[Kan]

it seems expensive fro mthe get-go. I was just wondering whether or not the flight to and from is the most expensive part of such a trip.[/quote]

I live in Japan. There are many cheap hotels. I sometimes use Manga Kitsa. They open 24 houses and there are comic and we can use Internet in private room. (I think it is need to be resisterd but it is no problem if you can use a little Japanese.) Manga kitsa is about 20 dollers.
However, it isn't comfortable. I stayed there but I wanted to stay at hotel.

I think cheap hotel costs about 50 doller per night.