You’re Wasting Money in Japan | TOP 20 Tourist Traps for Japan Travelers

You’re Wasting Money in Japan | TOP 20 Tourist Traps for Japan Travelers

[Music] Hi, I’m Ming from Tokyo. In this video, I will show you the 20 common ways tourists waste money in Japan and give you smart tips to avoid them and save more during your trip. From dining out to riding bullet trains and other transportation related costs, there are many things you should know in advance. Avoid unnecessary expenses and make your trip to Japan more enjoyable. We also offer private tours in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. and we launched a Japanese style barbecue and sake tasting tour in Sukiji out market. If you are interested, please contact me through the link below. All right, then let’s go. Number one, Shinkansen ticket reservation. You might be thinking of buying your Shinkansen ticket at the station on the day of your trip or booking it through a third party website instead of Smart Ex. Unfortunately, this can be wasteful as you won’t get any discount and end up paying the full fair. In fact, if you use Smart EX, there are several discount tickets available exclusively for advanced reservations. One of the most popular is the Hayataku 21, a special plan that allows passengers to save up to 20% off the regular fair by booking online 21 to 30 days before the travel date. This plan mainly applies to reserve seats on regular Nosomi trains. For example, a round trip from Tokyo to Shiin Osaka can save you approximately 3,000 yen per person. The more people in your group, the greater the total savings, so this plan is highly recommended for group travel. However, this ticket is not available during peak travel seasons such as Golden Week, Oboom, and the New Year holidays. In addition, seats tend to fill up quickly during popular times and as the reservation deadline approaches. So, it’s best to book as early as possible. Also, be sure that Hayatoku 21 ticket is non-changeable, meaning you cannot modify the departure time or date once it’s booked. If there is a chance your plans might change, it’s safer to purchase a regular ticket, even if it’s slightly more expensive. Number two, missing the Shinkansen. Japanese train tickets are generally non-refundable once the departure time has passed. Be especially careful with reserved seat tickets for the Shinkansen and limited express trains. If you miss your train without taking any prior action, your ticket will become invalid and the pair will not be refunded. However, if you have reserved a regular ticket, you can change it at the Midorino Madoguchi JR ticket office or at the station with the reserved seat ticket vending machine before the train departs. Therefore, make sure to complete any changes before the departure time. As a reminder, tickets such as the Smart EX Hayatku 21 or tour packages from travel agencies cannot be changed once reserved. Please be careful with these types of tickets as missing the train means losing the entire fair. Number three, advanced reservation of Shinkansen luggage. If you plan to bring suitcases or other large luggages onto the Shinkansen, please be aware of the rules and potential additional fees. On trains such as Sun Noi, Hikari, Sakura, and Mizo, passengers are required to make an advanced reservation for a seat with oversized luggage space if their luggage exceeds a total of 160 cm in length, width, and height combined. This luggage space is located behind the last row of seats and is exclusively for passengers who have made a reservation. If you bring oversized luggage without the reservation, you will be charged an additional fee of approximately 1,000 here on the spot. In fact, I once boarded with a reserved seat for oversized luggage and was surprised to see other passengers placing their bags there without permission. Unfortunately, this kind of issues seem to be more common than expected. When purchasing your ticket from a vending machine or smart ex, you can select a seat with oversized luggage space during the seat selection process. So, don’t forget to check that option. Additionally, starting in July 2025, some trains will introduce oversized luggage corners that do not require a visa vision. However, this will be a limited early bird service and may not always be available to avoid unnecessary fees and trouble. Making advanced reservation is still the safest option. Number four, Japan Rail Pass. J Pass. One of the reasons tourists waste money in Japan is by purchasing the Japan Rail Pass unnecessarily. The JR pass is a rail pass available only to foreign tourists and overseas residents offering unlimited train travel for 7, 14, or 21 days. It was once considered a great deal, just a round trip between Tokyo and Osaka would often cover the cost. However, since the significant price increase in October 2023, the value of the pass has declined considerably. Another drawback is that the fastest shinkans trains such as a noi and miso are not covered by the JR pass and require an additional fair. This makes the pass unp particularly uneconomical for travelers who plan to stay in the Tokyo Osaka Kyoto Nar area for several days without making long distance trips. Therefore, before purchasing a JR pass, it is essential to compare it carefully with your itinerarily. Check the latest prices and consider