How to organize a trip to Japan. How much does a trip to Japan from Russia cost? We consider all expenses

13.10.2019

Cherry blossoms in spring, scarlet maples in autumn, snow-white mountain peaks in winter and endless gardens in summer…

And all this, not counting hundreds of museums, thousands of palaces and a huge number of natural wonders.

It will be interesting to visit Japan at any time of the year, but, unfortunately, this trip is far from being budgetary and not everyone can afford it. However, nothing is impossible - if you really want to see the land of the rising sun, you just need to plan your trip correctly and calculate the budget together with BiletyPlus.ru.

Ready-made tours or self-planning?

Many tour operators offer ready-made tours to Japan. The difference in prices is striking and inspires excessive optimism, because prices start at 25,000 rubles. Unfortunately, it is worth taking a closer look at the conditions - then it becomes clear that such a "tour" includes only accommodation in an average hotel.

The real cost of a week-long tour to Japan is about 100,000–130,000 rubles. It is at this price that you can be sure that flights, transfers, insurance, accommodation and meals are already included in the price, and you will not have to face sudden additional expenses.

In order to understand whether such a price is justified, let's try to make independent route, which includes the same services.

Airline selection

Dozens of flights depart daily to Japan. Most of them have transfers or connections, and the prices are simply eye-opening. Yes, you have to admit, flying to Japan is always expensive, but you can choose the most economical option available. The most convenient way to do this is with the help of the BiletyPlus.ru metasearch engine. On this site, you just need to select the city you want to go to and the date of the flight, and it will independently compare all existing flights and offer you the most convenient and profitable options.

As a result of such a comparison, you can book a round-trip flight with one connection for 30,000 rubles. By the way, if the date of the trip is not so important for you, and the price is the main indicator, you should subscribe to the newsletter with new offers and promotions in the chosen direction and wait until the ticket price becomes acceptable.

Booking hotels and hostels

Offering their clients hotels for 25,000 rubles a week, Russian tour operators are, to put it mildly, disingenuous. Of course, in Japan you can find options several times cheaper. For example, a night in a hostel near the city center will cost 600-700 rubles, a single room in a hotel can be rented for 1500-2000 rubles.

Therefore, if you are looking for something to save money, feel free to choose the most cheap option and don't worry about the service. However, keep in mind that in hostels your neighbors may be noisy youth companies that have come from Europe and have fun all night long.

Tours and museums: guide or translator?

Looking at the official prices for most tours of Japan, you want to turn off your computer and stay at home. But do not be afraid - the prices are so high only because it is not easy to find a Russian-speaking guide in Tokyo, and in smaller cities it is completely unrealistic. However, in each museum you can take an audio guide with an English lecture. If, however, things are not going smoothly for you with languages, you can download one of the many electronic guides and read or listen to it while moving around the territory of a museum or park.

And if you buy a weekly pass for public transport (the cost is about 1000 rubles) and pay only for the entrance to the place you are interested in, and not for the transfer and the broken Russian guide, you can meet a very affordable amount.

In addition, recent devices and mobile applications with functions of electronic translation both oral and writing, let you find mutual language with local residents. With such novelties, you no longer have to painfully flip through a phrasebook, and then look at the person who answers incomprehensibly if you get lost, trying to buy groceries or go to the library.

Eating at local restaurants and shopping

Food is another expense item that you can save a lot on. Japan is a very dynamic country, so there are many ways to quickly and inexpensively eat here. At the same time, the Japanese take care of their health, so you will have to look for standard sandwiches here. But all kinds of cafes serving national dishes, such as “gyudong” (rice with boiled beef and sautéed onions), “tendon” (rice with tempura), as well as several types of noodles with additives, are more than enough. You can dine in such an institution for 150-200 rubles.

If you want to try real Japanese sushi without going broke, you can go to one of the kaiten-zushi bars. In them, plates from sushi float along a huge moving belt, and one plate costs only 33 rubles. Well, you can buy a complex sushi lunch for 250–300 rubles and enjoy it on the spot or in the nearest park (like here, when ordering takeaway food, the establishment provides a 20–30% discount).

Those who want to cook on their own should pay a visit to the Hyakuen Shop format. This is an analogue of our Fix Price, and the prices for groceries, everyday items and souvenirs are strictly fixed here - 100 yen, that is, 33 rubles apiece.

