Visiting Japan

[ZephyrLeanne]

^ Actually, if you're talking about Hiroshima and Osaka, it's like comparing Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Osaka may seen more expensive on first sight, but if you do your homework, it CAN actually be more affordable (and usually is!) than Hiroshima.

This is because Osaka has its city area (Umeda, Shinsaibashi, the west edge essentially if looking at it from the Osaka Subway map, which is a lifesaver for your wallet, especially if you use the right value passes) and the suburbs towards the direction of Kyoto (North) and Nara (East).

There's a chance that your college facility would be nearer the east side of Osaka since that's where the Education Town of Nara prefecture is, bordering Osaka. Or it could be in Haruhiland, in Nishinomiya (Kwansei University).

These happen to be much more affordable districts than Hiroshima, really, seeing as the WHOLE CITY is a tourist attraction (the city is fully UNESCO protected), thus it's actually more towards the living cost of Tokyo. But the region immediately outside is almost rural, which is a problem.

The nearest large city is quite a distance away too (effectively, Kobe, or Okayama if you can put up with a smaller selection) so weekend shopping is also impossible. Just a thought.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by Irenicus

Osaka's most academically rigorous of the three, and I get to live with a host family. However, I'm worried that living costs in the metropolis would be a lot higher than in the more rural cities of Japan. :/

Hmm... my friend's younger brother studied at Osaka University (if I remember correctly) on a government scholarship several years ago. In fact, I bunked in at his apartment back in 2002, during my first visit to Japan. In my opinion, Osaka's people are warmer, friendlier than those in Tokyo, and the city has a buzz that's entirely it's own. Brasher and more genuine, is how I'd describe it.

(Incidentally, my friend's brother shared his apartment with a sweet, pretty girl from Fukuoka. They were still dating at the time, but are now married and happily settled in Singapore.)

If I have the opportunity, I'll ask him for advice about making the most out of living and studying in Osaka.

[ZephyrLeanne]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

Hmm... my friend's younger brother studied at Osaka University (if I remember correctly) on a government scholarship several years ago. In fact, I bunked in at his apartment back in 2002, during my first visit to Japan. In my opinion, Osaka's people are warmer, friendlier than those in Tokyo, and the city has a buzz that's entirely it's own. Brasher and more genuine, is how I'd describe it.

It's kinda like Manila, and that's the environment.

But remember, this is like comparing Singapore to the Philippines. Not very fair, is it!

I mean, Tokyo people, being the people of the capital, are the busiest in the world, and Osaka people just recovered from the Kobe earthquake in 1992. Their brashness is partially a defense mechanism and also a Kansai thing, as most people there are either brought to Japan by force in WWII or former buraukumin.

Thus, there's a saying in just about the rest of Japan that Kansai people aren't Japanese at all. It's like a different country altogether.

But gaijin tend to settle well there, so yeah. And I mean gaijin of all races and nations, not just the whites.

Better than in Hiroshima or Nagasaki at least.

[Irenicus]

Originally Posted by ShimatheKat

^ Actually, if you're talking about Hiroshima and Osaka, it's like comparing Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Osaka may seen more expensive on first sight, but if you do your homework, it CAN actually be more affordable (and usually is!) than Hiroshima.

...

There's a chance that your college facility would be nearer the east side of Osaka since that's where the Education Town of Nara prefecture is, bordering Osaka. Or it could be in Haruhiland, in Nishinomiya (Kwansei University).

It is actually the Kwansei Gakuin in Nishinomiya as you said. Although, what did you mean by Haruhiland?

I have actually decided on Osaka beforehand after some extra consulting (it fits more to my academic plans and less competitive), but your information did make me feel better about it. I had no idea Hiroshima is a UNESCO site/tourist city for one, and I did hold some hope that Osaka isn't Tokyo, cost-wise.

I'll of course have to do a lot of homework on how to make the most of it. With help from you guys hopefully.

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

Hmm... my friend's younger brother studied at Osaka University (if I remember correctly) on a government scholarship several years ago. In fact, I bunked in at his apartment back in 2002, during my first visit to Japan. In my opinion, Osaka's people are warmer, friendlier than those in Tokyo, and the city has a buzz that's entirely it's own. Brasher and more genuine, is how I'd describe it.

So it's a friendlier type of metropolis? That's good to hear.

If I have the opportunity, I'll ask him for advice about making the most out of living and studying in Osaka.

