Couchsurfing in Tokyo = Free Lodging

In Tokyo, we have been couchsurfing. Couchsurfing basically means crashing on a person's couch. You stay at the person's place for FREE. If they're gonna make you pay cash, I'd suggest a hostel because couchsurfing should be a free (or barter at least) experience. However, in regards to the genuine and generous hosts, because they are kind and deserve good karma, you should be a good house guest...see tips on how to be a good house guest towards the end of this post.

Our sleeping space at Andrew's

Because it doesn't really cost money, we decided that would be our ideal lodging option. Normally, I would browse through www.couchsurfing.com to find a host but it was hard finding hosts in Tokyo who could host two people. Most of the flats in Tokyo are super tiny. But if you're traveling by yourself, you probably won't have a hard time finding a host through couchsurfing.com. (I've also used it before to host someone in San Francisco and it's pretty cool!)

But we got lucky. My friend Jonathan hooked us up with his friend Andrew who lives in Tokyo! So after staying one night at a hostel (just for the experience), we headed to the trendy area of Ebisu/Daikanyama and are now staying in a Tokyo high rise. The apartment is actually pretty big so hooray! What a hook up! Thanks!

Just want to note though that if you are couchsurfing in Japan, here are some tips to be a good house guest.

1. Bring a gift. Steph brought him red wine and I brought him some Cuervo.
2. Cook dinner at least one of the nights for a dinner with your host(s). We are staying here for a total of 7 nights, we've cooked once already and we are cooking tonight for our last night here. It also doesn't hurt to hook the host up with chocolate bars! Mmm!
   
3. Be courteous of the area and stay neat. They are doing you a very nice favor by letting you stay in their home.
4. If you barter, use a skill you know. Steph and I are educated in massage therapy (720 hours from NHI, baby!) and health education so she will give him a professional Thai massage and I will give him a professional Shiatsu massage.
   
5. Don't wear your shoes inside the house.
   

Anyway, it's cool this way because we get to stay with someone who actually knows the area and who could introduce us to other Tokyo peeps. The best part is actually being able to live in a home while you're here. It's like you actually DO live here when you couchsurf!

Drinks for 300 yen? Say what?

We are currently couchsurfing with Andrew at in Daikanyama, an area in Shibuya, which is a ward in Tokyo. I know. Hehe!

If you don't know what Shibuya is, then you'll probably recognize this as Shibuya, a very colorful district reminiscent of Times square in NYC, in movies that are filmed in Japan.

But back to the title...Drinks for 300 yen? Say what?

Yes! They do exist. Yes 300 yen drinks as in $3 drinks. In Tokyo.

And yes, that's an ashtray. I guess smoking is big here. They allow that shit in coffee shops, donut shops, bars, etc. But it's different in outdoor areas. Heh! Kind of the opposite of the states I guess!

After having dinner at another coin-operated restaurant (man, I love those haha!) Pepper lunch, we headed back to Andrew's area called DAIKANYAMA (the Daikanyama stop on the train does not appear on maps so be careful when taking the train) and went to this bar next to where he lives.

It's called "Stand 300 of Joy". Every alcoholic drink on the menu is 300 yen or less!

They have the typical mixed drinks like we do have back in the states only they're BIGGER and their well vodka is better. They even have bar food such as: takoyaki, mix pizza, chocolate, chips, cheese mix, potato chips, etc. Lots of options.

And for non-alcoholics they have normal drinks such as: iced honey lattes, milk tea, caramel milk, hot chocolate, orange juice, etc. FOR LESS THAN 300 yen.

Wait, if you get a bigger sized version of the REALLY good coffee drinks it could cost 340 yen though so watch out. But for the most part it's all about 300 yen. Holla!

It's a cute little bar but if you notice the title it says STAND. So make sure your feet are taken care of because you're going to be on your feet the whole time. No chairs! But hey, who needs chairs while socializing!? haha jk.

It is definitely a chill environment. Nice lighting too. Here are some more pics of the place and the very nice bartender:

If you're ever in Daikanyama, go ahead and check out this little joint. Very very nice and inexpensive.