Now let's calculate the approximate amount we got as a result - 50,000 rubles. Of course, even this money cannot be considered an everyday waste, but for the sake of a dream, you can afford a little more than usual. In addition, the 50% savings that can be achieved with the help of BiletyPlus.ru will be an excellent motivation for making the desired trip.

It is the cherished dream of many Russians. However, not everyone manages to fulfill it because of the high cost of this trip. The Land of the Rising Sun is considered one of the most expensive in the world, and Tokyo has been in the top five most expensive cities for tourists for several years. But still, nothing can stop someone who wants to see Fujiyama and cherry blossoms in spring with their own eyes. Our article is for such travelers, here we have collected the most important information, which will allow you to spend an inexpensive and interesting vacation in original Japan.

A little about the country

If you are planning a trip to Japan, prepare to be amazed. You will have to do this all the time, because the Land of the Rising Sun cannot be compared with other Asian states. There is nothing from China, Vietnam or Thailand, but, nevertheless, traveling through Japan, you seem to penetrate into the very heart of Asia and hear it beating on every street of noisy megacities.

Tourists are attracted here by an incredible combination modern technologies with ancient traditions that are strictly observed by every generation of the Japanese family. If you are lucky, you can see a colorful festival dedicated to, for example, kokeshi Or sit quietly in the garden, enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms at sunrise or sunset. And in megacities you will be met by numerous cafes, shops and shopping centers. Here you can buy something, dine, and in some even stay overnight. In general, a trip to Japan will be the biggest and most significant adventure in your life. And, which is doubly pleasant, you will never regret the money spent on it.

Japan: solo or group trip?

First of all, before traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun, you need to decide on the budget and travel options. And there are few of them - a group trip to Japan or an independent one. What to choose? It directly depends on your budget and opportunities.

Traveling to Japan on your own is quite possible, but it will require very careful preparation. You will have to think through absolutely everything:

flight to Japan;
hotel booking;
route of movement around the country;
food outlets and excursion program;
money exchange options;
types of communication with the local population.

All these aspects of a good trip will take you a very long time and also require some experience in solo travel. In addition, on the road you will meet certain difficulties, which can only be overcome by unspoiled and sociable tourists. For example, it is worth knowing that in Japan, few of the local population know English. Therefore, you will not be able to simply ask a passer-by for directions. Perhaps, after some time, a young Japanese who knows the basics of the English language will come across, but there is a high probability that this will not happen. In addition, the inscriptions in the country are not duplicated, they are all written in hieroglyphs. This fact significantly complicates the rest in Japan.

If the above difficulties scare you, then it is better to buy a travel package. Of course, it is not cheap, but you will be free from all worries, including visa ones.

Travel cost

If you are planning a flight from Moscow, then two weeks in Japan will cost you one hundred and fifty thousand rubles. This amount includes flights, travel around the country, accommodation and several excursions. Meals are based on the breakfast system, the remaining meals the tourist must pay for on their own. A trip to Japan from Vladivostok is much cheaper. Our compatriots can choose a ferry tour, which costs about sixty thousand rubles on average. From Vladivostok, you can get to the Land of the Rising Sun in different ways and with various travel packages on hand. This is the most popular tourist destination for locals.

Reviews of independent travel in Japan allow you to plan your trip perfectly and save a lot of money. On average, brave tourists can spend thirty to forty thousand less on a trip than when buying a tour. This money will be very useful to you on vacation, because you can bring quite a lot of useful things home from the Land of the Rising Sun. How to plan a budget trip to Japan on your own, we will tell you a little later. And now let's try to find out the most important aspects of preparing for the trip.

When to go to Japan?

A big trip to Japan can be planned for any time of the year, but traditionally tourists try to visit the country in spring or autumn. During these seasons, the Land of the Rising Sun appears in a special nice view. In spring, she is dressed in pink foam of sakura flowers, and in autumn she just hurts her eyes from red maple leaves. It seems that they are everywhere here, and the Japanese even came up with some special rituals for observing this beauty.

Skiing is possible in Japan in winter, several main resorts are characterized by high comfort and are equipped with last word technology. But for those who are not attracted to skiing, it will be quite uncomfortable to see Japanese sights in winter and enjoy the trip. In addition, in the winter season it can be very windy in the country, which is rather unusual for most of our compatriots.

