Im going to japan next summer. Im a college student and so I cannot have a lavished trip there, but I want to make the best of it and really interact with the culture.
Any tips on places to go and things to do for a college student with a less than a few grand to get around.
Anonymous
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I did my first Japan trip as poor college student about 12 years ago. After 3.5 years of living in Japan and also countless business trips I can offer this advice and suggestions.
Airfare, all I can say is off season. Summer is peak season. Use Yahoo travel and look for travel times like Feb-Mar or Oct-Nov. Play with the dates and save a few hundred dollars. Also ,look for weekday departure dates. Sometimes the fares are cheaper because they want to boost ticket sales on the weekday departure dates. Us business travellers usually pick weekends because it maximizes our travel/work time. Use that to your advantage.
The hotels and accomadations will be the most costly portion. Look for some youth hostels to stay in. I stayed in a capsule hotel just to try it and this can be an alternative for you. The only deal is, you must travel light. One thing I would suggest is to look for low cost hotels once you are in Japan. You can go to any travel office and ask them to find a hotel in a place or specify a price range. Of course Japanese language skills and communication will help. This is the hardest part and good homework on your behalf will yeild good results. When I was a college student, I found a homestay program.
Food wise, you can enjoy Japanese food in many low cost and cheap ways. Restaurants usually cost more, but they dislplay their menus and costs. Convenience stores always have good bento boxes on hand and are usually delivered daily. You can even get instant ramen, chopstiks and the hot water from the convenience store. Look into eating at ramen and soba restaurants over some of the common and more expensive places. Avoid McDonald's fast food, but be sure to eat at a MOS burger as a part of the experience.
As far as sight seeing, you can visit shrines, temples and parks for free or almost free.
Z
Get yourself a Japan Rail Pass before you go. It will save you hundreds on transport costs.
You might find the smaller cities a little more affordable in terms of Ryokans/hostels.
Kyoto is a very cool city and a great place to meet other students.
Anonymous
omg..I LOVE Japan lol I went there last spring break to visit my uncle..he lives on the navy base..and it was the best time of my life..he lived in sasabo sp? and it was sooo beautiful there. deff go hiking in bamboo forest go to lots of parks and DO EAT THE FOOD. It is sooo good. Try the sushie, its good. eat the soup miso :) yummy, I still eat it. We buy it at world market the noodles are great there they ahve like these big bowls..idk just try all the food, I promise you will love it!
betaa_yee
hey since your going to japan could you get me an autograph from godzilla. i keep asking my friend to get it for me but hes a bit stubborn
Anonymous
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