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[here_now]

Hi there,

So am going to Tokyo for the weekend next week...now I've never been to Tokyo... and as you can imagine, I would really like to maximize the couple of days am spending there..
and well...considering Tokyo's size and my total unfamiliarity with it...I really have noooo clue as to what area I should stay in
So...my question would be where do you suggest I stay...Ginza? Ueno? Asakuza?...somewhere else?..perhaps even what areas to avoid?
I have no idea where to start..it seems every hostel claims to be near the main tourist attractions/shopping districts/nightlife and so on and I just don't know anymore!..
So whatever suggestions/comments/advice are most welcome..
p.s: I know I'm not being very specific but am hoping some of you can share your experience, or suggest an area or reasonable accomodation in central Tokyo (whatever that may mean!)

Thank you to anyone who would take the time to help out

[abufletcher]

Tokyo doesn't really have any recognizable center but with the subway it's pretty easy to get around.

I stayed at a small placed called Taito Ryokan in Asakusa that has that "backbacker" feel to it but there are any number of regular hotels charging from around 5000-6000 a night with breakfast. Recently I've been staying at a business class hotel in Akasaka.

I've been going up to Tokyo every other week now for a couple of months on business and I personally like hanging out in the mornings in the Ueno park area (and nearby markets).

[markle]

I second the Ueno area suggestion, we stayed there when we went for a day and night.
My only other suggestion is to check out Tsikiji fish market from 5 in morning.

[guest of Japan]

Quick rundown:

Asakusa - temples
Roppongi - nightlife most appealing to young foreigners
Shibuya - shopping and nightlife most appealing to very young Japanese, but pretty impressive to see.
Shinjuku - nightlife appealing to older Japanese men
Ginza - luxurious shopping
Omotesando - I hear it's nice to walk here
Harajuku - lots of young people who are a little bit off the status quo
Tsukiji - a lot of fish
Tokyo - there's the palace
Akihabara - electronics and lots of freaky things and people
Ebisu and Meguro - nice place to live and not a bad place to spend time
Ueno - big park, zoo and some museums
Yurackucho - cool bars and restaurants under the train tracks and a giant electronics store.


Stay anywhere along the Yamanote line and you'll have easy access to most Tokyo places of interest.

[earthmonkey]

Don't stay in Asakusa. Yes, there's a cool temple and shrine there, but it's too far away from everything else. If you live in Japan, I imagine that you have seen temples and shrines. As for Ueno, personally I find it a bit bland and dirty.

My list of places not to miss.

Shinjuku:

West side has the skyscraper district which includes the Tokyo Metropolitan government building. It's a beautiful building and has a free 360 degree observation floor on the 52nd story. Go during the day.

East side has a lot of shopping and neon and the Kabukicho "red light" district.

Harajuku / Omotesando:

Must go on Sunday during the day. That's when the cosplay / gothic lolita people gather. It's really interesting and unique. Exit the station and go right. They'll be on the bridge which leads to the entrance of Meji shrine. Most are happy to pose for photos. Go back past the station, on the right you'll see a really crowded shopping street. Very interesting shops. Ometesando street is good too.

Shibuya:
Hachiko crossing at night is a must see. Please don't miss it.

These three places are all on JR Yamanote line within four stops of each other.

Roppongi:
Nightlife. I'm not too crazy about that place, but for a first time visitor, it's something to see. Go late.

You could do all of this in one day, in that order. It's my standard tour when I have visitors. As for accomodation, find something within reasonable taxi distance from roppongi, if you're going to be going there at night. Can't recommend anyplace specifically.

Have a good time!

[here_now]

Thank you verrryyyy much for all your responses, they are incredibly helpful...I'll keep that in mind..
any more suggestions are most welcome!

[Cshannon]

Stay in Shinjuku if possible. It's really the central hub and has the most train/metro lines so it's very convenient if you don't know the city geography too well (though the station itself is massive and sprawled, so maybe intimidating). It also has the most department stores (Isetan, Marui et al) if you want them.
Otherwise anywhere in/on the Yamanote line, Akasaka, Roppongi, Shibuya -- it doesn't really matter where you stay as long as it's near a station. The metro'll take wherever you need to go pretty quickly.

I'd recommend checking out the nicer shopping places during the day (Ginza, Aoyama/Omotesando), and if you're into nightlife/clubbing, head to Roppongi and Shibuya, or possibly Shinjuku (if you're interested in sleazy, expensive sex clubs in Kabukicho) in the evening.

If you have just a few days it will be impossible to see much in a meaningful way, though. Just pick a few and do them right. Personally I think the Yurakucho area in and around Chuo-ku and Ginza etc. are really nice -- good shopping, many interesting restaurants and not as crowded as Shibuya/Shinjuku.

Probably the most standard "must see's" for a short trip: Shinjuku, Shibuya (Harajuku), Ginza, and Roppongi (esp. in the evening). If you're interested in a taste of "old" Japan you may want to check out popular sights like Emperor's Palace, Asakusa, Meiji Jingu in the day as well.

