Well on my way to FG status....

[AlbertSiegel]

[Steve Bildermann]

know only 2 people

Well you know us so that expands the list right.

I'm sure others can come up with some good suggestions re hotel stay. There used to be a very resonable, clean and convenient hostel type hotel located in the Iidabashi station building that I know is 'gaijin friendly' maybe somebody knows this one.

Nothing is ever as bad or as good as you think it's going to be just different. You'll have an experience.

[GridReaper]

For the gaijin in the Kansai region, we have the Kansai Flea Market which has lots of listings for cheap (i.e.: no key money) accomodations (short and long term).

Perhaps there is something like that in the Tokyo area that can give you some leads?

[Andocrates]

Well, that's an odd thing about Japanese they will say "You can stay with me." or "Let's go out again." But most times it's just politeness, so you learned one difficult fact the hard way. I always ask multiple times to make sure we are on the same waveleangth. It doesn't mean they don't like you, it just means you read them wrong.

There's always capsule motels, might be cool unless you are tall. (I'm only 5'7" 145 lbs) but that's really roughing it. In Tokyo I might try a chain so that you have a nice motel the first few days to deal with culture shock, jet lag etc. I would ask your doctor for a powerful sleeping pill or 2. (if you have a doctor who will phone in a script)

http://www.wgh.co.jp/
After looking at the web page I don't think they have any hotels in Tokyo.

Your friend is now slightly endebted to you since he put you out, so ask him to find a hotel for you. It will make him feel better.

[Andocrates]

It's too late now but I think the best way to come to Japan is to go to a language school. They arrange accomodations, you learn the language, you have a daily routine, and you ease into Japanese life.

[AlbertSiegel]

Well, that's an odd thing about Japanese they will say "You can stay with me." or "Let's go out again." But most times it's just politeness, so you learned one difficult fact the hard way. I always ask multiple times to make sure we are on the same waveleangth. It doesn't mean they don't like you, it just means you read them wrong.

The funny part is I did make sure it was ok with him multiple times. He even said "that does not mean that i don't like you or anything like that"! Oh well, it just would have made things a little more easy on me and saved me some money. No big deal. This just means I need to figure out where to stay and how to get there. What kind of hotel should I look for?

That Kansai Flea Market is great!! Do they have anything like that in Tokyo?

Well you know us so that expands the list right.

That does make me feel much better and allows for some comfort that I do have a place to turn to for advice. Thank you, everyone. Of course, if anyone should ever need anything of me... please don't be affraid to ask. I have been asked to bring Skittles and Twix so far. I am also quite handy with computers if anyone ever needs advice.

I am now worried about the "Gaijin Friendly" side of things. I need to find someplace that can speak English slightly or I really need to learn some more Japanese FAST! My Japanese is very limited.

[Steve Bildermann]

I really need to learn some more Japanese FAST

Don't we all

Let us know when you find a way.

I wouldn't worry so much. Just about anywhere will have someone who will try to get with the 'eikaiwa with the big gaijin' thing

Always keep a ear out for the magic phrase

'may i herup you' Very handy!

[jingai]

The ohgiya (oogiya) Ryokan in Narita is a great place to spend your first night or two, and is only around 5000yen/night. I found it in Lonely Planet.

[Taro Toporific]

[AssKissinger]

When are you coming? What day? So I take it you don't have a job lined-up or a place to stay? How much bank roll do you got? Tokyo will eat your cash like a pitbull eating sausage. I think coming to Japan (or anywhere) without anything at all lined-up is ballsy to say the least. Is there time still to arrange a job from overseas? It'll be a lot easier if some eikawa is waiting for you. Have you considered staying at a 'gaijin house'? Good luck and be prepared!

[Taro Toporific]

[Caustic Saint]

I know of what may well be the cheapest (other than crashing a friend's place for free) place to stay in Tokyo. The Taito Ryokan is a hostel-style ryokan - shared rooms and futons on tatami. 3,000 yen per night. The owner (Kenichi) speaks great English and is very helpful. He knows lots of cool stuff to see & do in Tokyo and told me when I stayed there (I'd mentioned I may come back to Tokyo for more than a visit) that he may be able to help me find more permanent housing in the city. They do all their reservations through email, and you can reach him at jptaito@libertyhouse.gr.jp.

Good luck, dude, and don't stress out. Save that for the moments when you're truly fucked. This is just a bump in the road, so hit the gas and plow on over it.

[Steve Bildermann]

The Budget Traveller's Guide To Sleeping In Airports.

Overnight flight delayed far from home? Can't afford a room at one of those boring, noisy airport hotels? Stuck in Japan on a cancelled layover and too chicken to rent out a capsule? Well, why not try sleeping in the airport? The B.T.G.T.S.I.A. has tips for "pro" airport sleepers, best and worst airports to sleep in, and as an added bonus, stories of strange non-airport sleeping places.

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/airports.htm

For travellers who are REALLY on a budget and are looking for a way to skim a few bucks off their travel expenses, why not consider sleeping in an airport? Many airports are actually better than local lodging. And to top it off - IT'S FREE! Your friends and family may look at you funny when you return with your airport stories, but that's only part of the fun. So now, sit back....get out your travel itinerary and plan which airports you're going to sleep in (or avoid altogether) during your next trip. If you have an airport, bus/train station or other strange place that you would like to add to this list, please tell us your story.

