Japan Going to Japan...

[jsrockit]

I'm going to Japan next month and will be in Osaka mostly (since my girlfriend is from there). However, I will be going to Tokyo for 2-3 days and was wondering a few things.

First, which neighborhoods should I be looking to go to? I'm more of a see the city type, than see tourist attractions type. Which neighborhoods have the most going for them as far as fun, food, shopping, etc? This isn't a photography centric trip... I can photograph anywhere so wherever I decide to go I know there will be photos. I know its a little vague, but I just don't know much about the city.

Which hotels should I be looking into? I don't need dirt cheap (if it even exists), but I'd like to not spend unnecessarily as well. It would have to be clean enough for a japanese woman obsessed with cleanliness. 😉

Museums, galleries, etc?

Thanks for any info ... 🙂

 

[stompyq]

Goodluck with the trip john!! Newer been to japan so can't give any meaningful advice. Just take lots of pics and show them to us at the next meetup.

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks. I'll be photographing the whole time Pramodh. I'll make a book after I figure it all out.

I'm doing some research myself on Tokyo, but it is hard to know what to avoid... so I hope someone living in Tokyo or familiar with the area can point me in a good direction.

 

[Shutterspark]

I don't think you'll have much trouble finding a clean hotel anywhere in Tokyo, but location will be important.
Stay near a major station for convenience, it's well worth the extra it may cost. Can't give recommendations without a budget, but the most convenient stations for visitors are Shinjuku and Shibuya in my opinion.
The JR Yamanote loop line runs through most major destinations and provides easy access to transfers for others. The main exceptions are Asakusa and Ginza which are best accessed via subway. You can very easily walk to Ginza from Yurakucho station though, which is worth remembering if you do end up on the Yamanote line.

If you want to see the city but you only have a few days then I suggest Ginza, Shibuya, Asakusa and Odaiba (best at night) as your main generic destinations. Akihabara (electronics, games, anime stuff), Harajuku (youth fashion, boutique shops) and Roppongi (night clubs, Roppongi Hills and Midtown, view of/30mins walk to Tokyo Tower) may also be worth visiting depending on your interests, and I recommend checking out the new Sky Tree tower and surrounding Solamachi mall (at least a half-day trip). If you want to go up the tower make sure you book in advance; the queues have died down a bit but it's still around 40mins on weekends. They also have a planetarium (probably not worth it) and a small aquarium there.

Convenient museums which I frequent include the exhibits inside Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, and the 21_21 Design Site at Midtown. Depends on your interests, really. For traditional Japanese stuff, for the most part you'd be better off finding it in Kyoto.

Edit: Added some more info.

 

[Calzone]

John,

I think when you return you will relish all the dirt, the filth and all the pollution that is here in New York. Anyways Japan is a nice contrast to New York. Should be a very rich experience. Have fun.

Cal

 

[jsrockit]

Stay near a major station for convenience, it's well worth the extra it may cost. Can't give recommendations without a budget, but the most convenient stations for visitors are Shinjuku and Shibuya in my opinion. The JR Yamanote loop line runs through most major destinations and provides easy access to transfers for others.

I guess I just don't know the neighborhoods (nor does my girlfriend). However, the research I have done make me think Shinjuku, Shubiyo, and Harajuku are very interesting. Good advice to stay near a train... that helps. I guess I was looking for hotels to avoid...

If you want to see the city but you only have a few days then I suggest Ginza, Shibuya, Asakusa and Odaiba (best at night) as your main generic destinations. Akihabara (electronics, games, anime stuff), Harajuku (youth fashion, boutique shops) and Roppongi (night clubs, Roppongi Hills and Midtown, view of/30mins walk to Tokyo Tower) may also be worth visiting depending on your interests, and I recommend checking out the new Sky Tree tower and surrounding Solamachi mall (at least a half-day trip).

Thank you. This should give me more to research.

Depends on your interests, really. For traditional Japanese stuff, for the most part you'd be better off finding it in Kyoto.

I'm interested in photography museums and galleries. I will be going to Kyoto as well, but my g-friend knows the area. How's the tokyo metropolitan museum of photography?

 

[Shutterspark]

I guess I was looking for hotels to avoid...

I guess if there are two of you I would avoid the Tokyu Inn (in Shibuya and a few other major locations) and other budget business oriented hotels. They're clean but cramped even by Tokyo standards, and while the Tokyu Inn in Shibuya is practically next to the station, some of the rooms consist of a bed almost crushing a chair against the wall and a gap just about large enough for you to get to the window on the other side. I also couldn't stand up in the shower. 😀

Not the best station to lodge at perhaps, (although Shinagawa is a major JR station with Shinkansen connections) but the Shinagawa Prince Hotel is one of my favourites in Tokyo because the rooms are relatively large, often with jacuzzi tubs, and you can get very good deals because they rarely fill up all their rooms. I usually have friends/guests stay there when there are too many to fit into my cramped apartment. It's near the station which is on the Yamanote line, but no metro connections at all make it slightly inconvenient depending on your plans.

