Japan Trip Cost from India for 10 Days
By Ganesh ·
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto and Osaka in 10 days costs about ₹1.5–2.5 lakh per person. Flights, rail passes, hotels and food, with ways to save.
A 10-day Japan trip from India costs about ₹1.5–2.5 lakh per person for a mid-range trip (Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka) with shared rooms. Careful budget travellers manage ₹1.1–1.4 lakh using business hotels and regional train passes; ryokan stays and a first-class rail pass take it past ₹3 lakh. Flights are the single biggest cost, then stays.
Cost breakdown (per person, 10 days, approximate)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return flights to Tokyo or Osaka | ₹40,000–55,000 | ₹50,000–75,000 | ₹75,000–1,10,000 |
| Visa (fee + VFS service charge) | ₹1,000–2,500 | ₹1,000–2,500 | ₹1,000–2,500 |
| Stays (9 nights, twin-share) | ₹25,000–35,000 | ₹45,000–70,000 | ₹90,000–1,50,000 |
| Trains (pass or tickets) and metro | ₹18,000–25,000 | ₹25,000–40,000 | ₹40,000–60,000 |
| Food | ₹15,000–20,000 | ₹20,000–30,000 | ₹35,000–50,000 |
| Sights, temples, museums | ₹5,000–8,000 | ₹8,000–15,000 | ₹15,000–25,000 |
| Total | ₹1.1–1.4 lakh | ₹1.5–2.5 lakh | ₹2.6–4 lakh |
Cherry-blossom season (late March–early April) and autumn leaves (mid-November) can raise room prices sharply; book early for those weeks.
The big decisions
Rail pass or single tickets?
The nationwide JR Pass became much more expensive in October 2023. For a simple Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka loop, single Shinkansen tickets often cost less now. A pass still pays off if you add long trips (Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Hokkaido). Regional passes such as the Kansai area passes are good value for day trips from Osaka and Kyoto.
Where to stay
Business hotels (small, clean, near stations) are the sweet spot for most visitors. One night in a ryokan with dinner is a memorable splurge; do it once rather than every night.
Food
Japan is cheaper to eat in than people expect: convenience stores, ramen and set lunches keep costs low. Vegetarians should learn a few phrases and look for shojin ryori (Buddhist temple food) in Kyoto.
A sample 10-day plan
- Days 1 to 4, Tokyo. Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, and a day trip to Nikko or Kamakura.
- Day 5, Hakone. Lake Ashi, the ropeway, and Mount Fuji if the sky is clear.
- Days 6 to 8, Kyoto. Fushimi Inari early in the morning, Arashiyama, Gion, and half a day in Nara.
- Days 9 and 10, Osaka. Street food in Dotonbori, the castle, then fly home from Kansai.
Ways to spend less
- Fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka to avoid backtracking.
- Use an IC card (Suica, PASMO or ICOCA) for metros and buses instead of buying single tickets.
- Eat set lunches (teishoku) and keep dinners simple.
- Many of Kyoto's best sights (Fushimi Inari, the Philosopher's Path) are free.
FAQ
Is Japan more expensive than Europe for Indians?
For a similar trip, Japan is often a little cheaper on the ground than Western Europe or Switzerland, mainly because food and city transport cost less; flights are comparable.
How much cash should I carry?
Cards are widely accepted in cities, but small restaurants, shrines and rural areas may be cash-only. Carry some yen and withdraw more from convenience-store ATMs as needed.
When is the cheapest time to go?
January–February (outside Chinese New Year) and early summer (June, the rainy season) usually have the lowest prices.
How do I apply for the visa?
Indian residents apply through the Japan visa application centres; check the Embassy of Japan in India's official page for the current documents, fee and whether you can use the eVISA.
Photo: Osaka Dotonbori Canal by 32linesky, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
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