It would be wonderful, thank you.

Nice to hear about your friend's brother by the way, though I don't have any romantic delusions that I'll achieve the same thing, lol.

[Guardian Enzo]

Hello all. Some of you may remember my dispatches from my first Japan trip, last March. Many were kind enough to offer me advice which was invaluable to making it one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Now I return to your tender mercies again, seeking your guidance.

I'm planning another trip for this year - can't get it out of my blood, now. I'm thinking May, but it could slide over into late April or into early June. Two weeks if I can swing it, maybe a bit less. I have lots of plans to see what I couldn't the first time - a cat (real cats, not nekomimi) cafe, more of Kyoto, Nikko... The list is a long one and I know I won't get to see all of it.

But my main goal for this one is to partake of a really great matsuri. It's hard to describe exactly what I want, but if you're a member at this site you know what I mean. Teenagers and families in yukata scooping goldfish, fireworks, takoyaki... If I have a specialized interest it's taiko, as I play taiko myself and especially love it in a festival setting. I know Sanja Matsuri is in May, and reportedly quite the spectacle - but I don't know, a giant international festival attended by 2 million people in Tokyo doesn't feel like exactly what I want, even if it might have all the individual elements.

I'd like to tie this in with my second main goal for this trip, which is to experience small-town/village Japan. I saw amazing things in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kamakura - but none of it felt like village Japan to me. My only real requirements are that it be reachable by train, as I'll be moving about by JR pass. Maybe I can't find my perfect matsuri in my perfect small town, but even if I can't I'd be grateful for recommendations for both - I'll have time. The Aoba Matsuri (not the Kou, the Aoba ) in Sendai sounds interesting. Sendai is hardly a small town I know, but seems like a lovely place. Ideally, I'd rather not be in a situation where travel is an all-day affair, or a plane flight - like Hokkaido. For example Takayama Matsuri sounds incredible (hell, Takayama sounds incredible) but that's a lot of time en route. Four hours from Tokyo or less via train would be ideal, but not an absolute requirement.

So can anyone offer me some suggestions? Great little towns, great festivals - I'm open to almost anything. I travel light and cheap, try to go local as much as possible, avoid international hotels and restaurants like the plague and don't require the lap of luxury. I'm even happy to have to fake my way through survival Japanese, which I know I'll have to in the smaller places. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[ZephyrLeanne]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

/snip/

Since you'll be going in May, I'd say that's a great time to see old-town Japan, and this is where I recommend the prefecture of Fukui. Or Toyama. Fukui is best visited at the END of MAY, while Toyama is better done EARLY MAY.

For Toyama, together with Shirakawa in neighbouring Gifu Prefecture, the area is the staging ground for Higurashi.
Also, did I mention that Toyama City and Imizu City are the staging ground for Persona: Trinity Soul?

Fukui is a different place, it's quaint and VERY OLD... but it might what you want.

Spoiler for For Toyama:

Toyama is the land of snow, especially if you can't afford Hokkaido. With the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route, yyou can see snow (hopefully) in the middle of spring, so yeah.

Stay
http://www.nikkanren.or.jp/search/map2/local/F.html
Try this side. I've never been to Toyama for more than day trips, so I don't really know... and you might want to alsy try the Unazuki Onsen.

Festivals

Yatsuo Hikiyama Festival[Toyama, May 3]
This festival is famous for its display of beautifully carved floats. But I haven't seen it myself... BUT it IS the BIGGEST festival in Hokuriku.

DoTateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route [Opens April 17 - May 31 2010]
NOTE! Transportation along the Alpine Route is not covered by the JR Pass. A one way journey along the entire route costs roughly Y10,000.
Still, don't let that deter you. TheMurodo snow corridor with its volcanic activity is a highlight during spring.

Firefly Squid Sightseeing Tour
Kids just love this. You'll too. This firefly squid sightseeing tour provides you with a first-hand experience of fishing a shoal of several thousands of firefly squids. Tour service only offered in mid-April to early May.

Toyama Folk Craft Village-Gohyakurakan
It's a centralised museum for all of Toyama's cultural heritage. There are the folk craft museum, ceramic art museum, folk customs information center, medicine pedding information center, and others in this village.

Etchu Yatsuo Tourist Hall and Yatsuo Owara Museum
Missed the floats at the festival? They come here. You can then take the photos here.

