Discussion
Am thinking of going to Tokyo in September for around 5 days. Always wanted to go since being a kid, so finally get the opportunity.
Any recommendations upon where to stay, specifically which area, but also hotel recommendations and of course what musts are there to do?
As it's a trip as a treat to myself for reaching 40, the budget, while not unlimited, is pretty open.
Is 5 days enough? Is it too many? Is it worth a quick dash somewhere else in Japan, or can everything be seen within reasonable trek from a Tokyo base?
The current plan is to stopover for a few days each way in Dubai on the journey.
Any suggestions much appreciated.
Any recommendations upon where to stay, specifically which area, but also hotel recommendations and of course what musts are there to do?
As it's a trip as a treat to myself for reaching 40, the budget, while not unlimited, is pretty open.
Is 5 days enough? Is it too many? Is it worth a quick dash somewhere else in Japan, or can everything be seen within reasonable trek from a Tokyo base?
The current plan is to stopover for a few days each way in Dubai on the journey.
Any suggestions much appreciated.
I went earlier this year, Monday to Saturday.
We stayed in the Four Seasons which I'd recommend highly on the basis on the great location, large rooms and excellent staff. With a stay that short we unfortunately didn't get out of the city. The highlights for us were:
- Ginza (just around the corner)
- Dinner & Drinks in the Park Hyatt (Lost in Translation), very expensive but worth it
- Bridgestone art museum
- The Aquarium
... I can dig out our itinerary if you like. We got a lot into a few days but could have used longer, if nothing else to explore further afield.
We stayed in the Four Seasons which I'd recommend highly on the basis on the great location, large rooms and excellent staff. With a stay that short we unfortunately didn't get out of the city. The highlights for us were:
- Ginza (just around the corner)
- Dinner & Drinks in the Park Hyatt (Lost in Translation), very expensive but worth it
- Bridgestone art museum
- The Aquarium
... I can dig out our itinerary if you like. We got a lot into a few days but could have used longer, if nothing else to explore further afield.
We are going in August as part of a round the world trip.
Our itinerary includes;
Ginza
Harajuku - crazy teenage fashions
Ometesando - amazing shops and shopping
Fish Market & learning to make sushi
Akihabra - technology central
French Maid cafe - uniquely Japanese and, we understand, children friendly
Imperial Palace Gardens - a bit of peace
We are also going to Hakone for the Mount Fuji viewing experience, volcanoes permitting.
We are also staying in Tokyo at the Four Seasons Maranouchi. I have stayed on business and it is a great hotel, and very well located.
Our itinerary includes;
Ginza
Harajuku - crazy teenage fashions
Ometesando - amazing shops and shopping
Fish Market & learning to make sushi
Akihabra - technology central
French Maid cafe - uniquely Japanese and, we understand, children friendly
Imperial Palace Gardens - a bit of peace
We are also going to Hakone for the Mount Fuji viewing experience, volcanoes permitting.
We are also staying in Tokyo at the Four Seasons Maranouchi. I have stayed on business and it is a great hotel, and very well located.
I spent 3 months in Japan at the beginning of this year (sigh it feels like so long ago now!).
This time of year Japan is awfully muggy and hot, I was also there in August last year just outside Tokyo and it was around 38C and 80% humidity. It's fine inside and nice in the evenings though.
Top tip, get yourself a Suica or Pasmo card for use on the trains. It's just like an Oyster card but can be used on trains, buses, in shops, buying tickets for attractions too.
I'd recommend visiting the following:-
Hakone - try to spend a night there and visit an onsen (natural hot spring), there's so much to see and do in that particular area. The Hakone circle is a good trip (train, cable car, cliff railway and pirate ship!) and the views of Fuji-san from the top of Mt Hakone are fabulous. Also Mt Hakone is an active volcano so at the top are sulphur vents and thermal springs bubbling away. Be sure to try a black egg cooked up there!