Other than that, I'm not sure what to suggest. The major chain hotels in Tokyo are generally very good, but pricey. Staying within 5-10mins of a major station is really the main thing to look out for, and I haven't had any other bad experiences with major hotels in the metropolitan area.

How's the tokyo metropolitan museum of photography?

Haven't been in a while, but it's generally very good. There's usually something for everyone amongst the exhibits, so I can fully recommend it.

Most of the photography galleries I know of are quite small and far from major stations, so I can think of anything worth the trip. Perhaps someone else can chime in here.

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks shutterspark.

 

[Paul T.]

Depending on what floats your boat, I would really recommend airbnb - rent a private apartment, it's much more personal and of course you get much more space. WE did that for 8 days, went out to Okayama (in a ryokan) and Kyoto for four days, then returned and stayed in Shinjuku, a big hotel - which was great, because right by all the subway lines - but impersonal.

We spent a lot of time working out where to stay with a friend who was born in tOkyo and knows every area. In the end, we settled on Naka Meguro - laid-back vibe, low rise, great eating places, leafy trees bordering a canal, lots of small stores selling, say, hip old tools, trendy workwear, books and coffee, and it's also a walk away from Ebisu and Dakanyama, which are other terrific locations to walk around. It's also a cab ride from Shubuya, if you fancy more of the high-energy, packed streets vibe.

 

[flip]

hehe. Cramped? I'm 6'2" and stay in capsules all the time. Can't beat $20-30 night + onsen if all you're doing is sightseeing. The GF might disagree. ;-)

 

[jsrockit]

hehe. Cramped? I'm 6'2" and stay in capsules all the time. Can't beat $20-30 night + onsen if all you're doing is sightseeing. The GF might disagree. ;-)

Haha, I already told her I have to try one. 😀

 

[flip]

FWIW, there was another recent thread re: travel in kyoto. Look for it.
Come to Kobe and get your shibui restaurant fix on.
Osaka - well, if you've never been, it's amusing to see American culture aped in Amerika-mura - near the nightlife area of namba. Nothing says Japan like Nigerians who don't speak English pimping the US hip-hop scene.

 

[Harry S.]

When I was in Osaka I really liked America Mura in Shinsaibashi. Hip culture, a little seedy, edgy, fun, vibrant...fantastic place for people watching that rivals Harajuku.

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[zthee]

We spent a lot of time working out where to stay with a friend who was born in tOkyo and knows every area. In the end, we settled on Naka Meguro - laid-back vibe, low rise, great eating places, leafy trees bordering a canal, lots of small stores selling, say, hip old tools, trendy workwear, books and coffee, and it's also a walk away from Ebisu and Dakanyama, which are other terrific locations to walk around. It's also a cab ride from Shubuya, if you fancy more of the high-energy, packed streets vibe.

I've only been to Tokyo twice. But I love Nakameguro! It's the main reason I want to go back. It's fantastic down by the canal. And Daikanyama is nice too. Those two complement each other in a very good way.

 

[maddoc]

If you plan to travel a little around in Honshu by train, it might be good to buy a JR railway pass (only available outside of Japan and not valid for residents in Japan) in advance.
About Tokyo ... Naka-Meguro is a good choice as are Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Daikanyama. Best to pick some things beforehand (shops, museums, galleries, restaurants) and then to go. One recommendation is to get the PASMO card that allows you acces to all private railways, JR and Tokyo Metro without the hassle to buy individual tickets for every trip. Public transportation is cheap, convenient and safe but quite some experience during rush hours ...

 

[jsrockit]

Thanks again everyone. Ok, so I will spend some time in Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Harajuku for sure. What restaurants can you guys receommend in that area? I'm not looking for crazy expensive fluff or flashy places... just good food. 🙂

 

[ferider]

I recommend Ginza in daylight, jsr. If your better half is around and likes pearls, it might get expensive. And the fish market in the early morning. Shibuya is younger than the other centers, I always found it more interesting. WRT restaurants, just walk in to one of the many small ones you pass, depending on your food choice, you cann't go wrong.

Since you are mostly in Osaka, don't forget Kyoto.

Roland.

 

[jsrockit]

Since you are mostly in Osaka, don't forget Kyoto.

Yes, we are going there as well. My GF is from Osaka and she knows Kyoto well. However, she doesn't know Tokyo well and that part of the trip we are going to just because I want to see Tokyo (i.e. if I wasn't going, she wouldn't go to Tokyo)... so that's why its my job to figure out where and what I want to see. Food shouldn't be hard, I agree, but perhaps there is some overwhelming favorites. 🙂

 

[ferider]

I just remembered something special food-wise: "Shabu Shabu (spell?) - all you can eat in 60 min." 🙂 The hotel can probably refer you.