Thanks again everyone. I'm literally writing all this stuff down. I'm getting pretty hungry too.

Curt

I would add the following:

-window shopping and people watching in Daikanyama, Aoyama, Hiroo, and Azabu areas. These are the super-high end districts in Tokyo (equivalent to St Germain and Marais in Paris) with many ultra-chic shops, buildings, and cafes. If you want some inspiration in interior design and architecture, then you "must" go to these areas.

-If you are into music and musical instruments, then head for Ochanomizu

-daytrip to Kamakura/Hakone

-visit to one of the resturants owned by an "Iron Chef". I went to a resturant in Odaiba owned by Iron Chef Komei Nakamura. I think it's either next to or in the same building as the Ariake Washington Hotel. The meal was fantastic and it did not break my bank (it was lunch).

Thank you Barkin!!! Appreciate it!

This might sound rather mundane but one of the fun things I enjoyed was walking across the street on the diagonal in the Ginza. Traffic stops in all directions and hordes of people cross the street. It was really cool!!
I also liked the Tsukiji fish market even though I had to leave the hotel at 5am to get there early enough to see the auctioning.

the sushi and bentos in the train stations

don't miss the small restaurants and shops that line the streets that surround the Ginza area

mochi ice-cream

295 ramen noodle shops
wish I were there now

Aloha!

Thank you very much Hawaii & Lolo. Nothing is mundane! Whatever sparked a special streak in you is important;)

I hope I can catch you before you leave, Mango7! I've been to Tokyo recently and made up a Bluelist over on Lonely Planet about my favorite "Fun & Relatively Cheap" things to do in the city.

Here's the link: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bluelist...p;list_id=4970

Have a blast! Sheila
<a href="http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Seafarer">Family Travel: See The World With Your Kids</a>

Seeing the elaborate tradtional weddings and traditional bride's dress at Meiji shrine on a Sunday afternoon

Takeshita St. in Harajuku, if you like youth pop-culture like I do

Making okonomiyaki at the grill on our table at a little restaurant in Asakusa

Baseball game at Tokyo Dome. I am surprised no one has mentioned this one. I was fortunatae enough to see the Tigers and the Giants in a pre-season game. But there is also baseball at Jingu stadium (Swallows).

I think it is best to have your own expereinces. Pick a few things people recommend, but then do your own thing too and give yourself plenty of time to discover places you will find on your way to where you are going.

don't know if you can use this site but check it out if you have time

http://www.bento.com/tokyofood.html

Aloha!

Seafarer- Thank you for the link. Will take a look-"sea" :) Thanks Sheila!

EMD- You are correct about finding my own things, and I hope that I will be able to experience some special things. Thx again.

Hawaiian- I found that site recently. It really is a good one. Thank you very much for the link.

Regards,

Curt

I used the bento.com site for Kyoto restaurants recently and was very satisfied.

I will repeat the museum recommendation I gave to emd....in Yanaka, the Asakura Choso Museum. It is the home of the sculptor with beautiful rooms surrounding a large inner garden and many sculptures throughout.
Enjoy your visit!
PS Also if you are a museum person, look into the Grutt Pass - it will save you a lot if you go to a number of museums.

Currently in Tokyo, WOW! what a great city, have done so many great things. The Ginza is unbelievable, speciality stores everywhere(bring your bank book), food everywhere, try the food section of any department store it's a gourmet heaven.. Tried a small noodle shop, best ever, don't remember name. Also went to the Tsukiji Fish Mkt, that was something else, had shu shi breakfast, the best I ever had, Also went to the Sumo matches this the Japanese National Sport as wellas baseball, unfortunately they only have it four times a year. So many things to do, and yes I have tickets to Tokyo Giants game on June 4th. Again the city is never ending.

Forgot to mention, take a train ride to Yokohama and visit China Town and have a wonderful Chinese lunch.

peppersalt, how did you get tickets to that 6/4 Giants game? Through a broker inside of Japan? Or were you able to get tickets by going to the Dome ticket offices?

thought grand sumo was a big thing so didn't mention it. it is held 3 times a year in Tokyo: January, May, and September. Other tournaments are March in Osaka, July in Nagoya, November in Fukuoka.

emd, did I mention to you that I went to a Giants game at Tokyo Dome? It was against my team, the Carp, on April 11. I got there around the 2nd or 3rd inning and there were seats available in all price categories. I got the B seats, field level down the 3b line almost to the corner.

Hi emd

My son-laws secretary was able to get them for us. Don't know how they were procured, sounds like these are a hot item. I have no idea where we are sitting, but still its a ballgame. Looking foward to Japanese team routing. Understand its a blast.

Having a distinguished, older doctor tell me to "Take very good care of myself." What did that mean?? What was he trying to tell me??? What was wrong?? No, it is just a nice way to say "have a good day", "be well", "I care about you."

??

ok.. he said"Take very good care of yourself."

Just got back from my first trip to Japan. My favorite Tokyo things are:

green tea-flavored gelato
Tosho-gu Shrine in Ueno Park
Shinjuku station at rush hour
Swallows baseball game (jingu stadium)