Shopping In Tokyo

So you think American grocery stores have variety? Go to Tokyo and lose your mind over their awesome grocery stores.

Expenses

The figures in this formula are estimates, and will vary from person to person and region to region. There are also a number of assumptions that will fluctuate depending on numerous factors. However, this should appease the staunchest Virgo Otaku – and you can always customize for your own situation.

• flight = $1,000
• hotel = $80 ($60 to $100 per night) x 11 nights = $880
• airport limo = $60
• food = $25 per day x 11 nights = $275
• train = $60
• miscellaneous = $500

total = $2,775

Um yeeeea… those are mine…

Assuming

One normally spends approximately $10 per manga (book plus shipping) based on my own averages when purchasing at least 7 volumes at a time, and using sea shipping, from online vendors such as BK1, JPQueen and so on.

One normally spends approximately $5 per manga (book plus shipping) based on various averages when purchasing direct in Japan (the shipping is if you are shipping the books home by SEA and not as part of your luggage).

• buying from internet $10 per manga (book plus shipping)
• buying direct in Tokyo $5 per manga (book plus shipping)
• expense approximately $2,775 for an 11 night (10 day) stay in Tokyo

Save a few yen for a trip to an Izakaya for drinks and things on a stick

The Math

x = how much money in manga, doujinshi etc. must be spent direct to justify the above trip

___x____ = __5__

x + 2775         10

10x=5x+13875

5x=13875

x=2775

Therefore

Spend $2,775 direct, and the trip to Tokyo is FREE!

Notes

• virtually no savings on buying art books
• massive savings on doujinshi

Used art books generally don’t sell for THAT much cheaper in Tokyo, however, doujinshi are pretty much a steal by comparison, so it seems to level the playing field (so to speak).