Hi, I'm Alan,

Chances are we’ve a lot in common.

Do you share a great deal of passion for everything Japanese? Well, I do.

I’ve been a Tokyo aficionado for years. Already before I actually went there, I was head over heels in love with the city – to the detriment of my family and friends, who did not always share my view... I’m sure you can imagine.

As a matter of fact, it was the sole imagination of a unique blend of a dynamic, vibrating city and Japanese tradition that thrilled me.

Until I went there for the first time…

I soon realized that the "great" number of hours I dedicated to Japanese language studies had been of no good. I didn't understand a single word!! I felt lost! The few useful expressions I knew helped me gain the locals’ excitement and encouragement. But nothing else.

Apparently, I was not really prepared. False expectations? Exactly.

I had quite a tough ride spending my summer holidays over there. All the plans I had made were redundant as I recognized that Tokyo had a lot to offer – too much, however, for me and my savings. I didn’t end up broke. But I had to make one or two cutbacks on social activities.

That was the time when my interest – out of purely financial motives – arose. Not surprisingly, this was all more like trial and error. So I’m not sure whether I really saved money back then. At least, I felt like trying...

Back home, I dug into it a little more. I did some research, which mainly translated into asking Japanese friends and other people that had traveled to Japan. All this gave me some more clues.

When I went to Tokyo the following year, I felt much more prepared. And this feeling was justified! I spent much less. Nevertheless, it still was not quite the amount I wanted to spend.

So I tried almost anything to save a couple of bucks. Shifting products at the supermarket according to best before dates? Yep.

Eating Japanese-style curry three times a day? Sure.

The list is endless. I guarantee, you wouldn't want to go through that yourself. Nevertheless, this was a valuable learning experience for me.

It was not too long before some friends pushed me to share my insights. And now, I’m an author! :-)

Yeah, the result is the Tokyo Food Pilot. I’ve been working on it continuously as time doesn’t stand still in Tokyo either. Over the last couple of years, things changed a lot. Therefore, it helped to make it a habit to go on at least three extended stays to Tokyo every year. Accordingly, I am not dependent on other people’s stories anymore. I can easily check for myself. Nonetheless, I regularly consult friends and colleagues living over there as well.

I don’t know you personally. But if you're going to Tokyo -- be it as a traveler or permanent resident -- I’m convinced my eBook will also be to your benefit.  At least, it has been to other people before.

Bear in mind that this guide contains all the lessons I learned throughout the years. In retrospect, I don’t regret a single thing. But it is quite likely that I could have had a much more relaxing and still exciting time if I had had a guide like this.

I wish you a wonderful time in the most exhilarating city in the world!

All the best,

Alan

Q&A: YOU MIGHT OBJECT…

Granted, this offer sounds too good to be true. Nobody and nothing’s perfect. Neither is the Tokyo Food Pilot. However, I tried hard to iron out potential shortcomings. But let's address a few other people have raised again and again before their actual purchase.

Q: I understand the Tokyo Food Pilot will help me save money in Tokyo. But how can a dynamic and vibrating city such as Tokyo be covered accurately?

A: It goes without saying that any food guide on Tokyo would already be outdated by the date of its publishing. Nevertheless, I seek to continuously update the Tokyo Food Pilot. I do so alongside my local partners who provide me with latest developments. In addition, I go on at least three extended stays to Tokyo every year.

Q: I understand I will find the best bargain spots with the Tokyo Food Pilot easily. But how can I recoup the money I spend on the purchase?

A: This is a justified question, and one that many people raised before they actually purchase a copy. However, US$35.90 is next to nothing compared to the information at hand. With the Tokyo Food Pilot you will save a multiple of the purchasing price in no time. Let’s look at an example:

If you go to a standard fast food chain (which you clearly don’t want to since that is not real Tokyo), you will probably spend around JPY1,000 per meal if you do without any extras. Just plain burger, coke, and fries. The entire day will therefore cost you about JPY3,000. While this is not bad at all in terms of money spent, you’ll not only do without variety. No, you will also miss out on typical Japanese food. And isn’t that also what makes Tokyo so special?

So you might want to have some variety and visit a Japanese restaurant. Knowing little about Tokyo, how great do you think your chances are that you will by accident run into one of the best bargain spots? It’s very unlikely. As a result, you’d be most likely to pay much more than JPY1,000. After one or maximum two days, the Tokyo Food Pilot would have recouped the initial purchasing price already. In addition, without this guide you might be at risk of getting stressed out and so have to cut back on quality of life while being on holidays. Sure enough, I wouldn’t want that. How about you?

Q: I understand the Tokyo Food Pilot is different from ordinary food guides in that it focuses on low-budget locations. But why shouldn’t I buy an alternative guide anyway?

A: I have mentioned touristic sights and their advantages and disadvantages. If you want to pay more for lousy food which not even locals buy, then stick with traditional travel guides. If you want to see real Tokyo, however, the Tokyo Food Pilot 2009 is for you!

And think about why some good restaurants are mentioned in well-known travel guides and other similar locations are not. You would be surprised what dynamics there are in the tourism business. Tour guides leading their clients to befriended restaurant owners is just the tip of the iceberg... On the contrary, I have no affiliation whatsoever to the locations mentioned in the Tokyo Food Pilot. No commissions will be paid to me, and no further material benefits have been granted to my team.

Q: I understand the Tokyo Food Pilot will allow me to enjoy my time in Tokyo without worrying about my budget. But how do I know you are credible?

A: Hey, a chicken-egg problem! I'm convinced of the accuracy and originality of my product. On several occasions, I’ve made my very own experiences in Tokyo. And I continue to do so, which will be reflected in other publications soon to come. By offering you the Tokyo Food Pilot at NO RISK I hope to build enough rapport for you to trust me.