If it seems like almost everyone knows someone who went to Japan in 2024, it’s because over 691,100 people travelled from Singapore to Japan last year. Tokyo has been the no.1 Japanese destination among tourists but is it possible to make cheap Tokyo travel plans?
After a lot of discussion over what is ‘cheap’ for Japan, we decided that S$80 is just right. The exchange rate at the time of writing is S$1=¥114, which means that the daily budget is ¥91,200.
All figures are correct at time of publication but please check the current rate before you book and pay.
Cheap Tokyo travel guide
The expenses for your cheap Tokyo trip will fall into these main categories:
- Accommodation
- Food & Drink
- Transportation
- Connectivity (SIM card and data plans)
- Activities & Entertainment
- Shopping & Souvenirs
1. Accommodation: Cheap Tokyo budget stays (S$22 – S$30 a day)
Unsurprisingly, accommodation can make up the bulk of your daily expenses when you travel. There are 2 options for cheap accommodation in Tokyo: budget hotels and Airbnb.
- Agoda offers this capsule hotel room from just S$25 a night.
- Airbnb has this private room at just S$22 a night.
Most budget hotels in Tokyo give guests free Wi-Fi, clean facilities and helpful staff. There are many more options if you increase your daily Tokyo accommodation budget to around S$35, but these two options are relatively well-regarded.
Book now Agoda Airbnb
2. Transportation: Getting around on the cheap (S$5 – S$6 a day)
Buses and trains are the way to go for cheap Tokyo travel, and taxis are super expensive. Plan your day to explore areas which are close to, or even within walking distance apart to minimise your transport costs.
Tokyo train fares are comparable to Singapore’s MRT, with the minimum fare being about ¥150 (S$1.32); that’s slightly more expensive than the lowest MRT fare of S$1.19.
Japan has several transit cards such as the JR-EAST pass. These cards can be purchased from the airport and JR-EAST ticket offices and station vending machines. They can be topped up at these offices and vending machines, just like our transit cards.
Each card has a deposit value of ¥500 which can be claimed when you return the card at the end of your trip*.
Another good option is the Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket (¥600 (S$5.26) adults, ¥300 (S$2.63) children). They are valid for unlimited rides on the Tokyo Metro for 24 hours from first use.
If you expect to be riding both buses and trains on a particularly hectic day of sightseeing, the Tokyo Combination Ticket (¥1,600 (S$14.04) adults, ¥800 (S$7.02) children) is the way to go.
This ticket gives the holder unrestricted travel on all 9 Tokyo Metro lines, all 4 Toei subway lines, the Tokyo Sakura trams (Toden), Toei buses, all zones of the Nippori-Toneri Liner and all JR lines within the wards of Tokyo.
You can find all the details about these 2 tickets here.
*Insider tip: Be careful if you travel between cities covered by different regional transport hubs such as JR-EAST and JR-WEST. You can only collect your deposit if the card is returned in the original region; I still have a loaded ICOCA (JR-WEST) card because I flew in to Osaka but flew home from Tokyo.
3. Food: Eat like a local (S$20 – S$30 a day)
Many of us love Tokyo for the food. You get to experience the best Japanese food that you find in Singapore, only better and much more affordable. What really blew me away was how easily we found good sushi even at unassuming eateries.
Still, to stick to your budget, some planning is necessary. These are the best cheap Tokyo food options:
- Conveyor belt sushi restaurants
- Casual ramen shops
- Street food stalls
- Convenience store food – 7-11, Family Mart and Lawson
Walk about the city and you will come across restaurants with lunch sets from ¥1,000 to ¥1,500 (S$8.77 – S$13.16). These sets usually come with rice, soup and a main dish.
Convenience store food – 7-11, Lawson and Family Mart
This deserves its own section because Japan convenience store food is on another level. I was so often tempted to just gorge myself on their delicious readymade sandos that cost ¥260 (S$2.28) to ¥450 (S$3.95) instead of having a real meal.
One of my favourites is the very first sando I had in Japan, 7-11’s Egg Salad (¥260 (S$2.28)). It may sound simple but the fluffiness of the bread, the richness of the egg, and the perfect seasoning make it very addictive.
I have never been fortunate enough to try it myself but the seasonal Strawberries, Custard & Whipped Cream (¥410 (S$3.60)) is apparently just heavenly! A pair of them is surprisingly filling.
You will also find a wide selection of ready-to-eat onigiri (Japanese rice balls) and bento boxes, and most cost less than ¥500 (S$4.39) each.
