BUDGETING FOR JAPAN

By Anthony Ryan
We know some people are looking at the Japan Mainland sector as well as the Okinawa
sector, while others are focusing purely on Okinawa. We’re sure time and money may be
the deciding factor so the following information may assist you.

1. Flying into Japan and/or Okinawa

2. Travelling Within Japan
3. Accommodation in Akita
4. Accommodation in Okinawa
5. Sightseeing in Okinawa
6. Food Prices in Japan/Okinawa

Before we begin, it’s important to note that this is not a ‘Packaged Trip’. GKR Karate is not putting
together a trip (flights, hotels etc) to then ask you to pay for the ‘package deal’.

Kancho has a plan for what he will be doing and is inviting others to come along. But you have the
freedom to join us for all of it, or parts of it. Come and go as you like.

You also have the freedom of sourcing your own deals to find flights that suit your budget or your
timeframe away. Equally you can source your own hotels (from hostels to 5 star hotels), and of
course organise meals according to your own budget. This trip can be done on a shoestring
budget or one that breaks the bank – it’s your choice! I’m very much an expert shoestring budget
traveller.

1. FLYING INTO JAPAN and/or Okinawa

Often the biggest expense on a trip to Japan is getting there. I subscribe to websites like Webjet
and Expedia because they regularly email Japan specials. You can also look at cheap airlines, like
Jetstar (out of Australia) that offer discounted flights, as you can choose to have no meal (BYO),
no in-flight entertainment etc. I often choose ‘carry-on baggage only’, packing light Gi’s and
summer clothes, wearing anything warm on the flight.

It’s also worth comparing various airports in Japan. Landing in Osaka may be cheaper than the
two Tokyo airports (Haneda and Narita).

Additionally, the day (date) you land can affect the price. Often landing one day earlier or later
might be substantially cheaper than another based on how full the flights are on that day. So
compare different dates.

The trick is to do some research and find the best flight for you. The sooner you start the sooner
you can start to get an idea of what the costing will be.

If you are looking at coming to both Japan and Okinawa, it’s generally cheaper to buy a return
flight to Naha, Okinawa. As Okinawa is not a major port, just about every flight into Okinawa will
stop in Tokyo or Osaka. And from there you can add a free stopover to do the Japan sector.

As a shoestring budget traveller, I generally do the math to determine whether it will be cheaper to
buy a return ticket to Okinawa (with a free stop in Japan), or to buy a return ticket to Tokyo or
Osaka, and then look at a separate flight to Naha, Okinawa with one of Japan’s domestic airlines,
such as Peach Airlines, Skymark Airways, ANA, JAL, Jetstar etc.
 COST 1: FLIGHT TO JAPAN/OKINAWA $_________

2. TRAVEL WITHIN JAPAN

*If you are only looking at the Okinawa sector, you can ignore this tip.

TOKYO AIRPORT/S TO AKITA (tournament city)

If you plan on going to Akita purely to watch the tournament, you can fly between the two cities.
www.skyscanner.com has direct flights from Tokyo to Akita for $278Aud (158 pounds)

If you plan on spending some time sightseeing between the two cities, a Rail Pass is your best
option. The JR East Tohoku Pass allows you to travel between the two cities (including
everywhere in between). It’s cheaper than buying an All-Japan JR Rail Pass (which covers the
entire country but costs more).

As an example, you can order a 5day flexi pass (allowing 5 days of your choosing to travel
throughout this Region) for $217 (12yrs and older) or $108 (under 12yrs). See the link below.

There are countless amazing places to see between Tokyo and Akita.

https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/pass-regional/east/jr-east-tohoku-area-pass

OSAKA AIRPORT TO AKITA (tournament city)

While Osaka is a few hours further from Akita, International flights into Osaka are often cheaper
than Tokyo. And flights from Osaka to Akita are often identical in price to those from Tokyo to
Akita. So this is an option to consider.

However, if you plan on sightseeing between the two cities, to places like:

- The old cities of Kyoto and Himeji (between Osaka and Tokyo).
- Tokyo: One of the World’s most modern cities.
- Numerous places between Tokyo and Akita

Then it’s important to do some basic research to establish if that cheaper price really works out
cheaper in the long run.

For example: To get to Tokyo by train will cost you around $154Aud (86pounds) each way. From
Tokyo you can obtain the JR East-Tohoku Pass.

https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/pass-regional/east/jr-east-tohoku-area-pass

If you plan on sightseeing between Osaka and Tokyo (highly recommended as the ancient cities of
Kyoto and Himeji are between the two), you would be better purchasing the Osaka-Tokyo
Hokuriki Arch Pass, which gives unlimited access to Japan Rail trains between the Osaka and
Tokyo. See the link below.

https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/pass-regional/central/osaka-tokyo-hokuriku-arch-pass
 COST 2: MY FLIGHT FROM TOKYO OR OSAKA TO AKITA $_________

OR

COST 2: MY RAIL PASS FROM TOKYO TO AKITA $ _______

OR

COST 2: MY RAIL PASS FROM OSAKA TO TOKYO, PLUS MY RAIL PASS

FROM TOKYO TO AKITA $_________

COST 1: FLIGHTS TO JAPAN $_________

COST 2: TRAVEL WITHIN JAPAN $_______

TOTAL COST $______

3. ACCOMMODATION IN AKITA
As stated earlier, we have no ‘Official Hotel’ as we want people to be able to choose
accommodation to their budget.

