Planning a 6-Day Itinerary in Japan is like falling down a rabbit hole of temples, vending machines, and oddly satisfying convenience store snacks. It’s thrilling, yeah, but also nerve-wracking if you’re thinking, “Will my wallet survive Tokyo AND Kyoto?” Spoiler: yes, it can. You don’t have to sell a kidney on the black market to enjoy Japan (though you might be tempted when you see the price of wagyu).
Let’s break down what you’ll actually spend, how to stretch your yen without missing out, and share a few of those messy, glorious, real travel moments along the way.
Day 1: Tokyo
Welcome to the madness. The 6-Day Itinerary in Japan kicks off with Tokyo, a place that hits you in the face with neon lights, polite chaos, and sushi so fresh it makes you emotional.
Check into a capsule hotel for $40 or snag a mid-range hotel for $120 if you’re feeling fancy (or can’t sleep in pods). I once stayed in one so tiny, I literally sneezed and hit both walls. Tight, but cozy.
Grab food in Asakusa — konbini breakfast, ramen lunch, sushi dinner. All that for $25–$50 if you’re not ordering toro like a baller. Ride the subway for around $10 with a day pass. Pro tip? Explore Harajuku, eat a crepe, and just… watch people. It’s wild. Once saw a guy dressed as Sailor Moon casually sipping boba. No one blinked.
Don’t miss Omoide Yokocho for cheap yakitori skewers and cramped little izakayas. It’s smoky, tight, and weirdly magical.
Day 2: Mt. Fuji Day Trip
Here comes Mt. Majestic. Your 6-Day Itinerary in Japan isn’t complete without the dramatic cameo of Mt. Fuji. Take a bus or train to Lake Kawaguchiko — transport’s $25–$50 depending on JR Pass status.
Budget about $20 for activities like the ropeway and boat ride, or just chill by the lake and pretend you’re in a Studio Ghibli scene (free vibes, baby). I once sat on a bench with matcha in one hand, onigiri in the other, watching clouds reveal Fuji’s peak like it was flirting with us. Go early. The later you go, the more likely you’re staring at a cloud blob.
Bento lunch? $10. Dinner near the lake? Maybe $20 more. Stay overnight nearby for $60–$130, or just head back to Tokyo if you don’t wanna unpack twice.
Day 3: Kyoto via Shinkansen
Hop on a Shinkansen bullet train and zoop to Kyoto. The train alone can cost $100-ish, but if you’ve got a JR Pass, you’re golden.
Kyoto is where Japan slows down. Lanterns. Wooden houses. Temples. I got hella lost trying to find my ryokan, wandered into Gion, and ended up watching a guy play shamisen under paper lanterns. Felt like a ghost from the past.
Check into a guesthouse for $40 or splurge on a traditional ryokan ($130+). Hit Fushimi Inari for free (those red torii gates are realer than your dreams), visit Kiyomizu-dera for just $4, then get lost again.
Matcha EVERYTHING here. Matcha mochi, parfaits, lattes — you name it. Local shops have ’em under $10. Kyoto invented matcha, so respect the leaf.
Day 4: Arashiyama + More Kyoto
Day 4 of your 6-Day Itinerary in Japan is for Arashiyama. Go early. Like 6 a.m. early. Mist + bamboo grove = moody Instagram gold. Entry? Free.
Pop into Tenryū-ji Temple for $6 and then hoof it up to the Monkey Park Iwatayama for $5. Yes, monkeys. They’re not shy, either. One tried to snatch my map.
Food: Soba noodles, tofu dishes, and a life-altering matcha soft cream ($25–$50 total). Soba in Kyoto has this earthy, nutty taste that somehow feels “wise” — like it’s been around longer than your entire bloodline.
Wear sneakers. You’ll walk miles. Also, rickshaws are fun but low-key terrifying when going downhill.
Day 5: Osaka Day Trip
Welcome to Japan’s stomach: Osaka. Day 5 in your 6-Day Itinerary in Japan is all about food and funky energy.
Train from Kyoto to Osaka is like $6. Head to Osaka Castle for $5 if you want your samurai fantasy fix, but the real gold is Dotonbori.
Get ready for a food crawl: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu. I once ate five things in 20 minutes. Didn’t even regret it.
You can survive here on $30 a day if you’re smart. Also, random advice — some ice cream stands have purple sweet potato flavor. TRY IT. Life-changing.
If you wanna stay overnight, prices are same as Kyoto. But honestly? It’s just a 30-minute train ride back.
Day 6: Nagoya + Departure
Okay, so this part of the 6-Day Itinerary in Japan is often overlooked, but Nagoya is worth a quick visit. Think samurai castles and food with serious attitude.
Getting here from Kyoto or Osaka costs $30–$40. Check out Nagoya Castle for $5 and wander through Osu Shopping Street — great for grabbing those last-minute socks with sushi patterns or anime keychains.
Food? You have to try miso katsu — it’s like tonkatsu but angrier and tastier. Or go luxe with hitsumabushi, a grilled eel dish that’s crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and pure joy. Expect to spend $25–$40 on a great meal.
Tip: Book a hotel with an airport shuttle if you’re flying out from Chubu Centrair. Saves you from a last-minute stress meltdown.
Total Estimated Cost for 6 Days
| Budget Type | Total Estimate (USD) |
|---|---|
| Budget Traveler | $480–$700 |
| Mid-Range Traveler | $1,100–$1,800 |
Of course, prices swing depending on the season, exchange rate, and whether you’ve got that souvenir addiction (guilty).
Extra Tips to Save More Without Missing Out
- Grab a Japan Rail Pass: Big money-saver if you’re zipping between cities. Worth it even if you only use it thrice.
- Eat at konbini: 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart are your holy trinity. Their egg salad sandwich? Game changer.
- Use IC cards: Like Suica or Pasmo. Load once, tap everywhere.
- Book early: Especially in Kyoto — stuff sells out faster than limited-edition Pikachu merch.
- Skip high season: March (cherry blossoms) and November (autumn leaves) = gorgeous AND cheaper.
- Check for city passes: Kyoto and Osaka have discount passes for transport + attractions.
Final Thoughts
Planning a 6-Day Itinerary in Japan on a budget doesn’t mean skimping on adventure. Japan has this magical way of making even the cheapest moments — like sipping canned coffee on a Shinkansen or buying socks at Don Quijote — feel epic.
So yeah, you might not afford every Michelin-star meal or private onsen retreat, but you’ll still walk away with a suitcase full of memories (and matcha KitKats). Travel smart, laugh at the unexpected, and always — always — try the weirdest flavor at the vending machine.
Got your own budget hack or “oops, I spent ¥3,000 on gacha toys” story? Drop it in the comments. Let’s help each other not go broke in Japan, deal?
