I'm Going To Japan

krim wrote:

Fujiko (Castle of Cagliostro, Lupin series/movies.. )cosplay

....cool.
another cosplayer is Jan Kurotaki... :bonk:

krim wrote:

Fujiko (Castle of Cagliostro, Lupin series/movies.. )cosplay

here's a NOT fujiko pic.

[image]

:rofl:

had to read that a few times... :nut:

krim wrote::rofl:

had to read that a few times... :nut:

don't know who that is but that girl's face...dayem son....she's fine! dime piece, fo' sho.

fine piece of mochi you found there.. :drooling: :mrgreen:

krim wrote:fine piece of mochi you found there.. :drooling: :mrgreen:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

<speechless> :shakehead:

props for the laughs.

tabana wrote:... or at least you could buy some chocolate. They make great chocolate in belgium. :drooling:

Toblarone....forgot the name of it, isn't that one type they sell all over, but from belgium or sweden? :bonk:

from the http://www.tokyonyc.com website:

The 'Expensive Tokyo' Myth


Tokyo is consistently ranked as the most expensive city on the planet, but over the years I've disputed this based on personal experience. In fact you can do Tokyo on the cheap if you do your research and learn a bit of the language. It "feels" like Tokyo is roughly on par with New York City, and cheaper than London (bringing a dollar to London is a traumatic experience). Now, finally, I found an article that backs my gut. Reuters reports,

"...analysts and travellers say Tokyo is not really as expensive as its image, especially after seven years of falling prices and an influx of cheap imports from China. 'London is outrageously expensive, definitely more than Tokyo,' said Shinichi Takasaka, a forex manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp. who recently moved from Britain."

Then comes the moment where the article really hits on the truth I've learned for myself...

"International price surveys such as one by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, which rates Tokyo and Osaka as the first and second most expensive cities in the world, are carried out with expatriates in mind... Analysts say if expatriates are willing to adjust to local standards, such as living in smaller apartments and taking public transport, they can live substantially more cheaply than such surveys suggest."

That's the key, treating Tokyo like a local resident. Get smart about the trains, know where the 99yen shops are, find Uniqlo (Japan's version of The Gap), learn to love Yoshinoya (only if you are broke that is). And even the most important thing in life, housing, is cheaper than both London and New York in Tokyo, if you are willing to do the work.

Tu_triky wrote:from the http://www.tokyonyc.com website:

The 'Expensive Tokyo' Myth


Tokyo is consistently ranked as the most expensive city on the planet, but over the years I've disputed this based on personal experience. In fact you can do Tokyo on the cheap if you do your research and learn a bit of the language. It "feels" like Tokyo is roughly on par with New York City, and cheaper than London (bringing a dollar to London is a traumatic experience). Now, finally, I found an article that backs my gut. Reuters reports,

"...analysts and travellers say Tokyo is not really as expensive as its image, especially after seven years of falling prices and an influx of cheap imports from China. 'London is outrageously expensive, definitely more than Tokyo,' said Shinichi Takasaka, a forex manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp. who recently moved from Britain."

Then comes the moment where the article really hits on the truth I've learned for myself...

"International price surveys such as one by Mercer Human Resource Consulting, which rates Tokyo and Osaka as the first and second most expensive cities in the world, are carried out with expatriates in mind... Analysts say if expatriates are willing to adjust to local standards, such as living in smaller apartments and taking public transport, they can live substantially more cheaply than such surveys suggest."

That's the key, treating Tokyo like a local resident. Get smart about the trains, know where the 99yen shops are, find Uniqlo (Japan's version of The Gap), learn to love Yoshinoya (only if you are broke that is). And even the most important thing in life, housing, is cheaper than both London and New York in Tokyo, if you are willing to do the work.

yeah, as a tourist living it up, of course it could be very expensive like any big huge metropolis. From personal experience, it can be affordable too, and Yoshinoya, their beef bowls for under 500 yen, are very very good. :bonk: :thumbsup:

qilver wrote:

Toblarone....forgot the name of it, isn't that one type they sell all over, but from belgium or sweden? :bonk:

belgium has other amazing chocolates but yeah toblerone is actually swiss not belgian.

Tu_triky wrote:

belgium has other amazing chocolates but yeah toblerone is actually swiss not belgian.

i see, i see....thanks.

qilver wrote:

yeah, as a tourist living it up, of course it could be very expensive like any big huge metropolis. From personal experience, it can be affordable too, and Yoshinoya, their beef bowls for under 500 yen, are very very good. :bonk: :thumbsup:

well then you can attest to the veracity of advice given in the article...i, too, experienced some great things without having to sell my kidneys to be able to afford it....

qilver wrote:Toblarone....forgot the name of it, isn't that one type they sell all over, but from belgium or sweden? :bonk:

Sorry. I don't know any brands. :ashamed:

Tu_triky wrote:... The 'Expensive Tokyo' Myth ...

