Tokyo, Summer '12.
 

Hello forum.

I have a rather simple series of questions (Or so I believe). It's about me and my sister planning to visit Japan, Tokyo mainly, around July '12-August '12.

Here's what it is. This year we'll both graduate from high school and we thought it'd be fun to travel to Japan, considered by the both of us to be one of the ultimate destinations in the world. So anyway, we were planning to stay no longer than 30 days but no shorter than around 3,5 weeks, around 24 days. We'll mainly just want to be in and around Tokyo (It's ginormous anyway), visiting things like the Imperial Gardens and just shopping till we drop. However I am not purely visiting Japan because it's awesome, I really want to experience the culture, see things not possible seeing in Western countries (I'm from Holland, buuh.).

ACTUAL QUESTION (1):
Now we are unwilling to stay there for longer than a month so I figured I'd ask you guys for a list of absolute MUST-SEE's in Tokyo, ranging from tourist attractions to freaking theme parks and whatever you can think of, I don't mind. Just shoot some things at us and we'll look into it.

ACTUAL QUESTION (2):
Accomodation. I, along with my sister, am a noob regarding anything about the Japanese language so it'd be easier for us to maybe book something via Internet and/or mail. Just remember we will be staying in Tokyo so I need something there. Our budget (For a place to stay) is something around €60-70 a day, so around $75-90.

ACTUAL QUESTION (3):
If possible, we'd love to visit one of those traditional Japanese villages. I've seen lots of it in anime, manga and movies but I want to experience it in real life. Any possibilities on tours for tourists to visit any of these villages close to Tokyo ? If not, any other suggestions ?

ACTUAL QUESTION (4):
I am obsessed with tall skycrapers. Does anyone here know about the highest building accessable for tourists/civilians in Tokyo ? I'd love to have a great view over the city just for pictures.

I might have some more stuff to ask but I'm sure I'm already being a handful just asking these. Thanks in advance because it's really hard for me to plan this thing around since I don't know a thing about Japan.

Tomasu :ywave:.

Tokyo Sky Tree will be open by then. It will be the tallest structure you'll be able to see from in Tokyo, if not Japan.

TOKYO SKY TREE

When I go to Japan, I tend to stay in hotels with a rate higher than $100/day, so I can't help you there....

As far as places to go, you can go here and see: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html or here: http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo or even here: Japan National Tourism Organization | Find a Location | Tokyo | Tokyo

There's a lot of information out there....

First off, why only Tokyo? You probably will run out of things to do in about 2 weeks even including side trips within a 3hours driving radius

For question 4, I'd also recommed visiting Yokohama - Landmark Tower...

@ JohnBraden, Holy woops @ The Sky Tree, I'll be sure to go there if it's opened by then. I can't thank you enough for that piece of information. The sites also seem extremely helpful, thanks a whole bunch dude.. For real :).

@ GodWine, I do not think that I will get that bored. I am not that much of an experienced traveler but as far as I'm concerned I'll be able to survive and keep myself going round for three weeks without getting bored. I've been to Indonesia twice, stayed in two cities, each for around a month and never got bored. Also, one of the cities was like 1/012938 the size of Tokyo, so I'm sure that won't be a problem. Shopping is a great remedy for boredom (For me at least) should that even occur. I might just visit Yokohama though since (Looking at the map) it's practically part of Tokyo. I'll see if I can make it to the Landmark Tower. Thanks for the information !

Ok, so in that case, i would say to make side trips to many different surrounding cities. You are correct, yokohama is almost part of tokyo, its very very close by, a lot to see and do around yokohama... you probably can find things to do at odaiba as well

Thanks for the reply again ! I'll be sure to look those cities up.. I just really need to ask, do you know any hotels that don't exceed above $100 a night ? It'd be greatly appreciated.

There are plenty...

Do a search on this site

JapanHotel.net Japanese Business Hotels, Ryokans, Minshukus, Guest Houses, Hot Springs and other accommodation

I had really good experience with Super Hotel Shin Yokohama, if you don't mind having to take a 45 minutes train ride daily to Tokyo area.. Super Hotel also have other facilities in Tokyo but I've never been

Super Hotel

Thanks a whole bunch dude ! However.. How do I get from the aiport to a hotel for a normal price ? Are cabs expensive out there ?

