Flying visit to Tokyo what to see
Discussion
What sort of stuff do you like doing?
Electronics and gadgets galore - go to Akihabara and have a mooch. There's stuff there to amuse and bemuse in equal measure, and potentially some bargains to be had.
Posh shopping, some nice restaurants - go to Ginza.
Shibuya's interesting for all the people. More shopping too.
The palace and some of the temples (e.g. Yushima) are actually good if you like peace and tranquility.
Shinjuku is where most of the skyscrapers in Tokyo are. You can go up some and the views of Fuji etc are decent. More shopping around here too, including some decent camera outlets (Tokyo is pretty much obsessed with shopping!).
Roppongi's "lively". A big ex-pat hang out and not necessarily better for it. But there are some decent enough bars there. The infamous Gas Panic is there - not necessarily one of the better ones
Yurakucho station is worth a fly by too. Another camera outlet there, plus Shin Hinomoto "Andy's" - small fish izakaya. Great place to eat with locals and ex-pats alike. There are also other authentic eateries around here too.
Plenty of other stuff to see and do, just depends what you like doing etc. Where will your meetings be held/where are you staying?
Electronics and gadgets galore - go to Akihabara and have a mooch. There's stuff there to amuse and bemuse in equal measure, and potentially some bargains to be had.
Posh shopping, some nice restaurants - go to Ginza.
Shibuya's interesting for all the people. More shopping too.
The palace and some of the temples (e.g. Yushima) are actually good if you like peace and tranquility.
Shinjuku is where most of the skyscrapers in Tokyo are. You can go up some and the views of Fuji etc are decent. More shopping around here too, including some decent camera outlets (Tokyo is pretty much obsessed with shopping!).
Roppongi's "lively". A big ex-pat hang out and not necessarily better for it. But there are some decent enough bars there. The infamous Gas Panic is there - not necessarily one of the better ones
Yurakucho station is worth a fly by too. Another camera outlet there, plus Shin Hinomoto "Andy's" - small fish izakaya. Great place to eat with locals and ex-pats alike. There are also other authentic eateries around here too.
Plenty of other stuff to see and do, just depends what you like doing etc. Where will your meetings be held/where are you staying?
Just remembered - also worth checking that big clock tower thing - I think just around the corner from harajuku but might not be - memory is a little fuzzy.
Catch it on the hour and it opens out, spins around and plays tunes - 10 mins well spent - the mechanics / robotics are pretty amazing.
Catch it on the hour and it opens out, spins around and plays tunes - 10 mins well spent - the mechanics / robotics are pretty amazing.
rich1231 said:
Staying in asakasa as office is there btw
Nice place. Hie jinja shrine's there - lots of tori ("gates"). I'm pretty sure Asahi have a beer hall there too (I love that stuff!).As an area, possibly not somewhere that attracts tourists quite so much (shrines apart), which is both good and bad (if you're not there long).
It's well served by the underground though, and their underground system is (was, 5yrs ago) much cheaper than ours. And cleaner, more punctual and pretty much everything else you'd want from a tube system! One thing to be mindful of, however, are the maps. They're oriented as you're facing, rather than a set orientation (e.g. North). And there are some odd signs that don't initially make sense.
e.g. if an exit's behind you, the symbol's like a u-turn arrow. I know it sounds obvious when described like this, but after being used to London, NYC, Paris etc tube systems, the whole map thing messed with my head
However, when you get used to it, it makes a lot of sense and when you get back to the UK you realise it's not their system that's messed up 
I'm very jealous. I love Japan and the people. Miss it a lot.
Don't be put off if you find it all a bit weird and even off putting. Most people do when they first go. It's like nowhere else on Earth IMO. Just try and take it all in (you'll know what I mean when you get back)
Roppongi is a nice place to stay, loads of shops in Roppongi Hills and the art gallery at the top of the tower is pretty good (nice views as well!). If you need internet when you're there you can go to the Espresso Americano cafe in Roppongi Hills West Walk where they have free wifi (very hard to come by in Tokyo as 3G is everywhere and international roaming is a rip-off).
From Roppongi you can jump on the Hibiya line metro and get off at Ebisu, also a nice place to see, loads of boutiques and bars and you can get a nice 39th floor view for free in the Yebisu Tower. From there you can walk up to Shibuya as it's only one stop, have a wander around and walk up to Harajuku which again is only one stop.
For dinner, I'd recommend Gonpachi which is a short cab ride (you could probably walk it) from Roppongi, it's the restaurant that inspired the fight scene in Kill Bill and is a bit touristy for that reason, but it is nice. Alternatively try Watami, it's a chain of izakaya restaurants (casual dining) - you MUST try and izakaya while you're there. There's a good one in Ginza, in the same building as the Mont Blanc shop (more info: http://japan-articles.japanican.com/en/articles/iz... ) but there are loads elsewhere. If you have time and want somewhere a bit more upmarket definitely check Ginza out.
