In Tokyo from 27th - 30th
Discussion
I arrive in Tokyo on the 27th, about 2pm, have a cheap hotel booked so will find our way there and dump our bags.
Looking for ideas on the must do's as we only have 2 full days.
I was thinking of doing the early fish market on the 30th as our flight out to Saporro is at 6pm.
We're all young early 20's, 3 guys 1 girl.
We thought of possibly heading to the Disney park for a bit of fun but this is just an idea. I'd also like to visit a temple while we're there. We want to head to some of the big shopping centres also.
We're quite an outgoing adventure seeking group but would like to see local culture also.
Unfortunately we wanted to see the Harajuku on a Sunday morning but our flight in on the 27th is a Sunday so we will miss that.
Just looking for some advice on the not to be missed stuff!
Cheers!
Looking for ideas on the must do's as we only have 2 full days.
I was thinking of doing the early fish market on the 30th as our flight out to Saporro is at 6pm.
We're all young early 20's, 3 guys 1 girl.
We thought of possibly heading to the Disney park for a bit of fun but this is just an idea. I'd also like to visit a temple while we're there. We want to head to some of the big shopping centres also.
We're quite an outgoing adventure seeking group but would like to see local culture also.
Unfortunately we wanted to see the Harajuku on a Sunday morning but our flight in on the 27th is a Sunday so we will miss that.
Just looking for some advice on the not to be missed stuff!
Cheers!
There's a sword museum south of the gov't district - not sure if that's your thing or not, and I think it's quite small, but might be worth an hour or two.
Nights out - Shibuya/Shinjuku need to be seen to be believed - but DO look up when trying to find a restaurant - ours was on the 5th floor and we wouldn't have found it (kanji sign only) without a local guide.
Depending on the weather, a day-trip to Nikko might be worthwhile, to see the temples there...but it is a fair trek, and is is mainly temples...
Nights out - Shibuya/Shinjuku need to be seen to be believed - but DO look up when trying to find a restaurant - ours was on the 5th floor and we wouldn't have found it (kanji sign only) without a local guide.
Depending on the weather, a day-trip to Nikko might be worthwhile, to see the temples there...but it is a fair trek, and is is mainly temples...
Im afraid you're out of luck because the fishmarket is closed to tourists until the end of January. However the outer market is also very good fun so you should still visit - and the bonus is you do not have to get there at 4am.
what sort of thing are you interested in? If it is food I can maybe give you some good recommendations.
You should make sure to have a wander around Ginza at night time, maybe walk up to the top of the Tokyo International Forum.
Also - make sure you TAKE WARMT CLOTHES to Sapporo! I was there a couple of months ago so can suggest some things if you would like.
what sort of thing are you interested in? If it is food I can maybe give you some good recommendations.
You should make sure to have a wander around Ginza at night time, maybe walk up to the top of the Tokyo International Forum.
Also - make sure you TAKE WARMT CLOTHES to Sapporo! I was there a couple of months ago so can suggest some things if you would like.
dcw@pr said:
Im afraid you're out of luck because the fishmarket is closed to tourists until the end of January. However the outer market is also very good fun so you should still visit - and the bonus is you do not have to get there at 4am.
what sort of thing are you interested in? If it is food I can maybe give you some good recommendations.
You should make sure to have a wander around Ginza at night time, maybe walk up to the top of the Tokyo International Forum.
Also - make sure you TAKE WARMT CLOTHES to Sapporo! I was there a couple of months ago so can suggest some things if you would like.
Thanks for the pointers! That's a bit gutting about the fish market, was looking forward to seeing it all quite a lot, is the outer market good then? What times is it open?what sort of thing are you interested in? If it is food I can maybe give you some good recommendations.
You should make sure to have a wander around Ginza at night time, maybe walk up to the top of the Tokyo International Forum.
Also - make sure you TAKE WARMT CLOTHES to Sapporo! I was there a couple of months ago so can suggest some things if you would like.
We're not really interested in going to expensive restautants, I'd be more inclined to eating in the small local places, sushi take away up alleys and that kind of thing.
What is the Toyko International Forum? I think our plan for the time we are there is pretty much going to be to just walk around and see all that we can.
Probably get a taxi to Rappongi and Shibuya and see what's they're like, we're pretty open, no plans really, would just like to know if there is anything that is definately worth seeing.
We're heading to Niseko for a couple months on the snow so warm clothes should be no problem!
Thanks for all the help!
Good news again for you, I gave you a bum steer. I have just checked and it is only the tuna auction section of the market which is closed to visitors, which although it is interesting, there is LOADS more to see. If no one in your group has been before then you may want to get a guide. If you google Tsukiji market tour then I think the first one that comes up is the guy I went with on my first time. He's OK, but not amazing, so you may have better luck with someone else. It also cost £50 or so, which seemed pretty expensive to me. The outer market is IMO equally as interesting as the fish market, it is open pretty much all day. There are tonnes of sushi places, as you would expect, my favourite there is called Sushi Zanmai, which is a big place in the outer section.
A good thing about Japan is that you can eat well for any budget. Make sure to try lots of Ramen. One fun place is a chain called Ichiran, where they give you an order form and you chose how you want your noodles etc
I think there are several of these in Tokyo. another apparently very good place is called Ivan Ramen.
The Tokyo International Forum is a sort of conference/exhibition centre which is very close to the main Tokyo station. You can't really miss it at night since it has a glass roof which looks like the hull of a boat - you will know what I mean when you see it! It is all open to the public so you can walk up to the top 24/7. It is a good way to spend half an hour. Personally I think Roppongi is boring - but you should take a look anyway. Much more interesting is the area around Tokyo station and Ginza, I think.
Taxis are expensive - although with 4 people it probably makes sense. However, the underground is very good, and fine to use without speaking Japanese. there are a couple of funny things with it however, so read a guide book on the subject first.
I was last there a month or two ago, here are some photos if you are interested
http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Have fun, it is my favourite place to visit!
A good thing about Japan is that you can eat well for any budget. Make sure to try lots of Ramen. One fun place is a chain called Ichiran, where they give you an order form and you chose how you want your noodles etc
I think there are several of these in Tokyo. another apparently very good place is called Ivan Ramen.
The Tokyo International Forum is a sort of conference/exhibition centre which is very close to the main Tokyo station. You can't really miss it at night since it has a glass roof which looks like the hull of a boat - you will know what I mean when you see it! It is all open to the public so you can walk up to the top 24/7. It is a good way to spend half an hour. Personally I think Roppongi is boring - but you should take a look anyway. Much more interesting is the area around Tokyo station and Ginza, I think.
Taxis are expensive - although with 4 people it probably makes sense. However, the underground is very good, and fine to use without speaking Japanese. there are a couple of funny things with it however, so read a guide book on the subject first.
I was last there a month or two ago, here are some photos if you are interested
http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Have fun, it is my favourite place to visit!
A wee tip; have you been to Tokyo before? I'd advise the transit system over a taxi; the overground rail network is so cheap, quick and efficient you can get from pretty much anywhere to anywhere in the city relatively quickly. Big stations are in Shibuya, Ginza and Shinjuku but there are dozens and dozens of stops and once you get your head around the ticket system, you're sorted 
I did what I think you're going to be doing; I spent most of my time just wondering round taking it all in. As mentioned, much of the city shuts down for the christmas/new year period, but there should still be plenty to do.
Have fun; wish I could go back to Tokyo anytime soon
I did what I think you're going to be doing; I spent most of my time just wondering round taking it all in. As mentioned, much of the city shuts down for the christmas/new year period, but there should still be plenty to do.
Have fun; wish I could go back to Tokyo anytime soon
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