A real, running answer to —

Can we actually afford this trip?

Honest, photo-backed posts on what things really cost in Japan — temples, food, transit, and day trips — from our own family's trips. No stock photos, no guessing.

The illuminated five-story pagoda of Senso-ji temple rises against a dark night sky in Asakusa, its orange-red tiers glowing warmly against the darkness.

September 21, 2025

Senso-ji Temple Is Completely Free — And It's Still the Best Thing We've Done in Tokyo

Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, costs nothing to visit. Here's what it actually costs to spend an evening in Asakusa as a family, from Nakamise snacks to a budget izakaya dinner.