Japan attracts millions of travelers with its traditions, culture, cutting-edge technology, and breathtaking landscapes. For many, the food alone is reason enough to visit.
But the big question is: how much does a trip to Japan cost?
Traveling to Japan from Mexico costs around USD 2,000 to 5,000 for a 15-day trip. But… this depends on many variables, and you’ll discover them as you continue reading this post.
So, don’t pack your bags before finding out what you need and what you should consider to create a proper travel budget.
Japan is one of the countries that does not require a visa for Mexican citizens staying up to 90 days. Still, there are a few requirements you need to meet before takeoff:
A valid Mexican passport covering the entire duration of your trip.
A return plane ticket dated within the 90-day period.
Proof of accommodation, or a letter of invitation if staying with someone.
Sufficient funds to cover your stay (you may be asked to show evidence).
Travel insurance (recommended but not mandatory), especially due to high medical costs.
Registration on Visit Japan Web to speed up entry into the country (optional but helpful).
Checking these details will help you avoid complications and better plan your budget.
Knowing how much money you’ll need to go to Japan depends on many factors. That’s why we’ve broken down the expenses by category so you can get a clearer picture and adjust your itinerary accordingly.
One of the main expenses when traveling to Japan is the plane ticket. This cost varies depending on the airline, the season, and whether the flight is direct or with layovers.
For example, at the time of this writing:
On Aeroméxico, you can find options starting at 27,284 MXN in economy class for one person.
On American Airlines, available prices start at 33,914 MXN per person.
However, fares also fluctuate based on date flexibility, departure airports (like Mexico City, Monterrey, or Guadalajara), and how far in advance you book.
That’s why it’s essential to compare prices regularly on different websites. Search engines like Skyscanner help you find cheap flights and good deals with layovers. But you need to explore several options to get the best rates.
This cost varies depending on the lodging, city, and travel season. Generally, booking early and avoiding peak travel times helps secure better prices.
Estimated nightly prices for one person:
Type of Accommodation | City | Equivalent (MXN/USD) |
Hotels | Osaka & surroundings | From 280.11 MXN (14 USD). |
Capsule hotels | Tokyo | From 392.22 MXN (21 USD). |
Traditional ryokan | Osaka / Tokyo | From 747.06 MXN / 40 USD (Osaka). From 2035.74 MXN / 109 USD (Tokyo). |
Capsule hotels are a private and budget-friendly option, especially for solo travelers. Ryokan usually include traditional dinner and breakfast, which justifies the higher cost.
In Japan, you don’t need to spend much to enjoy good food. There are options for every budget:
Place | What’s included | Approximate Price |
Street stalls | Dishes like takoyaki and okonomiyaki | ¥500 – ¥1,500 (3.40 – 10.22 USD) |
Convenience stores | Combos with bento, onigiri, sandwiches, drinks | ¥700 – ¥1,500 (4.76 – 6.81 USD) |
Fine dining | Kaiseki, premium sushi, or gourmet cuisine menu | From ¥10,000 (60.00 USD and up) |
In exclusive spots or highly-rated restaurants, prices can exceed ¥40,000 ($272 USD), especially for private dinners or seasonal tasting menus.
Understanding how much a trip to Japan costs also includes what you’ll spend moving from one place to another. Fortunately, the country offers a variety of transportation options depending on where you want to go.
Available options include:
Type of Transportation | Estimated Price (JPY / USD) | Ideal For |
Bullet Train (Shinkansen) | ¥8,500 – ¥19,500 (57 – 129 USD) | Long distances |
Single metro ride | ¥170 – ¥370 (1.15 – 2.50 USD) | Getting around the city |
City buses | ¥200 – ¥500 (1.36 – 3.40 USD) | Areas not covered by metro or train |
Intercity buses | ¥2,000 – ¥13,700 (13.61 – 93 USD) | Long-distance travel |
Transportation Passes: Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)
Pass Duration | Ordinary Class (JPY) | Price in MXN/USD |
7 days | ¥50,000 | 6,370.08 MXN / 372.36 USD |
14 days | ¥80,000 | 10,189 MXN / 544.47 USD |
21 days | ¥100,000 | 12,736 MXN / 680.59 USD |
This pass is exclusive to foreign tourists, allowing unlimited travel on most trains operated by Japan Railways (JR).
