Japanese exchange rates/cost of eating out (was Re: "The Mark-8 was an Intel 8008")

From: Ethan Dicks <erd_6502_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Jul 2 14:53:00 2003

--- Mail List <mail.list_at_analog-and-digital-solutions.com> wrote:
> Hello Paxton,
>
> I don't know what it is like these days, but back in the 90's the US
> dollar wasn't worth much in exchange against the Yen.

~115 Yen to the US Dollar. It was 105 when I was there in 1996. It's
been better recently, it was worse formerly. I _think_ the US dollar
hit a low of 87 Yen or so around the time you are thinking of.

> some of the other instructors told me what it was like to try to
> go out on the local economy. Something like a hamburger being
> $35.00 and such. I don't think they were BS'ing me about that either.

I personally saw a steak advertised in a window for 8000 Yen. I
chose to eat down the street at a "yakitori" place (grilled meat
on skewers) and had the most expensive meal of my trip - $22.00 USD
for a plate full of food and one or two beers. Most of my meals were
in the $6.00 to $8.00 range, but I can read Japanese menus and did not
go to the places frequented by Americans.

Yes, I'm certain that there were $35.00 hamburgers to be had. Local
cuisine (Soba, Ramen, Sashimi, Sushi, etc.) is much cheaper there
than beef. Save money in Tokyo - eat fish. Insisting on an American
diet in Asia is an expensive way to go.

-ethan
Received on Wed Jul 02 2003 - 14:53:00 BST