Visiting Tokyo for the First Time

[worldflyer]

Hello all,

 

I will be going on my first ever trip to Japan (Tokyo specifically) in April. Found a really good vacation package and couldn't resist. Being an airplane geek in addition to a railfan, getting to fly on the Airbus A380 would be a nice treat as well.

 

I'm pretty much going to stay in the Tokyo area for the duration of the trip since my hotel booking is for 5 nights. Out of curiosity I plan on checking out Tokyo Disneyland just to see the Japanese take on an American icon. The closest station to the hotel I would be staying at is Shinjuku Station. I've been planning out what trains to take to get to TDL as well as other sights I would like to see. Among these, Akihabara, Ginza, Tokyo Tower and others.

 

This is the first time I will be going to a country that is completely foreign to me. I'm trying to learn as much Japanese as I can before the trip though I doubt I could carry on a decent conversation by then.

 

For those who've been to Tokyo, any suggestions for good places to eat or see? I'm open to all suggestions. Also, I plan to swing by the Kato Main Showroom just to see what's there. And what are some hobby shops in the Tokyo area that have good prices on N-scale trains? Figured since I'm in Japan, I would like to take a souvenir train home with me. Finally, is the SUICA card worth getting?

 

Thanks in advance!

[CaptOblivious]

Places to eat: Take a short walk out the door of any train station, and hit up some of the Japanese fast food place. I don't mean McDonald's or KFC, or even MOS Burger, but the curry joints, ramen stands, donburi counters and the like. Japanese curry is addictive like crack. These places are cheap, quite different than you may have ever experienced, not very good for you, but culturally really interesting.

 

Better yet, head to the basement of any department store (also conveniently located near train stations!). The basement is the food hall, and there is a disgusting amount of really good, really cheap food. Tons of bentos at lunchtime, and often free samples of many items as well. Go there close to closing time, and watch them sale price the sushi: As soon as they're done applying "10% off" labels, they begin immediately again with "25%" and then "40%" and so on. Then grab several trays of sushi for yourself :D

[gmat]

When in April are you planning to arrive? If it is before April 16th, you can ride the 189 and 485 series Tobu Kinugawa before they retire. I'd also recommend riding the weekend 189 series Holiday Kawaguchiko Special from Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi.

 

Holiday Kawaguchiko Special:

http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/forms/info/info.aspx?info_id=19382

 

JR East Tobu Kinugawa 485 series:

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/routemaps/nikko_kinugawa.html

 

Some info on the 189 series, including the Kinugawa:

http://www.sumidacrossing.org/SumidaCrossing/JREastLtdExp2.html

 

Wiki states that the 189 series will strt to be retired in 2011:

 

You can get off and catch these from Otsuki Station:

http://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/forms/top/top.aspx

 

 

Guide in English about rail passes, nationwide and JR East and Kanto. (Tokyo)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html

 

Wiki Suica entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suica

 

PASMO card entry:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PASMO

 

English portion of PASMO website:

 

http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/index.html

 

You can use the Suica where PASMO can be used, so the Suica which can be used as a credit card should be more flexible, unless you collect these types of things.

 

There is also a Tokyo Metro 710 yen one day open ticket, which if you are only riding the Metro might save you some money.

 

http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day/index.html

 

Map here:

http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/index.html

 

Note: Some private lines that start underground but go out of the city won't be part of the system, such as the Keio Line and  Odaku Line from Shinjuku and Den-en-Toshi Line from Shibuya. The Arakawa and Setagaya tram lines are also outside the Metro system.

 

If I have free time, I can help you around Tokyo.

 

Best wishes,

Grant

[kevinrandell]

I live in Tokyo as well, is there any interest in members meeting up as a group somewhere for some train related shopping / activities?

 

Cheers,

Kev

[disturbman]

Places to eat: Take a short walk out the door of any train station, and hit up some of the Japanese fast food place. I don't mean McDonald's or KFC, or even MOS Burger, but the curry joints, ramen stands, donburi counters and the like. Japanese curry is addictive like crack. These places are cheap, quite different than you may have ever experienced, not very good for you, but culturally really interesting.

 

I concur, Japanese curry is incredible. I love to go to ramen or udon stands myself.

 

Better yet, head to the basement of any department store (also conveniently located near train stations!). The basement is the food hall, and there is a disgusting amount of really good, really cheap food.

 

Basement or last floor, it all depends where you go. But yes, there is food everywhere in Japan. And like everywhere else in the world, find the shittiest (or most local color) looking place in some random streets and enter. That's usualy where the best food is.

 

@worldflyer: you are going in april?! I don't want to get your hopes down but you are not going to be able to master much Japanese in two months. Focus on simple things that will help you to go around and eat without feeling totally at a loss.

 

What to see in Tokyo? Don't go to Roppongi at night, I never heard good stories about the place. Also, Tokyo Tower is really not impressive. It might be as high as the Eiffel Tower but it doesn't have it's presence. It's more or less hidden on a hill... I don't know how to explain but I was very disapointed when I stumble on it by accident. Instead, go to see the Tokyo Sky Tree. It's still being built and it's really really something to see. This giant needle hoovering over the city is very impressive.

