our japan trip 6-10 mar 09

tokyo MUST

2009-03-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

miraikan - national museum of emerging science and innovation
sakura - cherry blossom
onsen
ramen
odaiba
shibuya crossing
hachicko dog statue
harajuku - punk gothic, lolita, elvis
akihabara - all things electronic
asakusa
ueno park
tsukiji fish market

day five: tuesday 10 mar 09

2009-03-16T20:55:00.004-07:00

1. GINZA http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3005.html
train: shinjuku – ginza (marunouchi line)

10:00 Sony building - level 6: playstation. The newest products by Sony, including DVD recorders, televisions, cameras, audio sets, mobile phones, computers and Play Station products, are displayed to the public in the showrooms in this building. There are also a few shops, restaurants and cafes. Showroom and shops open daily 11:00 to 19:00. Restaurants typically open 11:30 to 9:30.

11:00 Leica gallery.
In the specialist trade outlet Leica Ginza opened by Leica Camera Japan has been continuing the tradition of the Leica Gallery in Tokyo since April 2006 with a photo salon.
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday 11.00 am - 7.00 pm. http://en.leica-camera.com/culture/galeries/gallery_tokyo/

2. TSUKIJI
train: ginza – tsukiji (hibiya line)

12:00 fish market - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html. Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market is a large market for fish, fruit and vegetables in central Tokyo. It is the most famous of over ten wholesale markets that handle the distribution of fish, fruit, vegetables, meat and flowers for metropolitan Tokyo.

2:00 advertising museum - how to get there:
• Look for Exit No. 4 ("JR Shimbashi Station, Shiodome Gate, Shiodome Shiosite")
• Turn left at the concourse end. Go downstairs and walk toward Toei Asakusa Line
• Walk ahead along the concourse. Pass the "Shiodome City Center" sign to your left
• Pass "Caretta Fountain" (tortoise-shaped stones) to your right and walk toward Gate-A to your left
• Enter Caretta Shiodome at Gate-A
• Take escalator up to B1F
• Welcome to ADMT Entrance

3. UENO PARK http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3019.html
train: tsukiji – ginza (hibiya line) - ueno (ginza line)

From ueno, go to narita airport

day four: monday 9 mar 09

2009-03-16T20:55:00.003-07:00

1. SHINJUKU http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html

9:00 art deco Isetan building (on left). free art gallery: 5th floor

9:30 take pic at studio alta building. with its giant TV screen, is directly opposite My City. As a popular rendezvous point, the entrance is often so crowded that meeting the person you're supposed to be meeting is really no option at all.

10:00 Shinjuku NS building. great architecture. free observatory is located in the 30th floor. http://gojapan.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gojapan&cdn=travel&tm=5&f=21&su=p531.50.336.ip_&tt=11&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.shinjuku-ns.co.jp/

11:00 Pentax forum. 1st floor of shinjuku mitsui building. amazing building. exhibitons & play with camera. http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=330439

2. MARUNOUCHI http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3037.html
train: Shinjuku – tokyo (marunouchi line)

Situated between Tokyo Station and Tokyo Imperial Palace, Japan's most prestigious business district of Marunouchi with neighboring Otemachi, is home to the headquarters or Tokyo branches of many of Japan's largest companies, particularly from the financial sector.

12:00 imperial palace: kokyo higashi gaien (park) and nijubashi bridge. Postcard scene.pine trees.

1:30 tokyo international forum plaza. shiplike building, awesome architechture

2:30 take photo of Marunouchi buildings. 4 level shopping & view from 35th floor

3. KAMIYACHO
train: tokyo - via kasumigaseki (marunouchi line) - kamiyacho (hibiya line)

3:00 take photo outside Tokyo Tower - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3009.html
With 333 meters, Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower of Paris, and the world's tallest self-supporting steel tower. It was completed in the year 1958 as a symbol for Japan's rebirth as a major economic power, and serves as a television and radio broadcast antenna and tourist attraction.

Visitors can ascend to the main observatory at 150 meters and the special observatory at 250 meters to get a bird's eye view of Tokyo. Under good weather conditions, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance. An aquarium, wax museum and several more attractions can be found on the ground floors of the tower. Separate entrance fees apply. http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/english/

4. ROPPONGI http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3031.html
train: kamiyacho - roppongi (hibiya line)

4:00 browse Roppongi Hills

Tokyo City View & Mori Art Museum
On the top floors of the Mori Tower are the Mori Art Museum, a contemporary art museum with changing exhibitions, and the Tokyo City View indoor observation deck with the newly added open-air Sky Deck on the building's roof. Tokyo City View is open daily 10:00 to 23:00 (until 1:00 on Fridays and Saturdays), while the Sky Deck is open in good weather only from 10:00 to 19:00. Admission: 1500 Yen. The Mori Art Museum is open daily 10:00 to 22:00 (until 17:00 on Tuesdays). The admission fee for the museum varies by exhibition.

TV Asahi Headquarters
The headquarters of TV Asahi, one of Japan's private, nationwide TV stations, is part of the Roppongi Hill complex. The spacious atrium is open to the public and features displays of current programs and a shop selling TV Asahi related goods. The TV Asahi Shop is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.

