Things You always Overpay in Tokyo, Japan

Summary

In this enlightening video, Nao from "Japan with Nao" explores the common pitfalls tourists encounter that lead to overspending in Tokyo, Japan. While a weaker yen initially seems to lower costs, many travelers end up overpaying in several areas—from exorbitant sushi prices to unnecessary taxi rides. With tips on saving in transport, accommodation, and food, Nao reveals how tourists can navigate Tokyo without breaking the bank. It's an essential guide for any traveler aiming to make their yen go further in the bustling capital of Japan.

Highlights

• Find out why sushi is pricier in Tokyo and how to enjoy the same quality elsewhere for less! 🍣
• Avoid costly taxi rides by understanding Japan’s transportation system—a lifesaver for your wallet! 🚕
• Discover why budget airlines might be a better choice than bullet trains for long-distance travel in Japan. ✈️
• Learn if the JR Pass is truly worth the investment for your Japan itinerary. 🚄
• Get tips on choosing the right accommodation to avoid overpaying, even at capsule hotels! 🏨
• Explore high-rise views of Tokyo for free and save on entry fees at places like Sky Tree. 🌆
• Consider the real cost of 'all you can eat' dining options before diving in. 🍽️
• Understand why some convenience store prices might seem high and how to budget accordingly. 🏪
• Avoid the trap of overpriced souvenirs by checking smartphone apps before purchasing. 🎁

Key Takeaways

• Sushi in Tokyo is significantly more expensive due to high land prices, and similar quality can be found cheaper outside the city. 🍣
• Taxis in Japan can be costly, especially during late-night hours when prices rise by 20%. 🚕
• Choosing budget airlines over bullet trains for intercity travel can save money, especially with early bookings. ✈️
• The JR Pass may not always provide savings unless used extensively between cities. Plan ahead! 🚄
• Capsule hotels, though unique, may not always offer budget savings compared to business chain hotels. 🏨
• Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower charge for views accessible for free at other high-rise buildings, like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. 🌆
• 'All you can eat' restaurants might not always offer value for money unless you're ready to feast heartily. 🍽️
• Convenience stores, while open 24/7, generally charge more than supermarkets or drugstores. 🏪
• Be wary of tourist-centric pricing on souvenirs and snacks which may be inflated. 🎁

Overview

Tokyo is a city full of allure, but with great excitement comes high costs, especially for unwary tourists. Nao walks us through the most common areas where visitors tend to overspend, starting with the infamous sushi costs that can burn a hole in your pocket. Surprisingly, similar quality sushi is more affordable outside the city due to lower real estate costs.

Transportation in Tokyo is a double-edged sword. While taxis provide comfort, they can also lead to overspending. Travelers are better off using public transportation options like trains which are significantly cheaper. For intercity travels, opting for budget flights could be more economical compared to bullet trains, depending on one's itinerary.

