12 Ways Tourists Overspend in Japan and How to Avoid Them in 2025

Toshi Guide from Japan

Summary:

This video highlights 12 common ways tourists waste money in Japan and offers local alternatives to save costs and enhance the travel experience in 2025.

• High-end Sushi: Avoid expensive Ginza sushi (¥30,000+) by trying local lunch specials, standing sushi bars, or conveyor belt sushi (¥1,000-¥3,000).
• Metro Pass: Tokyo Metro passes only cover one system; locals use IC cards like Suica or Pasmo for flexible, pay-per-ride travel across all lines, which is often cheaper.
• Express Train Pass: Skip Limited Express surcharges for short trips; regular trains are slightly slower (5-15 mins) but half the price.
• Wagashi Workshops: These are tourist-centric (¥5,000+); Japanese locals buy wagashi from specialty shops (¥300) and prefer home-style cooking experiences.
• Not Everything’s Made in Japan: Be wary of 100-yen store souvenirs; many are cheap imports from China or Southeast Asia. Locals check labels for quality.
• Duty-Free Souvenirs at Airport: Airport souvenirs are significantly overpriced; buy the same items at drugstores or discount shops like Don Quijote for half the price.
• Ship Your Suitcase at Airport: Avoid expensive luggage delivery (¥3,000+); use coin lockers (a few hundred yen) or hotel baggage storage (often free).
• Pricey Observation Decks: Bypass paid observation deck fees (¥2,000-¥3,000); enjoy free views from places like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or high-rise hotel lounges (by buying a drink).
• Goshuin: Collecting these sacred stamps purely as souvenirs (¥1,000+) misses their religious significance; locals receive them with prayer for ¥300-¥500.
• Breakfast Buffet at Hotel: Hotel buffets are costly (¥3,000); locals opt for cafes or convenience stores (around ¥600) for fresh, affordable breakfast.
• Concept Cafe: Maid or concept cafes can have hidden charges (table fees, overpriced drinks) leading to bills over ¥10,000; research thoroughly or avoid them.
• No Tip, No Problem: Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be awkward; service charges are included, and a verbal "Arigato gozaimasu" suffices.

Introduction [0:00]

The video, presented by Toshi, a guide with over 30 years of experience in Japan, aims to educate international travelers on 12 common ways they unknowingly overspend. By understanding the differences between tourist habits and local practices, visitors can save money, avoid traps, and experience Japan more authentically.

1. High-end Sushi [1:03]

Tourists often seek "real" sushi at high-end Ginza establishments, paying upwards of 30,000 yen per person.

• Tourist Mistake: Overspending on exclusive sushi experiences, believing them to be the only "authentic" option, costing around JPY 30,000.

  

• Local Alternatives:
  • Lunch Specials: Mid-range sushi restaurants offer excellent lunch specials for 1,000 to 3,000 yen.
  • Standing Sushi Bars: These provide fresh, fast, and delicious sushi at a lower cost, around $10-$30.

    

  • Conveyor Belt Sushi (Kaiten Sushi): A popular and affordable choice for locals, offering good quality and variety.

    

  • Cost Savings: Locals can enjoy high-quality sushi for around $10-$30 USD instead of hundreds.

    

2. The Metro Pass [2:07]

Many tourists purchase multi-day Tokyo Metro Passes for unlimited travel, assuming broad coverage.

• Tourist Mistake: Relying solely on a Tokyo Metro Pass, which only covers one of Tokyo's 20+ train systems (e.g., JR, Toei, Keio). This often leads to extra payments for rides on other lines.

  

• Local Alternatives:
  • IC Cards (Suica or Pasmo): Most Japanese locals use IC cards, which can be charged as needed and used across all train and bus lines, offering flexibility and often proving cheaper than passes unless riding the Metro 6 or more times a day.

    

  • Flexibility: IC cards allow payment per ride, avoiding the need to justify the cost of an unlimited pass if travel is infrequent.

    

3. The Express Train Pass [3:05]

Tourists frequently opt for Limited Express train tickets for every journey, believing they are always faster and better.

• Tourist Mistake: Paying a surcharge for Limited Express tickets even for short trips, without considering alternatives.

  

• Local Alternatives:
  • Regular or Rapid Trains: For many routes, local or rapid trains take only 5 to 15 minutes longer but cost half as much because they don't include the Limited Express surcharge.

    

  • Cost Comparison: A 30-minute Limited Express trip might cost 1,800 yen (approx. $13), while a regular train for the same route could be 900 yen (approx. $6.50).

    

  • Time vs. Cost: Locals prioritize saving money unless time is extremely critical.

4. Wagashi Workshops [4:03]

Wagashi (Japanese sweets) making workshops are popular among tourists, who pay over 5,000 yen for the experience.

• Tourist Mistake: Engaging in wagashi workshops as an "authentic" Japanese activity, despite it not being a common local practice, costing around JPY 5,000.

  

• Local Alternatives:
  • Purchasing from Specialty Shops: Japanese locals almost always buy wagashi from professional specialty shops, where exquisite sweets cost around 300 yen each.

