10-hr layover in Tokyo this Friday, new to JPN
 

Hello all - I'm making the switch from TripAdvisor's community to you all and I love the helpful spirit here! Thanks for all the Tokyo information you've already created!

I'm in Beijing now, returning home to California (USA) this Friday (July 10, 2015) with a long Tokyo layover & airport transfer: arrive Narita 1pm, depart Haneda at midnight. I'm new to traveling alone but want to make the most of my first time in Japan.

My two questions:
(1) should I use a guide/driver for $250 USD or do this solo?
(2) anyone want to meet in person on Friday while I'm there? I love to show off San Francisco to visitors and see how they view my city and if you're like me, I'd love to your novice visitor, even for a meal or stroll around a park or a drink. Experience taught me in China that meals I share with Chinese people are so much tastier and more fun than eating alone and pointing at menus.

I'm 28 year old, female, married. Graduate student at Stanford. Worked in Beijing for 4 weeks, now returning home for another summer internship. Interests in travel (India, Brazil, China, this year!) business and healthcare, and soccer (sorry, we don't have to discuss that :-P). I'm new to traveling solo but have built up a lot of travel confidence being solo in Beijing lately.

What I'm looking for:

- get a contrast of super new/modern/glitzy Tokyo with the older historic side. Like a temple then a neon sign illuminated area. Not planning to spend a lot, so shopping is not high on my list but window shopping and browsing is A-OK.
- Play Pachinko in an arcade.
- Eat some good, simple sushi (I'm not very experienced in Japanese cuisine beyond the basic maki rolls for office dinners). I'm an adventurous eater, though not fond of spice. If you recommend it and it's not heads or hearts or feet of any animal, I'll try it.
- soak in the essence of the city-- that's vague I know, but I'd rather stroll around shops and people watch than check the box on lots of "must do tourist attractions".

I'll have a small bookbag and light small duffle bag, but I've already sent my heavy checked back home separately so I can be light and nimble.

#hoping for Fodorite magic!

That's quite a list! You have how many days for this?

Seriously, how many hours will you have from leaving the airport until you have to be there for you next flight?

Welcome to Fodors HollyMay.

Kathie - I arrive at Narita at 1PM, then have to clear customs and immigration. My departure flight leaves from Haneda at midnight, so I have 11 hours total, but I know I'll lose 1-2 to travel between the city and airport on each end, so probably 6-8 hours of actual adventure time in the city. That's my guess. I want to be at Haneda by around 9:45-10PM for my 12:05am flight.

>> guide/driver for $250 USD

Where did you come up with that?

The problem is your duffle bag--can you carry it around with you in Tokyo? There are lockers at the train stations (I have used them), but they are sometimes full. If you can rid yourself of the bag or carry it around, then you don't really need a driver. Taxis there are so very expensive.

I suggest going to one area only, and I suggest the Ginza area. It is fun and safe (not sleazy) for a young woman traveling alone. The two major department stores are there, and you can have some basic sushi in the restaurant in the basement (better than it sounds). The department stores are entertaining--I could spend time there people watching, looking at the so very Japanese stationery supplies, etc. There are Pachinko arcades in Ginza as well, and lots of lively people, and fun, interesting shops.

There isn't much in the way of old in Tokyo, and you'd have to go to another area, so save it for the next trip.

Regarding meeting up with other people, you could try posting on the Lonely Planet/Thorntree website, or alternatively, I think there are some new aps that people are using now to meet up in new cities, but you probably know more about that sort of thing than I do.

Oh, I just remembered that I have "checked" my luggage at the department stores in Ginza. Each floor has two cute ladies identically dressed, with matching hats, and they act as concierges. And it will be free.

Thank you for the tips and feedback - much appreciated. By 'old', I meant things like shrines and temples, not necessarily an entire district where everything is old. The benefit of the driver is ease of logistics for me (no need to navigate non-English transit system, welcome face at the airport, etc) and I also think that being able to see some of the city while in transit (versus being underground) adds some value to what the sidewalk/street style is like.

mrwunrfl - I have been in touch and have an arrangement with a driver + guide who speaks English for 10 hours for $250 USD. Recommended by a coworker who used it last week and was very satisfied.

California Lady - the bag is very light and small and I'm able to carry it around all day, no problem. I am not in need of luggage storage.

It sounds like you've decided to hire the driver and guide, so your decisions now are where to go.

For something "old" how about the Meiji Shrine? (And I remember a charming little place for tea sort of across the street from the entrance.

Traffic in Tokyo is pretty bad, so much of your time in the car you'll be creeping along in traffic. Use this as an opportunity to view some of the amazing architecture.

