Foreign Tourists Go Without Dinner

A Japanese news program interviews foreign tourists on the streets of Asakusa to see how they’re coping with the Yen’s rise in value:

One guy claims that he’s saving money by not eating dinner. A woman whose business relies on foreign tourists says that there has been a definite decline in the number of European and Asian customers.

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18 comments - What do you think? Posted by James - September 2, 2010 at 8:48 am

Categories: Foreigners in Japan Tags:

keiko

They should go staight down to a departtment store basement where a lot of food, drinks and sweets are available FREE.
Vonskippy

It’s dropped 10 percent or less – hardly a world shaking tourist crisis.

1 day less for a 10 day tour.

1 dessert less per day.

2 drinks less per night.

1 show/event less per 10 day tour.

Etc etc

How will those poor tourists ever endure?
Theory

It has dropped more than 10% over the last 3 years. IN 2007 it was 120 yen to a dollar, now it is in the neighborhood 80 yen to the dollar.

http://www.google.com/finance?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=lgL&sa=G&rls=org.gentoo:en-US:official&channel=s&q=CURRENCY:USDJPY

vonskippy

Do you plan (and budget) your vacations 3 years in advance?

Of course not – so it only really matters what the YEN was back at the start of 2010 – not 2007.

http://www.zdwonline.de Haf

It’s not just over the term of three years. One year ago, you could still get more than 130 Yen for 1 Euro. Not it’s down to 108 Yen for 1 Euro. That’s a difference of about 20%, within one year! I’d say that’s quite a lot.

Marcello

I leave for tokyo in a week. Last year I lost 8% this year I’m losing 16%. So your paying an extra few dollars big whoop. I’m pretty much only paying transport, food, a few souvenirs and theme parks this year. I’m not skipping meals. Hey I plan to come back fat off of yakitori waffles and bbq fries at first kitchen!
RMilner

Dinner is usually the most expensive meal in Japan. Tourist hotels often do a buffet breakfast, so it makes sense to fuel up in the morning. As the English say, “breakfast like a king”.
http://statuskobe.com Tim

250 yen for a beef bowl.
200 yen for a hamburger.

Too expensive!
Better skip dinner…

http://statuskobe.com Tim

Hmm, 2 people don’t like my comment?
I’m guessing they don’t get sarcasm or they think 250 yen for a beef bowl is actually expensive?

As for the couple in the video, judging from the woman’s reaction when the guy says they “don’t eat dinner and just walk around” I’m guessing he is lying and they do actually eat dinner.

Nice beard though!

T-rock

There are good deals out there, yes can’t forget the buffets at some of the hotels–all you can eat!

NYC same thing—just gotta look, and don’t let the stomach go ahead of your noodle lol
T-rock

If you are really that tight on a budget and yeah the economy is down then yeah skip a meal…so depressing really
Fred

Even with the strong yen, Japan food is cheaper(and better) than in North America and europe.
I just does not understand this “Japan is expensive” myth that is believed all over the world.
Lohengrin

Even the strong Yen won’t harass me into drinking Happoshu.

loopy

There is decent happoushu. It isn’t beer okay, but it is tasty enough. What you need to stay away from is the spirit blend stuff – watch out for fortified “happoushu” as well.

That stuff really tastes like some drunkard’s piss.

http://yonasu.com/ yonasu

Man those tourists must be poor as hell… It’s not even that strong, and it’s still more expensive here in Sweden.

blubb

uuuggghhhh… dont remind me… just came back from stockholm a week ago, during my visit it hosted the ecs congress… The city is fucking expensive…

bcs of the congress I had to pay 77€ for a hostle bed

mark

Skipping dinner or even any meal in a country with so much food? I actually plan my travel around food – where to eat – what to eat etc. Oh well I guess I’m poor but that’s one thing I won’t cut back on but it’s still possible to get cheap meals if you look hard enough or do the research. Even if you want sushi, go to the kaiten that have a lot of 100 yen plates or special service times with discounts.
mike

they can’t even afford a cup noodle? i eat those for dinner all the times.

Foreign Tourists Go Without Dinner

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