You can take the romancecar train from Shinjuku station directly to Hakone, or you could also take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to tick that box too.
Enoshima/Kamakura - South West of Tokyo, Enoshima is a pretty island with gardens and shrines dotted around it. Kamakura has many shrines and temples with a famous bronze buddha that you can go inside. Used to be the capital of Japan many moons ago but is now like a very mini Kyoto.
Then in Tokyo itself:-
Harajuku as mentioned is well worth a visit on a Sunday to see the anime costume people.
Shibuya zebra crossing to see the mental crowds and see what Picadilly circus on steroids looks like.
One of the big temples, I'd avoid Senso-ji as it's so bloody busy. I think there's supposed to be a good one between Shibuya and Harajuku (they're in walking distance from each other) which is as pretty but much quieter.
Shinjuku/Kabukicho area - Kabukicho is the red light district and is a bit seedy and you hear some stories of people being invited into girly bars and being mugged but there's some awesome sights and places to eat and drink like the robot restaurant and the dungeon restaurant. Also nearby is the Golden Gai which is an area of tiny bars and restaurants where the locals refused to move from when Japan began rebuilding Tokyo following the war. Some great little places to eat and drink.
All in all the country is fantastic. Totally mad, an assault on the senses but incredibly safe and friendly compared to anywhere else I've travelled too. Enjoy it. I can't wait to go back!
This time of year Japan is awfully muggy and hot, I was also there in August last year just outside Tokyo and it was around 38C and 80% humidity. It's fine inside and nice in the evenings though.
Top tip, get yourself a Suica or Pasmo card for use on the trains. It's just like an Oyster card but can be used on trains, buses, in shops, buying tickets for attractions too.
I'd recommend visiting the following:-
Hakone - try to spend a night there and visit an onsen (natural hot spring), there's so much to see and do in that particular area. The Hakone circle is a good trip (train, cable car, cliff railway and pirate ship!) and the views of Fuji-san from the top of Mt Hakone are fabulous. Also Mt Hakone is an active volcano so at the top are sulphur vents and thermal springs bubbling away. Be sure to try a black egg cooked up there!
You can take the romancecar train from Shinjuku station directly to Hakone, or you could also take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to tick that box too.
Enoshima/Kamakura - South West of Tokyo, Enoshima is a pretty island with gardens and shrines dotted around it. Kamakura has many shrines and temples with a famous bronze buddha that you can go inside. Used to be the capital of Japan many moons ago but is now like a very mini Kyoto.
Then in Tokyo itself:-
Harajuku as mentioned is well worth a visit on a Sunday to see the anime costume people.
Shibuya zebra crossing to see the mental crowds and see what Picadilly circus on steroids looks like.
One of the big temples, I'd avoid Senso-ji as it's so bloody busy. I think there's supposed to be a good one between Shibuya and Harajuku (they're in walking distance from each other) which is as pretty but much quieter.
Shinjuku/Kabukicho area - Kabukicho is the red light district and is a bit seedy and you hear some stories of people being invited into girly bars and being mugged but there's some awesome sights and places to eat and drink like the robot restaurant and the dungeon restaurant. Also nearby is the Golden Gai which is an area of tiny bars and restaurants where the locals refused to move from when Japan began rebuilding Tokyo following the war. Some great little places to eat and drink.
All in all the country is fantastic. Totally mad, an assault on the senses but incredibly safe and friendly compared to anywhere else I've travelled too. Enjoy it. I can't wait to go back!
Love Tokyo!
Amongst many other things: Last time there, we got up early to make the morning training session at a Sumo stable - spectators are allowed at several, as long as they sit down, STFU, no flash photography and generally behave in a respectful manner.
Well worth it.
I can try and dig out the name and location of the one we visited if you want; 'twas in the main Sumo district not far from the Edo Tokyo Museum (which we went to afterwards and was also worth a visit).
