Job Discussion Forums

[Nicolas]

Hello to my Japanese counterparts, I am currently teaching in China and will soon complete my contract after a year of teaching. My flight home (to the States) has a layover in Tokyo and I have received an extension so that I can visit the city for about 4 days.

How expesive is Tokyo? (I am travelling on a budget),
-the cost of food, accomodation, transportation, etc..
-about how much will I spend per day
Are there cheap youth hostels?
Any day trip ideas outside of the city?

I dont have a Lonely Planet and was hoping to get some info from you all.

Thanks in advance,
Nicolas

[Vince]

Your primary expense would be lodging. Accommodations range in price and ammenities from youth hostels to exorbidant hotels. Do a Web search for something like "Tokyo Youth Hostels." I'm not sure what the going rate is, but I'm sure they're reasonable.

You can eat inexpensively in Japan. Ramen shops, fast food, Yoshinoya, and many other places can hook you up with a tasty meal.

There are plenty of opportunities for day trips outside Tokyo, but you'd of course do well to plan in advance. You might want to pick up a Lonely Planet or other Tokyo travel guide at Narita IAP and get some ideas while taking the Narita Express into Tokyo.

Transportation isn't too bad as long as you stick to the trains and buses. You can get day passes that will let you ride as much as you'd like for the day. Check for info at a major train station (i.e. Tokyo or Shinjuku).

I can't estimate how much you'll spend, but you should be okay on Y10,000 per day if you keep your belt tight. Don't stretch your budget too thin, because it's easy to get lost and often not cheap to find your way back.

[pnksweater]

you don't need a lonely planet if you've got www.lonelyplanet.com
check out their North East Asia branch FAQ and their postcards section for some basic info.