Further afield in Gokayama, you can get a feel of Hinamizawa. (OOH.)

Do in Gokayama area

Home of wood carving "Souyuu-kan"
It's a wood carving workshop. There is also a wood perfumed bath and other facilities for relaxation and recreation.

Toga Soba no Sato
You can try making soba noodles yourself, visit the country's only soba information center, and try eating the noodles. (There IS one in Fukui, but it needs reservations one week in advance.)

UNESCO protected - Ainokura "Gassho" (thatched gable roof)-style House Community

"The village community of these "Gassho-zukuri" houses was recognized for its historic value by the World Heritage Committee and added to the World Heritage List in 1995. The seasonal lifestyle of the households in this community remains unchanged from old times, allowing visitors to time-travel into the past."

Getting in

From Narita (5 hr)
LTD.EXP NARITA EXPRESS >> Tokyo >> SHINKANSEN MAX TOKI >> Echigo-Yuzawa >> LTD.EXP HAKUTAKA

From Kansai (4 hr)
LTD.EXP HARUKA >> Shin-osaka/Kyoto >> LTD.EXP THUNDERBIRD

It's not a BIG difference, I know. You're better off starting from Narita, IMO, if you're going to Toyama.

Sites to visit
http://www.info-toyama.com/english/index.html Prefctural Tourism site.

Spoiler for For Fukui:

Fukui has a reputation of being "hopelessly provincial" to just about everyone else in Japan. This is because after the LDP decided to build the nuclear power strip that lines half the coast of fukui, the residents have since then generally Aavoided the LDP like the plague, and after that politicians were wary of building such huge projects in Fukui as they regard such projects as "vote-buying".

That's not a bad thing however, as it has allowed them to stay clean and fresh, in the sense that it's a change of the Japan that we see these days, like as though each city were all pre-fabricated, as if they were manufactured by some Japanese equivalent of IKEA.

It also boasts the second-longest longevity of residents, only losing to Okinawa. Must be the clean air there.

Stay
http://www.fuku-e.com/lang/english/a...ons/index.html
I'm not too sure what you're looking for, but this site might help, since the only time I went to Fukui, I went to this quaint place called Lapause Kawada which is kinda out of the way without a car... but there is a bus stop right outside, and the only route is to the JR station, Sabae-eki.

Festivals
Mikuni Festival (usually May 19 to 21, in Sakai City, Fukui )

It's bascially a samurai festival to remember the samurai and their glourious deeds. Expect to see a lot of floats. There is also a sakura dashi (literally, "cherry festival float"), which carries an imitation cherry tree. The idea is that the cherry tree is supposed to prevent fire.

Do

If you do end up staying at Lapause, you might want to skip all the food-making workshops below as there is such a facility in Lapause. It proudly proclaims "Our on-site training programs include making bread and butter, soba noodle-making, herb craftwork, pizza-making, barbecues, and so on. With a wealth of activities, you are sure to enjoy it all day long."

Echizen Pottery Festival (Ozowara, Echizen Town)

Echizen Pottery Festival is held for three days starting on the fourth Saturday of May at the Echizen Pottery Village. You can buy traditional handicraft (usually pottery, but there are others - after all, who intends to buy pottery from overseas!?) and possibly make your own if there is a booth for that.

Echizen Traditional Japanese Paper (Shinzaike, Echizen City)
There, there is this place called "Papyrus-Kan" (Shinzaike, Echizen City) where you can make your own paper. Admission is Y200, but the workshops start at Y500.
Echizen paper is something Japanese hold close to their hearts as it is something that represent Japanese culture, or at least that's what it's said. It's the paper used for Japanese calligraphy.

Wakasa Lacquerware (Fukutani, Obama city)

Another "make your own", this time it's chopsticks.


Getting around

JR PASS is useful for getting in, but as Fukui is served mainly by Limited Expresses and Local trains, you'll likely have to take the LE to a major stop, then backtrack to the smaller stop via local.

But since Fukui isn't served by any private railways, it's as good as it gets.
Use Hyperdia.

Getting there
I really suggest you avoid Narita and arrive at Kansai International, since the distance to Fukui is FAR SHORTER from Kansai than Narita, seeing as Fukui IS part of Kansai.

