| I travel to Tokyo frequently on business and try to spend some of my free time there as well to do some sightseeing and just enjoy the place. As most people have already stated it can be a very expensive experience, but there are some cheaper restaurants/japanese izakaya (grills/bars) where you can get a decent meal and drink in a great atmosphere.
Traveling around is easy but again not cheap and Tokyo Metro and JR lines can get you just about anywhere and there are websites for this. YOu can buy a Suica Card for the JR Lines which is more convenient than having to buy a ticket at each station. It can be topped up at Y1000/3000 a time which will get you a few local trips in and around Tokyo. This card does not work for Tokyo Metro but JR lines cover most locations anyway and I normally get by using JR lines primarily. Cheaper accommodation can be found but the most comfortable I have found at reasonable prices are Tokyu Stay (the rooms are not made up daily though), some even have a small stove and microwave to do your own simple cooking or heating of prepacked meals. They have a washing machine so you can do your own laundry too. Website is http://www.tokyustay.co.jp/ and some of them are very conveniently located and very well priced at less than USD100 which is not bad for Tokyo. In Tokyo itself, visit Shibuya early evening and take the Hachiko Exit at Shibuya Station, the square there is amazing and there are lots of interesting people, shops and restaurants around there. Also on Sunday a must is to go down to Harajuku, one station from Shibuya and observe the dress up crowd there - something to behold!! DON"T FORGET your camera. They are usually standing along the bridge as you walk over from the station to the Park, you could spend hours there just staring and photographing something not of this world. The park itself is also beautiful for some fresh air and a good walk and the autumn colours at the moment are fantastic. If you want to experience Japanese Gay life, a trip down to Shinjuku and close to the station can be an eye opener and some places not for the faint hearted! Many establishments are open only to Asians and do not allow caucasians in. IF you like to exercise a run around the Imperial Palace which is very centrally located will give you a 5 km circuit and is great to do especially now that the weather is cooler. Even if you do not run the Palace is one of those places that you need to visit anyway if you can. Try to get out to the countryside especially in Autumn/early winter stay at a traditional ryokan. This is a Japanese style inn, where you sleep on a futon on the floor, eat in communal diners, walk around in your yukata (traditional summer kimono), and try one that has its own onsen (hot springs) something you have to experience in Japan. The cost for a cheap one will be around USD 85 to 100 but meals are included and you can use the onsen as much as you wish, you may have to pay extra if you want any additional massages etc. You can find a good place only an hour or two by train from Tokyo. Anyway Tokyo and the immediate surroundings are easy to do as long as you have some spare pocket money! Visit http://www.outdoorjapan.com One of my favourite places to be and I have lived and traveled all over Asia in the last six years. Enjoy it! |
Planning to Travel to Tokyo