 

Same goes for TDL. Do you really want to loose a day going to a place that's going to be the exact samething as in the US (or anywhere else in the world)? Eurodisney (in Paris) is more or less the same as Disney World... the only difference will be the people and the languages you'll heard around you. Main Street and the Castle will be the same and I'm pretty sure the attractions are going to be more or less the same too. Instead, I wonder if you shouldn't go out of Tokyo for a day, see the countryside. You can go to Mastumoto/Nagano and see the Alps, the line through the mountains is quite impressive. I think you have a two hours ride on a Super Azusa from Shinjuku. If not, you might want to try Nikko.

 

As for the Hobby Shop, just check out the dedicated section. There is plenty information other there. :)

 

I hope you'll enjoy your trip. Japan is incredible even if I think Tokyo a bit overrated. 

[Tecchan]

Out of curiosity I plan on checking out Tokyo Disneyland just to see the Japanese take on an American icon.

If you've ever been to any Disney Park somewhere, don't waste time there. It's the exact same one you can see in the US. If you really want to go to the Disney universe, I would recommend Tokyo Disney Sea, also a theme park but a different one. It's a classic theme park (don't be confused with the name, it's not a "marine land" or else) but at least you cannot visit it elsewhere.

But if it's your first time in Japan and you want a day out of Tokyo, you better go see the great Buddha in Kamakura or the temples of Nikko! :-)

 

For those who've been to Tokyo, any suggestions for good places to eat or see? I'm open to all suggestions.

My three favorite places in Tokyo are:

-Asakusa (because it's damm' charming)

-Akihabara *Akiba* (for shopping and for otaku-ing between people you would have never thought seeing one day)

-Shibuya (because it's exactly the image of modern Japan you have)

 

A good meal: restaurant chain called Fugetsu, you can have a great yaki-soba (fried noodles) or okonomiyaki (kind of a mix between pancake, omelet and pizza). I know there is one at the top floor of Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara.

But don't worry, there is low chances that you will be disappointed with the food, except if you don't like japanese food! ;-)

 

Also, I plan to swing by the Kato Main Showroom just to see what's there. And what are some hobby shops in the Tokyo area that have good prices on N-scale trains? Figured since I'm in Japan, I would like to take a souvenir train home with me.

If you have enough time, go to the Kato showroom because it's nice. But it's not centered and you won't have the best prices there. You better go hanging around Akiba and go straight to the Tam-Tam shop. And take your credit card with you, you will need it after spending 10mn there... ;-)

 

Hope it's been helpful!

 

Here is my blog (but it's in french): http://japon.loriskumo.com/category/tokyo/

And my flickr sets on Tokyo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/loriskumo/sets/72157623599322424/

and http://www.flickr.com/photos/loriskumo/sets/72157624508071135/

[Ronincat]

What to see?  If you like museums, I recommend the Edo Tokyo museum.  Fantastic place giving the history of Edo/ Tokyo from foundation to present day.  Ueno Park (more museums, and potentially cherry blossoms in April).  The Ginza.  Akihabara is a must (especially at night!).  I was a big fan of various temples/ shrines - Yasakuni and Sengaku-ji (burial place of the 47 Ronin) were well worth the time.  Asakusa and Shibuya were just fun! 

 

Tokyo Tower - Well, I'm biased since we stayed at an apartment and the Tower was in my back yard.  Great crepe stand at the base, and near Zojo ji temple (also worth a look).  If the day is smoggy, though, save your money.  Apparently, there is a place in Roppongi which has just as good a view, and which I believe is free. 

 

Eating - high end - Tokyo Tofu Ukai (also by the Tokyo Tower) - all dishes feature Tofu made by the restaurant.  The place itself is built as if it were an Edo era merchant's home.  A reservation is definitely required.

 

Sushi - well, pretty much anywhere.

 

I concur with the basement of the department store - I am a fan of the melon bread that Matsuya in the Ginza sells.

 

As for getting around - use the subway and get a Pasmo card - load it up, swipe it, and never worry about trying to figure out how much you need to pay.

 

And, although I haven't been, Tokyo Disneyland is probabaly not worth a day unless you have liots of time to kill.

[westfalen]

I'll go along with what everyone else has said, including ditching Disneyland, unless you're a real fan of the place, seeing you've only got a few days. I spent half a day there on my first Japanese trip in 1990 and still wish I'd spent the time doing something else.

 

I wouldn't knock yourself out trying to learn too much Japanese, you'll get by quite well without it, just try a few little things like 'hello', thank you' and 'excuse me'.

[Tenorikuma]

I concur that going to Disneyland is a major waste of your limited vacation time in Tokyo.

[bikkuri bahn]

As a railfan, the real Disneyland is the Tokyo railway network- more complicated and yet efficient than any ride or attraction that old Walt could have possibly imagined

[gmat]

kevinrandall, are you going to Shinagawa tomorrow to see the renovated 253?

 

Grant

[worldflyer]

Wow, thanks for all the great responses! I'll keep these in mind.

 

Ah yes I love Japanese curry, so I'd love to try the "real" thing in the homeland hehe.