Japan Has Changed | 20 Ways Tourists Waste Money in Japan 2025
Japan is currently one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and many people dream of experiencing its unique culture and beauty. However, once travelers arrive in Japan, it’s easy to overspend. Of course, it’s natural to splurge a bit on vacation, but I’ve noticed that many tourists waste money in ways that could easily be avoided.
I’ve lived in Japan for over 30 years and work as a professional tour guide for visitors from around the world. Through this, I’ve seen countless examples of foreign travelers spending unnecessarily, often on things that locals wouldn’t even consider.
In a previous video, I shared 10 common ways tourists waste money in Japan. But since then, I’ve learned even more through my experience as a guide. So in this updated video, I’ll be covering 20 ways travelers waste money here—and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
By the end of this video, you’ll know how to enjoy Japan comfortably and affordably, saving money while still having a great time.
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⭐️CHAPTERS⭐️
0:00 Opening
1:29 1.Shopping at Tourist Spots
2:22 2.Using Japan Rail Pass
3:24 3.Buying Shinkansen Tickets at Ticket Counter
4:25 4.Overusing Taxis
5:32 5.Hotel Breakfast Buffets
6:39 6.Ordering à la Carte
7:32 7.Ordering Normally at Izakaya
8:32 8.Shopping at Convenience Stores
9:27 9.Shopping from Vending Machines
10:32 10.Buying Tickets to Tourist Attraction at Ticket Counter
11:44 11.Buying Tickets to Tourist Attraction during Peak Season
12:44 12.Overspend at Shrines or Temples
13:49 13.Keeping Coins
14:54 14.Exchanging Money at Airport or Hotel
15:57 15.Giving Tips
16:40 16.Donating to Street Monks
17:40 17.Following Street Touts
18:54 18.Pocket Wi-Fi or SIM Card? ~Save Money on Japan’s Internet~
20:37 19.Booking your Japan Travel Essentials at Regular Prices
21:40 20.Not Using Tax-Free Shopping
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40 Comments
re: taking the taxi from Narita: I don't know how Japan's taxi fare rates compare with the rest of Asia, but the big thing is that Narita is extremely far from downtown Tokyo, like 60-90 minutes by highway. Take the shuttle bus, Skyliner, Narita Express, or even a local train.
Great analysis, thank you! Just a quick off-topic question: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (behave today finger ski upon boy assault summer exhaust beauty stereo over). What's the best way to send them to Binance?
I agree with it all. But when it comes to the tax free shopping, I'll pass. I want to support the japanese economy on my trip. My currency € is much stronger, so I pretty much get everything for half off anyways.
I have had many big holidays in Japan and I did a lot of research first in-fact over a year, I always get my money Before travelling its far cheaper, you can buy the bullet train ticket in advance over the net but I found out it was more expensive so I buy mine soon as I arrive in japan for two of three weeks in advance. Toshi Guide is very helpful
Is it still just as cheap to book train tickets on Klook?
04:28 – I was forced to use taxi as I had doctor appointment due to getting pneumonia but luckily I just payed few bucks for a trip there and back (around 15-20 min ride one way) – I used GO taxi app
Wagyu on stick costing ¥3000 to ¥5000 at outer Tsukiji is definitely tourist trap
When I was in Japan in October 2024, I traveled with a tour group, so searching for places to get food and drinks cheaper was mostly not an option. On the other hand, all entry fees, and even a couple of taxi fares were already paid for by the travel agency. And even though vending machines are pricier than the shops, they still only cost a fraction of what similar drinks cost in most stores here in Denmark…
On arrival at Narita airport, I got a sticker (landing permission) in my passport, not a stamp. 😉
Hi Toshi, the italian's subtitle are not working in this video
I'm sorry, but I need my goshuin fix at every shrine or temple that I visit 🙂
Some tips I have to disagree:
Yes, convenience store is more expensive, but it save us time which is very limited during the holiday. Time = money, especially if ur from afar
In terms of coins for shrine, quite a handful of tourist are prepared to spent more so the location can gather more cash for renovation if needed
The SmartEx App is not downloadable from store in Germany, not even with VPN set to Japan
Every Week the same Video and Informations?