Types of transportation covered by the pass | Details |
Shinkansen trains (bullet trains) | Includes all Shinkansen except Nozomi and Mizuho. |
Limited express trains | In all JR lines. |
JR trains in urban areas | It includes lines such as Yamanote Line in Tokyo or Osaka Loop Line. |
JR local buses | JR buses in specific cities and regions (not all intercity buses). |
Ferries JR | JR Ferry to Miyajima (Hiroshima). |
Narita Express (N'EX) Trains | Transportation between Narita Airport and Tokyo. |
Tokyo Monorail (Tokyo Monorail) | Connection between Haneda Airport and downtown Tokyo. |
Japan offers countless activities accessible to all kinds of travelers. Naturally, these costs should also be included in your travel budget.
Here’s an estimated breakdown of expenses for common tourist activities:
Activity | Common Examples | Estimated Price (JPY / USD) |
Temples and Shrines | Kinkaku-ji (Kyoto), Todai-ji (Nara) | ¥300 – ¥1,200 (2 USD – 8.16 USD) |
Museums and Galleries | Tokyo National Museum, Ghibli Museum, TeamLab Borderless | General: ¥500–¥1,500 (3.40–10.21 USD). Ghibli: ¥1,000 adults (6.82 USD) ¥100–¥700 youth/children (0.68–4.77 USD) |
Theme Parks | Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Japan | ¥7,900–¥10,900 (53.75–74.17 USD) |
Onsen (Hot Springs) | Public or private baths | ¥1,000 – ¥3,000 (6.80 – 20.41 USD) |
Observation Decks | Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Abeno Harukas (Osaka) | ¥2,500 – ¥3,500 (17 – 23.81 USD) |
Taking into account the different aspects mentioned above, let’s look at the estimated budget for a 15-day trip to Japan:
Expense Category | Budget Option | Standard Option |
Accommodation | 4,200 – 5,880 MXN (224 – 313 USD) | 20,250 – 52,500 MXN (1,081 – 2,804 USD) |
Food | 10,500 – 22,500 MXN (560 – 1,200 USD) | 13,500 – 22,500 MXN (721 – 1,201 USD) |
Transportation | 3,000 – 7,500 MXN (160 – 400 USD) | 10,189 MXN (14-day JR Pass) (544 USD) |
Activities | 4,500 – 6,000 MXN (240 – 320 USD) | 8,000 – 15,000 MXN (427 – 801 USD) |
Round flight | 27,284 – 33,914 MXN (1,458 – 1,812 USD) | 27,284 – 33,914 MXN (1,458 – 1,812 USD) |
Estimated Total | 49,484 – 75,794 MXN (2,645 – 4,051 USD) | 91,723 – 134,603 MXN (4,901 – 7,193 USD) |
Things to keep in mind:
The prices shown are approximate estimates, based on rates available at the time and the current exchange rate (as of July 8, 2025).
Actual costs will vary depending on the season, availability, how far in advance you book, and market trends.
This example is based on one traveler. So if you're wondering how much it costs to travel to Japan for two or more people, the amount will be higher.
In addition, this does not include other expenses you may incur.
There are different travel tips that can help when planning a trip to Japan. But to save money without missing out on the best the country has to offer, we recommend:
As much as you’d like to, it may not be possible to explore the entire country. So, decide early on what you want to experience:
Do you want to visit temples and museums?
Taste the cuisine?
See landscapes or explore the cities?
Based on that, allocate your budget. And if possible, travel during the low season—prices drop and there are fewer tourists.
Compare flights and accommodations of various types according to your budget on sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights. When it comes to lodging, it’s wise to look outside of tourist zones, as these areas are often significantly cheaper.
It’s also worth staying alert for sales campaigns like Hot Travel, where many airlines and agencies offer limited-time discounts.
Tourist areas tend to have the highest prices. But if you go to konbinis (convenience stores), you’ll find full meals for very little money. Shopping at local markets or sampling street food is something you definitely shouldn’t miss.
The Japan Rail Pass is worth it if you’re planning to travel between several cities. But if not, use IC cards like Suica or Pasmo for metro and bus rides.
Overnight buses are also a great way to save on both transportation and lodging if you travel during the night.
As a final tip, we suggest taking advantage of the international card (DolarCard) you get with DolarApp. It’s useful for paying directly with digital dollars, helping you avoid the fees that local banks often charge.
The only thing you need to check is that they accept Mastercard.
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