Anyone who can't find food and shops in Tokyo away from the train stations needs medical attention. And many subway stops have more than one line. So you don't need a train station for that either.

Of course one can find food all over the city. It's a big city. That goes without saying. However, I liked the convenience of having a large food selection in one, close big area when I needed it and a variety of food, not only Japanese food every day, although I grew up eating a lot of it regularly and like it.

Plus, there are some of us who have nutritional needs, food allergies, and the like and can't just eat anything anywhere. Also, after a long day of walking around, I was quite happy with not having to wander around a lot looking for where to eat if I didn't want to do such.

Happy Travels!

Ah, you misunderstood me. I was looking for a lodging that is convenient for coming and going and not too quiet after dark. I was not looking to solve all my meals within the confines of a train station.
And I’d especially appreciate all input in a friendly tone.

Reading54: I happened to understand what you were expressing, but didn't think that the "smart" comment was aimed particularly at you.

Happy Travels!

I hope that Flygirl, the OP, is coming along nicely with her planning as she has received a lot of useful information. When I was doing the plans for Japan, last year, it took a lot of planning and also a day at the huge, annual travel show, talking with the travel representatives at the Japan display. They really helped out a lot and then I went home and planned it all on my laptop.

Happy Travels!

I think around Ueno Station is a good location - good for transportation, numerous stores, restaurants, near the museums in Ueno Park, etc....I stayed near there a few years back and found it very convenient. I don't stay there now mainly because I found a hotel with cooking facilities that suits me for a longer stay, but I wouldn't hesitate to stay there for a short time...always busy around there for sure!
Enjoy!

I stayed near Ueno Station and found it very well suited for my interests -- I had just a short, easy walk to Tokyo's Ueno Park and from several options for transportation, including the JR Ueno train station, the Keisei Ueno train station (which has an express line to/from Narita Airport), and the Nezu subway station.

map says shitaya? Place is called the Toco heritage hostel. Nearest subway stop is Iriya, but it’s not super close. If you look at the map, it’s about what I remembered- it’s a neighborhood, near a fire station, and a junior high school. I was, to be fair, still jet lagged. It was relaxing and the owners are lovely, but I would have preferred A/c and a much shorter walk to the subway.

I looked up that hotel and I like the location. It would be great to stay so close to Ueno Park. If you stay there, please report back!

I can find food just fine away from train stations. But if I’m day tripping I don’t really enjoy having to ride the subway for several stops to get to the train station to begin with. Less transit time+several food options= happiness when tired at the end of the day.

Thanks to all who took the time to reply. I’ll report back after my trip in October.

Thank you for all the good ideas. I haven't had much time to do more research although I have narrowed down when I'll be going - late May.

A wee bit more of planning. I am going to add two nights in Kyoto, and so I'll also get to at least glimpse Fuji-san and ride the Shinkansen.

I have been reading other posts here and enjoying the links many people have provided inside each.

I'm hoping to take some lightweight language courses before I go. I found a local place which was perfect but the next course started that same night I found it, and each class ends shortly after the time I get home from work - too bad I don't work in the city or I could sneak out a half an hour early one day a week and go.

I'm really glad that you're adding Kyoto to the plan, but I would do 3 nights. Kyoto sites are spread out. Personally, I liked it so much until I have added another 9 nights to my summer 2018 trip. As for hotels in Kyoto, I would highly recommend getting something reserved as they fill up really fast and prices fluctuate like crazy.

If you want to stay in the heart of downtown Kyoto, then the Royal Park Hotel is about as central as one can get. When in Kyoto, summer 2017, I stayed at 4 different hotels; Hyatt Regency, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and Royal Park. I booked according to different rates on different days and to also decide which hotel I would like to return to on my 2018 trip. I stayed at the Royal Park my last 2 nights in Kyoto.

While in Kyoto, I had a private driver/guide for 4 hours, on one day, as there were things that I wanted to do and just get done without having to spend a lot of time. Plus, I was able to get to the country side for a bit of time. There were some things that we just played by ear which was nice as I wasn't stuck in some fixed schedule. My driver/guide's English was fluent and he really knew Japanese history. He's been in the business for quite a long time.

https://www.rph-the.co.jp/kyoto/en/

Happy Travels!

Kyoto is magnificent, IMO!

While you MIGHT be able to glimpse Fuji-san from the train, it is by no means guaranteed. I would encourage you to be grateful if you get a glance, but not to count on it.

I've found Pimsleur's language lessons very useful, and you can do them on your own time.

[QUOTE=kja;16697251]Kyoto is magnificent, IMO!