other transportation options. If you’re not careful, buying the pass might actually cost you more than buying the regular tickets. Number five, value pass. When traveling in Japan, you can save a great deal of money on transportation and entrance fees by making good use of value from money passes. One of the most convenient ways to use public transportation is with IC cards such as Suika and Ioka. These rechargeable cars can be used throughout Japan, making transfers quick and easy. In addition, you can enjoy your trip more economically and efficiently by using a sightseeing pass that focuses on a particular region. For example, the Osaka Amazing Pass is highly recommended for those planning to visit Osaka. This pass offers unlimited rides on subways, buses, and street cars in Osaka for one or two days and can be used easily via a QR code displayed on your smartphone. It covers all major public transportation within Osaka city, although J trains to Nara and Kyoto are not included. The pass is very cost effective for travelers who plan to visit multiple tourist attractions in a single day. It’s also convenient that it can be purchased in advance online. While there are several sightseeing passes for Tokyo and surrounding areas, there are honestly not as impressive or easy to use as the Osaka Amazing Pass. Therefore, the best strategy is to use icy cars like Sika for sightseeing in Tokyo and take advantage of the Osaka Amazing Pass when exploring Osaka. A great way to enjoy your trip more economically. Number six, excessive charging to Suika transportation system. IC cards such as Suika and EcoA are very convenient for travel and bus travel in Japan, as well as for making payments at convenience stores and vending machines. However, many tourists charge more than necessary and end up returning to their home countries without using up the remaining balance. For example, it’s not uncommon for a tourist to load 5,000 to 10,000 yen just in case only to leave Japan with more than 3,000 still on the card. While the remaining balance can be refunded at the station, a handling fee may be charged and the full amount might not be returned. You can also spend the remaining balance at convenience stores, but making unnecessary purchases just to use it up isn’t ideal. For short trips, it’s wise to start with 2,000 to 3,000 yen and top up as needed. Number seven, same day ticket purchase. Many tourist facilities offer reduced prices for ticket purchased in advance. One example is Shibuya Sky. Online reservations cost 2,700 yen from morning until before 300 p.m. and 3,400 yen after 300 p.m. In contrast, if purchased at the ticket counter on the same day, the price is 3,000 yen before 3 p.m. and 3,700 yen after 300 p.m. The price varies depending on the time of day, and you can save up to 300 yen by booking in advance. Similarly, admission to the Tokyo Skytree observation deck cost 3,500 yen if purchased on the day, but only 3,100 yen if reserved online. A 400 yen difference. Although many people may say, I don’t want to be tied to a schedule at popular spots like Shibia Sky and Team Lab. Tickets often sell out on the day, meaning you may not be able to enter. Therefore, it is both safer and more economical to book your tickets online in advance. Number eight, convenience stores and vending machines. Buying things from convenience stores or vending machines every time can waste more money than you think. Convenience stores and vending machines in Japan are extremely convenient and can be found near tourist spots and around train stations. As a result, many tourists end up buying drinks and snacks there every time they go out. However, prices at convenience stores and vending machines are actually higher than at supermarkets. For example, the same pet bottle beverage might cost around 100 yen at the supermarket compared to 160 yen at the convenience store and 180 yen at a vending machine. A particularly good option is a small supermarket chain called My Basket. These stores are mainly located in Tokyo, and you can often buy drinks and snacks for several tens of yen, less than at convenience stores. Large supermarkets are rare in central Tokyo, but My Basket locations are often close to hotels, making them easy to access. Of course, convenience stores are open 24 hours a day and in excellent locations, so they are ideal when you are in a hurry or shopping late at night. But you can save money by shopping at supermarkets instead of only using convenience stores. Number nine, foreign currency exchange. Exchange offices and hotels in airports which mainly target tourists often charge high fees in exchange for convenience. Still, some people may feel safer exchanging money at the counter. So they might choose to use exchange offices. Additionally, it’s very convenient to use ATMs located not only in airports but also in 24 hours convenience stores. On the other hand, ATMs generally offer better exchange rates than hotel or airport exchange counters. ATMs are also available in airports, allowing you to withdraw cash as soon as you arrive. For example, ATMs at 7-Eleven stores make it easy to withdraw cash and can be used at any time during your trip. Number 10, table charge at bars. In Japan, many bars and izakayas, that’s what we call Japanese style pups charge, sometimes called o toshi, which is