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.
Third up is Momo
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!
2 months max, but i’m also a girl and love to shop
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.
i’ve heard hostels are good. i know some people who stayed in hostels for 1-2 months and were just fine. internet and such would have be relied on in cafes and hotels. whenever i go, i stay with my japanese family so i can’t really help you there =/
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?
conbini food ranges from good to gross… so i’d rely more on the little food places that have meals for 500yen. patisseries usually tide me over for the morning and or lunch since the breads they have can be rather filling and can cost only 150yen each.
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?
i’d look into getting a pass, esp if you’re staying 2+ months. it really depends where you live and how far you want to be able to go on a regular basis.
5. What does a concert ticket for a popular artist usually cost?
4500yen+ – tickets are done really oddly… you buy them and don’t get assigned a seat. it’s random. you find out when you get your ticket usually on the day of. my japanese mom once went to a DCT concert and found out she got front row. i went to see Do As Infinity for 5200yen and was maybe halfway up budoukan. not bad.
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.
nooo idea. probably quite expensive. and if they ask you if there’s a letter inside, say no. they charge you extra!
7. I’m on a date, where do we dine?
ramen! or a little specialty food place… like tempura bar… and there are cheap sushi bars
8. I want to do something I’ve never done before, where do I go?
depends on when you’re going. matsuri are SOOOO fun. parks are great. if you’re going in summer, it’s typhoon season so it’ll be humid and rainy a lot so bring a good umbrella. try to make it to one of those summer fireworks shows. i’d look into museums… ghibli museum in mitaka is cool but you have to plan a month ahead and buy tix at lawson (my favorite conbini!)
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.
there are coffee shops EVERYWHERE.
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?
haha…cute question, but famous ppl are rather secluded. i’d say roppongi, ginza, harajuku.
11. I want to be on Japanese TV, where do you often see them recording?
usually not in tokyo? or if in tokyo… then… in a studio. it’s just really rare to see them outside.
12. Beautiful scenery of all kinds, where’s that special something I need to see?
imperial palace, if you can make it to kamakura… or even fujisan
13. I have to visit a nice onsen, do you have any recommendations?
not in particular since they’re pretty much everywhere. some places can get pricey tho.
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?
they usually don’t check… but again, i’m a girl
15. I want to make a weird video, where do I buy or rent a monkey costume?
harajuku??
16. Anything else I have to keep in mind while I’m there?
exiting the correct exit at certain train stops can be confusing so grab one of the maps they have in one of the larger stations.
if you like tofu, my favorite restaurant is ume no hana (a chain) and it’s amazing. if you like azuki, make sure to eat the bread from kimuraya. i think a visit to tokyo disney should be done (but not disney sea…). best ramen is jangara. pizza in japan is very unique… mm.. i know lots about the food.
softbank (formerly vodafone) is the best option for a rent-a-phone. i think it costs 3500yen for the phone itself and depending on what plan you get usually 2500yen cheapest per month. i really recommend getting a phone.
if you plan to use ATMs, post offices usually have ATMs that won’t charge your card. if you use ATMs outside of the PO, then i’d be wary.
do you like baseball? i would try to make it to a game since it’s fun. and a sumo competition too!
Thank you Momo for answering my questions! And also don’t forget to pay a visit to Momo’s review blog.
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