The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss - Latest Comments in Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Sky Minor — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:26:20 -0000

How about 7-11's lower-key localized competitor, Lawson Station? Steaming Udon Noodle Bowles for 450 yen! How can you go wrong!

Next time you see a 7-11 look around for a Lawson Station. That's the local's fav.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Denise — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 02:56:06 -0000

Japan sounds amazing. My friend actually ordered a Japanese toilet for her home here in the States. I have yet to check it out... She also mentioned how the Japanese do everything beautifully, as in wrapping one donut or danish in the most beautiful paper and box; an art form in itself.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Lord Shafiq — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:59:51 -0000

Not bad, but...

I was really hoping for a little more than this. All these tips were fairly mundane and ordinary. This article should be called "Traveling on a budget in Japan", not "Hacking Japan". Next time give us some real hacks or "urawaza.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Firdaus — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:44:38 -0000

Hi Tim, Nice Post...I really love Japan and still learning the Japanese.Since, Japan is the central of fashion and design in Asia with its famous style "harajuku". "Harajuku" that's really cool I once implement this concept onto one of my client business card and the respond is wonderful.
Hopefully, I can fly there next year 2009..

Thanks for sharing this information Tim

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Christopher Jue — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:59:33 -0000

Great post Tim. I'd love to meet you one day. Having bought and read your book here in Japan, it changed my way of thinking and working. As a native Californian myself, I packed my bags at 22 and moved to Japan and been here ever since. I used to work at a Japanese IT company pounding my head on the desk and watching the clock waiting for something to happen, but now I am free from it and enjoying my passion which is now my job and enjoying life more. I'd like to tell all of you more details and my life story here, but it be too long to post. When you come to Japan again, I hope you would be in touch.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Cynthia — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:36:42 -0000

Thanks for the tips. I'll be making my second trip to Japan in November. I've already done a couple of the recommended things (especially Tsukiji -- which I hope to see again, because it's so incredible), and I did learn about the conbini (like 7-11). But it's always good to have more information -- and it has gotten me excited about my trip back. Time to dig out the language tapes.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Chris Fukui — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:39:46 -0000

I love how you point out 7-11 is not the same in Tokyo as it is here. I was in Tokyo a couple years ago and was blown away at how inexpensive it was to eat and I mean great food. I was equally surprised when I did venture into a 7-11 and picked up some fresh munchies.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Robert — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:01:03 -0000

Tim, have you ever met Evan from Tokyogetter? He runs a website and consultant service for living in Tokyo on the cheap, and I think you guys must be seperated at birth or something... he drug me to Kabikuchou, Akiba, and Harajuku over a few days and it was awesome. You two should have drinks!

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Jieshi — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:07:57 -0000

Hi Tim,

everyone has pretty much summed up what could be said about this post- you have successfully summarised the best information and thwarted all those rumours about Japan for the good of everyone- Japan too expensive?? hahaha Sydney, Australia must be the most expensive city in the universe if Tokyo holds number 1 spot in the world!

I also was an exchange student to Japan, I went in 2005 for a year and it really is a life changing experience. Much of what I do now is based around Japan and East Asia, I was really excited to see that you were also an exchange student to Japan as well- I'm hoping to do many things that you have done with languages and life also, everything you have written has been a major inspiration. Thanks for everything.

Jesse
Sydney, Australia

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Yumi — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:27:43 -0000

awwww- ?????
Downtown Vancouver has so many 7-11s and exchange students from Japan.
Too bad they don't have them here.
:)

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

mia — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:21:33 -0000

i love love love japan, been there once some years ago, they are really a special people.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

mitchell — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:23:51 -0000

i just came off a trip to japan. i preferred the kyoto/osaka area better than the tokyo area, and imo, its a much easier area to hack for a cheap mini vacation (and more aesthetically pleasing). if i *really* wanted to, i could've gotten by on less than $50/day and not sacrificed anything, but i was living well and with more comfort in the $100/day range.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Steve in Japan — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:01:03 -0000

I made the move to Japan 9 months ago and it's awesome! I spoke 0 Japanese when I first moved here and to get help when you need it most I recommend saying things slowly, clearly, and with a smile. People are pretty friendly.

