Japan survival guide -- trite scrooge version.

Most people I know perceive Japan as an expensive place to visit. They're also very curious about Japan. Let me briefly share my thoughts on something very practical: How to get the most for your Yen as a tourist here.

Assumptions:

You want to visit Japan.
You're open minded.
You a lite packer.
You want to Maximize Gen while Minimizing Yen.

Transportation:

Since it's an island, flying is most likey. But if you're in China/Korea, or planning to go there. One may take a 24 hr boat ride from Weihai in Shandong Province to Renchuan (don't know Korean name), which is a sister city of Seoul. Then somehow get to Busan (bus or train). From Busan, a 3 hr ~150 USD jet ferry will take you to Fukuoka in Kyushu. If you plan to go anywhere far outside Tokyo. The 1 week 28300 Yen JR (Japan Rail) Pass is highly recommended. With this pass you can then move you way about Japan on the Shinkansen (bullet train) network (as well as other JR trains, such as Narita Express), and make your way to Tokyo. Of course this would mean either you leave Japan the sameway, or faced with a 1-way air ticket issue. If you're just visiting Tokyo, use the Keisei Skyliner to get from Narita Airport to the city. This costs 1700 Yen as opposed to 3300 via bus or Narita Express.

If you plan to move about alot in the subway network, plan your day and buy a 750 Yen Tokyo metro 1-day pass. But if you're a first time visitor, then probably you won't need this as all the 'downtowns' are on the perimeter as defined by the famous Yamamote Line (light rail), which circles Tokyo frequently in both directions. Both Keisei Skyliner and Narita express end on he Yamamote Line.

Lodging:

Of course this depends on how many of you there are. If many, hotel is not a bad idea. I assume one to 2 here.

Crash at friends -- choice of choices for the lucky one.

Youth Hostel -- an easy one.

Likes of http://www.sakura-house.com , which is English friendly and vary in amneties. Ernest stayed in one of these trouble free, hassle free places during his internship in Tokyo on our trading desk.

LaQua Spa in Korakuen (on the Red Marunouchi Line). -- This is a semi-luxury bathing and onsen (hotspring, real ones) joint in the centre of Tokyo (where the roller coaster and Tokyo Dome is) designed mainly for salarymen. They have overnight facilities. If you're female then there're quieter rooms to sleepin, rather than the main room, where everybody sleeps. Once you're in you can't leaving unless for checkout, so go near bed time. Checkout is 9am. Basic prices is around 3000 Yen/person. I'm not going to explain in more detail, except to say it's worth trying.

Capsule Hotel -- Haha. Try it only if for the experience. Economically you're better of with the other recommendations.

Manga/Internet Cafe -- They vary, but many have flat/flattish surface to sleep on, and with shower. You can do your research (live by the day like me) for the next day here. Free drinks/comics/magazines/dvd/games. Ubiquitous. 24hrs. Price range from 1200-2500Yen overnight. They're many in Shinjuku, like everywhere else. They also charge by the hour.

Sleep some during the day in parks. (I'm not sure about nights). Saves money if you going to a Manga place at night.

Bring a sleeping bag or find some cardboard if you don't want to spend anything.

Storage

Use in conjuntion with your choice of lodging. There're lockers in (almost) every station. Small for 200-600 Yen depending on size. Add ONE to the number of times your stuff passes 2am, multiply by the quoted cost -- That's how much you pay.

Food

Just look around, include convenient stores and supermarkets, and find cheap stuff -- They're there. If you're really thrifty and have thick skin (somewhat like me), then you can fill yourself with free food at selected department stores, where the food section often puts out stuff for shoppers to try. There places are good, for example: (to be filled, please help me...)

Shower

the places in Lodging section, and public swimming pools. There's a public sports centre between Takadanobaba and Shin-Okubo stations on the Yamanote line, a short walk due south of Takadanobaba. That one costs 400 to swim. Some others are cheaper. I'll add more.

Laundry

In Manga/Internet, it's feasible to do it in the shower and hang in your enclosed quarter, but keep a low profile... And of course, coin laundary -- It helps to be able to read Japanese Katagana.

Cell phone

Expensive to rent. If you have a friend you can trouble, ask friendly friend to get a plan from AU/KDDI (this is what I did yesterday). If you're staying for less than a month, all-in cost for 120 mins of talk time within a month (receiving calls are always free in Japan), including signup cancellation everything, is around 10K Yen (100USD). Worth it if you need it.

Fun

Use a guidebook. I'll definitely write more on this subject.

..

The above work for Tokyo, and feasible for big cities like Osaka, Kobe, Nagoya, etc. No guarantees tho... Try it! Japanese people are very friendly, so worst case you end up in a Dont-speak-Japanese situation, in which case, find a hotel.

As a denouement: It helps tremdously if you have good travel equipment. Lite Hiking clothes that try quickly. Strong but lite backpacks. Strong but lite umbrellas etc... My favourite brand is www.golite.com

Ask away if you have questions!