The Ultimate Guide To Tokyo
Isari Juu Hachiban is one of those restaurants that hides in plain sight. Unless someone tells you to take note, you would walk right passed it. It's second-storey position and difficult-to-read name make it a less than obvious place to stumble …
What do you like most and least about Tokyo? Most: Hard to think of just one thing. I think Japan in general is one of the best places to live in the entire world. Least: God damn, but it's easy to get lost. Who are you and what are your Cheapo …
While it's great not needing to own a car in Tokyo (with all the incumbent expenses) there's no question that it can be fun or sometimes necessary (big shopping trips) to get behind the wheel. That's where car sharing services - like Times Car …
Japan has four seasons. You probably knew that already, but it really is a big deal - especially when it comes to the major beer producers pushing their products. Zythologically speaking, (yes it's a word) autumn brings about some of the more …
Napoli's is a chain of pizzerias that has expanded rapidly across Tokyo and beyond in the past couple of years. Although they all share a similar concept and similar names, there are two distinct types - the flagship Napoli's Pizza and Caffe …
It's not as if you need an excuse to drink beer on a Friday in August, but if you do, then International Beer Day is the fake movable holiday for you. Started in 2008, IBD is observed in more than 200 cities around the world - including Tokyo. …
If you're lucky enough to have a salaried job, you're probably oblivious to the amount being extracted from your pay packet for local government taxes. To freelancers and other contract workers (ie. most of the English teaching industry) the …
Download Podcast This week your favourite cheapos catch up with Brad Stephenson from 25 cafes. Get the low down on the choicest spots for smoke free coffee, afternoon tea and free wifi in Tokyo. And of course some banter on up coming events in …
The barman means business. There is a big, thirsty Friday night crowd in at Shinshu Osake Mura and making sure everyone gets a satisfying fill of quality alcohol is a serious task. The Japanese businessman at the counter in front of me seems …
Sometimes, when you're about to go into a meeting you might find yourself needing to print out a big pile of documents---or perhaps you're like me and you've decided not to have a home inkjet printer and get caught up in the ink cartridge scam …
Let's not be all fanboi, whether it's iOS, Android, Firefox OS or Windows Phone, phones are becoming more and more a commodity. There are a few apps that aren't available for the others but in general there are only a few things that separate …
Released by (at the time) Google owned Motorola, this phone was a milestone in the smart phone market - a medium spec phone for a reasonable price. The US list price was just $US179 for the 8GB model - putting the Moto-G right in the path of …
While there's a definite appreciation for wabisabi buildings and objects, misshapen or imperfect foodstuffs rarely make it on to the shelves. Luckily for cheapos, there are some common byproducts that you can get your hungry hands onto - for …
With the big back-lit sign board and the posters outside, there's no mistaking this place for a high class sushi restaurant. There's also no mistaking it for Genki Sushi or what you might call a "wholesale" sushi joint. The interior of the …
In case you haven't noticed, it's been rather cold as of late. Although it's not quite cold enough to freeze still water, this is the season in which ice skating rinks (and bone fractures?) proliferate. While many of the rinks are open air, the …
With almost 363 days of 2013 behind us, we present our most popular posts of 2013. Popular themes for 2013 were sushi, fashion and things to do. Not surprisingly, most were by the hand of our enormously talented staff writer Grace Buchele. Our …
The two elderly gents on duty at the Akasaka branch of Hako Soba are as workman-like as their clientele - mainly construction workers in their distinctive blue grey fatigues and comfortable shoes. The decor also is practical - standing …
Thanks to the Emperor turning one year older, we are blessed with a three day weekend. Running on all three days is a unique market in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture. The Hagoita Market features a form of art resembling a paddle-like racket for …
It isn't officially the 47 Ronin Festival, the name of the festival is actually Akougishisai which translates to something like 'loyal servant festival' - but it's at Sengakuji temple and really it's all about the 47 masterless samurai. Don't …
Big, traditional Japanese printing companies offer awesome quality printing at awesome (as in huge) prices. 30,000 yen for a set of business cards is not unusual. This is exactly why they are getting slaughtered by low-cost competitors. The …
From here on out, there are winter markets happening pretty much wherever there is space. Apparently, the Project Eat More Mushrooms people would like you to eat more mushrooms, especially on the first Saturday of each month, which they have …
With all these winter illuminations going on you have to do a bit more to get some attention - like blow things up. One such explosive event is the Odaiba Rainbow Fireworks. If all the fairy lights and the giant Gundam robot isn't enough for …
Although you might be forgiven for thinking we've skipped Autumn and gone straight to Christmas, there are various events around for enjoying the season known as 'kouyou' in Japanese - the season of changing leaves. Rikugien Gardens in the …
Choco Ball - or more correctly, 'Choko Boru' is what it says on the pack - a box of chocolate balls for a mere 70 to 74yen. Although there isn't a 'salty' flavour (South Park reference: check) there is a big variety of flavours including …