Hate to say it... but another Tokyo hotel post..
 

I have researched and researched and researched but don't know where to stay. I am finding Tokyo quite overwhelming!

We have a stopover there for two nights next March. We would like to do the following:

*see the fish market and have some fresh sushi
*visit Roppongi crossing
*spend one day in Hakone if clear weather (we enjoy countryside and would like to see Mt. Fuji)
*shop at Oriental Bazaar or somewhere similar for souvenirs.
*try shabu-shabu somewhere
*prefer restaurants with English menus or that are easy-to-navigate during our jet-lag (we are good travelers but want to "ease into" Asia)

Given the above, suggestions for neighborhoods to look at? Shinjuku? Shibuya? Ebisu?

Specific hotels? We would prefer to stay around US$150/night but could go up to $250/night.

Thanks so much in advance!

Re restaurant: English menu -- I think you either have to go to very touristy or high end places frequented by foreigners. But I do not think it is necessary. If you go to "working" class restaurants, they have wax replicas of what they serve with prices in their show windows. Simply point what you want to the server. The replica always looked better than the real food...
Conveyor belt sushi is another option: just grab what you feel like eating -- after understanding the pricing and the house "rule."

I think you can achieve what you want to do in almost any central locations.
Tsukiji and Roppongi are on Hibiya line subway, Oriental Bazaar is near Harajuku/omote-sando served by multiple subway lines. (I also recommend Matsuya department store in Ginza for good Japanese crafts).

Try Serina in Roppongi for shabu shabu, though there are other places throughout the city. Most department stores and shopping centres have restaurant floors that have replicas outside.

Hakone will take a whole day--either JR train to Odawara or Odakyu line (out o shinjuku) to Hakone Yumato. It may be still chilly. You can visit Open Air sculpture museum, walk the historical pass. (I personally didn't "get" the boat ride and the sulpher egg near the lake).

We just go back from Tokyo and South Korea, I had the same overwhelming feeling while planning. But everything went really smoothly. Mr. Hester had been to Tokyo before but he was no help in the planning.
As far as the food goes, we went to a lot of places that have pictures and you point. We ate sushi off the revolving belt. We ate at one sushi places a couple of times; it was so good. We ate ten small plates and we were full and it only came out to $10.00 I don't remember the Yen amount. We had Shabu Shabu in Korea and it was so good! There was this cream puff place in Shibuya that was so good, in fact there were two.

We stayed at the Shibuya Tokyu Inn. The room was really small but it was ok, it was clean and the staff was friendly. The hotel is located right off the big shibuya crossing. The hotel was not noisey at all at night and we slept with the window open. It cost 21,000 yen ($174.00) a night. We like to be right in the middle of the action so to speak so that is why we stayed there. The subway is right there and lots of places to eat and shop.

Some of the sights we saw were the Imperial palace, National Museum of Japan and the zoo. All were reached by a very simple subway ride. I loved the zoo, we actually got to see Ling-Ling the giant panda. The museum was very good also. We looked for the transportation Museum (Mr. Hesters pick)but could not find it, oh darn my heart was broke. Also Mr. Hester was so disappointed that we didn't make it to the camera museum.

We took the subway to different districts and than did a whole lot of walking to see the sights. I didn't list everything we saw it would take to long. It was very easy to find our way around with a good map. One thing we did learn was to wait until after 10 am to take the subway. You can't even imagine how crowded it got. I have been on subways all over the world and have NEVER experienced anything like it. It was scary. It got so crowded (it wasn't crowded when we got on) that you couldn't hold on and didn't need to because it was packed so tight you couldn't move, kinda like a sardine can! But I must say it was our fault for not thinking it out about the work rush hour which is somewhat later than we are use to in the USA.

Coming in from Narita we took a taxi to Shibuya and on the way back to Narita we took the Limosine bus and it worked really well. You can pick up the bus at a lot of major hotels even if you didn't stay there. Just look in your guide book.

Like I said before I was overwhelmed when I started our planning but everything worked out great. Fodorites were great help.

I am sure you will have a wonderful trip as we did.

Ok....the fish market is great if youv'e never seen one before.

Roppongi Crossing? Is there supposed to be something happening there?

