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this post was submitted on 01 Jan 0001
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Hey, this is an exciting first step in planning your trip. I'm 27 and have traveled a lot on my own and with friends, if you need any advice or have any questions feel free to PM me.
That's the bare necessity. I got to stop now but like I said, I'd love to help past that.
Depending on where you're going transportation can be handled entirely by public transit. Don't get a car.
Even the yanks need a visa for most countries; Japan being an exception not the norm. Just pointing that out because I have seen multiple USians confused by thinking they have the ability to travel everywhere without a visa.
"Most countries" is a hell of a stretch in my opinion. I've traveled to something close to 20 popular countries and only needed a visa for China when visiting, Singapore when studying, and Germany when moving there.
Here's the official list and I'd wager a guess that more than 75% of native US Tourist Traffic goes to these countries.
So that's what a hostel is? I would rather get a hotel or something
Like I said, it's got pros and cons. Hotels are good too.
Although hotels also terrify me because of the potential of bed bugs
You shouldn't be scared of hotels. If you're getting a reasonable room you'll have an entirely normal experience. If you cheap out, then you are taking a risk in exchange for money.
But if you're going to travel internationally, you should default to not afraid. It is by and large safe out there. Be smart, but not media-sensitized.
only thing id be worried about is bed bugs
Again, don't be. I don't have data off the top of my head, but I'd wager Japan has shockingly few cases of bed bugs in their tourist sector.
I only ask cause i just recently read how France for example is literally infested
Without data, take media reports as sensational by necessity. France's problems may not be as bad as they seem (I would assume they're not) and France's problems don't automatically translate to other countries like Japan.
To wrap this back around to your main post, travelling to Japan shouldn't induce fear at any step. It's a safe country with low crime rates and few health problems for tourists.
Overall how much money would I realistically need to do this trip?
My last Japan trip was 4 or 5 years back and spent time in multiple big cities with an express train pass. I think I budgeted a grand for the flight, a grand in food and hotel and spending a week. But with inflation being what it is I'd want to rerun the numbers based off of what flights and hotel/hostels I could find and assume 1k for just food and fun per week. I think there are active data sheets online that talk about the average cost of eating out in Japan right now.
You want to visit for "a few weeks" so I'd say plan for 2k + flight + hotel/hostel + train tickets/pass. I'd bet you spend less than 4k total for that time.
I like to visit 1 major city every 4-7 days, I normally do travel in, 5 days, travel out. So two weeks would let me see 2 major cities and a couple day trips or 3 shorter stays at 3 major places. Some cities are cheaper than others which is something to consider and how you eat out also dictates your budget more than anything. You could eat in Tokyo for dollars a day at gas stations or you could splurge on sashimi every night and find yourself burning money by the fist full.
I'm a big foodie so that's where the 1k per week comes from.