Backpacking in Japan?

Question

Is this an economical option to see Japan - would like to see and experience as much as possible - have about 3 weeks up my sleeve.

Any hints, tips, experiences to share would be greatly appreciated.

(Snow Monekys need to be on my agenda!)

Answer 1

This is very doable. Like travel anywhere, a lot depends on exactly how much money you can spend and how much you can rough it. I personally prefer traveling in Japan with just a backpack; if I'm stopping somewhere en route to a major destination (say spending the day in Himeji on the way to/from Hiroshima) it's easy to throw the backpack in a locker (there are some large ones available) and pick it up at the end of the day.

Japan has a fair selection of youth hostels. I suggest looking into the following destinations (they're in no particular order), in addition to the major places (such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima): Himeji (castle, Kokoen gardens, Otokoyama, and Engyoji temple); Mt. Koya (stay over night in a temple); Kurashiki; Tottori and Kinosaki on the Japan Sea; Jogasaki on the Izu Penninsula; Matsumoto in the Japan Alps (great castle, great views); Shikoku; Ise Shrine; Hikone; Arashiyama; Nikko; Kamakura. These are somewhat off the beaten path, but still fairly well-visited places. Not that you should visit all, but I think when planning your trip you should look into these.

When pricing tickets there are really three major airports you should look at: Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. Few people really consider the latter, but I've seen some incredibly good deals, and it's really not much further from Kyoto than Kansai airport, and in many ways Nagoya is more convenient. Also do some research on the various rail passes available. Japan Rail (JR) offers a full-country pass in 1, 2, or 3 week varieties as well as various regional passes. The other major rail lines also offer their own versions of rail passes. Some of the country's airlines offer their own 'passes' that allow x-number of domestic flights for a fixed fee.

Some good links:
www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi
www.japan-guide.com
www.tripadvisor.com

Answer 2

Yes, you can backpack through Japan and stay at hostels. However, you really need to plan your trip out in advance as hostels are far between each other and some towns don't have any. You will also need to buy a Japan railpass that will allow you to travel but it is not so cheap as its European counterpart.

You would be better off getting a job teaching English and using your ample vacation time to travel around Japan. Not only could you develop Japanese friends that could help you find places to stay but you would be earning money there to finance your travel.

I lived in Japan for five years and saw much of the country that way.

Answer 3

Make sure you get a JR pass. Its a train pass for tourists & will work out much cheaper in the long run.

I have to go to work - but will put on a whole load of info later - I live in Japan.

Answer 4

Get a rail-pass and a IYHA membership and go to it! You can get pretty decent sushi cheap at a convince store and they all have hot water and microwave on hand, so you don't actually have to spend a lot of money to eat. There's lots of place to see monkeys, Nikko is crawling with them. Just don't let them steal your lunch!

Answer 5

its nice place to visit.,but one thing now,there is little bit hot now a days.its economic places for accomidation.u can different types of non-veg.trains are there,their are amazing.u can get all types of non-veg items.so many different visiting places are there.u can enjoy a lot.three weeks is more than enough for u cover almost entire japan.enjoy ur tour.

Answer 6

go to the globe trekker website, the ngo to the japan section