Ever dreamed of visiting Japan? Thought it was too expensive? You’re right — it was the most expensive trip I’ve ever taken. 

Japan had been on my travel list for years. I started a “Japan fund” in 2020 to save for it, but it always felt impossible and didn’t make financial sense. Why go to Japan once when I could go to Thailand five more times for the same amount of money?

Then suddenly, the stars aligned. The ringgit-to-yen exchange rate hit a 30-year low. I was scouting for my next travel destination (does anyone else let the sales decide when and where they go next?) and found a good deal for Japan. I was also turning 30, and it felt like the perfect birthday gift to myself.

It turned out to be cheaper than I expected (thanks to the exchange rate), and I underspent my planned budget!

Overview of My Trip to Japan

I travelled solo in early March, which is considered low season. It was a two-week trip, exactly 15 days and 14 nights. I covered the classic, first-timer Golden Route — Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, plus smaller cities like Uji, Nara, and Fujikawaguchiko. 

This budget breakdown covers every single expense I had — flights, accommodation, transportation, food, attractions, miscellaneous things like e-sims, and finally, the shopping. 

Note: I exchanged money through the Wise app, at different times at different rates. For ease of calculation and consistency, I’m using an average rate of 1 MYR = 33.3 yen. 

How Much I Spent on Flights to Japan

I booked through Traveloka and scored a return trip for RM1380.31 with AirAsia. It was actually two one-way flights. I flew from KL to Osaka and returned via Tokyo to KL. Not backtracking saved both money and time!

I also spent an additional RM289.61 to add 25kg of check-in baggage for the return trip. This was a planned expense. I knew I was going to be shopping A LOT, and I knew I was going to need check-in baggage for the return trip. But what I didn’t do (and should have!) was buy check-in baggage at the time I booked the tickets. This is when it is cheapest. 

My other mistake was overbuying baggage. I should have weighed my bag first. My bag ended up weighing only 15kg, so it was a huge waste of space and money. A smaller baggage allowance would have been cheaper.

Where I Stayed in Japan (and What It Cost Me)

My biggest hack for solo travellers in any country? Hostels. It’s like having a whole (shared) house without having to pay Airbnb prices. An entire common area to lounge in, with a full kitchen! This will allow you to get grocery store meals and fruits. You’ll have a microwave and all the kitchen utensils you’ll need. You could even cook if you wanted to. And in Japan where accommodation can be crazy expensive and cramped, hostels are a no-brainer if you’re on a tight budget. 

And Japan had some of the best hostels I’ve ever experienced in my life.

I stayed in five different hostels throughout the two weeks. I break down every location, how long I stayed, how much it costs, and whether I’d recommend the hostel:

P.S. I was NOT looking for social hostels this trip, so I chose hostels with quiet and calm vibes. If you’re looking for social hostels, this list is not it.

Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka

What I paid: ¥10,019 or RM300.8, which comes to RM100.20 per night. 

What I liked: It was in a quiet residential area, yet just a few minutes walk to the nearest train station and 15 minutes’ walk to Shinsaibashi-suji (shopping streets) and Dotonbori (street food heaven). The facilities were great. It had everything you’d expect from a good hostel, such as multiple showers, a common area that was spacious and cosy, and a fully equipped kitchen. The dorms came equipped with plug points and curtains at every bed.

What I didn’t like: Nothing! 

Verdict: 10/10 recommend.

Ryokan Hostel Gion, Kyoto

What I paid: I stayed 5 nights here and spent a total of 16,363 ¥ or RM491.35, which is RM98.27 per night.

What I liked: 10/10 location. It was in the heart of historical Gion, blending in with the traditional architecture. It was also a 5-minute walk to the nearest train station, a bus stop, the Kamo River, and several of the most beautiful streets in Kyoto. It was also easy enough to walk over to Nishiki Market and the modern part of Kyoto across the river. 

I loved the tatami seating in the common area. I spent every single morning having my konbini coffee and breakfast here while planning my day. 

What I didn’t like: Nothing. I’d return in a heartbeat. 

Verdict: 10/10 recommend!

Tokyo Guesthouse Hive

What I paid: Initially 15,300 ¥ (RM459.59)  for 3 nights, but I received RM54.14 cashback rewards from Agoda. So my total was 405.45. This comes to RM135.15 per night.

What I liked: Fantastic location, literally next door to a train station, with a second train station being a minute’s walk away. I liked the local area, with two local grocery stores within walking distance. One of my favourite things to do when I travel is to explore local groceries, so a plus point for me. 

What I didn’t like: The hostel was stairs only, and there were 5 floors. Going up and down after already logging 20k steps around the city daily was not fun. Additionally, the dorms were made out of unfinished wood, and the bedspace was incredibly tight. I felt like I was sleeping in a literal coffin. It was a little claustrophobic. 

Verdict: I think there are better places in Tokyo, and I would not return. 

bnb+ Secret Base Mejiro, Tokyo

What I paid: 3617 ¥ (RM108.61) for one night.

What I liked: Great location next to a train station, with a direct line to popular spots. Cosy and comfy.

What I didn’t like: It was very cosy and I preferred it to the previous stay, but it was so small that there was no space for backpacks or luggage, or even walking to your bed (though I think space is an issue in pretty much all Tokyo hostels). There was no real kitchen (just a microwave and a kettle). I spent only one night here before flying back home, so it didn’t matter too much. I didn’t have time to explore the neighbourhood. 

