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| This article was published in the March issue of the Filipino-Japanese Journal. |
Read the rest of the pages
here: https://issuu.com/filipino-japanesejournal
Spring
is a very popular time for tourists to come to Japan because of the appeal of
the transcendent Cherry Blossoms. Contrary to the impression that traveling to
Japan can cost you an arm and a leg, enjoying this peak season on a budget is highly
possible if you know where to look for the cheapest treats.
Watch
out for discounted fares. Your airfare can eat up almost half of your
budget if you are not eager to find cheap flights. Compared to other
destinations in Asia, Japan can be a little more expensive, but not that
expensive to hinder you and not go at all. Thanks to all the low-cost carriers that
are traveling to and from the Philippines, you can avail a cheaper airfare
compared to those offered by major airlines. Flights by low-cost carriers are
cheap enough for your budget, but if you want to save even more, better wait
for seat sales that happen 3-6 months before your desired travel time.
Sometimes they are difficult to get because they easily get sold out so it
requires perseverance and patience to wait and book for these kinds of fares.
Moreso, these carriers now also offer flights to other parts of Japan like
Osaka, Fukuoka and Nagoya that can be a little cheaper than the direct flights
to Tokyo. These sites can also offer you an interesting adventure that is very
different from the highly urbanized Tokyo.
Book
service apartments. With a growing number of people offering their own
apartments or vacant rooms to tourists, you can now stay in an authentic
Japanese residence like a local via websites like airbnb. Or if you are up for
a greater adventure and if you don’t mind sleeping in a stranger’s
uncomfortable couch for free, you can try couchsurfing and meet a new friend
who can probably help you get around Japan too.
Eat at nice restaurants
during lunch time. There are a lot of nice places that offer good food and
relaxing ambiance may it be in Tokyo or Osaka. However, the prices of dinner
menus in these posh restaurants with good views Tower can skyrocket in the
evening. But there’s a cheapo way to experience these places. Make a
reservation during lunchtime where restaurants offer cheaper lunch menus,
sometimes as much as half the price. You get to try the food, enjoy the view
and even save up a little for the next good restaurant you see around town.
Avail special train
passes. Transportation in Japan can be quite expensive but with a number of
different train lines offering special passes, you can save a lot. There are
passes that offer unlimited train rides or bus rides in a particular area for a
day or more like the JR Rail Pass and the Kansai Wide Pass or a discounted round
trip fare to a nearby destination like the Hakone Pass and the Nikko Pass.
Go to free sightseeing spots.
You can go to these places without spending a penny for entrance fees. See the
Tokyo skyline for free at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or stroll
around the moat of the Imperial Palace in Chidorigafuchi to see the lovely
Cherry Blossoms dangling on both sides of the river with boats filled with
lovers scattered all around the river.
Peak seasons like spring in Japan do not
always equate to overpriced traveling costs. There’s always a way for the
cheapo traveler to make ends meet!
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