Japan FAQ
Q. Is it safe to visit Japan?
A. Of course! (continue reading...)
A. Officials say (continue reading...)
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Q. Is Japan expensive?
I hear this all the time from those who have NEVER been to Japan.
Last year Tokyo and Osaka were declared the most expensive cities in the world, but it was mainly because of the exchange rate!
(For goodness sake, Japan has been experiencing deflation for 20 years!)
The Japanese Yen has appreciated big time, especially against the US dollar in the last few years, hence things look more expensive in USD.
(Actually, it was the USD weakening rather than JPY strengthening.)
And those who say Japan is expensive always bring up the price of that stupid melon.
That PERFECTLY ROUND muskmelon is not something people eat at home.
(In fact, I've NEVER had that in my friggin' ancient life.)
People buy it as a special gift when they visit family members and/or friends at hospitals, etc.
I've always found Europe more expensive. Especially in Scandinavia, if you eat out, it's almost like punishment (in some countries, VAT is 25% at restaurants!). For foodies (kuidaore) like me, it's pretty painful.
You can eat pretty cheap in Japan if you avoid tourist traps and fancy hotels.
In Osaka, you can easily find a lunch combo (teishoku) for 500 yen! (US$6)
(I've seen 380 yen = US$3.)
If you get a bento at a convenience store, it'll be even less!!
If you want cheap coffee, don't go to Starbucks. Go to Doutor (200 yen).
Even in Tokyo, there are PLENTY of business hotels that cost you less than US$100/night.
(If you're really cheap, you can go down to $30/night; not the kind of place where I'd stay.)
Also, once you go outside of Tokyo, which many non-Tokyoites find expensive, prices are pretty reasonable.
For example, housing prices in Osaka are half those in Tokyo.
BTW, you don't need to tip in Japan and the consumption (sales) tax is only 5% (at least for now).
In the US, the sales tax and tip add almost 30% to your restaurant bill!
These budget tourists share their experiences about traveling Japan.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=195213657162191
http://shupla-en.w-jp.net/HowToTravelInJapan.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_Japan_so_expensive
Having said all that, the USD has tanked against yen and many other currencies, so it will be very expensive for Americans to travel to Japan and elsewhere right now.
I hear this all the time from those who have NEVER been to Japan.
Last year Tokyo and Osaka were declared the most expensive cities in the world, but it was mainly because of the exchange rate!
(For goodness sake, Japan has been experiencing deflation for 20 years!)
The Japanese Yen has appreciated big time, especially against the US dollar in the last few years, hence things look more expensive in USD.
(Actually, it was the USD weakening rather than JPY strengthening.)
And those who say Japan is expensive always bring up the price of that stupid melon.
That PERFECTLY ROUND muskmelon is not something people eat at home.
(In fact, I've NEVER had that in my friggin' ancient life.)
People buy it as a special gift when they visit family members and/or friends at hospitals, etc.
I've always found Europe more expensive. Especially in Scandinavia, if you eat out, it's almost like punishment (in some countries, VAT is 25% at restaurants!). For foodies (kuidaore) like me, it's pretty painful.
You can eat pretty cheap in Japan if you avoid tourist traps and fancy hotels.
In Osaka, you can easily find a lunch combo (teishoku) for 500 yen! (US$6)
(I've seen 380 yen = US$3.)
If you get a bento at a convenience store, it'll be even less!!
If you want cheap coffee, don't go to Starbucks. Go to Doutor (200 yen).
Even in Tokyo, there are PLENTY of business hotels that cost you less than US$100/night.
(If you're really cheap, you can go down to $30/night; not the kind of place where I'd stay.)
Also, once you go outside of Tokyo, which many non-Tokyoites find expensive, prices are pretty reasonable.
For example, housing prices in Osaka are half those in Tokyo.
BTW, you don't need to tip in Japan and the consumption (sales) tax is only 5% (at least for now).
In the US, the sales tax and tip add almost 30% to your restaurant bill!
These budget tourists share their experiences about traveling Japan.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=195213657162191
http://shupla-en.w-jp.net/HowToTravelInJapan.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_is_Japan_so_expensive
Having said all that, the USD has tanked against yen and many other currencies, so it will be very expensive for Americans to travel to Japan and elsewhere right now.