In summer, the country is very hot and stuffy. Air conditioners are everywhere in the cities, and tourists suffer from temperature fluctuations. Many people take sweaters or jackets with them to wear in restaurants or shopping malls. But if you prefer a beach holiday, then go to Okinawa. Here you will receive an incredible level of service and enjoy swimming under the hot sun.

Where to go in Japan?

If you take the trouble to study reviews of independent travel in Japan, then it's easy to make your own travel itinerary. For the first time, a week will be enough for you to get acquainted with the Land of the Rising Sun. The following cities are suitable for this:

Tokyo.
Nara.
Kyoto.

Moving between settlements on high-speed trains, in seven days you will see beautiful parks, swim in hot springs, visit the most famous temples and, of course, taste the bustling and noisy life of megacities.

If you are already a little familiar with travel, you can choose slightly different ones, and increase your stay in this country to two weeks. During this period, tourists will be able to see Hiroshima, Osaka, Kobe and other unusual places. In general, you can plan to visit one city per day. In this case, the trip program will be very rich.

Applying for a visa: nuances and features

Any trip to Japan begins with the most difficult thing - obtaining a visa. This is not possible for every even a very experienced tourist. The thing is that in order to obtain a visa, Russians need a special letter on official letterhead. In addition to it, you will need to confirm the hotel reservation (and this is quite problematic when traveling on your own) and send a package of documents using special mail (the shipping cost will be at least seventy dollars).

Many of our compatriots negotiate with travel companies and pay for their visas. It usually takes two weeks and saves a lot of time.

Accommodation in Japan: where is the best place to stay?

To remember your trip to Japan for a long time, you need to take photos almost everywhere. Hotels and small hotels deserve special attention. It is worth noting that in the Land of the Rising Sun there is a fairly large selection of places to stay. But, if you want to save a little, then all of them will be very unusual and entertaining.

Many tourists stay overnight at spas. Don't be surprised, it's pretty common in Japan. For about thirty five dollars you will get small room with bath and lounger. There will also be a TV and all other amenities, and you can go down to the restaurant for dinner. Various treatments and massages are available for guests.

This is exotic for Russians. They are quite inexpensive and have a very high level of comfort. There are even double capsules for traveling couples. This pleasure will cost approximately thirty-five dollars per night.

Love hotels seem like a very unusual place to spend the night. These facilities are intended for love dates and provide the opportunity to rent from one hour to several days. These hotels are decorated quite exotic, but equipped with the highest class. In addition, they are much cheaper than regular rooms. A night in such a hotel will cost from eighty to one hundred and fifty dollars.

Meals while traveling

Of course, you can eat in restaurants every day, but a budget vacation does not imply such luxury. Therefore, make your choice in favor of Japanese fast food, it is extremely healthy and tasty here. No hamburgers or fries, just seaweed, sushi and seafood. Such a pleasure will cost approximately 5-6 dollars.

If the choice of dishes in a cafe confuses you a little with a large number of incomprehensible names, then buy a ready-made lunch in a supermarket. Its cost will be the same as in a cafe, and through a transparent film you will always see the contents of the package.

gourmet trip

Experienced tourists choose a special type of vacation - a culinary trip to Japan. It is worth noting that this is something incredible. Of course, there are still few Russians who are ready to spend money on such a tour, but their number is increasing every year. What is it that attracts gourmets in the Land of the Rising Sun? Of course, restaurants with Michelin stars.

The fact is that as soon as Tokyo was included in the Michelin guide, restaurants with stars appeared in it. And tourists who want to experience gastronomic delight rushed to them. Every year the number of restaurants with haute cuisine increases and Tokyo has already significantly surpassed the recognized gastronomic center - Paris in these characteristics.

For example, in the oldest quarter of Tokyo, Ginza, there are sushi restaurants with three Michelin stars. One of them employs the chef Jiro, about whom feature films have even been made. His work seems to be a real art, and the price of the dishes prepared by him exceeds several thousand dollars.

Each city in Japan has its own culinary traditions, so gourmets can travel all over the country in search of a special taste. One of the most popular Japanese foods is noodles. There are just a lot of options for its preparation - boil, fry, steam, and the like. Each region in the country has its own recipe. It can be said that a culinary tour allows tourists to discover new facets of an already familiar country.

money exchange

With the exchange of money, many inexperienced tourists often have problems. Keep in mind that buying yen is best done at home. Otherwise, you can get into a very unpleasant situation, because in many ATMs and terminals the card of the European payment system may not be accepted. This is due to the fact that Japanese terminals operate on their own system. Only a few ATMs in large shopping centers calmly accept absolutely all bank cards.

