Japanese meal on a budget
Japanese supermarkets are a great place to find local dishes for half the price you would find in restaurants. So, check out the prepared dishes inside or the indoor sushi stalls outside after 7 pm. You’ll find most dinner boxes sold at half price.

You can also fill up on bento boxes which include chicken and rice, or snacks like flavored rice triangles and potato salads at a Circle K or Seven Eleven.

If you want to sit down and eat, choose an izakaya, easily recognizable by the pictures of small dishes on the menu outside. These bar/restaurants are a favorite of Japanese business men who want to have a beer or two after work. You’ll find Japanese dishes you’ve seen at home like sushi, sashimi and miso soup. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the fried cartilage and other mysterious dishes shown on pictures.

Sleep on the Cheap in Kyoto
Japan’s hotels are not known for their budget prices. So if you’re looking for an affordable place to stay in Kyoto, look for Aoi-So Inn. This traditional wooden Japanese house offers a room with a futon on tatami mats for less than $30 USD. Shared kitchen and showers. Located in the heart of Kyoto, this is a great starting point to explore the city. more >>

Hiroshima
The World Friend’s Center Hostel in Hiroshima was founded by Quaker peace activists and offers single and double rooms in a traditional Japanese home. The guesthouse is run by American Quaker volunteers and is located a few blocks from the Peace Park and the city center. The friendly live-in staff like to spend time with foreigners and share their stories over a cup of tea. Rates include a hearty American breakfast.The WFC can arrange volunteer guides to lead visitors through the nearby Peace Memorial Park and schedule meetings with Japanese A-Bomb survivors. more >>

Getting around in Japan
Before you leave the country, get yourself a JR rail pass for your visit to Japan. They may have a great looking train and practical routes, but buying individual tickets can really break the bank. more >>

Belfast: Food, Beer and Music
If you're in, or planning on visiting Belfast, check out the Botanic Inn for good food and beers at reasonable prices. Located at 23-27 Malone Road, in the Queen's University area, this bar is a great place to hang out with local students.

The young and single looking to mingle can dance the night away to music from the past and present on the second floor. For the more mature visitor, you can sit with a pint of Guiness, enjoy good music and experience Ireland in the relaxing inviting pub, also known as the Bot. This spacious and modern bar boasts a lively atmosphere but has been able to keep its traditional feel. You could sit all day long here and feel as comfortable as you would at home.

The menu has a wide variety of choices including the popular Bot Meal Deal, available from 3:15-8pm, Mon. to Fri. and 12-8pm, on Sat. For just £3.95 ($6.49USD) you can enjoy a main meal and a beer. Geraldine McClintock. more >>

Belfast by Bus
As the largest city in Northern Ireland, Belfast offers many things to see and do. So, to get the best deal on transportation in the city, get your pass at Citybus. The local buses operate around 60 routes in Belfast. The prices range from £2.05 ($3.37 USD) for a one-way single journey, and from £4.10 ($6.74 USD) for a return journey.

Citybus also operates a Belfast City Tour which visits many of the local attractions, such as the Parliament buildings at Stormount, the nineteenth century city hall, Queen’s University, the Grand Opera House, Botanical Gardens and many more landmarks. The tour costs £ 5.00 ($8.44 USD) and lasts approximately 90 minutes. The tour can be pre-booked by calling +(44 28) 9045-8484. You can e-mail Citybus at citybus.tours@ translink.co.uk for further information.

For the budget traveler who wants to use Belfast as a base to travel around Northern Ireland, Ulsterbus/Citybus also do day tours to many scenic destinations. For further details contact Ulsterbus Tours by calling: +(44 28) 9033-7004 or by faxing: +(44 28) 9024-6926. Geraldine McClintock. more >>