Budget: How much does it cost to go to Tokyo Japan?

Recently Updated!

How much does it cost for a trip to go to Japan? Is Tokyo or Japan expensive? Maybe not when you compare Tokyo with Singapore, London or New York City. I believe if your Tokyo Japan trip is planned carefully, money can be very well spent. I have dedicated this blog post to the overall planning and budgeting for your first trip to Japan. Compare Tokyo to Manhattan, Paris, or London, the cost of visiting these modern nation cities could easily exceed the amount spent in Tokyo, Japan.

Apple store in Ginza Tokyo

The flight ticket prices in the months of shoulder season have been more stabilized. I have found ticket price around 700 USD (LAX to Tokyo.) Because of the reasonable flight ticket prices and great currency exchange rate (1 USD to 110 Yen), I recommend booking flights and hotels as early as possible.

Kobe Beef in Kobe 2016 - Ishida Kobe Beef Steak Restaurant

In October 2016, I traveled to Japan using the 14-day Japan Rail Pass. While I was traveling from Kanazawa 金沢 to Kagoshima 鹿児島, my cousin and I decided to stop by Kobe for a few hours of sightseeing and for Kobe Beef 神戸牛 lunch. I did some research prior to my arrival in Kobe, we decided to visit ishida Kobe Beef Steak Restaurant 神戸 石田 屋 based on their recent rise in popularity and well labeled online menu.

Best Kobe Beef in Kobe 2016. ishida steak teppanyaki restaurant. A5 BMS 10-12 grade Steak

Kobe Beef in Kobe, Japan: My Kobe Beef experiences.

Updated on 01/31/16

Only the specific breed of cattle, processed in specific areas in Japan, raised by special methods, and graded by strict Japanese beef rating system, are qualified to be the real "KOBE BEEF" Real Kobe Beef are rarely exported outside of Japan, and when they are exported, they are usually served at very expensive restaurants overseas.

Nicely marbled intramuscular fat Kobe beef steak.

Wagyu Japanese Beef

Wagyu Japanese beef, the most sought after land animal meat in the world, usually have similar characteristics of being very tender and having extreme level of intramuscular fat. Wagyu is a general term used for high grade Japanese breed beef, which usually covers famous "brand" names such as Kobe, Matsusaka, and Omi beef. I am dedicating this blog post to some of my best Wagyu experiences and Wagyu restaurants in Tokyo and other parts of Japan.

Wagyu Japanese Beef, the most tender and juicy beef in the world

Japan Rail Pass

Ultra modern Shinkansen Bullet train. JR pass rocks!

Imagine having Sushi breakfast in Tokyo, Takoyaki for lunch in Osaka, and dinner in Fukuoka, without worry too much the pricey cost of Shinkansen bullet train. With careful planning prior to your trip, travel with Japan Rail Pass is definitely one of the best way to budget and save money.

Hotels and Accommodations in Tokyo

Where to stay in Tokyo Japan? What type of accommodation should stay at during your first trip to Japan?

Tokyo city offers different types of accommodation that will suit different budget and style of travelers. Types of accommodation were briefly mentioned in my "budget" post. In this post I will go into a details and introduce a few links on the choices that are either popular in my opinion or have decent reviews on TripAdvisor.

Typical budget hotel room in Tokyo