That is a really low price. Are there other charges for mileage, gas, tolls, parking? What was your coworker's experience. 10 hrs for $250 and where did the go? I assume that it is one person who is the driver and also the guide. Has that person suggested an itinerary?

My current approximate plan:
Airport Limo Bus from Narita to Shibuya area [need to pick a specific point to exit the bus].
Spend 3-4 hours on foot to cover Shibuya Scramble, Meiji Shrine and Harajuku Takeshita (fashion forward shopping street for people watching). I love to walk.

Then taxi to Ginza (~$20-30 USD?)and explore, window shop, eat, play pachinko then taxi to the airport when it's time.

Does anyone have an estimate for the time and cost for a taxi from Ginza to Haneda? Looks like 12 miles / 25 minutes driving on online maps, though I assume it can be a lot more than that (Friday around 9:00 PM). Is ~$50-$70USD reasonable?

@mrwunrfl: I work for a company that invested in the travel service, so the rate may be discounted (it was 100% inclusive for my coworker). My times go late into the evening, so there is a surcharge that comes to a total of $400 USD. That's too much.

Thanks all - really appreciate the help and kindness.

Play pachinko...lol...I have been tempted to do that also but the places seem so smoky I can't get myself through the door....I don't know if there are any non-smoking ones in Tokyo if that is an issue for you...

If you change your mind, you could think about visiting Tokyo Tower in the evening - I just saw a TV show on NHK World contrasting the Tower and the Skytree. The good thing about the Tower is that it is close to Hamamatsucho Station where you can get the Monorail and be at Haneda in less than half an hour...

Holly May, Your plan is excellent, as both the Ginza and Meiji Shrine areas allow for lots of people watching and strolling. It is also wise to stick to only two areas.

Another alternative to see old Japan is the Asakusa area, but since you are a young lady, you would probably prefer the Harajuku fashion stuff near the Meiji Shrine. My sons were not particularly fascinated by it when we were there, since they are guys. Also, it would be fun to go to a traditional tea ceremony, which usually take place at upscale hotels, and you have to make arrangement in advance...but maybe save Asakusa and the tea ceremony for the next trip.

Regarding your transport from Ginza to Haneda, you can take the Friendly Limousine Bus from the Courtyard Marriott Ginza. That's what we did. It's cheap and reliable, and the schedule is on the website. If you prefer a taxi, when you arrive in the Ginza area, talk to the concierge ladies in one of the department stores, and they can tell you what time to leave, and how much the taxi should be.

Also, can't you take the subway from the Meiji Shrine area to Ginza? We took subways all over the city, and it took me about five minutes to figure out the system.

I'm going to stick to Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku area.


Now, I am figuring out which transit card to purchase. I downloaded the HyperDia app which is very useful. I will definitely make two train rides.
Ride #1: from Narita Airport to Shibuya or Harajuku on my way in
Ride #2: from Shinjuku or Shibuya to Haneda Airport.


I might use a third train ride somewhere between Shinjuku and Shibuya, but I was planning to walk in between that area.


I read the guides on transit passes but could not determine which was best or my needs -- what do you recommend?



Should I buy a pre paid IC Suica card? How much value should I add? Should I buy a NEX card? A JR East pass?


Thanks!

Wait - I thought you were going to use the limo bus from Narita to Shibuya, so no train there. You are going to be in Tokyo for 10 hours - a pass would be a waste of money. You can buy a Suica card and use that. I wouldn't put much on it for your 10 hour stay - I'd add the minimum and then top up if needed. Or buy your tickets as you go. That may actually be your best option.

10 hours in Tokyo - trying to figure out your timing. I see you land in Narita and leave from Haneda - 2 different airports. Just sort of working it out - assuming no delays. Arrive 1 pm, clear immigration and customs - aboout 30 to 45 minutes. Limobus from Narita to Shibuya if no traffic jams - about 1 hour plus. If you reach about 3 pm at Shibuya, you have done well. Harajuku, Shibuya, Omotesando Hills are all in walking distances through nice shopping lanes. Say 2 to 2.5 hours there then Metro to Ginza about 30 - 40 minutes in peak hours reaching about 6 pm. Suggest you give Ginza a miss unless you are in high end shopping, so you'd not feel too stressed about time. If you really wanted to experience another area, go to Roppongi which is one stop away where you can have dinner. Very high end glitzy area. You need to arrive at least 90 minutes before your flight - fortunately Haneda is nearer. About 45 minutes away from Roppongi by train/monorail. Enjoy.