Tokyo on the cheap

Jul 14, 2011 6:51:07 AM

Emily K Wolman
Lonely Planet Author

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Sounds oxymoronic, doesn’t it? Tokyo and budgets seemingly don’t mix. Rest assured, you don’t have to live on rice to experience the grandeur and excess of Japan’s singular capital. Here’s how to do Tokyo on the cheap.

Sleeping

Shop around online months ahead, as rates can fluctuate dramatically depending on demand, day of the week or season.
Budget sleeps tend to be noisier, smaller and further from train stations.
Check out Sanya, an old ‘hood north of Asakusa filled with tiny but cheap rooms. Good bets: Juyoh Hotel, Hotel New Azuma and Hotel Accela.
Another great cheap sleep in Chiyoda is the Sakura Hotel.
For other great budget options check out the Tokyo section of Lonely Planet’s Hotels & Hostels.

Eating

Kaiten-zushi (conveyer-belt sushi) restaurants serve pre-made sushi at reasonable prices.
Fill your belly with noodles at simple tachigui (stand-up) shops. Sakata is one of Tokyo’s most classic noodle spots, and the sanuki udon here is divine.
Fortify yourself with a drink and some small bites like yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) at street stalls and izakaya, the Japanese equivalent of a pub.
It’s all about bargain lunches! Devour sashimi at noon in places that might be beyond your budget come nightfall.
Rule of thumb: the longer the line out front, the better the food and lower the prices.
Kirin beer from a vending machine costs half as much as at a bar.

Sights, Shopping & Entertainment

Cinemas and bowling alleys can be expensive. Instead play the free console games at the Sony Building.
Seek out museums and cinemas that offer discounts for students, children and seniors.
The Imperial Palace East Garden (Higashi-Gyōen) is a great spot to escape the dazzle of Tokyo and it’s free.
For toiletries, snacks and knick-knacks, supermarkets and 100-yen shops trump inconveniently priced convenience stores.
Cruise the antique fairs and flea markets, often held on temple grounds. Some of the better ones: Azabu-jūban Antique Market, Nogi-jinja Flea Market and Roppongi Antique Fair.
While a full kabuki show can run you about US$150, you can catch a single-show matinee for less than US$20.

Transport

Walk or bike as much as you can.
Remember: the subway stops running between midnight and 1am. Don’t blow your hard-saved yen on a taxi fare, head home early (or stay out!).
City-hopping from Tokyo? Buy a Japan Railways (JR) Rail Pass before you leave home.

Other tips

Avoid peak or otherwise expensive travel times, like Dec-Jan (New Year), late Apr-early May (Golden Week) and mid-Aug.
Plan ahead.
Great sources for deals and bargains are locals rags like Tokyo Journal and Metropolis.

For more good advice grab a Tokyo City Guide, download some key chapters and save yourself some yen, or get the Lonely Planet Tokyo City Guide app to have it all in your pocket.

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Comments

17 July 2011 12:18AM kuri Report this comment
To save money and still eat out everyday, look for Matsuya, Sukiya or Yoshinoya for a bowl of rice and meat for under $5. You can also check out supermarkets to get "bento". It's a Japanese "lunch box" full of goodies and they will have a microwave near the checkout for you to heat it up. These are under $5 as well.
19 July 2011 10:05AM northkalcompton Report this comment
if you are staying more than a week, buy a bicycle on craig's list. usually can find something decent for $50 or even free. to rent is usually $30/day.
also go to supermarkets after 1800 and there will be all manner of sushi, tenpura, fried chicken, etc. discounted up to 50%.
capsule hotel is ok for a one night experience but not really practical for a longer stay and not really that much cheaper. SANYA is fine, but not terribly convenient. you should be able to get similar priced hotels around tsukiji for $50 / night.
if you want to go drinking, look for a NOMIHODAI (all you can drink) place, usually $10-20 for 2 hours.
26 July 2011 5:30AM untravel Report this comment
Great tips, sounds very expensive though, i guess the best thing to do would be to save up some money before that trip in order to live the full experience.
http://twitter.com/#!/Unanchor
10 August 2011 4:13AM lonelybunny Report this comment
Checkout these! You can find places based on your area.
[http://www.facebook.com/JapantravelUPDATEs] http://www.visitjapan.jp/eng/index.html
23 November 2011 2:07PM greengentlemon Report this comment
Honestly,it doesn't even need to be that expensive. Bento have a large variety of foods for often less than $3, enough food for a meal, and you can find cheap hostels/capsules for as little as 1200¥ per night. I personally recommend JGH, only 1200 approx, and less than 10 minutes from the train station with a direct line to central.