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 …
Tokyo has a multitude of parks, but not all parks attract the same kind of visitors. For instance, Shinjuku Gyoen doesn't allow alcohol, so it's recommended for families, or garden/parks like Koishikawa Korakuen are more for those who want to …
Is Disneyland too kiddie for you? Does it not have enough thrill rides? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, perhaps Fuji-Q Highland at the base of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi Prefecture is the theme park to visit, since it has 2 of the …
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 …
You've got hours and hours to wait until your connecting flight, or worse, you have to stay overnight waiting for an early morning flight. What's there to do during your layover, aside from checking out the souvenirs and keeping yourself fed? …
No other country in the world has as many Kit Kat flavors as Japan does, having released over 200 flavors since 2000. One reason for the immense popularity of Kit Kats in Japan is that its Japanese pronunciation, kitto katto, sounds like kitto …
Warmer days are coming, which also means that hanami season will be upon us soon. Hanami being the must-do activity in early spring, you might want to check out our hanami guide and yozakura guide, the latter meaning cherry blossom-viewing at …
In need of some beautification and pampering? Here are some English-speaking salons where you can give your eyebrows and nails some tender, loving care: Eyebrow Threading A hair removal practice that's said to have originated in India, …
Quick! Name an amusement park in Japan. Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan (USJ) will probably come to mind. But what about we focus on a homegrown Japanese theme park for a change? It's time to get acquainted with Hanayashiki, …
Akihabara is largely known for two things: electronics and being an otaku haven, though nowadays, the electronics seem to have become overshadowed by the geeky stuff. The closest English translation for otaku would be geek, although otaku …
You don't have to go all the way to Wakayama Prefecture's Mt. Koya or Kumano Kodo to make a pilgrimage to a sacred site. Abundant in natural beauty and holiness (at least, according to Shinto tradition), the city of Isehara in Kanagawa …
Leave it to Japan to adapt and rework foreign dishes to give them a new identity. As it implies, soup curry is a hybrid of the two dishes that comprise its name; it's thin and watery for a curry, so it's more like a spicy, curry-based soup with …
If, like us, you're a fan of all things green tea, your time in Japan won't be complete without a glimpse into the ancient art of tea ceremony. Here is what you can expect, and where to enjoy it. A little while ago we attended a free tea …
Some travel guidebooks used to advise tourists to skip Ikebukuro, because what you can see there, you can also find elsewhere. I wonder if they're still saying the same things now, as Ikebukuro certainly also has its own charm. It combines the …
Although the Chinese are one of Japan's largest minority groups and there are Chinese restaurants aplenty, most Chinese food in Japan has been adjusted to suit local palates. These dishes are called chūka ryouri (which literally means "Chinese …
It's that time again! As 2014 draws to a close, we look back on the year's most popular Tokyo Cheapo posts. With almost 10 million people visiting Japan in 2014, an impressive 26% increase from last year, it's not surprising that most of our top …
Here's a tip for those who want a filling Japanese meal on the cheap: try visiting a university cafeteria. Most university grounds, and thus, their cafeterias, are open to the public (although when in doubt, it's best to ask). Forget the stigma …
