Budget Tours to Japan
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10 best Budget Japan tour packages
Compiled by
SteffJapan travel expert at TourRadar
- Japan In Depth - Footsteps of the Shogun
- Essential Japan Explorer - 13 Days
- 7 Day Japan on a Budget Tour Package
- 8 Day Budget Japan Tour Package
- Japan Express
- Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
- Japan Adventure 17 Day
- Personalized Budget Japan Tour with Private Guide
- Tokyo Anime Adventure - 7 days
- Backroads of Japan
Japan In Depth - Footsteps of the Shogun
25 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Loved the hour or so spent in the tea house in Kyoto. Tour guide had put the event into context beforehand.”
Nicholas, traveled in September
At approx. $520 per day, this package includes 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 3 dinners of local cuisine. Accommodations alternate between 8 standard hotels and 3 traditional ryokans, with walking tours of Nagasaki's historic districts and airport transfers from Haneda or Narita.
Duration 12 days Destinations Tokyo, Fuji Hakone Izu National Park, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Sasebo, Hirado, Fukuoka Age Range 16 to 85 year olds Price Per Day $734 Operator Explore! From $9,900
11% Off- NZ$8,810You save $1,090
Essential Japan Explorer - 13 Days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“It is an active tour and really gives you a chance to see everything in southern Japan. Lots of free time and definitely worth the price!”
Kathleen, traveled in March
Costing approx. $270 per day, this tour provides Japanese hostels and guesthouses. Highlights include sushi-making classes in Tokyo, meditation sessions in Kyoto temples, and public transport between cities. Karaoke and other optional activities allow flexible spending.
Duration 13 days Destinations Tokyo, Kamakura, Hakone, Kyoto, Arashiyama, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Osaka Age Range 18 to 55 year olds Price Per Day $442 Operator On The Go Tours From $7,185
20% Off- NZ$5,748You save $1,437
7 Day Japan on a Budget Tour Package
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything was super Great. Thank you would tour again.”
Pascal, traveled in December
This tour costs approx. $120 per day with accommodations near Tokyo Station and Kyoto's Gion district. Visits to Mount Fuji's 5th Station and Kinkaku-ji Temple are included, along with English-speaking guides and bullet train travel.
Duration 7 days Destinations Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko, Kyoto Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $225 Operator Tourist Journey From
20% Off- NZ$1,578
Priced at approx. $120 per day, this tour includes visits to Tokyo's Senso-ji Temple and Mount Fuji's 5th Station. Transportation via bullet train and centrally located hotels are included, with optional airport transfers.
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Kawaguchiko, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $211 Operator Tourist Journey From
20% Off- NZ$1,692
This Japanese adventure costs approx. $230 daily, covering quality accommodations, daily breakfast, and bullet train travel. Visitors reach Mount Fuji's 5th Station, rest in a traditional Hakone ryokan, and tour Kyoto's Golden Temple with professional English-speaking guides.
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Fuji, Owakudani, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Price Per Day $392 Operator MW Tours From
20% Off- NZ$3,138
Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
29 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great way to see the highlights of Japan with added extras that I wouldn't have done otherwise!”
Ayla, traveled in January
For approx. $200 per day, this tour includes 10 nights accommodation, 9 meals, and transport costs. Highlights feature private sushi-making classes and Kendo training, plus free time in Tokyo's Akihabara and Kyoto's historic districts.
Duration 11 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagano Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Price Per Day $354 Operator One Life Adventures From
20% Off- NZ$3,892
Japan Adventure 17 Day
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour itself was great, the people were wonderful and we saw all the sights we wanted to see.”
Jenny, traveled in April
At approx. $220 per day, this comprehensive Japanese tour includes accommodation, 15 breakfasts, and major transport. The itinerary features traditional ryokans, Senso-ji Temple visits, and bullet train rides, with quad-share hostels in Tokyo and twin rooms in Osaka.
Duration 17 days Destinations Tokyo, Nagano, Hakone, Fuji, Osaka, Koya-san, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima Age Range 18 to 39 year olds Price Per Day $332 Operator INTRO Travel From
20% Off- NZ$5,649
Priced at approx. $540 per day, this tour covers bullet train tickets, English-speaking guides, and daily breakfast. Entry fees to Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kinkaku-ji Temple are included.
Duration 9 days Destinations Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Mount Fuji Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Price Per Day $1,039 Operator Agate Travel From
20% Off- NZ$9,354
Tokyo Anime Adventure - 7 days
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The first hotel should be that of leaving a great impression of the city and of the country.”
Rochelle, traveled in March
Tokyo's anime culture awaits at $180 per day, with hostel accommodation and public transport pass. Meiji Shrine visits and Shibuya Crossing walks are included. Mario Kart street racing available for additional cost.
Duration 7 days Destinations Tokyo Age Range 18 to 55 year olds Price Per Day $321 Operator On The Go Tours From $2,645
15% Off- NZ$2,248You save $396
Backroads of Japan
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“the accommodation and food was excellent.”
