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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48 Comments
My family and I went on our first trip to Japan 🇯🇵 and hired Toshi as our guide! He is totally incredible! Very knowledgeable and took us to all the famous places in Japan! I highly recommend booking him as your guide! We had the best experience with him.
I would like to visit the kansai area (kyoto, osaka, nara). Should i buy jr kansai area pass or buy individual train ticket?
Thank you.
Mate I'm so gonna contact you when I goto Japan!! Glad I found this
When did this My Basket started operations? I never saw any of their stores. The last time I was in Japan was like in 2017. As a Japanese supermarket, I knew Jusco and the very Osaka-specific Suupaa Tamade. Man that place was cheap! But during my exchange student days in Japan, we had this legend of a supermarket called "Iyoya", as its slogan "The sun of Shitamachi" suggested , it really was. Almost idealist level cheap prices. The whole ryugakusei kaikan shopped from there. The last time I checked it, it was closed, it hurt, I left a part of my youth go.
Serously, ichi-man Yen for a shrine/temple visit? They must be wishing for something really big.
Do you know any similar services in Osaka or Kansai region? Tokyo is too big city for me.
There’s got to be cheaper food out there in Japan.
Hundreds of $ is the price for a train ticket!? Jeez…. I have been travelling across Korea's bullet train for like 10$. I did not expect such high price in Japan
For eSIMs, if your phone is on a payment plan or contract, make sure to check if the carrier allows eSIMs from other providers. ATT does not allow eSIMs from other providers if your phone is not fully paid off.
Man you are the precious few bold enough to call out the scams/haggles happen in you own country. Massive thanks and respect!
Just thinking over your discussion in regard to the Japan Rail Pass, it is good if you use it everyday like I do.
I agree with you that it is not worth it towards the 2 week ordinary pass displayed in the video (80000yen) If you are going from Tokyo to Hiroshima while also staying at Osaka and Kyoto for a few days each then go back to Tokyo from Hiroshima.
But if you are like me and want to go to an area for the day that includes the 4 areas mentioned and come back to your hotel at night, then the JR Pass is worth it even for the Green Pass because the return fares will add up and the Pass will save you long term that way.
I calculated the total fares I made with my 3 week Green Pass last year with Navitime JR Pass Calculator and the Pass paid for itself 2 times over before I took the trip to Fukuoka and stayed in Kyushu for my last 10 days.
Hello, do you estimate how much cash you need for meals per day without breakfast? I am coming for a 12 night stay
As a solo traveller im contented with the station wifi or convenience store wifi
at 5:00 – so true – there are no flights between Narita and Tokyo, and there is no fast train either, spo called "express" is very slow but a bit quicker than a car – still over 2 hours – the trick is to fly to Haneda, or not to fly to Tokyo at all but to other destination, then take a bullet train…
Eeeeeeeeeeeeee
I always waste some money for hotel room for the sake of convinience and peace of mind during my several trips to Japan with my family (wife and little kid). During one vacation period, we usually traveled to severaI cities and sometimes stayed one night in that cities however we always set up base camp for the whole vacation in one business hotel in one major city. That way I can leave two heavy baggage in my base camp hotel and I can enter my room anytime without any repeat check in to that hotel. It also ensure that we always have a hotel room available if we have to change our itinerary if my liitle kid suddenly got sick (fortunately he never got sick during our vacation).
the street monks are from China.
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I used the rail pass…… I used the shinkansen 10 times in 7 days.
@Toshi, what times of the year is peak and off peak season?
Convenience has a price premium? What a scam!😂Haha.
I went to Japan in 2019 and 2023 using 1week JR pass is cheaper than if I single ticket, because I travel much every day during the week.
Some of these advices apply to Singapore too, I have seen tourists on vlog complain about paying S$2.80 or $3 for a bottle of mineral water in a 7-11 in a tourist area, when you can get a bottle of water from supermarket for $0.50 or $0.80 depending on brand.
Vending machines can also sell bottled drinks for $1.50 or $2.. it's just costly.
Saving $2? O_o
Do you live in a dumpster?
I brought back home so much coins from my trip to jpn 😂 I think it was ¥3000 😅 luckily I had a Japanese friend who was about to go back to Jpn from my country, so I exchanged the coins with her!
I’m surprised he didn’t mention the go taxi app. Local gate keeping
Thank you for sharing
This is so true, i am visiting japan for the 3rd time and i already know how to effectively spent my money, so went to airbnb hotel, buy food from local shop (its wayyy more cheaper) its like 600-700 yen per meals and taste good i like it! Anyway nice content ❤
I bought the giant grapes for 1800 yen a pack in 大丸百貨’s basement floor market last month. I never had it before. It was super delicious. I also bought used clothing at Three Stars Thrift Shop. I love the pieces I found there!
I agree! 😅 Skip eating Breakfast at the Hotel to Save More.❤
….some of those small coins arent very small….in my stash of coins were ¥500 and ¥100 coins!
Thanks for the video
あと、観光地の屋台で"カニカマ"は原価の10倍で売られている。買うなとは言わないがフェイク食品なのに高すぎるでしょ。
Thought you can convert all your coins at 7-elven where you buy one thing and use all your coin
We always love❤ Japan
In my experience unless you are really on a very low budget travel, there are fews points I didn't agree.
1. hotel breakfast buffets, although it's a bit expense which cost 2000 ~ 4000yen. but in Japan it's not always easy find restraurant or coffee that serving breakfast near your hotel, most of them are not open at the morning. even if you can find some fast food chain, there will be crowded. So it's not worthing your time to find breakfast outside.
2. Buy ticket at the counter. Yeah, I agree this can save a money, but booking in advance will have less flexibility for your trip. Consider there are trains every 3-5 minutes in Tokaido Shinkansen. sometimes it's more convenient to purchase ticket when you arrive the station. unless you will board the train at busy hours and want to reserve a seat at window.
3. Convenient store are more expensive than supermarket. but they are more convenient, isn't it? If you need to buy a bottle of water or snack It doesn't have so much difference.
Hello, here's Indonesian!! 😊
My and my friend are looking at going for 18 days , its a 13 hour flight from Toronto, and am learning Japanese.
Alternatively , I always turn to AEON for all my touristy needs . We have a lot of em Aeon malls back whr I live.
Even some products under Aeon’s local brand are not bad especially the crunchy snacks.
Thank you! This video very helpful! ❤ I am coming April! I know it will be very crowded… 😢
Content is good, but it is hard to listen to the german translation (very bad)
Hello Toshi, what is the best transportation from Itami Airport to a hotel located near Osaka Station given we are a family of 3 (young kid) with baggage?
Wondering if there are van rentals? Also what are the ages cost for attraction sites. A family of 8 or 9 thinking of visiting Japan.
When i got into Osaka at 10:30pm i went to get a taxi to my hotel and nearly died of shock at the price they wanted, ¥28000. I got the train and never travelled any other way after that. The train systems in Japan are amazing. Fast, always on time (ALWAYS), incredibly frequent, spotlessly clean.
Don Quijote is most expensive now, Daiso is a good idea to visit.
Thanks for the updates and information, seeing Japan this coming April ❤
Selling convenience or ease of mind is not a scam.
Distributing misinformation is a scam.
Yes, you don't need to give a tip to your tour guide, but that's only when they are terrible like this one.
I'll be going to Japan and shop for my dream guitar in Ochanomizu.
I want to explore kyoto osaka and nara for 7 days. Is it cheaper to use JR pass kansai or it saver to only use icoca?