It will not always be possible to exchange money in a bank, because tourists can get into holidays, and it is impossible to exist in Japan without money. Therefore, experienced travelers advise to carry the main amount of money in cash, and on bank card leave funds to pay for restaurants and purchases.

Going to the Land of the Rising Sun, tourists need to know a few simple rules stay in Japan, which will facilitate travel. We have compiled the most important recommendations:

Don't try to tip in Japan, don't do it. There is no tipping system throughout the country.
In Japanese bars, in honor of a friendly disposition, it is customary to pour alcoholic drinks from your own bottle, so if you are honored with such an honor, be sure to make a return gesture of respect.
Never point at objects and people with your finger - this is extremely impolite, but you can show yourself.
In a restaurant, it is enough to wave your hand in front of your nose, as the waiter will remove the dirty plates.
In the Land of the Rising Sun, it is customary to take off your shoes in many rooms. You may be asked to take off your shoes in some areas of a restaurant, hotel, apartment building, temple, and so on. It is considered especially indecent to step on the mat with a shod foot; this is perceived as an insult.

When going to the hot springs, keep in mind that those who have tattoos on their bodies are escorted to separate baths. They are not allowed to be in a common room with other vacationers.
When you receive an invitation, be sure to bring a gift with you. This is considered a sign of courtesy and respect.

Of course, it is difficult to list all the nuances of traveling through the Land of the Rising Sun, because a lot is known only after independent travel.

Japan, travel: reviews

Not a single tourist had an angry comment about Japan, in any case, we did not meet such. This means only one thing - you can and should go to this country. It will reveal a lot of interesting things even to those who are very poorly aware of the culture and traditions of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Experienced tourists prefer Japan to all other Asian countries. Ask them why. We think the explanation will take several hours. After all, it is simply impossible to describe this amazing country and its people in a nutshell. Travelers remain delighted with the historical monuments of Japan, its cities, cuisine and original traditions. Tourists say that you can come here many times, and each time you find something unusually exciting for yourself.

What do you need to decide on a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun? Yes, quite a bit - desire, the spirit of adventurism and more money. And then you will be able to tell your friends when you return home about what an incredible trip to Japan you had.

How to organize a solo trip to Japan? Helpful information for travelers. Prices for tickets, visa, transport, hotels, food and attractions in 2019.

Exchange rate: 100 yen (JPY) ≈ 55 RUB.

Flights to Japan

Going to independent travel to Japan, be especially careful when buying tickets. The country is considered to be one of the most expensive for a holiday, but if you follow the airlines, you can find very attractive offers.

The cost of traveling to Japan will initially be lower for residents of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and Khabarovsk, since the prices for tickets departing from these cities are the lowest in the country - from 15 thousand rubles.

A flight to Japan from Moscow costs from 25 thousand rubles, from St. Petersburg - from 26-27 thousand rubles. It is also relatively inexpensive to fly from Novosibirsk (from 26 thousand rubles) and Vladivostok (from 16 thousand rubles).

Visa to Japan in 2019

Obtaining a Japanese visa is a very time-consuming process. Its type is determined by two main factors: the length of stay in the country and the purpose of the visit. Long-term visas are issued for study and work. Short-term - for tourist trips, business visits, visiting friends or relatives, as well as transit trips. In addition, there are some nuances with documents when applying for a child visa.

In addition to a voluminous list of documents, you should have a so-called guarantee in the country itself, ensuring both stay in Japan and timely departure. The guarantor can be either a resident of a country with a permanent status ( individual), or a tour operator ( entity). In both cases, the inviting party is obliged to provide a package of various papers.

With lists required documents can be found on the embassy website.

When organizing an independent trip to Japan in 2019, we recommend that you seek help from intermediary companies. They will solve all bureaucratic issues for you and will become your guarantor, taking a fee of about 10 thousand rubles.

(Photo © rurinoshima / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Transport in Japan

Buses

Both buses and trams the best solution for tourists in Japan. On these modes of transport, you will not always find the names of routes on English language. However, if you can read hieroglyphs, the risk of going to the wrong place is minimized. The cost of the trip is approximately ¥220-420.

In addition, if you study the routes well and are not limited to trips around one city, there are the right way save money: moving from one city to another is cheapest on night buses.

