hiroshima: 2 days
Takayama: 2 days
Kanazawa: 2 days
Tokyo (departure): 7 days
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Any tips on managing cash or saving money while traveling in Japan would also be appreciated!
It depends on the hotel prices. You could spend $5000 just on hotels if they are 5-star (maybe 4-star). Business hotels are smaller but much cheaper. Hakone can be pricey. (I suggest the Hakone Museum of Modern Art). Food depends on how much you eat or if you’re willing to eat “locally” in “cheaper” but delicious small shops and/or eateries. Stay away from girlie bars (you could be charged $1,000 just for one sitting of 2 hours). Get a Suica or Pasmo card in Tokyo. It’s “cash” on a single card. Look it up on the internet. If you are not traveling with a group (I discourage), you’ll have a good time on the rails- the best in the world. I also suggest you get a JapanRail Pass. In the long run you will pay less for transportation.
Yes, I’m traveling alone. I’ll be turning 40 in Hakone, so I’m really happy and looking forward to it. I’ll be staying in hostels to keep it budget-friendly. I plan to get my Suica/Pasmo card as soon as I land at Haneda and load it with 10,000 yen. I ran the numbers for the JR Pass and it didn’t work out for me—I’d save about $200 by just buying individual tickets from the machines.
As for the bars you mentioned, I completely agree. I usually enjoy exploring out-of-the-way places when I travel. Of course, I won’t be able to skip touristy Tokyo altogether, but I definitely want to pass through and get a feel for it.
I’ve also been checking the weather for that time of year (late October to late November) — it seems I’ll need to pack light layers, maybe a warm sweater and a jacket, especially for the cooler nights in places like Hakone or Kyoto. What do yopu think?
Considering all this, I think my budget will be enough. Flights are already paid for, so that helps a lot.
Thanks again for all the tips! I really appreciate it—this kind of insight is super helpful when planning. Can’t wait to experience Japan!