Lastly, what seems like a budget-friendly accommodation like capsule hotels might not always be a saving grace. As tourism rises, so do prices; hence, comparing hotel rates through apps is crucial. Moreover, great views don't always need a fee, with free alternatives like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offering fantastic panoramas without the entry cost.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction & Expensive Sushi The chapter explores the misconception that traveling to Japan is currently cheaper due to the weak Japanese Yen, when in fact many tourists still incurring high costs. It particularly highlights how tourists tend to overpay for sushi in Tokyo, especially at high-end restaurants. The author promises to share tips on how to avoid these unnecessary expenses while in Japan, using the example of sushi as a key point of discussion.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Taxi Costs in Tokyo The chapter discusses the high costs associated with eating sushi in Tokyo, largely due to elevated real estate prices. It contrasts these costs with more affordable sushi options outside Tokyo, where similar quality can be enjoyed at a lower price. It also touches on pricing variations for conveyor belt sushi, specifically mentioning 'Sushiro,' a popular chain in Japan, which adjusts its prices based on location.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Choosing Between Trains and Flights The chapter discusses the choices travelers face between taking the train or flying in Tokyo, highlighting the cost differences. It's noted that while taxis are comfortable, they can be expensive, with an example illustrating the difference in cost from the airport to Tokyo Station - $60 by taxi compared to about $5 by train. The narrative points out that many travelers are surprised by how quickly taxi fares increase in Japan, suggesting that trains are a more economical option unless there is a specific reason to prefer other means of transport.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Evaluating the JR Pass The chapter titled 'Evaluating the JR Pass' discusses the costs associated with using taxis in Japan, particularly the increase in fares during night and early morning hours. It notes that extra charges usually apply between 1 p.m. to 5 a.m., depending on the taxi operator. The advice given is to avoid using taxis unless necessary, such as for early morning travel. Additionally, the chapter introduces the notion of 'shinen,' although the transcript abruptly ends before expanding on the concept.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Capsule Hotels and Accommodation Tips The chapter discusses the convenience and efficiency of transportation in Japan, particularly focusing on the use of 'bread trains'. However, it warns travelers about the potential high costs associated with train travel, pointing out that train ticket prices are typically fixed and can be more expensive compared to flights. The chapter suggests considering air travel options such as early booking discounts and low-cost carriers (LCC) for more affordable transportation from Tokyo to other destinations like OA.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Tokyo Skyscrapers & Their Costs The chapter discusses the costs and transportation options associated with visiting Tokyo's skyscrapers. It emphasizes the importance of checking flight prices frequently and using various apps to compare transportation options to avoid overpaying. The effectiveness of the JL Pass for foreign visitors is questioned, highlighting a common concern among travelers.
• 03:00 - 03:30: All-You-Can-Eat and Convenience Stores This chapter discusses the decision-making process of travelers regarding the purchase of the JL L pass in Japan. It highlights the dilemma between staying longer in each city to explore more or utilizing the pass to hop between cities. The importance of balancing the travel budget while making the most of the visit is emphasized.
• 03:30 - 04:00: Foreign Pricing in Japan The chapter discusses the challenges of pricing foreign goods in Japan, particularly highlighting the impact of price increases introduced in late 2023. It emphasizes the importance of careful planning and cost calculation before making investments, such as purchasing a JL pass, to ensure cost-effectiveness. Additionally, it briefly touches on the unique value of CS hotels and their popularity among travelers.

