Tokyo in October
Discussion
Afternoon,
I’ve just booked a week in Tokyo without giving it much thought as to what I’ll do when I get there.
This was a place I was going to visit with my wife , but now taking my daughter following her death a few years ago.
We are in Akasaka and will remain in Tokyo for the duration of the stay.
What do you recommend I cram in over the 5-6 days I’m there?
I’ve just booked a week in Tokyo without giving it much thought as to what I’ll do when I get there.
This was a place I was going to visit with my wife , but now taking my daughter following her death a few years ago.
We are in Akasaka and will remain in Tokyo for the duration of the stay.
What do you recommend I cram in over the 5-6 days I’m there?
Edited by oldaudi on Monday 11th August 14:47
Asakusa is a busy cafe/bar/restaurant area just north of the Tokyo tower. A visit to the Royal Palace and the Ginza shopping street is recommended. As is Tokyo Disneyland and a Sumo wrestling match is also on the list. ps, it's along ride from Narita airport to downtown.
Edited by Sharp Bend on Monday 11th August 16:50
Load of good stuff on https://tokyocheapo.com/, especially if you dig back through some of the older blogs and videos (just because not everything can be on the homepage).
And the Navitime app very good for planning you way around public transport. The free version's fine for "before you go" when you just want to know how long/how many changes it takes to get A-B and if that means going through C anyway so maybe shuffle the order and do A, B, and C on the same day.
Worth working out what you'll need for mobile data and getting an eSIM. UK roaming plans don't generally cover Japan and there's a wide difference between plan length/data allowence (and a lot of "unlimited" plans have daily Gb limits)/data connection (some only include 4G). Good page on TokyoCheapo that lists loads of eSIM providers.
And the Navitime app very good for planning you way around public transport. The free version's fine for "before you go" when you just want to know how long/how many changes it takes to get A-B and if that means going through C anyway so maybe shuffle the order and do A, B, and C on the same day.
Worth working out what you'll need for mobile data and getting an eSIM. UK roaming plans don't generally cover Japan and there's a wide difference between plan length/data allowence (and a lot of "unlimited" plans have daily Gb limits)/data connection (some only include 4G). Good page on TokyoCheapo that lists loads of eSIM providers.
Edited by //j17 on Tuesday 12th August 09:59
//j17 said:
Load of good stuff on https://tokyocheapo.com/, especially if you dig back through some of the older blogs and videos (just because not everything can be on the homepage).
And the Navitime app very good for planning you way around public transport. The free version's fine for "before you go" when you just want to know how long/how many changes it takes to get A-B and if that means going through C anyway so maybe shuffle the order and do A, B, and C on the same day.
Worth working out what you'll need for mobile data and getting an eSIM. UK roaming plans don't generally cover Japan and there's a wide difference between plan length/data allowence (and a lot of "unlimited" plans have daily Gb limits)/data connection (some only include 4G). Good page on TokyoCheapo that lists loads of eSIM providers.
That sounds very hi-tech. My Tokyo explorations were done with a good old map and a small cache of the Japanese language. Konichi Wa.And the Navitime app very good for planning you way around public transport. The free version's fine for "before you go" when you just want to know how long/how many changes it takes to get A-B and if that means going through C anyway so maybe shuffle the order and do A, B, and C on the same day.
Worth working out what you'll need for mobile data and getting an eSIM. UK roaming plans don't generally cover Japan and there's a wide difference between plan length/data allowence (and a lot of "unlimited" plans have daily Gb limits)/data connection (some only include 4G). Good page on TokyoCheapo that lists loads of eSIM providers.
Edited by //j17 on Tuesday 12th August 09:59
Use the underground to move around and take your pick from the following suggestions:
- Tokyo Skytree Observatory and get blown away by how big and packed Tokyo is
- Asakusa area for the Senso-Ji temple, and a nice place to wander round in the evening.
- Shinjuku area for the Godzilla hotel, Yodabashi electrics store, 3D cat screen, evening light show at the Tokyo Government building
- Shibuya area for the famous crossing, and general sensory overload
This is just the tip of the iceberg. We spent 8 days in Tokyo and barely scratched the surface.
- Tokyo Skytree Observatory and get blown away by how big and packed Tokyo is
- Asakusa area for the Senso-Ji temple, and a nice place to wander round in the evening.