    

  • Focus on Home-style Cooking: For a truly authentic Japanese food culture experience, locals recommend focusing on homemade meals rather than wagashi-making, which is often a tourist-oriented activity for photos.

    

  • Avoiding Tourist Traps: Locals typically do not make wagashi themselves.

    

5. Not Everything’s Made in Japan [5:06]

Tourists often assume all products in Japanese stores, especially 100-yen shops like Daiso, are high-quality and "Made in Japan."

• Tourist Mistake: Buying many items without checking labels, assuming Japanese origin and quality.
• Local Practices:
  • Checking Labels: Many products in these stores are actually manufactured in China or Southeast Asia.

    

  • Quality Awareness: Locals selectively purchase items, checking the country of origin and assessing quality before buying, avoiding cheap imports.

    

6. Duty-Free Souvenirs at Airport [6:07]

Tourists buy last-minute souvenirs like matcha KitKats and Tokyo Banana at airport duty-free shops.

• Tourist Mistake: Purchasing overpriced souvenirs at the airport.

  

• Local Alternatives:
  • Pre-trip Shopping: Most airport souvenirs cost double what they would in regular stores. Locals buy these items from drugstores or discount shops like Don Quijote at significantly lower prices.

    

    

7. Ship Your Suitcase at Airport [7:01]

Upon arrival, many tourists pay over 3,000 yen to have their suitcases shipped from the airport to their hotel for convenience.

• Tourist Mistake: Incurring high costs for baggage delivery services.
• Local Alternatives:
  • Coin Lockers: Available at train stations for a few hundred yen.

    

  • Hotel Baggage Storage: Most hotels are happy to store luggage for free or a small fee before check-in or after check-out.

    

  • Cost-effective: These options are simple, safe, and significantly more affordable, making expensive delivery services unnecessary unless traveling with excessive luggage.

    

8. Pricey Observation Decks [7:54]

Visitors often pay 2,000 to 3,000 yen for admission to iconic observation towers like SkyTree or Tokyo Tower.

• Tourist Mistake: Believing these paid decks are the only way to experience Tokyo's skyline.

  

• Local Alternatives:
  • Free Observation Spots: The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku offers stunning, free panoramic views.

    

  • Hotel Lounges: Enjoy a high-rise view by ordering a drink at a hotel lounge, paying for the beverage rather than an admission fee.

    

  • Cost Savings: There are many beautiful, elevated viewpoints that don't cost anything.

    

    

9. Goshuin [8:57]

Tourists collect goshuin (handwritten stamps from temples and shrines) as souvenirs, often paying over 1,000 yen for each.

• Tourist Mistake: Treating goshuin merely as a collectible item, paying inflated prices for decorative versions, costing around JPY 1,000 or more.

  

• Cultural Significance: For Japanese people, a goshuin is a sacred mark of worship, traditionally received after offering a prayer, and typically costs 300 to 500 yen.

  

• Authenticity: Some tourist spots offer decorative, souvenir-style goshuin at higher prices (e.g., 1,000 yen or more), which lack the original spiritual meaning. Understanding the true purpose helps avoid overspending and shows respect for the tradition.

  

  

10. Breakfast Buffet at Hotel [9:56]

Many tourists opt for their hotel's breakfast buffet, paying around 3,000 yen each morning.

• Tourist Mistake: Overpaying for hotel breakfast due to convenience, costing around JPY 3,000.
• Local Alternatives:
  • Local Cafes: Grab a coffee and sandwich for a much lower price.

    

    

  • Convenience Stores: Japanese convenience stores (konbini) are renowned for high-quality, fresh, and affordable breakfast items like rice balls, sandwiches, pastries, and hot coffee for around 600 yen.

    

    

  • Significant Savings: Choosing local options can save over 2,000 yen daily.

    

11. Concept Cafe [10:51]

Maid cafés and other concept cafés are a curiosity for many tourists.

• Tourist Mistake: Getting lured by initial reasonable prices, then facing hidden charges.

  

• Hidden Costs: These cafés often have expensive drinks (e.g., 1,000 yen per drink), table charges, or time-based fees, leading to bills over 10,000 yen for some tourists.

  

  

• Local Awareness: Japanese locals either carefully research prices beforehand or avoid these establishments altogether, recognizing that many are designed more for profit than genuine hospitality.

  

• Recommendation: Always check clearly listed prices on menus/websites and read online reviews (especially in English) before visiting.

  

12. No Tip, No Problem [11:48]

Tourists, particularly from cultures where tipping is customary, often feel compelled to leave tips for good service.

• Tourist Mistake: Tipping for service, which is not customary in Japan.

  

• Japanese Etiquette:
  • Unnecessary and Potentially Awkward: Tipping is not expected and can confuse or even embarrass staff.
  • Service Charges Included: Service charges are typically already included in the bill.
  • Verbal Gratitude: A simple "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you very much) and a smile are sufficient and more appreciated ways to show gratitude for good service.

    

  • Cost Savings: By not tipping, tourists can save money and align with local customs.