It's been a few years, I'm now badly broke but quite happy.

Two things:

1) I owe people favors. My memory is crap. So if you've been nice to me one way or another, or I know you one way or another, I don't mind muling for you -if- you have something specific in mind and -if- I happen to chance upon the item or visit the store where you know it's available. Ordering something yourself and having it delivered to my Japanese address? Even better. I have limited space, so 1000% Bearbricks are out, but I'll see how everything goes otherwise. Despite these caveats, yes, sure, I'd love to help.

2) I'm staying with my in-laws in Nagoya and with friends in Osaka, but can't find a place to stay in Tokyo or thereabout (all my friends seem to be away, moving, etc.). I'm thus shamelessly looking for a couch/futon for me and my mom (who's accompanying me for that stint) for a few days (Oct 9-12?). I'm sadly too broke to afford a proper hotel and I can't really ask my mom to stay in a capsule or overnight internet café... I'd of course be more than willing to return the favor if you're ever in my corner of Canada, bring you whatever from here, etc. I'm clean, quiet, and low-maintenance (I speak Japanese, know Tokyo well, and am independent). Please let me know if there's anything that can be done!

Cheers,
Oli

Have you booked your flight already Oli (I imagine so). But SF is just before on the 7th. It would be huge shame to be oh so close, and just miss it.

Thats awesome Oli, Hope you have a great trip!

Yeah, leaving on the 8th, landing on the 9th, will be missing it. A shame, but as I said, I'll be with my mom in Tokyo, so I don't know how much free time I'd have had anyhow...

Someone told me about hotwire.com, there's some decent deals there, so I might yet be able to afford a room for a few days...

(and thanks Bryan!)

You can stay at a Toyoko Inn for $90-$100/night for a double. Free breakfast. Free coffee in the lobby. Free Internet. Safe. Clean. (As with many hotels in Japan, you have to be out of the room between 10 AM-4 PM while they do the cleaning.)

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/index.html

That place ruled. I noticed the cheaper the hotel, the more free stuff I got. It was weird. Anyway, have fun! I have some pics of my trip on my tumblr but it's way back in the timeline past millions of weird gifs.

also you can look at the Sakura hotels/hostels

http://www.sakura-hotel.co.jp/

or couch surfing

http://www.couchsurfing.org/