The Ultimate Guide To Tokyo
There’s an old saying that goes, ‘if the teapot doesn’t leak, the china isn’t chipped, and the wait staff aren’t bellowing about siu mai, then it’s not real yum cha.’ Well, the folks at Michelin star restaurant Chuugoku Hanten Fureika would […]
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 […]
Over 300 flavors of Kit Kat have been released in Japan since 200. Yes, you heard that right — over 300. Why? Well, part of the reason why Kit Kats are so popular in Japan is that its Japanese pronunciation, kitto […]
Looking for a place to recharge your phone? Lounge around in a comfy armchair surrounded by snoozing salarymen? Perhaps a place to plug in your laptop and browse Facebook while enjoying a beverage? If so, don’t go to Omotesando Koffee! […]
Few would argue that—together with geisha, Mt. Fuji and cherry trees—samurai (well, and ninja) are the longest-lasting export of Japan. These members of the warrior (and then administrator) class that ran the country for about 800 years (from the early […]
Why opt for a cheapo night of conbini beers and conversation when you can have a frenetic night of fun, music and dancing for the same price? Unbeknownst to most Tokyo Cheapos, there are a slew of great budget clubs— […]
On a recent trip to Tsukiji Market tagging along with Only in Japan, we had an opportunity to interview Hirobumi Morita. A pro buyer at the market and now a part of Tsukiji Sushi Workshop. Tokyo Cheapo: How long have […]
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 […]
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 […]
Stepping out among the well-heeled denizens of Omotesando is enough to make even the most well-kempt cheapo feel a little grubby. Luckily, there’s a well-placed sento just steps from the station—a pretty public bath where you can get spiffy for […]
You won’t see samurai with topknots, silk kimono and razor-sharp katana: for these you’d either need to travel back in time, visit a theme park or go to a koryu budo demonstration. But you’ll get to visit the Nippon Budokan […]
Hotel Okura is no more! The last chance to see it with your own eyes has gone, but do enjoy the photos we have archived in this article. The original idea was to keep it as cheap as possible (we […]
While on my way to grab a cheap meal at Muji Cafe on Koto Dori, my curiosity was piqued by this interesting new food outlet. ‘The 3rd Burger” does burgers as only a Japanese burger shop could—in a refined, stylish […]
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 […]
At the time we visited Tanto, there was no seating charge. However, it’s been brought to our attention that they now have a per person charge. If you’re worried about the cost, confirm the charge with the staff before entering. […]
The dog days of summer are upon us, and what better way to escape the heat than in a cool, dark, air-conditioned theater with a frosty drink in hand and some boom bang on the big screen? But movie ticket […]
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 […]
If you’re not familiar with Blue Bottle, it’s a high-falutin craft coffee joint in Tokyo that usually bears hours-long queues. No shade, but it’s not the only player in town brewing up some good coffee (with much shorter lines). But […]
How to see this famous Japanese art form for 2,000 yen or even less - without having to resort to amateur performances!
If you live anywhere long enough as a foreigner, you’re bound to feel homesick at some point, and doubly so for some hometown food. We interviewed Brice Petitjean, a French thirty-something, who felt just that way—though, what started out as […]
See our guide to Tokyo Halloween celebrations 2016. Gather round, cheapo ghoulies and ghosties; the haunting season has arrived! Rehearse your most blood-curdling screams, pick up your cape from the dry cleaner, unearth your robes from the mothballs—it’s time to […]
Meet Ema and Eri, two Harajuku models and tourism ambassadors for Harajuku’s Moshi Moshi Box information center. Read on to find out their top spots for bargain shopping while staying fashionable. Briefly describe your typical day. Eri: Two essentials! In the mornings I […]
We recently connected with Mark Jarnes of Asobi System and Moshi Moshi Nippon. His latest project was the Moshi Moshi Box—the first tourist information center in the heart of Harajuku. Apart from the friendly staff and the helpful info (such as inexpensive […]
As I made my way from Tokyo Teleport Station, the familiar sound of squealing tires echoing off the surrounding buildings instantly brought me back to the days when I participated in the motorsport called drifting. I will spare you the lecture […]