Day 327: Japan-hacking

Tokyo – Narita, Japan – Incehon – Seoul, Korea

Last day in Japan. I think this is the ideal entry to do a breakdown of my 2-week Japan Rail Pass and see how I faired.

6/15 Narita – Tokyo; Tokyo – Ueno; Ueno – Shinjuku; Shinjuku – Harajuku; Harajuku – Ueno = ¥3,600
6/17 Ueno – Nikko; Nikko – Ueno = ¥10,460
6/18 Ueno – Mitaka; Mitaka – Akihabara; Akihabara – Ueno = ¥890
6/19 Ueno – HIroshima = ¥17,850
6/20 Hiroshima – Miyajima; Miyajima – Hiroshima; Hiroshima – Kyoto = ¥11,730
6/22 Kyoto – Osaka; Osaka – Kyoto =  ¥6,160
6/23 Kyoto – Ueno = ¥13,220
6/24 Ueno – Niigata; Niigata – Ueno = ¥20,140
6/25 Ueno – Morioka; Morioka – Ueno = ¥26,880
6/26 Ueno – Sendai; Sendai – Matsushima; Matsushima – Sendai; Sendai – Ueno = ¥21,000
6/27 Ueno – Ikekuburo; Ikekuburo – Shimbashi; Shimbashi – Ueno = ¥480
6/28 Ueno – Tokyo; Tokyo – Narita = ¥3,090

Total = ¥137,890  ($1,730)
What the 2-week Japan Rail Pass cost = ¥45,100 ($568)

WINNING!!!
Lesson learnt: Japan Rail pass is a really good deal if you travel intercity a lot.

While we’re on the subject of money and cheaper way to get around…
A few tips on cheap food, goods and transport in Tokyo:

Delica Pakupaku – ¥250 lunch boxes
100 Yen Store – Everything for ¥100
Asakusa Bike Rental – ¥200/day

Anyway, Akie’s housemate, Sedna was kind enough to spend my last day with me around Asakusa today. I made it a point to try out the ¥250 lunch box. Then, it’s off to Korea for me. I had planned to sleep in the airport for the night since I arrived late and Incheon was supposed to be one of the best airports to do so. Yet, I ended up going into Seoul to a brand new hostel, Seoul Base Camp, which had an incredible promotion. I paid $2.50/night for a dorm bed. Breakfast included. This is cheaper than Bolivia, it’s ridiculous.