Tokyo (2 days)
 

All, <BR> <BR>I have a two days stop over in Tokyo. What is the best use of this time in site seeing and where can I stay in a clean/cost-effective way. <BR> <BR>CM

Personally I think the most fun about Tokyo is just walking around and seeing how things are so massively different than anything you've ever seen in your life. That, and reading the misuse of english on every advertisement (best one i saw last time was "Nudity-Wishful Happiness" in a department store display) in the city.

Yes, the way Japanese use English is an education, and what they do with French is even better ... One sign in a Ameya-Yokocho (near Ueno station) shop says "Do you wanna be American way ? Yes ! So I go Junk Market !". Slogans on college jackets can be a lot of fun too. Young female members of the Meiji University Kendo team advertised that they belonged to the "Union of Athletic Lovers", and I'm sure they still wonder why all foreign visitors wanted to join. http://www.engrish.com/ has a collection of this misuse of English. <BR> <BR>ComumbiaMan: <BR>Jake's is a very good idea, but it's really easy to get lost in Tokyo if you're not used to the local geography. Get yourself a good map at the Tourist Information Center on arrival at Narita airport or downtown (in the Forum center next to Yurakucho station on the Yamanote line, 5 min on foot from the main Tokyo Station). They will also provide you with all kinds of informations and ideas of what's on during your stay. <BR> <BR>Clean/cost effective hotels abound, all depends on the price you're ready to pay you'll find ryokan with very basic facilities but clean and generally located in convenient areas (Ueno, Asakusa, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro) for Yen 4500/night, and business hotels for a little more about everywhere. F. Whiteside has spoken well of the Hotel New Koyo (use the search engine), and of course use the accomodation database of www.jnto.go.jp. <BR> <BR>You can find ideas by browsing messages on Japan here, looking at www.jinjapan.org <BR> <BR>Enjoy your stay.

Check out the hotels mentioned at this page: <BR> <BR>http://japaninyourpalm.com/travel/tokyo.htm <BR> <BR>I've stayed at the Marroad in mentioned there a few times.. not bad for $60 a night, and close to the action.

<BR>Tourist suggestions would include: Imperial Palace/Hibiya Park, Ueno Park, Meiji Shrine/Yoyogi Park, and the Asakusa Shrine/Temple complex. All of these are easily accessible using the Tokyo subway system, and could be done in two days.