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Travel Tuesday Interview: Tokyo Becky's Guide to Living in Japan - Travel Like Anna

shieldSnaggyCodes Editorial Team calendar_todayJun 28, 2026 schedule7 min read verifiedFact-checked
Travel Tuesday Interview: Tokyo Becky's Guide to Living in Japan - Travel Like Anna

There is a smarter way to approach travel tuesday interview tokyo, and it starts with knowing a few key details. This guide covers them, along with tips you can apply immediately.

Key Takeaways

  • I met Becky in Laos a month before my Japan trip, and she invited me to stay with her in Tokyo.
  • She dishes all the details about Japan including budget travel in Japan, how to find a job and the best off-the-beaten path destinations.
  • No one knows Japan better than Tokyo Becky!
  • How did you end up in Japan?

A Closer Look at Travel Tuesday Interview Tokyo

For this week’s Travel Tuesday Interview, I chat with one of my best friends, Becky Gillespie, a Cincinnati, Ohio native who has been living in Japan for 12 years. Worth noting: ohio native Becky Gillespe lives in the Shimokitazawa neighborhood of Tokyo that’s filled with cozy cafes like Bear Pond Expresso.  Name: Becky Gillespie Age: 34 Hometown: Tokyo, Japan (originally from Cincinnati, Ohio) Country count: 45 Countries (46 by next month) Website: www.TokyoBecky.com Instagram: @TokyoBecky 1.

  • How did you begin traveling?
  • I took out college loans to take a two-month study abroad program to Western Europe just before my last year of university.  The trip was a special independent style trip where we took classes in hotel conference rooms as a group of 120 students from Monday-Wednesday.
  • More importantly, in the last three months before college graduation, I was doing interviews for jobs as a Finance major.
  • I also did Japanese and U.S. taxes for a global accounting firm, voice over recording work, editing, translation, you name it.  There is even a company here where you can sing over the phone to children in English and get paid.

What to Know About Travel Tuesday Interview Tokyo

Naoshima is an island known for sculptures and art museums located an hour away from Okayama. What advice would you have for someone wanting to teach English in Japan?

  • Remember that she recently received permanent residency status in Japan.
  • Share some pointers for traveling on a budget in Japan.
  • My first massive pointer is to purchase a Japan Rail Pass BEFORE you come to Japan (you activate it once you come to Japan).
  • This will save you an unbelievable amount of money traveling near on the bullet trains here.  As a resident here, I am not allowed to purchase it, but one return trip Kyoto from Tokyo for me as a resident is more pricey than seven days of unlimited travel on this pass, just to provide you an concept.

How Travel Tuesday Interview Tokyo Really Works

As a rule, i would also advise bringing a water bottle since water is about $1.40-1.60 from the vending machines here, and the [tap] water is totally safe to drink. There are drinking fountains at pubic restrooms, parks, and at most train stations.  Save when you can.

  • Take the trains instead of the taxis.  That’s a massive pointer since Tokyo seems to have the most pricey taxis in the world.  Be sure that you don’t miss the last train home each night (near 11:30pm-midnight) since then you must pay for taxis, and it gets pricey.
  • To keep aspects affordable for the food budget, check out ramen shops and noodle shop chains to not only try Japanese food but also keep your meal at under $10.
  • In short, numerous of these shops also sell a solid-sized meal for near $6.
  • I also recommend the 100 yen or $1 stores here which sell absolutely everything except anything you’d wish to wear in public.

Getting the Most From Travel Tuesday Interview Tokyo

There is also no tipping in Japan for anything so you will definitely save there. I also strongly encourage after reasonable Airbnb places in Tokyo.  Hotels are generally highly pricey, but Airbnb can be much more reasonable.

  • Worth noting: becky recommends the remote Kumano Kodo pilgrimage hike in Wakayama, Japan as a solid method to escape the crowds.
  • What are your three favorite off-the-beaten path places to visit in Japan?
  • I love this question since Japan is a treasure trove of off-the-beaten path places.
  • Unfortunately, the three places that I’m going to tell you about are not straightforward to get to and will take a bit of time out of your travel budget to get to, but they are worth it!

Tips That Make a Difference

More importantly, i love the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage path hike in Wakayama, Japan. I just did this over Thanksgiving and saw a total of seven people on the four-day trek while on the hiking trail itself.

  • It is full of history, beautiful shrines, impressive hot springs, and friendly people.  I would love to visit again.
  • This is an island covered in ancient cedar trees and is a wonderful place to hike.  There are also some areas with beaches in the summer.  I loved hiking there.
  • Remember that what was your greatest struggle living abroad and how did you overcome it?
  • What advice would you have for aspiring travelers?  I have found that the friends that you make here are excellent resources and support when you require to get over aspects like this.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Find someone who has done it before you through your network, and they will point you in the right direction.  Curiosity is going to be your greatest friend here since it will keep you exploring new places and meeting new people who will be able to assist you get where you require to go. If you’re afraid, just have the contact details of the hotel where you’re staying with you, and someone will be able to assist.

  • As a rule, the first step is consistently the hardest, but then, you will learn as you go.
  • Becky heads to Nagano to go snowboarding once or twice a year.
  • The city was home to the 1998 Winter Olympics.
  • What is the biggest myth about traveling solo or living in Japan?

Is Travel Tuesday Interview Tokyo Worth It?

In short, that it is dangerous (the solo female travel part), crazy pricey and you will just have to work all the time. None of this is true (although the work part can sometimes feel true).  I have found a method to make plenty of time for taking the trips that I require to and you can make it happen as well.

  • I have found living in Tokyo to be cheaper than living in Cincinnati since I at no point require a car here, and I have been able to keep rent at less than $800 and teach private students for added cash when I wish to save up for something.
  • Name three aspects you consistently pack for a trip.
  • Worth noting: what is your next adventure?
  • After a short weekend snowboarding trip to see the “Sno.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I save money on travel tuesday interview tokyo?

Compare prices across a few retailers, look for active coupon codes, and time bigger buys around sales events. Worth noting: ohio native Becky Gillespe lives in the Shimokitazawa neighborhood of Tokyo that’s filled with cozy cafes like Bear Pond Expresso.  Name: Becky Gillespie Age: 34 Hometown: Tokyo, Japan (originally from Cinc....

Is it worth shopping around for travel tuesday interview tokyo?

Usually yes. How did you begin traveling?.

What should I check before buying?

Read the terms, confirm any code still works, and factor in shipping or returns. I took out college loans to take a two-month study abroad program to Western Europe just before my last year of university.  The trip was a special independent style trip where we took classes in hotel conference rooms a....

Smart Ways to Save More on Travel Tuesday Interview Tokyo

  • Check for student, military, or first order offers you may qualify for.
  • Time non urgent purchases around major sale events for the deepest cuts.
  • Leave items in your cart for a day; some stores send a follow up discount.
  • Pair cashback with a coupon so you save twice on the same order.
  • Stack a coupon code with an existing sale whenever the store allows it.

Final Thoughts

Put these ideas to work and travel tuesday interview tokyo gets a lot less expensive. Bookmark this page, check back for fresh deals, and let the savings do the talking.

Originally published at savingswitch.com.

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SnaggyCodes Editorial Team

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