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Japan Budget Travel Guide: Mount Fuji from Lake Shoji, Yamanashi prefecture
Japan Budget Travel Guide: Mount Fuji from Lake Shoji, Yamanashi prefecture
Author: Fg2 (public domain)

Japan Budget Travel Guide helps you to prepare for a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun, on a limited budget. Japan is one of the more pricey destinations in Asia, so I would recommend using public transport, which is excellent throughout most of the country.


About Japan

Japan is one of the most beautiful countries in Asia. Despite being one of the most advanced nations in the world, the country has managed to keep its traditions, culture and landscape very much intact. Although it is a very expensive destination, for those who can afford a trip to Japan, it is definitely worth the while. Quality comes at a price, and in this country, the high price that you pay is compensated by the quality received.


Shogu Shrine, Nikko
Shogu Shrine, Nikko
Author: Gorgo (public domain)

On this page, I would like to share with you useful travel information on Japan, with details on what to see in the cities and towns across the country, and how to get there. But first, a little introduction on Japan.

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. An archipelago, it comprises four main islands and many smaller islands totalling 6,852. The four main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The nation of Japan covers an area of 377,944 square kilometers, and as of 2008, has an estimated population of 128 million. Honshu is the biggest and most populous island in Japan. Tokyo, the capital as well as biggest city, is located here. There are 30 million people living in and around Tokyo, giving it one of the most highly populated metropolitan area of any city in the world.

Japan Travel Information

  • Official Name: Japan
  • Capital: Tokyo (8,300,000, metropolitan area: 31,800,000)
  • Population of Japan: 127,417,200
  • Languages: Japanese
  • Currency: yen
  • Religions: Shinto (85%), Buddhism, others
  • Size: 377,835 sq km (145,883 sq miles)
  • Region: Asia
Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge
Kurushima-Kaikyo Bridge
Author: Voyager (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Arriving in Japan

Nationals of sixty-one countries - mostly Western nations - are allowed visa-free visits to Japan, for stays of up to 90 days, with some as much as 180 days. Nationals of other countries must obtain a temporary visitor visa before arriving.

All foreigners arriving in Japan that are above the age of 16, except those on government business and some permanent residents, are required to be electronically fingerprinted and photographed as part of immigration entry requirement. Entry will be denied if this procedure is refused.

When in Japan, you must carry your passport with you at all times - if caught without it, you will be detained until someone can fetch it for you. You could face a fine of ¥200,000 if caught without your passport.

Japan International Airports

The two main gateway airports to Japan are Narita International Airport (NRT) near Tokyo, and Kansai International Airport (KIX) near Osaka. Chubu International Airport (NGO) near Nagoya also receives international flights.

Budget Travel within Japan

The most popular form of public transportation in Japan is the train. It has one of the best train systems in the world with most cities served by mass rapid transit subway trains, and intercity bullet trains called Shinkanzen. Use Hyperdia to look for the timetable and routes of trains in Japan.


Festival Float in Japan
Festival Float in Japan
Author: 砺波夜高祭WEB管理人 (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Principal Cities of Japan

  1. Fukuoka
    One of the closest Japanese city to mainland Asia.

  2. Hakone
    Major tourist destination in Kanagawa prefecture, with cultural and natural sights.

  3. Hiroshima
    City infamous for being the victim of the atomic bomb.

  4. Ise City
    Home of Ise Grand Shrine, the most sacred Shinto shrine in Japan.

  5. Kagoshima
    City on the southwestern tip of Kyushu.

  6. Kamakura
    City with many temples, most famous for its Great Buddha statue.

  7. Kanazawa
    City facing the Sea of Japan to the west and the Japan Alps to the east.

  8. Kawasaki
    Industrial city between Tokyo and Yokohama.

  9. Kawagoe
    Small city in Saitama Prefecture, 30 minutes from Tokyo.

  10. Kobe
    Major port city of the Kansai region.

  11. Koyasan
    Buddhist pilgrimage mountain in Wakayama Prefecture.

  12. Kyoto
    Former capital of Japan before Tokyo, a major tourist destination rich in heritage sites.

  13. Nagasaki
    City on Kyushu island founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

  14. Nagoya
    Major city serving as a manufacturing hub of Japan.

  15. Nara
    Ancient city and one-time capital of Japan.

  16. Narita City
    City in the shadows of Tokyo's international airport.

  17. Nikko
    Popular tourist destination with many heritage buildings.

  18. Osaka
    Biggest city in the Kansai region of Japan.

  19. Oshino
    Picturesque village in Yamanishi Prefecture.

  20. Sapporo
    Prefectural capital and largest city in Hokkaido.

  21. Takayama
    City in Gifu Prefecture, with history going back to the Jomon period.

  22. Tokyo
    Capital and biggest city in Japan.

  23. Yokohama
    Biggest port and second biggest city in Japan.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan

  1. Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area
  2. Himeji-jo
  3. Shirakami-Sanchi
  4. Yakushima
  5. Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)
  6. Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
  7. Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)
  8. Itsukushima Shinto Shrine
  9. Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara
  10. Shrines and Temples of Nikko
  11. Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu
  12. Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range
  13. Shiretoko
  14. Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape

Nature Sites in Japan

  1. Chichibu Tama Kai National Park
    National park in a remote region of Japan rich in wildlife.

  2. Mount Fuji
    Tallest mountain and famous icon of Japan.

Other Major Tourist Attractions of Japan

  1. Mikimoto Pearl Island
    Island where pearl cultivation was first carried out.

Hotel Room Price Checker

Before booking a hotel room, make sure you are getting the lowest price for it. Different hotel booking websites offers the same room at different prices. If you stick with one site all the time, you could be paying more for the same room. Now why pay more?

The form below is a Research Engine. It doesn't take bookings. Instead it lets you find the hotel booking website that offers the room you want at the lowest price. You can see and compare what different sites are offering, and then click to choose the one with the best price. Do this, and you're guaranteed to save a whole lot of money on your room reservations!



AsiaExplorers Flight Checker

If you're flying somewhere, use our Flight Checker to compare the rates from different airlines. To use it, enter where you will be flying from, where you will be flying to, your departure date and return date. Select the number of passengers, and then click search.

Our engine will return you a list of possible flights that you can take. You can compare the fare of different airlines for your trip. Click on your selected airline, and we transfer you to the airline website.




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