- Shinjuku area for the Godzilla hotel, Yodabashi electrics store, 3D cat screen, evening light show at the Tokyo Government building
- Shibuya area for the famous crossing, and general sensory overload
This is just the tip of the iceberg. We spent 8 days in Tokyo and barely scratched the surface.
oldaudi said:
Thank you for the suggestions so far. Has anyone gone to Mount Fuji on a day trip from Tokyo. I thought it was much further inland but there appears to be the possibility of a day trip taking in a few Shrines on the way…..
Yep, we did an organised day trip through Get Your Guide that was pretty good. Stopped off at various points, each giving a different view of Fuji, but at two of the stops Fuji was clouded over, which is quite common. It was a nice day out though, but you need to decide if you want to sacrifice a day in Tokyo for this. oldaudi said:
Thank you for the suggestions so far. Has anyone gone to Mount Fuji on a day trip from Tokyo. I thought it was much further inland but there appears to be the possibility of a day trip taking in a few Shrines on the way…..
We (myself and my 12 y.o boy) climbed MT. Fuji in early July. We stayed the night before climbing in Kawaguchiko (in an onsen hotel) and got a local bus from there to the Mt. Fuji 5th station before climbing it (and staying in a hut overnight).
It's a 90 minute bus ride from Shinjuku to either Kawaguchiko or the Fuji 5th Station. Can book online tickets on the day and that worked really well. I looked into the. train / JR option and it was a bit of a pig to get out there (takes longer than the bus ride with a couple of changes and you still need to get a bus from Kawaguchiko to the Fifth)
I would say Kawaguchiko isn't worth the trip, there's a nice lake there and you can (if you are lucky) see Fuji (It was pretty shy while we were there and we briefly saw it emerge from the clouds for about 5 mins while in the onsen) but there was bugger all else worth doing in Kawaguchiko imho. It's just a stopping point (with old hotels and no decent restaraunts) for those doing the climb.
The fifth station is really there for those about to start the climb. I wouldn't bother with the journey if I wasn't going to climb it. Even from there, there wasn't much of a view etc.
If I was looking for a day trip from Tokyo, I'd do Yokohama and the Big Buddha..
We went to Tokyo in March for a week at the end of a cruise that started in Singapore.
The best things we did were (in no particular order):
- Senso-Ji Temple
- Tokyo Skytree
- Shibuya Junction followed by a walk up to Meiji Jingu
- A walk around the Imperial Palace gardens (as the cherry blossom was just coming out)
- A walk around Shinjenku at night and make sure you see Godzilla
- A trip on the Shinkansen bullet train, we went to Fuji which was about an hour away from Tokyo central station
- And if you're so inclined a day at Disney Sea which was brilliant but very busy.
There is so much to do there we found a week barely scratched the surface, so pick your must do's and leave some time to do some add hoc stuff. As others have said use the metro and local trains, they're cheap, reliable and safe but can get very packed in rush hour.
The best things we did were (in no particular order):
- Senso-Ji Temple
- Tokyo Skytree
- Shibuya Junction followed by a walk up to Meiji Jingu
- A walk around the Imperial Palace gardens (as the cherry blossom was just coming out)
- A walk around Shinjenku at night and make sure you see Godzilla
- A trip on the Shinkansen bullet train, we went to Fuji which was about an hour away from Tokyo central station
- And if you're so inclined a day at Disney Sea which was brilliant but very busy.
There is so much to do there we found a week barely scratched the surface, so pick your must do's and leave some time to do some add hoc stuff. As others have said use the metro and local trains, they're cheap, reliable and safe but can get very packed in rush hour.
Went this year and the probably the best bits we did was a photography tour of Fuji where they drive you to all the best spots to see her. Amazing views and great food plus you get out the city and see a bit of how Japan works.
Other than that the Street karting tour is a lot of fun, if you don't around Akhibara in the evening all the modified JDM cars come out. We had a mini convoy of Evos and Skylines pull up around us, great fun. You also get to see the city from the middle of the road and get such a better idea of scale imo.
Itinerary wise I'd start with ChatGPt input your flights and dates and tell it how busy an itinerary you want, what kind of things you like, your interests and must sees. That's a great base point to work from and craft your perfect trip.