Akita is MUCH cheaper than other cities as it does not attract as many tourists.

You can find a basic single room, ‘Western hotel’, in the city centre, during the tournament dates
from as little as $49Aud (27pounds). A double room is generally double the price. These will have
air-conditioning and Free Wifi. Of course you can find a 5 Star hotel if that’s your choosing.

www.booking.com is one of many websites where you can book rooms (to secure your place)
without having to pay anything until you arrive at the hotel. And you can cancel your reservation up
to 24hours prior without a Fee.

Over the years I’ve secured great deals on hostels and hotels months out, and cancelled or
changed my plans along the way without ever incurring a fee.

I imagine most would arrive in Akita on the Friday (27 th July) and check out on the Monday after
the tournament (30th), so three nights minimum would be a good place to start your
accommodation budget.

COST 3: MY ACCOMMODATION IN AKITA $_________

COST 1: FLIGHTS TO JAPAN $______

COST 2: TRAVEL WITHIN JAPAN $_____

 COST 3: ACCOMMODATION IN AKITA $_____

TOTAL COST $_______

4. ACCOMMODATION IN OKINAWA

Naha airport is a short monorail rail ride to the city and costs a couple of dollars.

Naha’s main road (restaurants, hotels, souvenier shops, shopping malls etc) is known as Kokusai
Dori. But Naha is quite small and one can walk to most places in minutes. Taxis are also cheap
(assisted by the fact the city is small).

I generally stay in Hostels. www.hostelworld.com has a list of Hostels in Okinawa. You can choose
to share a dorm room with a few others for as little as $14aud per night (8pounds), book a private
room with a shared bathroom for around $35aud per night (19pounds) or work up from there.

www.booking.com has a wide range of options. For example, Hotel Stork (city centre) is a two star
hotel with double rooms from $48aud per night ($24 each!) with Free WiFi, Air Conditioning,
Refrigerator, TV, private bathroom etc. But if 5 star is your cup of tea, then you have those options
also

COST 4: ACCOMMODATION IN NAHA $_________

COST 1: FLIGHTS TO JAPAN $______

COST 2: TRAVEL WITHIN JAPAN $_____

COST 3: ACCOMMODATION IN AKITA $_____

COST 4: ACCOMMODATION IN NAHA $______

TOTAL COST $_______

5. SIGHTSEEING IN OKINAWA

One of the best things about Okinawa is that many of its wonders are free of charge. Like its
beaches, waterfalls, snorkelling spots, jungle hikes etc. There are a number of small islands to
explore that are joined to the mainland by bridge so one can rent a car (sharing the price) and
explore for days on end.

Equally there are a number of historical karate sites free to visit, and one can organise to train in
the evenings at a dojo under an Okinawan master/sensei, offering a small donation as a training
fee.

There are some major sights to see also but these are usually very affordable. A few examples are
below:

SHURI CASTLE: Shuri Castle is one of the most visited spots in Okinawa. It also happens to be
an important venue in Karate’s history. Its where numerous masters trained the King’s Bodyguards
and Kata were practiced in the main courtyard. Entry is 820yen for adults (9aud or 5pounds) and
cheaper for kids. See the link below

http://oki-park.jp/shurijo/en/

OCEAN EXPO PARK: The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is in Nago city (hours north of Naha) and
is also a popular tourist spot with beaches to swim at as well as an enormous marine world park.
Entry is 1850yen for adults (20aud or 11pounds) and cheaper for kids. See link below.

https://churaumi.okinawa/en/haisai/

ZAMAMI ISLAND: Zamami island is a 50minute ferry ride from Naha. Its one of the best
snorkelling spots in the World where you can snorkel right off the beach and see countless species
of tropical fish. If you stay overnight, you can swim in the harbour at night with millions of glowing
plankton that light up every time you move. Wear goggles and it’s like flying at light speed in a star
wars movie. And then get up early the next morning to swim with giant sea turtles that come in to
the shallows each day. If you are spending a couple of days out there, also be sure to visit Aka
Island (ten minutes way).

A number of Ferry companies go out to the Island each day and a return ticket will cost an adult
around 6000yen ($68aud or 36pounds). See the link below.

https://zamamitouristinfo.wordpress.com/getting-here/

6. FOOD PRICES IN JAPAN/OKINAWA

Food can be a major expense in many people’s holidays. If you’re a ‘foodie’ I guess that’s
expected. But if you are prepared to keep it simple for a couple of weeks, you can save a fortune.

I generally get my meals in Japan/Okinawa from Supermarkets and Convenience stores. They
usually have a wide selection of fresh pre-made meals (both Japanese and Western) for very
affordable prices ($5aud, 3pounds). Restaurants of course will charge far more than this.
Japanese restaurants are quite comparable to restaurant prices in Australia or the UK.