Shibuya crossing is much more exciting and picturesque than Roppongi. Even the Ginza or Shinjuku at night if you want to see people and lights!!!

Don't worry....lots of English menus around(just ask) and lots of picture menus with plastic food samples everywhere. Have you seen these websites?

http://www.bento.com/tf-rest.html

http://www.travelotica.com/travelgui...nirs-10030.htm

http://www.frommers.com/destinations...5_indshop.html

Aloha!

Yes, Tokyo is huge. Any of the wards that you mentioned would be ok. But if you just get a hotel close to a subway (easy to find) then you'll be ok. Better is at a stop on the Marunouchi line.

Ginza is only 3 minutes from Tsukiji.

Roppongi Crossing is an art exhibition:
http://www.mori.art.museum/eng/exhibition/index.html
at Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills.

Another consideration for the hotel is that I would want it near a Narita Express stop, if I was using the Narita Express. Or a hotel that is served by the airport limo bus, if using Narita Airport.

Hi guys, any thoughts on these...the Keio Plaza, the Monterey Ginza, Monterey La soeur Ginza, Mecure Ginza?

We stayed at the Keio Plaza a couple of years ago and it was lovely. The room was pleasant, if not glamourous, and quite large. The bathroom was a fair size with a posh toilet and a shower (with a pull around curtain, not a real stall). We were provided with cotton kimonos and room slippers as well as bathroom slippers. We were about a block from the electronics market and the enormous Shinjuku Station. The location was wonderful.

We traveled everywhere by subway with very little problem. People were always offering to help us, young people in particular who learn English in school and like to practice it.

We were at the market at about 5 a.m. but missed the tuna auction. I'm not sure they let tourists in to that anymore but the market is certainly worth a visit.

I envy you your trip! Have a wonderful time!

We have stayed at the Keio Plaza and were very happy with our room there.

There is a post office right out the back door(atm machines) and next to the po is a world of restaurants and little shops to keep you busy for hours.

If you do opt for the Keio go on their website that I listed below and join their EIC club if you want to take advantage of the benefits like free brkfst, late checkout, daily paper, etc.

The Toto toilets in the rooms are enough of a reason to pick the Keio Plaza, lol.(if your new to this forum you might not get this joke) :)

http://www.keioplaza.com/index.html

Aloha!

Just to give you an idea of the size of our room at the Keio Plaza, we had two double beds, a small round table with two chairs, and a long, low dresser, and we still had lots of room.

There was a very nice lounge off the lobby where we had drinks a couple of times (live music one night), and our room came with breakfast every day, including the option of Japanese breakfast. The regular breakfast buffet was quite nice with several choices and the Japanese breakfast was, well, interesting.

The Keio it is !!

Have a wonderful time. Write when you get back and tell us about your trip.

Wow, thank you so much to all who replied to my post!

For those who stayed at the Keio Plaza, how much did you pay and where did you book? I see prices of $232/night for the cheapest room (one queen bed) on their website.

Thank you again to all who replied. Hester, thanks for your comments! I am glad you enjoyed Tokyo and hope we will too!

Liz

I'm sorry, Tim, I can't remember how much we paid but I'm sure it would be different now. We were there at the Christmas season which is not a holiday season there (New Year's is their big holiday) so maybe prices were lower.

We booked off the site i posted.

For next March book now at a cancel able rate and I would recheck the site religiously as they change prices constantly.

I know lots of tour agencies use the Keio so you might want to check with your local agencies later on when the time gets closer. H.I.S. comes to mind.

Aloha!

Thanks again HT and hdm!

Liz

Sorry to tag along on your thread Liz !! We will be there in January, so a report will appear !

No problem, Marko. I often piggyback on existing posts as well-- helps keep the board clean. I will look for your trip report early next year (prior to March 4th, please! :) )

I have to say, hands down, Park Hotel Tokyo. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this hotel. Have stayed there twice, each time for 5+ days. So convenient, wonderful rooms, impeccable service, UNBELIEVABLE price.

http://www.parkhoteltokyo.com/

Tim and Liz:

First off, thank you for your gracious words on my "return to Beppu" post.

