"Robert" <rchin@nospampanix.com> wrote in message news:<cgkvml$l50$1@reader1.panix.com>...
> I am looking to visit Japan. this will be my 1st time.
> First "warning" I been hearing about is of course - Cost, that EVERYTHING is
> Sooooo expensive.
> 
> Can someone plz give me an idea just how expensive tthings are there.
> Just daily ordinary things a tourist would want to consume or buy.
> a list would be great. You can list either Yens or $.
> 
Compared with other places in Asia, Japan can be expensive. Compared
with places I've been in Western Europe it's not, and a better value.
A lot depends on you, of course. You can eat for $5 US a meal,
sometimes less. You can also spend a whole lot more. I think the
quality of food at that lower price generally isn't too bad; I like
bento, which basically fast food, Japanese style, typically with a
helping of rice, maybe a veggie, and some meat (fish or chicken
typically for me, though there are lots of options). Also the all you
can eat places aren't that bad, really; a place where I lived had all
you can eat shabu shabu (meat and veggies cooked on your table by you
in a boiling water, dipped in sauce) for Yen2,000, which was a decent
meal since I can put away the food; for another Y1,000 it was all you
can drink beer.

You can find a wide range of hotels; shop around. If you're looking to
spend around $100 a night you'll be able to get a nice room, most
places. For half that you still get a decent room, though usually
smaller and not quite as convenient. Almost always it will be clean,
though.

The rail pass lets you travel for peanuts if you use it; one trip
to/from Tokyo/Osaka pays for it. Use www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english to
help map out routes and compare costs.

John W.