Saving up some $ to take a trip to Japan

[Sam334]

The gf and I are going to save about $100-200 a month for the next year and a half and take a trip to Japan when I graduate in the spring of '06. Should I go with a travel agent, or do the whole thing on my own? I've never been to that part of the world, so any suggestions on where to go? I think it'd be an interesting experience to go over there, but am a bit apprehensive about going there not knowing the language and being completely lost.

Thanks for any info

 

[AndrewR]

Do NOT plan on coming over here while the yen rate is 100 to the dollar. It's expensive at 120 to the dollar -- it's just insane right now (McDonald's for two is $14). Even with $4000 saved up, you'd spend half of that, at best, on the plane tickets to get here and then spend $150 per night on a room. If you ate out of trashcans, you might be able to afford some sightseeing. Seriously, it's NOT a cheap country to visit.

Definitely put Kyoto and Tokyo on the list to visit. I've heard Hiroshima is nice. I only know Okinawa well, but I wouldn't advise visiting here.

If you want to travel to Asia, I'd consider China and Hong Kong. MUCH cheaper.

 

[HiTek21]

When I went to Japan with my family last October we used a travel agent to plan out our trip. He got us a pretty good deal on plane tickets, $680 round trip. I saved up about 3k just for the plane ticket, hotels, and food. It's definatly not the cheapest place to visit, all resturants include gratuity in the price of the food so things are a bit more expensive. I ate mainly at noodle resturants (fairly cheap). If you're planning on traveling to different cities I would get a JR Pass so you can ride the shinkansen from city to city, its about $400 upfront but will save you money in the long run

 

[OokiiNeko]

Business hotels (read small rooms) are about 9000 to 10000 for two people.
Have stayed at several of these, small but very clean.
Some love hotels are actually cheaper to stay, though once you check into room, can't leave until you check out. Sometimes the rooms are much nicer than a regular hotel.

Hopefully yen will go back up, but doubt it will in next four years. But then,
its cheaper than London.
As stated earlier, stick with Kyoto and Tokyo. Plenty to do and plenty of info on the web.

Get a phrase book that has phonetic spelling in it.
Like this book, which I have. All books by this guy are good.

If you are really, REALLY interested in seeing alot of Japan. I have met some people who came over to teach English for a year. Even though the job required a lot of work, most were happy with the decision.

 

[xospec1alk]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Do NOT plan on coming over here while the yen rate is 100 to the dollar. It's expensive at 120 to the dollar -- it's just insane right now (McDonald's for two is $14). Even with $4000 saved up, you'd spend half of that, at best, on the plane tickets to get here and then spend $150 per night on a room. If you ate out of trashcans, you might be able to afford some sightseeing. Seriously, it's NOT a cheap country to visit.

Definitely put Kyoto and Tokyo on the list to visit. I've heard Hiroshima is nice. I only know Okinawa well, but I wouldn't advise visiting here.

If you want to travel to Asia, I'd consider China and Hong Kong. MUCH cheaper.

when i was there last year, it was 130 to the dollar, and even at 100 to the dollar, i don't think japan is that expensive of a city, i spent a week there and made out under 1500 bucks...including plane tix and what not...granted i stayed with a friend but still....www.jtb.com has good deals on flights out there

ermmm....i think a meal there was like 700 yen for something like ramen...which are pretty good prices imho...mebbe its cuz im from nyc....

 

[Vegito]

i went in end of nov last year.. holy cow.. everything IS a lot more expensive

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: xospec1alk

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Do NOT plan on coming over here while the yen rate is 100 to the dollar. It's expensive at 120 to the dollar -- it's just insane right now (McDonald's for two is $14). Even with $4000 saved up, you'd spend half of that, at best, on the plane tickets to get here and then spend $150 per night on a room. If you ate out of trashcans, you might be able to afford some sightseeing. Seriously, it's NOT a cheap country to visit.

Definitely put Kyoto and Tokyo on the list to visit. I've heard Hiroshima is nice. I only know Okinawa well, but I wouldn't advise visiting here.

If you want to travel to Asia, I'd consider China and Hong Kong. MUCH cheaper.

when i was there last year, it was 130 to the dollar, and even at 100 to the dollar, i don't think japan is that expensive of a city, i spent a week there and made out under 1500 bucks...including plane tix and what not...granted i stayed with a friend but still....www.jtb.com has good deals on flights out there

ermmm....i think a meal there was like 700 yen for something like ramen...which are pretty good prices imho...mebbe its cuz im from nyc....

Sorry, I can't live on ramen for a week or two (and you really should visit for two weeks, especially since most people are unlikely to come back). A decent sushi meal costs around Y2000 around here even at the discount places (unless you're willing to eat at the really dodgy establishments), and Okinawa is much cheaper than Tokyo (not sure about places like Kyoto though). Make it two people and that's $40 for one meal. Japanese beer is a minimum of Y300 approximately, with most places charging around Y400+ for 333ml. All drinks in convenience stores are Y110 and up. Perhaps coming from NYC it doesn't seem that bad, but it seems that way to me after living here for 2.5 years.

Of course, the euro rate is just as bad. How about Thailand?

 

[Spikesoldier]

dont rule out korea

its not that bad, but again the USD is weak right now, especially against the (100)Yen and Euro dollar.

KRW (S. Korean Won) used to fluctuate around 1200:$1, now its appx 1030:$1. the USD is very weak right now.

korea is great to visit especially in the fall and early winter seasons.

edit: some hot travel spots would be Seoul, Pusan, and of course the very romantic Jeju Island. (honeymooner's paradise)

 

[AndrewR]

Even at 1000 Won to the $, Korea is probably cheaper. It is very nice as well. You can find great deals on "authentic" Coach and other name brands.

 

[InterpolAgent]

Since you're a student, can't you get a student travel deal? They're usually the cheapest deals out there for travel.