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Japan
This has to be the best and cheapest way to travel around Japan, providing you go everywhere. It has to be purchased outside of Japan and then the invoice is exchanged for a pass at one of the stations (maybe the airport I can't quite remember). You cannot buy it within Japan as it is only for tourists.
The pass works on all national and local trains using the JR lines.
Don't forget to flash the pass as you walk pass the station guards.
I recommend you download the timetables too.
This is a comprehensive guide to taking the subway in Tokyo and provides links to an English map and an online planning tool. It's very useful whether you live in Tokyo or are just planning a visit. The site also offers travel tips and reviews.
www.thetokyotraveler.com/taking-the-subway-in-tokyo-the-basics/
Everyone I know uses Tokyofoodie.com to decide on restaurants in Tokyo. Well-written and comprehensive articles by other food lovers are perfect there.
www.tokyofoodie.com
www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/jan/18/tokyo.travelwebsites
A great place to stock up on bargain souveniers and gifts before heading home. You can find anything from origami paper, crockery and toys not to mention all manner of household goods
They're everywhere. There's a nine story one in Funibashi on the outskirts of Tokyo.
The rather delightfully named 'Piss alley' might not be the most delicately-named place to enjoy your dinner but the noodles here are truly fantastic. Navigate some of the divinely old-style Japanese 'corridors' of alleyway shops and restaurants and nip into one of the tiny hole in the walls to get your piping hot noodles and aromatic flavours of Japan. Only really able to accommodate a couple of people so you're likely to squeeze in with a hurried commuter and maybe a couple of old ladies but the atmosphere is pure magic in the ramen shops. All in all, thankfully modern plumbing but old-style eating experience!
Tokyo, Shinjuku station
An excellent modern hotel in the Shidome district, with staggering views in every direction, and extremely helpful staff, this hotel is close to metro and JR stations, and within walking distance of the fish market, Ginza, and numerous reasonably priced restaurants. The hotel itself has a Michelin starred restaurant serving traditional Japanese food.
Our only quibble was that like many things in Japan the entrance to the hotel is so understated that it is easily missed, so it is rather hard to find when arriving jet-lagged from the train. Limousine bus would be better, as it goes straight there.
Shiodome Media Tower, Minato-Ku, near JR Shimbashi station. All details and a good map are on hotel website www.parkhoteltokyo.com
Bon serve Fucha Ryori cuisine, a form of Zen vegetarian cooking originating in China but developed in Japan. Small delicate and beautiful dishes are served in measured succession, in a private room on Tatami mats. We had about 11 courses (we lost count).
The service was immaculate: serene, polite and friendly, quite unlike anything European, and the whole experience was calm and almost meditative.
The restaurant is tucked away down a back street of old Tokyo houses. Booking is required.
Ryusen 1-2-11, Taito-Ku, near Iriya station (Hiriya line). Phone 03 (3872) 0375. Do not rely on the map provided by the restaurant, which is inaccurate. Get someone to look it up for you in the Tokyo street atlas.
This is a very popular and cheap fast food restaurant. Like the similar MosBurger, orders are cooked from fresh, so don't expect MacD's style service.
The burgers are amazingly tasty: I still dream about the bacon omelette burger 18 months after my return to the UK! Delicious fresh lemonade, chunky wedges and a huge range of condiments, all served by very young and helpful staff.
Almost everywhere!
If you want a good ryokan experience in Tokyo, this is the place. It's in the quiet, pedestrianised temple area of Asakusa, close to the markets and metro station. There are western rooms too, but if you want a more authentic Japanese experience you will get bamboo floor matting, paper shutters, unbelievably cosy futon beds, kimono robes, a low table and cushions and fresh green tea and rice crackers every day. Even the Japanese rooms have a small western-style bathroom with a shower, and the ryokan serves a traditional Japanese breakfast. The highlight however, are the hot baths on the fifth floor. Steam your travel troubles away while you lie back and gaze out over the golden illuminated temples and night skyline. Very friendly and helpful staff too.
phone 81-3-3843-2345
fax 81-3-3843-2348
address 1-31-11Asakusa Taito-ku Tokyo 111-0032 Japan
E-mail: info@shigetsu.com
Web site: www.shigetsu.com
Part bar, part puppet-show, this one-man-cabaret of a dining experience is for anyone who likes to eat out in truly surreal fashion.
It's the choicest blend of beer, bar snacks, party games and singing lavatory available in Tokyo, though definitely not recommended for the overly self conscious.
