Tokyo: Oct. 8th-Dec. 17th
 

Our daughter has just been asked to work in Tokyo with their Tokyo team. She found out yesterday that it is a definite plan.

When she is not working, she would like to see Tokyo and possibly take a few overnight or weekend trips if her schedule allows.

With such short notice, she has no time to research. I have been reading some of the posts here and forwarding the information to her. I have never researched Japan so I am no help.

What should she purchase here in the States that would be helpful?

She will be travelling alone but hopefully will get some help from the team in Tokyo.

Wow, how lucky is your daughter...imo, of course!

If she is just able to travel on a few overnights or weekends a Japan Rail Pass which must be purchased in the US would probably not be useful.

Have you looked at japan-guide.com - a wonderful source of all Japan info....there are some area passes which may be helpful - such as the Hakone pass....and others depending on what time she has to travel..
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html

If she is able to do a trip to Kyoto, japanican.com has some train/hotel deals....

She is very excited. Are there any guidebooks that might be helpful? or apps for her phone?

The online Japan guide looks really helpful.

Thanks

What's her age (or age group if shy to give details)? That would be relevant as to what might be recommended.

Here's a great resource, off the top of my head, that might not be so obvious: [ http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo ]. If you don't know what Time Out is, this is from their own blurb: "Started in London 40 years ago, Time Out has now expanded across the globe... Time Out brings the very best of culture and travel from around the globe to over five million people every week... the trusted friend... to find out what's hot and what's not - the best restaurants, films, shows and exhibitions..."

They also have a handy Tokyo Area Guide [ http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/feature/88/Tokyo-by-area ] that treats the areas of Asakusa, Ginza, Roppongi, Aoyama, Harajuku, Marunouchi, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno and Yanaka. And there are extensive features on the first three areas mentioned, plus Kichijoji, Shibamata and Kappabashi. (Tokyo has no one identifiable busy center, so getting to know the features of the various local areas is quite important.)

And yes they sell all kinds of guidebooks and apps [ http://shop.timeout.com/ ]: and NO, I have no relationship with them whatsoever!

If you provide the general area where she will be living and working, members here might be able to provide more interesting information.

We are in our 30s (with young spirits) and we LOVED TimeOut Tokyo. She should get that and start reading it. It will give her ideas for daytrips and overnights near Tokyo.

She is 29. Thanks for the great suggestions. I will forward them to her.

It looks like she will be working in the Minato-ku area of Tokyo. They are trying to get her lodging close by.

She is now leaving next Sunday, Oct 14th.

She thanks all of you for your suggestions.