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There’s a common misconception that visiting Tokyo requires a huge budget. While the city can be pricey, it’s definitely possible to enjoy it without breaking the bank. Here’s a rough breakdown of my actual expenses so you can see my real Tokyo travel costs in action:

A Breakdown of My Actual Tokyo Travel Costs

• Hotel (double room, nonsmoking, private bath): $180 / 3 nights
• Food (including Disney + conbini snacks): $150
• Transportation (airport + Disney): $60
• Attractions (including Disney): $110

I spent roughly $150 on all my meals and snacks, which covered everything I wanted to try—udon, ramen, conveyor belt sushi, souffle pancakes, curry, and even a day of snacking at Tokyo Disney.

A big help was stopping by convenience stores (affectionately called conbini in Japan) like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson. They were lifesavers for evening snacks or early mornings when nothing else was open. If I had been a bit more frugal, I could easily have stayed closer to $100 for food.

Where I Stayed in Tokyo

Hotel Choice & Location

I stayed in a residential area near Shinjuku Station, just a ten-minute walk from the station. The street was half busy main road, half quiet side street—perfect for a good night’s sleep. I stayed at Shinjuku Sun Park Hotel—it’s a rather unassuming building off a small road.

Room Details

• Double room (single rooms available for cheaper)
• Nonsmoking (important for my asthma)
• Amenities included coin laundry, parking, a refrigerator, and a lovely Japanese garden

Choosing Affordable Attractions in Tokyo

Attractions in Tokyo can be expensive if you aim for big tourist destinations. I focused on:

• Cultural sites- Shrines, Temples, anything that felt like an authentic part of the visit. I didn’t go to TeamLabs or Shibuya Sky and though I would love to one day, the fancy places weren’t a priority.
• Outdoor parks and gardens- So beautiful and so well-kept. I wanted to way to enjoy some peace and mindfulness in the hustle and bustle of the big city and this was the perfect way to get it.

Some had small entrance fees, like:

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden – <$5
• Rikugien Gardens – <$5

Both were beautiful, peaceful, uncrowded, and 100% worth the fee. As an added bonus, some of these smaller attractions take your IC or Suica card for payment too! For me, this was a great way to use up coins that were starting to weigh down my backpack.

Free Views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

One of the best budget-friendly spots I hit up on my whole trip was a visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office. It sounds mundane, but the observation deck here is beautiful and free to enter. Since it is a government building, they do have some strict rules (no tripods, weapons, the normal stuff to expect). There was also a massive line, so plan to arrive early if you’re hoping to catch the sunset. It is totally worth the walk and it was the only observation deck I visited on my trip (I want to save the fancier ones for when I can come back with my boyfriend).

My Only Splurge: Tokyo Disney

My one splurge was Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. Admission was reasonable, especially if you avoid weekends and holidays.

Pro tip: Tokyo Disneyland has an evening pass after 5 PM, which is cheaper if you don’t mind entering later in the day and enjoying the park in the dark. I’ll be loading a post soon on my likes and dislikes from Tokyo Disney soon, so stay tuned!

Where to Stay in Tokyo for Solo Travelers

Tokyo offers plenty of accommodations for solo travelers:

• Pod hotels – great for budget-conscious travelers
• Hostels – shared spaces, sometimes uncomfortable

I personally prefer a private room, but pod hotels could be a fun future option. Shared bathrooms in Japan are often cleaner than what you might expect in the U.S.

Shinjuku Sun Park Hotel: My Experience

First Impressions

Located in Shin-Okubo, Shinjuku Sun Park was about a 10-minute walk to the nearest station, the area felt safe and lively. Shops, restaurants, and residents made the walk pleasant. The walk to and from the Yamanote Line felt very safe at every time of the day.

The price and value felt very fair for what I got. While there was a small issue one morning with some chemical smell, it was gone when I returned from my explorations and everything else was great. The staff are very friendly and polite (even though they don’t speak a lot of English) and communication was not an issue.

Hotel Amenities

• Parking facilities
• Coin laundry
• Vending machines
• Pretty garden
• Polite staff (even with limited English)

Safety & Location Notes

• A minor issue: occasional pesticide smell (quickly resolved by heading out)
• Nearby Kabukicho area is reportedly unsafe, but I stuck to the route to the station and felt fine.

Room Comfort & Housekeeping

• Bathrooms required adjustment (sink/shower knob)
• Lumpy blankets but enough space
• Daily towel delivery and stocked toiletries

Why I Loved This Location

• Quiet residential feel
• Convenience of Lawson and vending machines nearby
• Great value compared to hostels or pod hotels

Final Thoughts

Tokyo doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive. With a few budgeting strategies, careful hotel selection, and smart food choices, you can enjoy the city comfortably without overspending. From convenience store snacks to small garden entrances and a single Disney splurge, it’s very possible to experience Tokyo on a mid-range budget.

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