Yoshinoya > Restaurant > Under 500 Yen

Almost exactly the same as Matsuya in price and menu except they don’t give you a Miso Soup and they take your order manually instead of through a coin operated vending machine. If there is a Yoshinoya there is always a Matsuya nearby - so find it and savour the extra Miso.






***/5

Matsuya > Restaurant > Under 500 Yen

Tokyo it is reassuring to know that wherever you are in you are never further than walking distance from a two course hot meal for 350 yen. It’s not fancy but then that’s not the point when you’re flat broke in the most expensive city on earth. For your money you get a decent serving of boiled rice with scratchings of fried pork, a miso soup and hot tea. The pork might look a little dubious and certainly the ratio of meat to fat is extremely variable (check your horoscope in advance) but it will fill you up and warm your stomach for the lowest cost in Tokyo.

Note – There are other things on the menu – vegetable curry, beef and salad – all similarly basic and cheap but if you are really counting the 1 yen coins then pork is your future.




***/5

Turn Table Sushi > Restaurant > 1500 Yen

Sushi connoisseurs will tell you its not “real” sushi but they don’t know anything – its 120 yen a plate! Fill your boots and stuff your face with Tuna, Salmon snapper jack and all manner of raw fish of until you are blue in the face. Watch it being made in front of your eyes by a crack squad of ultra fast and dexterous sushi chefs helping yourself to whatever takes you’re fancy from the rotating counter in front of you. Don’t worry, unless you are some sort of food eating professional we guarantee you it won’t come to more than 1500. One cautionary note, if the place is near empty then steer clear as there is no telling how long those fish eggs have been going around and around… There are loads of these places scattered around Tokyo so keep an eye out.

*****/5

Snodeck > Bar/Restaurant/Accommodation > Asagai Gelande, Niigata > Beer 600 yen > Pizza 1350 yen > Bed 3000/3500 yen

Location
A mere two hours from Tokyo, the Snodeck sits comfortably at the foot of Asagai Snowboard Park, ten minutes walk from the main ski resorts of Naeba, Niigata. Having heard good things about the 'deck', we thought we would send our own bunch of intrepid incompetants on a two day ski trip to fully test out its credentials.

Travel

There is a bus from Shinjuku to Naeba which leaves at 7:30 (advance booking only).
Being woefully unprepared, we had to take the more expensive Shinkansen route from Tokyo Station to Echigo Yuzawa, followed by a local bus to Naeba Village. The Snodeck is within walking distance from here for those wearing decent shoes. Those wearing ski-boots or carrying heavy bags will need to get the bus up the road. If you are incapable of any of the above then you may be lucky (as we were) and get collected by the Snodeck.

A warm welcome in a cold climate

Run by experienced boarder Lorne from Brighton, U.K, the Snodeck houses friendly staff, excellent home-made food and a wide selection of hot and cold drinks. Hip Hop, Electro and 90s Pop were the DJs offerings to a mixed international clientele. The place has a suitably laid back vibe complete with comfy seating, hand-made decorations, mood-lighting and a halfpipe for finger Skateboard enthusiasts. They also provide cheap accommodation in the lodge across the road. It is basic, but homely and cost between 3000-3500 yen a night, which TR believes is bargainous behaviour at its best.

Get your kit on
The Snodeck has a limited amount of kit available for cheap rental and there are various other rental outlets in the area all offering complete kit for around 2500-3000 yen a day. A complete whole area ski-pass costs around 5000 yen although cheaper ones are available for specific areas.

There is more information, maps, videos, photos etc on www.snodeck.net. Check it!








****/5

Coco Curry House > Restaurant > Everywhere > Curries between 500 and 880 yen

Don’t change a winning team so the old adage goes. Coco Curry House are staunch followers of this mantra. They’ve got one flavour and it’s a good one; it's brown and it's called curry. Have it with bread crumbed chicken, pork, prawn, horse, sausage, mutton, cheese. In fact anything, but thou WILL have it with ‘Curry’.


***/5