Big Adventures, Small Budget: Exploring Japan for Less

Location: countrywide

The nationwide JR Pass – which gives you access to the country’s famed train system – costs $517AUD - $1450AUD for a 7- to 21-day adult ticket and is ideal for those planning to crisscross the country. A better option? Focus on one area and pick up a regional pass such as the JR East Tohoku Pass or the Kansai-Hiroshima Pass, which offer unlimited rides within their zones for a set number of days. If you're booking point-to-point tickets, try online options like SmartEX (for the Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Kyoto) or JR East’s e-Ticket system for small discounts and flexible reservations. On the Tokyo–Osaka route, the Puratto Kodama ticket offers big savings on the slower Kodama Shinkansen trains and even includes a reserved seat and a free drink.

Location: Nara

Nara is famous for its friendly, free-roaming deer, which have no fear of humans. They tend to congregate in Nara Park on the way to Todaiji Temple, providing unforgettable photo opportunities. You can buy special deer crackers for about 250 yen ($2.60AUD) and see how politely (or cheekily) they’ll bow in exchange for a snack. On Sunday mornings in summer and weekend mornings in winter, you can watch the shikayose, or deer calling, when a French horn player summons the deer with a performance of Beethoven's 6th Symphony Pastoral. As a reward, they get as many acorns as they can eat.

Location: Tokyo

You don’t need to fork out for a ticket to Shibuya Sky to get a postcard-perfect view of Tokyo. One of the best (and free) spots is the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government No.1 Building in Shinjuku. The twin towers have observation decks open to the public, and on a clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji on the horizon. By night, the city lights stretch endlessly in every direction and the building’s nightly projection mapping lights up its futuristic facade.

Location: Hiroshima

Traditional Japanese gardens reflect a balance between natural beauty and the human desire to shape our surroundings. Nothing is random, yet nothing feels forced. Across Japan, these green spaces showcase the country’s ancient art of landscaping, a harmonious  combination of scenery adorned with winding trails, water features and rustic tea houses. Many are free to enter or cost just a few hundred yen. In Hiroshima, Shukkeien Garden has come to symbolize resilience. Created over 400 years ago for a local lord, it was recreated by the community after the atomic bombing. It costs just 350 yen ($3.65 AUD) to wander its meandering walkways.

Location: Yokohama

Even a short meditation session can help clear your head, lower stress, and improve focus – benefits backed by science as well as centuries of tradition. Just outside central Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Sojiji is a spacious temple complex with quiet paths and big open halls. On the last Saturday of each month, they hold an English-language zazen (seated meditation) session, followed by a guided tour of the temple grounds. It’s an easy way to experience Zen meditation and temple life. The cost is 500 yen ($5.20AUD), and reservations are not necessary.

Location: around Japan

Sumo might be Japan’s traditional sport but baseball, introduced to Japan in the late 1800s, is certainly a local favourite. Beer in hand, sunset skies, passionate cheering, kooky mascots and even fireworks makes catching a match the ideal outing for all types of travellers, not just sports fans. Outfield seats usually go for around 2,500 yen ($25AUD) and many teams including the Tokyo Yakult Swallows offer easy online ticket booking in English. You can get your ticket as a QR code or pick up a paper ticket at a convenience store. Booking sites such as Klook also sell tickets that you can collect at the stadium.

Location: Tokyo

Just landed in Tokyo ahead of your hotel’s check in schedule? Trying to squeeze in one last experience before heading to the airport? Ota, a town about 15 minutes from Haneda Airport, is more interesting than you might expect. At Ota City Tourist Information Center, you can try free cultural activities without a reservation, including kimono dressing, origami, and even calligraphy. The nearby Kojiya Shopping Street is a 700-metre covered arcade that’s a slice of everyday Tokyo, lined with old-school fruit and veggie shops, takeaway counters, retro cafés, and the odd trendy bakery.

Location: Northern Japan

If you love seafood, try building your own kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) at a local fish market. In Miyagi, north of Tokyo, head to Shiogama Fish Market, where you can grab a set of rice and miso soup for about 400 yen ($4.15AUD), then wander the stalls picking your favourite toppings – think fresh maguro tuna, creamy Matsushima oysters, and other local catches, most for just 150–250 yen ($1.50AUD-$2.59AUD) each. Further north at Furukawa Fish Market in Aomori, the experience is known as nokkedon. Buy a bunch of tickets (about 2,000 yen, or $20.70AUD, for a full set) to trade for seafood toppings from market vendors, for a choose-your-own-adventure lunch.

