How much does a trip to Japan cost?

A tailor-made Japan holiday with travoHolidays starts from US$3,426.40 per person for 11 nights, based on two people sharing, with international flights excluded. On top of that, budget for official charges such as Japan's JPY 3,000 international tourist tax (usually built into your air fare), local hotel taxes in cities like Kyoto and Tokyo, entry fees and personal spending in Japanese yen.

Our Japan package prices

These are travoHolidays package prices, November 2026. They are per person, two sharing, land only (international flights excluded), and vary by travel date and hotel choice. Spring and autumn departures usually sit at the upper end.

Both itineraries can be adjusted: add nights in Tokyo, swap Hakone for the Fuji Five Lakes, or extend west to Hiroshima and Miyajima. Each change alters the price, so treat the figures above as a starting point rather than a fixed quote. You can browse every itinerary on our Japan destination page.

Official taxes and fixed fees

International tourist tax (departure tax)

Japan's National Tax Agency confirms that the international tourist tax rose from JPY 1,000 to JPY 3,000 per departure from 1 July 2026. Airlines and ferry operators collect it, so it is normally included in your ticket price. Children under two and passengers who transit within 24 hours on a through ticket are not charged. Tickets bought before 1 July 2026 generally kept the old rate, with some exceptions.

Accommodation taxes

Several cities add a per-person, per-night accommodation tax that your hotel collects. Kyoto revised its rates on 1 March 2026, according to the city's official tourism site, with the amount set by the room price per person per night:

In Tokyo, the Bureau of Taxation's current rates are JPY 100 per person per night for room charges of JPY 10,000 to 14,999 and JPY 200 from JPY 15,000, with cheaper rooms exempt. The metropolitan government has published a draft revision that would move to a 3% rate; check the start date before you travel. Other municipalities levy their own charges, which vary — ask your specialist.

Visa and entry

Citizens of the 74 countries and regions on Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs exemption list need no visa for short tourist stays. If you do need a visa, fees depend on your nationality and where you apply, so confirm with the Japanese embassy or the official eVISA system. Our Japan travel guide for first-timers explains entry in more detail.

Typical cost components

Japan's currency is the Japanese yen (JPY). JNTO notes that cash is still widely used, so carry some yen even though cards are accepted in many hotels and shops. International cards work in 7-Eleven and Japan Post Bank ATMs.

Do you need a rail pass?

The official Japan Rail Pass costs JPY 50,000 for 7 days, JPY 80,000 for 14 days and JPY 100,000 for 21 days in ordinary class when bought online (Green Car passes cost more, and agency prices are higher). Whether it saves money depends on how many long journeys you make. A simple Tokyo–Hakone–Kyoto loop may be cheaper with individual tickets, while a route reaching Hiroshima or Kanazawa may justify the pass. Your specialist will compare both for your exact route.

What drives the price

• Season: cherry blossom, Golden Week (29 April to 5 May), mid-August and November in Kyoto push hotel rates up; see our month-by-month guide.
• Hotel class: moving from comfortable city hotels to luxury properties or a high-end ryokan changes the total more than any other choice.
• Trip length and pace: more bases mean more transfers and luggage forwarding; fewer, longer stays are often better value.
• Private guiding: a private guide in Kyoto or Nikko adds cost but saves time at busy sights.
• Location: staying near major stations in Tokyo and Kyoto costs more but cuts travel time.

Ways to save

• Travel in late May, June, or from mid-January to early March, when demand is lower outside ski areas.
• Mix hotel styles: spend on one special ryokan night in Hakone and choose simpler city hotels elsewhere.
• Base yourself in one city for day trips, for example Kyoto for Nara and Osaka.
• Book spring and autumn trips early, before the best-value rooms sell out.
• Ask whether a rail pass or point-to-point tickets work out cheaper for your route.

Ready to price your own route? Start a tailor-made request and we will send a quote based on your dates and hotel preferences.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. National Tax Agency — International Tourist Tax leaflet (revision from July 2026)
2. JNTO — Japan's international tourist tax is increasing
3. Kyoto City Official Travel Guide — Accommodation tax change
4. Tokyo Bureau of Taxation — Accommodation tax revision overview
5. Japan Rail Pass — Official prices
6. Himeji Castle — Official site
7. Official Website for Mt. Fuji Climbing — Yoshida Trail
8. JNTO — Currency
9. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan — Exemption of visas