Spending Spring in Japan

I've always dreamed of seeing cherry blossoms in Japan. It's included in my bucket list of travel destinations. But when we think of Japan, we also think of the expenses.. Airfare.. Visa.. Accommodation.. Food.. Pocket Money.. etc.. But really nowadays it doesn't have to be expensive. You've already read about a lot of budget travel blogs in Japan and it is possible. Yet I always say (to myself) that I won't be thrifty in Japan.. it's my dream and I don't want it to be anything less.
Here's a short video to give you a glimpse of our adventures and misadventures in Japan. :)

SEASON

Japan has 4 seasons, so you'll have to consider this before booking a flight. Why? This will help you plan for the weather, what to bring? what to pack? In our case, we wanted to see Cherry Blossoms so we went during Spring (March-April). The season before Spring is Winter, so it will still be cold (8-13 degrees) and we'll have to pack sweatshirts and jackets.

Booking a flight also depends on the season since we wanted to be there during Cherry Blossoms and the bloom dates are not exact. They just release forecasts a month before and even the forecasts can be wrong. There was a year when the cherry blossoms bloomed 2 weeks earlier than the forecast so a lot of tourists were disappointed.

AIRFARE

We booked our flights as early as November. Even if the Cherry Blossom dates were not exact, we took our chances and booked anyway. We booked a flight for the end of March up to the start of April hoping the bloom will fall on those dates. We took advantage of the Holy Week so we'll have less vacation leaves. Spending only 5 days of Vacation Leave for 11 days of stay in Japan. My fare costs around PHP17k with 20kg baggage back and forth which I know is expensive but very well worth it.

ACCOMMODATION

Cherry Blossom Season is a peak season in Japan and you have to book accommodations as early as November or you'll end up spending a fortune. We booked our stay with Airbnb. One apartment good for 3 in Shibuya and one house good for 5 people in Kyoto. It costs me PHP10k all in all for our stay. But be careful when booking with Airbnb, there were horror stories where the hosts cancelled a day before or even on the day of the stay because most of the places (usually apartment types) are not legal for Airbnb use. 

Shibuya Airbnb - Apartment with 2 beds

We were also worried about this issue because when I tried to check the place we rented in Shibuya, it says "the listing cannot be found". Thankfully the host was nice and assured us that our reservation still stands. Other than that, we had no problems with our stay. In fact most airbnb places already include a free mobile wifi which you can use during your stay.

Kyoto Airbnb - One of the rooms where you'll have to setup futtons

And then there are actual horror stories where my friend heard me calling her name. She was in the bathroom downstairs and I was in the room upstairs.. She asked "Ly bakit?" (Why are you calling me?) when I wasn't (swear). She claims she heard me calling her. (OoO) Then the next day she said she woke up early to the sound of the alarm, and found both of us still sleeping (there were 3 of us in the room and she was sleeping in the middle) so she slept in when in fact that time I was already downstairs taking a bath..(OoO) And no I wasn't playing tricks on her XD

VISA

There's a rumor going around that visa will be waived by June. But then again there was a similar rumor last year. Although visa wasn't waived completely, some say they've gone a bit lax in approving. Visa application costs PHP950 for tourists with no guarantor. For details, you can check my blog here.

MONEY EXCHANGE

We exchanged money at Tivoli Money Changer here in the Philippines. We got the rate PHP.4176 = 1Yen. We exchanged PHP60k for our 11 days of stay and it was more than enough.


TRANSPORTATION

Transportation in Japan is crazy and awesome at the same time. See that map? That is their subway map! Crazy right? And that's not even all of it, that's just for Tokyo. It's really confusing at first, different trains with different fares passing the same station. But you'll get the hang of it in time. You can use google maps' directions or the site Hyperdia to help guide you which train to board..how much to pay..how long the travel..when to transfer and even the time. Yes Japan trains are on time!

There was one time the train we boarded  got delayed and we missed the last train for transfer to Kyoto. And we thought for sure we're going to have to ride a taxi which is really expensive mind you but we were surprised that they (train management) arranged a taxi for us FOR FREE! (because it was their fault the train got delayed). (In PH if you stay too long they'll charge you double even if it's not your fault) :(

You also have the option as a tourist to buy a JR Pass, which is a 7 or 14 day unlimited access to JR trains. The 7 day unlimited pass costs around PHP12k. If you're going to use bullet trains a lot (within 7 days) this will save you a lot of money. If not, you're better of getting a Suica or Pasmo card and loading it as needed. In our case we just used a Suica card. To help decide if you should buy a JR Pass, plot all your destinations and try to estimate if you'll spend as much if you just buy tickets from stations. (Use Hyperdia to determine the fare) Note that not all trains accept JR Pass.