I also found Kyoto magnificent and am glad that I started my Japan trip in Kyoto, first impression, and then ended in Tokyo. For me, since Tokyo is such a large city, I knew that I wouldn't get through a lot of it, so I'm glad that I spent more time in Kyoto and then when I go back this coming summer, I will add more nights to Tokyo, but will still have the same 9 nights in Kyoto. I look at Tokyo as a repeat destination, due to its size and all that is has to offer.

Happy Travels!

Thank you so much everyone

I only have 7 nights in the country, which is far too short. But, a new job means I have to spread out my time off - so not used to this after having two years off!

If I land Sunday afternoon, I guess I could get on the Shinkansen to Kyoto Monday late afternoon, and plan to take the train back to Tokyo Thursday morning? That would be two full days in Kyoto, with the three nights. However I wonder if that will make the first day in Tokyo just a blur where I am not accomplishing much and then I only have Thursday afternoon, Friday and Saturday back in Tokyo? I hate breaking up the time that way.

Alternatively I could leave for Kyoto Wednesday late afternoon (after three nights in Tokyo) and train back to Tokyo Saturday morning. I would end my trip with 24 hours in Tokyo that way. Maybe that is better.

Should I get a JR pass? Is that only for city-city trains, or metro-trains and also buses?

I don't know if I will leave either city for any train rides while I am there. Will there be sights near Kyoto which would need a train ride?

Thank you again everyone.

Edit: If I stayed at the Park Hyatt, how is the walk from there to Shibuya Crossing? Pleasant walk or you're taking your life in your hands with traffic crossings? It looks like it's just a 45 minute walk - but is it a pleasant walk?

How to allocate your time really depends on what YOU want to see and experience! For my interests, 2.5 days in Tokyo were sufficient (not counting Nikko and Kamakura); other people want weeks just for Tokyo.

I can't imagine that a JR pass would make a lot of sense for your trip, but you really need to decide exactly where you are going, read up on your various pass options, and do the math. Here's information about JR passes:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html
and other options:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359.html

[QUOTE=kja;16700803]How to allocate your time really depends on what YOU want to see and experience! For my interests, 2.5 days in Tokyo were sufficient (not counting Nikko and Kamakura); other people want weeks just for Tokyo.

I totally agree with Kja that it depends on what you want to see and experience. When I was planning my summer 2017 trip to Japan, at first I really had little to no desire to go to Tokyo, but since I've been totally into Japanese fashion since the 1980s, I went to Tokyo. So, I included it for 5 nights and liked it although I personally liked Kyoto a lot more and for different reasons. So, you just need to decide what your preferences are.


I have recently booked my private driver/guide in Kyoto again and for another 4 hours on one of the 9 days that I will be there during the summer. He e-mailed me and commented on where I want to go and we will again play it by ear.

As for Tokyo, I have narrowed down what I want to see and do and once again, not try to go all over the city and cram a lot in as it's a vacation. Plus, I like to slow down on vacations. Although I love cities, I start to find Tokyo a bit much after a while.

If I had 7 nights in Japan, the way that I would personally do it would be to take the Shinkansen to Kyoto on landing day in Japan. Then I would spend 3 nights in Kyoto and then take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo and spend 4 nights there.

I don't know where you'll be flying from to get to Japan or what time the flight might arrive into Japan, but on my Singapore Air flight, from LAX, I landed in the day time at around 1:30PM. Had I gone to Kyoto by Shinkansen, I would have gotten there sooner than flying from Narita to Osaka Itami and then taking the MK Shuttle into Kyoto. I arrived to my hotel, in Kyoto around 8:30PM. But, it was nice to get a good night's rest and then wake up already in Kyoto the next morning.

Happy Travels!

My private driver/guide e-mailed that Kiyiomizudera Temple (Kyoto) is under renovation until 2020, but that part of the grounds can be visited.

Happy Travels!

Information about Kiyiomizudera's ongoing construction work:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3901.html

@ flygirl: While Guenmai clearly enjoys working with a private driver/guide, I trust you realize that no driver or guide is needed for most purposes in Japan. It's a matter of preference, not necessity.

No, it is not a necessity to have a guide and I wasn't implying that it is. However, in my own situation it was a real treat to have one for all of 4 hours out of a 2-week trip of which I did the rest of the trip on public transportation, foot, and in a few taxis. As for summer 2018, I will also have the guide for 4 hours, however out of a 3-week trip in Japan. Different strokes for different folks as to what one decides to spend one's money on.

Happy Travels!