Flight (SQ) $400 Food around <$50 per pax Hotel around $100 per night Data: Covered […]
On my second trip to Japan, I want to explore lesser-visited cities (avoid tourist hotspots) It is budget friendly since I optimize my spending where possible. It was a good 9-day adventure across five cities using the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass — tiring, intense but worth every moment.
💸 Budget Breakdown
Here’s how much I spent:
- ✈️ Flights: Business class (overnight), Economy for return — ~$400
- 🏨 Hotels: Averaged ~$100/night in smaller cities; Osaka cost ~$200/night
- 🚄 Train Pass: $175 for 5-day Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
- 🍜 Food & Shopping: Kept it under $1,000
- 📱 Data: Used 3GB from Simba + free 6GB from Klook (1GB/day was enough)
🛬 Day 1: Arrival in Nagoya
Since Nagoya is famous for Unagi, I went to Maruya, a popular unagi restaurant. Long queue before it opens. It seems pricey — $60 unagi rice bowl and liver. After lunch, we hopped on a 2.5-hour train ride to Takayama.
🏞️ Days 1–3: Takayama – Traditional Charm
Takayama had the perfect quaint, old-town charm. While there were tourist groups, it still felt peaceful.
Highlights:
- Hida-Takayama Sanmachi Historic District
- Morning Market: Riverside stalls selling fresh milk, tomato juice, mochi, strawberry milk, croissants, and more.
- Hidagyu Maruaki: A must for premium Hida beef and sushi
- Pudding Tei: Pistachio milk pudding heaven
- Funasaka Sake Brewery: Refillable sake tasting
You can take day trips from Takayama via bus, but with an already packed schedule, I skipped the longer rides.
🏯 Days 3–5: Kanazawa – Food Hits & Misses
Kanazawa is known for its history, seafood, and gold-leaf everything. Ironically, the popular sushi conveyor belt restaurant and sashimi were underwhelming. That said, the black throat sea perch was delicious.
Highlights:
- Omicho Market: Black throat menchi katsu, soy milk ice cream, fried beef with cheese, and cold beer
- Kenrokuen Garden and Kanazawa Castle
- Hakuichi Store: Famous for gold-leaf items
- Onsen Experience: Local herbal and seaweed saunas
- Myouryuji Temple, Nishi Chaya District
🛍️ Days 6–9: Osaka & Kobe
Kobe was a day trip from Osaka (2nd visit) for Kobe beef - rich, buttery, and unforgettable
Popular spots:
- Kobe Beef Steak Ishida (Main-Shop)
- Tor Road Steak Aoyama
- Mouriya Honten / Mouriya Royal
- Steakland Kobe-kan
- Okatora Yakiniku
Chinatown and the shopping street were amazing.
Back in Osaka for the final stretch — not my first time here, but it feels just as amazing as the first.
Highlights:
- Shinsaibashi Shopping Street: Fashion, souvenirs, and street snacks galore
- Japanese massage + Onsen: The ultimate recharge
- Eyewear: Got my spectacles at Owndays for $90, compared to over $200 in Singapore
✈️ Flight & Lounge Food
I flew business class into Japan and economy back. The lounge at Changi had decent Indian fare (tomato rice, curry, laksa). In-flight food was alright: lobster thermidor (cheesy sauce), barramundi, and chocolate cake — not particularly memorable.