Visit the free attractions
With countless museums, shrines, temples, historic neighborhoods and parks, Japan is filled with opportunities to become immersed in its culture. Many of the nation’s parks and museums are free.
Get a JR Pass
The bullet trains in Japan are ridiculously expensive with one-way fares costing hundreds of dollars. If you plan to do a lot of travel around the country, get the JR Pass which allows you unlimited train travel and will save you a ton of money. It comes in 7, 14, and 21-day tickets. Keep it mind it can only be purchased outside of the country, so be sure to plan ahead!
Take the bus
Buses are a far more economical option than the trains. They cost a fraction of the price but take a lot longer. For example, the two-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo to Osaka becomes a 10-hour bus ride. You can get unlimited Japan rail passes for 29,100 JPY (255 USD), for 7 consecutive days of travel, but this is far more expensive than using the bus. Bottom line: if you have the time, take the bus.
Shop at the 100 Yen stores
There are many 100 Yen shops in Japan with set meals, groceries, water bottles, toiletries, and household items. Store names vary by region, so ask your hotel/hostel reception where the nearest one is located.
Eat at 7-Eleven
A 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and other convenience stores have a lot of pre-set meals (including sandwiches, soups, fruit, and more traditional Japanese options) for 125-370 JPY (1-3 USD) that make for a cheap lunch option. Additionally, supermarkets also have many set meals at similar prices.
Eat curry, ramen, and donburi
Curry bowls are as cheap as 370 JPY (3 USD) per plate. Donburi, bowls of meat and rice, are around 500-620 JPY (5-6 USD). Ramen is never more than 870 JPY (8 USD). These are the best ways to eat cheap, filling meals while in Japan.
Buy food at night
After 8pm, supermarkets discount their fresh food as they have to get rid of it (by law). If you buy your food after 8pm, you can save up to 50% on almost everything fresh.
Couchsurf
Using hospitality sites like Couchsurfing that allow you to stay with locals not only gets you a free place to stay but lets you interact and learn about local life. Make sure you ask early – the response rate is not very good!