#22 How much do you really need to save for a trip to Japan?

This is one of the most common questions I see from people planning their first trip and the honest answer is that there’s no single number that fits everyone. Every Japan trip looks different depending on your travel style, priorities, and what you value most.

In this episode, I break down the real world costs of traveling in Japan by walking through the major spending categories you’ll encounter, from everyday expenses once you land to experiences, transportation, food, and the smaller costs people often forget to plan for. The goal isn’t to give you a strict budget, but to provide a clear baseline framework so you can confidently decide how much you should save for your trip.

We also talk about why Japan can feel surprisingly affordable, how points and miles can remove the biggest barriers to visiting more than once, and why you shouldn’t cut back on the things you already know will matter most to you. To bring it all together, I share a real example from a recent 17-day trip to South Korea and Japan to show how these numbers can play out in real life.

Whether you’re planning your first visit or a return trip, this episode is meant to help you plan smarter, set realistic expectations, and build a Japan itinerary that actually feels rewarding.

Episode Highlights

• Why there’s no “correct” amount to save for a Japan trip
• How to think about your budget based on what you value most
• Why now can be an affordable time to travel to Japan
• The biggest costs to consider first (and how points & miles help)
• Everyday expenses once you land, including phone service and luggage forwarding
• What food actually costs in Japan, from budget eats to special experiences
• Paid vs free activities and how to balance both
• How transportation works, including trains, IC cards, and the Shinkansen
• Why shopping is the hardest category to budget for
• Common unexpected expenses travelers forget to plan for
• Simple budget frameworks for different travel styles
• A real-world breakdown of a 17-day Japan & Korea trip

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