Champagne living on a beer budget.

Special One-day Pass - For Toei Subway only

¥500 - Adult One-day Train Pass

¥ 200 - Child  One-day Train Pass

For ¥500 (6.50NZD) you can ride the Asakusa, Shinjuku, Mita and Oedo Lines as much as you like for one day.  This special pass is usually offered in the weekend following a public holiday (which I swear is like every second week!) 

"A woman who tripled her income just months after struggling to pay her bills says the secret to financial success is writing a letter to your money."

If I had to choose a store that I would miss the most when I leave Japan, 100 Lawson would be a top contender.  100 Lawson is one of many convenience store chains in Japan (alongside 7/11, familymart and 100 Lawsons sister brand, Lawson).  What makes 100 Lawson different is that (all most) everything is ¥100 (ex GST) hence the name "100" Lawson.  So being the cheapest of all the convenience store chains, ofcourse, it's my go-to.

My local 100 Lawson store just a 5min walk from my workplace.

Unlike convenience stores in New Zealand (aka dairies) Japanese convenience stores are owned by massive corps so prices are very reasonable and fresh produce, hot food and the like are topped up/ replaced daily.  So if you time it right, (usually in the mornings before work or very late at night) you can pick up some sweet deals.

So, what does $6.50NZD get you from a 100 Lawson store in Japan?

A lot.

¥108 - Oat krunch cookies (4 packs x 3 cookies) for my midmorning coffee.

¥108 - 8 pack of eggs (I usually eat 1 egg with bread or rice for breakfast and sometimes dinner).

¥108 - Brown/white rice pack (I usually split as a side dish for 2-3 meals).

¥58 - Goboumaki (ごぼう巻 greater burdock root veg wrapped in surimi) which I split over 2 meals, are perfect in hot soups.

¥58 - Chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し, literally "tea cup steam" or "steamed in a tea bowl") is an egg custard dish with veg and shrimp. 

¥108 - Sping oning and garlic seasoning for soups, omletes, rice, meats, you name it.