You can buy tickets at the machines in every station. You can also load your suica card here and buy bullet train tickets. Honestly most of the budget goes to transportation. Bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka alone costs around PHP5000. So if you'r going back and forth, it is advisable to buy a JR Pass.

There are lockers in every station which are really convenient. On our last day, we had to check out early but our flight was late. So we just rented lockers and went sight seeing. Locker rental ranges from 400-700Yen.

FOOD

Food Costs around 500-2000Yen

We usually buy breakfast the night before at convenience stores and onigiris for take out so we have snacks during travel time. Convenience store food usually cost around 500Yen. While usual food outside cost 1000-2000Yen.

DESTINATIONS

This is a summary of our IT and my budget per day using the exchange rate above. This does not include tickets to Universal Studio and Disney Sea.

DAY 1 - Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku

Hachiko Statue in Shibuya

We stayed in Shibuya so we pass by the Hachiko Statue and Shibuya crossing everyday.

Shibuya Crossing

Yoyogi Park

To me this looks like a picture taken straight from anime

Meiji Shrine

Shinjuku Gyoen

Perfect place for a picnic. There's also a green house inside. Cherry Blossoms are sooooo beautiful!

View at Tokyo Metropolitan Building

The view point is free and there are stores at the top floor.

DAY 2 - Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara

Small part of the view from Tokyo Sky Tree

Tokyo Sky Tree

Cat on a Cherry Blossom tree at Ueno Park

Ueno Park

Ueno Park

Sensoji Temple, Asakusa

Akihabara

Akihabara is not quite as I expected. You won't really see much outside. You have to go inside the buildings and then go to each floor to see what's in store. Usually One Piece figurines, Gundams, Stuff Toys and Pins. There are also shops dedicated to cosplayers from costumes to make ups and wigs! And the usual electronics.

DAY 3 - Odaiba

Giant Gundam in Odaiba

DAY 4 - Ikebukuru, Tokyo Tower

Pokemon Center at Ikebukuru

Tokyo Tower

DAY 5 - Disney Sea

Disney Sea

Check out my blog here for details :)

DAY 6 - Nabana No Sato

Winter Illumination

A long tunnel with thousands of LED lights

Nabana no Sato is a Flower Park so it's also a nice destination during spring.

For details check my blog here.

DAY 7 - Nara, Yasaka Park

Deers at Nara Park

They're just loitering everywhere and you can feed them with a biscuit which you can buy for 150Yen. They'll follow you around if they know you have snacks and try to eat your shirt if you have no more to give XD

Yasaka Park

Also a nice place for picnic under cherry blossom trees

Cherry Blossom Tree at Yasaka Park

DAY 8 - Osaka Castle, Namba Walk, Dohtonbori

Osaka Castle

Sakura Tree

Beautiful bride to be 

Prenup at Osaka Castle

Behind them is Glico Man which apparently is a tourist spot in Osaka

Don't ask me why ;p

 DAY 9 - Universal Studios

Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios

Check my blog here for details.

DAY 10 - Kyoto

Fushimi Inari

Girl dressed in a Yukata at Gion

@ Gion

Gion

Matcha Tea Ceremony near Kiyomizu Dera

DAY 11 - Bamboo Grove

PEOPLE AND CULTURE

In general I find Japanese people very polite and helpful. Even if some can't speak English, they will still try and make an effort to help you. Some phrases you can use:

Sumimasen = Excuse Me or Sorry

Arigatou = Thank You

Eigo ga wakarimas(u) ka = Do you understand English?

Hai = Yes

Iie = No

Wakarimasen = I don't understand

<Pokemon Center> doko des(u) ka? = Where is the Pokemon Center?

Koko des(u) = Here

Asoko des(u) = There

PASALUBONG

Matcha be it in form of pure tea, chocolate, mochi or popcorn

Matcha KitKat is cheap at Don Quijote Stores around 250Yen per pack

While premium Kitkat like Strawberry is cheaper at the airport around 1500Yen

Royce usually cost around PHP600 in PH. In Japan they're just around PHP300! You can find them at the airport. :)

Starbuck Mugs and Tumblers

Tokyo Banana is quite famous there which to me just tastes like inipit.

Shoes are pretty cheap at ABC Mart! There are also a lot of make up products everywhere. Daiso items only costs around PHP45 in Japan. We never go home without a plastic bag. Most of the time we are late from our scheduled IT just because we took too long going around different stores. XD

I would love love love to go back and maybe see Mt. Fuji next time around and go shopping and eating.. I'm missing Japan already.. ^_^