The Ultimate Guide To Tokyo
January and February are the coldest, dreariest months in Tokyo after December finally wrests winter from the hands of fall and delivers it in time for the new year. Here are some events to take your mind off the cold […]
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a pastry chef in Japan? We chatted to Nao Maeda, one of Tokyo’s pioneering gluten-free patissiers, about life, dough and sweets. She shared a few cheapo tips for a gluten-free Tokyo too. How long […]
Strrrrrike! Though bowling and boring sound suspiciously similar when katakanized, it doesn’t have to be a drag! We recently went Tokyo bowling after a lengthy hiatus and it was pretty fun, even though our left butt cheeks were mysteriously sore […]
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 cuisine”), but if you’re […]
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 […]
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, threading is said […]
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— […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
See the best costumes of Tokyo Halloween 2016. Shibuya Hallowen 2014 – It was bonkers here last night, and that’s putting it lightly! At the start of the evening it was already pretty crowded with costumed merrymakers arriving from every […]
See the best costumes of Tokyo Halloween 2016. With Halloween Eve behind us and All Hallows’ Eve upon us, devilishly good times are in the air here in Tokyo. While other areas of the metropolis might have appeared routine and […]
After being in Japan for a couple years I realized there is such a thing as too much Tokyo. Shinjuku simply becomes too loud, Akihabara game centers all start to look alike, and Shibuya just becomes a mass of people and buildings. Sometimes you […]
Update: Happy April Fools’ Day! Hope you’re not too disappointed with the non-existence of Doggy Bento. If you thought Tokyo’s colorful food scene couldn’t get any weirder (ahem, Harajuku’s Kawaii Monster Café or underworld-themed Yurei Izakaya), get ready for Doggy […]
Leave stuffed for 1,500 yen or less.
Join Only in Japan's John Daub as he dives into the world of luxury fruit with his video on white strawberries—a Japanese creation that's equal parts novel and expensive.
Hotels all look the same, you’re over hostels and you want to set up a good base for your explorations. Airbnb is the answer—and there are plenty of unusual choices in Tokyo. Despite the slightly contentious legal status of Airbnb in […]
Our photographer David offers up his pro tips on how to photograph Shibuya Crossing—Tokyo's most iconic shot.
Found a date-worthy guy or gal on Tinder and now need to figure out where to take them? Look no further than our guide to cheapo date spots in Tokyo.
New to Tokyo Cheapo? Read this. We’ve put together a Tokyo for Beginners introductory guide that will help you use our (invaluable) resources to get the most out of Tokyo on a budget. From reasonable ramen to inexpensive ways of […]
Looking beyond sushi for your Japanese foodie experience? Try these seafood-based dishes that'll leave you just as satisfied and wanting more.
Get your ears cleaned by strangers, have the dinner of your nightmares or just chill with Godzilla.
*IMPORTANT* Please note that all Aunt Stella cafes in Tokyo are now permanently closed. It’s possible to buy cookies in the Ikebukuro and Kichijoji stores, but no dine-in or all-you-can-eat service available. Cafes are still open in other parts of […]