Spoiler for Routes:

Narita to Fukui (5 hr)
LTD.EXP NARITA EXPRESS >> to Tokyo >> SHINKANSEN HIKARI >> to Maibara >> LTD.EXP SHIRASAGI to Fukui
Kansai Int'l to Fukui (3 hr)
LTD.EXP HARUKA >> to Shin-Osaka >> LTD.EXP THUNDERBIRD to Fukui

If going to Sabae (where Lapause is)
Same as above. Just that you get off at Sabae station (one station before Fukui).

If you DO intend to visit Kyoto, I suggest you do it after going to Fukui as it's easier to catch a train to the airport from Kyoto, raher than Shin-osaka.

Also note that as Fukui is essentially TWO PREFECTURES merged into one, there might be signs in the prefecture pointing to the two old prefectures, Echizen and Wakasa. Echizen is towards the north, and Wakasa towards the south. The capital city of Echizen is Fukui and Wakasa's is Obama. (Nothing to do with the US President, other than this).

Sites to visit
http://www.fuku-e.com/lang/english/index.html (The prefectural tourism site)

Verdict: If you want to REALLY get away from the Japan we all know, Fukui would be good. But getting AROUND Fukui is a problem with JUST a JR Pass as Fukui has one of the worst rail connections in the country, and you might find yourself on a bus most of the time.

Toyama is better since JR is preparing the area for a Shinkansen extension, so it needs to be supported by proper rail connections. However, the prefectural capital Toyama IS A BIG CITY, BIGGER THAN SENDAI. So take your pick...

[Guardian Enzo]

Thanks, Shima. You were invaluable in helping me plan my first trip and I appreciate you stepping up again.

Fukui sounds very cool. Do you know if the Mikuni Festival runs in the evenings as well? Am I going to have a tough time finding fireworks outside of the summer festivals? Toyama sounds like a good option as well.

[ZephyrLeanne]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

Thanks, Shima. You were invaluable in helping me plan my first trip and I appreciate you stepping up again.

Fukui sounds very cool. Do you know if the Mikuni Festival runs in the evenings as well? Am I going to have a tough time finding fireworks outside of the summer festivals? Toyama sounds like a good option as well.

Evenings...? Depends on the organisers. They may or may not want it this year, since there were years which it ran on and on non-stop, and others where it was only held in daytime.

Fireworks... sorry, but actually, fireworks aren't within the budget range of places like Fukui. Maybe if you were in Kyoto, there would be fireworks, but as I said, politicans seem to steer away from fukui, thus fukui's budget is rather... small when it comes to events like these.

Toyama is easier on your schedule, trust me, since JR serves the area better. But Fukui is really different, so yeah.

[Guardian Enzo]

I'm not asking for much - I just want Tana from Zettai Shounen, and the cat dance matsuri that goes along with it! You can skip the collapsing mountainside part, though...

[WanderingKnight]

Sup, necroing this thread.

So, after working my ass off for about a year and a half (which is partly the cause of my absence from the forums, the other one being the fact that Eve Online is so goddamn addictive), I finally have enough money to begin considering passing my two weeks of vacation time in Japan. Of course, me living in an underdeveloped country with underdeveloped country price rates and an underdeveloped country's salary, I won't exactly be swimming in cash, but if my calculations are correct, airplane tickets cost aside, by April I'll have amassed about 2500 USD I can manage to blow off in Japanland without remorse or consequences to my future well-being. So, a few questions to those who have been there and on a budget like I plan on:

1) I plan on buying a 2-week long JR pass here in Argentina (I'm counting the money this will cost within the available 2500 USD). Will it allow me to see most of Japan? I don't really want to stay in Tokyo my whole time there.

2) How easy is it to find budget student inns for 30 USD a night or something in major cities without booking them in advance? How about smaller cities and countryside villages?

3) What about food? I heard something like 3 USD a meal if you're a real cheapstake (and believe me I am--screw those "traditional" tourist-filled restaurants, pot ramen's where it's at).

4) What are the nightlife costs? Can I enjoy getting drunk in Japan without compromising my wallet too much?

5) Is mid-April a good season? Will I see sakura blossoms?

6) Last but not least: I want to hear from someone who has traveled like I want to, on a really tight budget and not really looking forward to make a shopping spree out of a vacation.

If it sounds like I'm really concerned about money, it's because I am.

[Ansalem]

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

1) I plan on buying a 2-week long JR pass here in Argentina (I'm counting the money this will cost within the available 2500 USD). Will it allow me to see most of Japan? I don't really want to stay in Tokyo my whole time there.