Mori Garden
A small oasis of greenery between the tall buildings of Roppongi Hills, the Mori Garden is built in the style of a traditional Japanese landscape garden.

5. IKEBUKURO http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3038.html
train: roppongi - ginza (hibiya line) - ikebukuro (marunouchi line)

Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's multiple city centers, located in the northwestern corner of the Yamanote loop line. Ikebukuro offers plenty of entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities.

Handling more than a million passengers per day, Ikebukuro Station is surpassed only by Shinjuku Station as Japan's busiest railway station. Three subway and multiple urban and suburban train lines commence or pass through the large station complex.

5:00 tokyo metropolitan art space. http://www.geigeki.jp/english/

Going back to hotel:
ikebukuro – Shinjuku (marunouchi line)

day three: sunday 8 mar 09

2009-03-16T20:55:00.001-07:00

1. SHIBUYA http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html
train: Shinjuku – shibuya (fukutoshin line)

Shibuya is one of the twenty-three city wards of Tokyo, but often refers to just the popular shopping and entertainment area around Shibuya Station. Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts and birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Most of the area's large department and fashion stores belong to either Tokyu or Seibu, two competing corporations.

9:00 shibuya station: take pic with hachiko statue
A statue of a loyal dog named Hachiko. According to a famous story, the dog waited for his master every day in front of Shibuya Station, and continued to do so for years even after his master had passed away. It is one of Tokyo's most popular meeting points.

9:30 take photo of humax pavilion building. fancy building, resemble a cartoon rocket. www.humax.co.jp/english/group_intro/index.html

10:00 TEPCO Museum. hands-on museum where you can learn about power. FREE. This museum by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) introduces various aspects of electric energy, such as the process of power generation and the role of electricity in society and everyday life. Information in English is limited. http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/index-e.html

11:00 browsing tokyu hands dept store. the most complete DIY dept store in the world. Promoted as "Creative Life Store", Tokyu Hands has everything from do-it-yourself, interior, hobby, crafts, outdoors to stationery and more. The Shibuya store spans eight floors. Open daily from 10:00 to 20:30.

11:30 browsing shibuya 109 mall
Shibuya 109 is a trend setting fashion complex for young women with more than one hundred boutiques on ten floors. Open daily 10:00 to 21:00 (restaurants from 11:00 to 22:30). Closed New Year's Day.

2. HARAJUKU http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html
train: Shibuya – meiji-jingumae (fukutoshin line)

In order to experience the teenage culture at its most extreme, visit Harajuku on a Sunday, when many young people gather around Harajuku Station and engage in cosplay ("costume play"), dressed up in crazy costumes to resemble anime characters, punk musicians, etc.

12:30 Yoyogi park (punk rock) & olympic stadiums. 5am-8pm. Cosplay-zoku at Meiji Shrine Bridge. costumed.Yoyogi Koen (Yoyogi Park) is one of Tokyo's largest and most pleasant city parks, featuring wide lawns, ponds and forested areas. It is a great place for jogging, picnicking and other outdoor activities. Open daily 5:00-20:00 (winter until 17:00). Facility hours vary with most open from 9:00 to 17:00.

1:30 Meiji Shrine (meiji-jingu) - most splendid shrine. dawn-dusk. an idyllic walk, Beautiful cedar and cypress trees.
Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. The buildings are surrounded by a beautiful, dense forest. Daily from sunrise to sunset. No closing days. Free admission.

2:30 Takeshita Dori street
The symbol of Harajuku and birthplace of many of Japan's fashion trends, Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) is a narrow, roughly 400 meter long street lined by shops, boutiques, cafes and fast food outlets targeting Tokyo's teenagers. Shops along Takeshita Dori tend to be open daily from 11:00 to 20:00.
Daiso Harajuku - 100 Yen Shop. This is one of the largest 100 Yen Shops in central Tokyo, offering a wide array of goods, including clothing, kitchenware, food and stationary on multiple floors at 105 Yen per item. It is located only a few steps from Harajuku Station along Takeshita Dori.

3. ASAKUSA http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3004.html
train: meiji-jingumae - Shibuya (fukutoshin line) - asakusa (ginza line)

Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries. Asakusa can be easily explored on foot. Alternatively, you can consider a guided tour on a rickshaw (jinrikisha, lit. "man powered vehicle"). A 30 minute tour for two persons costs around 8000 Yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available.

4:00 kaminari gate to senso-ji temple, via nakamise street. Huge red paper lantern, picture perfect. 6am-5pm. Kaminarimon is the first of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple. First built more than 1000 years ago, it is the symbol of Asakusa. The Nakamise shopping street leads from Kaminarimon to the temple grounds. Sensoji Temple. Sensoji ("Senso" is an alternative reading for Asakusa and "ji" means temple) is Tokyo's most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions.

4. AKIHABARA - sales of all things electrical. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3003.html

train: Asakusa – via ueno (ginza line) – akihabara (hibiya line)

Akihabara (short: Akiba) is a district in central Tokyo, famous for its many electronics shops. In recent years, it has also gained fame as a center of the gaming, manga and animation culture. A major redevelopment of Akihabara Station and surroundings is nearing its completion, giving Akihabara a new face.