Interesting... :thumbsup:
I've heard Shanghai is begining to be expensive too. The condos anyway. Like someone said before, Tokyo is cheap, if you eat onigiri and sleep on a bench. :mrgreen:

tabana wrote:
Interesting... :thumbsup:
I've heard Shanghai is begining to be expensive too. The condos anyway. Like someone said before, Tokyo is cheap, if you eat onigiri and sleep on a bench. :mrgreen:

yeah qilver said that...hella funny!

check out the rooms in the brand new Mandarin Hotel in Tokyo....not cheap.
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/hotel/558000012.asp

tabana wrote:
Interesting... :thumbsup:
I've heard Shanghai is begining to be expensive too. The condos anyway. Like someone said before, Tokyo is cheap, if you eat onigiri and sleep on a bench. :mrgreen:

better make it two onigiri's and UC coffee, that will keep you running for a day....on the bench..lol :bonk: :hehe:

Tokyo $$$$

I can see your point Tu-tricky and qilver but you can argue that point for any city. Although you can do Tokyo cheap you can do any city cheap if you lower your expectations and shop around. In the U.S. for example which has several cities frequently listed among the most expensive (New York, LA, San Francisco...) you can find places were you can get a giant burrito for $2.95 heck you can go to 7-11 and a hot dog for $1.00 or top ramen from the store for 12 for $1.00 or you can go out and spend $50.00 on an imported Kobe Beef hamburger. On average you are going to spend more in Tokyo is all those reports say. I don't think it is a myth that Tokyo is expensive.

Most surveys that talk about the worlds most expensive cities by comparing average cost of living (income vs expenses rent, food, utilities, education, transportation etc.) not how cheap you can find the lowest possible price.

MonsterZero-65 wrote:Tokyo $$$$

I can see your point Tu-tricky and qilver but you can argue that point for any city. Although you can do Tokyo cheap you can do any city cheap if you lower your expectations and shop around. In the U.S. for example which has several cities frequently listed among the most expensive (New York, LA, San Francisco...) you can find places were you can get a giant burrito for $2.95 heck you can go to 7-11 and a hot dog for $1.00 or top ramen from the store for 12 for $1.00 or you can go out and spend $50.00 on an imported Kobe Beef hamburger. On average you are going to spend more in Tokyo is all those reports say. I don't think it is a myth that Tokyo is expensive.

Most surveys that talk about the worlds most expensive cities by comparing average cost of living (income vs expenses rent, food, utilities, education, transportation etc.) not how cheap you can find the lowest possible price.

its relative....Tokyo is an expensive city, but so is New York, Paris, Hong Kong.....

what do you think Tu? what are you thoughts on this?

MonsterZero-65 wrote:Tokyo $$$$

I can see your point Tu-tricky and qilver but you can argue that point for any city. Although you can do Tokyo cheap you can do any city cheap if you lower your expectations and shop around. In the U.S. for example which has several cities frequently listed among the most expensive (New York, LA, San Francisco...) you can find places were you can get a giant burrito for $2.95 heck you can go to 7-11 and a hot dog for $1.00 or top ramen from the store for 12 for $1.00 or you can go out and spend $50.00 on an imported Kobe Beef hamburger. On average you are going to spend more in Tokyo is all those reports say. I don't think it is a myth that Tokyo is expensive.

Most surveys that talk about the worlds most expensive cities by comparing average cost of living (income vs expenses rent, food, utilities, education, transportation etc.) not how cheap you can find the lowest possible price.

i'm not disputing your assertions. i felt it was noteworthy to include the article to provide a different perspective on the world's most expensive city...although i enjoyed several things that weren't prohibitively expensive i also spent a large sum of money partaking in things that would most certainly have been cheaper elsewhere...

as you correctly point out...if you want to really delve into the experience you won't be looking for the cheap way out all the time when it comes to food lodging and transportation....

i'm glad you responded....because it gives others a more realistic well rounded critique of things, practically speaking...

:mrgreen:

Mandarin Hotel looks good. :thumbsup:

champagne in mini bar, Rainforest shower, alarm clock in the bathroom (in case you fall asleep throwing up or sitting on the toilet I presume) 45h LCD television...
It the kind of place I'd like to live. :smitten:

qilver wrote:

its relative....Tokyo is an expensive city, but so is New York, Paris, Hong Kong.....

what do you think Tu? what are you thoughts on this?

i think monster's rebuttal is fair and accurate. it depends where you are coming from and what you want out of your experience....you know, you've been there...you could be hella cheap and miss out on one or two notable experiences or you can save some money and treat yourself to a few lavish things one might not normally experience in everyday living.