What to buy in Japan Part 2: Shikoku
4. Sightseeing: Free Attractions (S$0)
Tokyo is a city where you can find plenty of free and low-cost attractions to enjoy. Some of the top free sights include:
- Senso-ji Temple – Tokyo’s oldest and most famous temple, located in Asakusa. Entry is free and you can explore the temple grounds and its bustling shopping street.
+81 3-3842-0181
2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Daily: (Main Hall) 6am – 5pm; (Temple Grounds) 24 hours
Website
- Meiji Shrine – A tranquil escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. Enjoy a peaceful, reflective walk through its beautiful forested grounds.
+81 3-3379-5511
1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan
Daily: Sunrise – Sunset (times vary by season)
- Shibuya Crossing – Experience the iconic Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world. Besides the pedestrian frenzy, there are often street performances here, especially at night.
Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Daily: 24 hours
- JP Tower Museum Intermediatheque – This very diverse museum displays specimens and documents from disciplines such as anatomy, archaeology, biology, engineering, geography, mathematics, modern art and palaeontology. The hours will just slip by.
+81 3-5777-8600
2-7-2 Kitte 2F, 3F, Marunouchi, Chiyoda 100-7003 Tokyo Prefecture
Daily: 11am – 6pm
- NTT Docomo History Square – Technophiles will love this museum that follows the history of Japanese mobile phones from the first vehicle-mounted devices to the first handphones, and the path to the future.
+81 3-6658-3535
1-9-2 Yokoami, NTT Docomo Sumida Bldg. 1F, Sumida 130-0015, Tokyo Prefecture
Mon to Sat: 10am – 5pm, Closed on Sun
- Canon Gallery Ginza – Spanning just 25m of wall space, this is Canon’s gallery for professional and amateur photographers. You can apply to have your own work displayed here, too.
+81 03-3542-1860
3-9-7, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 6.30pm, Closed on Sun
Website
- Kodaira Fureai Sewerage Museum – Yep, a museum dedicated to the science of sewage disposal. There is even an ‘Experience Room’. Definitely one of the quirkiest museums and all for the price of free.
+81 42-326-7411
1-25-31 Josuihoncho, Kodaira City, Tokyo
Daily: 10am – 4pm
Cheap Tokyo paid attractions include museums such as the Tokyo National Museum (¥1,000 (S$8.77) adults, ¥500 (S$4.39) uni students) or the Ueno Zoo (¥600 or S$5.26).
5. Entertainment: Budget-friendly fun (S$10 – S$15)
Tokyo is known for its unique entertainment options, and many of them are surprisingly affordable.
Karaoke
If you enjoy karaoke, Japan provides surprisingly cheap entertainment. The cost is usually between ¥200 (S$1.75) to ¥400 (S$3.51) per hour, per person, depending on the time of day.
Maid cafes
One of the most unusual sights of Akihabara Electric Town is the line of young ladies (and the odd gentleman) in colourful cosplay-inspired outfits giving out flyers to maid cafes. These cafes usually serve simple bites and the main draw is the ladies who sometimes also perform brief shows.
Entry fees range from ¥500 (S$4.39 to ¥1,000 (S$8.77) per hour. The food is way overpriced, though.
Insider tips for a cheap Tokyo trip
1. Travel off-peak – Is the sight of cherry blossoms really worth the extra cost? If you’re not fussy about seeing cherry blossoms and galivanting in the snow, you can save thousands on off-peak air tickets and accommodation. We have found that the lowest plane ticket and accommodation prices become available in the mid-Jul to late-Aug period.
2. SIM card – Most hotels have Wi-Fi but you can stay connected when you’re exploring at less than S$1 a day.
Here is the best eSIM deal we found for a cheap trip to Tokyo. For 0.5GB daily, it costs:
- S$3.90 for 3 days
- S$5.90 for 5 days
- S$7.90 for 7 days
- S$9.90 for 10 days
Japan eSIM
3. Shop smart – ¥100 (S$0.88) stores still exist and Daiso stores are also around, so you have no excuses for overspending on snacks, simple souvenirs and even affordable gifts.
There is also Don Quijote, a brand under the same parent company as Don Don Donki. All the ladies in our group came armed with very long shopping lists specifically for this store and subsequently went crazy for the super cheap cosmetics and self-care products.
It’s the most insane department store I have ever shopped at, chock full of everything from 5-litre bottles of whiskey to premium designer handbags to electronics. Don‘t miss out!
Final thoughts
Adding up the lowest and the highest amounts for every section, we get a range of S$57 to S$81 per day. Skimp on certain days and you can squeeze in shopping and souvenirs for your cheap Tokyo travel plans without blowing your daily S$80 budget.
Best of all, you can experience wonderful Tokyo without major sacrifices on comfort or enjoyment. Arigato to me!
What to buy in Japan Part 3: Kyushu
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