Some people that talk about how expensive things are in Japan or other countries probably don't find many good deals in their home land either. Anybody can live right in the action at an affordable price, you just have to look around. Besides... what do you really need to visit short term, long term, or even move some place? Laptop, clothes, and some money for food, shelter, and entertainment. You could always do some networking or couch surfing to save yourself money and make friends along the way. No tipping, great customer service, and an excellent public transportation system are just some of the amazing things in Japan.

Here are some frugal tips when looking for some snacks or food. You can find a 500ml can of Coca Cola for 100 Yen at the Daily Yamazaki and a decent Teremasu at Family Mart for 105 yen. For an affordable lunch you could head to the nearest Hotto Motto and get a bento style lunch for 300-600 Yen. There's a nodi-ben which is 290 Yen and tasty, and there's also Karage (fried chicken) which runs about 350 yen with rice. Bento is a great idea for a picnic.

Kejia Zhu - You asked about staying in Japan for an affordable price. You might check out couchsurfing.com or search Google for Tokyo (or Japan) hostels. There are weekly apartments available but sometimes it's tough to find things like that in English. Also capsule hotels are more affordable than regular hotels. And another one day alternative is spending $10-15 for a small booth at an Internet Cafe overnight. These usually have a small shower available in the morning.

I look forward to Part 2!

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Adam K — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:51:47 -0000

Hi Tim,

This is a little off topic but I found an interesting article. It is 4HWW related in that it tells people to slow down and reinvest your time. It also tells of groups related to the "Slow down" movement.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIV...

I think it would be interesting if you started a "Where in the world is Tim Ferriss ?" like they do on the Today show and do video blogs.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Mikey -May I suggest checking — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:11:45 -0000

Tim, you've done it again, thanks for another great post. It's time to stop being envious of your travel experiences and time to start creatign some of my own with your great advice.

Another outstanding travel resource which I think 4HWW blog readers would love is Rick Steves' website. Someone mentioned Greece; Rick recently visited and you can read about that - and his recent tour into Iran in an effort to understand more about the *people* of this country - in his blog. Click on my "name" and go see the site when you can.

I have no affiliation with Rick Steves except as a very satisfied customer of his London and Ireland books. I suggest Rick's "through the back door", spend less and experience more perspective is a great compliment to Tim's perspective.

In fact Tim, might you consider connecting with Rick and posting a travel related discussion with him in the future? You could trade stories over who lived better in Berlin, for example. :-) I'd love to get Rick's perspective on the mini-retirement too. I think you'd really hit it off. Hope you'll consider it and thanks again for your blog and book!

Mikey

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

foj — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:23:58 -0000

meh to temples... Ghibli museum is the bomb, funny thing is you're more likely to miss out on tickets for it if you're Japanese than a foreigner, especially on the weekend.
Kamakiri - haha I call it sun r us (like toys r us)... if you look at the signs it makes sense ok!
Yokohamagaijin - I don't know where you come from but alcohol is like half price in Japan compared to my Australia. Granted if alcohol was any cheaper in Australia we'd all be brain dead by now ;)
$20 for all you can eat meat (???????isn't a bad deal.
Tips :

You don't need Japanese to get around, just some creative interpretation.
Living in Japan will teach you how living in a small space is possible.
Girls will jump on you from across the room if you speak English, it's not just being White.
Each city / town ahs their own signature dish. Its kinda fun getting an unlimited JR pass (apply overseas) and getting off every so often to try what they offer.
Kyoho grapes are the best tasting fruit in the world. bar nothing. just try them ok la.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Martin Bachler — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:22:06 -0000

Hi Tim!

I was just in Tokyo a few weeks ago during sakura (cherry blossom).

Some other interesting stuff to do:

- Have a cocktail at the New York Bar in the top floor of the Park Hyatt (This is the bar in Lost in Translation) - one of the best views in Tokyo. If you haven't seen Lost in Translation watch it before going to Tokyo or while you are there.

