So roughly 2,000 USD per person for lodging, transportation in Japan, food, and souvenirs. You can do it for less, but that was fun for the whole trip. I highly recommend ordering about 50,000 yen in cash from your bank before going.
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$5000 is more than enough for one person for at comfortable two-week trip after an economy airfare from the USA and economy to mid-range hotel reservations are arranged in advance.
That's certainly a comfortable budget as long as you aren't expecting to eat many fancy meals or do a lot of drinking or clubbing. You can probably save some money with strategic use of transit passes (see summaries on Japan Guide or elsewhere). You should look into the Grutto Pass.
The likelihood that credit cards are accepted decreases in small cities and towns, and thus it is advisable to keep cash at hand when visiting rural areas. Cash is often the only way to pay for small entrance fees at tourist sights, smaller restaurants and small shops. Many lockers also require coins.
Also, it can be difficult to use Japan's public transport system without cash, as you will almost always need it to recharge your IC card or to purchase a train ticket. That being said, I would say you should bring enough cash so that you have at least 10,000 yen of spending money per day.
Sounds like it should be enough. Of course it really depends how expensive you want to eat, how many times you will move around a day, and most likely your not buying lots of stuff everyday. If you want to save on food, you can target Lunch as the main spending as there is usually good Lunch Sets for really good deal.
The cost for one person to visit Japan for a week is 155 000 ¥ – 200 000 ¥ (1200 USD – 1500 USD) (bare in mind that it depends on the person/ offers/ period/ and preferences). Food: On average per day a moderate budget tourist spends about 4,500 ¥ on food.
For example, if you are traveling from the U.S., wait to exchange your dollars for yen until you have arrived in Japan. However, you will get the most favorable rates for yen in Southeast Asian countries rather than in Japan.
Cash, credit and debit cards are all accepted, with credit cards and cash the most relevant. Since a credit card is your best choice for a significant amount of your spending, a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card provides lots of value.
Tipping in Japan is not expected, and attempts to leave a tip will almost certainly be turned down (a potentially awkward moment). In Japan, it's thought that by dining out or drinking at a bar, you are already paying the establishment for good service.
In general, a meal at a local eatery or fast food chain can range from 500 to 1,000 yen (approximately $5-$10 USD), while a meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost 1,000 to 3,000 yen (approximately $10-$30 USD), and a high-end restaurant can cost upwards of 10,000 yen (approximately $100 USD) per person.
A Few Final Notes and LinksWhile credit cards are become more widely accepted in Japan, cash is still king in Japan. Don't assume that you can use a credit card in small stores, restaurants and accommodations, particularly “mom and pop” places. Always carry sufficient Japanese cash as a backup.
Luckily, it's a very safe country (one of our favorite things about Japan), and the biggest risk is probably losing or misplacing your cash. Regardless, of course, be smart and take reasonable precautions if carrying large sums of money.