[abufletcher]

Obviously what you'll enjoy doing in Tokyo will depend on what you like doing in general.

The crowds and bright lights of Shikjuku are indeed fun for the first timer but not much fun if you're on your own. Ditto Roppongi. I've probably been to Tokyo about 15 times over a 20 year period (most of those in the last year) and so I've seen the basic sights. Harajuku is fun for about an hour. Yoyogi park is good on a weekend -- as is Ueno park. At this point I can have as much fun going to the Ueno zoo and watching Japanese kids react to the elephants as seeing odd teen fashion in Shibuya.

Another very nice laid back activity is to browse through the little used and antique book shops in the Kanda area. Last time I was there I picked up a ink-block printed "manga" from the Meiji era for a couple of bucks.

I wouldn't particularly waste my time visiting temples in Tokyo. I'd like to get to see the Tsukuji fish market but it's always closed on the weekend which has been when I'm in town. Akihabara is generally only interesting if you're an electronics freak (what male isn't). It's funny to see all the upscale women piling off the Metro at the Ginza station and all the guys getting off in Akihabara. Maid cafes are the current geek fashion in Akihabara but I'd guess that unless you're Japanese you probably won't get much of a thrill out of having a woman in a maid costume call you Master as she serves you coffee.

I'd welcome any suggestions for things to do on a Sunday morning as that's when I have the most free time.

[abufletcher]

Obviously what you'll enjoy doing in Tokyo will depend on what you like doing in general.

The crowds and bright lights of Shikjuku are indeed fun for the first timer but not much fun if you're on your own. Ditto Roppongi. I've probably been to Tokyo about 15 times over a 20 year period (most of those in the last year) and so I've seen the basic sights. Harajuku is fun for about an hour. Yoyogi park is good on a weekend -- as is Ueno park. At this point I can have as much fun going to the Ueno zoo and watching Japanese kids react to the elephants as seeing odd teen fashion in Shibuya.

Another very nice laid back activity is to browse through the little used and antique book shops in the Kanda area. Last time I was there I picked up a ink-block printed "manga" from the Meiji era for a couple of bucks.

I wouldn't particularly waste my time visiting temples in Tokyo. I'd like to get to see the Tsukuji fish market but it's always closed on the weekend which has been when I'm in town. Akihabara is generally only interesting if you're an electronics freak (what male isn't). It's funny to see all the upscale women piling off the Metro at the Ginza station and all the guys getting off in Akihabara. Maid cafes are the current geek fashion in Akihabara but I'd guess that unless you're Japanese you probably won't get much of a thrill out of having a woman in a maid costume call you Master as she serves you coffee.

I'd welcome any suggestions for things to do on a Sunday morning as that's when I have the most free time.

[Big John Stud]

I like either Ikebukuro or Shinjuku. Nice ratio of Guijins and Japanese. Most Japanese are very friendly and speak some English. There is a British Pub in both places. The one in Ikebukuro is near the station by the East exit and it is a great place to drink beer while socializing. Just about every restaurant and Izakawa in both areas are very good! Finding a cheap hotel in Shinjuku may be difficult. There are many cheap hotels in Ikebukuro though.

[here_now]

Great advice from everyone...I really appreciate all the contributions...you are helping us plan a good itinerary!

...Abufletcher (I see somebody's spent some time in the Middle East!) I'm especially interested in the antique bookstores...I am definitely checking those out..

As for Shninjuku and maid bars...considering am female (they'd have to call me mistress!) and going with a female friend...not too sure it's my cup of tea.. I would still like to check out Shinjuku just like you check out the red light district in Amsterdam...is it weird though to have two foreign women wandering the streets of Shinjuku in the evening?
As for temples, I think I've seen enough of them....so unless one is particularly special, I don't think it's worth fitting in our tight schedule..

we've booked a room at the Shiba Park hotel .... anyone's stayed there before?

[Big John Stud]

here_now wrote:

Great advice from everyone...I really appreciate all the contributions...you are helping us plan a good itinerary! ...Abufletcher (I see somebody's spent some time in the Middle East!) I'm especially interested in the antique bookstores...I am definitely checking those out.. As for Shninjuku and maid bars...considering am female (they'd have to call me mistress!) and going with a female friend...not too sure it's my cup of tea.. I would still like to check out Shinjuku just like you check out the red light district in Amsterdam...is it weird though to have two foreign women wandering the streets of Shinjuku in the evening? As for temples, I think I've seen enough of them....so unless one is particularly special, I don't think it's worth fitting in our tight schedule.. we've booked a room at the Shiba Park hotel .... anyone's stayed there before?

You be surprised of how many foreign women wonder around Shinjuku late into the evening. Don't worry! Just have a good time. If you like good draft beer stop by Kirin City it is close to the station. The food there is good too. Exit through My City.

[Yaya]

How much should one allocate in budget per day in Tokyo? I was in Osaka in 1998 but I had a place to stay.

How much is a beer at a bar and stuff?

[Sweetsee]

Beers are from 500-1000 yen.

[Gordon]