I'm lost in the world of fencing

 For many kids, typical after-school activities involve soccer, basketball, or dance. But for my daughter Happy, her interests have always veered off the beaten path, leading her to the intriguing world of fencing. Since the tender age of six, she's been captivated by the sport, a passion that, for a long time, felt out of reach. Here in San Diego, most fencing programs were tucked away in exclusive neighborhoods, making the already expensive hobby even more of a luxury.

Thankfully, things have changed! Recently, one of the recreational facilities here in Chula Vista started offering fencing classes. While it's still an investment, the cost is much more manageable than before, though the essential equipment remains. as expected, quite pricey. Despite the expense, seeing Happy pursue her unique passion is incredibly rewarding.

I finally had the chance to take Happy for her third lesson, and I was completely new to the sport, Coach Sergei patiently explained the fundamental mechanics and basics to me. I was struck by how technical and refined fencing is. It's not a high-energy, all-out sprint like some other sports; instead, it demands precision, strategy and mental agility. It truly brought to mind the intricate swordplay training of ancient soldiers - though  thankfully, without the kingdom-conquering part!

Japan on a Budget: Your 8-Day Tokyo Adventure Awaits

"Is Japan expensive?". This is the question I hear often from friends and fellow travelers dreaming of a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. Many are held back by budget concerns, but I'm here to put my 2 cents and plus our own personal experience: an incredible trip to Japan is absolutely achievable, even on a tight budget.

Shinjuku

For this budget-conscious itinerary, we're focusing on an 8-day deep dive into Tokyo. Japan is a country where even a single city offers an endless array of experiences. While many first-timers try to hit the "Golden Triangle" of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, sticking to one city like Tokyo allows you to immerse yourself without the added cost and time of inter-city bullet train (Shinkansen) travel. Trust me, 8 days in Tokyo will fly by, and you wont regret dedicating your time to this vibrant metropolis.

Let's break down the essential expenses.

1. Flights: Landing in Tokyo 

First things first: booking your flight. We're based in San Diego, but I have two primary options: flying directly from SD International (SAN) or making the short trip to Loas Angeles International (LAX) for potentially more direct and competitive fares.

                

SKYSCANNER

The key to scoring affordable flights to Japan is booking early. Aim to secure your tickets 6-10 months in advance. Websites like Skyscanner and Google Flights are your best friends for comparing prices.

From San Diego, round-trip flights typically average around $800-$1000. However, with careful planning and flexibility, you can sometimes find deals as low as $600-$700 with a single stop.

            

Google Flights

2. Accommodations: Smart Stays in the City

Tokyo offers a wide range of accommodation styles, from luxurious hotels to unique capsule experiences. For our budget trip, we'll focus on the most cost-effective options: capsule and business hotels.

A Ryokan in Osaka

* Capsule Hotels: These offer a uniquely Japanese experience and are incredibly budget-friendly. Expect to pay around $15-$50 per night. They provide a compact, private sleeping pod with shared bathroom facilities, and may are surprisingly comfortable and modern.

 

9H Nine capsule Hotel in Tokyo

* Business Hotels: Often a step up from capsules, business hotels provide small but efficient private rooms. Prices can range from $35-$90 per night. They are clean, well-located, and sometimes include basic amenities like free Wi-Fi.

For your 8-day trip (7 nights of accommodation), a good mix would be 3 nights in a capsule hotel and 4 nights in a business hotel. Assuming an average of $80 per night for this mix, your cost would be approximately $560

3. Food: A Culinary Adventure on a Budget

Eating well in Tokyo doesn't have to be expensive. While familiar Western fast-food chains like McDonald's and Dominos are available (and often offer unique Japanese menu items), Japan has it's own fantastic and equally affordable fast-food options. Look out for:

      

Dominos Menu Japan

* Gyudon Chains: Yoshinoya, Sukiya and Matsuya offer delicious and filling beef bowls for a hundred yen (a few dollars)

* Ramen and Curry Shops: You can find incredible ramen bowls and Japanese curry for around ¥800 - ¥1500 ($5-$10) per meal.

*Combini (Convenience Stores): 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are lifesavers for budget travelers. They offer a vast selection of fresh, tasty, and incredibly affordable food, from rice balls (onigiri) and bento boxes to sandwiches and hot snacks. You can easily get satisfying meal for under 500yen ($3-$4).

A Lawson near Osaka Castle

For a budget traveler, a realistic daily food budget is around ¥3000- ¥4000 ($20-$30). For an 8-day trip, this totals approximately $160-$240.

4. Local Transportation: Navigating Tokyo

Tokyo's public transportation system is world-class, efficient, and surprisingly affordable. You'll primarily use train and subways. Individual fares for short distances within the city are generally around ¥180 - ¥300 ($1.20-$2) per ride

        

Trains of Japan

Instead of buying individual tickets, consider getting a refillable IC card like Suica or Pasmo. These cards make travel seamless across all major train and subway lines and can even be used at convenience stores and vending machines.

