A travel guide will answer most of your questions.
If you stay at hostels and ask where the closest 99yen store is for snacks, staying in Japan can be very economical.  If this is your first time traveling abroad, Japan is a good choice as it is safe and you can always find someone who wants to practice their English if you have any questions.  Of course, the longer you stay the more enjoyable it will be but two weeks is fine just to get a glimpse of the country.

I can only help you with two of your questions. You'll need a passport and if you're going soon you need to get on this ASAP.

This page will tell you some things you'll need (e.g. certified birth certificate, state ID like driver's license, passport photos, etc.)

How to Apply for the First Time (In Person)
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fi … t_830.html

If you're lucky enough to live near a Passport Agency you could get the whole thing processed in a few hours. Otherwise an Acceptance Facility will send it out for you.

If you're going soon, you'll need to expedite it ($60 extra).  Once example is if you have tickets within 2 weeks. But that seems crazy to buy tickets and then use that to get your passport quickly.  I'd be worried something would go wrong.

How to Get Your Passport in a Hurry
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fi … t_831.html

Visa info:

Japan Country Specific Information
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_t … _1148.html

QUOTE
A valid passport and an onward/return ticket are required for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days..  Passports must be valid for the intended period of stay in Japan.  A visa is not required for tourist/business stays of up to 90 days. Americans cannot work on a 90-day "visa free" entry.  As a general rule, "visa free" entry status may not be changed to another visa status without departing and then re-entering Japan with the appropriate visa such as a spouse, work or study visa.
UNQUOTE

For the other questions, you should look at some travel books for Japan; they'll answer most of those questions (or see what other people here say.)  Traveling cheap, or not, is more an art than a science.

Thanks for all the info everyone. I'll spend some time sorting through this and decide what I want to do.

Biggest tip I can give if you are thinking about cash limits, don't stay in Tokyo. Rent a room at a guesthouse for a month in Kyoto, Okinawa or wherever takes your fancy. Just don't waste your money on Tokyo. Don't mean anything personal to anyone who lives in Tokyoy but as a visitor, Kansai is much more affordable and you can visit Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara. I once rented a room in Osaka for 20,000 yen a month, so there are some good deals out there.

I know what you mean but i do think that Tokyo is very unique and doesn't reflect on what is happening in the rest of the country. Tokyo is very close to what the outside world sees Japan to be but Osaka/Kyoto provide the other side of the coin that is needed. Just like any country though. London is not exactly a representation of what is going on in England but London fits perfectly into what people see English culture to be.

I am going to be heading to Japan in September, and I am going to go for the 90-days allowed without a visa.

Personally, I will be aiming for a monthly living expense of around $800 per month.  It might be hard to do, but that will be my goal.  I think that you can definitely stay in Japan for 2 months on $2,000.  You may even be able to stay 3 months if you found a cheaper place to stay.

Here is how I am going to live cheaply in Japan.  First of all, I'm going to pick a smaller city, far from Tokyo, I am going to find shared accomodation, maybe a hostel/dormitory type of thing, or rent a small room from someone.  Also, I am going to throw out all my western standards of living, and do exactly what Japanese do, and save money that way.  Such as using public baths if my place doesn't have that, eating ramen from food stalls, etc.

I am not going to travel around Japan, rather just get to know one place, and study Japanese the whole time I am there.  Going to Japan will be an opportunity to immerse my entire environment in 100% japanese, and accelerate my learning.

BTW, You can use Skype's 'add a contact' search function to find japanese people in a specific city that you are interested in, and talk to them about living expenses, finding a cheap place, etc.  Very useful!

P.S. Apply for a passport if you don't have one, ASAP.  It can take weeks to get it.  You can often pay extra to expediate your passport's processing.

Last edited by scuda (2009 June 22, 3:58 pm)

Tobberoth, I'm not going to Japan for tourism.

BTW, I said smaller city, not town

I'd want a city of at least 200,000 population I think.

Last edited by scuda (2009 June 22, 4:04 pm)

Tobberoth wrote:

scuda wrote:

Tobberoth, I'm not going to Japan for tourism.

That not the point. The point is that "this is Japan, wow" is an extremely temporary feeling. After a month, you're going to be bored to death.

That's good, I want to be bored, I want to be forced to study japanese to escape that boredom

I lived in Shiga prefecture my first three months in Japan and I can't say I ever got bored.  The culture is so very different than that of America's that everything was an adventure.  The roads were narrow with old wooden single story family owned shops.  I felt like a Samurai was going jump out at every turn and challenge me!
I was the only Caucasian I ever saw there and was treated very friendly by the locals. I loved living in Kyoto and Nara as well but I am definitely thankful I had that small town introduction.