I'll post again if I remember anything else (was only there 2 weeks ago!).
ETA: One other thing, take plenty of cash, a surprising number of shops and restaurants won't take cards, everyone uses cash. Most ATMs also won't work with UK cards, you will need to find a Japan Post or Citibank.
From Roppongi you can jump on the Hibiya line metro and get off at Ebisu, also a nice place to see, loads of boutiques and bars and you can get a nice 39th floor view for free in the Yebisu Tower. From there you can walk up to Shibuya as it's only one stop, have a wander around and walk up to Harajuku which again is only one stop.
For dinner, I'd recommend Gonpachi which is a short cab ride (you could probably walk it) from Roppongi, it's the restaurant that inspired the fight scene in Kill Bill and is a bit touristy for that reason, but it is nice. Alternatively try Watami, it's a chain of izakaya restaurants (casual dining) - you MUST try and izakaya while you're there. There's a good one in Ginza, in the same building as the Mont Blanc shop (more info: http://japan-articles.japanican.com/en/articles/iz... ) but there are loads elsewhere. If you have time and want somewhere a bit more upmarket definitely check Ginza out.
I'll post again if I remember anything else (was only there 2 weeks ago!).
ETA: One other thing, take plenty of cash, a surprising number of shops and restaurants won't take cards, everyone uses cash. Most ATMs also won't work with UK cards, you will need to find a Japan Post or Citibank.
Edited by Neil H on Saturday 4th December 02:04
t bars.Neil H said:
ETA: One other thing, take plenty of cash, a surprising number of shops and restaurants won't take cards, everyone uses cash. Most ATMs also won't work with UK cards, you will need to find a Japan Post or Citibank.
Or find a branch of a 7-11 convenience store: the ATM takes pretty much any card. I do support carrying lots of cash around as the use of cards is not that common and most places are not used to chip and pin yet. Some places don't even take a signature....Edited by Neil H on Saturday 4th December 02:04
The best bit about Roppongi Hills is going on the helipad on the roof - it is worth the extra few hundred yen - to watch the sun go down.
The Asahi beer hall is in the building with the "sperm" on top - you can't miss it, next to the river in Asakusa. The trip down the river to Odaiba is worth doing.
Gonpachi is OK but the branch in Shibuya has better food. Agree with getting in to an izakaya. Take a look at www.bento.com for recommendations.
For free wifi, find a Wired Cafe: ones in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku and Gotanda. A pet cafe is also worth finding...
Take a wander round Kabukicho in Shinjuku after dark, along with Golden Gai.
Drop me a PM if you fancy a beer as I only live 2 stops away on the Metro and rest assured: I DO drink
- although not today, after a 12+ hour session yesterday....Edited by GlenMH on Saturday 4th December 14:41
If you want to pick up some nice souvenirs go along to the oriental bazaar in Harajuka, website is www.orientalbazaar.co.jp. Its a 5 minute walk from Harajuka station which also has a nice park behind and is good for people watching (Sunday mainly).
If the weather is good then the river is great around the Asahi building (which has a skybar with great beer) & Golden Turd, this is the Asakusa district, worth a boat ride if you like that sort of thing.
Go with an open mind and try all the different stuff you get offered, the food is amazing! Have a great time and report back.
PS - The point made about cash is really good, your card will not work over there very much. Citibanks are the only bank I found I could get cash from, there's quite a few dotted about and you can get the locations off their website.
If the weather is good then the river is great around the Asahi building (which has a skybar with great beer) & Golden Turd, this is the Asakusa district, worth a boat ride if you like that sort of thing.
Go with an open mind and try all the different stuff you get offered, the food is amazing! Have a great time and report back.
PS - The point made about cash is really good, your card will not work over there very much. Citibanks are the only bank I found I could get cash from, there's quite a few dotted about and you can get the locations off their website.
GlenMH said:
Or find a branch of a 7-11 convenience store: the ATM takes pretty much any card. I do support carrying lots of cash around as the use of cards is not that common and most places are not used to chip and pin yet. Some places don't even take a signature....
7-11s never worked for me, tried many times! Maybe they changed them since I last had a go.Japan Post are pretty common though so it's not usually a problem.
zac510 said:
Timely thread, I'm off to Japan over Xmas. Thanks for the tips
If you are going to Hokkaido, take lots and lots of clothes!I agree with the Gonpachi comment above - www.bento.com is your friend! Otherwise I can supply some good recommendations.
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