We are hoping to spend two nights in Japan en route to Australia in November. We will be flying into Narita at 1105 on day 1 and out again 2115 on day 3. We would love to see the city itself (Ginza, fish market, temples) but would also love to spend a night in a ryokan with kaiseki. What are our chances of doing both? Many posts seem to suggest that Tokyo is not the best place for ryokan. Any suggestions very welcome. Thanks. Tracey

Hi - I was in Tokyo for a day last April and here is what I did.

I reached Narita at around 11. Left my suitcase with the baggage check at the airport for $10 a bag and only carried a small roll on bag for a day with me.

Bought a day pass at the airport itself for the metro. see details here http://www.tokyometro.jp/e/. Was very easy for me to get from the airport to the Asakusa station even though english speaking people are very limited.

I had booked a ryokan in Asakusa. This was absolutely the highlight of my trip! It was called Shigetsu see details at http://shigetsu.com/e/guide.html. The place was right in the Asakusa temple complex, lively and bustling. I was able to walk at 11pm and still find food in this complex. I would highly recommend staying here.

I was able to see the entire Asakusa temple, Harajuku area with youngsters dressed up, Shibuya crossing at night, ate at a sushi house. Would recommend keeping half a day for the Imperial palace. See the Tokyo Tower at night.

Hope this helps. I loved Tokyo and want to go back for a longer trip next time. If you have more questions feel free to email at [email protected]

Thank you shankati for this advice. It makes me feel confident that we can have an authentic experience in Tokyo in a very short space of time. Much appreciated!

Hi

My wife and I went to Japan and Tokyo a couple of years back. Here is my trip report with pictures and links http://gardkarlsen.com/japan_tokyo.htm . I hope that you can find some useful information there

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

What day of the week are you arriving?

You could spend the first night in Tokyo. Go to Hakone to stay in a classic traditional ryokan the second night.

We will also be spending only two days in Tokyo.
You may be interested in this fish market tour...

http://homepage3.nifty.com/tokyowork...ijiTourEng.htm

See here for suggestions on what to do with your time in Tokyo

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3051.html

Aloha!

With limited time in Tokyo, it may be bit of a stretch to go for an overnight stay in Hakone. I haven't stayed at ryokans in Tokyo, but there are enough kaiseki-style restaurants throughout Tokyo.

Just 2 points: 1) many of the things on kaiseki menu indeed seems rather exotic. They may contain some kind of sea slug, some strange vegetable in tasteless jello, though all look really beautiful to look at. 2) you may want to inquire if the kaiseki restaurant has table seating instead of tatami mats. I find it almost a torture having to sit for close to 2hrs on my knees folded.

Hey guys. Thank you all for the advice. Yes, we considered one night in Tokyo and one in Hakone, but I think we will be pushing it to get back for our flight out. Thanks for advice about tamimi mats - even though it looks very exotic, I bet it is painful! Will keep everyone posted on our plans. Cheers. Tracey

Ok. Tokyo to Hakone Yumoto would be maybe 90 minutes (Tokyo-Odawara is 50 minutes, so that allows 40 minutes from Odawara to Hakone Yumoto. It's 85 minutes from Shinjuku to Hakone Yumoto on the nonstop Odakyu train.

If you can sit on the floor comfortably then you can enjoy a kaiseki meal at a traditional table, which would be in your room in a traditional ryokan in Hakone.

Hakone Yumoto to Narita Airport is 150 to 180 minutes, only an hour longer than Shinjuku-NRT.

Somthing like this, a 20 minute taxi ride from Hakone Yumoto station (note the seatback and cushion):
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/d...e/senkyoro.htm

Or this, a 20 minute bus ride from the station (not photos with table and chairs):
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/d...e/mikawaya.htm

There are other places that are a free 5-minute shuttle from H-Y station. A soak in an outdoor hot springs with a view and a kaiseki dinner in a Meiji-period ryokan would be worth the effort. But then, this is not my trip unfortunately.

When I sat on the floor at Japanese restaurants, there often was a padded cushion plus you can arrange your legs however you want - you don't have to sit the way you see the women in movies - on their kness with their legs underneath? Oy - I'd be in the hospital if I had to do that ;-)