How Much Does It Cost in Hokkaido?

A front page story in the 7 December 2011 Japan Times (I know it is over two months old, but I don’t have much to read in English here), said that Japanese cities are the most expensive in Asia for expats, due to the yen’s recent sharp rise.  The four most expensive cities in Asia for expatriates are Tokyo, Nagoya, Yokohama, and Kobe, all in Japan, followed by Seoul, Singapore, Bejing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Busan, South Korea.

I haven’t found it all that much more expensive here in Hokkaido than Raleigh for most things. We don’t have a car, which lessens our expenses.  I’m pretty sure things are less expensive here in Hokkaido than other parts of Japan. (If you are interested in what this translates to in US dollars, check http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/ )

Train from Iwamizawa to Hokkaido (37 km) 11 tickets for 8100 yen

Toyu (kerosene for stove) – varies but about 6700 yen for 72 liters

Electric bill – varies but around 4000 yen a month

Water/sewage bill – varies but around 3500 yen a month

Wifi – about 2300 yen a month

Japan Times daily newspaper 180 yen

Text book for Japanese class 2800 yen

Aerogramme (to write letter to US) – 90 yen

Items at the Hyaku Yen Store – 100 yen

Music Concert at University – free

Salad Bar lunch at Victoria Restaurant 504 yen

Set Lunch (vegetable or chicken curry) at Bombay Blue Indian Restaurant 690 -790 yen

Rice (2 kg) 980 yen

Milk (1L) 178 yen

Eggs (10 not 12 make a dozen here) – 146 yen

Apple 390 yen

Mikan  10 for 395 yen

Bean sprouts – 39 yen

Ground Coffee – (350 g) 418 yen

Sapporo beer (633 ml bottle) 326 yen

Vending machine beer 350-450 yen

Bread (six fat slices) 109 yen

Panda Cookies 105 yen

Living in a winter wonderland with the man I love – priceless (I know, corny but true)

Is there anything you’d like know the cost of?  Leave a comment and I’ll try to find out.