Zarxrax wrote:

- What about visa/passports? How do I get these, and how long does it normally take?
- If I have about $2000 available after paying for plane tickets, will that probably last me for 2 weeks or so?
- How do I change my money to yen? Can I do it at a local bank, or at the airport? Should I pay for everything in Japan with cash?
- What about travel within Japan? How do I get a train pass? What kind should I get? Is it possible to get to hokkaido from honshu by train?
- I have absolutely no idea what I want to see or do in Japan. Any ideas? ^^

1. http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/pubs/pubs_854.html
This should give you everything you will need for the passport
2. As others have said, it just depends on how much you are willing to rough it. Staying just outside of the big cities will help a lot. If you stay in Ibaraki and then take the highway bus or train into Tokyo you can find a lot cheaper hotels.
If you can read and speak Japanese you can usually find Ryokan or business hotels catered to Japanese customers run by people who don't speak English for less than hotels that focus on foreigners. Japan has a really good highway bus system that goes all around Japan. It's usually a pretty cheap and convenient way to travel. You could take a night bus from Osaka to Tokyo, sleep on the bus and arrive the next morning, for example.
3. You can change your $ to Yen at a local bank but it is almost always more expensive than changing in Japan. There will be an exchange counter at any international airport. Japan is a VERY cash based society. Many places still do not accept cards. I would just plan on using cash for everything.
4. The kind of pass will depend on where you want to go and how much you want to travel. You can get to Hokkaido by train, but you can usually find some cheap flights that may be as much as a train ticket, too.

1) I think other people have covered the passport question.. but I'd certainly get on that first. Processing can take up to 6 weeks (yipes!).  You can expedite it for more $$, obviously.  The travel.state.gov website should have all the info you

Visas - Americans fall under the visa wavier program, so you don't have to apply for anything beforehand. You'll get a 90-day temporary visitor sticker when you land.

2). It's probably doable.  Most touristy areas will have backpackers hostels or minshuku that you can stay in for fairly cheap. I typically pay between 2,500 yen - 4,500 yen a night, depending on where I stay and what type of room I get.  I usually budget 7,000-10,000yen per day when I'm traveling for food/souvenirs/local transportation (bus/taxi, etc)/admission fees and that is usually plenty.

3) Generally in-country exchange rates are better than the rates you'll find at airports in the States.  Whenever I go back and forth I usually just change a couple hundred dollars at Narita... then use my bank card to get at the rest.  All Japan Post ATMs take foreign cards (no problems), and the ATMs in 7-11 take them now too... 
Japan is a cash based society... while it's slowly changing, it's a lot less hassle than having to deal with your credit card, obviously.  You'll be able to use your credit card at hotels and large stores (like big department stores and the electronics store, etc). But for the grocery store, convenience store, etc.  expect to pay in cash. Don't worry too much about carrying large amounts of cash with you... everyone does it, and you're pretty safe doing so.  And ditto to the thing about calling your card companies.... heck, I've had one company cancel my card for foreign charges even though I had called and told them (several times) that I live overseas (grumble grumble).

4). All 4 main islands are connected by rail... and the rail pass that you'll want is probably this one: http://www.japanrailpass.net/ which is good nation-wide and valid on the shinkansen.  There are regional passes available as well, if that would fit your scheduling better... but the national pass will save you a bundle if you're planning on going to lots of different places. 
There's also the Seishun 18 Ticket, which is good nation-wide but on local trains only (no Limited Express or Shinkansen)... it's 11,500 yen, but you can only use it during certain periods, so it would depend on when you're going to come. 
Highway buses are another option, and while they take some time, they're fairly cheap.  I went to visit a friend in Okayama prefecture last spring and paid around 17,000 round trip for the night bus. This is cheaper than one way on the shinkansen from Tokyo to Okayama.  Buses from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka start around 4,500 one way.
Flying domestically is kind of expensive. Tickets to Hokkaido start at about 10,000 yen one way. If you're going to be here during a peak travel season, expect to pay a little more.... probably closer to 15,000 minimum, one way. 

5). I spent 6 days traveling around Kyushu over spring break and it was probably one of the best trips I've had in Japan... definitely a favorite.  Very different atmosphere than where I live (Yamanashi) and the people are incredibly friendly.  I have yet to make it to Northern Japan (that's on the list for this summer), but besides the obvious Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka.... my favorite places that I've been are:
Nikko (couple hours north of Tokyo... doable in a day trip if you start REALLY early... but two days is probably best) Beautiful scenery, great temples. You can get a money saving train/bus pass from Asakusa.
Fujigoko Area - I'm a bit biased towards this one, since it's about a 40 minute drive from where I live, but there's lots to see, some really nice onsens, scrumptious hotou,  and of course, Mt. Fuji.  The train to get there is expensive, but there's several buses that run from Shinjuku.
Mt. Aso - Active volcano in Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu.  You can take a ropeway right up to the crater. The surrounding area is pretty inaka.... the train line to get there isn't even electrified, which was a definite change from what I'm used to.
Himeji - Home to one of the most impressive Japanese castles... doable in a day trip from Kyoto/Osaka
Matsumoto Castle - Another nice castle in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. 
Kamakura - Old capital of Japan, south of Tokyo.  Lots of great temples.

I use japan-guide.com to get ideas for where I want to... then typically turn to my Lonely Planet/coworkers for more ideas.  I'd be glad to help you with ideas, just send me an email.  I'm most familiar with Tokyo, Yamanashi and the surrounding areas.

WeTsTICK wrote:

I am also thinking about a trip to Japan and all these comments give great advice! but does anyone recommend a certain time of year to visit?

I would say the fall. Summer is brutally hot and humid. Winter is bitterly cold. And spring is still chilly and has a long rainy season going on right now. So I would say September or October after it has cooled down or May or June after is starts to warm up a bit. This is just for the Kanto area though. Of course the weather will be different in different parts.