Japan On A Budget (arrival In Osaka - July)

[Macross]

Hey guys, looking for a bit of help... decided I'm going to take a holiday to Japan in July for 10 days, but I have no idea what to see and how I'm going to manage my funds, as they will be quite tight so I'm going to do it on quite a budget.

Budget: $1500 each (me and my missus) - $3000 total

I'll have $500 emergency cash come into my account 5 days through the holiday if the need arises, but I'm hoping it won't!

So, where are some good places to visit starting (and finishing) in Osaka in 10 days?

I definately want to check out Tokyo and Hiroshima - also want to check out any car shows that might beon the way and some spare parts shops if there are ny good ones worth seeing, but apart from that I have no itinerary, so I'm hoping out the guys here can give me some ideas!

It's going to be a real backpackers tour so any tips on cheap eats, travel, etc are appreciated!

I have limited Japanese knowledge, I can read katakana and hiragana and can speak limited Japanese (enough to get around, order things, basic conversation, ask where things are, etc) but cannot read kanji.

Thanks guys!!

[Beer Baron]

after airfare you'll be only left with a couple of hundred dollars each (well that's assuming you go for the cheapest, non-direct airfare, a regular JAL or qantas direct airfare is over $1500 to start with).

i guess you will need to look at some backpacker accomodation. to be honest you are not going to be able to travel very much with that budget as a 1 way train ticket from osaka - tokyo is over $100 on it's own. the train ticket prices grow massively the further the distance of travel. so lots of short trips may make the budget, but big trips wont.

cheap eats, well basically you want to go the some ramen places, or cheap fast places like cooc ichi etc, macdonalds is quite cheap too (make sure you get a coupon book and use that if you are hard up for yen).

It will be pretty tough going. not much of a holiday to me, but i'm sure you can still have a good time....somehow! lol

[Macross]

after airfare you'll be only left with a couple of hundred dollars each (well that's assuming you go for the cheapest, non-direct airfare, a regular JAL or qantas direct airfare is over $1500 to start with)

Sorry I should have specified, the $1500 is after we have already paid for airfares, which are costing only $1k each return

[akeenan]

if ur going to use that $3000 to pay for hotels too its going to be a very very cheap/ uneventful trip. Id personally wait a and come travel here when you have more money. Why come all the this way and see 5%.

[dodgybrooks]

Hotels don't have to be that expensive. Have a look on the net for cheapies as they are out there. If not, 10 nights in love hotels will only set you back 700oddbux for the two of you. Travel is the most expensive thing here, work out where you want to go and have a look at buying the JR pass (look on the JR website) if it's going to be the cheapest option. The other place you didn't mention that tourists often head to is Kyoto, a nice place with enough temples to make you sick of them. Tokyo and Hiroshima are obviously two must sees. Eating is probably cheaper than Australia. Ramen, curry, gyudon, sushi and convenience stores and their onigiri and bento are awesome and cheap.

Do some research first and ask specific questions later. You'll get more help that way.

[akeenan]

If not, 10 nights in love hotels will only set you back 700oddbux for the two of you.

every love hotel ive stayed in has been a minimum of 12000￥ they could always just stay in capsual hotels... but finding these every where they go would be hard

[dodgybrooks]

And chicks can't stay in capsules.

[Macross]

Ok based on the recommendations here, I'm going to stay relatively close to Osaka, I've looked at some accomodation and it looks like I can manage in a 2/2.5 star on a accomodation budget of $100/night. I'm not particularly worried about food, I'm not going to be doing any shopping there either, mainly sight seeing and taking in the culture.

I've revised my destinations, but would like to know if anyone knows any other good destinations around Osaka or any nightlife around there too. Also if anyone can let me know some details about public transport, as apparently it stops at around 11pm from what I've heard?

New destinations:

Kyoto

Mount Koya

Hiroshima (probably the only trip more than a couple of hours from Osaka I'll be taking due to cost of travel)

cheers!

[Beer Baron]

if you are going to hiroshima make sure you check out okono-mura/okonomiyaki town. hiroshima style okonomiyaki is so good, and this is the best place to get it. far better than osaka style imo.

also, if you are travelling to hiroshima you may as well go a bit further and check out miyajima. one of the 3 most beautiful sites in japan.

[Blitz]

akeenan hit the nail on the head Macross.

If you are going travel to Japan, and really want to experience all the things Japan has to offer, I would suggest holding off for a while and doubling your budget. If you are going to the trouble of going all the way there for 10 days, whats the point if you have to be watching your pennies the entire time?

The first time I went to Japan, people laughed at my $5,000 budget which was for 12 days (including airfares) and while I had a great trip and thoroughly enjoyed myself, I found I still had to hold back and be very careful with expenditure.

Thesedays when Beer Baron and I travel to Japan, I find that I generally have minimal change from $10k, but then again I have a tendancy to not hold back and spend silly amounts of money on car parts, food and other assorted junk

[Beer Baron]

yeah i've been to japan 4 times in the last 2 years and I have lost count of the yen I've spent. but i've enjoyed every trip 100%. I don't even bother to budget now, i just know that whatever I'm thinking, it wont be enough.

[Razzmeister]

I'm heading to Japan for my fourth trip in June with my mate who hasn't been before. (and as such may have a few Q's for Rezz or others soon!!)

We're staying a week in Osaka at a place called Weekly Mansion Otemae.

