This past spring, on holiday in Japan, we ate at a nice sushi restaurant located in the downtown section (sorry can't remember the name). But the purpose of my post is that Japan is not as expensive as some would suggest. Of course, you can spend a fortune on travel anywhere in the world.

This restaurant had a large aquarium behind the sushi bar. It's purpose was to supply fresh ingredients as the bar ran out. At any rate, my wife and I shared 11 items (which by the way were on average 1/3 larger portions than we're used to in southern California, including some fabulous fatty tuna), and had two alcoholic drinks each for approximately $50 USD (ROE at time was 100 yen to USD). And there's no tipping allowed in Japan.

Also stayed at a small, cute, very clean Ryokan on a quiet residential street for about $60 each. Shared baths/toilets, but spotless. A public bath was a short walk around the corner. Met some wonderful people staying there from Hong Kong, Bulgaria, France, etc.

To me, meeting people from other places is the high point of travel.