First Trip to Japan from the Philippines: Visa, Budget in PHP & 5-Day Tokyo Itinerary
Why I wrote this guide
I was born in the Philippines, lived there until I was 11, and now live in Tokyo. That means I know what Filipino travelers worry about before a first Japan trip, and what actually matters once you land.
This guide covers everything you need for a first trip: the visa, when to go, flights, a realistic budget in pesos, a 5-day Tokyo itinerary, and the local tips I wish every visitor knew.
Do Filipinos need a visa for Japan?
Yes. Philippine passport holders need a visa for a tourist trip to Japan, and there are now two ways to get one.
- Regular tourist visa: Apply through the Japan Visa Application Centre (run by VFS Global) or an embassy-accredited travel agency. This is the route for independent trips, visiting family or friends, and multiple-entry visas.
- eVisa (since May 15, 2026): Apply online if you live in the Philippines and join a package tour run by one of the embassy's designated travel agencies. It is single-entry and allows a stay of up to 15 days. You show the "Visa Issuance Notice" on your phone at the airport instead of a sticker in your passport.
Japan revised its visa fees on July 1, 2026, and the total you pay also depends on VFS or agency service fees. Check the latest amount on the Embassy of Japan's website before you apply, and only apply through official channels.
Sources: MOFA: JAPAN eVISA · GMA News · The POST · Embassy accredited agencies
Best time to go
For a first trip, spring (late March to early April) and autumn (October to November) are the most comfortable and the most beautiful. Here's how the seasons compare:
| Season | Months | Why go | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Mar–May | Cherry blossoms, mild weather | Peak prices during sakura and Golden Week (late April to early May) |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | Festivals, fireworks | Rainy season in June, very hot and humid July–August, Obon crowds in mid-August |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | Autumn leaves, clear skies | Typhoons are possible in September |
| Winter | Dec–Feb | Snow, illuminations, often cheaper flights | Cold for Filipinos: pack a proper coat, gloves, and layers |
Also remember Filipino peak seasons. Fares from Manila rise around Holy Week, Christmas, and New Year, so book early or plan around them.
Flights from Manila and Cebu
Manila to Tokyo is a direct flight of about 4 to 5 hours, flown by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Japan Airlines, ANA, and Jetstar Japan. Philippine Airlines also flies between Tokyo and Cebu.
- Pick Haneda (HND) if you can. It's much closer to central Tokyo than Narita (NRT), so you save time and train fare on arrival day.
- Budget airlines don't include everything. Cebu Pacific and Jetstar fares often exclude checked baggage, so add it when you book if you plan to shop.
- Watch for seat sales and book ahead. On Cebu Pacific's Manila–Narita route, the average one-way fare in 2026 ranged from about USD 153 in July to USD 276 in May, according to Cheapflights.
Sources: Kupi: Manila–Tokyo route · Philippine Airlines · Cheapflights
How much does 5 days in Tokyo cost? (in pesos)
Plan on roughly ₱18,000 per person on a tight budget, or about ₱37,000 for a comfortable mid-range trip, not counting flights, visa, and shopping.
| Item (per person, 5 days / 4 nights) | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | ¥20,000 (≈ ₱7,600): hostel or capsule, ¥5,000/night | ¥40,000 (≈ ₱15,200): business hotel, ¥10,000/night when sharing a twin room |
| Food | ¥15,000 (≈ ₱5,700): konbini, ramen, gyudon | ¥30,000 (≈ ₱11,400): a few sit-down dinners |
| Transport | ¥8,000 (≈ ₱3,040): trains + airport train | ¥12,000 (≈ ₱4,560): plus an airport bus or a taxi ride |
| Attractions | ¥5,000 (≈ ₱1,900): mostly free spots | ¥15,000 (≈ ₱5,700): observation decks, museums, a theme experience |
| Total | ¥48,000 (≈ ₱18,240) | ¥97,000 (≈ ₱36,860) |
These are my estimates as someone living in Tokyo, converted at about ₱0.38 per ¥1 (the mid-market rate in mid-2026). Hotel prices jump during cherry blossom season and holidays, so compare rates early.
Source for the exchange rate: Investing.com JPY/PHP
5-day Tokyo itinerary
This plan groups nearby areas each day, so you spend your time exploring instead of transferring trains.
| Day | Area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shinjuku | Arrive, check in, get your Suica, evening at Omoide Yokocho and the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory |
| 2 | Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara | Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise street in the morning, Ueno Park and Ameyoko market, anime and electronics in Akihabara |
| 3 | Harajuku, Shibuya | Meiji Jingu shrine, Takeshita Street, Shibuya Crossing, sunset from an observation deck |
| 4 | Day trip | Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko, or Kamakura's Great Buddha and seaside temples |
| 5 | Tsukiji, Ginza | Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market, last-minute shopping in Ginza, then head to the airport |
If you have extra time, swap day 4 for Odaiba or an immersive digital art museum. Book popular tickets and day tours a few days ahead, since they often sell out in peak season.
