Cheap Eats in Tokyo

by Neil Woodburn on

Although I’ve never been, I’ve often heard horror stories on how miserably expensive Tokyo can be. “Coffee’s like $14 a cup,” friends will tell me.

Sure, there is some exaggeration, but the fact of the matter is that Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities on this planet–especially for those of us traveling with US dollars.

Like all expensive cities, however, Tokyo also sports a handful of cheap stalwarts where frugal travelers can stretch the yen and enjoy the city without breaking the bank. Finding such inexpensive gems actually proved quite easy for writer Andrew Bender who went in search of 1,500 yen lunches ($13) and 3,000 yen dinners ($25).

The result of his quest, Stretching your Yen in Tokyo, details how Tokyo can indeed be yummy and affordable at the same time. Bender lists more than a dozen inexpensive places to eat throughout the city, most all of which he claims are, “downright delish.”

As an extra added benefit, Bender also includes some “cultural tidbits” which would be wise to follow when eating in Japan.

Word for the Travel Wise (01/11/07)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Coming up this March for all the anime lovers is the Tokyo International Anime Fair in March. To be more exact, the event will be open to the general public on March 24-25, 2007. The event is known as the world’s largest anime exhibition held every spring at Tokyo Big Sight.

Today’s word is a Japanese word used in Japan:

kokusai – international

Spoken Japanese comes smoothly for those who either practice or submit themselves to hours of Japanese pop music, but either way one can learn this language in through several avenues. Japanese Online is a VERY good FREE site to start learning. They have audio and a great conversation lessons. The lessons get more in-depth as you become a registered user which is still free of charge. Takese.com has a list of over 2000 words worth checking out. Those on the road already may want to pick up the LP Japanese phrasebook or check into a school for a few weeks of learning. Study Abroad has a list of school located all over the country. If you’re seeking help with written Japanese best of luck to you!

Past Japanese words: hajimemashite, dewa mata, tomodachi, omocha, uchiwa, nori, shigoto

Word for the Travel Wise (12/31/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

As promised I’m taking this one full year of language from across the globe and from the teeny tiny villages found in the Congo out with an explosive big bang! Okay, so you saw right through my attempt to hype it up, but really this is an exciting time. 2007 is only hours away for us and this completes a full year first year for the “Word for the Travel Wise” feature. I hope that the lessons have not only been helpful, but a little memorable. For the last time this year I just want to relay that while I do not have a degree as a linguist or speak fluently the mother tongue of several far more exotic places than my home digs in Florida, I appreciate the feedback and minor corrections that have been given and look forward to building a better world language feature in the new year.

Here is Happy New Year in various languages:

  • Yiddish – A git yor
  • Portuguese – Feliz ano novo
  • French – Bonne année
  • Italian – Buon anno
  • Persian – sal-e no mobarak
  • Japanese – Akemashite omedeto
  • Turkish – Mutlu yibasi
  • Catalan – Feliç any nou

Happy New Year everyone!

Photo of the Day (12/30/06)

by Adrienne Wilson on

Now that Christmas has come and past and with New Year’s only two days away it felt natural picking this shot of the ever-so-famous Mickey Mouse head. Why? I don’t know. Maybe someone out there put a trip to Disney World in Orlando or Tokyo on their 2007 vacation list. Sure it’s cluttered with tourists, but the mouse man has always been popular with the kiddies and the kid at heart. The fireworks show around the holidays is said to be an extra special site to see, so I’m told.

Anyhow, today’s POTD goes to vyxle. Taken on some type of Disney train in Tokyo, I wonder what puzzles the woman.

Poor Little Giant Squid

by Iva Skoch on

It turns out the giant squid is not a creature out of science fiction. The Japanese have captured it on film, Fox News reports. The creature was 24 feet long! Next time I am scuba diving off Ogasawara Islands (south of Tokyo), I’ll be on the lookout for the world’s largest invertebrates!

The sad part is that the squid actually died while being captured. Now, you can watch for it in your neighborhood sushi joint.