Japan on a Budget, Budget Hotels & Free Sights
Once the Most Expensive City in the World, Japan Can be a Bargain
Apr 7, 2009
Hotels can range from basic to ultra luxurious but they will all offer a high standard of cleanliness. The rooms in those at the lower end of the financial spectrum will be smaller than average, but most people will be very happy with the accommodation offered by the famous Ryokan Inns. For approximately 5250 Japanese Yen (£35 or $50) Japanese culture and hospitality is on offer. The southern part of metropolitan Tokyo itself holds quite a few, all close to all the popular sightseeing locations such as Kamakura and Hakone. During festival time it may be necessary to pre-book.
What to See in Japan While Travelling on a Budget
Temples and Shrines. At the entrance to a shrine there is always a large gate called a torii. A shrine is where Shintoists go to worship. Temples are Buddhist places of worship and most are polytheistic following both Buddhism and Shintoism.
Tokyo’s Oldest Temple, Sensoji, founded 7th century and Meiji Shrine.
What to look out for. Japanese people rubbing smoke from the huge incense urn in front of the temple, all over their bodies. This is because the smoke is believed to have healing powers In the nearby streets and lanes can be found numerous restaurants and food vendors making this a good place to have a cheap snack and to try the famous black sesame ice-cream
In a calm garden oasis of 178 acres in the centre of Tokyo is found the Meiji Shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji. The gardens are peaceful and relaxing and contain plants from all over Japan. If unsure how to approach these places of worship, take a tour with a Goodwill Guide.
Take a Tour with a Goodwill Guide
Many big cities nowadays are offering free tours by local students, retirees and housewives, and they can be found throughout Japan. These are conducted in English and are completely free apart from the volunteers travel expenses, meals and admission to tourist facilities.
Some of these tours are pre-set while others let the visitor dictate the route and sightseeing essentials, as well as duration and starting time. All arrangements should be made via the Japanese Tourist Office.
Visit a Japanese Garden
Everyone has their own idea of what a Japanese garden will look like – the real thing is often better than the imagined, filled with bonsai trees, ponds with colourful carp, zen rock gardens, lanterns, and flowers for all seasons, cherry blossom in April, azaleas in May, rhododendrons in June, and colourful red, yellow and orange leaves in autumn. Free gardens in Tokyo include Higashi Gyoen Garden (part of the Imperial Palace), Nezu-jinja Shrine Garden, Ueno Park, and Shin Edogawa Garden, a classical Japanese garden complete with stone lanterns and carp.
Tokyo’s Twin Towers at City Hall
Designed by Kenzo Tange, the pre-eminent Japanese architect, city hall with its twin towers soaring 243 metres above the ground is an imposing building of 48 floors which splits at the 33rd story into symmetrical towers. It is the best place from which to get a view over the entire city and. On clear days there are views to Yokohama to the southwest and Mt. Fuji to the west – not to be missed. The observation decks on the 45th floor are reached y an elevator in 55 seconds.
