What if you could experience more of Japan while spending considerably less?
This book shows you how to plan an affordable, rewarding trip to Japan—and gives you the knowledge and confidence to explore independently, even if you've never been there before.
Start planning your 2026 or 2027 Japan adventure now!
(read more below)
MORE JAPAN FOR LESS
The How-to-Guide for Affordable, Independent Japan Travel
Updated for 2026-2027, this book helps travelers plan smarter, whether touring independently or with a group.
Travel to Japan continues to surge, but many visitors still struggle with key decisions before departure: What do I need to know to plan a trip? Is independent travel realistic? Is a group tour worth the cost? What should I expect upon arrival?
This newly updated 2026 edition answers those questions and more with practical, experience-based guidance for today’s traveler.
UPDATED OCTOBER 2026 -- In the past 30 years, author and editor, Morrie and Leslee Goldman have kept returning to Japan. Their travels and research led them to realize that Japan needed a different kind of book to guide first- or second-time visitors. Think of this book as a travel-savvy friend who already understands something of your comfort zone. You don’t have buckets of money to spend, but you’re not looking for bare-bones accommodations either.
With some advance prep, you can learn enough about Japan to plan a personalized trip, spend wisely, easily get around on your own and really understand the culture and the country.
Simply put, this is a guidance book, written for travelers interested in a trip that offers More Japan for Less! That means more enjoyment, more of a real Japan experience, without buying into an overpriced canned group tour. By learning about Japan in advance, and then having a willingness to embrace its culture, you can create your own personalized tour. And you’ll do it without overspending where it’s not needed, allowing you to splurge when it will have the biggest payoff.
In More Japan for Less, you’ll learn:
- How to plan your personalized itinerary, tailored to your interests, and how AI can help
- The best and worst times to travel--because of big crowds, this is more important than ever!
- How to travel in Japan like a local
- Packaged tour or independent travel?
- Simple ways to overcome the language gap
- Lodging insights, including how to save and where to splurge
- Eat better and lower your food costs!
- At the new higer price, is the Japan Rail Pass still valuable?.
- How to manage your health or dietary restrictions
- About local guides, both free and paid
- About upcoming major events
- How and where to enjoy hot spring bathing
- What to buy in Japan and where to buy it
- What to pack and what you may not bring into Japan
- Money management, and where to find English cash stations
- About travel apps, AI, and websites to keep you on course
- Insights into Japan, its people, and culture that even experienced travelers may not know
And much more! With vital information for first- or second-time visitors to Japan, it provides essential information, even before you buy an encyclopedic guide book.
Author/Editor
Morrie Goldman/
Leslee Goldman
Ever since they first met, Leslee and Morrie Goldman have shared a love of travel. And it didn’t take long for Leslee to embrace Morrie’s interest in Japan, Asian art, and related topics. Together, they have traveled extensively, including a number of trips to Japan and other Asian destinations.
By profession, Morrie is a business-to-business (B2B) marketing consultant and writer who has provided services to many Japanese companies and organizations. He is a past vice president and board member of the Japan America Society of Chicago and has written speeches for the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) on Japan-US business relations. Morrie has a travel-level proficiency in the Japanese language and has familiarity with Japanese business customs.
Leslee is an art therapist turned fitness trainer, and has lectured to educators about art therapy, including in Japan. A keen observer of design and cultural nuances, Leslee’s contribution to this book went far beyond basic editing.