A recent cost of living index of the world's most expensive cities, has Tokyo and Osaka listed as the number one and number two most expensive cities in the world.

This may seem like bad news for people who want to visit Japan, but actually Tokyo and Osaka have always been way up there in the rankings, so this year's poll shouldn't deter anyone who really wants to experience Japan.

The best way to enjoy yourself here in Japan without spending a lot of money is to do things the way people who live here do. Not only will you be saving money, but you'll getting a more Japanese-like experience for your buck!

Where does your money go when you travel?

If you are a big present buyer and spend tons of money on what we in Japan call "omiyage" (souvenirs or presents), then you can probably save a lot of money by buying some things that are common here, but less common in your own country. Sometimes the Japanese version of a familiar brand can be a fun and interesting gift. A can of Japanese "nostalgic" style gratin flavored potato chips will only cost about three dollars at a supermarket or convenience store. You can also usually fined some very Japanese flavored Kit Kats or other snacks.

I often bring Japanese style curry roux or other useful foods that are common in Japan but not in other countries. There are also a lot of "macha" or sweet green tea flavored snacks out in the stores now with a very traditional Japanese taste. (If you decide to bring food back to your country, please check to be sure you are allowed to bring it through customs.)

I've also found people to be delighted with traditional Japanese toys that can be found in the toy section of department stores or even in the "100 Yen" shops (the Japanese equivalent to a dollar store). In fact, there are a lot of very common, very traditional items that can be found at the 100 Yen shops including mugs, "donburi" bowls, and other useful items.

A little more expensive, but still under $20, you can buy Starbucks tumblers or mugs with designs based on certain regions. There are mugs and tumblers sold only in Hiroshima, Osaka, Tokyo, and Yokohama. They also make seasonal tumblers and mugs. For example, in Spring, you can easily find a lot of products with "sakura" or cherry blossom designs on them.

If you spend a lot of money on eating out, you're going to be looking for places to eat authentic and delicious Japanese food cheaply. The Japanese family restaurant chains all offer reasonably priced food, both Western and Japanese, and there is always Japan's answer to McDonald's which is called Mos Burger and pretty easy to find. The "rice burgers" are quite interesting, as they replace the bun with rice shaped like a bun.

There are also the ubiquitous curry shops, ramen shops, and beef bowl shops, not to mention the bentos (boxed lunches) you can get at convenience stores which are everyday lunches for working men and women here. All Japanese, all authentic, delicious, and inexpensive.

Japan is indeed a very expensive place to live, and visit, but you can make it a lot easier on yourself and even improve your experience by doing things the way normal people here do.