FAQ : Frequently Asked Travel Questions About Living in Japan

MY MOST ASKED QUESTION : How do you find the budget for traveling for a whole year? How much did the whole year cost ?

My monthly expenses were approximately $1000, including rent, living expenses, and transportation, totaling $12,000 annually. Additionally, there was my school fees of about $5000, my total expenses was approximately $17,000.

During my time studying in Japan, my main focus was on academics, which naturally came with expenses like tuition fees, textbooks, and other academic materials. Living abroad, like in Japan for example, isn't all that different from living back home. You still have your rent, transportation, and living expenses to deal with; it's just the cultural aspect that sets it apart, along with, of course, any souvenirs or goodies you might want to pick up.

Despite the demands of my studies, I was determined to explore as much of Japan as possible. I carefully balanced my academic commitments with travel opportunities, making sure not to compromise my studies. I used savings I had accumulated before my trip to cover travel expenses, and I maximized weekends and holidays to explore different regions of Japan. This allowed me to fully immerse myself in the culture and beauty of the country while pursuing my academic goals.

The Budget for Travelling 3-4 weekds (accommodation, transport..)- My experience

As for the budget breakdown, for last summer, my expenses were as follows:

• Round-trip ticket: around 1200 euros
• Accommodation: 500 euros
• Transportation: 400 euros
• Restaurants: approximately 300-400 euros (not calculated precisely)
• Leisure activities and souvenirs: around 400 to 500 euros

In total, approximately 2900 to 3100 euros

Tips to make it cheaper :

Accommodation:

• Research and book accommodation well in advance to secure the best deals, especially during peak tourist seasons.
• Consider alternative options like guesthouses, capsule hotels, or Airbnb to save money on lodging.
• Look for accommodations with kitchen facilities to prepare some of your meals, which can help cut down on dining expenses.

Transportation:

• Look for discounts tickets, or 1 or 2 day passes.
• Look for JR regional Pass.
• Travel by night buses for long distance.
• Consider walking rather than a one or two stop stations.

Any tips for living in Japan in long term?

I'm not sure if you speak Japanese or if you're going there for that purpose or not. But initially, if you don't speak it, I highly recommend learning the language. It's much easier to integrate and converse with people. Japanese people are often very pleased to see foreigners mastering the language. Personally, I went to school to learn, but even just being in the country makes it much easier and more natural to learn conversational basics.

• Still quite basic, but abide by the rules even if they seem "stupid" to you. Typically, not crossing on a red light, etc. It really makes a difference!
• Again, basic advice, but make the most of your time there, save money, enjoy the whole country, travel as much as you can, try out as many things as you can. I thoroughly enjoyed my time, but I set some barriers for myself and I regret it a bit. Looking back, I wish I had taken more advantage and seen as much as I could.
• I'm not sure if you're into sports or not, but I'd advise taking care of yourself, join a sports club or a gym! Of course, if you feel like it, but personally, I didn't do any sports and quickly gained weight 😂 (given that I wasn't holding back on the food, eating ice cream every day, it was a disaster). So, don't forget SPORT!
• Regarding accommodation, I'm not sure if you've already found something or not, or if you're staying with a host family, in a dorm, etc. On this point, I don't know much as I stayed with a family, it was much simpler. But I've seen quite a few ads like this one , so maybe it can help you.

Also, I don't know if you'll be working or studying, but as soon as you arrive, I advise you to go to your school or workplace, find someone reliable who can help you, and ask them what administrative steps to take. I don't remember exactly what I did, but I remember I had quite a few papers to fill out; stuff about health insurance, etc.

The budget . Here's a piece of advice I absolutely didn't follow (though nobody gave it to me either, but anyway): manage and track your budget, all the ins and outs!! It might sound a bit silly, but I think it would have helped me a lot to avoid buying too many unnecessary little things back then haha .And it ties into another piece of advice, don't go overboard on buying things. Honestly, I didn't go overboard either, but I could have done better!!

I also advise you to follow the news on TikTok!! There are so many ephemeral things etc., it would be a shame to miss out on stuff. If you're a fan of anime, for example, there are quite a few cafes, etc.

For traveling, I recommend night buses! It's very comfortable and allows you to travel cheaply almost anywhere :)

As for money/banking to withdraw etc. You don't need to have a Japanese bank account (except if you work, well, even that I'm not sure honestly) In any case, I had a card that allowed me to withdraw and pay abroad without fees and it worked very well like that. You can withdraw everywhere in konbini like 7/11.

My best advice will be :

• Budgeting: Determine your monthly expenses including rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and leisure activities. It's essential to create a budget and stick to it to ensure you don't overspend.
• Part-time Work: Consider taking up part-time work to supplement your income. (if you have the visa for it)
• Cooking at Home: It's not only cost-effective but also allows you to explore local markets and ingredients.
• Traveling Smart: When traveling within Japan, look for budget-friendly accommodation options such as hostels or guesthouses. Consider using transportation like night buses. Saving in Advance: If possible, save money before your trip to cover initial expenses.

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