Things You always Overpay in Tokyo, Japan Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 due to the weak Japanese and thriving to Japan has become a bit cheaper but everyone wants much cheaper right well despite that in reality many tourists end up overpaying for a bunch of different things in Japan for several reasons so today I'm going to share things I always see tourist overpaying for in Japan and how you can avoid doing that but the items tourist overpay for the most is Sushi you know sushi in Tokyo is really expensive for example if you go to highend sushi restaurant in
• 00:30 - 01:00 Tokyo it will cost at least you know $200 per person but of course it's really delicious however outside of Tokyo you can eat the same quality of sushi for much cheaper the reason is clear Tokyo's Rand prices are overwhelmingly high it's the same for com Sushi even sushiro the most famous com Sushi chain in Japan has different prices depending on the location so look at this you will notice about a 20%
• 01:00 - 01:30 difference between Lula radius and Tokyo so you might not need to eat sushi in Tokyo as long as you have a specific reason what taxi is comfortable means of transportation but you might want to remit its usage if you don't want to end up overpaying your transportation fee I heard like many ts are confused about how fast the mirers go up in Japan but for example from H airport to Tokyo station it cost around $60 by taxi but by train it's only a about $5 one more
• 01:30 - 02:00 thing you should know about taxi in Japan is that price goes up by 20% during the night and early morning it depend on The Operators but extra charges normally are charged between 1 p.m. to 500 a.m. in the morning but unless you really need to move by taxi such as like super early in the morning it's a good idea to stay away from using taxi in Japan another thing is shinen what shinen firstate not only Japanese
• 02:00 - 02:30 people but all travelers from the world and it's a super convenient and efficient way of transporting by people around Japan but you can end up spending more by choosing the bread train while the ticket prices for bre trains are mostly fixed and they tend to be more expensive compared with Air flight I guess especially with early booking discount and LCC options provided for air tickets you can fly from Tokyo to OA
• 02:30 - 03:00 for about $40 but it cost around $100 by bir train So to avoid overpaying your transportation fee during your trip in Japan I recommend checking fight prices frequently what say sometimes start suddenly in Japan but otherwise using several apps that compare your transportation options will also help you make a wise decision but one thing I really wonder it's worth paying is you know JL pass but so many foreign
• 03:00 - 03:30 Travelers end up over spending their precious Budget on JL L pass but Prett think it is worth it before buying it well it's a famous ticket that you can use AC close Japan but if you are planning to hop around the cities to make the most of your stay it's maybe worth it but however I also hear like in many cases there is a lot to see in each city than you expected and you end up staying longer in each of them with the
• 03:30 - 04:00 price increase introduced in late 2023 it's becoming more and more difficult to make it worth the initial investment so before buying a JL pass please please make sure your itally is already decided and fix and calculate to confirm it will definitely be cost effective well another thing I want to share is C hotels while CS hotels are unique accommodation that are highly appreciated by Travelers by limited
• 04:00 - 04:30 budget but however you can't skip the price comparison nowadays but other the Caps HS get more on more visitors some of them are not as affordable as you might think but with the LI in the number of visitors in Japan like some cap Hotes are increasing their prices but in that case you might pay quite some amount only to have a tiny cell space but to avoid overpaying for your accommodation I recommend comparing in
• 04:30 - 05:00 the prices of capsu hotels with famous Japanese business chain hotels like toyin and UPA hotel maybe just to be sure well another thing I really feel overpaying is actually a popular spot which is Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower are two famous buildings in Japan in Tokyo where you can go up to the observat to see the whole view of Tokyo if you want to avoid overpaying for the experience but you should also know there l other
• 05:00 - 05:30 high buildings can give you beautiful scenery as well well one famous spot highly recommended for tourists on the budget is the Tokyo Metropolitan government building in Shinu this High skyscraper is in the middle of other tall buildings but you can access it observ and it's free of charge but thinking about it you need to pay like $30 $40 for like Tokyo sky 3 or toky Tower you know it's kind of overpaying isn't it right another thing I want to
• 05:30 - 06:00 share is all you can eat option in Japan when you are looking for a nice spot to eat you might find Bas or you can eat sty in Japan but especially in Tokyo but if you aren't cautious you might end up spending more at these kind of spots so be careful the price point tend be a little higher than purchasing a dish at a normal restaurant so unless you make an effort to eat as much as possible you end up overpaying for it in addition it
• 06:00 - 06:30 will depends on the restaurant but sometime what is offered at a buffet can be lower quality than ordering alakar by the way Japanese people often visit all you can eat restaurant while me as well when I was you know student but once they become working adults they hardly ever go to by such places but I think that means everything all right so next one is also like popular spot to go comination stores you know combin are
• 06:30 - 07:00 super convenient and you can find almost everything there but please keep in mind that it can be a little pricey compared with buying groceries at supermarket or drugstores because they are open 24/7 their price point tend to be a little higher that is why Japanese wives don't go to buy things in Comin store but if you want to trouble with a limited budget it's a good idea to avoid but I personally believe that you don't need
• 07:00 - 07:30 to like mind that because it doesn't make a huge difference compared to by other things I introduced today but yeah anyway it's all up to you well one more important thing I need to share with you is since foreign T have increased in Japan there has been all lied in what's called foring but I think this wasn't hardly seen five D like 10 years ago in Japan well especially in places popular among foreign tourists like you there are many food items and souvenir sold at prices
• 07:30 - 08:00 that Japanese people would find unbelievable but of course for those of you who don't usually live in Japan it might be a little difficult to judge whether these prices are high or not but however please keep in mind that the things might be priced for foreigners if you want to save money you might avoid overpaying by checking prices on your smartphone before buying is really important but obviously money isn't the only thing you actually waste in Japan
• 08:00 - 08:30 why I often see many foreign tourists wasting precious time in Japan as well to about this please be sure to watch this video as well we are introducing ways to avoid wasting time in Japan I hope you all enjoy your trip to Japan thanks so much for watching see you soon bye