I recently wrote a post about how to travel around Japan on the cheap focusing on transport, accommodation and food - which you can find here.

While I was writing my previous article I came across some other very valuable ways of saving money and thought I would spread the love. So… below are my top 5 ways to save money whilst in Japan.

1. Cheap Train Tickets

There are 3 distinct periods of sale and validity when you can purchase and use a special train ticket called - the Seishun Juuhachi Kippu.

1. Spring: 20th Feb - 31st Mar (valid for use between 1st Mar to 10th Apr)
2. Summer: 1st Jul - 31st Aug (valid for use between 20th Jul - 10th Sep)
3. Winter: 1th Dec - 10th Jan (valid for use between 10th Dec - 20th Jan)

Seishun Juuhachi Kippu literally means a 'Youth 18 Ticket' - but anyone of any age can buy and use it. It's an amazing alternative for traveling on the train networks without a JR Rail Pass.

Basically, for ¥ 11,500 you get five one day tickets valid for travel anywhere in Japan on the JR lines. The only catch is that you can't use them on the bullet Trains and each ticket must be used within 24 hrs. Even with that said, this special ticket reduces your travel costs to ¥ 2,300 per day - which compared to everything else is super cheap! I recently completed a 7-hour trip from Tokyo to Sendai and the trip in itself was actually quite fun! In order to get your exact travel planned (using local Trains only) go to this website and un-tick all the Shinkansen Trains.

2. Domestic Air Discounts

If you're thinking of heading to the far flung Corners of Japan and you have a little more money and a little less time you'll want to look into Purchasing some discounted air tickets such as the Star Alliance Japan Airpass offered by All Nippon Airways and the OneWorld Yokoso Visit Japan Fare by Japan Airlines. Each 'pass' offers Travelers discounted domestic air tickets to anywhere in Japan for the reduced cost of ¥ 10,500 Yen including tax per ticket. Using one of these tickets to get to the remote Corners of Japan is much faster and cheaper than traveling by train.

3. Lunch Specials

Lunch is the time of the day where you can eat some top quality grab for dirty cheap prices. I don't know why, but at lunch time some of the top restaurants serve lunch set menus at a fraction of the dinner cost. I'm not sure if it's targeted at office workers to attracted them to come back in the evening, but whatever reason - long may it continue!

4. Free Guiding Services

In most Japanese cities their Tourist Information Center - usually located near the main train station - offer free Volunteer tour guides. I'm not sure why they are free, but I've never been one to 'look a gift horse in the mouth'. The volunteers are usually really nice locals looking to meet foreigners and improve their English.

5. Cheap Gifts for Friends and Family

There's no reason to buy friends and family anything expensive from Japan. Some of the best and practical presents you'll find are at 100 Yen shops (Japanese equivalent of dollar stores). 100 Yen shops are packed full of excellent presents for friends and family… from tableware to clothing. No matter what you buy, your friends will love it. And let's be honest, will they really know the difference between a ¥ 100 and a ¥ 1000 pair of Chopsticks? I don't and I've been here for nearly a year !!!

And suffice to say… only plan to come to Japan in the off-peak season. There are 4 specific Peak seasons that you should avoid like the plague.

1. Cherry blossom season (Early April)
2. 'Autumn leaf color' changing season (mid-November)
3. New Years holiday Season
4. Golden Week (April 29 to May 5)
5. Obon week (around mid-August)

If you do travel within any of these time periods expect to pay through the nose for transport and accommodation!

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Happy Travels!