6:00 browse electronic dept store

6:30 sightseeing maid café. http://www.angelfire.com/id/croon/japan/akihabaramaids.html

Going back to hotel:
Akihabara – via ginza (hibiya line) – shinjuku (marunouchi line)

day two: saturday 7 mar 09

2009-03-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

1. SHINJUKU www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html
we walked from hotel to reach our first destination. it's quite far, but we enjoyed the sightseeing: amazing buildings, the people, the shops. we arrived too early, so we had to wait around 10mins at the door. there were other people too, mainly school children - i think they were on a school trip.

9:30 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings: South & North observatory
The 243 meter tall twin towers and surrounding buildings contain the offices and the assembly hall of the metropolitan government of Tokyo, as well as observatories on the 45th floor of each tower. The view from the southern tower is considered slightly more interesting. Open daily 9:30 to 23:00 (south observatory until 17:30), except December 29-31, January 2-3 and occasional inspection days. Furthermore, the north observatory is closed on the 2nd and 4th Monday and the south observatory on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, except if a public holiday falls on the closure day, in which case the observatory is closed the following day. Admission is free. www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/

10:30 tokyo opera city. NTT intercommunication centre - level 4
sadly when we arrived they're having a renovation so it's closed, but we enjoyed the cool tokyo opera city building.
"every visitor can encounter the activities of cutting-edge artists, meet them, and feel the stream of science and the arts in the new era." (www.ntticc.or.jp/index_e.html)

2. ODAIBA www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html
train: shinjuku to ginza (using marunouchi line), from ginza to shimbashi (using ginza line), at shimbashi buy ticket to odaiba using yurikamome line. buy day pass 800 yen because you will use it more than once. http://yurikamome.co.jp/english/index.php

The Yurikamome is an un-manned, elevated train with rubber tires, which connects Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line with all of Odaiba's attractions and Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line. A ride from Shimbashi to Daiba takes 15 minutes and costs 310 yen. If you ride the Yurikamome more than twice, a one day pass for 800 yen is likely to come cheaper than single tickets. The Yurikamome uses the Rainbow Bridge to get to Odaiba and offers spectacular views of the harbor and the Tokyo waterfront area. Sit or stand at the very front of the train for the most impressive views. One-day Open Pass allows you to ride the YURIKAMOME line as many times as you wish for one day. It is available at ticket vending machines and the station offices of Shimbashi and Toyosu stations. One-day Open Pass issued by the ticket vending machine is valid only for the day of purchase, whereas the pass sold at the station office is valid for one day of your choice within the period of validity indicated on the ticket.

the order of yurikamome stops:
first stop from shimbashi station is at DAIBA.

11:30 Decks tokyo beach shopping mall
Decks is a shopping mall featuring various stores, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, the food theme park "Daiba Little Hong Kong" and "Tokyo Joypolis", three floors packed with the newest arcade games and more. Open daily 11:00 to 21:00 (some stores and restaurants remain open until 22:00 or 23:00). Admission is free, except to Tokyo Joypolis (500 yen). http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/japan/tokyo/sightseeing-in-tokyo/decks-tokyo-beach.html

12:30 Futuristic Fuji tv building
This is the headquarters of Fuji Television, one of Japan's private, nationwide TV stations. You can see some exhibitions on popular programs, buy Fuji TV goods at the souvenir shop and access the futuristic looking building's observatory deck. Open 10:00 to 20:00. Most attractions are closed on Mondays (closed the following Tuesday instead, if Monday falls on a public holiday). Admission is free except for the observatory deck (500 yen). http://www.fujitv.co.jp/en/

1:00 Sony Explora Science in Odaiba Mediage Building
A science museum designed by Sony, which includes a planetarium. http://www.mediage.jp/e/

...now get on the yurikamome line and stop at TELECOM CENTER

1:30 National museum of emerging science & innovation 500 yen - AMAZING!!!
This well done, highly interactive and bilingual science museum includes exhibits about environmental issues, robots (starring Asimo among others), information technology, biology and space exploration. Open daily 10:00 to 17:00. Closed Tuesdays and from Dec 28 to Jan 1 (Open Tuesdays during the summer holidays or if Tuesday is a public holiday). Admission: 500 yen. http://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en/

...now get on the yurikamome line and stop at AOMI

2:30 Pallete town
This shopping and entertainment complex consists of Venus Fort, Sun Walk, Mega Web, a Ferris Wheel and Zepp Tokyo, a large concert venue. See more details on each attraction below. Open daily. Most shops and attractions are open from 11:00 to 21:00 and restaurants until 23:00. Part of Palette Town, this 115 meter tall ferris wheel is one of the world's largest and offers nice views of the bay area. Operating daily from 10:00 to 22:00 (until 24:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and days preceding holidays during the spring and summer season. Admission: 900 Yen. http://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/infomation/2area/11rinkai.html