TOKYO (Narita), Japan (Contributed by Matt)
"May 2003 - I spend a night in Narita airport due to a 22 hour stopover between Brisbane Australia, and Chicago USA. As previously mentioned on this site around 10-11pm security herd all the 'leftovers' into a brightly lit room for the night. I had to produce my passport to airport security and the police whilst in here on three occasions, despite having a couple of guards watching over us for the whole time.
As the airport doesn't reopen until 6.00am, you are not allowed to leave until this time.
Also do not pay to use internet cafes, there are plenty of free laptops spread throughout the airport, which allow you to surf the net. The security permissions will not allow you though to check/send email." Added 05 Jul 03

Related Links

Capsule hotel

Airport sleeping tips

Other strange places to sleep

[GridReaper]

A good place to look for a Kansai Flea Market-type magazine is at the US Embassy. They should have a magazine rack with a few mags on it to help Americans out in Japan.

[Taro Toporific]

I know of what may well be the cheapest.... The Taito Ryokan is a hostel-style ryokan - shared rooms and futons on tatami. 3,000 yen per night.

Damn great price. Even Japanese furosha pay in Sanya (skid-row) more than 2,000yen/day for flophouse shared room.


... dangers to tread the streets of Sanya, but discretion ... Possibly Tokyo's cheapest hotel, yet still clean and with decent ...

Economy Hotel New Koyo
2-26-13 Nihonzutsumi
Tel: (03) 3873-0343
http://www.newkoyo.jp/
Possibly Tokyo's cheapest hotel, yet still clean and with decent facilities. Online booking possible.
Rates: From 2,500 yen single


Taito Ryokan
http://www.libertyhouse.gr.jp/
2-1-4 Nishi Asakusa
Tel: (03) 3843-2822
Japanese-style inn with tatami and futons.
Rates: From 3,000 yen per night


Riverside
2-20-4 Kaminari
Tel: (03) 3844-1155
Discounts offered to repeat guests. Choice of Japanese or Western-style rooms available.
Rates: From 3,300 yen

Kawase
2-19-14 Kaminarimon
Tel: (03) 3843-4910

Communal bathrooms and no meals.
Rates: From 3,600 yen single

http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/cityguide/tokyo/asakusa/

Business Hotel New Fukuya
3-7-6Morishita
Koto-ku 03 3632-7411 03 3633-8795 3,700-5,800yen

Business Hotel Yano
3-7-7 Morishita
Koto-ku 03 3632-2303 03 3635-1298 3,800-5,300yen

Aarakawa DISTRICT (north and working class area)


Business Hotel Shichifuku
3-5-4 Minamisenju,Arakawa-ku 03 3806-2579 03 3806-2579 2,200yen

Nansensoh
2-10-3 Minamisenju,
Arakawa-ku 03 3801-6066 03 3801-6066 900-1,000yen



Down and out in Tokyo
http://metropolis.japantoday.com/tokyofeaturestories/386/tokyofeaturestoriesinc.htm

[Taro Toporific]

"Picking up" nama gaijin at Narita is whole a lot to ask of anyone.

Yes, I agree, that's a lot to ask of someone who isn't family or something. I'm sensing you're focusing on these various things too much. They are problems (actually basics that any adult is faced with) that need solutions, don't stress them, or you 'will' be fucked. I've noticed that I make a lot more quality friends when I go out of my way to show that I'm self sufficient. Thus, they know when Jim asks for help, "whoa, he must really need help." In your situation I would say suck it up, stop thinking about who can or can't help you and just tough it out on your own. You'll respect yourself more, and others will also respect you more.

The first time I came to japan, I knew no japanese (speaking or writing) and I navigated the trains fine and got myself a cheap place to stay with no problem. I had friends willing to pick me up from the airport, and willing to let me stay at their place, but I didn't take them up on it. My parents raised me to never impose on someone if at all possible. This is what I like about my japan interactions, it seems like this ethos is widely held. It is expected that you will do for yourself first rather than ask for help, and not impose on anyone else. Some Americans don't like this attitude, but I understand it and appreciate it.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with asking for help, but I think if you are a healthy/intelligent young man, I think you should only ask for help in emergency situations. This isn't an emergency, this is a situation you are putting yourself into, so don't look for anyone one to help make the road smoother, do it yourself. You'd be surprised, often toughing things out on your own at first can teach you more about the new environment and help you grow. Once you get settled, then you can ask for help from friends for some of the less basic things, i.e. good places to buy certain items, ways to navigate the japanese bureaucracy, etc.

[AssKissinger]

[Caustic Saint]

Yall are giving him a lot of great info and that's cool but I'm surprised that nobody has backed up my opinion that maybe he should get some kind of work lined-up before he gets out here. How many of you really came out here that cold? I didn't. Albert, I'm not saying don't do it or to give up on your adventure or anything. If you're really sure this is the way you wanna go about it then cool but what are your reasons for not setting up a job first? Best of luck!

If he's got the cash to swing it, coming over cold's probably not so bad. I plan on showing up with no less than 10-12 grand (US$) whenever I make the jump to Japan. I'll take the whole 90 days (if I have to) from the tourist visa to find something I'll really enjoy - or at least like more than the teaching gigs I've had in Korea. I'm treating my current job as a means to an end, something I don't want to do in Japan. Japan is the end goal, so I want more out of it than just the same job with different scenery. Plus, by doing the job hunt after arriving, one can get a better feel for the working environment instead of trying to gauge everything over email and phone calls.

[jim katta]

Taro,
Thanks for moving my post, I totally thought it had gotten lost or something, I must have been asleep at the wheel (keyboard).

Albert,
In case you didn't read my post (included in Taro's quote at the top of the page), to sum it up, I suggested you essentially take a more self reliant route and save reaching out to your japan friends for when you have settled yourself in, or find yourself in an emergency. (see above quoted post)

[AlbertSiegel]