A little while ago I published a post with general questions about Japan. I came up with these as I had plans to go to Japan for a longer trip this summer. Unfortunately I won’t be able to go on that trip, reality strikes back you know. I might however go for a shorter trip (maybe two weeks) in June. Either way, the questions were thoroughly answered by a few of you readers (thank you!) and I want to share everything in a few posts as everyone don’t read the comments section.
First up is Jon Allen’s, author of I’m A Seoul Man in Tokyo.
1. If you had a budget of 520 000 yen, for how long would you stay in Japan? Keep in mind that I’m partially doing this because I want to work on my Japanese before the next semester starts, so time is valuable. But I also want to do fun stuff!
Budget, that should last you two months if you are careful.
2. Let’s say I’m staying for 2 months, would you recommend staying at a guest house, hostel, hotel or somewhere else? I do need my own room and it has to include an internet connection, but I’m willing to share everything else.
Accomodation is probably the largest cost. hostel is probably cheapest. You might be able to find house/flat share . look at the adverts in metropolis. ( http://classifieds.metropolis.co.jp/user/classified.php)
3. I’ve already gotten a few answers to this question, but I’ll ask it again. 3 meals plus some snacks or a sandwich in the evening is usually what I eat on a normal weekday. If I were to buy these meals in a convenience store to save some money, how much would I have to spend to make my tummy pleased?
Kombini food. tough question. I try and avoid them. But rice balls and sandwiches or noodles are between 200 & 400 yen.
4. While I do enjoy walking, taking the train is a must every now and then, let’s say 3-4 times a week (or actually 6-8 since I want to get home too), how much (approximately) would that cost me and is there a way to save some money doing it?
Train. Miniumum fare is usually 120 Yen, across town for example Shibuya to Tokyo = approx 190 Yen.
check out http://www.tokyo-subway.net/english/ Each trip can cost widely differing amounts depending on what connections you make. Changing from Subway to JR lines to Toei subway line will cost far more for the same distance on just JR lines. So check the map very carefully. sometimes another station 5 mins walk away will make the whole journey half the cost of starting from another station.
5. What does a concert ticket for a popular artist usually cost?
What sort of artist ? http://summersonic.com/ is on in August for 3 day. One day ticket is 13,000 Yen. concerts will start at around 4,000 to 5,000 a ticket ( I guess, not been to any yet)
6. About how much does it cost to send a 5kg box half way around the world (to Sweden)? I have a feeling that I won’t be able to take everything I buy with me on the plane back home.
Postage: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/english/index.html checkout Japan Post website. However it’s cheaper to use a shipping company from the airport for getting large boxes home. Check the airport webapage and there should be some companies there.
7. I’m on a date, where do we dine?
Where to dine, depends on the girl! A pizza at a decent little cafe + beer is approx 5,000 to 6,000 for 2. Noodles at the station place is 1200 drinking water for 2.
8. I want to do something I’ve never done before, where do I go?
Something different? I don’t know what you’ve done already 
9. I love coffee and good lounge music, where is the place with big sofas and pillows where you can chill out like never before? No shoes inside makes the place even more cozy.
Good coffee shops. plenty around. I don’t have any specific recommendations.
10. I want to bump into famous people and ask them if they know what time it is, where do I have the best chance to do so?
Famous people. No idea. probably Ginza ? or some of the posh hotels.
11. I want to be on Japanese TV, where do you often see them recording?
Japanese TV. the NHK studios are in Yoyogi. The Fuji TV studios are in Odaiba. You can visit for 500 Yen and watch from the visitors gallery
http://architecturerevived.blogspot.com/2009/01/fuji-television-headquarters-odaiba.html
12. Beautiful scenery of all kinds, where’s that special something I need to see?
Scenery, Mt Takano is close to Tokyo and easy to get to. Enoshima is very nice and the penisular.
13. I have to visit a nice onsen, do you have any recommendations?
Onsen. http://www.minakami-onsen.com/english/ is good.
14. The legal age of drinking in Japan is 20, but are there pubs and clubs that you have to be even older to enter? And how strict are they anyways when it comes to checking people’s age?
Age restrictions. cant say. It’s been many many years since I was carded.
15. I want to make a weird video, where do I buy or rent a monkey costume?
Costumes are available for rent.
16. Anything else I have to keep in mind while I’m there?
Anything else.. yeah. Have a great time!
For meeting up with people join http://www.meetup.com/ there are a number of Japan groups of all sorts who meet up. Also checkout japantimes.co.jp they have list of societies with regular meetings.
Thank you Jon Allen for answering my questions, and thanks for including links! Don’t forget to visit and subscribe to his blog! I’m A Seoul Man in Tokyo
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