World, traveled in November
The $440 per day tour features Japan's highlights with 14 breakfasts and 8 dinners. Accommodations alternate between traditional ryokan stays and modern hotels, with temple entries and train transport included. Kyoto offers optional Geisha experiences.
Duration 15 days Destinations Tokyo, Fuji, Tsumago, Magome, Kyoto, Asuka, Yoshino, Osaka Age Range up to 80 year olds Price Per Day $545 Operator World Expeditions From $9,090
10% Off- NZ$8,181You save $909
What people love about Budget Tours in Japan
- Japan: Castles & Cuisine
All good. Very immersive and worthwhile experience.
I would highly recommend this tour with One Life Adventures to anyone considering it! It’s hard for me to put into words how amazing the tour is and how much I loved it. It’s such a unique tour - it’s like two trips in one. For the first part of the trip I really did get to experience the best of what Tokyo has to offer, the incredible culture, historical shrines, the neon lights, maid cafe, robot restaurant, the amazing food and so much more! Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I was so impressed with ski/snowboarding part of the tour in Nagano. I chose snowboarding and as a beginner I was a bit worried at first, however this was not the case when I arrived. By the end of the first day I felt really comfortable on the snowboard thanks to the amazing 4 hour lesson that I had booked. This tour is perfect whether you are a beginner or experienced at skiing or snowboarding. The conditions are awesome - probably the best snow I have seen! I was also super impressed with the accommodation in both Tokyo and Nagano.
Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
- Japan Adventure 17 Day
I have just completed the 17 day Japan tour and it has been an incredible trip. The itinerary is packed with a wide variety of experiences from an origami class, staying in a 1000 year old temple, seeing snow monkeys (if you are lucky!) and a Samurai class to name a few. There is also plenty of free time throughout the trip to shop and explore which I appreciated as there were a few things I wanted to do which weren’t part of the itinerary. My group leader Dan is an absolute legend!! It is my second tour with him and he always goes above and beyond to ensure we all have the best experience possible. He truly cares about each individual in the group and ensures everyone feels included. When we had free time Dan gave us plenty of recommendations of things to see and do and took us to additional places. He has an extensive cultural knowledge of Japan and I learnt a lot about Japan which I didn’t know about prior to the trip. It was also my birthday on the second day of the trip and it will definitely be a birthday that I will always remember! I highly recommend doing this tour, you will not be disappointed! Thank you so much Dan! ?
What our customers ask about Budget Tours to Japan
When is the most affordable time to visit Japan on a budget tour?
Late autumn (November) and winter (December-February) offer the best value for money in Japan except during New Year celebrations. You'll find lower rates at hotels in key areas like Tokyo's Shinjuku and Kyoto's Gion. Prices tend to spike during cherry blossom season in spring and summer festival periods. A TourRadar traveler noted "Visiting in November allowed us to see the beautiful autumn colors at places like Arashiyama Bamboo Forest while enjoying lower prices on accommodations and fewer crowds."
What type of accommodation can I expect on a budget tour in Japan?
Budget tours typically combine shared hostels basic hotels and traditional ryokans. In Tokyo you might find yourself at places like Sakura Hotel Nippori with dormitory-style rooms. Kyoto offers traditional stays such as Matsubaya Ryokan where you'll sleep on futons laid on tatami floors. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The accommodation was basic but clean and well-located and the traditional ryokan stays were a highlight of experiencing real Japanese culture."
How much should I budget for meals not included in the tour?
Set aside 25-40 USD per day for meals outside your tour package. You can eat well at conveyor-belt sushi spots in Tokyo's Shibuya for 8-15 USD or grab filling ramen in Osaka's Dotonbori district for 7-12 USD. A TourRadar traveler mentioned "We found great value at local ramen shops and convenience stores which helped keep our daily food costs around 30 USD while still enjoying authentic Japanese cuisine."
Are entrance fees to attractions included in budget Japan tours?
Standard tours cover entry to main sites like Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo and Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto. Extra activities such as the Robot Restaurant (80 USD) or teamLab Borderless (30 USD) usually cost extra. According to a TourRadar traveler: "While main temple entrances were covered I spent about USD 100 extra on optional activities like the Ghibli Museum and samurai experience throughout the 10-day tour."
What are the best budget-friendly areas to stay in major Japanese cities?
Look for accommodations in Tokyo's Asakusa Ueno or parts of Shinjuku for better rates while staying connected to main attractions. The APA Hotel in Asakusa offers good value. Kyoto Station area and Southern Higashiyama provide affordable options. Osaka's Namba district features budget-friendly stays near popular spots. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Staying in Asakusa saved us money and gave us a more local experience compared to expensive areas like Ginza."
What's the best way to save money on transportation during free time in Japan?
While most tours include a Japan Rail Pass for longer trips local travel becomes cheaper with a prepaid IC card like Pasmo or Suica (20-30 USD initial charge). These cards work on metros and buses throughout major cities. As one TourRadar traveler advised: "Getting a Pasmo card saved both money and time plus our guide showed us how to use the efficient subway system in Tokyo which helped cut costs on taxis."
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