Use the train... the cheapest way is the Keisei Line at about 1000-1200 yen versus the NEX (Narita Express) about 2400 yen or Limousine Bus to hotels at 3000 yen. Cabs can cost a flat rate of 17000-19000 or 30000 yen....

My issues with the train are really, I'm sure we'll both have at least 1 huge suitcase and, are people going to be helpful if I ask them which train to take haha. Is there a train connection close to the airport(s) ?

There is an express train that takes you from the airport to Tokyo station. Since this is the airport line, most likely a good 85% of people on it will have luggage and such, I travelled with 2 large luggaged and 3 smaller bag once on the train line, and got no stares.

People will be helpful IF you can find someone that speak English. Your best bet is the JR office, you can find signs all over the airport concorse directing you to the JR Office.

You should look into different discounted fare transportation pass too since you are staying there for more than 2 weeks. JR pass may not be for you since you probably won't be on the Shinkansen a lot, but as soon as you need to make a round trip on the Shinkansen to anywhere further than Kyoto or Aomori, the JR pass will make sense....

For places to visit, visit japan-guide.com - Japan Travel and Living Guide, its not the best guide there is, but its a great guide for first timer

Finally, plan your trips using hyperdia: Hyperdia | 乗換案内 路線検索 時刻表 ゴルフ場 旅費精算 通勤費なら

You can also find your train info for aiport>tokyo on Hyperdia

Both the NEX and Keisei line have stops at both Narita terminals, if that's the way into the country for you. The monorail would be one of your transport methods if you're landing at Haneda.

I'm sure people will be polite enough to tell you which to take, but if you want to ask particulars here, go ahead. Do you have a hotel picked out yet? There's this website that helps with trains: Hyperdia | Timetable and Route Search in Japan. Just type in the stations and the time of departure or arrival and it will give you all the info you need.

The NEX and Keisei, since they go to the airport, are used to having suitcases on the trains. I'm sure they'll have appropriate areas for them. I always take the limousine bus, because after a 13.5 hour flight, the last thing I want to do is lug a suitcase everywhere.

Just ask away, we don't bite! We'll try to help as much as possible!

edit: ooops! Godwine, sorry I didn't see your post. Thought the OP was the last post! Seems like a repeat of yours...

No worries, we are all just trying to help....

Ohm y God overload on information haha. I'm really happy with this, I was afraid some things might be left unanswered.. Thanks a whole bunch the both of you !

Back on topic.. The limousine bus you say ? How much is that xd. It seems like a nice alternative to what you described as 'lugging around suitcases'. Just want to know the price etc.. If you can !

Apart from that, what exactly is the 'JR' ? And why is it only helpful for Shinkansen ? I think I'll be residing in Shibuya since it looks like an awesome place to shop. Also, are there bike shops in or around Shibuya that can hook me up with a bike for a decent price ? Just for rent !

I have one more question actually.. There's this huge intersection somewhere in Tokyo. I believe it's in Shibuya but I could be wrong. Maybe you can comfirm for me =X ? Thanks in advance, sorry if I'm being a handful, just know I really really appreciate everything you've guys helped me out on so far, which is basically everything :).

Can't answer the bike question, never rented one.

JR = Japan Railway Japan Railways Group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , they are the operator of the Shinkansen, and also the train line that you probably will use most around Tokyo is the "Yamanote" line, it loops around a bunch of major cities in Tokyo: Yamanote Line - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia most of your innter tokyo attraction, entertainment, shopping are accessible by this line and the sobu/chuo line: Sōbu Main Line - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Chūō Main Line - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The JR pass is a train pass that allow you unlimited ride on any train/bus and some ferrie soperated by the Japan Railway corporation. A rail pass can be purchased online OUTSIDE of Japan Japan Rail Pass - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For comparison, a 21 day pass is about 600USD for standard car. A round trip between tokyo-kyoto is about 300 on reserved seat. So for travelers that hop between major cities, the pass will make sense.. but if you are staying just in one city, and rely solely on local transportation, the pass maybe overkill

The intersection you are referring to is probably known by most as Shibuya Crossing, yes its in shibuya, right in front of the station, close to the Hachiko statue (The dog statue)....