While you won/t be taking the Shinkansen on this budget trip (a single short-distance Shinkansen trip can easily be $35+), expect to spend approximately ¥750 - ¥1,000 ($5-$7) per day on local transportation, depending on how much exploring you do. For 8 days, budget around $40-$56.

5. Shopping & Miscellaneous: Indulge (Responsibly!).

This is where your budget can fluctuate. Tokyo is a shoppers paradise, from trendy fashion and electronics, to quirky souvenirs and luxury thrifting. While we're on a tight budget, it's essential to set aside some money for experiences and a few treats.

 

From Cutesy to Luxury

I'd recommend allocating at least $200-$300 for shopping, entry fees to attractions (like temples, museums, or observation decks), and other unforeseen expenses, You can adjust this based on your personal priorities. If you're a serious shopper for "cutesy Japanese goodies, " you might want to increase this.

Putting It All Together: Your 8-Day Tokyo Budget Estimate

Here's a breakdown of the estimated expenses for an 8-day (7night) trip to Tokyo from San Diego, on a tight budget:

Flight: $784

Accommodations: $466

Food: $240

Transport: $91

Shopping & Misc: $300

Total: $1,881 

For the flight, I chose January 2026 (1/20-1/28). I included a straight flight vs with a layover

       

Japan Air (non-stop)           VS         Hawaiian Air (with lay-over)

For the hotel. We'd be looking somewhere the Ueno area, since this is relatively in the center of everything. I would be booking the month of November instead of January because the dates are still too far off. To look for the lowest rates, search on Google. I chose Expedia because it has the lowest rates compared to other platforms.

For the capsule/hostel, I chose Hostel JAZ located near Ueno station. Booking date is from Nov 12-15 (4D/3N) for $76. 

                                                     

For the business hotel, I chose Hotel Guest1. Booking date is from Nov 15-19 (5D/4N) for $390.

Important considerations:

* Yen Exchange Rate: Keep an eye on the yen to dollar exchange rate. A favorable rate can make your trip even more affordable.

* Inflation: While Japan has some increases in prices, it generally remains a very reasonable destination for travelers, especially compared to many Western countries

* Peak Season: Traveling during off-peak seasons (late autumn, winter outside of holidays) can often lead to lower flight and accommodation prices

* Bring or better yet, buy a good pair of shoes when you get there in Japan. Transport is cheap because you'll be doing a lot of walking. We would average 60k steps per day. 

Hunting for Mini Parts in a Junkyard: An Unexpected Adventure

 I never considered myself much of a mechanic, aside from the basics-changing a flat tire or installing a sound system like I did back in the day on my 1978 Super Bettle in the Philippines (but that's another story). However, when my Mini Cooper started leaking coolant, I was suddenly faced with he choice of paying the dealership over $1k for repairs or figuring out a way to do it myself. The leak was discovered during a routine oil change when the dealer did an inspection and handed me the dreaded repair estimate. Knowing the dealerships charge a premium, I started wondering if this was something I could tackle on my own. When I mentioned it to my friend Owen, he confidently said, "Bro, you can do it. That's an easy fix, and paying that much is crazy". I agreed-so did my wallet.

The entrance to the junkyard

Determined to save as much as possible, I decided to go even further and hunt for the needed parts in a junkyard. Buying used parts from a salvage yard sounded like a great way to cut costs while also adding a bit of adventure to the process. I asked my son Adi, who's into cars, to tag along. Unfortunately, we learned that there was an age restriction for entry, and he didn't meet it. That meant I had to return the next day solo, ready to navigate the maze wrecked cars in search of Mini Cooper gold parts.

A wrecked Mini Cooper Countryman 

Upon arrival, I paid the $5 entry fee and received a list of available cars. That's when I hit my first roadblock-the most recent Mini they had was from 2013, and my car required a newer part. Still, I decided to make the most of my visit, wandering through row of cars, peeking inside wrecked interiors, and marveling at the variety of vehicles that ended up here. There was something oddly fascinating about it all. yet a bit sad too. Many of these cars had been in accidents, their stories ending abruptly. Some even had personal belongings and documents left behind, a reminder that each one had a past before landing in this metal graveyard.

   

   
A Nissan 300ZX in a sad state

Despite not finding the part I needed, the experience was worthwhile. I t was my first real foray into junkyard scavenging, and while it didn't yield the results I had hoped for, I walked away with a newfound appreciation for the process. It was eye-opening to see firsthand how many usable parts are still out there for the taking -if you're willing to loo. Plus, the was something satisfying about the idea of fixing my car with my own hands rather than throwing a pile of cash at a dealership.

 

A butchered Mini Cooper Hardtop

Now, with the junkyard search proving unsuccessful, I've move on to the next phase: hunting for the part online. While the adventure didn't go as planned, it sparkled something in me/ Who knows? Maybe this won't be my last dive into DIY car repair. For now, though, it's time to fire up my browser and see if the internet can succeed where the junkyard couldn't. 

An 80's Toyota Corolla GT-S