Secondly...I strongly second Birders message above...Park Hotel Tokyo...superb in every way. We just spent five nights there last month. Very unique...begins on the 25th floor of a new office building in the Shiodome. The design of the hotel portion is well thought out. Try to get a room with a view of the Hamarikyu gardens below.

Stu T.

To follow up...
I just made a reservation for two nights at the Park Hotel for next March. The price is 19,000 yen per night for the smallest room, including service charge and consumption tax but excluding other tax.
These prices are part of the "Early Bird" package (bookings made at least 21 days in advance).
I will continue to check back to see if the rate drops.
Thanks again for all who replied to this post!

Tim and Liz:
>>>shop at Oriental Bazaar or somewhere similar for souvenirs...<<<

I'd like to share something with you if, indeed, you go to the Oriental Bazaar...it's on one of the most upscale streets in the city (Otomesando Road)..quite nicely presented.

However, after you shop in the Bazaar you might want to try a mom and pop lunch at a little hole-in-the-wall we discovered, where traditional "okonomiyaki" is made on a large grill (the place only seats 15...delicious rendition of this dish).

Finding it is easy, once you're at the Bazaar. Simply walk up the street to the very narrow "Maryoshi" Building, squeezed between the Shuremura Make-up store and Tod's Shoes and Bags. (Directly across the street from the ubiqitous Benettons)!

There will be a sign in Japanese out front heralding the little place. You take a rickety elevator to the third floor...and enjoy a great experience.

Exceptionally inexpensive...if I recall, $15 for two, and the only thing they offer is the aforementioned okonomiyaki..a very filling lunch.

You will enjoy whatever time you have for Tokyo....the Park Hotel is indeed lovely..and you have a good rate, about the same as we paid. Bon Voyage!

Stu T.

Hi Tim_and_Liz, we stayed at the Park Hotel and we liked it. Be prepared for a small room (esp. compared to hotels in the US). But the hotel is beautifully decorated, the staff friendly and the rooms adequate and sufficient.

Have a great time! :)

We had a great time at the Tokyo Prince Park Hotel Tower. Rate was $180 during the high New Years season, rooms had views of Mt. Fuji and were a "normal" size by American standards. Room not as chic as the Park, but common areas were very cool. Location was central and amenities included full breakfast, in-house bowling and onsen (hot spring), oxygen bar, French bakery, pool and gym. Book through Leading Hotels of the World for free upgrade. One disadvantage is that it's not walking distance to restaurants, but it's in a park next to an authentic shrine there are two subway stops within a 2-5 minute walk. You can be in Roppongi in less than 10 minutes either by taxi or subway.

T & L,
when in March will you be here in TKY?

tower- thanks for the restaurant rec! We definitely want to try okonomiyaki and will visit that restaurant if time allows.

Thanks Manisha! We are prepared for a small room, doesn't bother us much, especially since we'll only be there two nights.

crosscheck- thanks for your recommendation too. And I loved reading your trip report!

bmttokyo- we arrive the evening of March 5th and depart late afternoon on the 7th. Not very long!

Would have loved to take you both out to my favorite hole in the wall ramen shop but I'll be in Chiang Mai then. Perhaps next time.

Darn! Hope to meet you next time! (And I am sure there will be a "next time")

Looking forward to it. Also saw somewhere that you will be in BKK around March 7? I will be arriving BKK later that day & will stay till the 9th.

I'll take a raincheck for our ramen place in TOKYO then.

Tim,Liz:

Just a little tip on the Park Hotel...they have a fair buffet
for bkfst, which is quite steep-o, as is the ala carte.
We discovered on the ground floor of the building a cute little coffee-bakery, reasonable and more than adequate. There are also a halfdozen restaurants in one of the basement areas with a wide selection of lunch and dinner menus, again very reasonable for Tokyo...as well as a 7-11 type convenience store.
Have fun!

Stu T.

Just from from holidays. The Keio Plaza was very nice, generous size rooms and very comfortable beds. The position is good in regard to access to Shinjuku station. The restaurants at the Keio are good if some what overpriced. There are many decent places within 100 metres of the hotel that were much cheaper.

For those wanting to try shabu-shabu, try Shabuzen in Roppongi. It is affordable & all you can eat.