We planed this trip 9 months ahead of us. But the detailed itinerary completed 3 months before our departure. We double check our destinations, transportation passes, flight tickets, contacted our AirBnb hosts, list down alternative/emergency plans.
We were quite worry that we might overspend looking at what Japan has through our surveys and research. Seeing Japan through your computer screen and experiencing the real thing is not the same.
However, it is not that expensive to travel to Japan. Know your budget and make sure that you stick to it. This budget is based on our 10 days stay in Japan within 2 prefecture. However, the budget will be lower than this if you were to spend in just 1 prefecture.
Divide your cash for souvenirs, ad hoc expenditure, food, transportation, accomodations, etc. Halal cuisines are quite easy to find around Tokyo. Osaka and Kyoto has a few but not as many as in Tokyo. So make sure you prepare yourself with some packed food in your backpack.
Flight tickets:
PNG--KL--KIX--KL--PNG = RM1,897.60
Transportation:
1. JR passes (to be used for Kyoto---Tokyo and Tokyo area) = RM2,140. We purchased through JTB penang. They have other branches as well in Malaysia.
2. 3 days-Tokyo Metro and Toei pass = 3,000 yen for 2 pax (RM111.70)
3. Adhoc train tickets which some passes doesn't cover: 9,100 yen ( RM338.70). We purchased at the tickets machines at the stations.
Food:
1. Lunch, snacks, dinner = 28,174 yen (RM1,048.53). We have dinner at local halal Japanese restaurant. Halal food are quite pricey in Japan. A decent meal can cost you around RM60 to RM70 per person.
Souvenirs:
2,530 yen (RM93.80)
Accomodations:
1. Osaka Airbnb: 6th - 8th March= RM451
2. Kyoto Airbnb: 8th - 10th March= RM668
3. Tokyo Airbnb: 10th - 14th March= RM791
Tokyo's accommodations are quite expensive. Even those situated 1 hour ride via train from the main city. Spend a little more on accommodations to make sure you're comfortable.
Universal Studio Japan Pass:
Wifi is very important in Japan in order to you to find your way around the city. Google map is a savior here in Japan. From finding the distance, time, train, bus and other transportation info, you can find it all through Google map. For this, I subscribed through 4gpocketwifimalaysia The price is RM33 per day. You can expect reliable and fast internet speed. Customer service was good too. So total cost for our 10 days trip is RM330. Photo courtesy of Stripped:
*Please note that some travelers may spend less than this budget as they did not purchase the JR Pass Nationwide.