3:00 Toyota mega web
Part of Palette Town, Mega Web is a Toyota showroom, where you can view and touch Toyota's newest models and car accessories, test drive a real car ("Ride One") or ride an automatic, electric vehicle ("E-com Ride"). Historic cars are exhibited in the "History Garage". Toyota City Showcase and History Garage open 11:00 to 21:00. Universal Design Showcase open until 19:00. "Ride One", "E-com Ride" and "Kid's Hybrid Ride One" until 20:00 ("Kid's Hybrid Ride One open until 18:00 on weekdays"). There are occasional closing days. Admission is free, except for "Ride One" (300 Yen per ride) and "E-com Ride" (200 Yen per ride). A Japanese or recognized international driving permit is required for "Ride One" drivers. http://www.megaweb.gr.jp/English/

4:00 Venus Fort - mall for women with changing sky
Part of Palette Town, Venus Fort is a shopping mall in the style of a 18th century South European town. It features more than one hundred boutiques, shops, cafes and restaurants, targeting a mainly female audience. Shops are open daily 11:00 to 21:00. Restaurants until 23:00.http://www.venusfort.co.jp/multi/index_e.html

...now get on the yurikamome line and stop at KOKUSAI TENJIJO SEIMON

4:30 tokyo big sight
Also known as Tokyo International Exhibition Center, Tokyo Big Sight is Japan's largest exhibition and convention center and one of the bay islands' boldest architectural creations. A wide array of events are held at the Big Sight throughout the year. Hours and admission fees depend on the specific events. http://www.bigsight.jp/english/

5:30 panasonic center
no taking pictures inside, we experienced the biggest LCD tv screen in the world, massive!
The Panasonic Center is a showroom for the latest products and technologies by the Matsushita Group, of which Panasonic is part of. On display are the newest cameras, TV screens, computers, Nintendo games, home appliances and more. Open 10:00 to 18:00 (entry to Risupia until 17:00). Closed on Mondays, except if Monday is a public holiday. Admission is free except Risupia (500 yen). Entry to Risupia is by numbered ticket which are limited during times of high visitation. http://panasonic.net/center/tokyo/index.html

...now get on the yurikamome line and go back to stop at TELECOM CENTER

6:00 oedo onsen monogatari: hot spring theme park
www.sunnypages.jp/travel_guide/modern_tokyo/super_sentos/Oedo+Onsen+Monogatari/2030
Opened in March 2003, this is a hot spring theme park, which reproduces the atmosphere of the Edo Period (1603-1868). You can enjoy various types of baths, which are fed by actual hot spring water from a depth of 1400 meters. Open daily from 11am to 9am (no entry between 2am and 5am, last entry 7am). Admission is 2827 yen (1987 yen if you enter after 6pm). An overnight stay supplement of 1,575 yen applies if you stay after 2am. If you enter between 5am and 7am, the admission is 1,567 Yen. Once a month Oedo onsen closes early at 11pm for maintenance (admission until 9pm).

...now get on the yurikamome line and go back to stop at SHIMBASHI. from shimbashi – to shibuya (ginza line) – to shinjuku-our hotel (fukutoshin line)

day one: friday 6 mar 09

2009-03-16T20:46:00.000-07:00

around 6:00 arrived at airport
(when we arrive in japan the sky was already dark by the time we were on the train to ueno, and raining, and worst of all i wasn't in the best condition-suffering from motion sickness and diarrhea from 30minutes turbulence before landing. so all i wanted to do was checking in to hotel and have a nice sleep). at the airport i was busy buying tickets for the next 4 days: tokyo metro 2 day pass, and keisei limited express, also visited the tourist info center to get the tokyo handy guide booklet that has discounts for museum visits etc. on the way to ueno we had to stop a few times because i wanted to vomit.

this is the toilet i found at first! so surprised, i was not going to use, luckily the disable toilet is modern style. phewww...

stopped at ueno
cold, raining, 9 degree Celsius. hopped in the subway to shinjuku. destination: shinjuku listel hotel.

arrived at shinjuku
wow the view was just amazing. what a busy night. people everywhere, lights everywhere. on the way to hotel - which is quite far, we looked for a place to have dinner. we were hunting for the most authentic japanese restaurant since it's our first night we wanted to taste the nice food.

checked in at hotel
after walking for about 30mins, we finally found the hotel. lucko is so good at reading map, he's a great companion for traveling. the hotel is smaller than what i expected, room is tiny, but comfy. the bathroom is small, kinda reminded us of the toilet on plane hehehe. this bathroom is tiny, but complete, and hi tech: toilet that has remote, and a bath tub. perfect. i ended up soaking in hot water every night from the tiredness of walking 8 hours. the bath tub is small but deep, similar to onsen style i guess. oh i should've taken the pic of the bathroom...;p

