Heading to Tokyo Saturday - Shogun, any tips?

[repenttokyo]

As the title says, I am unexpectedly heading to Tokyo for a week on Saturday, and I was wondering if Shogun or any other board members had some tips as to what I should do while I am there?

[shogun]

well, all depends on what you are interested in. Akihabara electric town, temples, parks, nightlife.
Some general info

http://www.infomapjapan.com/sight_Tokyo.phtml

If you can wake up early, do not miss Tsukiji fish market
http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/travel/spotindex.html
will close next year or so and moved out of town.

One day trip to Hakone National park with Mount Fuji and a onsen (natural spa) might also be of interest
http://www.sunnypages.jp/travel_guide/tokyo_sightseeing
http://japan-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/tokyo_skyline_sightseeing_spots

use public transportation, subway, train, bus, all clean and efficient and relatively cheap
http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=424&pID=1723
http://www.jref.com/practical/transportation_tokyo.shtml
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/
prepare good walking shoes,
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/tourists/guideservice/guideservice/index.html

and make a plan before you arrive, one week is quite short for such a big city with many attractions.


Save money and buy a Japan Rail Pass
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html


People are very friendly and Tokyo is save.

[repenttokyo]

Thanks!

[Paul in NZ]

surely a beer with Shogun san must be on the agenda!!?

[bsell]

As the title says, I am unexpectedly heading to Tokyo for a week on Saturday, and I was wondering if Shogun or any other board members had some tips as to what I should do while I am there?

How about visiting Coco's and eat a chicken cutlet, level 3, with mixed veggies? English menu here: (12MB!) http://www.ichibanya.co.jp/english/info/pdf/maltilingual_0903.pdf

Of course, you could do the guydon (beef bowl) at Yoshinoya. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshinoya

A fan of cup noodles? Get a bowl of 'real' noodles at a ramen shop. I am hankering some aka (red) miso ramen and gyoza, like this: http://julian.li/food/IMG_9813.jpg

Then again, the Japanese tend to like things 'nice' so while the average price for a night's stay in a nice hotel in Tokyo is $300+, this ain't no Econolodge...

Have fun and I am jealous,

Brian

P.S. Yes, I did eat breakfast before reading your post and I could eat that ramen and gyoza set right now!

[pingu]

I'd recommend taking the 'Bullet' train to Hiroshima for a day trip. I think it took me about 4 hours each way. As a Brit, it was a nice change to be travelling on a railway that was so punctual I used it to set my watch!

[repenttokyo]

i have heard that the train is timed to the second - impressive.

Been here about two days and I am majorly impressed with the city. Thank-you for all of the suggestions. We are staying in Shibuya, which is pretty cool so far.

[shogun]

Shibuya? Walk to the next station or take the Yamanote line to Harajuku, Meiji Shrine and Garden, very impressive, and lots of young folks around there
http://board.ringsworld.com/harajuku-style-t13426.html
http://www.harajukustyle.net/
http://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Harajuku-Style

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Shrine

If you are at Harajuku station, just opposite the main street is a tall brown building, I lived there in an apartment years ago when shogun was young

[bsell]

Shibuya? Walk to the next station or take the Yamanote line to Harajuku, Meiji Shrine and Garden, very impressive, and lots of young folks around there
http://board.ringsworld.com/harajuku-style-t13426.html
http://www.harajukustyle.net/
http://www.wikihow.com/Dress-Harajuku-Style

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Shrine

If you are at Harajuku station, just opposite the main street is a tall brown building, I lived there in an apartment years ago when shogun was young

+1 for Harajuku on a Sunday...freaky! ;)