Metro

The most convenient mode of transport for moving around the city is the metro. The names of all stations are duplicated in English. Trains run at five-minute intervals from 05:00 to 23:30. The fare depends on the city and distance. In Tokyo, for example, the price of a trip is approximately ¥120-320. A day pass will cost ¥1000. Tickets can be purchased at special vending machines in the subway.

Railway transport

Trains in Japan are considered high-speed transport for travel between major cities and suburban passenger transportation. They are divided into four main types: Local trains, Rapid express trains, long-distance trains and high-speed shinkansen. Tickets can also be purchased from special vending machines. The fare depends on the distance and class of the train: from ¥1500 to ¥44000.

Japan Rail Pass

When planning an independent trip to Japan, it is quite natural to want to save money, including on transportation costs. A pass can help with this. Japan Rail Pass. It was created exclusively for tourists by Japan Rail (JR), which is the country's main railway company. The travel card is issued in advance before traveling to Japan, as a rule, upon receipt of a visa. It applies to all JR transport: shinkansen, some subway lines and many suburban trains. There are three types of Japan Rail Pass: for 7 days - 28300 ¥, for 14 days - 45100 ¥, for 21 days - 57700 ¥.

Taxi

This type of transport in Japan is considered one of the most expensive. In addition, from 23:00 to 06:00, taxis provide services at a night rate, which means plus 30% on the cost of the trip. The price is formed as follows:

boarding ¥580-720;
for every 280 meters - 80¥;
for every 135 seconds of downtime - 90¥.

The cost of traveling to Japan in general is a considerable amount even with savings. However, it's not a bad idea to use a taxi service a couple of times. Tired of the flight, with luggage in hand, it is more convenient to get from the airport to the hotel in a pre-booked taxi. You can order a transfer online on the service.

Do you want to know the minimum cost of a trip to Japan taking into account all items of expenditure? We calculated the main costs: flight, hotel accommodation, meals, public transport, as well as visiting the main attractions of the country. Read about what we have come to in ours.

(Photo © Loïc Lagarde / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Hotels in Japan

There are three main types of accommodation for tourists in Japan: capsule hotels, international hotels and traditional Japanese ryokans.

Capsule hotels

They are considered the most budget housing option in Japan. Capsules are small sleeping cells that are located next to each other in two tiers. Enough space to watch TV, read or just sleep. As a rule, in capsules, you can adjust the temperature and the desired brightness of the light. In hotels of this type, there are shared toilets, showers, as well as individual cells for luggage. The cost of a cell is from $20 per day. At this price, for example, you can stay at the Capsule and Sauna New Century or Capsule and Sauna New Japan EX capsule hotel.

International type hotels

This type of tourist-friendly hotel is the most popular among those who travel independently in Japan. According to the level of comfort, they are divided into the following types:

Delux (DX) - expensive hotels with the most high level service (approximately 5*+);
Superior (SP) - housing with DX elements, but at a lower price (approximately 5 *);
First (F) - living conditions are above average (approximately 4 *);
Standard (S) - standard class hotels with a basic set of amenities (approximately 3 *);
Economy (E) - a budget option accommodation.

Ryokans

An ideal option for those who want to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of national traditions during an independent trip to Japan. The floor in such hotels is lined with straw mats (tatami), and the doors and some windows are sliding partitions made of translucent paper in wooden frame(shoji). It is customary to sleep here on the floor, and to wash in common bath ofuro, however, given the shyness of many tourists, rooms are created with their own bathrooms. Ryokan can be rented from $90 per night for two, for example, at Sakura Ryokan Hotel Tokyo.

Food in Japan. Prices in 2019

Japanese cuisine uses fresh and natural products that go through a minimum heat treatment. This is done to preserve the natural look and, most importantly, the original taste. In addition, traditional culinary products are alien to mixing a large number ingredients. Aesthetic minimalism, clarity of detail and bright colors are the basis of Japanese dishes.

The main ingredients here are fresh vegetables, seafood, rice and noodles. Sushi, familiar to us, is considered far from being the main Japanese food, as the vast majority of tourists believe. We have identified several popular national dishes that are worth trying in Japan.

ramen- This is a broth with wheat noodles. There are four types of base for this dish: soy sauce, tankotsu (pork bone broth), miso (bean paste) and salty broth. Ingredients can also be: pickled mushrooms, eggs, bamboo shoots and spinach.

Onigiri- rice balls stuffed with fish, wrapped in seaweed. This common Japanese snack can be enjoyed for as little as ¥100.