transportation

2009-03-16T15:52:00.001-07:00

access to and from narita airport. www.japan-guide.com/e/e2027.html
- JR Narita Express (NEX)
  About 3000 yen, 60 minutes to central Tokyo
  Departures every 30-60 minutes
  The Narita Express is a fast and comfortable airport train into central Tokyo (serving Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro Stations), the Tokyo Tama region, Yokohama and Saitama. All seats are reserved. Thanks to the NEX & Suica package, the Narita Express can also be a relatively economical airport access option.
- JR Sobu Line (Rapid Service)
  About 1300 yen, 85 minutes to central Tokyo
  Departures every 60 minutes
  The Rapid Sobu Line is the inexpensive JR alternative to the Narita Express, connecting the airport with Tokyo Station and Yokohama. The Rapid Sobu Line is a normal commuter train, which stops at several stations between the airport and Tokyo and can become crowded during rush hours. Seat reservations are not possible.
- Keisei Skyliner
  About 2000 yen, 60 minutes to central Tokyo
  Departures every 40 minutes
  The Keisei Skyliner connects the airport with Ueno Station in central Tokyo. It is a comfortable train for travelers to and from the airport. All seats are reserved.
- Keisei Limited Express -> WE USED THIS BECAUSE IT'S THE CHEAPEST OPTION
  About 1000 yen, 75 minutes to central Tokyo
  Departures every 20 minutes
  The inexpensive alternative to the Keisei Skyliner, the Keisei Limited Express is the cheapest way to get from the airport into Tokyo. It is a normal commuter train, which stops at several stations between the airport and Tokyo and can become crowded during rush hours. Seat reservations are not possible.
- Limousine Bus
  About 3000 yen, 60-90 minutes to central Tokyo
  Several bus companies offer connections to various places in the Tokyo area and neighboring prefectures, including direct connections to major hotels.
- Taxi
  About 20,000 yen, 60-90 minutes to central Tokyo
  Because Narita Airport is located about 60 km outside of Tokyo, a taxi ride into central Tokyo is very expensive and not recommended to common travelers.
getting around Tokyo - subway.
for our 4 days trip, we bought 2x two day metro pass. you will save a lot of money especially when your schedule is as tight as ours. here is the link to their site: www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/index.html

it's best to print the english version of the network map since i found it hard to get it there, all they have is the japanese version. the network map may look confusing at first but after you get your hand around it, it's not that difficult. i really suggest you do your homework beforehand - plan which station you're going to start and end your journey, especially important if your destination does not have a direct line, i.e. you have to change line. on the metro map it is colour coded so you can see which colour you can travel on only using the metro two day pass.

buy the ticket at: Terminal 2 – railway ticket counter, 1st floor arrival lobby.
a two day ticket pass 980 Yen (this special price is only when you buy in airport)
Tokyo Metro fares range from 160 to 300 yen depending on how far you travel. A one day pass for unlimited use of Tokyo Metro on one calendar day is available for 710 yen, but note that special passes for visitors are sold at Narita Airport for only 600 yen for a 1-day version and 980 yen for a 2-day version. www.japan-guide.com/e/e2375.html

if you are deciding whether this pass will save you money or not, you should first plan your journeys, then you can check how much does it cost each way, go to: http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/
...then total your train costs for day 1 and 2, total it and see which one is cheaper, with or without 2 day pass.
if you plan to go to odaiba (www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html) - use the yurikamome line, buy the one day pass as well, bcos you will be hopping in and out of the train a lot, so it will save money.

The Yurikamome is an un-manned, elevated train with rubber tires, which connects Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line with all of Odaiba's attractions and Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line. A ride from Shimbashi to Daiba takes 15 minutes and costs 310 yen. If you ride the Yurikamome more than twice, a one day pass for 800 yen is likely to come cheaper than single tickets. (-> this was the kind of ticket we bought)
pasmo card - to be used for getting around tokyo in lines not covered by tokyo metro subway. rechargable, and you can use it to buy stuff in mini market with your balance. this is awesome! minimum top up is 1,000yen. www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_002.html
- PASMO can also be used on many buses in the greater Tokyo region.
- How to use Suica/PASMO? When passing the ticket gates, hold the card close to the card reader (rather than inserting it into the ticket slot). The applicable fare will be automatically deducted when you exit through the ticket gate at your destination station. A card cannot be shared by multiple travelers at the same time.
- How to recharge Suica/PASMO? Suica/PASMO cards can be recharged at vending machines in railway stations of Japan Railways and other railway companies in the Greater Tokyo region. The maximum amount to be charged onto a card is 20,000 Yen.
- How to check the current balance? The current credit balance is shown on a small display whenever you pass a ticket gate. Furthermore, it can be checked at vending machines together with a usage history.
- Shopping with Suica/PASMO. At an increasing number of shops (more than 10,000), such as convenience stores, kiosks and restaurants in and around railway stations, Suica/PASMO cards can be used instead of cash. Simply hold your card close to the card reader and you won't have to deal with change.

our planned ittinerary

2009-03-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

Friday 6 march
4:30 arrive at airport
IKEBUKURO
6:00 tokyo metropolitan art space
6:30 amlux toyota at sunshine city complex
7:00 seibu dept store: basement food hall
8:00 browsing at Bic camera
SHIBUYA 1
9:00 sightseeing at Love hotel hill
9:30 experience Shibuya crossing nightlife