When are you goin? It seems that you will still need a lot of information before you can just take off and go, what is your budget like?

Just a small suggestion about Yokohama

Shopping: World Porters, Queens Square, Landmark Plaza and the red brick house
Sight: China Town, Ramen Museum, Landmark Tower observatory (Amazing view)
Entertainment: Cosmo world (over rated), cup noodle museum - I've never been to the one in Yokohama, its new, but I've been to the one in Osaka, and it was fun..... you should be dine in an hour or so

Eat: MANY MANY choices all arounnd


I strongly recommend Yokohama, partially because its my favourite place (And I practically grew up there).....

Odaiba is also a must for shoppers like you. There are just way too much to do to skip Odaiba for a first timer...

Harajuku is also a must for you, takeshita dori (Right infront of the Harajuku station) is filled with local fashion and teenagers.

EDIT: This is a great site for you to plan your days in Yokohama Yokohama Visitors' Guide

Haha don't worry about it, I still have to around the 10th of July next year to plan etc. It's just that I'd rather have the whole thing done around March/April next year, since my exams are around May-June and I'll still have time to fix some flaws in the plan.

Anyway about your last post.. Our budget (combined) is somewhat around €4500-€5000 (Rougly $6000-$6700). Also, I think we will want to reside somewhere in or around Shibuya since it seems like our cup of tea with lots of shops, especially Shibuya 109 looks amazing.. Isn't that where the Shibuya intersection is ?

Yokohama is (As far as I'm concerned) definitely a place we'll want to visit. You've given me some names, I've looked it up and it seems awesome. It'd be better than wandering off in Shibuya everyday anyway. About Odaiba, I don't know, I don't know anything about it. It that a place that's like, well, connected to Tokyo but it's in the water ? Whenever I look it up on Maps, it says Odaibadaba or w/e xd.

By the way, I'm having a hard time finding a decent hotel near Shibuya on that site you gave me, they're all either like €150/night or they're already full. Do you happen to know a place, somewhere you've been before or heard of ? Thanks in advance, again.

Try these guys, they are about 10-15 minutes walk from the main Shibuya station: Tokyo Japan Hotel Fukudaya they usually have english spoken staff at the front counter...

It may cost you about 70-80 USD per person per night, but I will try to look for another place for you (JHN)

Odaiba is mostly shopping, I consider it a giant "Entertainment" island.. you can find all kind of specialty store there, there are a couple of museum and the fuji-TV observagtory there.. lots of things to buy at the souvenir store there... (I am big into souvenir.. for myself)... you can get more info abot odaiba here:

Odaiba travel guide - Wikitravel

Tokyo Travel: Odaiba (Daiba)

I think you will have a blast at the toyota museum there.... I did

When you are in Harajuku make sure you pay attention to your surroundings and know where you are, as I would recommend doing some exploring in inner streets, there are lot of specialty stores in the inner streets..

Thanks again for the reply, uhm where should I start.. I've taken a look at the hotel you recommended however it turned out to be one I've already checked out myself. It didn't really catch my eye, I'd rather find something else (no offense). What I'm actually looking for is just a normal room, as long as it includes a twin bed/two singles, a tv, wi-fi/guest computers (Either one) a bath and a normal toilet en suite, so not a public sanitary space hehe. If you can't find anything below €60 ($70-$75) it's fine, it's always worth considering just staying a little less longer and just have a 'normal' hotel. I'm sorry if I seem like a spoiled brat, I'm just used to having certain things in whereever I'm residing, hence why I have those 'must's' for in the hotel room. If it's something that's close to Shibuya it's fine as well ! I appreciate your effort like crazy, couldn't be more happier to find someone willing to put in that much effort just to help a stranger haha. Thanks man..

About Odaiba, it looks magnificent ! I've just taken a quick look at everything and I'll be sure to go there. I'll look at Harajuku later this evening :).

Just to clear things up a bit, the 21 day JR pass is not around $600, more like $750.... $600 is closer to the 14 day pass I'll be using in March at 45100 JPY.... Good thing it only costs 45100, because my plan is to use 225,000 JPY worth of rides on it!

Shibuya can get expensive in all aspects, lodging being one of them. Perhaps you can get a place closer to your budget in an area close to Shibuya, but not in Shibuya. Tokyo is pretty safe anywhere and the transportation is excellent, albeit a bit pricey after a while. But that should wash away with a cheaper room rate....

