Tokyo-to do and districts
Aug 17th, 2017, 04:30 AM
#1
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Tokyo-to do and districts
Ok, it looks like it's time. Tokyo, this November. I can figure out the main sightseeing things. I am looking for off the beaten path to do's, differences between the districts in which to stay in, (looking at shibuya, ginza, or shinjuku?) Let's start there. Thank you in advance.
Aug 17th, 2017, 10:24 AM
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You really need to flesh things out more. As far as getting around goes, it really doesn't matter so much since you can get from one place to another very easily by subway or the Yamanote Line.
Tokyo is a city without any real "downtown" - there are several, and a lot depends on what you are actually interested in. Some areas are more for shopping, others are more for business, etc.
You didn't list any kind of budget, but probably staying at a hotel near one of the JR Yamanote Line stations would make it convenient for you. And also if you are going to take any day trips from Tokyo, it may be better to have a hotel near one of the bullet train stations - Shinagawa, Tokyo Stn, or Ueno.
I suggest you browse some of the online guides and get a better feel of what you want.
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/index.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/r...kyo/index.html
http://supermerlion.com/10-free-tokyo-city-views/
http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en/
https://www.tsunagujapan.com/50-things-to-do-in-tokyo/
A 2 or 3 day subway ticket can also be a good way to save some money.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/v...dex.html#anc03
Tokyo is a city without any real "downtown" - there are several, and a lot depends on what you are actually interested in. Some areas are more for shopping, others are more for business, etc.
You didn't list any kind of budget, but probably staying at a hotel near one of the JR Yamanote Line stations would make it convenient for you. And also if you are going to take any day trips from Tokyo, it may be better to have a hotel near one of the bullet train stations - Shinagawa, Tokyo Stn, or Ueno.
I suggest you browse some of the online guides and get a better feel of what you want.
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/index.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/r...kyo/index.html
http://supermerlion.com/10-free-tokyo-city-views/
http://teien.tokyo-park.or.jp/en/
https://www.tsunagujapan.com/50-things-to-do-in-tokyo/
A 2 or 3 day subway ticket can also be a good way to save some money.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/v...dex.html#anc03
Aug 17th, 2017, 04:03 PM
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Check out this Japan Times series by Kit Nagamura for in depth local walks and adventures.
Some neat neighborhoods and sights.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/int-kit_nagamura/
Some neat neighborhoods and sights.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/author/int-kit_nagamura/
Aug 23rd, 2017, 08:19 AM
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Thank you, this is helpful. I suppose we are more interested in shopping history and culture, than business for example. I've noted the proximity to the bullet trains because we do plan to do 2 nights or so in Kyoto. Thank you!
Aug 23rd, 2017, 09:56 AM
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Only 2 nights in Kyoto? That is just one full day. I'd want as much time as possible in Kyoto, and just a few days in Tokyo. In November, you'll be likely to see the koyo (fall colors) and Kyoto is a fine place for viewing the wonderful gardens in fall colors.
Take a look at our photos from a november trip to Japan: www.marlandc.com/Japan-2013
Take a look at our photos from a november trip to Japan: www.marlandc.com/Japan-2013
Aug 23rd, 2017, 05:28 PM
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"2 nights or so in Kyoto. "
2 nights in Kyoto? I just got back from Japan last Friday and spent 9 nights in Kyoto and 5 nights in Tokyo. I don't know how much you will get done with only 2 nights in Kyoto.
I have already planned my return trip to Japan for Summer 2018 and have booked 7 nights of accommodations in Kyoto and have also booked 4 nights (Tokyo Station Hotel) http://www.thetokyostationhotel in Tokyo and am hoping for a big price drop, like I got before, for the remaining 4 nights at the Four Seasons Marunouchi where I just stayed for 5 nights straight. As for the Tokyo Station Hotel, it will be my first time trying it out, but I just got a really good deal on Expedia. I really liked staying in Marunouchi as it was peaceful, especially at night.
I hope to take the bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo and then will arrive right there at the hotel as the hotel is part of the train station and the Imperial Palace is only a 15-minute walk away. Part of it can be seen from the front side of the train station.
On this recent trip, I flew both to and from Kyoto. I landed in Narita, from L.A. and on Singapore Air, and then took ANA from Narita to Osaka-Itami Airport and then the MK Shuttle service on to Kyoto, from Osaka-Itami Airport which took around an hour and fifteen minutes. I made the MK Shuttle reservations, online from home, and they don't need to be prepaid. The MK Shuttle service was incredibly efficient and on time and the 8-seat bus was quite comfortable.
I also took the MK Shuttle service back to Osaka-Itami Airport, from Kyoto, and then flew on to Tokyo using ANA again. But, I landed at Tokyo-Haneda airport instead as it's closer to Tokyo city than Narita. I then took both the monorail and a train to get to Tokyo Train Station and then walked the 5 minutes or so to the Four Seasons as it's on the same street as Tokyo Train Station.
While in Haneda Airport, I went to the machine and bought a Suica card. One can insert different amounts of money, but I inserted a 10,000 yen note as the card is good for 10 years and I plan to go back to Japan. Before leaving Japan, I didn't cash in the remaining amount on the Suica card. I also used it to take the Narita Airport Express train back to the airport on my way home. From Tokyo Train Station, it was 4,550 yen, in first class, and all I had to do was insert the Suica card into the machine and it deducted the ticket/seat reservation amount. Plus, I could also use the Suica in some vending machines and also used it to take public transportation around Tokyo.
When I arrived at my hotel, in Tokyo, my large suitcase had already arrived as, while at my hotel in Kyoto, the day before checkout, I took it to the reception, at 4:30PM, filled out a short form, paid the equivalent of $13.85 and at 5:00PM the transportation service picked it up and had it sent on to Tokyo ahead of me. When I arrived to the Four Seasons Marunouchi Tokyo, I was informed that my suitcase had arrived early that morning and had been sent to my room. When I arrived to my room, it was sitting on the luggage rack. So, no schlepping of large luggage from Kyoto to Tokyo.