a kind of cover charge. Most tourists don’t know about it, so they end up paying without realizing it. They might feel especially uncomfortable when a charge is added to their bill, even though they didn’t order, and this can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. The origin of this custom can be traced back to the otoshi, a small appetizer automatically served at izakayas before any orders are placed. It’s a form of hospitality or a preal preparation and usually costs about 300 to 600 yen per person. This custom later spread to bars where many places now charge a fee just for sitting down even if they don’t serve any food. Even though this might feel like a waste of money, if you enter a restaurant that has a charge fee, you are generally expected to pay it. If you really want to avoid a charge, it’s safer to choose a restaurant that clearly states no charge or no cover fee in advance. Recently, an increasing number of bars in tourist heavy areas such as Shinjuku’s Golden Guy have started offering no cover charge policy in response to the growing tendency among foreign tourists to dislike such fees. Some izakayas also advertise no oshi or no cover charge with major chains like to kizoku being a prime example. Number 11, cheaper lunch than dinner. Most restaurants in Japan set lower prices for lunch than for dinner. Some restaurants offer the same menu at prices 20 to 30% lower than at dinner. So for choice food value cost performance, lunch is by far the best choice. A clear example is the upscale restaurant Matusaku Yoshida, which charges over 20,000 Hen per person at night, but offers a premium skiet lunch for just 1,800 yen on weekdays. Even if not this extreme, there are many restaurants that offer weekday lunch sets for around 1,000 yen or include a free salad or drink exclusively during lunch hours. In other words, by simply being aware of Japan’s unique pricing system where dinner tends to be more expensive than lunch ever for the same dish, you can avoid unnecessary expenses. Number 12, stay at the luxury hotel. If you’re on a budget, staying at the well-known luxury hotel might seem like a good choice. The spacious rooms and highquality facilities and services are perfect for those seeking a relaxing stay. But compared to budget hotels, rates can be five times higher. So, is it still worth choosing a luxury hotel? In fact, I have stayed at the luxury hotel in Tokyo and found it well worth it if your goal is to relax and enjoy quality time during your stay. In big cities, there are many places to enjoy late into the night. So, hotels often serve as a place to just sleep. In addition, Japanese budget hotels are affordable yet offer comfortable bedding and a full range of amenities making them extremely cost effective. Well-known budget hotel chains include Apa Hotel, Super Hotel, Toyokoin, and Rutoin. So, which areas are most convenient for booking a hotel? In Tokyo? Look for hotels near major train stations such as Asakusa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo Station. In Osaka, hotels near Lamba, Osaka, and Umeda stations are recommended for easy access to transportation. For more information on recommended places to stay in Tokyo and Osaka, please refer to my previous videos. Number 13, hotel breakfast. In Japan, hotel breakfast can sometimes be overly luxurious and expensive. They often cost 2,000 to 3,000 H per meal, which can add up quickly if you eat them every day. Moreover, since the menu rarely changes, it can become riveted and boring over time. While hotel breakfast are suitable for those with a big appetite or those who want a full meal, it’s recommended to limit them to just one day during your stay. A great alternative is to enjoy breakfast at the nearby cafe. Toast or sandwiches sets with drinks are often available for around 500 yen, making them very cost effective. For example, I recommend cafe doier. You can enjoy a ham and egg sandwich, salad, yogurt, or coffee or tea for just over 600 yen. Another way to enjoy your morning in Japan is to visit Tsukijicha outer market and try fresh seafood rice bowls or tamagoyaki which is Japanese omelette instead of a traditional breakfast. Number 14, all you can eat. One of the reasons why tourists waste money in Japan is due to all you can eat dining. In Japan, many all you can eat plants are timebased, typically offering 70 or 90 minutes, which may seem very reasonable at first glance. It’s appealing to those who value quantity, and there is a sense of security in knowing the price in advance. However, all you can eat dining also had some drawbacks. For example, it may not include highquality food or certain menu items may be excluded. Also, because of the time limit, people often become too focused on getting their money’s worth and are unable to enjoy their meal at a relaxed pace. I have personally used all you can eat restaurants many times, but I’ve often found that ordering individual dishes of my choice was more satisfying and costless overall. Unless you are a big eater, all you can eat is not necessarily a good deal. It can be more expensive than a regular meal and you may end up spending more than you plan without realizing it. Number 15, taxi. Caps in Japan can be many times more expensive than trains and other forms of transportation for the same distance. This is