Anyone been to Tokyo?

[electrolyte]

I'm off to Tokyo on business in 2 weeks time. As I've never been before I thought I'd see if anyone here has and could offer me some tips and recommendations for things to do and see. Can anyone help please?

I arrive in Tokyo on a Sunday and I have the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday free before I go to an exhibition from Weds - Fri. I then head back to Blighty on the Saturday. So I'm after ideas for things to do on the 3 "acclimatisation" days before my exhibition.

The only thing I know I would like to do is go to the Tsukiji fish market and I've heard that 5AM is the best time to go (I'm hoping jet lag will help me here!). I'd also like to go somewhere where you can get a good view of the city and also would like to go to see the real Tokyo rather than the usual tourist traps.

So I'd really appreciate any advice or tips if you've been before. Cheers.

 

[Garf]

Hi Simon,

Take a look at the Shibuya crossing - well worth a look, although a bit touristy I'm afraid. It's a very busy intersection/zebra crossing that has to be seen to be believed.

For a good view of the city, there is a bar at the top of the Shinagawa Prince hotel that has a fantastic view of the city and Tokyo Bay, especially at night. The hotel is quite something as well - if I remember correctly, it has it's own killer whale\dolphin show in it..

For nightlife, a lot of ex pat bars are in the Roppongi area, but it can get a bit messy. They do have some great karaoke bars which are a laugh though.

There are a number of shrines about, some of which are nestled in between huge skyscrapers - these are worth a visit.

Worth checking to see if the Sumo is on - it's meant to be great but wasn't on when I was there.

As you can imagine, there are loads of photo ops in Tokyo - last time I was there I only had a P&S, but would love to go back now with my DSLR.

It's been several years since I last went, so my info might be a bit out of date..

Must admit, both times I've been, my work schedule was fairly tight, so didn't get off the beaten track as I'd like to have done, so my suggestions may be a bit too touristy.

Prepare for a culture shock - it's such a mad place - completely different to anywhere I've ever been before, but it's also a very cool place and such an experience - I'm jealous of you

Some useful links maybe..

Free and Cheap things to do :: Tokyo Essentials :: Tokyo Tourist Guide

Shinjuku :: Tokyo Essentials :: Tokyo Tourist Guide

Shibuya :: Tokyo Essentials :: Tokyo Tourist Guide

Roppongi :: Tokyo Essentials :: Tokyo Tourist Guide

Akihabara :: Tokyo Essentials :: Tokyo Tourist Guide

 

[electrolyte]

Wow, thanks Garf. Great reply, exactly what I was looking for. I'll take some time to check out those links.

And yes, you've rumbled me. I wanna take loads of photos while I'm there. And I'm really excited about going too!

Anyone else got some ideas?

 

[JonnyTester]

The only thing I know I would like to do is go to the Tsukiji fish market and I've heard that 5AM is the best time to go (I'm hoping jet lag will help me here!).

The visiting times for tourists to the fish market have been restricted to 1 hr 15 mins per day, from 5.00am to 6.15am. Something to do with them touching the fish and contaminating them.

See the BBC News story here.

 

[nehalem]

Its a great city - I work at Sony and thus go twice a year for lineup meetings in Shinagawa. As Garf said Shinagawa Prince has a phenomenal view from the top. Very few people speak English and signposts are all in Kanji so getting around is always fun. But the people are great and always very friendly. There is also the Hotel where 'Lost in Translation' was filmed - I think the was the Hilton, but a check on IMDB would confirm. Also check out Harajuku - kids dress up in incredible Manga costumes and just hang out there being photographed. Its only 10 mins from Shinagawa I think.

Have fun!

 

[electrolyte]

The visiting times for tourists to the fish market have been restricted to 1 hr 15 mins per day, from 5.00am to 6.15am. Something to do with them touching the fish and contaminating them.

See the BBC News story here.

Thanks mate. So I heard right then. 5AM is not only the best time it pretty much the only time to go too!

Its a great city - I work at Sony and thus go twice a year for lineup meetings in Shinagawa. As Garf said Shinagawa Prince has a phenomenal view from the top. Very few people speak English and signposts are all in Kanji so getting around is always fun. But the people are great and always very friendly. There is also the Hotel where 'Lost in Translation' was filmed - I think the was the Hilton, but a check on IMDB would confirm. Also check out Harajuku - kids dress up in incredible Manga costumes and just hang out there being photographed. Its only 10 mins from Shinagawa I think.

Have fun!

Excellent, thanks mate. All sounds great.

 

[kayomani]

I went about 2 years ago now and loved every minute of it. Everything is pretty easy to get to mind you some people complain about getting lost in the subway which is just bs really as almost everywhere has signs in english.

The two places I enjoyed the most were Akiba for the inner tech/anime geek in me and Kamakura as its a lovely place and has some good sights. Make sure you visit odaiba too loads of stuff there <3 asamo.

 

[electrolyte]

I went about 2 years ago now and loved every minute of it. Everything is pretty easy to get to mind you some people complain about getting lost in the subway which is just bs really as almost everywhere has signs in english.

The two places I enjoyed the most were Akiba for the inner tech/anime geek in me and Kamakura as its a lovely place and has some good sights. Make sure you visit odaiba too loads of stuff there <3 asamo.

Thanks mate, that's great.

 

[electrolyte]

One quick question - what sort of travel adapter do I need to take with me? Do I need a special adapter for Japan?

