Some people say that Japan is a very expensive country but after my trip I realized that it is very affordable. It really depends on what you want to do and what city you want to visit. According to my friends, Tokyo is more expensive than Osaka but I haven’t really gone to Tokyo therefore I cannot really compare. But! After my trip, I was surprised at how much I spent because I was expecting to go over 50,000 pesos.
In this entry, I will be showing you a breakdown of my expenses.
- Lodging, Airfare, Travel Tax, and Visa
My expenses:
Amount in Php | |
Lodging | free |
Airfare (one way) | 6000 |
Travel Tax | 1650 |
Visa
|
1600 |
I was really lucky that my lodging was free and that I was able to use miles for my ticket going there but how much do you really need for your flight and lodging?
Cebu Pacific and Jetstar fly directly to Osaka and most of the time they have a seat sale so you better watch out for that. Do not forget to count your travel tax as well. As for the visa, the amount varies per travel agency. Mine was really pricey so look for an agency that has a cheaper rate.
My expenses assuming that I paid for lodging and my round trip ticket:
Amount in Php | |
Lodging (hostel or AirBnB) | 6000 (for 6 nights) |
Air Fare | 10,000 |
Travel Tax | 1650 |
Visa | 1600 |
Total amount in pesos | PHP 19,250 |
You can find a cheaper airfare. This is just my estimate. Also, if you’re traveling alone I’m assuming that you will be spending PHP 1000 per night. If you’re with a group then you might be spending less.
- Food
The challenging part about my trip was that I was alone therefore I couldn’t half my bill with anyone. The servings also were really big therefore I wasn’t able to finish most of my food. Our hotel had breakfast thus I ate a lot so that I won’t be hungry throughout the day which helped me save a lot of money. Also, I did not worry about water because the hotel gave us complimentary bottles of water which was a big help in cutting down my expenses for food.
My expenses:
Amount in Yen | |
Food in USJ | 520 |
Butter beer | 600 |
Takoyaki | 550 |
Ramen | 750 |
Gyoza | 400 |
Food in Ginkakuji | 250 |
Food in Kyozimudera | 1382 |
Umeda street food | 300 |
Takoyaki | 210 |
Mochi | 150 |
Premium Roast | 1382 |
Rice | 194 |
Deer Chips | 150 |
Total in Yen | 6838 Yen |
Total in Peso | PHP 2644.89 |
I did not really get that hungry because it was so cold!!! I did not spend that much for food because I had free breakfast and there was a night when I was also treated to dinner but assuming that I had breakfast this would be the cost:
Amount in Yen | |
Food in USJ | 520 |
Butter beer | 600 |
Takoyaki | 550 |
Ramen | 750 |
Gyoza | 400 |
Food in Ginkakuji | 250 |
Food in Kondimoriya | 1382 |
Umeda street food | 300 |
Takoyaki | 210 |
Mochi | 150 |
Premium Roast | 1382 |
Rice | 194 |
Deer Chips | 150 |
Breakfast | 5,600 (800 yen a day) |
Total in Yen | 12438 yen |
Total in Pesos | PHP 4,810 |
My flight going there was late at night therefore I did not spend anything in Day 1. I just slept. On my last day, I didn’t also spend anything because my flight was early. I just had breakfast in the hotel which was free. There are a lot of affordable restaurants in Japan and it would be better if you’re with someone so that you can share. The servings are really big so being with someone will definitely make you save a lot of money.
- Transportation
It’s really easy to get around Japan because their train system is FANTASTIC! But you have to keep in mind that choosing your lodging is very critical. If you can walk from your place to wherever or if it’s near Namba or Dotonburi then that would be good because you will get to save a lot of money. I stayed in Hyatt and it was right beside the MRT station which was very convenient but it wasn’t walking distance to the shopping district. It was hard for me because the train closes at 11 or 12 therefore I couldn’t stay that long in Dotonburi. I basically had a curfew because of the train. Hahaha I was gone by 10 PM. Never take a cab because it’s really expensive!!!
My Expenses:
Amount in Yen | |
Train Going to Castle | 320 |
Train going back to Nakafuto (My hotel) | 320 |
Train to Osakako | 240 |
Train to namba | 280 |
Train to Kyoto | 580 |
Unlimited bus pass | 500 |
Train to Inari | 140 |
Train back to osaka | 580 |
Train to Nara | 800 |
Train going back to Osaka | 800 |
Train to Namba | 280 |
Train going back to Nakafuto | 280 |
Total amount in yen | 5120 YEN |
Total amount in pesos | 1980 PHP |
Note: My starting point is Nakafuto station which is where my hotel was.
Spent a day in Nara and Kyoto and realized that I should have just stayed the night in Kyoto and went to Nara from there.
- Entrance fees
I was able to save a lot in my Kyoto and Nara trip because most of the temples and shrines did not have an entrance fee. If you think that you will be spending a lot for your Kyoto and Nara trip then you’re wrong. The only thing you have to worry about is your train ride and your bus pass.
Entrance Fee and Passes | Amount in Yen |
Universal Studios | 7000 |
Osaka Castle | 600 |
Aquarium | 2300 |
Ginkakuji Entrance Fee | 500 |
Kyozimudera entrance | 300 |
Total Amount in Yen | 10700 Yen |
Total Amount in Pesos | PHP 4138 |
- Others: Shopping/Pasalubong
You will get to save a lot of money if you decide not to shop but Osaka isn’t that expensive. You will find lots of affordable things! Especially in Daiso.
My shopping expenses:
Amount in Yen | |
Watch | 4000 |
Daiso | 730 |
Keychain | 160 |
Grocery | 2300 |
Daiso Pasalubong | 900 |
Royce Chips | 750 |
Royce Chips | 751 |
Uniqlo Tops | 1390 |
Uniqlo Tops | 1391 |
Total Amount in yen | 12,372 |
Total Amount in Pesos | PHP 4785 |
Summary:
Amount in PHP | |
Lodging | 6000 |
Airfare with Travel Tax | 11650 |
Visa | 1,600 |
Food | 4,810 |
Transpo | 1,980 |
Entrance fees | 4,138 |
Shopping and Pasalubong | 4,785 |
Total in PHP | PHP 34,963 |
You can save a lot of money by watching out for a seat sale. It’s better to travel with someone so that you can split the bill especially if you plan to stay in a hotel or rent a room in AirBnB. The lodging and the airfare is just my estimate because like I mentioned, my lodging was free and I only paid for a one-way ticket because I used miles. I suggest that you research and check out other blogs because some people’s budget were lesser than mine. Hope my entry helps you in your future travels. Goodluck!
This is really helpful. Thanks a lot! I’ve always thought of Tokyo when thinking of a Japan trip. Now I’m considering if I should just save up for Osaka first so I could make my trip happen sooner, haha. I just going back from a trip but reading your Japan posts makes my feet go all itchy :))
Caffeine Rush
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You should go to both but you will need a lot of time. If you like the city more then you should visit Tokyo but if you want a more peaceful and scenic place then you should go to Osaka! 🙂 Goodluck and I hope you push through with your trip! 🙂
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