emmitt

I need tips on what to do during the day while husband is in meetings. Will be there Dec 13 - 19th. Staying at Hotel Pacific Tokyo or Hotel Laforet Tokyo. Love the food too. Please help - I'm 34 and very excited to be going.

kja

Hi, emmitt -

For a lot of helpful information, see:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html

Enjoy!

hawaiiantraveler

Hmmmmmm.....both hotels are on the outskirts of Tokyo in Shinagawa so I would pick Pacific on first look but check both out on Trip Advisor site for more information

kja's site is a great one for information, check it ALL out please!

Check these also for information

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/

http://www.japantravelinfo.com/top/index.php

What kind of food, entertainment, shopping, etc do you like? Budget? Be a little more specific about yourself and we can suggest and help more.

Aloha!

emmitt

Hawaiian Traveler - would like to do budget shopping (whatever catches my eye - small stuff to pack), like sushi, like to see entertainment that reflects culture/area. I'm 34, not picky - like to explore and mingle (safely, of course).

Thanks for tips everyone. Will check out kja's.

Tim_and_Liz

I can highly recommend this fish market tour. It has changed a little since we took it in March 2008, but I am sure it will still be fantastic. We LOVED Naoto, the guide.

http://homepage3.nifty.com/tokyowork...ijiTourEng.htm

You can have a sushi breakfast afterwards at his favorite spot.



I can also recommend the Oriental Bazaar for small gifts.
http://www.tokyo-bazaar.com/harajuku...-oriental.html


Make sure to visit the Asakusa Temple.

You'll have a great time!

hawaiiantraveler

You could visit the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa and shop in the streets leading up to and around the temple area.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3001.html

Also in the immediate area is the kappabashi street district which has the best cooking and restaurant supplies in all of Japan. Really worth a look

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3020.html

But the best budget shopping in Tokyo imho is the Ameyoko market

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

I told you the Japan guide site is great

Check out a Tokyu Hands store near you, you won't regret it. In Tokyo there are located in Ikebukuro, Shibuya and Shinjuku

http://www.tokyu-hands.co.jp/index.htm

Aloha!

cruisinred

I'm about your age and was in a similiar situation this summer....friend was in meetings/work, and I had to amuse myself during the day. I LOVED the Roppongi hills mall....now, let me be clear that in the states I hate malls...but this mall/complex is really something else. Great architecture, loads of unique stores and wonderful restaurants.

Nearby, also check out a store called Don Quixote for tons of cheap, kitschy fun items to take home.

emmitt

Getting some great ideas - thanks everyone.

Pendolino

Tokyo can be a little tough to navigate, but if you are advenurous and not afraid of the subway system, it can be a lot of fun. While it seems a little odd to travel all that way to see European art, the Museum of Western Art in Ueno Park is a real treasure. A shipping magnant made a lot of money during WW I off both sides since Japan was neutral. He bought a lot of old masters and impressionist art to bring back to Japan to show the Japanese artists what the Europeans were doing. There are some beautiful and extensive examples from the Dutch realistic school and the impressionists as well as some more modern pieces. The department stores are also pretty terrific and bring new meaning to "one stop shopping": they have everything and the goods are beautifully displayed. Pay particular attention to the outfits and grooming of the sales people. The samples from the food courts are enough to tide you over and there are plenty of restaurants inside. Lastly, the non-Japanese restaurants are interesting, especially the Italian and French editions that bring new meaning to fusion cuisine. Tokyo is one of the best food cities in the world and trying everything is an adventure into itself.