Should dd spend her money on a trip to Japan?

[heraion]

DD really fancies a trip to Japan. She’s a uni student. she has a few grand saved in her bank, would I be an irresponsible parent in telling her she’s only young once, and to blow the money going to see the world?

Japan is awesome, but not cheap.
I'd go, if she isnt going to need it next year (I did a year in industry as my 3rd year, and went to Poland & Czech Republic before it became stag do central . It was fab)

I did something similar when I was 19. Never regretted it for a moment.

Def not unreasonable. Japan is amazing, and doesn't have to be horrifically expensive.

I wish I'd gone back, she should def go

Japan is cheaper than you think. I stayed in Air BNBs for £50 a night (tiny bedsit style apartment, not someone’s sofa) and food is cheap. A bowl of ramen is £6-9, sushi about £1 a plate.

There’s also tourist train passes that are good value. I spent 2 weeks there as a solo traveller about 4 years ago and I reckon I spent less than 2 weeks in Europe, including flights. Flights were around £600 return with emirates, that was booked about 2 months in advance.

Oh I forgot about 7-11s! They’re everywhere and have really cheap but decent food - she could eat for a few £ a day.

Tourist attractions aren’t expensive either. Shrines are free and museums pretty cheap. The most expensive ticket I paid was to go up Tokyo Sky Tree that was around £25 - cheaper than the Eiffel Tower.

DD has sorted just under a month’s worth of accommodation for two people through Air Bnb for about £500. She’d agree with the recommendation for train passes.

Go and enjoy it, and don't be worried about (safely) roughing it - the perfect time of life to do so!

She should go.
Japan is unlike anywhere else in the world. I’ve only been twice and I’m itching to go back. We will take dcs next year.
If you get an air bnb and do a bit of home cooking it isn’t necessarily any more money thank being in a city like London or Paris. Travelling about is cheap as long as you get a Suica card. They have lots of 7eleven’s and Lawsons that sell great cheap meals. The people are amongst some of the kindest you will ever meet. It’s a very safe place to travel alone. It’s beautiful, especially in the spring. If you go during a holiday like Halloween it’s absolutely mental.
Couldn’t recommend it enough!

100% go! What a lovely experience.

I spent my savings going to Canada. It was brilliant.

Definitely tell her to go. Broaden her horizons and see the world.
I really wish I had.

Yes, she should. She’ll love it. I did!

I’m a bit older but went last year and loved it. I also didn’t find it astronomical- but I went on an organised tour by the dragon trip (which I highly recommend). I am very well travelled but was really intimidated when I first arrived As it was so unlike anywhere I’d ever been but I soon relaxed into it and I’d say it’s one of the most memorable places I’ve ever been

Go now! It’s getting westernised with the approach of the Olympics in 2020...

My son went with uni he said it was an incredible country now I want to go.

another yes. experience of a lifetime. There is also a kind of work-away scheme where you teach English in schools if she wanted to do that.