Yakitor These are pieces of chicken on skewers grilled over charcoal. These skewers are usually served with tare sauce, which is made from mirin, soy sauce and sugar.

Fugu- poisonous fish, which is considered a real delicacy. To neutralize it, certified masters, like surgeons, remove internal organs containing poison, and only then proceed to the cooking process.

shabu shabu is a dish that got its name from the sound that occurs during cooking. And the chef here is the customer himself. In restaurants that offer this dish, small stoves are mounted in the tables, on which a bowl of boiling broth is placed. Thin slices of beef or pork are lowered into the bubbling liquid with the help of sticks, and after that the marbled meat is ready for tasting.

When calculating the cost of traveling to Japan, we found it useful to provide information on how much food costs in cafes and restaurants in Japan.

Prices in Japanese cafes:

breakfast - 650¥;
lunch - ¥850;
dinner - 1200¥.

Prices in Japanese restaurants:

breakfast - 800¥;
lunch - 1200¥;
dinner - ¥2000.

Landmarks in Japan

Each prefecture, city and village has the richest cultural heritage. Here you can endlessly admire both historical monuments and achievements in the field of modern technologies. We have highlighted some of the most popular attractions for those who are planning a solo trip to Japan.

It is believed that at least once in a lifetime a real Japanese must conquer the sacred volcano on the island of Honshu. Climbing to the top of Mount Fuji is officially allowed only from July 1 to August 27, when the snow melts. In turn, the mountain is especially beautiful in winter: you can contemplate the snowy peaks of the legendary volcano, lying in a hot spring (onsen).

ancient castles

There are more than a hundred ancient castles in Japan. Here are the most famous residences in which the history of the great state was born:

Nagoya Castle is located in Aichi Prefecture. Built in 1612, it was once the main residence of a branch of the Tokugawa shogun family.
Inuyama Castle- located on the border of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. Built in 1440, the castle is listed as a National Treasure of Japan.
Kochi Castle- was founded in Kochi Prefecture in 1601 after the Battle of Sekigahara. Listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Kumamoto Castle- Erected in 1601, it bears the second name "Crow Castle", and is also included in the list of national treasures of Japan.

Tokyo Disneyland

This is the first Disney park to be moved outside of the United States. There are 47 attractions of the famous cartoon brand on 465 thousand m². You can visit the park by buying a ticket, which is called a passport here due to the age categories of guests:

from 18 years old - 6200 ¥;
from 12 to 17 years old - ¥5300;
from 4 to 11 years old - 4100¥.

ancient temples

There are two main religions in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism. The first is based on the ancient animistic beliefs of the Japanese, and the second was brought by Chinese monks. The most famous Japanese temples are located in Kyoto, including: Ginkaku-ji or Temple of the Silver Pavilion, a Buddhist shrine Tongasan Kesan-ji and the Temple of the Resting Dragon Rean-ji.

Briefly about the upcoming trip to Japan: how it happened, about fears and mediocre knowledge of Japanese culture and history. Questions are accepted.

Life is an amazing thing. At the end of last year, I realized that I missed the . By its night illumination, screeching sirens and the faint smell of chocolate. We should return - I decided, but it was not there! CThe chain of events led me to exactly the opposite result. On the first day, I fly to the other side of the Pacific Ocean with excellent company. Japan is waiting for us!

About concerns

I have never been to Asia, and here I have to visit two countries at once. On the way back, we will have 12 free hours in Beijing during our connection. To be honest, unfamiliar hieroglyphs, my mediocre English and possible problems with logistics. We made a busy route: Moscow - Beijing - Osaka - Nara - Kyoto - Tokyo - Osaka - Beijing - Moscow. I don't want to get stuck half way. Especially at the Beijing airport during the first one and a half hour transfer.

About the cultural code

In addition to incomprehensible squiggles instead of letters, one more moment confuses. We know a lot about Europe thanks to history at school. We also know about the USA. Thank you Hollywood movies. But our ideas about Japan are close to zero. In the classroom, of course, they study Tsushima battle, Pearl Harbor and the bombing of Hiroshima, even briefly mention the Meiji Restoration, the period of isolationism and the post-war economic miracle, but the rest of Japan's history is shrouded in the fog of war. So it turns out that for most people, including me, the image of Japan is a porridge of works, names and traditions that have gained worldwide fame.

