Last updated January 22, 2023

Note: This is part 3 of a series dedicated to my advice on travelling to Japan. For the entire series, see:
• Part 1 - When to Go & Where to Stay
• Part 2 - Getting Around
• Part 3 - Getting Online & Saving Money

Accessing the Internet

Some people like to go on vacation and disconnect. That is fine for some vacations but without any connection in Japan, it’s quite impossible to navigate the transit systems. Surprisingly, free wifi is not common in public spaces in Japan, although it seems to be getting a bit better in Tokyo. I like to post photos and IG stories while I’m in Japan. I also need to communicate with my Japanese friends via LINE. I used to rely on pocket wifi rentals to stay connected in Japan, but now I use Google Fi for cell service and it works quite well in Japan. International coverage is also included in Google Fi plans so that's the major reason I do not buy any wifi routers or eSims now. I tend do data heavy activities like backing up my photos or uploading videos with my hotel or Airbnb's wifi, so for navigating around Japan or messaging friends, Google Fi was fine. That said, I think Pocket Wifi is still a great option if you're interested or don't use Google Fi. It's especially helpful if you will be in more rural or mountainous areas; Google Fi seemed to do much better in Tokyo than areas like Fujikawaguchiko, which is near the base of Mount Fuji.

Pocket wifi allows you to disable your mobile devices’ data plans and connect to a small wifi device that you carry with you. They’re quite inexpensive in Japan, but wifi speeds vary. Many Japanese Airbnb’s used to have pocket wifi that you can use while you’re renting the unit, but I used to get one at the start of my trip so that can take from city to city with us. I recommend Sakura Mobile because they have amazing customer service (no, this is not a sponsored post! I just really love them). Alternatively, you can rent a sim card in Japan for Android or iPhone. I have never tried that because with a mobile wifi, you can share the connection if you're travelling with others. If you do use a pocket wifi, make sure it’s password protected! One of the Airbnb pocket wifi’s was unlocked and I remember noticing on a train ride that 15-20 people had connected to it, which severely slowed it down.

Saving Money

A lot of people I meet think Japan is extremely expensive. And that’s a valid impression to have because Japan is a shopper and gourmand paradise… but it’s definitely possible to visit Japan on a budget! There’s tons of ways to save money in Japan. I’ve highlighted a few of my cost-saving tips:

• Try to keep a daily spending limit in mind. As much as I love the travel style of having no set plan for each and just wandering from place to place, I find that in Japan, that style can cost you a lot more money. In the big cities like Osaka, Tokyo, or Kyoto, there’s such a range of food and shopping options that the price point for everything goes from very inexpensive to top-dollar fairly quickly. Especially if you have a strong interest in Japanese food and/or culture, going there with little to no plans will definitely cause you to spend a lot more money because it's so easy to buy things.
• You can try to budget yourself by loading money on Suica/Pasmo and only shopping with it. Many shops accept IC cards as payment, so you might be able to limit your spending that way. Although on my last trip, I found an arcade that accepted Suica and I used all of my balance trying to get something out of a UFO catcher/crane machine. So your mileage may vary on the success of this method ?
• Try to plan out what area you will be in each day ahead of time. I am not saying you need a minute-by-minute itinerary for each day, but knowing what general areas (e.g. what neighborhood will you be in, what stations will you be departing at) you want to visit each day and in what order will help you to save money. For example, if you have a plan to see Shibuya and Harajuku, you should combine them into the same day because it’s possible to walk from Shibuya station to Harajuku station. You can save money that way instead of going to Shibuya by train one day and then Harajuku the next day. And if you want to spend the day shopping and sightseeing in Omotesando and Roppongi, know that it's a very expensive area compared to somewhere like Yanaka or other 下町 shitamachi areas (older parts of Tokyo that have a more traditional vibe)
• Japan is a very modern country but it's suprisingly cash based. Department stores, chain restaurants or shops, and trendier businesses will accept credit cards, but a great deal of stores and restaurants don't accept card and will only take yen. So make sure you get enough yen out, starting at the beginning of your trip. You can also withdraw yen using a foreign debit card at post offices and 7-11 convenience stores (called コンビニ　konbini). A lot of other ATMs do not accept foreign cards, so make sure you locate a post office or 7-11 konbini in your area. There are usually many konbini in the urban areas, and post offices are located all over Japan. In big cities, post offices are also often open 24-hours.
• Because it’s just so easy to spend money in Japan, if you're budget conscious, then I suggest getting the cheapest lodging that you can find since you may only be sleeping and freshening up there anyway. And if you get an Airbnb with a kitchen to make meals from the konbini or stay at a hotel with free breakfast, you can save even more money!
• For food, you can save money by eating some meals at a konbini. Konbini usually don't have anywhere you can sit and eat, and it's also pretty rare to see people walking around while eating in Japan. Luckily, there are konbini everywhere and it would be very rare for there to not be a konbini within walking distance of your Airbnb rental or hotel, so just take the food back to eat it. You can also eat standing outside of the konbini, but I never do that becauese I rarely have seen anyone else do it and I like to blend in as much as I can. The konbini staff will heat your food if you ask them to as well. Of course, don’t eat all of your meals in a konbini—there are so many great restaurants to try! But at least eating breakfast can save you a ton. My recommendation? Grab a tuna onigiri or a egg salad sandwich! And if you're curious to learn more about onigiri, check out this guide.
• There's also really cheap Japanese fast food places like gyudon (beef rice bowl) restaurants. They typically have a menu with a variety styles for one type of dish, but it's fast and delicious! My favorite one is Matsuya. It's fast and easy, and you order on a machine (menu is avaialble in Japanese or English!). They're usually 24 hours. And finally, there’s major fast food chains like McDonald’s in Japan. I wouldn’t suggest eating fast food everyday, but I do suggest checking out American fast food chains in Japan at least once. They always have some Japan only menu items that are really unique, and the Japanese government is very strict about food quality, so fast food is actually much better in Japan than it is in the United States.

  if you're planning to eat while you wait for a train, because the food directly inside major train stations is usually more convenient it is usually a little pricier than food outside or near stations.

• Make a list list of your must see attractions, and then figure out your must eat foods. Then find places to eat within your budget around your daily plan for each day. Unless you have a specific restaurant in mind that you really want to visit, it’s better to think by food type. That way you can look up some affordable dining options by researching places beforehand. Of course, walking into a random restaurant is fun too, but if you’re trying to save money then a little bit of preparation will help.
• If you’re trying to save money on souvenirs, look for dollar stores (called hundred yen or 100円 hyaku-en stores) like Daiso or 3 Coins. They have many Japanese traditional items that make great souvenirs, as well as fun toys and other random things. There’s also hyaku-en/dollar store konbini as well, so if you find one of those you can also get great deals on food, drinks, and souvenirs there. And finally, there's a mega-chain called Don Quijote that is very popular for souvenirs. I have a love-hate relationship with Donki, as they're called. I love them because they truly have everything and you can find items for yourself and souvenirs for friends; they usually have several floors and/or sections from beauty goods to toys to electronics to food. I hate them because it's often super packed, with cramped aisles full of stressed-out tourists. Tourists often have some manic energy as they search for their treasures, haha, so it's a little stressful when it's crowded. Especially if multiple tour groups are there. Donki is usually open 24 hours so I just now try to go super early or super late. Read more about Donki here!