seanLorraine

OK - we've decided on a three day weekend in Tokyo and we've got no interest in visiting shrines, palaces & historical sites. What's left?
We want to know about shopping, nightlife, clubs, red light districts, great food and whatever else there is that makes Tokyo the met it is. We should be there for a Friday night.
Would love to hear from an expat who has lived it.

justshootme

What's left????? You're asking this question about one of the most modern technologically advanced and largest cities in the world. What's left????? Lots of sights. Read the destination guide on this website and you'll get some info. Tokyo has lots to keep you busy.

gearsau

Electronic shopping at AKIHABARA and in SHINJUKU.

Cameras etc .over in West Shinjuku ( Yodobashi , BIG Camera)

Red light district(so I am informed) East side of SHINJUKU in Kabukicho..
Roppongi is always a place for the ex pats to go for bars and meals.
Ginza is good to walk around and see how the rich people spend their money

Shibuya is also an interesting place to observe people.

Just do some Googling....Its all there

Alec

Luckily for you, Tokyo isn't really a place for historical sites and shrines, as most have been destroyed in earthquakes and wartime bombing. As others have said, concentrate on extraordinary vibe of urban life centered on places like Shinjuku, Ginza, Shibuya, Roppongi, Harajuku and many other places - look at a guidebook. If you like good food, you are in elements as Tokyo has the widest selection of cuisines from all over Japan and beyond at all price ranges.

benderbabe

Well, there's always Roppongi, although nightlife-wise, it isn't what it used to be.

I'd recommend Kabuki-cho for a good time out in the evening. It borders on Shinjuku, and is where a lot of the gang activity used to happen for awhile. They've cleaned it up and now it's just full of nightclubs, girlie bars and restaurants, quite entertaining and always a lot going on around the streets there.

There is so much good shopping in Tokyo, you won't get tired of it! As a previous responder said, don't miss out on Yodobashi Camera nor Bic Camera... they are not just camera shops, they are about 7 or 8 floors of electronics, phones, appliances, computers, anything you can think of. We even saw a sign for "electric oars" last time we were there!

The good Yodobashi is at Akihabara, in my opinion, and the good Bic Camera is at Yurakucho.

There are also shops such as Muji... similar to Ikea but also sells clothes and sundries, and on a slightly smaller scale.

Don't miss Don Quijote either (also known as Donki). About 6 floors of stuff, including a floor or two of discounted designer goods. A lot of fun. Don Quijote can also be found towards the Kabuki-cho end of Shinjuku and can be recognized by its bird mascot. Also, if you're into designer goods, there are plenty of second hand designer goods shops dotted all around Tokyo.

Seriously, you could just start wandering in the morning in Tokyo and not run out of things to do. Tokyo is a lively place with plenty of crazy stuff to see and do!

We're not much on culture either, so we spend lots of time just taking in all the craziness that is Tokyo.

Be sure to have lots of good food, which is plentiful there. Try St Marc Cafe (also known as Choco-cro) for good filled croissants (chocolate filled, white chocolate filled, chocolate banana filled, strawberry filled, pistachio filled, depending on the season) and great bagel dog type things! Good for a quick snack.

And by all means, don't miss the depa-chika (slang for department store basement) where you will find two floors of gloroiously presented foodstuffs, some for consumption on the spot and some to be boxed up for later. You will be blown away!

Also, people watching is very fun in Tokyo: Two of the best places for that are Shibuya, where all the young kids hang out in the big square by the train station. It's a madhouse! And Harajuku is not to be missed for its ecclectic shops, cosplay and crazy crowds.

Finally, if you like upscale shopping, be sure to pop over to Omotesando, practically around the corner from Harajuku, where you can find Prada, Gucci, Dior, etc. etc.

emd3

Try to go up Tokyo Tower at night, it is really stunning to see Tokyo lit up from the tallest tower in the world.

Even if you don't want to see the shrine, the shopping streets leading up to and around Senjosi temple are a lot of fun.

What time of year are you going?

Therese

Odaiba's got a very modern vibe---lots and lots of shopping, much of it in a setting that I'd describe as "Vegas-y".

For a (sort of) red light experience you could try out a love hotel.

Good tip upthread re Donki Hut---just keep climbing the stairs. If it's weird, they've got it.

Do karaoke. Try pachinko (or at least roam through a pachinko parlor). Have your photo taken in a photo booth and decorate it with cute doodads. Ride the trains. Buy noodles from a vending machine, collect your ticket, and go inside to be served.

seanLorraine

Thank you all - great tips and exactly what I was after.

Apologies for delay in responding.

And electric oars! Just what I need. I'll get one Will it fit in the love hotel do ya think?