Where are the news to watch this video again and again for no news but boring old stuff as a remake 😉
Tks
5 yen will appease the gods. this is good to know toshi, very very good
wha do you recommend hotels or airbnb thank you
My wife, daughter and myself are headed to Tokyo in May of this year. Ready booked my reservation with this great tour guide. So excited and can’t wait to get to visit this awesome country. Really great videos so very helpful. Going to be watching a lot more of these as the time gets closer.
This is a very good list. I want to add one really common tourist trap. A lot of tourists want to try wagyu in Japan and unfortunately a lot of places are set up to scam tourists. Some street food stalls offer it for crazy prices and some restaurants also have super unreasonable prices for worst quality wagyu. If you want to try it you need to inform yourself properly on where is a good spot instead of randomly walking in a place or ordering from a stall. You probably get scammed.
@toshi where the hat from
So confused about JR pass
Some great tips here. I didn't know about the "normal" small supermarkets instead of Konbinis – never seen any on my past trips but I know what to look out for (My Basket and similar) next time!
Oh and vending machines are a great way to get rid of small change. The prices are incredibly cheap compared to here in the UK (1/2 or 1/3rd for many things)
The rail pass is 460 cad for 1 week and 1 round trip is 236 $ one way to Kyoto, Yoshi how does your logic make sense??
Thank you for this video. I'm going to be making my second trip to Japan (yay) in April. And we're planning to do the Tohoku region for five days. With our base in Morioka. So I'm thinking a few day trips to places like Kakunodate and Kitakame might be on the plan. Would you suggest getting a JR east Pass?
what are some supermarkets similar to “My basket” but in Osaka?
With the current currency exchange, taking a taxi within the city is actually cheaper and certainly more convenient than the trains.
I am one who avoids the tourist traps were i travel in Asia,taxi is exspensive and because you are new tourist to Japan they can drive you way beyond the normal route,going to markets to eat and shop in outer districts are always good,most convenience stores have huge mark ups on prices,better to shop at malls were you get quality and quantity of a product.
Hi Toshi, I downloaded the EX app but can't register with a Canadian CC. Any advice?
Hello, Toshi! Your videos have been incredibly helpful in planning our trip. I'm wondering about transportation from Shinjuku to Haneda Airport for our 6:30 am flight. Taxis seem to be the only option I've found so far. Do you know of any other transportation options for early morning travel? Thank you for any suggestions you may have!
Government: we need more tourists who spend more money for support economy
YouTube video: how to pay less money in this cheap country
So helpful! Are ga tho🙏🏽
The Japan rail pass is not worth it anymore unless travelling every day on train.
I have chosen for the breakfast buffet at my hotel, simply because I didn't want to stress about finding a place to eat for breakfast
What about sim-cards witn not only data but with sms&call For example, i need to buy ticket for exhibition on eplus, but without tel.number i could not buy and register on eplus site. It's terrible exersize for foreigners T_T
From my point of view, I would let foreign tourists in Japan run afoul of it. Personally, I think it's very good that foreign tourists in Japan are also treated to fur. They are foreign tourists and they don't deserve it any other way. They should remember, even if the yen is a bit weak at the moment, that Japan is a really expensive place for foreign tourists. I would even charge an extra tax for foreign tourists. Here in Germany this is called the “tourist tax” and this tax is levied on tourists when they book overnight stays, visit museums or want to go to the beach. Anyone who has the money to visit Japan should be asked to pay for it.
When I visitn Japan, even if I want to save money, I really want to contribute to Japan's economy, I hope avoiding these places you mention don't hurts local economy… I'm a respectful and grateful tourist
Shrines are great. I put all my coins into the box. Because after a time you have many coins from change.
1000円飲み放題 sounds like an awful hangover.
Do you have to get a stamp at the airport to get tax free shopping?
14:25 Coin hack, if you find yourself holding a lot of small coins you can use them by adding value to your IC card or even as payment to Bus Fares. This helped me a lot from using up 1, 5, and 10 yen coins.
You can also avoid carrying too much coins all together by paying in exact amounts, especially in convenience stores or stores that only accept cash. One tactic I do is sort my coins by their denomination before hand and spending the smaller units first before using the larger ones. So the first coins I am using are the 1s, 5s, and 10s. I use the 50s for buying drinks, and 100s for gachapons.
the free wifi is usually piss poor slow……