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Japan-keeping costs down

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rhafrika:
I'm taking a long weekend trip to Japan to meet up with a friend who will also be traveling there. I am flying into Osaka then meeting her in Kyoto. I'm wondering if anyone who has been to Japan has some tips on keeping my expenses low. I know from what I've heard Japan is EXPENSIVE. Already as I'm researching transportation options it looks to be pricey. I very willing to do lots of walking but what about food? Are there any chain restaurants/things to eat that are cheapish. Also, what are the price of groceries? I'm planning on couchsurfing for a couple nights then I will be in a hostel where I could potentially make some food for myself. Any tips would be appreciated. :)

karenology:
Food's actually not that expensive.  You would definitely go bankrupt if you were trying to eat high end sushi every day.  In most cities, though, you can find these little alleyway noodle stalls and feast on soba, udon or ramen for about 300 - 400 yen (about $3-4 USD).  Transportation's confusing as hell, though most of my frame of reference for that is Tokyo, which has three separate private subway systems that overlap.  I mostly just walked around and enjoyed the scenery when I visited Kyoto, though it might be a bit too cold for that right now!

Have a great time, I thought Kyoto was absolutely wonderful when I visited last year :)

jehall:
It's true that Tokyo is expensive but Kyoto is comparable to cities in Korea that aren't Seoul. If you are going to Kyoto station which connects to the airport, there is a great tourist centre on the 3rd or 4th floor. You could get a bus map from them that is very easy to follow. I rode the bus all over town and it wasn't nearly as confusing as Korea's buses in terms of knowing where you are going. You can buy a card from the bus driver that has 1000 yen on it which is good if you're going to be there for awhile.
Food is reasonably priced. I ate at a sushi converyer belt place in Kyoto and each plate of sushi was about 800 won which was definitely worth it.
Kyoto only has 2 subway lines so they are not confusing. However, make sure you're walking towards a subway station. Kyoto has several train stations that look like subway stations that are really for the cross country trains. You're unlikely to get on a cross country train thinking it's a subway, but many people waste time walking into the entrance before realizing it.
Have fun! I loved Kyoto. Quite frankly, Tokyo was a little overrated for me. I didn't feel like it had anything that separated it from other major urban cities in Asia. I've yet to find something like Kyoto though with all of it's wonderful sights both filled with tourists and barely discovered.

rhafrika:
Thanks so much for all the helpful info! One more question: I will arrive in Japan on Feb. 26th then depart on Mar. 1st. I will meet my friend in Kyoto for the 28th and 1st but I'm wondering if since I fly into Osaka it would be worth spending perhaps the afternoon of the 26th and morning of the 27th there or just heading straight to Kyoto. My dilemma is that my friend will there in Japan on a structured spring break trip so i will be following them around for all of the 28th and most of the 1st and I don't want to see things twice in Kyoto. If anyone has been to Osaka and or Kyoto and has a recommendation I would appreciate it.

CultureShock:
The biggest way I SHOULD have saved money was...

--> Exchange your money at your bank (in Korea) before hand! If you don't you'll get owned hard by the airport/subway station fee's/exchange rate. I took 500,000 KRW, and I got 29,600 Yen at the Japan Subway station. My friend exchanged 400,000 KRW at her bank in Korea and got an almost identical ammount. Honestly this would of saved me more money then any other thing I could think of on my Japan trip. Like the others mentioned, there are lots of little resturants that sell very cheap meals anywhere from 100-900 yen. Easy to find, and cheap! If you're couch surfing, you're golden on that route. The subway system isn't to bad, I also chose to walk a few times as well.

Enjoy your trip!

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