Drinking is a filthy habit that has the potential to ruin friendships and lights up your liver, but it doesn’t necessarily have to break your bank.
This is our guide to drinking (responsibly) on a budget.
Nomihodai
Unfortunately one of the firs
t Japanese phrases that many foreigners learn upon arrival is “I’ll take one all-you-can-drink please.” The word is nomihodai, and love it or hate it, no one can argue that it’s not a bargain. Depending on the place, one usually fares a 1,500 to 3,000 yen price and that will buy you 90 minutes and beyond of all you can drink madness. It’s the perfect ice breaker and sets the tone for a big Saturday night out. Just know your own limits and nomihodai responsibly.
Pre-game
If an all-you-can-drink atmosphere isn’t your cup of sake, but you are still chasing that frugal fun, channel your inner frat boy and partake in an ancient ritual known as pre-gaming. Pre-gaming is a practice invented by broke college kids in an effort save money without sacrificing a drop of inebriation. Just drink up before hitting the town and prevent excess spending. Financial responsibility!
Konbini hopping
This is a term coined by my favorite 
Vermontonian philosopher and friend Clinton Carrick. The drinking districts in Hiroshima have no shortage of dive bars and konbinis. Combine this with lenient Japanese public drinking laws and the stage is set to konbini hop your way from bar to bar (stopping for a quick medial beer at each konbini of course).
Beer Gardens
First time
beer gardeners will quickly come to the realization that a beer garden is composed of approximately 1% garden and 99% beer. Depending on the particular “garden,” roughly ￥3,000 will buy you up to five hours of all-you-can-drink /all-you-can-eat indulgence. Beer gardens, or as I refer to them as, roof top thunder domes are a time tested method to jump start your Saturday night int0 hyperspace. Get the millinium falcon taxi ready and leave the bicycle at home. Note: Drinking and riding a bicycle is illegal.
Drinking in moderation is a great way to loosen up and make some new friends. No need to break the bank every weekend. With these tips hopefully you can have your sake and drink it too.
-A practitioner of financial responsibility, one Konbini drink at a time.