Is 10,000 yuan enough for a trip around Japan? Here’s a tested guide

People often ask: Can you enjoy 7 days in Japan with 10,000 yuan? I just came back from a budget trip to Japan and will share my personal experience! This super practical guide will handhold you through unlocking classic experiences in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Mount Fuji, and Tokyo on a limited budget～ 🗺️ Itinerary (Round trip from Shanghai) Day 1: Shanghai✈️Osaka｜Head straight to Shinsaibashi upon arrival, check in at the giant Kani Doraku crab sign in Dotonbori, and enjoy a wagyu yakiniku meal for just over 100 yuan per person! Day 2: Osaka→Nara｜Feed the deer in Nara Park, remember to hide your biscuits! Return to Osaka in the afternoon and visit Kuromon Market for fresh oysters Day 3: Osaka→Kyoto｜Stroll around Kiyomizu-dera in a kimono, don’t miss the matcha ice cream on Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka! Capture the evening view of the Kamo River Day 4: Kyoto→Mount Fuji→Tokyo｜View Mount Fuji from the 5th Station, visit Senso-ji Temple in the afternoon for amulets, and explore Nakamise Shopping Street Day 5: Tokyo marathon day｜Hunt for figurines in Akihabara, shop affordable drugstores in Ginza, and experience nightlife in Shinjuku Kabukicho at night Day 6: Tokyo free day｜Visit Kamakura for the Slam Dunk-style seaside view (optional if time allows), then head to Nagoya in the evening Day 7: Nagoya✈️Shanghai｜Stock up on souvenirs at the airport duty-free shop 💰 How to spend 10,000 yuan? ✅ Transportation: Round-trip airfare 2,500-3,500 yuan (book 3 months in advance for deals), JR Pass nationwide version 1,500 yuan ✅ Accommodation: Choose guesthouses/capsule hotels, about 200 yuan per night per person, around 1,400 yuan for 7 days ✅ Food: Keep daily meals within 150-200 yuan, convenience store rice balls + ramen combos are more cost-effective ✅ Tickets: Kiyomizu-dera 400 yen, Senso-ji free, total budget under 500 yen ⚠️ Total cost about 9,000 yuan, reserve 1,000 yuan for emergencies, totally doable! 💡 Super practical tips to avoid pitfalls 1. Coin management: Prepare a coin pouch! 100 yen coins are very common in Japan, having a coin pouch avoids fumbling 2. Payment methods: Alipay works at 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, but small shops require cash, exchange 30,000 yen in advance 3. Drugstore tips: Matsumoto Kiyoshi closes at 10 PM, Don Quijote is open 24 hours, compare prices before splurging 4. Trash sorting: Carry a trash bag with you, only subway stations have sorting bins 5. Transportation hacks: Download Google Maps + Transit app, use a Suica card to tap through subways and buses 6. Must-have gear: Lightweight sneakers (20,000 steps daily), power bank (rental fees are high), folding umbrella 📸 Photo tips ✔️ When feeding deer in Nara, squat down for eye-level shots, avoid crowds for close-ups ✔️ Wear red/white kimono at Kiyomizu-dera, use the flying eaves as a backdrop for stunning back shots ✔️ At Senso-ji Kaminarimon lantern, shoot upwards with a wide-angle lens for a more dramatic effect