barefootbeach

Hi,
Af the tail end of a 5 week trip in Asia, we'll be breaking up our return flight to the US by spending 5 nights in Kyoto and regrettably, only one night in Tokyo. So, we basically have one day and I think it'll be visiting the Imperial Palace grounds. I have a free night at the Hyatt in Shinjuku-ku, but I'm thinking it may be better to stay closer to the Imperial Palace area to optimize time. We'd also like to be able to walk around shopping/restaurants a bit. Is the Imperial Palace area a good neighborhood or do you recommend a different area. And, do you have a favorite hotel to stay at? Thanks again for your ideas.

kja

Your idea of staying near the Imperial Palace is quite reasonable if you decide to visit the grounds -- either that, or staying near a station that allows easy access to Narita. I can't recommend the hotel in which Is stayed, but I was glad to stay in Ueno near the Keisei train to Narita. I enjoyed the Ueno area a lot; YMMV.

barefootbeach

Thank you so much midee and kja for your suggestions. I'll start checking them out.

barefootbeach

I've decided on the Palace Hotel….thanks so much for your help. It's going to be a busy day trying to absorb the best of Tokyo.

If anyone has suggestions for what to see/do, I'd love to hear them

LuisJp

Your hotel is just in front of Ohtemon, a gate to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Check the opening date at
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/higashigyoen02.html

You can also visit inside of the Imperial Palace itself. The reservation is needed.
https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/order/index_EN.html

Yasukuni Shirine can be enjoyed even very early in the morning.
http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/precinct/index.html

The National Diet offers the tour on weekdays.
http://www.sangiin.go.jp/eng/info/dbt/index.htm

Marunouchi area is now an attractive spot for shopping and restaurants. Most buildings are connected with your hotel with underpasses. No umbrella is needed.
http://www.marunouchi.com/e/shop?type=top

More further places are

Ginza:
http://www.ginza.jp/?lang=en

Akihabara:
http://akiba.or.jp/english/index.html

Edo-Tokyo Museum:
http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/english/

Hama Rikyu:
http://www.kensetsu.metro.tokyo.jp/k...hama_rikyu.pdf

Tokyo Tower:
http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/eng/secret/

Zojoji:
http://www.zojoji.or.jp/en/index.html

Tsukiji:
http://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/index.html

Tokyo Skytree:
http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

and more...
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/index.html