Other than that the Street karting tour is a lot of fun, if you don't around Akhibara in the evening all the modified JDM cars come out. We had a mini convoy of Evos and Skylines pull up around us, great fun. You also get to see the city from the middle of the road and get such a better idea of scale imo.
Itinerary wise I'd start with ChatGPt input your flights and dates and tell it how busy an itinerary you want, what kind of things you like, your interests and must sees. That's a great base point to work from and craft your perfect trip.
Sat in Haneda T1 waiting for a connecting flight ATM and the one thing that's really hit me so far os how labour intensive everything is.
Watching 7 people service the aircraft ATM where that would normally be 2 baggage/1 fuel. And really don't know why the baggage hall had someone whos job it was to turn the bags around after they have been delivered onto the carousel!
Watching 7 people service the aircraft ATM where that would normally be 2 baggage/1 fuel. And really don't know why the baggage hall had someone whos job it was to turn the bags around after they have been delivered onto the carousel!
Thanks again to everyone for the ideas and experience of previous trips. My daughter will be 16 when we travel. I’ve contacted one of my work colleagues in our Tokyo office and he has agreed to meet a few evenings and help me with a food tour.
As far the days, I’m going to start locating some of your ideas on google maps , their proximity to our hotel and plan some days. Pre book where required.
We’ve been watching you tube videos to help with the underground system, the red suica pre paid card , e sim subscription and how to be a polite tourist!
I only have a Visa debit card and cash. I don’t need a credit card do I?
Ive not been this excited for a trip in many years.
As far the days, I’m going to start locating some of your ideas on google maps , their proximity to our hotel and plan some days. Pre book where required.
We’ve been watching you tube videos to help with the underground system, the red suica pre paid card , e sim subscription and how to be a polite tourist!
I only have a Visa debit card and cash. I don’t need a credit card do I?
Ive not been this excited for a trip in many years.
Edited by oldaudi on Friday 15th August 06:58
//j17 said:
Sat in Haneda T1 waiting for a connecting flight ATM and the one thing that's really hit me so far os how labour intensive everything is.
Watching 7 people service the aircraft ATM where that would normally be 2 baggage/1 fuel. And really don't know why the baggage hall had someone whos job it was to turn the bags around after they have been delivered onto the carousel!
It's a cultural thing, busy work basically.Watching 7 people service the aircraft ATM where that would normally be 2 baggage/1 fuel. And really don't know why the baggage hall had someone whos job it was to turn the bags around after they have been delivered onto the carousel!
Like having the guys sat in their uniforms and bandolier-like high-vis hanging around outside the entrance of buildings to act as a banksman for vehicles, even though there isnt a constant stream of them.
It's always been like that. Someone has a role, that's their role, that's what they do.
Japan is a remarkably weird conjunction of modern high-tech efficiency and "we've always done X this way".
oldaudi said:
I only have a Visa debit card and cash. I don’t need a credit card do I?
Probably not, though if you need to get cash out, be aware ATMs are often switched off at night!Also depending on your bank's policies, if they hit you for a lot on transaction fees, a card which doesn't could be useful. IIRC Marriott Bonvoy have a debit card (specifically debit, not credit) which should work with your existing bank account, and is it think zero transaction fees and decent exchange rates.
If you have an HSBC account, their Global Money card is good, too.
InitialDave said:
//j17 said:
Sat in Haneda T1 waiting for a connecting flight ATM and the one thing that's really hit me so far os how labour intensive everything is.
Watching 7 people service the aircraft ATM where that would normally be 2 baggage/1 fuel. And really don't know why the baggage hall had someone whos job it was to turn the bags around after they have been delivered onto the carousel!
It's a cultural thing, busy work basically.Watching 7 people service the aircraft ATM where that would normally be 2 baggage/1 fuel. And really don't know why the baggage hall had someone whos job it was to turn the bags around after they have been delivered onto the carousel!
Like having the guys sat in their uniforms and bandolier-like high-vis hanging around outside the entrance of buildings to act as a banksman for vehicles, even though there isnt a constant stream of them.
It's always been like that. Someone has a role, that's their role, that's what they do.
Japan is a remarkably weird conjunction of modern high-tech efficiency and "we've always done X this way".
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