Saturday 7 march
SHINJUKU 1
9:30 Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings: South, North observatory
10:30 tokyo opera city. Level 4: NTT intercomunication centre
ODAIBA
11:30 Decks tokyo beach shopping mall (hong kong theme)
12:30 take photo of Futuristic Fuji tv building
1:00 Sony Showroom in Odaiba Mediage Building
1:30 National museum of emerging science & innovation
2:30 Pallete town: 1. giant wheel in the world
3:00 2. Toyota mega web
4:00 3. Venus fort-mall 4 women with changing sky
4:30 panasonic center
5:30 take photo of tokyo big sight
6:00 aqua city mall
7:00 oedo onsen monogatari: hot spring theme park

Sunday 8 march
SHIBUYA 2
9:30 take photo of humax pavilion building
10:00 TEPCO Electric Energy Museum
11:00 browsing tokyu hands dept store
11:30 browsing shibuya 109 mall
HARAJUKU
1:00 Yoyogi park (punk rock) & olympic stadiums
2:00 Meiji Shrine (meiji-jingu) - most splendid shrine
2:30 Takeshita Dori street
OMOTE-SANDO
3:30 futuristic Spiral Building
ASAKUSA
4:00 kaminari gate to senso-ji temple, via nakamise street
AKIHABARA
6:00 electronic dept store: Ishimaru, Yamagiwa
6:30 Laox - tax free shop
7:00 sightseeing Chocolatte – maid café

Monday 9 march
SHINJUKU 2
9:30 browsing at takashimaya times square (big)
10:00 Kinokuniya bookshop
10:30 studio alta building
11:00 Mitsukoshi dept store (on right)
11:30 art deco Isetan building (on left)
12:00 Shinjuku NS building
1:00 Pentax forum. 1st floor of shinjuku mitsui building
CENTRAL TOKYO
2:00 imperial palace: 1. kokyo higashi gaien, 2. nijubashi - bridge. Postcard scene
3:00 Lunch at tokyo international forum plaza
3:30 Marunouchi building - (Marubiru)
KAMIYACHO
4:30 take photo outside Tokyo Tower
ROPONGGI
5:30 take photo outside Mori Tower
6:30 browse Roppongi Hills

Tuesday 10 march
TSUKIJI 1
5:00 fish market - MUST SEE
9:00 Shinjuku hotel: bfast & check out
GINZA
10:00 Sony building, experience Ginza crossing
11:00 Leica gallery (photography works)
TSUKIJI 2
12:00 advertising museum
from ueno, go to narita airport
4:30 arrive at narita airport
6:30 plane takes off

input from aisha

2008-11-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

First of all bawa phrasebook! They rarely stops kalo diajak ngomong bahasa inggris. Jadi walopun abis itu loe bakal nanya things in English, stop them by saying 'Sumimasen' dan sejenisnya. Kalau di Tokyo sign2nya dah lumayan bersahabat sih jadi agak aman, suka ada bahasa inggrisnya ato paling gak pake romaji (huruf romawi) jadi kita bisa baca. Tapi if you're going outside Tokyo, katanya not that easy.

For me, i like museums and they have quite a few yang interesting. Daripada naik Tokyo Tower, I'd visit Mori Museum at the top of Mori Tower di daerah Roppongi. Mori Tower is a lot taller than Tokyo one + they have a 360 degree deck gitu diatas. Bisa liat the whole Tokyo from above. The museum shop juga lucu2.

Definitely check out the net ttg lagi ada festival apa during your visit. Mereka banyak acara2 public gitu kok dan selalu PENUH orang hehehe. Tapi seruuuu...

Harus ke Harajuku or Tokyo Dome in the weekends to meet with the Cosplay people (yang suka dress up sebagai karakter komik). Gue sih waktu itu minta ikut foto bareng mereka. Mereka juga demen kalo kita mau foto mereka, ngomong aja sama mereka nanti mereka dengan senang hati bergaya for the camera.

For travelling within Tokyo sih gue waktu itu beli PASMO card namanya. Belinya di underground stations. Kartunya bisa isi ulang to use for subway traveling.

Gue sih waktu itu tiap hari makan Jepang, trying all different types hehehe Gak mau rugi ;p Oh, pastiin coba Izakaya yah. Izakaya itu restoran tempat orang2 jepang kumpul2 abis pulang kantor. Biasanya pada suka minum2 bir + makanannya kecil2 gitu tapi enak2!

Ginza, Roponggi, Shinjuku, Harajuku & Shibuya are exciting untuk liat the different kind of area blanja orang Jepang. Shibuya juga seru kalo weekend malem2. Banyak anak2 muda nongkrong and hang outnya disini.

Disneyland ya udah pasti lah yaaa... Tapi kalo ada waktu if you like scary rides you have to try ke FujiQ Highlands. The tallest roller coaster and the one with most rotation in the world ada disini!!

Oia, check out Odaiba. Apparently is the next development area in Tokyo. I didn't get a chance to go, tapi katanya bagus.

Wah banyak laaaannn hehehehe... Pokoknya siapin kamera everyday :) You'll absolutely love it....

input from ronald & wanda

2008-10-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

Breakfast: 300 yen - 600 yen
Lunch: 900 yen – 1,300 yen
Dinner: 1,100 yen – 1,500 yen
Snack: (banyak godaan. Ice-cream, cakes, etc. Jadi allow sekitar 800 yen sehari untuk snack).