Amongst many other things: Last time there, we got up early to make the morning training session at a Sumo stable - spectators are allowed at several, as long as they sit down, STFU, no flash photography and generally behave in a respectful manner.
Well worth it.
I can try and dig out the name and location of the one we visited if you want; 'twas in the main Sumo district not far from the Edo Tokyo Museum (which we went to afterwards and was also worth a visit).
I enjoyed 'Piss Alley' (Omoide Yokocho, or Memory Lane) in Shinjuku; go for a beer and some yakitori in the miniscule bars there. We walked there after having drinks in the Hyatt New York bar, it's not too far.
Nonbei Yokocho in Shibuya is similar as well, but we were there too early and nowhere was open. Not far from the Shibuya crossing that is often mentioned as a must-see.
Nonbei Yokocho in Shibuya is similar as well, but we were there too early and nowhere was open. Not far from the Shibuya crossing that is often mentioned as a must-see.
Cyder said:
Bonus points for the weirdest thing you can eat out there.
I think my highlights
were:-
Raw horse (twice because I'm cool like that :smoking
Jelly fish
Raw chicken
Chicken feet
Unagi (smoked eel from the base of Mt Fuji which tasted nice but had a very odd texture and after taste)
I ate loads of "not a clue" when I was there. Just pointed at random stuff on the menu and heard people at the other tables giggle and say "gaijin" a lotI think my highlights
were:-Raw horse (twice because I'm cool like that :smoking
Jelly fish
Raw chicken
Chicken feet
Unagi (smoked eel from the base of Mt Fuji which tasted nice but had a very odd texture and after taste)
furtive said:
Cyder said:
Bonus points for the weirdest thing you can eat out there.
I think my highlights were:-
Raw horse (twice because I'm cool like that :smoking
Jelly fish
Raw chicken
Chicken feet
Unagi (smoked eel from the base of Mt Fuji which tasted nice but had a very odd texture and after taste)
I ate loads of "not a clue" when I was there. Just pointed at random stuff on the menu and heard people at the other tables giggle and say "gaijin" a lotI think my highlights
were:-Raw horse (twice because I'm cool like that :smoking
Jelly fish
Raw chicken
Chicken feet
Unagi (smoked eel from the base of Mt Fuji which tasted nice but had a very odd texture and after taste)
+ Raw liver.
Never again
Cyder said:
Bonus points for the weirdest thing you can eat out there.
Ironically, the weirdest thing I had was in that French place next to Tokyo Station, which was Andouillette. I had to go there as my colleague was too squeamish to eat local all the time, so I took revenge!Mind you, I also ate a few things in local restaurants which I couldn't identify...
Been there a couple of times on stop overs. An incredible place. HUGE.
More jaw-dropping than the first time you saw Manhattan. It's a long way so you'll lose a day to jet lag. Do you need/want to go to Dubai? I'd be going straight to tokyo and making the most of my time away there.
It's expensive.
Not much English spoken (if any)
Learn the etiquette (cleanliness is next to Godliness in Japan)
Get some cards preprinted in Japanese with the name of your hotel before you go (http://www.asianbusinesscards.com/japanese-business-card-translation.html), It will help enormously getting taxis back to your hotel - although the Metro/Tube is brilliant.
Go to Harajuku park on a Sunday (http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Harajuku
Prepare to be amazed.
More jaw-dropping than the first time you saw Manhattan. It's a long way so you'll lose a day to jet lag. Do you need/want to go to Dubai? I'd be going straight to tokyo and making the most of my time away there.
It's expensive.
Not much English spoken (if any)
Learn the etiquette (cleanliness is next to Godliness in Japan)
Get some cards preprinted in Japanese with the name of your hotel before you go (http://www.asianbusinesscards.com/japanese-business-card-translation.html), It will help enormously getting taxis back to your hotel - although the Metro/Tube is brilliant.
Go to Harajuku park on a Sunday (http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Harajuku
Prepare to be amazed.
