This is the second part in an ongoing series about the recent trip that Fan to Pro's Bonnie Walling took to Japan.

Last time I wrote about Japan, I talked about whether a trip there would be a good thing for your career path. So maybe you've decided it's for you, but you're intimidated about the idea of going, because you think it's too costly. This is definitely not the case – Japan can be done on a progeek's budget.

When you look in travel books about Japanese travel, they will usually recommend that you stay in a ryoukan – a traditional Japanese inn – and eat in elegant sushi restaurants. Okay, this can give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience, all right – but it's also pricey as hell, which is why Japan has gotten a reputation as a super-expensive destination among some people.

For accommodations, you want to look into travelers' hotels and hostels. After all, chances are you're just going to be using your accommodations for sleeping, right? If you're going to be in Japan, chances are you'll be out and about all day and a good chunk of the night. Look into budget hotels and hostels.

Hostels aren't exactly the height of luxury – often, you will find yourself in a mixed dorm, and they almost always have shared bathroom and shower facilities - but you will have curtains around your bunk that you can close to give yourself privacy. The bunks are usually comfortable, too (the ones in the Hana Hostel I stayed in used futons). Overall, the experience is pretty much the same as living in a college dorm – something most progeeks are familiar with. Best of all, it's an extremely affordable option.

Budget hotels offer small private rooms – or, if you're traveling with a crew of friends, group rooms are often available. The accommodations are basic and comfortable – the Sakura House I stayed in even offered in-room TV. (No, I didn't see any anime being broadcast). They're a bit more expensive than the hostels, but they're the best option for those who don't want to go the shared dorm, shared bathroom route.

So you have your place to stay – what about food? Well, you can bypass those fancy sushi joints and eat at the streetside noodle and donburi stands that are basically Japanese fast food – but serve food that, in North America, would be considered staples of a sit-down Japanese restaurant. You can get a filling, satisfying meal for about the same price as a KFC dinner at home, you'll be eating where the locals eat (which usually makes for a good culinary experience) and you'll even get to have the authentically Japanese experience of ordering by vending machine – yes, you don't give your order to a waiter, you put your money in a machine, push the appropriate button and get a ticket that you hand to the counterpeople.

I might add that Japanese convenience stores, or combini, also offer excellent light snacks and meals for not that much money. Onigiri are everywhere, and you can very well make a lunch out of them. You can also get more-than-decent noodle bowls and have the counterpeople heat them up for you (they don't have in-house eating facilities,though, be aware of that).

As for transportation, both Tokyo and Kyoto offer excellent subway systems that go just about everywhere and are as reasonably priced as their North American counterparts. To travel between the two cities, you can bypass the expensive high-speed rail system that is usually recommended by travel guides – overnight buses are available that can get you between the two cities while you sleep. (They're more comfortable than you might think, especially if you get the middle grade buses).

Now, some people may decide they want to avoid having to book their own accommodations and finding their own transportation by taking a package tour. A caveat about that – most package tours usually aren't designed with the interest of the otaku or progeek in mind. They definitely don't focus on pop culture, they concentrate on the general public's view of Japan. You'll see plenty of the old temples, and they're a must-see for sure – but you'll miss out on locales like Akhiabara and Harajuku, and won't have much free time to go to geek meccas like Otome Road.

There are, however, otaku-oriented package tours, themed around events like Winter Comicket. Watch Anime News Network for those – they're announced on a regular basis. If you prefer a preplanned itinerary, that's the route you want to go.

So if you think a visit to Japan is for you, don't let the "it's pricey" reputation hold you back. The Land of the Rising Sun is open to all, regardless of age, nation – or budget. – Bonnie Walling