Kira-kira demikian. Walaupun untuk lunch kita sering save uang karena banyak lunch special yang harganya sekitar 1,000 yen doang, atau 700 yen untuk curry rice. Breakfast-pun kita save karena Cuma beli instant noodles dari convenience store atau some other cheap food. Percuma budget-in banyak duit untuk breakfast karena banyak restoran café di sana bukanya setelah jam 11 pagi.

Snack: MAJOR WARNING: Beware of the pretty-looking sweet mochi cakes they sell in airport / temple / tourist area. They look good but the majority don’t taste good. I learnt this the hard way, after Mum & I bought cases of the sweets back home.
Snacks / desserts sold in cafes and restaurant are usually great, tho’.

------------------------------

Ada teman kita yg coba tinggal di Love Hotel, mereka bilang lebih murah dan fasilitasnya bagus. Memang kalau tinggal di Love Hotel semalam, jatuhnya lebih murah daripada sewa buat beberapa jam. Umumnya orang Jepang sewa Love Hotel barang 1-2 jam tuk keperluan pribadi. Jadi harga sewa murah kalau nginap semalam. Umumnya ada jam tertentu di mana rate-nya murah, kalau ngak salah di atas jam 10pm. Masalahnya ngak bisa di-book jauh hari, mesti book hari itu juga.

Kita sempat ngitari Love Hotel Hill di Shibuya barang beberapa jam, tapi ngak nginap soalnya ngak ketemu hotel yg kita suka. Soalnya setiap love hotel ada temanya: Las Vegas, Egyptian, cowboys, etc. Dan saat itu kita udah book kamar di hotel. Waktu nginap di Tokyo kita tinggal di dua tempat:

• Kimi Ryokan > http://www.kimi-ryokan.jp/
• Shinjuku Park Hotel > http://shinjukuparkhotel.co.jp/english/index.html

Kedua-dua tempat ini termasuk kategori yg menegah ke bawah. Jadi kalau mau tinggal di tempat yg lebih mewah, bisa coba hotel yg lain sih. Capsule Hotel rada mahal ya, dan kita saat itu ngak sempat cobain. Kayaknya per capsule satu orang deh, soalnya kecil sekali. Jadi tinggal di situ cuma buat experience aja.

input from yen 1

2008-10-19T21:14:00.001-07:00

1st thing - harus beli JR pass di nz (bisa dibeli di galleria duty free di downtown). Tiket ini basically bisa bawa lu ke luar kota, naek express train nya - shinkansen. This will save you heaps of money.
A must buy :)

Maren itu g cuman ke 4 kota - tokyo, takayama, kyoto & hiroshima - jadi g komen daerah2 situ aja yah.

Tokyo - setuju ma Grace, shibuya itu ok untuk shopping. Other suburbs are Harajuku, shinjuku... disneyland was fun :)

Kyoto - ada 2 main temples to go : Kinkaku-ji & Kiyomizu-dera temples. Di sini ada suburn Gion (terkenal banyak geisha - seperti felem memoir of geisha) - tapi kita ga liat siy waktu ke sono, cuman liat tante2 pake kimono.

Hiroshima - ada museum yg bom itu. very interesting though that is the only main attaction in this town.

Takayama - kita mainly cuman stay di hotel trus onsen-an (must do in japan - berendem di air panas). This is a small & old town - beautiful.

tergantung perginya kapan, cek aja ada event apa - biasa mereka bisa ada festival2 gitu kalo lu perginya pas sakura time. kalo ada event, mereka ada bazar- penuh makanan & orang2 gitu.
harus coba makanan2 mereka yah :) (eg. Okonomiyaki itu berbeda in every city- beda khas nya gitu)

umm apa lagi yah.... yg pasti research aja di website. pasti banyak deh ide2 nya. Yg pasti, japan is a very exciting, beautiful, clean country. Orang2 nya juga interesting. G masi amazed by how they can walk on heels all day long (heels yg tingiiiii2 gitu)..

you'll love it :)

input from sylvia 1

2008-10-19T21:08:00.001-07:00

When to go: The best I would say is end of March or early April. You can see cherry/sakura blossoms. Plus, the weather is super nice.

Accommodation: You can choose either business style hotel or ryokan (Japanese inn where you sleep on tatami on the floor). I chose a hotel cause the location of most ryokans are in the outskirt of the city. It's still accessible by subway and bus (and taxi of course) but consider your luggage and level of comfort for yourself.

Transportation: Subway system in Tokyo is super complex. You have to know which station you are getting off, which subway line you have to take (sometime there;s more than 1 subway lines going to the same station), and which exit. You see from itinerary I always wrote the station I got off, what subway line I took and which exit. If you take the wrong exit you could end up 3 km away from your destination. To go around Tokyo, I suggest to buy SUICA card. I have written a note for you in my itinerary about this card. Check their website!

Meals: Food can be expensive if you don't know where to eat. Avoid eating at restaurants in hotels or along business/entertainment districts . I enjoyed eating in small noodle restaurants or food court in a shopping mall. Or you can always buy bento box from any convenience store (their convenience stores are really convenient! They carry everything you nee). Honestly, you can get by with onigiri (rice ball sold in convenience store). What I did for my breakfast, I bought cereals and milk from conv. store, that's about it

Point of interests: See my itinerary. But I add more interesting places for you to consider. I didn't visit them either because I had visited them before or I have no interest or I just didn't have enough time.