Edited by audidoody on Wednesday 24th June 10:43
Everyone I've talked to recommends the Robot Restaurant.
There is also a good episode of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown that he did in Tokyo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asSFKZ1UEf0
There is also a good episode of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown that he did in Tokyo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asSFKZ1UEf0
Thanks everyone for the pointers so far - much appreciated.
A couple of points/comments to answer:
Stopover in Dubai - yes, I am meeting some friends there, plus I want to explore Dubai a little more and the plane ticket appears cheaper to have a stopover in it than going direct. (Brussels to Dubai to Tokyo is €600 with stopovers both way, whereas Brussels to Tokyo direct is approx. €750)
Talk of raw chicken and horse is a little scary to me - I'm a bit picky when it comes to food - how easy is it to find recognisable food? I'm not a huge Sushi fan that probably doesn't help the situation
The metro seems to be the best way to get around - is it easy to use for a westerner who doesn't understand Japanese? And in general is the language gap an issue?
Hakone sounds like a good shout, especially to tick the Bullet Train box.
Also Harajuku sounds like fun too, along with the French Maid cafes. I do like that alternative culture, and the cosplay and goth cultures look interesting to experience.
A couple of points/comments to answer:
Stopover in Dubai - yes, I am meeting some friends there, plus I want to explore Dubai a little more and the plane ticket appears cheaper to have a stopover in it than going direct. (Brussels to Dubai to Tokyo is €600 with stopovers both way, whereas Brussels to Tokyo direct is approx. €750)
Talk of raw chicken and horse is a little scary to me - I'm a bit picky when it comes to food - how easy is it to find recognisable food? I'm not a huge Sushi fan that probably doesn't help the situation
The metro seems to be the best way to get around - is it easy to use for a westerner who doesn't understand Japanese? And in general is the language gap an issue?
Hakone sounds like a good shout, especially to tick the Bullet Train box.
Also Harajuku sounds like fun too, along with the French Maid cafes. I do like that alternative culture, and the cosplay and goth cultures look interesting to experience.
My work takes me to Tokyo quite frequently.
Language is not really an issue in metropolitan areas and pretty much everything is written in Roman script as well as Japanese. All the announcements and electronic signs in the subway are in Japanese and English.
Whenever available I stay at The Sheraton Miyako, in Minato-ku - a very pleasant part business, part residential area close to everything central and very reasonably priced (relative to Tokyo, of course). It's a 5 min stroll to Shirokanedai subway station and right next to the frankly stunning Happo-En garden - a true urban oasis. The Mori Gallery is also close by and culturally very impressive.
Language is not really an issue in metropolitan areas and pretty much everything is written in Roman script as well as Japanese. All the announcements and electronic signs in the subway are in Japanese and English.
Whenever available I stay at The Sheraton Miyako, in Minato-ku - a very pleasant part business, part residential area close to everything central and very reasonably priced (relative to Tokyo, of course). It's a 5 min stroll to Shirokanedai subway station and right next to the frankly stunning Happo-En garden - a true urban oasis. The Mori Gallery is also close by and culturally very impressive.
Markytop said:
Thanks everyone for the pointers so far - much appreciated.
A couple of points/comments to answer:
A couple of points/comments to answer:
Markytop said:
Talk of raw chicken and horse is a little scary to me - I'm a bit picky when it comes to food - how easy is it to find recognisable food? I'm not a huge Sushi fan that probably doesn't help the situation
To be honest it's a piece of cake in Tokyo, there's a McDonalds on every corner, TGI's, Hooters 
, you name it it's in Tokyo. The rice bowls are really cheap and not bad if you're fussy with food I think the chain is called Yoshinoya. I wouldn't worry about the food at all. It is worth trying real Japanese sushi and sashimi if you get the chance, it's much better than the rubbish we get over here.Markytop said:
The metro seems to be the best way to get around - is it easy to use for a westerner who doesn't understand Japanese? And in general is the language gap an issue?
