Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FOOD
Since Japan imports most of their food, I was afraid of paying through the nose for even the most basic meal,
but surprisingly, I found food to be inexpensive in Japan. True, I have a sushi addiction and that got pricey,
but overall, I found that I was spending far less on food than I anticipated. As long as I didn't feed my sushi
addiction, I found I could eat for less than $15 USD per day.
From the melt-in-your-mouth sushi to the silky miso soups, curry bowls, and thick ramen soup, I find
Japanese food to be delicious and a flavorful delight. There's nothing better than sitting down in a traditional
little hole in the wall with Japanese businessmen washing their meal down with a beer while everyone looks
at the
gaijin
(foreigner) trying to navigate the menu before helping you out. I remember being in Kanazawa
staring bewildered at a menu when the guy next to me helped me out. We struck up a conversation, and over
sake, I learned his story as well as about life in Japan.
If you want to eat cheap, stick to the trifecta of curry, ramen, and donburi. I essentially lived off these
three foods during my time in Japan. Curry bowls were as cheap as $3 USD per plate. Donburi, bowls of
meat and rice, are between $4 USD and $5 USD. Ramen is never more than $7 USD. These are the best
ways to eat cheap and filling meals while in Japan. You'll find places all over Japan, especially in train sta-
tions.
And that's an important part I want to bring up—if you want to eat cheap and well, head to a
Japanese train station. These are not just train stations but huge complexes featuring shops, restaurants, and
takeaways. Here you will always find a ramen, 7-Eleven, sushi train, supermarket, or whatever else your
budget food needs require. They are incredibly popular with locals, who stop for a delicious and inexpensive
meal on their way to and from work.
Most other traditional Japanese meals such as tempura, meat, and bento boxes cost between $12 USD
and $15 USD for lunch, while dinners cost from $20 USD.
For Western food, you can expect to pay $4 USD for a small plate of pasta; other Western meal set menus
(sandwich, burger, or pizza with drink) begin around $12 USD.
McDonald's Value Menu is about $6 USD. I found Western food to be lacking in deliciousness and
stinging to my wallet. Unless you are eating on the high end or really need that burger, avoid eating Western
food. (And you'll find nothing even remotely appetizing in the countryside!)
For those who love sushi (who doesn't?), sushi in Japan is delicious at all levels. While I had a few fancy
sit-down meals, you can't beat the sushi trains for value. At $1-2 USD per plate, I could stuff my face for
less than $15 USD most of the time. I usually just ate there. Traditional sushi sets still cost around $16 USD
or more. If you want a nice restaurant with waitstaff and a formal dining setting, be prepared to pay $75
USD or more for a filling sushi dinner. The sushi isn't cheap, but if you have to splurge, it's worth it. The
fish market in Tokyo also has cheap sushi served in the morning after the fish auction.
If you're just looking for a light meal, head to the convenience stores. They often have fresh fruit, pre-
pared meals, and sandwiches for only a few dollars. Many locals stop by here for prepared meals on their
way home from work. Popular convenience stores include 7-Eleven, Food Mart, Family Mart, SunRus, and
Lawson.
Self-catering is the most effective way to eat on a budget in Japan. As noted above, convenience and
other corner stores have a lot of preset meals for $1-3 USD that make for a cheap lunch option. Addition-
ally, supermarkets also have many set meals at similar prices. I noticed this was a popular eating method for
many Japanese people. Hostels have kitchens where you can cook and cut your food expenses to less than
$8 USD per day, especially by shopping at the 100 Yen Stores (Dollar Stores).
