It would probably be more accurate to say “The Cost Of Living In Tokyo” considering that’s where my figures are derived but I’m sure you can make the necessary adjustments for cheaper, less inhabited areas.
It’s a question i had to research prior to making the decision to live in Japan and in important question to have some answers to when you’re trying to establish what sort of coin you need to earn in Japan to live a similar or better existence to what you’re used to at home. Finding meaningful figures before come here was hard, i have included an example at the bottom.
The factors affecting where i chose to live in Japan were considerably different for me than those in Australia, for anyone reading this and thinking of moving to Japan you will need to consider these also.
My work is in Hon-Atsugi, and currently not negotiable, which is 50 kms South of Shinjuku on the Odakyu line. Working back from Hon-Atsugi it takes me 15 minutes in a Bus or Taxi and 43 minutes on the Limited Express from Shinjuku station so already i am up for 2 hours travel each day. Check it out on a Map Of Japan.
First decision, i need to live on or as close to the Odakyu Line as possible, adding another train to get to and from Shinjuku each day would add unnecessary time to my already long day.
Prior to moving to Japan i had never eaten Ramen, now i can’t live without it. Most weekends for lunch i visit a local Ramen shop in Yoyogi or if i’m visiting a new station on the JR Yamanote Line then i’ll get my fix there.
Ramen comes in all different flavours and naturally i’ve got my favourites. I generally lean towards a Miso base with either a flavouring of Onion or Chashew with an Egg for topping.
One of the only good things about working in Hon-Atsugi is the Ramen down that way is good, very good, and it’s hard to get anything close to it back up here in Tokyo. Luckily for me i have a good shop a few minutes walk from home, just in front of the North Exit of Yoyogi station.
Today i went for the Negi (Onion) Miso Ramen, and once again it hit the spot.
It’s a very Japanese thing to do, taking photographs of your food that is, and i find myself doing it more and more these days.
Going through my phone last week after my trip to Nagoya i was surprised to see how many photos of past Ramen experiences i had. Here’s some of the favourites from Hon-Atsugi and in and around where i live.
As i continue the 29 stops of the JR Yamanote Line series i’ll make sure i have Ramen for lunch, it will probably become a series of its own.
Last weekend i went down to Nagoya with some Friends. The plan for the weekend was pretty basic, down Saturday morning and back Sunday afternoon via the Shinkansen, with plenty of food and drink in the middle.
Saturday was just that, we got in at lunchtime so it was straight down to a local restaurant for a few of Nagoya’s recommended dishes, i had the Miso Tonkatsu set … i think that’s what it was called.
Saturday night there was plenty of eating and drinking at a Friends place followed by a trip up to Karaoke around 10pm for the second party ….. bound to be a little more rowdy, so best done away from those trying to get some sleep.
Sunday after a slow start we were able to fit in a little sight seeing and Tokugawaen was the place suggested. It was a cracker of a day getting into the mid 20′s and there were no shortage of people out soaking up the great weather.
Unfortunately i forgot my camera so i had to make do with my phone which actually took some pretty good shots all things considered. Needless to say upon arrival back in Tokyo Sunday night it was off for a Sasebo Burger around the corner from home at Zatts, followed by a pretty quiet night on the couch … Monday still came round too quick.
