| Japan, and especially it's capital city of | | | | of food. The overall cost can be reduced |
| Tokyo, have been notoriously famous | | | | substantially if you cook meals at home using |
| throughout the years as being among the | | | | traditional Japaneseitems such as seafood, |
| world's most expensive places to live. Those | | | | seasonal fruit and vegetables, soya bean |
| who have experienced a ten dollar | | | | products, and rice. One of the best times to |
| cup of coffee in the Ginza, or | | | | do your weekly shopping is shortly before |
| noticed the stylishly packaged | | | | closing times in the evening, when |
| melons for sale at airport tourist shops | | | | supermarketsoffer perishable products that |
| for 10,000 yen will attest to this fact. Yet | | | | have yet to be sold at big discounts. |
| the truth of the matter is you don't have to | | | | Inexpensive restaurants offering dishes |
| spend a fortune to enjoy a comfortable and | | | | such as ramen noodles, curry rice, |
| enjoyable life style in Japan. One of the | | | | grilled chicken yakitori, and |
| major considerations in regard to | | | | kaiten sushi, at prices ranging |
| avoiding the potentially high cost of | | | | between 500 to 1,000 yen are also |
| living is deciding where to reside. As rent | | | | numerous, and can be found around and inside |
| will consume as much as thirty percent | | | | major train stations. Many restaurants also |
| of your income, choosing a suitable area to | | | | provide set menus (teishoku) at lunch time |
| live becomes a number one priority | | | | for 1,000 yen, and box lunches known as bento |
| when trying to hold on to your yen. | | | | sold in convenience stores, kiosks, and |
| | | | department stores, are also an excellent |
| The first rule of thumb when looking for | | | | bargain. |
| affordable accommodation is to stay clear of | | | | |
| the central areas of the major cities, | | | | Other expenses incurred such as electricity, |
| where even small apartments can be very | | | | gas, and water are relatively expensive in |
| expensive. Housing costs however are | | | | Japan, but are basically on par with rates of |
| significantly lower in the suburbs or | | | | similar services provided in Europe |
| outlined areas, and despite the additional | | | | or the U.S. Telephone fees under NTT, |
| time spent riding trains if you need to enter | | | | Japan's number one telecommunications company |
| the city on a daily basis, you will still | | | | have been routinely high for decades, but |
| come out ahead financially in the long run. | | | | with the emergence of more sophisticated and |
| Commuting costs are usually compensated by | | | | economical mobile phone service now available |
| the money saved on rent, and most Japanese | | | | prices are beginning to come down. For |
| companies pay a portion if not all | | | | international calls, callback services and |
| of their employees travel expense | | | | free calls transmitted via computer through |
| by providing a monthly allotment. Train | | | | companies such as Skype are making the |
| passes purchased at a discounted set rate | | | | prospect of calling long distance a more |
| which feature unlimited travel between home | | | | affordable one. Japan's broadband Internet |
| and office are also available for commuters. | | | | service is also among the least expensive in |
| Those wishing to avoid riding trains | | | | the world, with service available from around |
| altogether also have the option of | | | | 2,500 yen a month. |
| driving to work, but the cost of parking and | | | | |
| maintenance in the form of insurance and | | | | Clothing in Japan can also be purchased quite |
| various taxes is expensive, not to mention | | | | inexpensively surprisingly enough. |
| coping with the crowded conditions of most | | | | Supermarket chains such as " Ito Yokado" or |
| Japanese roads and streets during peak hours. | | | | discount clothing stores like "Uniqlo" offer |
| One possible compromise is that of riding a | | | | quality clothing at very reasonable prices. |
| small 50-CC scooter, which are economical and | | | | Used clothing stores are also becoming in |
| mobile enough to negotiate the narrow lanes | | | | vogue, with shops such as "Thank You Mart" |
| that constitute most Japanese cities. Another | | | | offering a set price of 390 yen for all items |
| potential money saver in regard to finding | | | | sold. And if you're in need of a haircut |
| suitable lodging is to take advantage of the | | | | don't be discouraged by the high prices that |
| recent increase of real estate agents geared | | | | most Japanese hair dressers are currently |
| toward working with foreigners. Many of these | | | | charging. There are still many shops that |
| companies offer apartments that don't require | | | | offer haircuts for around 1,000 yen. New |
| the large output of cash in the form of | | | | arrivals who also wish to furnish their |
| deposits and agent commission fees that | | | | apartment with household items without |
| are often necessary when obtaining housing | | | | breaking the bank will want to check out the |
| through more conventional sources. | | | | "100 Yen Shops" that offer a huge selection |
| | | | of items, from kitchen goods to clothing, all |
| Possibly the second biggest expenditure in | | | | at the set price of 100 yen. |
| terms of day to day living in Japan is that | | | | |