especially true in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, where most places are easily accessible by public transportation such as trains and buses. However, this doesn’t mean that taking a cab is always a bad idea. Calves can be more comfortable and efficient when traveling with a large group, with people who have disabilities, or when your destination is far from the nearest station. In most other situations, trains and buses are still recommended. Public transportation in Japan is punctual and frequent with trains running every 5 minutes or so in urban areas. In cities like Tokyo and Osaka, trains can even be faster than cars due to frequent road traffic congestion. If you still choose to take a cap, keep in mind that late night fairs are typically 1.2 times higher than the nor rate, and this applies early in the morning and late at night. This can make taxi rides more expensive than expected, especially if you’re arriving at the airport late. Number 16, ripoff bar. When walking through nightife districts such as Shinjuku and Rupongi, you may be approached by people trying to invite you into various establishments. This method of approaching customers on the street has been commonly practiced in Japan for quite some time. Of course, not all of these establishments are malicious, but some can lead to trouble. Especially for foreign tourists unfamiliar with the situation in Japan, it can be difficult to tell if a place is safe or not. Therefore, if you are approached on the street, I strongly recommend that you do not follow them. Some tourists have reported being tricked into paying tens of thousands of yen as an ICE fee at bars they were taken to. Others had hundreds of thousands of yen charged to their credit cards without knowing. Although police patrol have increased recently, caution is still necessary. Number 17, coin locker. Most coin operated lockers in Japan use a system where opening the locker ends your usage and you will be charged again if you want to store your luggage again. Locker systems differ from country to country. So some travelers may not be familiar with this pay each time you open style. If you only move your luggage in and out once, you can avoid extra charges. Number 18, excess coins. Japan is still luxury a cashbased society. While many chain stores and commercial establishments now accept credit and debit cards, cash is still required in many situations, especially at small privately owned shops and in rural areas. Therefore, tourists should always carry some Japanese yen in cash. When in a hurry, people often pay with bills, resulting in a buildup of small change. These coins are often not fully used and end up left over after returning home. Since Japanese coins are difficult to use outside Japan and often go to waste, it’s recommended to use them up at convenience stores, supermarkets, vending machines, and similar places before heading home. To help manage your coins, Daiso sells a convenient coin case for just 100 yen. It can hold up to five of each of the six types of Japanese coins, making it easy to organize and track your change. These coin cases are available nationwide at Daiso stores. By using coins frequently during your trip and keeping them organized with handy items like this, you can minimize waste and make the most of your money. Number 19, laundry service. If you’re traveling to Japan for a week or more, it may be difficult to bring enough clothing for your entire stay. As a result, some travelers may consider using a laundry service. Hotel laundry services are certainly convenient, but they can cost five to 10 times more than doing your own laundry. Fortunately, many accommodations in Japan offer easy access to laundry facilities without the need for a full service laundry. By using these, you can do your own laundry at your convenience and save a significant amount of money. On the other hand, some ins rural areas may not have laundry facilities. So, it’s a good idea to check the loging website in advance to confirm. To make the most of your trip on a limited budget, using in-house laundry facilities is often a more economical and convenient option than relying on expensive laundry services. Number 20, SIM card Wi-Fi. In Japan, free Wi-Fi is available mainly in tourist areas such as Tokyo and Osaka, but the connection is often unstable and the coverage is limited. Therefore, it’s important to have a reliable internet connection while traveling. Renting Wi-Fi at the airport or using international roaming on your smartphone can be quite expensive, often costing several thousand yen per day. If you are traveling in a small group and two to 3 GBTE of data is sufficient, a SIM card which can be purchased from a vending machine at the airport will do the job. On the other hand, if you want to share internet access with your family or group, mobile Wi-Fi is a convenient option. But since mobile Wi-Fi devices must be returned, SIM cards may be a better choice if you value convenience. In either case, basically it’s cheaper and safer to make a reservation online in advance rather than purchasing at the airport on the day of arrival. I’ve added to my recommended Wi-Fi and SIM cards below. If you’re interested, take a look. That’s all for today. Don’t forget to subscribe and like button. See you at the next video. [Music]

