Suggestions for indoor activity for rainy days in Tokyo
 

Long range forcast for many of our days in Tokyo show rain. Any recommendations for interesting indoor activities( excluding museums which we do plan on visiting) would be appreciated. We are not big shoppers, but would be interested in any unique browsing suggestions. We will be staying in the Shinjuku area.

Hi Shelleyk,
We visited Tokyo several years ago, and also had very rainy weather. Fortunately there is much underground connected to the various subway stations. You could wander for hours and also find very good dining down there.

We also went to a jazz club, which we found very enjoyable.

allowing jim a well deserved nap

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zzzzzzzzzzzz hmm hmmmmmmm oh oh oh ok time to go to the underground malls around Shinjuku/Ueno/Tokyo/Ikebekuro stations. Also a good time to the Ginza stores using the subway and underground subway entrances to the stores especially Mitsukoshi because you will enter on the food floors
mmmmmm OISHI!!!!!
Aloha!

Jeane and I have our umbrellas and ponchos. Even though it may be raining, it will not be particularly cold. While gardens won't be at the top of the list, shopping, museums, temples even the Ueno Park zoo will be doable...

Greetings shelley and early congratulations on imminent journey to Japan; well done. You are in for such a sweet time, inclement weather or not. Sending this missive off from a fine Saturday morning in our fine home of Singapore; if can be of any assistance for future visit to SIN - and Singapore Airlines - honoured to assist.

Experienced another all-too-brief Tokyo business trip rather recently (staying once again at a special Shinjuku property, Park Hyatt), and can assure you - along with the wise guidance already dispensed - there's no ultimate downside to a rainy Tokyo day. In my Tokyo business travel experiences, any precious free time is occasionally spent swimming laps in the PH's pool (I always travel for work and holiday with swim kit; rather lightweight), PH massage and spa treatments (old Asia business travel habits die hard), and the brief luncheon with an old university friend who works not too terribly far from my PH convenient office building. Am quite certain you will end up cherishing any type of Tokyo conditions.

[Will add for any of you near Tokyo Park Hyatt guests, she was as fine as ever for ~ two days of meetings. My profile page hotel review of her from a few years back still stands; some special staff and friends at that property. She's a forever Tokyo business travel (and occasional pleasure) favourite for me. Enjoy.]

Savour your Japanese times, Shelley; very happy for you. Warm weekend wishes to you and all from our sweet city-state of Singapore,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

Will there be a kabuki or bunraku performance while you are there?

I just came across this site strangely enough with this info

http://www.japantoday.com/category/t...d-around-tokyo

Also in Tokyo and really any city in Japan you can always KARAOKE!
http://www.fiesta-roppongi.com/en/index.shtml

Or go to a spa or onsen

http://www.laqua.jp/pages/en/spa.html

http://www.setaonsen.co.jp/index_e.html

Aloha!

Thanks for all of your super suggestions. I hope I don't have to use all of them, but its nice to know about some rainy day options just in case.

Bob- Jim would not mind a rainy day or two, but I'm hoping he does not have time to take a nap.

Robert-Although we are staying in Shinjuku for part of our time in Tokyo, unfortunately it is not at the PH, although several other Fodorites are, I believe.

HT-Thanks for the links and for all your other helpful advice which has made planning for our trip much easier.

Finally, Bob and Karen, HT and his DW, Craig and Jeanne and anyone else who is leaving for Japan in the next couple of weeks, I wish you safe travels and a wonderful trip.

I thought a day of touring the "antenna" shops in Tokyo would be a fun rainy day pursuit.
http://www.bento.com/r-antenna.html

kalihiwai2, any idea of why antenna shops are called antenna shops? Thanks for the great link.

kalihiwai2 - thanks for the great listing of antenna shops - I have heard about them on NHK World but never visited - on my to-do list now... :)

ovenbird,
I don't know the word origin, maybe a translation of the Japanese nickname for stores that "transmit" goods from faraway prefectures to tourists and Tokyo transplants?
I was told that these stores were also a favorite for errant salaryman in order to provide an alibi for imaginary business trips while staying in Tokyo love hotels. ;-)

Thanks for the interesting suggestion and link kalihiwa2.

Oedo Onsen Monogatari
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/koto/spot/40657.html

I thought I'd throw this one in the rainy day mix. We enjoyed out time there as a remedy for jet lag. Its about 20/25 bucks, no tattoos.
Some may find it gimmicky after "real onsen" stays but it was fun and relaxing for us
Could be mixed with a science museum visit and some of the other Odaiba sights as well.
(Toyota Megaweb)
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html
Fun ride out there on the Yurikamome line, get the front car if possible.

We enjoyed a few hours in the Sony centre:

http://www.sonybuilding.jp/e/