5 Budget Tours to Japan

Japan is a vibrant country – its character is delicately quirky, and its culture is palpable. There is a beautiful fusion of old and new, and you will leave a part of your heart somewhere between the neon skyscrapers and traditional shrines. It doesn’t sit in the realm of ‘cheap’ and you won’t find yourself bartering over a branded hand bag for $3.50 - it’s not that kind of Asia. It’s an experience like no other, and one you will never forget. You will come home with a wealth of memories, and if you consider one of these budget tours, your piggy bank can still be as full as your heart at the end of your holiday to Japan.

G Adventures 12 Day Backroads of Japan

Tour from $286 per day

The Japanese people are punctual and efficient (and oh so polite!), so it is no surprise that the rail system in Japan is much the same. You’ll get around mostly by train on this tour, watching the countryside whizz by at speeds of up to 320km per hour on the famous bullet trains, and winding through quaint villages on the local network. You’ll rest your head in hotels, family-run guesthouses, and traditional inns (ryokans), sometimes with shared facilities.

You’ll see all the highlights in modern Tokyo as well as an ode to Japanese tradition with temple, shrine and castle visits. Enjoy a Sake street experience and ride a bike through the stunning Kibi Plains. Sink your teeth into the delicious cuisine, and with only one breakfast and one dinner included, you are free to sample Japanese cuisine however you like. Choose which optional tours you join and spend your ample free time exploring the way you want. With so much to see and plenty of flexibility, you’ll be as happy as a snow monkey in a warm hot spring by the end of this tour!

Cosmos: 12 Day Journey Through Japan

Tour from $398 per day

Our clients have said they can’t fault this tour or the scenery, food, trains, shrines, castles, gardens and temples they experienced on it. It ticks lots of boxes with guided sightseeing in Tokyo, Matsumoto, Hiroshima, Kyoto and the Mount Fuji area, as well as a mountain of scenic highlights to enjoy across the country. Appreciate the stunning landscape with a leisurely cruise on Lake Ashi, drink in views of the Owakudani Valley on a cable car ride and visit the Kegon Waterfall. Immerse yourself in the culture at one of the many unique shrines and take the chance to participate in a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony.

You’ll travel on a private Cosmos coach on your tour, except for when you board the bullet train between Hiroshima and Kyoto. Your accommodation will be hotel style and you will have daily breakfast included (except for your arrival day), so you won’t need to budget for that. Lunch and dinner will be up to you, so you can choose how you would like to dine. You will do and see a lot of this tour, so you get a lot of bang for your buck!

Costsaver: 10 Day Japan Discovery

Tour from $473 per day

Costsaver have launched their Asia collection for 2019 and bring their expertise in touring to a new destination. They take care of the essentials, and you tailor the rest. From the moment your complimentary airport transfer picks you up on the first day of your tour, until it drops you back on the last day of the itinerary, you will have all the necessities sorted. Let your Travel Director showcase all the icons of Japan on your sightseeing trips, then choose the additional experiences that will make your holiday uniquely yours.

Buffet breakfasts are included, and you will enjoy four delicious dinners as part of your tour. If you’re a bit of a foodie then choose to take part in the optional Izakaya Dining Experience where you’ll be treated to tapas style cuisine and a sumptuous seasonal menu at an informal Japanese pub. Alternatively, the city orientation tours will equip you to go exploring on your own – go forth and discover!

Contiki: 13 Day Japan Unrivalled

Tour from $397 per day

This youth tour is for travellers between 18 – 35 years old who want to enjoy the best Japan has to offer with new likeminded friends. Visit the iconic cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka as well as traditional Takayama, historic Hiroshima, and the scenic treasures of Hakone and Mt Koya. You’ll get the chance to try your hand at Sushi making, visit the famous Tsukiji fish markets, cycle through the countryside, enjoy the vibrant nightlife (karaoke anyone?), visit the Sake Making Museum, and check out the youth culture and fashion.

You will stay mostly in hotels but will also get to experience a traditional Ryokan and spend a night in a Buddhist guesthouse. You’ll sightsee shrines and temples, explore the busy streets, and discover the quiet country trails all with the guidance of your Trip Manager and English-speaking Local Guides. There are plenty of tried and tested inclusions on this tour, and your Trip Manager can also share their expertise to help you fill your me time.

Intrepid: 9 Day Japan Express

Tour from $235 per day

Don’t be alarmed by the title of this tour. While it is a shorter trip, it is anything but rushed. You’ll have just three bases – Tokyo, Nikko and Kyoto. Three different locations and yet so many different things to discover. Tokyo is a modern metropolis built on traditional foundations, Nikko is packed with World Heritage listed temples set against a picture-perfect backdrop, and Kyoto is full of striking torii gates leading to unmatched cultural experiences.

You’ll have a guide throughout your journey to show you around and give you insider tips on how best to spend your free time. They’ll show you the iconic highlights, the neighbourhood back alleys, and the hidden gems that are a bit harder to uncover on your own, then let you loose on the charming streets and quirky karaoke bars. Travel by train between your three homes-away-from-home and indulge your palate where you wish. There are no meals included in your tour, so you can choose to snack at the patisseries, slurp through endless bowls of warm ramen, or sample the sashimi. A word of warning… once you’ve had a taste of Japan, you’ll want to keep going back for more!