Hanasada Bldg. B1F 5-12, Shinbashi 2 -Chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo.
homepage: www1.ocn.ne.jp/~kagayayy/index_e.html
review: metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/448/bars.asp
Part bar, part puppet show, this one-man-cabaret of a dining experience is for anyone who likes to eat out in truly surreal fashion.
It's the choicest blend of beer, bar snacks, party games and singing lavatory available in Tokyo, though definitely not recommended for the overly self-conscious.
Hanasada Bldg. B1F 5-12, Shinbashi 2 -Chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo.
homepage: www1.ocn.ne.jp/~kagayayy/index_e.html
review: metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/448/bars.asp
Like anywhere else, the Japanese smoke. Smoking, however is blanketed in the same courtesy and respect as many other aspects of the culture. If you smoke while walking around, don't toss your butt on the street. There are dedicated smoking areas around the city and there are ashtrays outside many buildings. Use them. If in doubt, follow the lead of other smokers.
It is simply the best Japan-related website out there. If you're in the least bit interested in winter sports, check it out, you will not regret it. It also has probably the best and most popular Japan-related forums/bulletin board.
This site provides info on Yuzawa town - the setting for 'Snow Country', a novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunori Kawabata. Yuzawa is a perfect place to escape the bustle of Tokyo - only 77 minutes by bullet train.
The website is dedicated to winter sports, and with an online English language booking system makes it easy to book train tickets and accommodation - something that can otherwise be very difficult if you do not know Japanese.
This karaoke box can be hired by group of friends. There are all sorts of songs here, Japanese, British, American, Korean, Philipino, Chinese! It's only 2,000yen from 11pm until 7am (next day). You can drink as much as you want if you pay 1,000 yen on top. You can order drink by remote control.
shinjuku-ku, Kabuki-cho, 1-3-16
www.pasela.co.jp/shop/ps207/207.html
Go at night to pay homage to the statue of Hachiko the dog. Hachiko went to meet his master at the station every night,even for 9 years after his master died at work and didn't return. Great spot to people watch! Be amazed by the orderliness of the Japanese as they wait to cross the road into the Centre Gai. Nobody moves until the green man shows, then 300+ cross the road at the same time. Wander the pedestrianised streets and gawp at the weird, trendy fashions of the young Tokyoites. All this lit up by the 6-storey tall TV screens and neon lights.
Shibuya station
On the east side of Shinjuku station, to the north of the Odakyu department store look for the alleyways of Shoniben Yokocho - "Piss Alley"!
Don't let the name put you off - this area has loads of small bars selling yakitori. Choose your own kebabs - chicken, tomatoes, fish, pork, etc and have them barbecued as you listen to the banter from the chefs and barmaids to the passing customers. Beer and lemon bitters to drink with the locals, bags of noise and atmosphere and very cheap!
Nishi-Shinjuku, east of Shinjuku station
If you want to know what the Japanese do on a Sunday afternoon, then head off to Yoyogi Park. The whole of Tokyo seems to descend on this wonderful park. Families come for a picnic, unsigned pop bands play inpromptu gigs, theatre groups practise their latest plays and people just hang out letting the world go by! Everything seems to happen in this one place! When I went there a year ago, I felt like I saw the real Tokyo - seeing the Japanese at play.
Don't miss it!
Adjacent to Yoyogi-koen and Meiji-jingumae Stations on the subway Chiyoda Line, and Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line
Kiddy Land, one of Tokyo’s largest toy stores, is a shrine to all things “kawaii” (cute). Spread over six floors, the shop features all major global toy brands and characters, including Dick Bruna’s Miffy, Disney and of course Hello Kitty. Character-branded stationery, cards, stickers, stamps, and gift wrap can be found in the basement.
The first floor offers an eclectic mix of fancy dress gear, watches and accessories. The second floor features a fabulous array of stuffed animals, while the third floor concentrates of American characters such as Barbie and Spiderman. The fourth floor is geared towards pre-school kids and toddlers, and the fifth is full of games and gadgets. With such a fantastic range of toys, this Tokyo institution will win over even the most jaded of shoppers.
ADDRESS: 6-1-9 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
PHONE: +81 (0)3 3409 3431
WEBSITE: www.kiddyland.co.jp/index2.html (Japanese language only)
Use the Yamanote Japan Railway line to move around the city. Trains run every 3 minutes and are always on time. Announcements on the trains are in Japanese and English. Digital displays show you where you are, how far in minutes to next station,any delays, which side of the carriage to leave from and what the weather is like! Maximum price we paid was 190yen (80p) for a 25 min. ride. No litter and no graffiti.
Look bewildered and hold a map and the locals will be queuing up to help you and to practise their English. We found they were delighted to speak to 'native English speakers' with authentic English accents.
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