Tips For Visiting Tokyo on a Budget
How To Find Value In Tokyo and Make Your Visit Affordable
Chances are you are reading this because you are planning a trip, or are already in the great city of Tokyo. The capital of the wonderful country of Japan and a beautiful city, Tokyo is located in the southeastern segment of Honshu, Japan’s main island. As one of the most populated metropolitan region in the world, it is often listed as one of the priciest capital cities in the world. It is the biggest metropolitan economy on the planet and was ranked by the Economist Intelligence Unit as having the highest cost of living on in the world for 14 consecutive years, concluding in 2006. So, if you are trying to spot good deal as a tourist, it can be quite a challenge in Tokyo. So, here are a few tips on how to find the value for money in the great city of Tokyo, formerly known as Edo.
Accommodation & Hotels
Unless you have found a great package deal, the question of where you should stay in Tokyo can be a difficult, and potentially expensive question! If you are on a tight budget, you are recommended to stay at a lodge or a guesthouse. Japanese guesthouses are usually traditional and customer-friendly and provide excellent value for money.
For affordable rates, you will get great features like free WIFI and big screen televisions with cable. Suitable for both short and long-term guests, you can get dormitory cabin beds for an affordable ¥3000 (less than $27) a night. Twin rooms are available from ¥5600 ($51).
Top hotels in Tokyo can be some of the most expensive in the world, but there are a few cheaper options that do provide comfort with less of a dent in the wallet. Most three and four-star hotels are available at around ¥11,000 to ¥12,000 ($100-$110) a night, with the cheapest coming in at less than ¥10,000 ($90) a night. You will be satisfied as these hotels have proven to be popular with the thousands of guests checking in every year.
If you are looking for a more luxurious experience without breaking the bank, you might want to try out a four-and-half star. They are going to be more expensive, the cheapest amongst them cost in excess of ¥15,000 ($135+) a night, and even more if you are looking for super-deluxe rooms with advanced features. If you are travelling on a budget a five-star can become quite a splurge, as the rates are high and will not be coming down any time soon.
Regardless of your choice of accommodation, an extremely welcoming and hospitable host(s) is something you will find throughout Tokyo.
Restaurants & Places To Dine
Japan boasts one of the richest and most unique cuisines you could possibly encounter. While Tokyo is the most expensive city in the whole country, there are a few restaurants that serve delicious meals at economical rates. Cheaper restaurants in Tokyo charge you less than the average street food stalls in North America. Most sushi chains offer a wide variety of up to 200 food items, comprising mainly of customary Japanese sushi and other side dishes.
Fresh and appetizing, meals start from ¥100, which is less than a dollar. You can get a full meal with sides for less than ¥500. With ¥1000, you will get the best selection of the legendary Japanese cuisine, a tremendous return for your money.
Besides sushi, chain restaurants serving seafood and skewers are scattered across the country. Some of these are slightly more expensive than sushi, but you can definitely pack up a delightful meal for less than ¥2000. These restaurants have an even broader choice of edibles, comprising of fish, cooked in the traditional Japanese fashion and gyoza, the Chinese approach to making dumplings. A few of these places let you add as much as you want after you pay for a dish (all you can eat, if you will), therefore giving back excellent value for money!
Places to visit
During your trip be sure to enjoy the tourist hotspots of Tokyo. However, the more prominent spots in and around Tokyo do come with a price tag. But still, there are plenty of beautiful settings that won’t cost a single yen. The ancient Imperial Palace, once the biggest citadel in the world, is an absolute must for most tourists. With lots of green spaces providing a tranquil atmosphere, you will surely find peace in the Buddhist temples and the lonely boulevards in the more rural parts of the city.
Tokyo has its fair share of free museums and contemporary art, including the Advertising Museum Tokyo, Tokyo Anime Center, and Taro Nasu Gallery. If you are a tech geek, you can marvel at the technology of the future in the stores of Toyota and Sony. There are many more free sites to visit like the traditional festivals, sumo practice, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, with a view of Mt. Fuji.
With so many options, planning a trip to Tokyo can be as hectic and mind-boggling as the city itself. Fear not, for Tokyo will definitely be worth your visit, you will find calm amongst the chaos, and maybe come home with some spare Yen in your pocket!
**********************************
About the Author: Chris Phipps is a freelance writer with a passion for travel and exploring the world and all the beautiful treasures it has to offer.
**********************************
Image Source: Pixabay