Getting around: Suica, and is the JR Pass worth it?
For a Tokyo-only trip, get a Suica and skip the JR Pass.
- iPhone users: Welcome Suica Mobile. JR East's free app lets you issue a Suica before you even land and top it up with a card through Apple Pay. It is valid for 180 days and needs no deposit. There is no Android version.
- Android users: the Welcome Suica card. You can buy it at Narita or Haneda airport, so have some cash ready and expect a queue in peak season. It is valid for 28 days from first use.
- Leftover balance is not refunded on either version, so spend what's left at a convenience store before you fly home.
The 7-day JR Pass costs about ¥50,000 and only pays off if you ride the Shinkansen between cities, such as Tokyo to Kyoto and back. For 5 days in Tokyo, Suica fares will cost a fraction of that.
Sources: JR East press release · Welcome Suica Mobile on the App Store · Truly Tokyo · Wanderlust Designers
Staying connected: eSIM or pocket WiFi?
If your phone supports eSIM, a Japan eSIM is the easiest choice. You'll need data all day for Google Maps, Google Translate, and topping up Suica.
| eSIM | Pocket WiFi | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Solo travelers or couples with eSIM-ready phones | Groups or families sharing one connection |
| Setup | Install before you fly; it connects when you land | Pick up at the airport or have it delivered to your hotel, then return it |
| Things to carry | Nothing extra | The device, plus a power bank to keep it charged |
Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked before you buy. Roaming with your Philippine SIM usually costs much more.
Money tips: cash or card?
Bring a card for most spending, but always carry some yen in cash.
- Cards work almost everywhere in Tokyo: convenience stores, chain restaurants, department stores, and hotels. Suica also works as payment in many shops.
- Cash is still needed at small family-run restaurants, shrine and temple stalls, some ticket machines, and coin lockers.
- Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven ATMs, which accept most foreign cards and offer English menus. Check your bank's foreign withdrawal fees first.
- A multi-currency card can save money on exchange rates compared with paying in pesos on a regular card.
- No tipping. Good service is already included, and leaving money behind can confuse staff.
- Bring your passport when shopping. Many stores offer tax-free shopping for tourists, and you need your passport to qualify.
Local tips from someone who lives here
Respect the local way. Japan has a saying that's similar to "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Most of what makes a trip here smooth comes down to small courtesies, like keeping your voice down on trains and in other public spaces.
Bring your own trash bag. Public trash bins are surprisingly hard to find in Japan. Keep a small bag with you and take your trash back to your hotel. Littering is frowned upon, and some areas now even fine people for it.
Learn a few Japanese words. Even simple phrases like arigatou gozaimasu (thank you) and sumimasen (excuse me) go a long way. Locals really appreciate the effort, and you'll often find people warmer and more helpful because of it.
Keep Google Translate handy. The camera feature is a lifesaver for menus and signs.
Getting lost in train stations is normal. Even locals get confused in big stations like Shinjuku. Instead of reading every sign, look for two things: the exit or ticket gate you're heading to, and your line's color and letter code (for example, "JY" for the Yamanote Line).
Time is money, so get a Suica. Tap through ticket gates instead of buying a ticket every time, and pay at convenience stores and vending machines too. See the Suica section above for which version to get.
Use Google Maps for directions. Enter your destination, and it shows several route options with train lines, transfer stations, and fares.
Take a taxi when you have lots of luggage. Dragging suitcases up stairs and through crowded trains is exhausting. Major stations like Tokyo Station have taxi stands right outside, so you can simply line up and hop in. If you're traveling as a big group or with lots of bags, don't worry about squeezing into a regular car. From what I've seen, the drivers waiting in the parking area right in front of the stand watch how many people and how much luggage are walking up, and a larger van-type taxi will often pull out to meet you. You can also book a ride in advance with taxi apps like GO or Uber, without needing to speak Japanese.
Get ready to be spoiled by convenience. What amazes visitors most is how easy everyday life is here. Vending machines are on almost every corner, selling hot and cold drinks all year round. Convenience stores (konbini) are open 24/7 and sell surprisingly good food, from onigiri to full meals.
A quick toilet guide (yes, really). Toilets in Japan might be the biggest surprise of all. Toilet paper is always provided, and public restrooms are generally very clean. Many toilets also come with a built-in bidet (look for the button labeled 洗浄 or with a water icon). If you grew up with a tabo, you'll feel right at home.
One important difference from back home: in Japan, you flush the toilet paper. Don't put used paper in the trash bin next to the toilet, because Japanese plumbing is designed for it.
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