I’d be able to travel Japan with Lee and my friends. We wouldn’t have to wait on the school to provide school trips to various places, we’d be able to travel to Kyoto, Tokyo, Hokaido, Kamakura, Saitama, Osaka, Hiroshima, Chiba, Okinawa, Tottori, and even outskirts of these places just to see rural Japan. To travel to all of these tourist locations would be fantastic and ever-lasting, but to see a few blocks away from these tourist locations ― the real Japan ― would be a dream.

I’d be able to buy omiyage (souvenirs) for my friends, family and relatives back home. Instead of focusing on one or two nice omiyage for a few, I could buy more and ship them back home as I buy them (postage is expensive naturally).

I’d be able to eat out at more restaurants. Every now and then ― and nowhere near as often as I’d like it to occur ― I happen to be out with Lee and we come across a quaint hole-in-the-wall restaurant. We kill for the occasion to go to these places because we get to meet and mingle with Japanese as well as eat really good food at a great price. However, buying cheap meals and cheap groceries at the supermarket is the way to go.

I’d be able to enjoy myself more without having to think about saving money today because of next month’s phone bill or electric bill or whatever else. This is nearly always at the back of my mind unfortunately.

I’d be able to remember Japan for Japan and not for the many things I wasn’t able to do because of lack of money. If I only had money…

Yes, Japan is very expensive! Nothing is free ― everything has it’s price. But in Japan’s case, consumers purchase goods and services at a greater-than-value prices. I’m sure I’m discovering this fact as so many others before have already.