Monday, August 19, 2013

Budgeting for an unbudgeted trip

In May, on a whim, I deiced to plan for a trip to Japan.
Without much thinking and consideration of my finances,
I booked the air ticket as there was an offer on Singapore Airlines
for a return trip ticket from Singapore to Tokyo (Haneda).

In this and subsequent posts, I will be putting up my proposed budget for the trip,
hopefully, I don't blow this budget.

This is a budget that I have drawn up after checking out all the websites.
Well, this is my first trip to Japan and i realized that Japan goes by a Honor system.
Most places do not require you to pay via credit cards or transfer the payment to secure your booking. They will hold the room for you and you settle the payment when you arrive.

So I wonder if most Japanese business function on a cash flow accounting system instead of a double-entry system. But that is a story for another day.
ITINERARY
Destination Days (Stay) Nights Lodging J Yen S$
Tokyo 2 2 Kimi Ryokan
Tokyo
7875Y 103
Hokkaido-Biei-Furano 2 2 Cress Guesthouse-Biei 10000Y 131
Sounkyo Onsen+Daisetsusan 1 1 Resort Pension Yamanoue @ Sounkyo 8800Y 115
Hokkaido-Sapporo 2 1 Sapporo City S$68 68
Mt Fuji-Hakodate 2 1 Mt Fuji 3900Y 51
Tokyo 4 3 Shinjuku Washinton Hotel
3-2-9 Nichi Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku Tokyo
Ph:81 33343-3111
$252.20 252.2
Total 720.2
TRANSPORTATION
From (Source Station) Mode Dep To (Destination) Jyen S$
Haneda Airport to Kimi Limo Bus Haneda Ikebukuro West Station 1200 16
Ikebukuro to Kimi Taxi Ikebukuro  Kimi 2500 33
Kimi Limo Bus Haneda Haneda-Flight to Sapporo 1200 16
Monorail to Airport Monorail Haneda Haneda-Flight to Sapporo 720 9.5
Air Ticket to Sapporo Place Haneda New Chitose Airport (CTS) 21600 283
New Chitose Airport Train Biei Biei 1040 14
Biei Furano Round Pass Train Furano Furano 5400 71
Sounkyo Train/Bus Biei Sounkyo Onsen/Daisetsusan 1920 25
Sounkyo Train/Bus Takikawa Sapporo 1920 25
Asahikawa  Train Sapporo Sapporo 4170 55
Sapporo Train New Chitose
Airport
Tokyo 1040Y 14
Haneda Airport Kawaguchi 5th Station Haneda Mt Fuji 2400Y 31
Kawaguchi Sta. Bus/Monorail Gotemba Gotemba(Outlet Mall) 1470 19
Gotemba Bus/Train Gotemba Shinjuku 1630 21
Shinjuku Monorail/Bus Haneda Flight back to SG 1200 630
Total 1263
Total so far including accomodations and transport now amount to close to $2000.





Here's an estimate of the break down of the cost though cost might vary depending on the season you are travelling. I will be travelling in September of this year and hopefully I can stay within a budget of
S$3000.00 including personal expenses and gifts.

I had previously spent only S$1100 for a two week trip to New York and Boston and hope to stay within a budget. The above 2 week trip involves bunking in with a friend for 2 weeks in Boston and staying at a 3-star mid-town hotel in New York City that is within walking distance to the Lexington Subway. However the $1100 includes transport, meals personal expenses only andit excludes air ticket from SG to New York City.

Leave me comments on tips on how to save during my Tokyo and Hokkaido trip.
I will appreciate any tips you can offer and will write up about it when I return after using your tip.
Might also send you a gift if my budget allows.

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