Quote: (02-26-2014 12:54 AM)kapitaw Wrote:
Any tips on staying active/weightlifting/basketball/nature?
How about the food? Any tips on how to save money in the grocery stores or what's a doable, good diet like in Japan?
Any books that would be helpful to read before I head over there?
Good on you for making your plan come true.
To stay fit, go running. Gyms here seem to focus on machines or areobics.Bodyweight at home works for me.
Food:
Budgeting will be important. Easy to blow $50 a day eating out.
I manage with about $15-20 a day, cooking at my place.
Protein is relatively expensive, so get creative. I eat a lot of peanuts (cheap) and small fish (cheaper and delicious).
I buy groceries almost everyday, chances are there will be a supermarket within walking distance from your place (5-10 minutes tops). Japanese are lazy as fuck when it comes to going anywhere on foot.
Dry noodles will be cheaper, and every town has a discount grocery. Some of them sell mostly frozen food, so if you dont mind that, you can save some serious $$ (esp buying in bulk).
I dont do processed food, but you could eat cheaply and fairly well using the frozen food section and the dry food. They love convenience and time saving food, so there is a wild assortment of ready-to-eat and nearly ready cheap chow.
Avoid shopping in the large depato stores (huge departments stores) like Daimaru and Isetan. Gorgeous produce, but not cheap.
Use the chain restos when not near home, you'll save $$. Not exactly gourmet fare but good enough. You can get a generous serving of fried chicken for $5 if you dig around.
Books:
depends what do you want to get out of the experience. Culture? Getting around? I'll check when I get home, but at least try getting "Point it". Its all pictures of what you'll need for food, transport, etc. Very very useful.
Good luck man, its a hell of a country.