- Go to a sumo-tournament, or even better: go to a sumo-stable and watch a training session. Some stables even let you in for free if you ask nicely.

- On a sunday go to the Yoyogi koen - park and watch all the action there (crazy!)

- If you plan to travel by train in Japan get a "Japan rail pass" (before you go there!) - Saves you a lot of money!

Japan is an awesome place.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

David Morning — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:59:33 -0000

Good timing, I was just reading the part in your book on setting 6 and 12 month goals and one of then was visiting Japan, followed by researching it and being horrified at how much it seemed to cost to visit there. Definatly looking forward to the second part of this one.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Alfred Shek — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:48:06 -0000

Great article, I usually go once to Japan each year for holiday, from Tokyo to Hokkaido (the northern island is Japan).

Now most of the young people could speak English, although not so fluent, but if you ready want to ask for directions or where you are, my experience is those young ladies on the street could provide more help than those guys, they are more patient to point you the right direction.

Also talking about food, ramen and sushi locate in Shinjuku are also great

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Takuin Minamoto — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:39:26 -0000

@YokohamaGaijin

That is actually good info, and it is all very true, luckily, it doesn't effect me at all.

1. I don't drink often enough for it to make a difference.
2. I don't eat meat.
3. I'm married.

So, if any one else lives under the same criteria, you'll find paradise. Haha.

Noodle shops abound, if you know where to look...well, that isn't exactly true because where I live (close to Ikebukuro) throw a rock and you'll hit a noodle shop...or a Japanese person...so its best not to throw rocks. But you get the picture. You can practically find them without looking.

If anyone decides to visit Japan, and if you have a friendly guide, you can find food that will spoil your palette for anything else. If you don't have a friendly guide, get a map and go it alone. Try to stay out of the tourist places, if you really want to get into Japanese life.

After all, you are not really coming here in order to hang out with people from your own country, are you?

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

tadm — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:15:21 -0000

I lived for 3 years near Hiroshima teaching English and traveling all over the place for cheap on special rail passes that are available during school vacations -- google for "Seishun 18 Kippu". Slow, local trains only, but a fantastic way to really see the Japanese countryside if you have the time. There are of course other rail passes available to foreigners visiting that allow you to use the Shinkansen and other express trains, but remember to buy them before you arrive in Japan at your travel agent. Lastly, the site I always used for my train travel planning is the one done by Hyperdia: http://grace.hyperdia.com/c... (for the English version). I wandered everywhere from Sapporo, Hokkaido to Kagoshima, Kyushu with its assistance.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

YokohamaGaijin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:03:28 -0000

How could you possibly make a how-to guide of Tokyo and NOT include the required paragraph about a ramen shop?!? :D

Certainly Japan can be fairly inexpensive and on the flip side it can be ridiculously expensive. It depends on what you want and trust me that you can have anything you want, it only takes money.

Here are the things that you just cannot get away without paying more than you're used to which I refer to as the 3B's:
Beer = $6-10 per bottle
Beef = Not so cheap (even at an all you can eat Shabu-shabu)
B*tches = Gentlemen's clubs and/or Hostess clubs (if you can even get in, foreigners are often discriminated against and barred entry from these establishments) are fairly expensive ... uh... not that I would know ;D

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Gaijin Biker — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:00:57 -0000

Suika is Japanese for watermelon, and the SUICA card logo is a bunch of train tracks shaped to look like a Japanese watermelon.

Now you know. And knowing is half the battle.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

kimberlycun — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:36:02 -0000

wonderful article...rather ironic title though, in view of the latest incident in tokyo. i've been to tsukiji, missed all the exciting fish bidding of course, but i had the best chirashisushi of my life before leaving.

Re: Hacking Japan: Inside Tokyo for Less than New York

Jeff Nabers — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:25:49 -0000

Alas, contrary claims to the expensiveness of Tokyo!

My friend is currently TEFLing it in Osaka.

As a sushi addict, I've been fancying a trip to somewhere in Japan within 12 months. I can't wait for part 2.

:-D

Jeff