Many people dream of visiting Japan, but are put off by the perceived high prices. The truth is Japan can cost a lot - if you stay only in high end hotels, eat in expensive restaurants, and go shopping every day. There are countless ways to experience Japan, and the less expensive ones are often better suited to people who want more than a tourist's glimpse of the country.
1. FLIGHT PLAN - Flight prices in the thousands of dollars are for business travelers or people confined to a very specific schedule. When I went to Japan three years ago, I searched internet flight websites, and managed to go round-trip for $650. One other option which many overlook is travel agents. While you may avoid them because of commissions and the hard sell, these problems only apply if you go to their office. Mass email all the travel agents you can find with a description of what you're looking for, your possible dates and requirements, and have them send their offers to you! This lets you take advantage of the special rates they have access to, and can sometimes beat web prices.
2. JR PASS - While some find it convenient to hitchhike within Japan, you may be on a more compressed time schedule. The train system across the country is extremely well developed, but the high-speed rail from city to city can cost over a hundred dollars each way. Enter the JR Pass, a special deal which is only available to foreign visas and gives you a worry free period of unlimited train rides. While it may seem a little pricey upfront (around $250 for a week-long period), it pays for itself after the first trip and is invaluable if you want to move freely from city to city during your trip. Highest recommendation. (note that you cannot buy the JR Pass when already inside Japan - you must buy a "purchase order" ahead of time and exchange it for the pass in Japan)