Beautiful Fuji. Huge tsunami. Sushi and rolls. Karate, sumo and judo. Hachiko waiting for his master to the song Big Japan. Samurai, geisha and ninja watching anime and reciting haiku over sake in the shade of cherry trees near the rock garden. Pokémon, Godzilla and Sailor Moon. This is the yellow-haired lady who was remembered for the phrase: “Lunar prism, give me strength!”. What else is there? Japanese policeman, tea ceremony and origami.

I suspect that such a vinaigrette can be considered an adequate representation of Japan with the same degree of conventionality with which vodka, matryoshka and ballet describe the entire depth of the Russian soul. Unfortunately, in a couple of weeks it is unlikely that it will be possible to understand what Japan is like, but you can make a first impression. What I will try to do, and then state here.

We are back and here important texts:

And on the topic (dry and to the point):

I'll tell you how much the trip to Japan cost me. I collected all the expenses in one place so that you can estimate how much it costs to go to Japan on your own.

While we were preparing for a trip to Japan, moaning was heard from everywhere that this is a very expensive country. Go broke - my friends told me. So far, according to the sensations, all the high cost of the country rests on the flight. It is possible that this opinion will be erroneous. In this note, I will collect all my expenses for the trip. Let's see how much it costs to go to Japan on your own.

Travel dates: 2 – 14 .
Number of days in Japan: 12 + 1 day in China.
Prices in rubles.

: 33 292 ₽.
: 10 753 ₽.
: 5 977 ₽.
: Is free.
: 1 072 ₽.
Lonely Planet guide: 1 400 ₽.
: 16 345 ₽.
Purchase of water and coffee: 2 865 ₽.
Electric trains from Osaka to Nara and Kyoto: 3,875 ₽.
in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo: 3,445 ₽.
Entrance to temples, zoo and aquarium: 2,150 ₽.
and a monorail ride at the zoo: 375 ₽.
Luggage storage: 400 ₽.
Shopping and souvenirs: 13 458 ₽.

Total: 95 500 ₽.

Important note: On the trip, we felt completely at ease. We bought food mostly in supermarkets and did not deny ourselves anything. We wanted sushi with red caviar for breakfast - we take it. Liked the ready lunch with meat and pasta - no problem.

How could you save

Air tickets - 6 000 ₽.
I took tickets for a specific flight, so I had to spend more. Were on other dates for 27 thousand rubles with a change in Singapore, and not in Beijing.
Housing - 0 ₽.
Housing was taken very well. It turned out cheap because we traveled big company and rented entire apartments.
Intercity buses - 0 ₽.
Tickets were taken well in advance and at minimal prices. It was even cheaper to leave only with hand luggage. Without luggage.
Visa - 0 ₽.
Insurance - 0 ₽.
Perhaps, if you look more carefully, you would find cheaper offers. They took the most profitable at that time.
Guide - 1 400 ₽.
By experience, there was enough knowledge from the Internet. A travel guide is a useful but optional item when traveling in Japan if you are well prepared for the trip.
Meals - 5 000 ₽.
Most often bought ready meals in supermarkets. They rarely sat in cafes and markets. I think that it would be possible to shrink by five thousand if they cooked at home, since the kitchens were everywhere.
Water and coffee - 1500 ₽.
Near the house in Osaka there was an excellent coffee shop where they prepared very tasty coffee. In fact, it was also very expensive. Plus, there are soda machines everywhere in Japan. It is convenient to lower a trifle there, which we did.
Trains - 1 875 ₽.
I took some tickets for two, so you can throw off about the same amount to get an idea of \u200b\u200bspending for one.
Metro - 1 445 ₽.
The figure of savings is hypothetical. It's hard to calculate exactly. We could have bought special metro passes, but we didn’t, and they are really more profitable than one-time trips.
Entrance to temples, zoo and aquarium - 0 ₽.
Tourists can get a little cheaper to see the sights, but you need an international card.
Reindeer food and a monorail ride at the zoo - 0 ₽.
It would be possible not to spend money on this item at all, but 375 rubles are worth these emotions.
Luggage storage - 0 ₽.
Shopping and souvenirs - 13 458 ₽.
If you want to fly to Japan cheaper, you will have to give up souvenirs and purchases. This is the most obvious way to save money. I could not get!

It feels like it's quite realistic to save about 30 thousand rubles. In this case, a trip to Japan for 2 weeks will cost about 65-70 thousand rubles.