Budget Tours to Japan
Imagine walking around Shinjuku at night, taking pictures of Tokyo Tower from the peaceful gardens of Zojoji Temple. Take a boat ride on Kawaguchiko Lake, where the perfect cone of Mt. Fuji reflects in the still waters. Visit the interesting Toyota Museum in Nagoya, and walk through Kyoto's mystical bamboo forest, where light and nature collide. Japan doesn’t have to cost the earth.
10 best Budget Japan tour packages
Compiled by
SteffJapan travel expert at TourRadar
- Japan Adventure 13 Day
- Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
- 10 Days Classic Japan Tour from Tokyo, 3&4 Stars Hotels (Max 6 People)
- 8 Day Japan on a Budget Small Group Tour Package
- Essential Japan Explorer - 13 Days
- Japan In Depth - Footsteps of the Shogun
- Japan Highlights by Bullet Train: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka | 8 Days
- Japan: Castles & Cuisine
- Spirit of Japan
- Japan Adventure 17 Day
Japan Adventure 13 Day
401 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary was so well thought-out, loads of engaging activities and cultural experiences, but with the perfect amount of free time to explore at your own pace too.”
Henry, traveled in December
This comprehensive tour costs approx. $220 per day, covering accommodations, 11 breakfasts, bullet train travel, and cultural activities like sushi-making and samurai training. Nights are spent in traditional ryokans and temples.
Duration 13 days Destinations Tokyo, Nagano, Hakone, Fuji, Osaka, Koya-san, Kyoto Age Range Ages 18-49 Price Per Day $227 Operator INTRO Travel From
- US$2,949
Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
40 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary was a perfect balance of culture, adventure, and relaxation, allowing us to explore the best of Japan.”
Chiara, traveled in February
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 Ages 18-59 Price Per Day $227 Operator One Life Adventures From $2,775
10% Off- US$2,498You save $278
10 Days Classic Japan Tour from Tokyo, 3&4 Stars Hotels (Max 6 People)
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“We spent two days with him and he took us to visit mt. fuji, seneoji temple, Meiji Jungu shrine (my favorite), and a fish market.”
Josie, traveled in May
Priced at around $420 per day, accommodation includes 3-star hotels like Keio Presso Inn Kayabacho in Tokyo and Hotel Keihan Kyoto Hachijoguchi. Bullet train and express bus tickets between cities come included, plus daily breakfast at your hotel. Entry fees to major attractions like Kenroku-en Garden, Osaka Castle, and Miyajima Island ferry are covered in the price. Public transportation throughout Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka keeps costs low and getting around stays convenient.
Duration 10 days Destinations Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Shirakawa Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $443 Operator Agate Travel From
10% Off- US$4,429
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 All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $183 Operator Tourist Journey From
10% Off- US$1,468
Essential Japan Explorer - 13 Days
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Had a great time seeing a lot of different places in Japan and got to eat some fantastic food along the way.”
Patrick, traveled in April
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 Ages 18-55 Price Per Day $241 Operator On The Go Tours From $4,470
30% Off- US$3,129You save $1,341
Japan In Depth - Footsteps of the Shogun
37 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Loved the traditional hotel room in one of our overnight accommodations.”
Michelle, 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 Ages 16+ Price Per Day $420 Operator Explore! From $6,290
20% Off- US$5,040You save $1,250
Duration 8 days Destinations Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka Age Range All Ages Welcome Price Per Day $326 Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From $3,299
21% Off- US$2,606You save $693
Japan: Castles & Cuisine
4 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Izumi was the perfect CEO! She went above and beyond to make the tour the perfect experience.”
Mira, traveled in May
At approx. $250 per day, this affordable Japanese tour includes bullet train travel and hostel stays. The itinerary features Osaka Castle Park visits and Miyajima Island exploration, with optional visits to Hiroshima Peace Memorial (200 JPY) and Mt. Misen hikes.
Duration 6 days Destinations Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Osaka Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $169 Operator G Adventures From $1,349
25% Off- US$1,012You save $337
Duration 7 days Destinations Tokyo, Odawara, Hakone, Arashiyama, Fushimi, Kyoto Age Range Ages 18-39 Price Per Day $205 Operator TruTravels From $1,595
10% Off- US$1,436You save $160
Japan Adventure 17 Day
10 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“All the activities were great and well organised along with all the food and drink recommendations.”
Michael, traveled in May
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 Ages 18-49 Price Per Day $221 Operator INTRO Travel From
10% Off- US$3,749
What people love about Budget Tours in Japan
Our tour with INTRO Travel was fantastic, especially thanks to our tour leader Lachlan Fleming. He was truly amazing: very involved, caring, and always willing to help. Everything was perfectly organized, and you could really tell that he genuinely cared about the group. Thanks to Lachlan, this tour was an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!
Japan Adventure 13 Day
- Japan Winter Classic 11 Day - One Life Adventures
This tour was very good & was just what I was looking for, seeing all the sites without having to organise or plan anything. George did an excellent job navigating & I appreciate his efforts.
- 10 Days Classic Japan Tour from Tokyo, 3&4 Stars Hotels (Max 6 People)
The company has good customer service- they respond quickly. Thanks Emily for all the work you’ve put into the tour. The tour was just as planned with good tour guides and well planned itineraries. Having All the transportation planned was great! I would certainly do this again.
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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