Costing about 500 for the 2 of us for a studio apartment with 2 single beds. Pretty damn cheap. Pretty sure double mite be availiable, or you could just push the two beds together!!

Check them out, just google it. Room has kitchenette, bathroom etc. Small rooms, but thats what you get in Japan!

+1 for Miyajima. Its pretty touristy but is definitely worth a visit. In particular I recommend going up the cable car to the top of the mountain.

Kyoto is also a must see, and Osaka is a good base for that, Hiroshima and some other good day trips so you should have a good time.

Good Luck!!

[Rezz]

Nobodies mentioned car stuff yet so...

- Central Circuit is on the way to Hiroshima from Osaka in Hyogo Prefecture, but it's off the main travel route (most circuits are) so a train and a bus trip might be required depending on where you're coming from. Also depending on the actual days you're here, theres always some motorsports action going on. It's about an hour out of Osaka by car, easily add another 45mins to an hour on top of that if your going by train/bus.

- TI Circuit in Okayama prefecture is another good circuit but harder to get to. I can see only a 'Super F3' race being held there in June so... only go if you're really into open wheel racing I suppose.

- SuperAutobacs 43 Doui in Amagasaki is a SuperAutobacs 'complex' which is not just a stand alone store, but mixed in with many Restaurants and 'Autobacs C@rs Show', basically a custom car showroom, selling many cars from Tommy Kaira, Mooncraft, VEMAC... just go there it's worth the visit... even the car park and SuperAB garage area always has some sweet cars in it.

- Hankyu Sanbangai is not specifically a car orientated area, it's the shopping mall connected to Hankyu Umeda Station in Umeda, Osaka. You would have to spend a day or two investigating this place anyway (with Hep 5 Navio across the street, where the big red ferris wheel is), but if you're there on a Friday or Saturday night, you can see all manner of modified cars ranging from crazy Vans to European sportscars just doing laps around the block. I haven't been there in a while so things may have changed a bit, but around 8 - 9pm there should be something there.

Sorry the maps are in Japanese, just print them out and ask at hotel front desk/Info counter at station how to get there. This is also Osaka-centric, so others might have more info on other places around Kyoto or Hiroshima.

[Macross]

akeenan hit the nail on the head Macross.

If you are going travel to Japan, and really want to experience all the things Japan has to offer, I would suggest holding off for a while and doubling your budget. If you are going to the trouble of going all the way there for 10 days, whats the point if you have to be watching your pennies the entire time?

While I agree with what you say, it's really not possible for me to "save up a bit longer" and be able to spend more there.

Between my current debts, bills and car it would simply take me at least 2.5-3 years to be able to afford a "proper" holiday until that time, because the cost of the plane tickets would double what I'm paying now.

I'd rather take a tight ass holiday now and a "proper" holiday later on, which I can do comfortably than hanging on for 3 years to get the full effect!

My frient went with 5k for 5 days and left with nothing, I'd rather spend less than half that for double the time and quite happily bring home nothing but photos and memories.

Nobodies mentioned car stuff yet so...

<snip>

Sorry the maps are in Japanese, just print them out and ask at hotel front desk/Info counter at station how to get there. This is also Osaka-centric, so others might have more info on other places around Kyoto or Hiroshima.

Cheers mate! Just what I'm looking for

[akeenan]

macross Ive just discussed this topic with my girlfriend and she laughed at your budget. sorry man not being rude about the cash you have and wanting a holiday but she said that budget would be near impossible for a japanese person to do.. your budget for 1 person you will spend in hotels alone.. then theres food, travel costs, .... factor in mistakes(where you will have to spend extra money) . I would seriously be looking at another holiday destination.

[Rezz]

Andrew I'd just give it up and accept that heeeee's goooooiiiiing... They'll just have to be real careful deciding where to go and when. I had the most enjoyable 4 weeks bumming it here in Kobe with all of $200 to my name, but I had a place to stay for free (mum-in-laws) so it was a tad different. I think if they are VERY selective on what they see and do, they can still see some fantastic stuff, and maybe even have a few memrorable occasions without spending a cent.

[boostd_r32_gurl]

we are just about to head to japan, and I found a decent hotel in central osaka with own kitchen and bathroom for 80$ per night, split between 2 people. $40 each. Ill let u know how it went.

[Pauly33GTS-t]

just out of curiosity, is it possible to travel to japan on 90 day visa, and work there for cash doin someshit when you dont know japanese or is it very limited?

[bangahh]

Spur of the moment thing... Jetstar $3 dollar deal to Osaka

6nights leaving 6/6/07 coming back on 12/6/07

heres my research so far.

Round trip just under 1k for 2 people or $500 round trip.

Travel insurance $70 www.webjet.com.au

To get around Japan, invest in a 7 day rail pass. http://www.railplus.com.au/ unlimited travel on trains/ferry/bussess owned by JR $320 -

hostel $25-50 pp pernight x 6 nights, soo $150 - $300 accom.

http://www.hosteljapan.com/

www.yha.com membership 1yr $52

I have bugeted 1k spending $500 accomodation and 5k emergency cc :-)

I guess if i dont go I will never go.

[Rezz]

just out of curiosity, is it possible to travel to japan on 90 day visa, and work there for cash doin someshit when you dont know japanese or is it very limited?

Officially? No.

If however you are comfortable with flaunting the law, there are various things you can do for cash no questions asked eg: handing out flyers.