Most of the trains in Japan are JR, so you can get to most places. JR passes include shinkansen use as well. Some out-of-the-way places may be on private lines, but you don't need to worry about being stuck in Tokyo.

2) How easy is it to find budget student inns for 30 USD a night or something in major cities? How about smaller cities and countryside villages?

There are hostels you can find for about $35 a night, though they may charge extra if you don't have a Japan Youth Hostel membership card. Maybe like $5 extra? If you're staying exclusively in hostels, you may want to get a card, they are 25 USD or something. Hostels often include two meals, but may have some restrictions to keep in mind, like being closed during the day, specific check-in times, or even curfews. (As early as 10pm, though in Japan the trains stop at midnight) As for hotels, you can find a fair number of cheaper ones for $50ish a night. Things in Tokyo are generally a bit more expensive than other cities.

3) What about food? I heard something like 3 USD a meal if you're a real cheapstake (and believe me I am--screw those "traditional" tourist-filled restaurants, pot ramen's where it's at).

There are fast food restaurants a plenty, Western (McDonalds) and Japanese (Yoshinoya, KareKichi) that can be quite cheap. Probably closer to 4 or 5 USD if you're getting a decent sized meal. You can also get food from convenience stores or hyaku-en stores, like sandwiches or instant ramen/yakisoba. Some normal Japanese restaurants can be fairly cheap, too, as low as maybe 7 USD for a meal.

4) What are the nightlife costs? Can I enjoy getting drunk in Japan without compromising my wallet too much?

Drinking out is pretty pricey.

[lixuelai]

2 week JR pass is more than enough to see most if not all of Japan. That is equivalent of about 20 day stay as you choose when to start using your JR pass. I would fly into Tokyo as that is where you will be most likely be spending most of your time. That way you do not use the JR pass while in Tokyo. Buy a subway pass instead.

Food is generally pretty cheap. I loved the $1.25 ramen but in general for decent food it is about $6-7 in a restaurant or cheaper in a chain. If you eat sushi etc kaiten sushi will probably add up to like $12-20 and beyond that for fancier places. Mostly depends on the place. I had to pay $40 to get a meal in Gion but it was all you can eat shabu-shabu lol.

[Autumn Demon]

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

1) I plan on buying a 2-week long JR pass here in Argentina (I'm counting the money this will cost within the available 2500 USD). Will it allow me to see most of Japan? I don't really want to stay in Tokyo my whole time there.

Yes.

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

2) How easy is it to find budget student inns for 30 USD a night or something in major cities without booking them in advance? How about smaller cities and countryside villages?

If you're backpacking all-night internet cafes are a cheap choice for around $10/night.

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

3) What about food? I heard something like 3 USD a meal if you're a real cheapstake (and believe me I am--screw those "traditional" tourist-filled restaurants, pot ramen's where it's at).

You'll have a hard time finding $3 ramen in Japan... Instant ramen is actually more expensive in Japan than America. But you can do other small meals for $3 at chain restaurants.

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

4) What are the nightlife costs? Can I enjoy getting drunk in Japan without compromising my wallet too much?

It's fairly expensive. Look for all-you-can-drink pubs.

$2,500 is definitely doable if you're staying in one spot, but if you're traveling it'll be tighter, especially with the bad exchange rate.

[lixuelai]

Or spend a night at the karaoke. Most of the time it is all you can drink

[WanderingKnight]

If you're backpacking all-night internet cafes are a cheap choice for around $10/night.

Holy shit, really? That sounds awfully cheap. I'm willing to cut corners as much as I can on the issue of accommodation since I'm not going to Japan to sleep in a comfy bed, and at my age I can manage to sleep wherever I want to. How common are those in places other than the big cities?

[Autumn Demon]

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

How common are those in places other than the big cities?

I didn't stay at any internet cafes when I went to Japan so I really don't know. I've read their all-night specials cater to the many working-poor Japanese, so they're probably concentrated around urban areas. A Japanese guy I knew said he stayed at internet cafes for his first year in Tokyo and the price was usually around 1000yen, but I saw some in the popular areas of Tokyo for 3000yen.

Internet cafes don't advertise to foreigners, so you may have a hard to finding locations online unless you know Japanese. But I actually had a hard time finding youth hostels outside of Tokyo too, so it may be easier finding internet cafes.

