islandtime71

Hi there. I'm looking for some good general advice based on my small window of opportunity to see some of Japan.

I arrive Narita from Guam om 4/16 around 7pm and depart Narita the next evening around 6pm. My first question is should I head to Tokyo or somewhere else closer. Depending on that answer how should I get there and where should I stay. I am traveling on my own.

I would be happy if I were able to do 1-2 cultural sights and experience some of the local (non-tourist) night life. I work in the beer business, so a visit to a good area of local bars would be great. I am not interested in shopping, but would be glad to see cherry blossoms if they happened to be in the same location.

I am an experienced traveler and seek out the "off the beaten path" sights. I am happy to pay more for convenience for a hotel for one night and would like to be close to where I would be going out on Thursday evening. I am comfortable with any mode of transport and am not discouraged by a 1-2 hour train ride to and from Narita.

Based on my inputs above, please send me your best recommended itinerary with as much detail as you can.

Thanks in advance!

hawaiiantraveler

How much sleep do you need.....?

I would:

Take the Limosine bus from NRT to the Hyatt in Shinjuku also taking advantage of their Limosine & Metro Pass special so I could use the Metro pass the next day
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
After a quick check in I would make my way(10 minute walk) to the Restaurant Le Coup Chou for a nice dinner with drinks and to mingle a little with the all local Japanese clientele.
<b>Restaurant Le Coupe Chou
1-15-7 Nishishinjuku Shinjuku-ku Tokyo
Tel (03)3348-1610</b>
If you are still awake you can hop into the subway on the Marunouchi line for a 20 minute ride to the Ginza stop and walk up to ground level and take in the sights of the Ginza at night http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3005.html
Take the subway back to your hotel area and pass out.
Get up early the next morning(5:00am) if you want and take the subway back to the Ginza area to the Tsukiji Fish Market http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html
After your tour and sushi breakfast you can make your way towards the Sensoji Temple http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3001.html to sight see, take in the temple, shop and eat an early lunch then head back to the hotel to freshen up and check out to catch the 13:30 limo bus back to NRT and your 18:00 flight out. That is what I might do with 23 hours in Tokyo.....

Aloha!

tomarkot

We've been very impressed with information that Hawaiian Traveler has provided for us as we prepare for our trip, arriving in Tokyo on March 18. We've done a lot of prep work, but find the suggestions H.T. has given to be "right on". We are staying at the Hilton, across from the Hyatt, and are also planning to take Limousine Bus from the airport. We're making use of a valuable tip to use the Marunouchi line of the subway at the Nishi Shinjuku station for our intial foray into Tokyo. So thanks again to you, Hawaiian Traveler, and other Fodorites, for sharing your ideas to enable others to have a great experience in Japan.

hawaiiantraveler

Your welcome tomarkot! I hope you feel the same way after you return,lol!

Have a fun trip!

Aloha!

islandtime71

Dear Hawaiiantraveler, thank you very much for the specific advise and I will follow your advice precisely. Always good to get advice from an expert!

Will advise post-hurried visit.

Cheers!