Tokyo falls amongst the world's most expensive cities, so we got an insider to tell you how to do it in a lakh

Japan. "It's expensive", "It's too costly", "It'll break your wallet". These are some of the phrases I often hear about people who want to go to Japan, and haven't yet ventured. But I say to them, Mumbai is expensive. You need to know how to do Japan properly, and on a budget that won't break your wallet, but still experience the best of the best.

Meals
Order two appetisers and 1 katsu chicken (deep fried breaded chicken) Japanese curry on rice and 3 chilled glasses of local Indian Tiger Hill white wine, and that will set you back some Rs 3,800 at Tetsuma, Colaba. That was my bill the other night, having dinner on my own. That's some 7,300yen, for dinner for one person.
Now I could have exactly the same meal in Tokyo for less than 3,500yen (Rs 1,850) guaranteed, and with change. That's less than half the price in Mumbai.

And if you want to have a really simple lunch or dinner, you could pop into a soba (noodle) shop, or the many fast-food places serving doburis (various dishes prepared on top of rice in a biggish bowl), which will offer you a hearty meal for only 500yen (Rs 265).

And one can have this meal in a nice, modern-looking venue in central Tokyo, ambient music, and wonderful courteous service, without a tip. In Japan, there is no expectation of a tip, actually it is considered impolite, as service comes from the heart, and no waiter or waitress would expect something in return, it is unconditional service for the guest, such is Japan and politeness and her customs.

A vegetarian burger at one of the greatest fast food joints, "Freshness Burger" is priced at 420 yen (Rs 219) in comfortable environment! Great service, clean and clever packaging, and all the small things are thought about, from hand wipes to dustbins which allows you out to throw away, separately u2013 plastic and paper, left overs.