Tokyo (JP)
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@Nik Tokyo is a huge place. Do you have a list of places or things you'll want to do? How long are you there? If you can, try to stay near those places to avoid taking lots of 30minute trains everyday. Maybe even consider staying in the Shinjuku area for the first half and Akihibara/Ueno for the second, for example.
Personally, Harajuku felt pretty commercialized to me and not quite what I was expecting and would instead recommend Ueno (and Hachioji of course!) for the typical americana, heritage, denim, leather, sort of clothing. If you want high fashion, that will be a different answer (Ginza and Omotesando most likely).
Also be sure to checkout a department store while you're there. Dont miss the basements! Specifically, I thought Isetan in Shinjuku makes Nordstrom's looks like Walmart.
Also, there's good food everywhere in Tokyo. Literally all around you in the normal sense, but also above and below you. Sometimes what you'll be looking for is "right in front of you" on the map but it's really 3F up or 2 down. Having said that, if there are certain foodie stops you want, consider if you need reservations and/or plan to get there early or on very off times (~3pm for example).
Our last trip we stayed at a Tokyu Stay in Shinjuku East Side that was relatively comfortable for a room in Tokyo and also included a washer/dryer IN ROOM. This sold it for us since we were here for a handful of days at the end of our trip. My only complaint as a first time visitor is that the Shinjuku station can be really overwhelming and hard to navigate, especially if it's still under heavy construction like it was last year. It was also a little bit further than I'd have preferred from the main stations requiring a ~7-10min walk iirc.
We're headed back to Japan over US Thanksgiving (and as it turns out, also Japanese Thanksgiving Holiday...lol). We booked the same hotel chain, but this time in Shibuya to be a little closer to the station and a few other things we'd like to explore. It also has the washer in room.
Other areas we considered were Ueno/Akihibara and Akasaka. Ultimately, Ueno area lost out just because we couldnt find the right set of amenities and it was further from more of the things and Akasaka because of the amenities we wanted for laundry at room prices we were willing to spend.
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Thanks @pechelman those are good points. I'm reading the first guidebook I could get my hands on, lonely planet, and am making a list of where I want to go. So far in Tokyo it is mostly parks, museums, and shops. My wife is more interested food so she will research those things. Thanks for the advice about looking at how long it takes to get to things, I've started doing that now. Washer/dryer in room is a good idea too. Hope you have a good trip in Nov.
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@Nik how long will you be there for?
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@louisbosco 12 days total in Japan. Thinking of doing 6 or so in Tokyo, 3 or 4 around Mount Fuji, and 2 or 3 in Osaka with a day trip to Kyoto. Thinking of doing a ryokan near Kawaguchiko, so Clara can do spa stuff while I run around Fuji. Thoughts on that overall plan?
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@Nik I think that sounds like a good plan. Hachioji is not too far from Fuji area so you can calculate that into your plan for when you venture out.
Some notable things that I encourage to see while in Japan:
• Tokyo, teamlabs
• Osaka, Osaka aquarium aka kaiyukan
• Kyoto can be done together with Osaka if you allow more days
• Kuromon market, Osaka -
Great thanks @louisbosco
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I might say to just skip Kyoto if you only have a day. There's too much to see. Come back on another trip and spend minimum 3 nights. Osaka though you'll have a blast; If you want a day trip from there, go-to Nara.
Otherwise that sounds mostly good to me.
Another idea would be to steal one night from Tokyo, forward your bags from Osaka to your Fuji destination, and spend a night in Koya-San. It's a pretty incredible place and it's easily connected from Osaka namba.
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@louisbosco so sorry to high jack or jump in this post. But this made me feel so good about my upcoming trip. 13 days away. We fly into Haneda and our first block of our Tokyo trip we are staying in Shinagawa.
@Nik i have a huge list of coffee shops that I’m looking to try. It seems like there are tons of cafes EVERYWHERE. It’s going to be my first time too. I’m so pumped. Ueno has a lot of denim/clothing spots like Hinoya. Osaka has ann Iron Heart shop that’s only about 30 mins east of the “downtown” area that I can tell based on google maps. ,
There is also a Samurai, and Full Count stores.Have fun planning, I think I’ve spent the better portion of a year planning, and have loved it. Just so stoked to actually get wheels down and start the trip.
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Cool @alexxedge when you go please do share here. I like coffee and cafes too so would like to know about that.
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@alexxedge no worries mate. all these information are shared to help everyone. please do share your journey as you venture through
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@Nik @louisbosco I’ll definitely share! We head out Oct. 10 and have 16 full days. Will report back when we return.
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@alexxedge Look forward to it. Need some more recommendations for out next trip.
@Nik @pechelman might have a point about Kyoto. That said, if you’re not sure if you’ll return to Japan, personally I thought it was not to be missed. I was going to suggest spending one night minimum there (we stayed at ACE Hotel), because you really want to do it justice if you are going to go.