On my first night in Tokyo I left my luggage in a coin locker at the station for 600yen and slept outside on a bench. Unfortunately most benches in Tokyo have high armrests on them so you can't lie down on them comfortably. Not advisable, especially if you're there outside the summer months.

[Mystique]

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

Holy shit, really? That sounds awfully cheap. I'm willing to cut corners as much as I can on the issue of accommodation since I'm not going to Japan to sleep in a comfy bed, and at my age I can manage to sleep wherever I want to. How common are those in places other than the big cities?

As someone who forever travels on a shoestring budget, trust me, having a good nights sleep on a decent bed works wonders for your general mood and energy for the long days of walking and travelling about.
Hostels are your best bet, so do consider them.
But to add to that:

If you are really strapped for cash in a major city, go to an internet café. It will charge you a nominal fee for ‘all night internet’ and you can sleep in the web room on the comfortable padded chairs, or sofas. Just watch out for the cyber-nerds who may wake you at four in the morning.

As a girl, there are a few aspects of travelling cheap that I cannot do, purely outta safety, but you may have some fun with that and meet some of the otaku who live their lives in those cafes (they have no home and sleep there).

But most peeps here already mentioned what I could offer in terms of living/staying here cheaply. If you can rent a bicycle in Tokyo and central Yokohama, then you're sorted in terms of cheap ass travel. (Well in Yokohama, you can, dunno bout Tokyo yet)

Japan on a shoestring 1
Japan on a shoestring 2
Japan on a shoestring 3

Just random google searches, make sure to do your homework and plan where and what you wanna see (rough intenary) before you leave

Good points from the 3rd link:

You stash all your belongings in a locker and sleep in a plastic pod, which is stacked on top of two or three others, in a row of hundreds. Inside there is a bed, radio, a small shelf and a TV built into the ceiling. They are comfortable, but not for the claustrophobic.

Capsule Hotels :|
These forever remain to be one of the freakiest, most bizzare aspects of this countries' culture for me
Link 1
Link 2

[Jazzrat]

The best way to see the country is to do it cheaply

Originally Posted by WanderingKnight

3) What about food? I heard something like 3 USD a meal if you're a real cheapstake (and believe me I am--screw those "traditional" tourist-filled restaurants, pot ramen's where it's at).

You can get a meal for 500 yen average. With 400+ yen the cheapest i gotten with
a ramen shop. Try not to hang around too long in those as it usually has limited seats and a queue of people waiting for their meal and also, most menu on the vending machine are in japanese. Some might have pictures but the really cheap ones don't.

Generally, you queue up, put your money in the machine, select the meal you want, take a seat and hand ur meal ticket to the waiter at the counter. You ll get a glass of water/oolong tea with whatever you ordered. After you are done, you usually have to clear your own tray by putting them on the designated counter.


4) What are the nightlife costs? Can I enjoy getting drunk in Japan without compromising my wallet too much?
Izakaya is a good cheap way to get your alcohol. The cheap ones dont even have seats(expect lotsa middle aged salaryman tho) 300 for a glass of beer i think. Again, menus are in japanese only.

If it sounds like I'm really concerned about money, it's because I am.

[martino]

Originally Posted by Mystique

As someone who forever travels on a shoestring budget, trust me, having a good nights sleep on a decent bed works wonders for your general mood and energy for the long days of walking and travelling about.
Hostels are your best bet, so do consider them.

I would agree on hostels too, I slept in Osaka for 1500yen and in Tokyo for 2900, and as for the Tokyo one you could probably find cheaper ones. Even though the Osaka one was stinky cheap and in a bad and dirty part (apparently, but still very safe and clean for our western standards) it was still on a higher level than any other hostel that I've been to in Europe... apart from a nastily huge spider that was sharing a room with me... n_n (both were booked in advance though)

I travelled for three weeks, two weeks JR pass, slept only in Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo while doing day trips to interesting places, eating cheaply and spending as little as possible... if I remember correctly I spent around £2000 in total (flight and JR pass included).

[Veritas]

Originally Posted by Mystique

As a girl, there are a few aspects of travelling cheap that I cannot do, purely outta safety, but you may have some fun with that and meet some of the otaku who live their lives in those cafes (they have no home and sleep there).

But you're a foreigner. They're more afraid of you than you are of them. Gaijin SMASH!