Planning a trip to Japan? Before you go, make sure you’re not throwing away your hard-earned cash! In this video, I’ll reveal the Top 20 money traps that catch tourists off guard—whether you’re visiting Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto.From hidden bar fees, overpriced Shinkansen tickets, and unnecessary Suica IC card charges, to all-you-can-eat food traps, hotel booking mistakes, and overpaying for pocket WiFi or SIM cards—these are the most common ways travelers waste money in Japan. Even before you land in Japan, there are sneaky expenses waiting—from JR Pass confusion, poor choices in where to stay, or missing out on proper budget planning for Japan’s major cities.

Time Stamp
0:00 Intro
0:38 1. Shinkansen Ticket Reservation
2:06 2. Missing the Shinkansen
2:58 3. Advance Reservation of Shinkansen Luggage
4:28 4. Japan Rail Pass
5:39 5. Value Pass
7:11 6. Top Up Suica
8:08 7. Same Day Ticket
9:18 8. Convenience Stores & Vending Machines
10:37 9. Foreign Currency Exchange
11:26 10. Table Charge at Bars
12:57 11. Lunch vs Dinner
13:52 12. Stay at a Luxury Hotel
15:17 13. Hotel Breakfast
16:23 14. All You Can Eat
17:30 15. Taxi
18:42 16. Rip-Off Bar
19:38 17. Coin Locker
20:03 18. Excess Coins
21:16 19. Laundry Service
22:12 20. Sim Card / Wi-Fi

📍 Our Private Tour
https://www.meglog-trip.com
📍 Please check out my SNS, promotion request, collab!
https://linktr.ee/meglogtokyo
📍Travel Q&A Free Community (Join for Free!)
Got questions about traveling in Japan? Or want to share your tips and experiences?
Join my friendly Facebook community here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17MceLsd7U/

Planning your Tokyo trip? Check out these useful links!
🏨 Book your hotel in Japan here
・Expedia → https://expedia.com/affiliates/meglog_travel/japan

📶 Get your SIM Card
・Ninja WiFi → https://ninjawifi.com/en/sp?pr_vmaf=mnb6Qq9X72
　Use coupon code: MEGLOG20 for a discount
・Mobal Japan → https://www.mobal.com/?source=3430

🎫 Get your Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)
https://click.jrpass.com/aff_c?offer_id=19&aff_id=1521

🗼 Book fun activities and experiences in Japan
Use promo code MEGLOG3 for 10% off
https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=45047&aff_adid=814494&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2F

🚅 Book your Shinkansen (bullet train) tickets here
https://www.japan-bullettrain.com/?via=meg

🚖 Book your airport taxi in Japan – Easy & reliable
https://www.airport-taxi.tokyo/?via=meglog

*If you book through these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support! 😊

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more Japan travel tips!
https://youtube.com/@MegLog_JAPAN?feature=shared

#TokyoTravel #japanupdate #travel #JapanGuide #BestAreasToStay #TokyoHotels #LocalTips

Please note as follows:
*The prices might be different from this video upload.
(価格は当時のものですので、変動する場合があります。)
*Business hours might be different from this video uploaded as well.
(営業時間も当時のものと異なる場合があります。)
*We do NOT take any responsibility or liability for any damage or loss caused through our video.
(当動画によって生じたいかなる不利益、損害に関しても一切の責任を負いません。)