Wise and Revolut give you mid-market rates with transparent ~0.5% fees. Roughly ¥6,000 saved on a $1,500 trip. Order before you fly and you'll skip the counter queues entirely.
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Contents
Spoke article for couples 60+. Japan combines world-class senior infrastructure + ryokan culture + senior discounts so you can travel comfortably without pushing yourself. Plan on ¥30,000-55,000/day for two people, ¥210,000-385,000 for one week. The keys: taxis over walking, mid-range ryokan over budget inns, two sights + an hour of onsen per day. First decide between a packaged tour (JTB etc.) or DIY.
TL;DR — senior couple
Daily budget (couple): ¥30,000-55,000 / one week ¥210,000-385,000
Lodging: mid-tier ryokan / upper business hotel ¥18,000-35,000/room
Food: meals-included ryokan + hotel breakfast buffet
Transit: heavy taxi use + Shinkansen Green Car + station elevators
Sightseeing: 2 sights per day + 1 hour of onsen
Senior discounts: JR Zipangu Club / 65+ museum prices
Hospitalization ¥50,000-100,000/day, surgery ¥500,000-2,000,000
Seniors carry higher accident & illness risk than younger travelers
Recommended insurance
AIG / Sompo Japan / MS&AD: 65+ plans
Over 70: credit-card coverage is not enough — use a dedicated plan
Pre-existing condition coverage is usually a separate add-on
Rule of thumb: ¥6,000-15,000 per person for a week (65+)
FAQ
Q: Can people in their 70s do a week-long trip?
A: Absolutely.2 sights + 1 hour onsen pace + heavy taxi use minimizes fatigue. Dropping in 2-3 days of guided half-day tours makes it even smoother.
Q: Can I do the sights with a cane or wheelchair?
A: The major sights in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka are accessible.Old Kyoto temples have many steps — a sightseeing taxi or wheelchair rental is the move there.
Q: How do I bring my medications?
A: English prescription mandatory for prescribed drugs.Narcotics and psychotropics are strictly regulated (confirm with customs). Bring a medication notebook + English certificate.
Q: What if the ryokan meal is too much food?
A: Request a "small-portion plan" at booking. Many ryokan offer an explicit "senior plan."
Q: I'm worried about the language barrier.
A: Google Translate is plenty.Major sights and big ryokan handle English. Hiring a Japanese guide through JTB for half a day at ¥30,000-50,000 is also an option.