The Ultimate Guide To Tokyo
Nothing signals the start of the cold months like oden. As early as September, convenience stores start rolling out simmering oden pots, with various ingredients suspended in a broth made of soy sauce and dashi (fish or seaweed stock). While …
Free Japanese archery lessons on Sports Day. Read on for more details.
If you're a temporary visitor (i.e. staying for less than six months), not working in Japan, and not a Japanese citizen, you can be exempted from paying the 8% consumption tax when shopping at certain shops around the country. They usually have …
How far can take you beyond the borders of Tokyo? The Cheapo Weekend Escape Challenge is a series of posts about solo overnight trips from Tokyo that cost just one man-note, or less. You might have heard of Hakone Kowakien Yunessun (or just …
A guide to unique and tasty Japanese street food, desserts and drinks.
Ever wanted to try cosplaying, but didn’t know how to start? No worries, let Studio Crown help you out!
Last month, the big question for movie-goers in America (and many other countries as well) was: Team Cap or Team Stark? But this month, in Japan, avid horror fans have this question on their minds: Team Sadako or Team Kayako? Sadako vs Kayako, …
Over the years, Tokyo Marathon has acquired a reputation for having runners in wacky costumes. One runner even dressed up as Jesus - complete with a cross - for years in a row, leading amused spectators to anticipate his appearance each year. …
With winter giving way to spring, it’s time to welcome the new season with another roundup of events worth attending. This article doesn't cover cherry blossom viewing, as it's such serious business that there are several other articles to cover …
It's nearly two weeks into 2016. Did you welcome the New Year the Japanese way—hatsumode (a temple or shrine visit) and all? If it still hasn't sunk in that it's already 2016, perhaps you can kick the year off by going to some of these events, …
The major year-ender for geeks is Winter Comiket (short for "Comic Market"), a time when doujinshi (fan-made comics) collectors, cosplayers, and photographers gather at Odaiba's Tokyo Big Sight. Since admission to this event is free (you just …
Japanese cosmetics are reputed to be of good quality, such that tourists love to take them home from their shopping trips. You might think that they're expensive, but they're actually not! You don't have to go to high-end department stores or …
Although Tokyo's been having an unusually warm autumn, the chilly weather that Tokyoites had experienced for a few days will return soon, and then autumn will give way to winter. And just like that, 2015's coming to an end. Where did all that …
We got a press pass to this year's Tokyo Game Show, and, although we're no gaming site, we're sure that at least some of you cheapos will be attending this event—so here's a sneak peek so you know what to expect! 1. Significantly more booths and …
As summer gives way to fall, expect the weather to start getting slightly cooler in September. That also means that the festive summer spirit will also come to a halt (it's back to school for kids, anyway!). That doesn't mean that September and …
Karaoke might as well be considered one of Japan's national pastimes. It's the answer to a lot of things! Are you planning a get together with friends? Do you want to show off your singing prowess? Are you brokenhearted (nothing like a good …
Although hostels and Airbnb are popular options for travelers nowadays, we understand that some might still prefer to stay in a hotel. As cheapos, we may be better versed in finding accommodations that are relatively cheap to begin with, but we …
Like the event roundup for Japan Cheapo, deciding what events to feature was a hard one, what with the many events to be held in Tokyo. Despite the heat, summer is a great time to be in Tokyo, because there's no shortage of things to do. Here …
They say that you can find a Chinatown in virtually any country. The Chinese being the largest foreign minority in Japan, and China and Japan having a history that goes a long way back, it's unsurprising that there are a number of Chinatowns in …
People commonly look forward to fireflies, barbecue parties, picnics, fireworks, festivals and yukata in summer. But what people don't look forward to is an uninvited house guest: the cockroach. While Japan is generally a clean country, it also …
Is Disneyland too kiddie for you? Does it not have enough thrillng rides? If you answered "yes" to either of those questions, Fuji-Q Highland is the theme park to visit. It has 2 of the world's 10 fastest roller coasters, and the world's second …
We're not sure why gourmet popcorn became a bit of a trend in Tokyo in late 2013 until sometime in 2014. Replacing pancakes (also a baffling trend), which are now loved not just as a breakfast meal but also as a snack or dessert, gourmet popcorn …
With spring giving way to summer, expect hotter, more humid weather. Summer in Japan also usually begins with tsuyu, or the rainy season, so prepare for some wet (but still hot and humid) days in June. But neither hot weather nor rain can put a …
When you're in Tokyo and your gadgets break down, it can be difficult to get by when you don't know any Japanese. The necessary technical terms and explanations can already be incomprehensible in English, let alone in Japanese. Moreover, repair …