No problem, nearly all the signs are in English as well as Japanese. As I said in an earlier post, get a Pasmo card and use that everywhere you go. It's worth looking at distances on a map too, sometimes it's not far to walk to the next place (a bit like London really).Worth getting a wireless internet box from Japan wireless (google) to use for navigation I found it a godsend when I was totally lost!
Markytop said:
Hakone sounds like a good shout, especially to tick the Bullet Train box.
Do it! Shinkansen from Tokyo station to Odawara then go up into the mountains from there.Markytop said:
Also Harajuku sounds like fun too, along with the French Maid cafes. I do like that alternative culture, and the cosplay and goth cultures look interesting to experience.
You'll walk away wondering what on earth you've just seen! The park next to Harajuku station is good as well on a Sunday for a wonder through.News in from a bloke who came back is that it's hot and humid there already.
We stayed in Asakusa (pron. Azaksa), it was a really friendly place. Was in Japan for 3 weeks, so bought a 2 week Shinkasen (Bullet train) pass. I think you can get a 7 day one too - work out how far you want to go, and compare the prices, it might save a bit (or not!). Went to Kyoto, Nagoya, Osaka, Hakone, Fuji etc. Didn't go north(!).
We went in January, bitterly cold for a lot of the time, but the hot springs in Hakone were crackers - piping hot water that you were sat in, you could reach over and grab a handful of snow. There's Onsen (hot spring places) all over the place though, we got addicted to them. Only rarely mixed, mainly single sex.
A useful phrase I learned is, 'Kori mo hitotsno kudasai' - 'Can I have another one of these please?' (with whatever you're holding). Pronunciation is generally done by finding the shortest syllable, so that would be 'Korr-i mo hi-tot -sno ku-da-sai'. You will more or less immediately learn what thankyou is ' A-ri-ga-to (with go-zai-mas for extra politeness). Also try to give at least a head bob when you say thank you. The Japanese are expected to know all the different levels of bow, but they let foreigners get away with it.
Enjoy it. I'd love to go back. Expensive though...
We went in January, bitterly cold for a lot of the time, but the hot springs in Hakone were crackers - piping hot water that you were sat in, you could reach over and grab a handful of snow. There's Onsen (hot spring places) all over the place though, we got addicted to them. Only rarely mixed, mainly single sex.
A useful phrase I learned is, 'Kori mo hitotsno kudasai' - 'Can I have another one of these please?' (with whatever you're holding). Pronunciation is generally done by finding the shortest syllable, so that would be 'Korr-i mo hi-tot -sno ku-da-sai'. You will more or less immediately learn what thankyou is ' A-ri-ga-to (with go-zai-mas for extra politeness). Also try to give at least a head bob when you say thank you. The Japanese are expected to know all the different levels of bow, but they let foreigners get away with it.
Enjoy it. I'd love to go back. Expensive though...
If you've ever used a metro before you'll be fine. Worth keeping a print out of the line routes with you as not all the map signs are in English in the stations. There are a couple of companies operating the subways though, which makes it more complicated. You sometimes need to exit a station and go back in another entrance to board a different line. We were only there 4 days so thought we'd get by without a rail card thing but wished we'd got one by the end. Buying tickets for each individual journey, sometimes with two companies, soon added up to more than a card would have cost.
I must say that it wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be, and I am not very PH... We don't really do fancy bars, hotels or restaurants, but seem to remember it being a few quid for a beer and less than a tenner for a meal. Even drinks in the Hyatt sky bar weren't extortionate if you get there before they start charging a cover.
I must say that it wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be, and I am not very PH... We don't really do fancy bars, hotels or restaurants, but seem to remember it being a few quid for a beer and less than a tenner for a meal. Even drinks in the Hyatt sky bar weren't extortionate if you get there before they start charging a cover.
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