MrsBillT

We will be in Tokyo the last week of April. Just getting started on doing my research, and this will be a first trip to Japan for us . Will be staying at the Hilton Tokyo on points. From what I have read the biggest challenge will be navigating the Tokyo metro. What, in your opinion, is the best guide/map to use for navigating? Note we do not take phones or iPads when we travel. Also Olive will want to shop so we are interested in which areas are best for shopping but not designer high end stores? I like to shop in the local markets (not those fish markets).

rhkkmk

Don' let olive out by herself!!!

HiT and others will have great suggestions for you...

We took taxis, but there were 4 of us and sometimes 6.

shelleyk

Bill-We spent 5 days in Tokyo and had no trouble using the metro, but we had experience using the NYC subways. The key for us was to overstudy the subway map (which I found online and printed) before our trip. We had a plan of where we wanted to go with beginning and ending stops for most of our excursions, and we did this before leaving for Japan. We noted where the transfer stations were from one line to the other, and we had no trouble navigating the system. Try not to transfer at Shinjuku station as it is huge and confusing. I am not a shopper so I can't advise you about that.

doug_stallings

Taxis in Japan are breathtakingly expensive, but they are definitely convenient (though few drivers speak English).

The Japan Tourism office has very good publications, including some on transit and trains. Read those.

But in Japan in particular, I think you are doing yourself a disservice by not having a smartphone. That's really the most useful thing you can have. Having access to a translation app and maps was (for me) essential in having a successful, stress-free independent trip in Japan.

You can rent them in Japan if you don't want to take your own. And if you do take your own smartphone, you can (and should) rent a Wi-Fi hotspot so you can use it on the go and not spend a fortune on data roaming.

I simply can't emphasize enough how useful a smartphone is. It really has transformed Japan into a relatively easy travel destination from one that is baffling and confusing.

Craig

I second the vote for bringing a smart phone with you. Just having the compass app and Google Maps saved the day for us. Lots of info on the subway on japan-guide.com...

MrsBillT

Thanks all but we leave the phones and devices at home. We have been doing this for 20 years and it has worked fine for us. Just one less thing to worry about. We get around fine with maps and guides. I will study the maps and guides for Tokyo carefully and plan accordingly.

curiousgeo

We used both printed metro maps and smartphone GPS on our recent Japan trips. The issue with GPS in Japan was many times it will get you close to your destination, but not quite there. GPS would say you've arrived and we'd be ok, where is it? I'm not talking of major tourist places like Meiji Jingu, Tsukiji Market or Sensoji, but secondary sites and backstreet destinations which can be very confusing, even with maps and GPS.

MinnBeef

The metro is easy. Don't make it out to be a bigger deal than it is.

hawaiiantraveler

The Tokyo Metro Map on this site is the one I always use almost exclusively. Very easy to read. All subway stations will have these maps in even bigger and easier to read size that folds up to fit in your pocket. Get one, have Olive get one. If your not using any phones then have a plan if you get separated on the train. I know hard to imagine but once Linda was moved out of a train car by all the crowd on one of our first trips. Wouldn't happen now but our plan is if that ever happens again we meet at the very next stop which we luckily did.

http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/tips/gui...etro_guide.pdf

read this site for info

http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/index.html

Aloha!

crosscheck

Guidebook: The best guidebook by far is Time Out, but it's very out of date. Instead, check out their stellar website: http://www.timeout.com/tokyo. I used the Tokyo Top 10 book when I was there in March and it was fine. The concierges will give you individualized maps for wherever you want to go.

Transport: I agree with MinnBeef that the metro is super easy. I am originally from NY, so I'm comfortable on most subways. But my husband and kids, LA natives, had absolutely no issues with the Tokyo metro -- could be one of the world's fastest, cleanest, convenient and most intuitive as long as you avoid rush hour and don't mind a LOT of stairs. Just get a map at your hotel. No advance prep needed. And, as other have said, taxis are excellent and they are way more reasonable than they used to be.

Shopping: Not sure what you want to buy (electronics? sneakers? kitchen utensils/plastic food? kitschy robots? fabrics? handicrafts? fabulous clothes?), but I trust the Time Out website implicitly. The shop Tokyu Hands in Shibuya is really fun for everything, from wacky household goods and excellent souvenirs. And most department stores have amazing food courts.

Finally, another vote for rethinking your smartphone rule on this trip. I have been to Japan several times, including for a month in the pre-cell days. It was fine before, but a whole new world opened up to me with my iPhone for directions, translation, current restaurant info, and great interaction with locals on whatsapp.

MrsBillT

Thanks all, I will check out the sites listed.

MinnBeef

Re. shopping, I should have added that if you are home cooks like I am, then Kappabashi is heaven. A roughly 1/2 mile strip of all sorts of kitchen supplies stores and knife shops. I ended up buying a beautiful 5" Santoku knife at Kamata Knives. It has become one of my go-to knives. I also bought a lovely stone sushi serving plate (just like you'd see in a fine sushi restaurant), along with another lovely serving plate, a couple of nice rice bowls and some decorative chopsticks. Kappabashi was probably my favorite sight in Tokyo. Just look for the giant chef's head atop a building at the start of the district and head straight in from there.

Mara

I went to Japan nine times before I got my smartphone - and you are just staying in Tokyo - you should manage just fine...

Subway stops are all numbered and lettered according to the line - and lots of English signage....

MrsBillT

For shopping Olive would be looking for local designers for shoes, handbags, scarves etc. For me I would be interested in markets for souvenirs, crafts, etc sort of like the weekend market in BKK.

BigRuss

The Metro is easy, but you need to check out the Metro and local JR guide - if you get a Suica or have a JR pass, you can use the local JR trains, not just the Metro.

http://www.jrpass.com/blogs/benefits...id-travelcards

And yes, the Metro is easy to navigate.

dondonandjj

I have noted the interesting questions and answers
Thanks

Kavey

For decades, we too have simply bought some good maps and navigated ourselves around easily. However, one thing worth pointing out about Tokyo is that the address system is difficult to cross-reference with a map. There are three digits which give you district, street and building number (I think, someone can correct if I've misremembered) BUT building numbers are often not sequential along a street but somewhat haphazard within a block. That means just finding a street via the map doesn't necessarily mean it's easy to hone in on the right building! On the first trip, we did have maps but struggled and were rescued, as it were, by mobile wifi allowing us to access Google Maps and navigation services.

hawaiiantraveler

One of my fav places to shop for stuff.....yup stuff like in Bangkok is where I was last Thursday:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3012.html

You can walk to Kappabashi dori from here and Ueno Park is just around the corner. Very easy to get to just out front of Ueno Station. Akasaka(sp) is two subway stops down.

Of course Olive should try the stores on The Ginza.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3005.html

which is also close the Tsukiji fish market.

The Shinjuku station department stores like the Keio, Isetan, Odakyu, Luminine all ten story behemoths that line the east end of the Shinjuku Station are all worth a shoppers look.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html

Takashimaya for lux stuff and the adjacent Tokyu Hands store( my fav store for bargains and any Japanese made household items)are a must see imho. Was just at Tokyu Hands loading up on shower curtain holders last week lol.

The basement floor of all the aforementioned stores are a foodies dream and also a must experience while in Tokyo. Go there during lunch hour

Be back with more suggestions later

Aloha!.

MrsBillT

Thanks! Great suggestions so far.

hawaiiantraveler

article explains the depaato store basement food ops

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/to...articles/75840

Aloha!