Thanks for the information.. I think I'll refrain myself from buying a JR pass now haha. Just too expensive man. And yes ! I'm not unwilling to reside somewhere near Shibuya, as long as I can reach it by train pretty easily it's fine. Somewhat around 30-45 minutes to Shibuya 109 and you won't hear me whine at all haha. Thanks for everything !

Thats fair, I mean Fukuday ais a ryokan, not everyone's thing....

This is probably your best bet: Oak Hotel (Taito, Japan) - Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor its cheap and it offers everything that you wanted, I didn't like it myself at all, but to many high school and college student, its the best thing

Thakns John for correcting the calculation, I was too lazy to look up exchave rate and continue to use my 1:100 figure from a few years back :), I should have done a better job if I wanted to give advice, my apologies

I will have to agree with John, Shibuya and Shinjuku pretty much spell "Expensive", unless you are really willing to go with lower grade places. The only other 2 hotel's I've stayed at are the Nikko at Odaiba and Tokyo Prince, but those may be a bit over your budget... Prince can be cheaper depending on the time, it can be as cheap as 7000 yen per person per night, and its right beside the tokyo tower....

Go to the link I sent you, it list all the train station accessible by the Yamanote train, which is likely going to be your best friend when you are in Tokyo, just find a hotel that is close to one of these stations....

Now those are the rates I remember fondly in '05!!!! I was staying at the Keio Plaza back then.... Last year was more like 1:82 and I was at the Shinagawa Prince.... I am going back to that hotel in March because of the convenience of the station across the street. All my Shinkansen rides from Tokyo can be taken there or a short stint on the Yamanote-sen to Tokyo Station....

1:100 never was the figure, its just close enough that i got lazy (Yes i need to correct that)...

How much is Shinagawa prince these days?

I usually stay at the Royal Park when I am in Yokohama.. i really like that place... one of my favourite base on location:

Yokohama - Royal Park, Super Hotel Shin Yokohama

Tokyo - Fukudaya, Prince, Hotel Nikko

Kyoto - Granvia

Let's say it's pricey and leave it at that. I messed up a bit when reserving it, but my room came to about $140/night.... My hotel in Osaka, on the other hand was $60/night and it's 3 minutes from Shin-Osaka station: Shin-Osaka Station Hotel.... small but it has good reviews and a washer/drier!

The best way to get to and from the airport is the limousine bus. The ticket cou ter for the bus is just outside the customs door at the terminal, and the bus stop is just outside. The bus will take you to the larger hotels, and save you the trouble of navigating Tokyo train stations after a long flight.

The Shinagawa Prince hotel should still be under $100 per night, and as Shinagawa is located on the Yamanote loop, it is a good place to base your stay in the city. The Tokaido line also stops at Shinagawa, so you can access Yokohama and other places easily enough.

I don't really know of any genuine traditional villages in Japan, but you can find many old neighborhoods throughout the city. Out in the countryside in Chiba or Saitama you'll find more traditional homes and buildings, but you can find examples of these buildings in the heart of Tokyo in places like Kanda, Asakusa, or Tsukishima. I find the most interesting places if I just walk around with no destination in mind.

Getting around Tokyo is not hard, you can rent a bicycle at Oryx, or by a couple cheap bikes on Craigslist Tokyo, and just leave them at the station when you leave.

For skyscrapers, they are everywhere. I am sitting in Marunouchi as I write, and I am surrounded by skyscrapers. There are more in Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Akasaka, and Roppongi.

@Godwine thank you for all the wonderful work you've done so far.. Unfortunately the Oak hotel (Which looks perfect as for what I'm looking for) is full ! Darn it haha. Thanks for the effort anyway, I'll just continue to search via Booking.com since it gives a list of hotels that are available on the selected date NEAR Oak.. So thanks a bunch !

@Sangetsu thanks man ! I've taken a look at the hotel and it looks amazing.. I hope it's not full, I'll check it out soon. Also the info about the skycrapers and the bike, perfect !

Thanks all for most of these replies, I'm sure I have enough sites and places to do research on now.. If I come up with anymore questions I'll just ask. Domo arigato !!