My personal focus, in Tokyo, was fashion, not sites. Since I plan to go back, I can then do some sites and also some more fashion. I took the train to Shinjuku twice as I went there for something specific, fashion wise. But, I personally didn't have an interest in staying in Shinjuku. I found Marunouchi quite peaceful, at night, and it was nice walking around there. Plus, I walked to Ginza in 15 minutes, from my hotel.
I really would have liked to have gotten to Shibuya/Jingumae. I had the hotel concierge call a specific Japanese, designer flagship store in Jingumae, but found out that the flagship store is doing major renovation and was closed. So, I went to both Ginza and Shinjuku to buy the clothes of the same Japanese designer. I really was looking forward to the flagship store, but maybe next time. I decided to save Shibuya/Jingumae for the next trip.
Hope these tips have helped. Please excuse any typos as I'm trying to both cook dinner and type. LOL!
Happy Travels!
2 nights in Kyoto? I just got back from Japan last Friday and spent 9 nights in Kyoto and 5 nights in Tokyo. I don't know how much you will get done with only 2 nights in Kyoto.
I have already planned my return trip to Japan for Summer 2018 and have booked 7 nights of accommodations in Kyoto and have also booked 4 nights (Tokyo Station Hotel) http://www.thetokyostationhotel in Tokyo and am hoping for a big price drop, like I got before, for the remaining 4 nights at the Four Seasons Marunouchi where I just stayed for 5 nights straight. As for the Tokyo Station Hotel, it will be my first time trying it out, but I just got a really good deal on Expedia. I really liked staying in Marunouchi as it was peaceful, especially at night.
I hope to take the bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo and then will arrive right there at the hotel as the hotel is part of the train station and the Imperial Palace is only a 15-minute walk away. Part of it can be seen from the front side of the train station.
On this recent trip, I flew both to and from Kyoto. I landed in Narita, from L.A. and on Singapore Air, and then took ANA from Narita to Osaka-Itami Airport and then the MK Shuttle service on to Kyoto, from Osaka-Itami Airport which took around an hour and fifteen minutes. I made the MK Shuttle reservations, online from home, and they don't need to be prepaid. The MK Shuttle service was incredibly efficient and on time and the 8-seat bus was quite comfortable.
I also took the MK Shuttle service back to Osaka-Itami Airport, from Kyoto, and then flew on to Tokyo using ANA again. But, I landed at Tokyo-Haneda airport instead as it's closer to Tokyo city than Narita. I then took both the monorail and a train to get to Tokyo Train Station and then walked the 5 minutes or so to the Four Seasons as it's on the same street as Tokyo Train Station.
While in Haneda Airport, I went to the machine and bought a Suica card. One can insert different amounts of money, but I inserted a 10,000 yen note as the card is good for 10 years and I plan to go back to Japan. Before leaving Japan, I didn't cash in the remaining amount on the Suica card. I also used it to take the Narita Airport Express train back to the airport on my way home. From Tokyo Train Station, it was 4,550 yen, in first class, and all I had to do was insert the Suica card into the machine and it deducted the ticket/seat reservation amount. Plus, I could also use the Suica in some vending machines and also used it to take public transportation around Tokyo.
When I arrived at my hotel, in Tokyo, my large suitcase had already arrived as, while at my hotel in Kyoto, the day before checkout, I took it to the reception, at 4:30PM, filled out a short form, paid the equivalent of $13.85 and at 5:00PM the transportation service picked it up and had it sent on to Tokyo ahead of me. When I arrived to the Four Seasons Marunouchi Tokyo, I was informed that my suitcase had arrived early that morning and had been sent to my room. When I arrived to my room, it was sitting on the luggage rack. So, no schlepping of large luggage from Kyoto to Tokyo.
My personal focus, in Tokyo, was fashion, not sites. Since I plan to go back, I can then do some sites and also some more fashion. I took the train to Shinjuku twice as I went there for something specific, fashion wise. But, I personally didn't have an interest in staying in Shinjuku. I found Marunouchi quite peaceful, at night, and it was nice walking around there. Plus, I walked to Ginza in 15 minutes, from my hotel.
I really would have liked to have gotten to Shibuya/Jingumae. I had the hotel concierge call a specific Japanese, designer flagship store in Jingumae, but found out that the flagship store is doing major renovation and was closed. So, I went to both Ginza and Shinjuku to buy the clothes of the same Japanese designer. I really was looking forward to the flagship store, but maybe next time. I decided to save Shibuya/Jingumae for the next trip.
Hope these tips have helped. Please excuse any typos as I'm trying to both cook dinner and type. LOL!
Happy Travels!
Aug 23rd, 2017, 07:50 PM
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I don't have a real itinerary as when I'm on vacation, I'm on vacation and not one to run around, exhaust myself, and basically check off sites.
I went to some sites and the rest of the time I walked around a lot, did some photography, shopped, ate places, went out to the country side, and a lot of locals chatted with me at various levels of English as I was constantly asked where I was from. I'm a people person and like chatting with people. Whatever sites that I didn't get to, I can hopefully get to some other time as there are a LOT of sites/temples in Kyoto and surrounding area.
Happy Travels!
I went to some sites and the rest of the time I walked around a lot, did some photography, shopped, ate places, went out to the country side, and a lot of locals chatted with me at various levels of English as I was constantly asked where I was from. I'm a people person and like chatting with people. Whatever sites that I didn't get to, I can hopefully get to some other time as there are a LOT of sites/temples in Kyoto and surrounding area.
Happy Travels!
