TokYo 7days
 

hi,
3 of us gurls will be in Tokyo from 28th April to 5th May.We have got alot of questions to sort out.

1)Since it is the Golden Week will Tokyo be even more crowded or will it be less crowded than usual since most of the tokyoite will b returning to their homw towns?

2)Will the tsukiji markets be closed through out our stay in Tokyo since its the holidays?

3)Where do we get tickets to watch baseball matches?And what are the cost of the tcikets?

4)Are there any must see places in Tokyo or surrounding areas?Will a day trip to Nagano be worth it?We heard there are beautiful mountains.

Thanks alot.

also is the JR pass valid for one week(lets say we start using it on wednesday will it expire the following wednesday) or is it valid for 7days(start on a wednesday and end on the following tuesday)?Thanks alot for the advices

Holywitch-
You picked an interesting time to come to Tokyo...as you mentioned it will be Golden Week. You are right in thinking that lots of things will be closed. SOme people actually love it here during GW because the city, trains, restaurants, etc are so quiet. However, others get frustrated at not finding their favorite restauant or whatever open as usual.

A few specific answers for your questions:
Yes, Tsukiji will be mostly closed. I checked the website and found that of the dates you are in town it will only be open two days: the 30th and the 1st. They are then closed and reopen on the 6th. If you go...GO EARLY. The best time is at 5am - wander as far back as you can and ask the crusty fishermen guys "where is the maguro" and they will point you in the right direction. The big maguro tuna auction is at 5am every morning and its fun. Just remember that these people are actually at work and so try to stay out of the way of the MANY three-wheeled delivery carts racing around. They dont seem to mind tourists at all though. After you see that and walk around all the other amazing creatures of the sea, definitely eat sushi on location - there are 2 incredible sushi restaurants 2 minutes away from the water...again, ask people "where is sushi"....you "might" find someone who speaks English....but even if not you will get helped out. Also, here is an English language website with some limited Tsukiji info on it: http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm

The baseball games that I could see are a 3 game series b/n Tokyo Giants and Hiroshima Carp at Tokyo Dome on 4/30; 5/1; 5/2. You can buy tix at the park or at any of a million little ticket selling booths around most stations near Tokyo station. Or just ask a Japanese person when you get here...they will def. try to help you out. Expect to pay from 7,000 yen each for the cheap outfield seats for the Giants games though....they are the Yankees of Japan and very popular.

I wouldnt recommend going to Nagano...go to Nikko and try to stay at a Ryokan that has an Onsen (hot springs). Much more to see in Nikko. The mtns in Nagano are beautiful but its difficult to just hike around unless you know where you are going or have a car. You might also want to try and visit the Mt Fuji area (Fuji-Go-Ko or "five lakes of Fuji"). Remember though that because of GW, you will face crowds at some of these resort places.

I'd also recommend a trip to Kyoto....that's a must see. And if you are American and have time, you should feel morally obligated to see the Peace Museum in Hiroshima (on the bullet train just a few hours from Tokyo).

The JR pass should be 7 days, not wednesday to wednesday - but they will tell you all you need to know about it when you get it. BTW, you can use that pass as SOON as you get off the plane to ride the Narita Express from the airport to Tokyo station...just remember to trade your coupn in for the actual ticket at the JR office on the floor below the arrivals area. Narita airport is kind of toughto navigate...not much English...but there is at least one INformation booth with English speaking attendants to help you. Good Luck!!

The JR Pass is a 7-day pass (wed-tue, not wed-wed) or a 14-day or 21-day pass. You won't need one if you just stay in Tokyo and make a trip to Nagano or Hakone or Nikko. If you did visit Kyoto, which I don't reccommend because of the short time you have, you could use a JR Pass.

The JR East Pass (there are two kinds) might be of interest to you. There is info here: http://www.jreast.co.jp/eastpass/top.htm

I doubt that hoLyWitCh is an American (she said "baseball match" not "baseball game"). In any case, I don't agree with the "moral obligation" suggestion, especially when it is tied to a nationality.

The Yokohama Bay Stars will be at home during the last two or three days of your stay. I think the tickets to their games are less expensive, but I don't remember the prices. There are a couple of other teams in the Tokyo area.

The JR East 4-day-flex or 5-day pass costs 20,000 JPY. The fare + reserved seat on the N'Ex between NRT and Tokyo is 2940 each way. The fare + reserved seat from Tokyo to Nagano on the Asama shinkansen is 7970 each way. Both ways on both tickets would be 21,820 JPY according to www.hyperdia.com

I did think the choice of words ("moral obligation") was a bit odd. If one wants to pay a visit to merely express their sympathy then that should based on personal decision.

On another note, Holywitch's use of the word 'match' sounds indicative of what one would use in the field of Soccer, Tennis, etc.. That word is rarely used among Westerners in the US to describe any sporting event. Regardless of whether they lack intimate knowledge of any sport.

Sorry, but I cannot agree with the statement that Tokyo restaurants are less crowded during Golden Week. While many are indeed closed, the ones that are open have incredibly long lines, with people waiting 40 mins aand more to get seats. This has been my experience anyway over the last three days in both Tokyo and Yokohama. In fact, the streets of both cities have been more busy than on a normal weekend!

John