Verdict: It’s fine for a night, but I wouldn’t recommend it for longer stays.

Kagelow Mt.Fuji Hostel Kawaguchiko

What I paid: 8916 ¥ or RM267.74 for two nights, which is RM133.87 per night.

What I liked: SO aesthetic, and has a view of Mt. Fuji from right outside the hostel! I heard that the private rooms come with windows facing Mt. Fuji. There’s also a bar/restaurant, but I didn’t get to try the food. It’s about a 5-minute walk to the Kawaguchiko station, so very easy access. 

What I didn’t like: Nothing. 

Verdict: 10/10 perfection. Highly recommended.

In total, I spent ¥54,154 (RM1626.15) on accommodation for 14 nights. That averaged out to ¥3868.14 or RM116.15 per night. 

Transportation Costs in Japan (Trains, Buses, IC Cards)

A total of ¥27,872 or RM836.99.

A large part of it (exactly ¥14,170 or RM425.52) was for the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Kyoto to Tokyo. 

The Shinkansen was an unplanned expense. I planned to take the night bus from Kyoto to Tokyo, but my travel day was a Friday night. It turns out weekend buses are far more expensive than weekdays. I didn’t know this (lack of research) and didn’t make any advance bookings. When my travel day came, the bus prices were nearly the same as taking the Shinkansen. At this point, it didn’t make sense anymore. A little more and I could just take the Shinkansen the next day. This also meant paying for another night of accommodation, but it felt more worth it. I mean, who could complain about an extra night in Kyoto? I didn’t have any accommodations booked in Tokyo yet, so thankfully I had the flexibility to stay.

(Pro-tip: Track all your travel expenses so you know where you’re at in your spending during a trip and can make adjustments when needed. I knew I could get the bullet train and still wouldn’t blow my budget. At worst, it just means I’d have to shop less, and that’s totally OK.)

The rest of the transportation cost was spent getting lost, literally. They say it takes under an hour to travel from Osaka to Kyoto, but it took me a good half day and three(!!!) trains. An hour from Kyoto to Uji? Nah, more like two hours, two trains, and a bus that shouldn’t have been needed. Essentially, any recommended travel time = double for me. 

Oh, and…getting lost in Japan is expensive. The extra trains, buses, and re-routing every time I got lost is an extra ticket here and there. That’s money. And that money can add up very quickly!

As for getting around, I didn’t get a physical IC card. I used a digital Suica (it’s free via Apple Pay) and just topped up using my Wise card whenever needed. A physical Suica costs ¥500.

How Much I Spent on Food in Japan (Spoiler: Convenience Stores Win)

A total of ¥52,173 (RM1566.7), averaging at RM104.4 per day for 15 days. This was a combination of a few restaurants, lots of street and market food, and many, many konbini (convenience store) meals and snacks. Konbini meals turned out to be what I ate the most, not even because I was trying to eat cheap, but simply because I ate outdoors a lot. All my days in Kyoto? Lunch by the Kamo River. I also love, love, love instant noodles, and Japan’s selections…the convenience stores were heaven. 

My most expensive meal? An A5 Wagyu skewer for ¥2130 (RM63.96). It wasn’t even a proper meal. It physically hurt to pay but damn, it was so good!

What I Paid for Attractions & Sightseeing in Japan

I didn’t do too many paid attractions. The attractions I paid for were two onsens, entrance fee for a hike, a cable car, and TeamLabs Borderless. 

I paid ¥5540 (RM166.36) and RM118.19, totalling RM284.55.

What I Spent on Shopping in Japan: Clothes, Skincare & Souvenirs

Uniqlo. That’s where it alllll went. 

Shopping was my biggest expense category. I went to Japan with literally one outfit and my winter coat, and shopped the rest of my clothes. I also spent loads on skincare, haircare and food souvenirs.

I spent a grand total of ¥89,168 (RM2677.71) on shopping. Oops.

Other Costs: eSIM, Toiletries, & Surprises

These were for things like an eSIM, data, an umbrella (in fact, two umbrellas because I left one on the bus), luggage forwarding service and other on-the-go items, like tissues and face masks.

Miscellaneous expenses cost me ¥13,042 (391.65) and RM85.03, which is a total of RM476.68.

What could I have done better here? Connect to Wifi! I kept forgetting to do this and had to buy additional data when it ran out.

Total Cost of My Japan Trip: The Final Number

So, how much did I spend overall?

	Paid In	Amount	Converted (RM)
Flights	MYR	1380.31	1380.31
Check-in baggage (25kg)	MYR	289.61	289.61
Accommodation	JPY	54,154	1626.15
Transportation	JPY	27,872	836.99
Food	JPY	52,173	1566.7
Shopping	JPY	89,168	2677.71
Attractions	Mixed	¥5540 + RM118.19	284.55
Miscellaneous	JPY	¥13,042 + RM85.03	476.68
Total			9102.19

Let me tell you, minus the shopping, my spending amounted to only RM6424.48.

That’s for a full two weeks in Japan, including flights and accommodation, a one-way bullet train, and a few attractions! And I never skipped a meal. 

So, Japan on a small-ish budget? I think it’s totally doable!

Have you been to Japan? How much did you spend? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts!