We’ve always heard that Japan is a really expensive country, besides having a difficult culture and language for foreigners to adjust to.  But when Arin Vahanian (author of An Expat’s Guide to Living in Spain and An Expat’s Guide to Investing Offshore) arrived in Japan and spent a little time there, not only did he adjust easily to the culture and language, but he also found out that there were bargains all over the place if one just looked around a little bit.  In addition to getting acquainted with the generous and hospitable Japanese people, he was getting great deals when dining, traveling and shopping – deals that rival similar ones found in places like China, Greece and Thailand.

When Arin told people back home, and even in Japan, about his experiences, few people believed him at first.  Now Arin’s discoveries in the Land of the Rising Sun are available for everyone to seek out in An Expat’s Guide to Budget Japan.  Not only will it be a source of value to anyone living and working in Japan, but also it will be an inspiration to anyone considering visiting or moving there.

We have been conditioned to believe what the typical cost-of-living index tells us: that Japan is the world’s most expensive country.  This eBook defies the conventional wisdom.  People think of Japan as a country with inflated real estate and exorbitant food prices (the $80 square watermelons became famous here) -- generally a poor value for one’s money.  This Japan can certainly be found by those who can afford it.

In contrast, for no charge, you can camp out on a beautiful, remote Japanese island with clean, blue water where you can visit a Greek-style hot spring, an ancient shrine, and a glass museum.  In many places throughout Japan you can enjoy a heaping plate of mouth-watering curry -- with soup, a fresh green salad and hot tea -- all for less than four dollars.  You can also travel 500 miles through the countryside with ease and elegance in clean, modern, air-conditioned trains for less than $20.  And imagine moving into your new apartment but needing a refrigerator, washing machine and microwave -- and finding them for free!

Years ago Japan was generally considered the world’s most expensive country.  However Japan today is a lot more affordable and there are several reasons why:

• With the end of the “bubble economy” in the early 1990s Japanese real estate prices plummeted by as much as 70 percent in some areas.  In most of the country -- basically anywhere except Central Tokyo -- real estate is affordable, whether one is buying or renting.
• The general prices of such goods and services as eating out or getting a haircut have fallen dramatically.
• In the last three years, the Japanese Yen has risen from 100 to the US Dollar, to around 120.  In other words, Japan is 20 percent cheaper for those of you using the Dollar, the Euro and other currencies.
• Due to the recession and stagnation of wages in Japan, the people have become more cost-conscious and have been looking for more and better ways to stretch their money, resulting in many low-cost stores opening up all over the country.

These are only a few of the many reasons why Japan has already become more affordable, and in many respects it’s now a budget destination.  It will undoubtedly take a while longer for people to shift their thinking and see Japan as a place where they can get a good deal on many things (except watermelons).  An Expat’s Guide to Budget Japan provides not only a shift in thinking, but also points out opportunities to save lots of money while enjoying the best of what this country has to offer.

This eBook is sensibly divided into several easy-to-read chapters, focusing on Food and Drink, Transportation, Housing, Shopping, Entertainment, Communications, Health and Beauty, and Sightseeing.  Unlike many other guides, this one has been written as a practical reference.  You can simply scroll to any chapter which interests you, so there’s no need to read this book from beginning to end.  Still, you should read the entire eBook, because you never know what kind of surprises you might find!

In addition to having Arin’s valuable first-hand tips and insider information right at your fingertips, this guide includes current addresses and telephone numbers, as well as helpful contacts.  If you want to go to a restaurant or store that’s listed in this guide, or take advantage of free Japanese lessons, or buy a discount train pass, he’s already done all the groundwork and he explains what to do in clear, easy-to-follow steps.  Each chapter is also full of handy links to up-to-the-minute schedules and prices.    

To help you be better prepared for your own bargain-hunting, this guide includes a glossary of terms corresponding with each individual chapter.  If you ever have any questions about a certain Japanese word used somewhere in the book, it’s really easy to just text-search it in the glossary.  Also included are some simple, easy Japanese phrases that will facilitate communicating with the natives when you go to Japan.  Finally, for convenience, most prices are already quoted in Japanese Yen (¥), so if you need to figure out how much things would cost in your own currency, just visit an online currency converter such as xe.com.

Forget your old thinking about Japan, because now you can experience a side of Japan that will absolutely amaze you… whether you are planning on visiting Japan or living there.  Order this eBook today – it will you save money tomorrow and allow you to enjoy this incredible culture in ways you never thought possible (or affordable) before.