Blog du Wren

Price Comparisons

I know money seems like a lame thing to be thinking/blogging about when traveling in such incredible places as Taiwan and Japan, but it is a hard issue to avoid putting some thought into. In fact, it can sometimes lend a really interesting light to cultural appreciation. Having just arrived in Japan and conversion rates, etc. already being on my mind, I thought I would post a few price comparisons.

	Taipei, Taiwan	Okinawa, Japan	notes
Lowest denomination of paper currency	NT 100 (about $3.00)	1000 yen (about $10.00)	In either case, but esp. Japan, a pocket full of change can add up to a lot of money
McDonald's ice cream cone	NT 15 (about $0.45)	100 yen (about $1.00)	This more than 100% increase in price is not going to bode well for that habit. It is worth noting, however, that Japanese McDs ice cream cones are pointed at the bottom. Now you know.
15(ish) minute subway/monorail ride	NT 25 (about $0.70)	230 yen (about $2.40)	Taiwan has the clear advantage here. I was super impressed by Taipei's clean, efficient, awesome subway. Naha, however, has a monorail, and monorails are just plain cool.
Pocari sweat	NT 25 (about $0.70)	110 yen (about $1.15)	In Japan, however, you can get Pocari sweat from a vending machine, one of which is located every 3 feet along every road.
Bed in a hostel	NT 590 (about $17.50)	1500 yen (about $15.50)	Surprisingly Taipei outprices Japan, but I have a feeling while $17.50 was the most I paid for a bed in Taiwan, $15.50 will be the least I have to pay in all of Japan.
Postage for a postcard to the U.S.	NT 11 (about $0.30)	70 yen (about $.075)	The question is if and when they will arrive.

Wednesday March 4 2009

File under: travel, Taiwan

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on Wed 04th Mar, 2009 07:42 pm PST Jule said:
travel memories: priceless
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