The most economical summer travel experience in Japan

1. Introduction to the cost of traveling to Japan in the summer

1.1. What expenses are needed when traveling to Japan this summer?

Traveling to Japan in the summer, you need to prepare basic expenses including: plane tickets (~7–12 million VND), visa (~650,000 VND), hotel or Airbnb (~700,000–2 million/night), food and drink (~200,000–400,000/day), travel by IC card or JR Pass, along with sim/wifi and entrance tickets (many places are free or under 1,500 yen).

The special thing about traveling to Japan in the summer is the festival season (matsuri) that takes place everywhere. You may need to pay extra for renting a yukata, buying tickets to watch fireworks or participating in traditional festivals (total from 500,000 - 1 million VND). In addition, the hot and humid weather of 30-35°C will make you have to spend more on drinking water, hand fans, cold towels or renting a place to stay during the day.

Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, Japan is more expensive but worth the quality and unique cultural experiences if planned properly.

1.2. Overview of summer travel costs to Japan

If you go on a package tour (5 days 4 nights), the current market price is around 22 - 26 million/person, including airfare, hotel, entrance tickets, tour guide and transportation, food and drink... However, when referring to the group tours available on Tatinta Travel, the price only ranges from around $1,150 to $1,800/person, the cost is much more affordable and you are also allowed to choose the tour in your own way.

2. 10 tips to save money on airfare

Japan Airlines – take off for a journey to discover Japan

The scariest thing is when you check the price, you discover that the day before it was only 2 million, but after a nap, the next day the ticket has increased to 3.5 million. To avoid unnecessary expenses, Tatinta Travel suggests that you immediately apply the 7 tips below to hunt for cheap air tickets to Japan, saving maximum costs:

1. Priority booking on Tuesday or Wednesday

According to statistics from many flight ticket platforms, Tuesday evenings (around 7–9 p.m.) are often cheaper. Conversely, weekend ticket prices are often higher due to increased demand.

2. Book early, but not too early

Ideally, book your tickets 1-2 months in advance of your departure date. Remember to check ahead for major holidays at your destination, as ticket prices often skyrocket during those days.

3. Choose a flight day with few people traveling

Tuesday and Wednesday are the two cheapest days of the week. On the contrary, Friday to Sunday is usually the peak time, when ticket prices increase. (peak season)

4. With international tickets, wait for the "golden time"

For international flights, it is recommended to book about 11–12 weeks in advance. This is often the time when there are many promotions or the best prices.

5. Land at an alternate airport

Flying to smaller airports closer to your main destination can be cheaper. For example, instead of flying directly to a major airport, you can choose a nearby airport and travel further by train or bus.

6. Delete cookies or use incognito mode when searching for tickets

Some systems may increase prices if they notice you're repeatedly searching for the same ticket, so it's a good idea to clear your search history or use incognito mode.

7. Compare prices from multiple platforms

Don't miss the opportunity to receive super deals and save a lot of money. You can refer to the Tickets and Experiences section on Tatinta Travel Floor.

3. Economical travel in Japan

Golden ticket for a journey across Japan

• Buy a Japan Rail Pass if you plan to travel through many big cities such as Tokyo – Kyoto – Osaka. The price of a 7-day pass is about 50,000 yen, saving up to 50% compared to buying a single Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket.

• In big cities like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto: use IC Cards like Suica or Pasmo to easily swipe your card on trains and buses. This will be very convenient when taking trains, buses, buying fast food, avoiding having to buy individual tickets each time. If you only travel for a day, consider a 1-day pass like the Tokyo Metro Pass (600 yen) or Osaka Amazing Pass (2,800 yen with admission tickets).

• If you want to save on accommodation costs, consider taking the night bus for long distances like Tokyo – Osaka, which is usually half the price of the bullet train and convenient for long journeys.

4. Eat and drink economically

Gyudon Beef Rice Bowl – A Simple Japanese-Style Rice Bowl

In the modern travel trend, optimizing costs and personalizing experiences according to personal preferences are increasingly popular. Instead of eating according to a fixed schedule at familiar restaurants in traditional tours, many tourists now prioritize exploring small, quiet eateries with strong local identity. Tatinta understands that not everyone has a large budget to dine at luxury restaurants during their trip. Therefore, below are some tips for eating in Japan that are not too expensive - helping you eat well, experience enough while still optimizing your budget.

• Eat at a convenience store (konbini): Chains like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson have a wide variety of cheap ready-to-eat foods, such as onigiri (rice balls) for 100-200 yen, sandwiches for 200-300 yen, and udon and soba noodles for around 300-500 yen. These are quick, tasty, and affordable options.

• Eat at restaurants specializing in simple, cheap dishes: Gyudon chains such as Matsuya, Yoshinoya, Sukiya serve beef bowls starting at just 400 yen, with free cold drinks. Ramen, curry, and donburi restaurants also cost from 280-700 yen, making them affordable.

• Buy food at supermarkets or 100 yen shops: Supermarkets often have discounts on food at the end of the day, you can buy sushi, bento, salad for less than 1000 yen. 100 yen shops sell a variety of food and utensils for only 100 yen, helping to significantly reduce food costs.

• Cook for yourself if possible: At hostels and guesthouses that have kitchens that allow guests to cook for themselves, you can buy fresh ingredients such as salmon, tuna, beef for 400-500 yen per tray to prepare. This is an effective way to save costs and also an interesting experience.

• Avoid buying expensive fresh fruits and vegetables: In Japan, fresh fruits and vegetables are often very expensive, so prioritize meat dishes or processed foods to save money.

• Eat breakfast at the hotel or prepare snacks in advance: Since many restaurants open after 9-10am, eating breakfast at the hotel or using convenience foods helps cut costs and time.

• Choose to eat at lunchtime: Many high-end restaurants have lunch sets that are significantly cheaper than dinner, so you can take advantage of them to enjoy delicious food without spending a lot of money.

5. Smart shopping

Gotemba Premium Outlets with a picturesque shopping view

• 100 Yen Shop (Daiso, Can Do) : Ideal place to buy souvenirs, travel items and personal items at extremely cheap prices but stable quality. Many convenient, compact items - very suitable for tourists.

• Japanese Outlets : If you love branded goods but want to be on a budget, don't miss shopping centers like Got emba Premium Outlets (largest, many brands, nice view); Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu (near Tokyo, diverse); Aeon Mall Makuhari Shintoshin (many services). You can travel by mainly subway and train; some places have shuttle buses.

• Shopping in Tokyo: In addition to familiar places like Don Quijote, Uniqlo or GU, you can also explore shopping districts like Shimokitazawa because this is a trendy, artistic district located in Setagaya district, Tokyo, famous for its hipster culture, antique shopping and unique art space, about 5 minutes by train from the center of Shibuya.

6. Advantages and disadvantages of choosing to travel independently or on a tour

Consider the above factors, then if you are a person who likes to freely explore, you can refer to Tickets and experiences , but if you are afraid of trouble, do not hesitate but choose an available tour on Tatinta Travel Floor.

7. Japan Summer Tour 2025 - Economical choice

Individual registration offer: Get 1,000,000 VND/guest when registering for a Japan tour, applicable to all summer 2025 departures. No group requirement and no limit on the number of guests.

Group registration discount: Groups of 4 or more people registering for the tour, total discount up to 10,000,000 VND (2,500,000 VND/person). Not applicable in conjunction with personal referral program.

Referral program: Referrer receives 500,000 VND/successfully referred customer. No limit on the number of referrals. Not applicable if the referred customer belongs to a group that has received a group discount.

Thank you for your interest in Tatinta Travel, for more information please contact:

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