1. Tokyo Disneyland

2. Tokyo Tower -Shiodome

3. Zozoji Temple - Shiodome

4. Nihombashi

5. Tokyo Metropolitan Government building Shinjuku

6. Electric street - Shinjuku (your husband may find it interesting. it's heaven for camera lovers)

7. Yoyogi Park - Shibuya

8. Azabu Juban shopping town - Ropponggi

9. Akihabara

10. National Diet Building

11. Tokyo Dome: http://www.tokyo-dome.co.jp/e/park/

12. Kamakura area

13. Fujikyu Highland (this is out of Tokyo but you can go there by tour bus, see below)

If you're considering excursions out of Tokyo: check this http://www.jtbgmt.com/sunrisetour/index.aspx

For more information on Japan tourism: www.infomapjapan.com

For Tokyo tourism: www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp

I think that's all for now. If I remember anything else...I'll let you know. Have fun planning!!!!

input from grace 2

2008-10-16T17:32:00.001-07:00

ke kota laen ga? klo iya, just remember to buy the JR pass, it will save u heaps :)

kita jg budet peginya, i think stay di shinjuku is the best, karna deket dari mana2, kcuali dari disneyland rada jauh, jadi ga spend byk2 d subway fee. aku stay d hotel ristel shinjuku waktu itu..klo booking online murah koq ~

mknan d resto2 biasa itu kan justru yg enak, paling se orang $10nz.. klo pagi kan biasa dpt breakfast. n jajanan d jalanan n minuman d vending machine murah2, paling nz$1 an.

aku ga tau disneyland, tapi aku ke disneysea, bagus bgt, klo malem jem 8pm ada light & water show, its realli pretty.. so klo lg ada show, make sure u go watch it :P bli tiket nya d sana, i think skitar NZ$65, ada website nya.

love hotel aku waktu itu d nagoya ya bkn tokyo jd lebih murah NZ$100an.. tp bagus .. guede kamarnya, trus kinky haha.. its realli something different aja sih..good to know gitu..

btw, its nyebelin urus visa jepang, lotsa requirement.. so do it in advance ^^

input from grace 1

2008-10-15T17:55:00.001-07:00

shopping in tokyo for affordable stuff go to shibuya, the main mall is called shibuya 109 (gedung cewek & cowok beda). outside 109, byk butik2 kecil, interesting, so go one by one hehe. dress up ! org2 yg blanja d sana funky2.. i felt realli under-dressed.. hehe

shopping for electronic go to akihabara, if u re into anime stuff, make sure u try the maid cafe. its interesting.

try the love hotel at least 1 night, its interesting for tourists.

try go to during festival season.. early august is the best i heard.

go to disneyland early in the morning !! disneysea is more buat anak2 lebih gede d banding disneyland.

for traditional feeling go to asakusa temple (tokyo), buy souvenirs here. but if u go to kyoto then u dun need to go here..

if u go to more than one cities, make sure you buy JR (japan rail) pass from nz (ga isa bli d jepang, its for tourists only). its cheaper..

input from ronald 2

2008-10-15T17:54:00.001-07:00

• Tokyo Imperial Palace
• Nishiki Market > Tokyo's famous fish market, must be there early around 6am to see the busy market and order some fresh seafood.
• Roppongi Hills > modern and upper-class complex consisting of malls, gardens, art gallery and Toho cinemaplex. Really nice for strolling and photography.
• Kabuki-cho > most dangerous place in Tokyo, but this is the hub of Tokyo's night life and Yakuza.

input from ronald 1

2008-10-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

Kalau 4 malam di Tokyo, kita bisa rekomen:
• Tempoe Doeloe
1. Tokyo Museum > half a day (all about Japan's history and cultures)
2. Rikugien > http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3026.html or Hama Rikyu > http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3025.html (beautiful Japanese gardens)
3. Watch a Kabuki play at Kabuki-za > check play time, and buy only half a session to save money and time, http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2090.html
4. Meiji Temple > an idyllic walk through Meiji Park into the most popular Shinto temple for couples, go here on Sundays. Beautiful cedar and cypress trees all the way through.
5. Sensoji Temple at Asakusa > most famous Buddhist temple in Tokyo http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3001.html

• Modern
6. Tokyo Disney Sea (lebih bagus dari Disneyland-nya)
7. Akihabara > geeks paradise, cobain: Maid cafe (cari yg murah - yg bayar makanan aja), electronics, collectibles, manga/anime, etc.
8. Harajuku > go on Sundays to watch the Cosplay Gangs and free band-hopping in the Shibuya park.
9. Shibuya > fashion paradise specially for girls, can also try one of the Love Hotels at Love Hotel Hills at night time.
10. Odaiba > 1-day trip to 21st century man-made island filled with theme parks, malls, museums and an Onsen park > www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html
11. Studio Ghibli Museum > only go here if you are a die-hard fans. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3041.html