A Yen for Tokyo

  

The Formula | Length of Stay | Where to Stay (Accommodations)
When to Go | How to Get There (Flights) | What to Take
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The Formula

The figures in this formula are estimates, and will vary from person to person and region to region. There are also a number of assumptions that will fluctuate depending on numerous factors. However, this should appease the staunchest Virgo Otaku – and you can always customize for your own situation.

Assuming that…

1. one normally spends approximately $9 per manga (book plus shipping) based on my own averages when purchasing at least 7 volumes at a time, and using sea shipping, from online vendors such as BK1, JPQueen etc.
2. one normally spends approximately $4 per manga (book plus shipping) based on various averages when purchasing direct in Japan (the shipping is if you are shipping the books home by SEA and not as part of your luggage).
3. one will spend approximately $2,700 (see below) for an 11 night (10 day) stay in Tokyo (including air fare, hotel, food and sundry).

Now comes the math:

x = how much money in manga, doujinshi etc. must be spent direct to justify the above trip

___x____ = _4_
x + 2700        9

9x=4x+10800
5x=10800
x=2160

Therefore, once one has spent $2,160 direct on manga, doujinshi etc., one has already paid for the trip to Japan (look at that, a FREE trip to Japan and you didn’t have to enter a contest). Moreover, any monies spent over $2,160 is even MORE savings. Isn’t it amazing what we can justify our insanity with math?

While the above formula pertains to manga, art books and doujinshi are about the same inflation ratio of $4 direct to $9 online order (depending on where you order). Used art books generally don’t sell for THAT much cheaper in Tokyo, however, doujinshi are pretty much a steal by comparison, so it seems to level the playing field (so to speak).

Expenses:

• Flight = $1,000 ($700 to $1,300)
• Hotel = $80 ($60 to $100 per night) x 11 nights = $880
• Airport Limo = $60
• Food = $20 per day x 11 nights = $220
• Subway = $1.70 ($1.50 to $1.90) per trip x 2 (for return) x 8 days = $27.20
• Miscellaneous = $500
• Total = $2687.20 or $2700 (for clarity)

Now that we’ve justified the trip to Tokyo, let’s talk about preparing for your trip.

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Length of Stay

How long should you stay in Tokyo, especially if it’s your first time? I suggest an 11 night stay which equates to about 10 full days. Add on two days for travel and one more day for “losing” a day on the way over, and add three days when you return to deal with jet lag.

For example, I left Vancouver on Thursday September 14, arrived in my Tokyo hotel Friday (night) September 15, and departed Tuesday September 26, returning to Vancouver Tuesday (day) September 26.

10 solid days of exploring Tokyo seemed sufficient to me. Naturally I wanted to stay longer, but not because I felt I hadn’t seen enough (although there is so much more to see on another trip), but because I was so in love with the city I simply didn’t want to leave.

Those returning to Tokyo may find they want to stay for a shorter time (a power acquisition trip which is entirely possible if one knows where to go and has a plan) or longer (acquisition plus more touring), depending on individual agendas. This guide, however, is primarily geared towards first time travellers to Tokyo (with a mission to acquire as much manga, doujinshi, and goods as possible).

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Where to Stay (Accommodations)

To decrease hotel expenses, I would suggest travelling with a companion. Splitting the cost of a double occupancy room is cheaper than staying solo. However, it’s helpful if your travelling companion has the same focus as you and that you both get along very well. If money isn’t much of a hindrance, and you like solo travelling, then travelling with a companion need not be considered.

Location location location! For the yaoi fan – you must stay in Ikebukuro. There really is no other choice. You’d be insane not to stay there. The yaoi-centric shops are open until 10:00 p.m., meaning you can spend your days away from Ikebukuro and then your late afternoon and evenings in the shops of Ikebukuro, only to collapse into bed at 10:15 p.m. and sort through your purchases.

If you are of the hentai persuasion, then rather than Ikebukuro, you’ll want to stay in Akihabara. If anyone knows of a good place to stay in Akihabara, let me know.

I cannot recommend the Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikebukuro enough. It’s a business class hotel with excellent service. Better still, it’s half a block away from Otome Road (the location of the yaoi-centric shops) and half a block away (in the opposite direction) of a near 24 hour post office. It also borders on a 24 hour grocery store. In other words – it’s beyond convenient.

The Hotel Grand City in Ikebukuro seemed nice enough when I went in for a rate card, but I’d sooner stay at the Prince hotel.

Hotel White City in Ikebukuro is closer to the subway, and offers capsule rooms for about $40 per night – an option for the very cost conscious Otaku.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel is too far away from the yaoi-centric shops for my taste, but is comparable to the Prince hotel in terms of quality.

The Sakura Hotel is right in the heart of Tokyo (and further away from Ikebukuro), but no frills, inexpensive and appears quite nice.

