The misconception persists that everything in Tokyo is outrageously expensive, but the truth is you slurp noodles at a stand-up udon shop for less than $5, and it's possible to spend a night on the town bar hopping or fine dining without breaking a Benjamin (or a 10,000 yen note, as the case may be). But there are institutions worth seeking out—and sometimes splurging on—from strict traditionalists defending ancient methods of sushi and soba, and innovators pushing boundaries. Whether you're looking for European cheese in a department store basement or a shop specializing in regional ramen, you'll find it all in Tokyo.