As far as conversions go, Japan’s got to be one of the worst places to travel to right now. But be honest, when has lack of money ever really stopped you from traveling before? At least there are a few (okay 10) ways you can save a few thousand Yen and maybe even enjoy the country more than you would have before.

Of course heading off that well-worn path helps (Tokyo and Kyoto are some of the most expensive cities in the world), but who knew that the upstairs of a Depato (department store) is a great place to find a good sit-down meal at a discounted price? The last person I saw eating in the upstairs of a department store here in New York was a guy in the Home Furnishing section of Macy’s snacking from a shopping bag of peanut shells and having a conversation with a lampshade.

Posted on February 11, 2009 by Matt Stabile