There is always the option of a hostel, but not very convenient if shopping is on the agenda and you need a place to sort and organize your acquisitions before shipping them off.

Staying for more than 4 nights usually earns a bit of a discount on the daily rate.

Booking in advance can also earn a discount.

Shop for best prices on the Internet. Check out the hotel’s actual website and then also check out some of those hotel booking services. Personally, I found booking directly over the Internet with the Prince hotel very easy. I inquired about the rates even though they had them on their web site.

Prices will also vary depending on the time of year (i.e. tourist season results in higher prices). Use the Internet hotel booking services to enter in some fictitious dates and see if the rates change.

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When to Go

Avoid paying premiums on hotels and visit during “off season” (traditionally late fall to early Spring). Summers are blistering hot any way.

Depending on your own preferences for weather, check the estimated weather conditions for the times of year you are thinking of going.

Avoid any national holidays to prevent disappointment should some shops be closed or the city become extremely busy and travel prohibitive.

Despite going during typhoon season, we were not hindered during our trip. The most major storm that hit lasted an hour.

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How to Get There (Flights)

Flights will range in price depending on where you are, how far in advance you book, and when you travel.

Again, try travelling off season.

Check the Internet for deals. See what you can find through Flight Centre, Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, etc.

Also check the airlines themselves. Air Canada, JAL, ANA, etc. Sign up for any newsletters or promotional e-mails they might send.

Don’t forget insurance – flight and medical. It’s worth it. You never know what happens.

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What to Take

First, I’d like to dispel a common misconception regarding Tokyo. It is not THAT expensive. In fact, I could live cheaper in Tokyo than I do in Vancouver for many things (ohhh, the temptation). However, one must have perspective, so if you get a great deal on certain items you need for every day use, then bring it with you (and abandon it when leaving Tokyo).

The reason I mention the above is because you need to think ahead: What will you be taking home? Sure, you’ll likely ship most of your purchases home, but take the purchases that you can with you in your luggage for extra savings (although watch the weights – airlines will charge you an overweight fee and doujinshi are HEAVY). Most airlines allow you to check in two bags and carry one piece on board. Check with your chosen airline for sizing and weight restrictions. Since you’ll be bringing back manga, doujinshi etc., you will want lots of room, and therefore leave behind anything you can do without.

Consider the following:

Medications: Obviously bring what you need for the duration and leave the meds in their original prescription container just in case.

Clothes: Honestly – bring just enough. Sure, you can go shopping in Tokyo, but prices aren’t such that you’ll abandon the clothes you buy. However, you can always buy your stockings/panty hose (if you wear such) in Tokyo and leave those behind (unless you bought some of those gorgeously pretty Tokyo hose).

Toiletries: Ladies, bring tampons – they likely won’t come in your size in Japan. Apart from that; tooth paste, brush, soap, etc. can all be purchased inexpensively in Tokyo.

Snacks: The biggest mistake I made was bringing my fruit and cashew bars (quick food when in a hurry). Tokyo has perfected quick and healthy food (i.e. onigiri, mnnn). Leave your snacks at home (except what you need for getting there; you’ll be bringing Japanese snacks back with you too).

Shoes: Bring a good pair of walking shoes. You’ll be doing lots of walking. Leave your shoe fetish at home and just bring one, maybe two pairs. Comfort is key. Besides, you’ll be in shoe-buying central so you can always buy a pair while you’re there.

Money: While a personal preference, I encourage you to exchange your money in your own country before heading to Tokyo to save time. While you can withdraw funds at some banks, save yourself any potential aggravation and exchange woes. Watch the markets and buy in your home city when it’s prime. As for how much – that’s up to you. I brought $4,000 worth of Japanese Yen and didn’t feel limited. I put the hotel and one outfit from Harajuku on my credit card (for convenience) and that’s it.

A side note on money. Use cash. Forget bank cards for interac. Credit cards slow lines down and Japan is a society of efficiency, so help them out and use cash. Worried about theft? Forget it. Petty crimes are minimal to non existent in Tokyo — they go big or go home. I routinely carried $500 worth of Yen on my person at all times and never ever felt uncomfortable. If you stay at the Sunshine City Prince Hotel you will have your own safe that you can store your cash in. And if you want perspective, most Japanese (who can afford to do so) carry $1,000 of Yen on their person at any given time.

Check the laws before you leave on how much money you are permitted to take into Japan. You will be asked to fill out a form on the plane asking how much you’re bringing in. I believe the limit is $2,000 before you may attraction attention — but don’t quote me.

Where do you stow your cash on the way over? I used two sealed travel pouches with neck strings and essentially strapped them to my body! Hours on a hot plane and the Yen molded itself to the contours of my body. LOL

Electronics: Bring you camera and lots of media cards (or high capacity media cards). Avoid one high capacity card – you’ll cry if that one card gets corrupt and you lose ALL your pictures. Cell phones – only bring to use in your home country and leave turned off while in Japan.

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