 

[Garf]

As I recall, I bought something like this - picked it up at Heathrow on the way.

As long as your kit can cover multiple voltages (100-240v) you should be OK - I didn't need anything other than the plug thing above, and that was a few years back.

 

[Kieron]

Very jealous - one of the places I would love to visit. No info to give you, just best wishes for the trip

 

[electrolyte]

As I recall, I bought something like this - picked it up at Heathrow on the way.

As long as your kit can cover multiple voltages (100-240v) you should be OK - I didn't need anything other than the plug thing above, and that was a few years back.

Thanks mate. I'll pick one up at Heathrow too.

Very jealous - one of the places I would love to visit. No info to give you, just best wishes for the trip

Thanks Kieron. I've always wanted to go too and now that I am I can't wait.

 

[richard_t]

I went to Tokyo about 5 years ago now.

Was only there for a week and so i didn't venture much outside of all the normal touristy spots such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, and being a massive videogame fan at the time Akihabara.

It's really strange, but when I first arrived, i found the extreme politeness of everyone really really nice and charming. For example, even late at night, people would wait at zebra crossings until the lights went green, regardless of the fact that there were no cars on the road. However by the end of the week it was starting to become quite suffocating in an odd kind of a way. I was quite looking forward to getting back to the UK where you're just grunted at in a shop or ignored.

The one thing that will always stick with me about Tokyo is the smell. There are so many restaurants, and almost everywhere has a smell of cooking, but it's a very particular smell and not something you come across over here in the UK very often. However when I do smell the same thing here, I'm instantly thinking about Tokyo again and wanting to go back.

Fantastic place and somewhere I'll definitely make the effort to go back to sometime.

 

[hdsport]

Hi Simon,

Take a look at the Shibuya crossing - well worth a look, although a bit touristy I'm afraid. It's a very busy intersection/zebra crossing that has to be seen to be believed.

...and home to the busiest Starbucks in the world (in my opinion) the only one that's actually worth going to as it gives a good view out over the crossing.

Agreed with all the comments great city and amazing food pretty much anywhere you go.

One other little thing that strikes me when I go...there is almost no litter and yet almost no rubbish bins either!

 

[electrolyte]

...and home to the busiest Starbucks in the world (in my opinion) the only one that's actually worth going to as it gives a good view out over the crossing.

Excellent tip, thanks mate. I'm not a fan of Starbucks normally but I might make an exception here for the view.

 

[wellladida]

I do dream of going to Tokyo one day o well theres still time but Ive always wondered about the language problems as in i.e. France many speak a little english. How do you communicate to the Japanese do most touristy shops only have workers that speak Japanese and English

 

[richard_t]

In my experience there was far far fewer English speakers than in other countries that I've been to.

I managed to get by with a lot of pointing, hand gestures and the tiny bit of Japanese i knew.

There's plenty of English signs though and so finding your way around shouldn't be an issue.

 

[hdsport]

In my experience there was far far fewer English speakers than in other countries that I've been to.

I managed to get by with a lot of pointing, hand gestures and the tiny bit of Japanese i knew.

There's plenty of English signs though and so finding your way around shouldn't be an issue.

Yeah you don't need much Japanese to get by, I speak enough to not seem like a complete foreigner but I'm sure you'd be ok with literally just please thank you yes and no along with some gestures! As you say the signs are a really useful, although I haven't been outside the major cities.

Hotels are generally not a problem and staff on public transport (which is every bit as good as they showed it on Top Gear) are (in my experience) great even those who don't speak English.

Put it this way I'd rather be trying to get around Tokyo than London anyday!

 

[Suave]

Hi,

Tokyo is such a cool city - one of my favourites! You can rest assured that you will never get ripped off - The Japanese are scrupulously honest. The food is great and very reasonably priced and the Japanese girls are absolutely freaking gorgeous! All I can say is most districts in Tokyo are pretty much the same so if you have plenty of time, get a Japan rail pass before you travel and take some day sight seeing tours to places like Kamakura, Nikko, Kyoto (beautiful city) etc. Most Japanese are only too pleased to help you out in any way if you get lost or need directions etc! Have a great time - I am jealous!

Suave!

PS: Can I give you my shopping list?!

 

[electrolyte]

Thanks all - what a great thread. You've given me all loads to think about and plan which I will do. You've also made me even more excited than I was! And if I could fit you all into my luggage / buy you loads of things if I could but I am packing light!

 

[Suave]

Hi,

I seriously recommend that you buy a Japan Rail Pass before you go. It costs £135 and allows you unlimited travel within Japan for a month. You can only buy before you leave. It covers itself with one trip as intercity train travel is very expensive in Japan. JRPass is valid on the national JR network lines but in Tokyo there are multiple lines - at the airport go to the information desk and ask for tourist Metro line passes - they are valid for a day or two and both flexible and refundable - extremely cheap and you can travel all over Tokyo for about £2 a day!! If you wish, you can also get the Tokyo JR pass which is over-ground for a few quid and you are fully covered! One more thing - never offer a taxi driver a tip - they get very offended!

Suave!

 

[electrolyte]

Thanks for all your help and advise. I had a fantastic time. Tokyo is even better than you all made it out to be. If you are interested you can see some photos I took in Japan back in the Photography forum here.

Thanks again.

Cheers

Simon