Hello! I’ve had my flights and hostels booked for a 2 week Japan trip since February. Long story short, I’ve been really tight on money this last month as I’m currently in between graduating college and starting my first full time job. I’m traveling alone, and am a guy in my mid 20s. This is my first time abroad. I’ve already had my passport for a year.
I arrive in Japan (Tokyo specifically) on May 27th at 4am. I will be receiving a $4,000 stipend from my new job on any day from June 2-3. So, for those first 7-8 days, I will be in Tokyo, staying in the same hostel in Shibuya, with anywhere from $400-$600 for meals and ground transportation (buses, trains, etc)
For a little more detail, here’s my summarized itinerary:
**May 27th-June 1st: Shibuya, Tokyo**
– Land in Haneda, train to Shibuya
– Visit Skytree, TeamLab (on separate days, tickets already purchased in advanced)
– Otherwise explore free attractions each day
**June 1st-June 3rd:**
– Take train to Hakone, stay in mountains
– Visit Hakone Shrine, Open Air Museum
**June 3rd-June 4th:**
– Take train to Shimoda on the coast
– Might scale this part of the trip back and get a refund for my hostel in Shimoda.
– should be getting $4,000 this day
**June 4th:**
– Buy one way Shinkansen ticket to Osaka
– travel day to Osaka hostel from either Hakone or Shimoda
**June 5th-11th: Osaka**
– Visit Universal on June 5th (already have ExpressPass and entry ticket purchased, nonrefundable to my knowledge)
– not sure what else to do for remaining 4 days, still working on it. Staying in one hostel entire time. Thinking of taking day trips to Kobe or Nara.
– Fly from Osaka to Haneda, then from Haneda back to the U.S on June 11th. Couldn’t get a flight from Osaka to U.S so flying from Osaka to Tokyo is cheaper than taking train.
Unfortunately, my company has a policy that states they can’t issue my money to me any earlier than the 3rd, otherwise I’d definitely try and see if I could get it earlier. Once I get the $4k though, I’ll be fine for the rest of the trip. I definitely understand that going to Japan with only $400-$600 for a week isn’t the smartest idea given all the things that may pop up. I had planned on having a little more money as a cushion, but had some unexpected events happen in recent months. I have been going back and forth debating whether I should cancel the trip or not the last few weeks.
I really don’t want to though, especially since I already have the flights and hostels booked which are arguably the most expensive portions of the trip. This will likely be the last time I’m able to travel internationally for a while. Thus, I’m just wondering if this is something that is even remotely feasible for me. I absolutely plan on eating exclusively at 7/11s to save money on meals each of those days. It’s really just a matter of surviving until June 1st at the earliest, June 3rd at the latest with the costs of trains and buses factored in.
Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
by Cardiologist3mpty138