| 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 Japanese items such as seafood, |
| world's most expensive places to live. Those | | | | seasonal fruit and vegetables, soya bean |
| who have experienced a ten dollar cup of | | | | products, and rice. One of the best times to |
| coffee in the Ginza, or noticed the stylishly | | | | do your weekly shopping is shortly before |
| packaged melons for sale at airport tourist | | | | closing times in the evening, when |
| shops for 10,000 yen will attest to this | | | | supermarkets offer perishable products that |
| fact. Yet the truth of the matter is you | | | | have yet to be sold at big discounts. |
| don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy a | | | | Inexpensive restaurants offering dishes such |
| comfortable and enjoyable life style in | | | | as ramen noodles, curry rice, grilled chicken |
| Japan. One of the major considerations in | | | | yakitori, and kaiten sushi, at prices ranging |
| regard to avoiding the potentially high cost | | | | between 500 to 1,000 yen are also numerous, |
| of living is deciding where to reside. As | | | | and can be found around and inside major |
| rent will consume as much as thirty percent | | | | train stations. Many restaurants also provide |
| of your income, choosing a suitable area to | | | | set menus (teishoku) at lunch time for 1,000 |
| live becomes a number one priority when | | | | yen, and box lunches known as bento sold in |
| trying to hold on to your yen. | | | | convenience stores, kiosks, and department |
| | | | stores, are also an excellent bargain. |
| The first rule of thumb when looking for | | | | |
| affordable accommodation is to stay clear of | | | | Other expenses incurred such as electricity, |
| the central areas of the major cities, where | | | | gas, and water are relatively expensive in |
| even small apartments can be very expensive. | | | | Japan, but are basically on par with rates of |
| Housing costs however are significantly lower | | | | similar services provided in Europe or the |
| in the suburbs or outlined areas, and despite | | | | U.S. Telephone fees under NTT, Japan's number |
| the additional time spent riding trains if | | | | one telecommunications company have been |
| you need to enter the city on a daily basis, | | | | routinely high for decades, but with the |
| you will still come out ahead financially in | | | | emergence of more sophisticated and |
| the long run. Commuting costs are usually | | | | economical mobile phone service now available |
| compensated by the money saved on rent, and | | | | prices are beginning to come down. For |
| most Japanese companies pay a portion if not | | | | international calls, callback services and |
| all of their employees travel expense by | | | | free calls transmitted via computer through |
| providing a monthly allotment. Train passes | | | | companies such as Skype are making the |
| purchased at a discounted set rate which | | | | prospect of calling long distance a more |
| feature unlimited travel between home and | | | | affordable one. Japan's broadband Internet |
| 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 driving to | | | | 2,500 yen a month. |
| work, but the cost of parking and maintenance | | | | |
| in the form of insurance and various taxes is | | | | Clothing in Japan can also be purchased quite |
| expensive, not to mention coping with the | | | | inexpensively surprisingly enough. |
| crowded conditions of most Japanese roads and | | | | Supermarket chains such as " Ito Yokado" or |
| streets during peak hours. One possible | | | | discount clothing stores like "Uniqlo" offer |
| compromise is that of riding a small 50-CC | | | | quality clothing at very reasonable prices. |
| scooter, which are economical and mobile | | | | Used clothing stores are also becoming in |
| enough to negotiate the narrow lanes that | | | | vogue, with shops such as "Thank You Mart" |
| 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 are | | | | apartment with household items without |
| 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 | | | | |