Location: Wakayama

Japan’s temples are renowned for their symmetrical, harmonious design and for the sense of serenity they evoke. In the temple town of Koyasan in Wakayama, visitors can have a unique experience and spend the evening in this peaceful setting. While it’s possible to visit on a day trip, staying overnight delivers an unforgettable experience – you’ll see lantern-lit streets after dark and hear the gentle rhythm of morning chants echoing through temple halls. Book a stay at a shukubo (pilgrim lodging), where you’ll sleep in traditional tatami rooms, enjoy Buddhist vegetarian meals, and (if you’re up for it) rise at dawn to join the monks for early morning prayers. Expect to pay around 15,000 yen per person ($155AUD), which includes dinner and breakfast.

Location: Tokyo

Back in the Edo period, Kabuki actors were the pop stars of their day, famous for their bold makeup and dramatic performances depicting juicy storylines full of love, betrayal and revenge. 400 years on, the art form is still going strong. A full show can run for five hours but for around 2,000 yen ($20AUD), you can catch a one-act performance (Hitomakumi) at Tokyo’s Kabukiza Theatre in Ginza. But there’s a catch: same-day tickets are only sold in person, so you’ll need to queue up at the box office that morning.

Location: Kyoto

Centuries ahead of its time, the pared-back Katsura Imperial Villa has inspired some of the world’s most famous architects, from Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius to Tadao Ando. This 17th-century retreat is known for its refined design, use of natural materials and harmonious gardens, and is often seen as a forerunner of Modernist architecture. Guided tours in English are available by advance booking, and entry is 1,000 yen ($10.38AUD). Visitor numbers are kept low to protect the site, so you’ll have room to really take it in.

Location: Awaji Island, Hyogo

If you’ve already ticked off Naoshima, consider Awaji Island – an easy trip from Osaka or Kobe, with striking architecture and an off-the-beaten-path vibe. One highlight is Honpukuji Mizumido, a temple created by Tadao Ando that seems to float beneath a lotus-covered pond where you’ll descend through the water’s surface into a minimalist concrete hall. Another standout is Zenbo Seinei, a Zen retreat designed by Shigeru Ban. The centrepiece is a 100-metre-long cedar deck overlooking the island’s lush landscape. While it offers overnight stays, you can also splurge on a few hours of guided meditation, followed by a plant-based afternoon tea (14,300 yen or $143AUD).

Location: Sendai

Sightseeing buses are a great way to optimise your time and avoid the hassle of navigating the public transport system. Many cities offer these bus services for about 100 yen ($10AUD) per ride, or a hop-on, hop-off day pass for around 600 yen ($6.25AUD). In the northern city of Sendai, the Loople Bus takes you to major sites spanning Sendai Castle and Zuihoden Mausoleum. It even runs seasonal night routes for viewing autumn leaves and winter illuminations. Other cities such as Yokohama and Kanazawa have similar sightseeing bus services.

Location: around Japan

For vintage lovers, Japan’s flea markets are a goldmine. You’ll find antique kimonos, ceramics, woodblock prints, lacquerware and even quaint retro toys – it’s the ideal place for sourcing a one-of-a-kind souvenir. In Tokyo, check out the Oedo Antique Market (1st and 3rd Sundays) for high-end finds. Kyoto’s Toji Temple Flea Market on the 21st of each month is a designer favourite for sourcing textiles. And in Nagoya, the Osu Kannon Temple Flea Market (18th and 28th monthly) is set in a nostalgic shopping area filled with old-school cafés and eateries.

Location: Kyoto

Join one of Kyoto Localized’s free walking tours and see the city through the eyes of a resident. Whether you choose the three-hour daytime stroll or a two-hour evening walk, you’ll explore iconic neighbourhoods including Gion and Higashiyama, while hearing stories of geishas, temples and Kyoto’s rich cultural history. Walks are led by passionate local guides who love to share their city. Group sizes are kept small for a more personal experience and tours are conducted in English. There’s no set fee, just tip what you feel it’s worth. The walks are popular, so bookings are essential.