I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that most of the food options near my hotel, located in a quieter neighborhood north of the Imperial Palace, offered many dishes that’d cost me under $10.

After conversions, I paid between $5 and $15 for most of my meals.

However, I became so accustomed to the low prices from the favorable exchange rate that I felt as though anything more expensive was either a scam or not worth it.

At various restaurants, I opted not to try the premium pork katsu, the expensive sushi cuts, or wagyu because I deemed them too expensive — even though they would’ve been the price of an average dinner back home in NYC.

By having a tight wallet, I missed out on tasting fresh local specialties I’d hoped to try for years. This also applied to experiences.

I really wanted to take the scenic, direct train route to the town of Fujikawaguchiko, one of the most popular destinations for viewing Mount Fuji. Instead, I booked a cheaper bus ride that had views of a few small towns.

I also missed out the Ghibli Museum and the Yayoi Kusama Museum. The entrance fees would’ve cost me less than $15, but I opted instead to walk around the city for free.

Though in the end, I felt good about saving the extra few dollars on things I didn’t absolutely need, I felt like I was being overly cautious and, in some ways, blinded by the pursuit of affordability.