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[eIn0791207912]

Hi all,

I teach English in Seoul, Korea. I'm getting a new teaching visa soon, so that means I have to make the good old visa run to Tokyo for 2days/1night.

I'm trying to plan a pretty fun trip, but have no idea where to start. I don't want to overload myself and try to squeeze in too much. But I also don't want to get over there with nothing planned and just end up walking around and getting bored.

So, what would be a few good things I could check out in Tokyo for 2 days? Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Apsara]

Start with a site like http://www.japan-guide.com and look at the suggestions for Tokyo, and then build a plan based around your interests- e.g. more cultural sights like Sensoji temple, Meiji shrine, the Imperial Palace and various gardens, or Shibuya and Harajuku if you're into modern, quirky Japan, Akihabara if you're into electronics, Ueno and elsewhere for museums, or Disneyland/DisneySea- there is a lot to do and you only have two days, so you will have to narrow it down a bit.

[Bread]

http://www.hellodamage.com/top/tokyo-tour-guide/

[aynnej]

What are your interests? If you like the outdoors and hiking, you can go to Mt. Takao on the west side of Tokyo. There's also a beer garden and pretty ornate shrine there. On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji from the summit. If you're feeling really adventurous, you can climb Mt. Takao (about 1.5 hrs -- maybe 400 meters?), then hike over to Mt. Jimba. It's maybe 12 km. Then descend to the nearest town (sorry, can't remember the name, but there are signs) and take a bus to Hachioji. From there, you can get back on the Tokyo train system (JR or Keio).

If you're into clubbing, go to Shibuya and or Roppongi. Roppongi has a reputation for being the crazy-foreigner-place, and there are some sleazy clubs. But there are some good ones, too. Keep in mind that the trains stop running in Tokyo somewhere between 11:45 p.m. and 1:30 a.m., depending on the line and location. The clubs don't really start hopping until around them. So, make sure you're where you want to be when the trains stop running, or are prepared to take a cab.

Roppongi Hills during the day/evening is actually a pretty nice place. The highlight is Mori Tower -- high-rise with a good view.

Ginza has all the high-end designer shops.

For casual shopping, check out Harajuku and Shimokitazawa.

Most of the museums are located in Ueno --
http://www.nmwa.go.jp/en/index.html
http://www.teien-art-museum.ne.jp/museum/e_index.html
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2764982-ueno_royal_museum_the_tokyo-i;_ylc=X3oDMTFka28zOGNuBF9TAzI3NjY2NzkEX3MDOTY5NTUzMjUEc2VjA3NzcC1kZXN0BHNsawN0aXRsZQ--

For historical sites in Tokyo proper, check out the gardens at the Imperial Palace, and Asakusa. Asakusa also has touristy souvenirs (woodblock prints, geta shoes, etc.).

You could also take in a baseball game. It's a pretty affordable outing if you get the festival seating tickets (maybe 1200 or 1500 yen), and you can bring in your own food and drinks. http://www.baywell.ne.jp/users/drlatham/baseball/seegame/seegame.htm

Hopefully this is enough to get you started. Have fun!

[TokyoLiz]

There are lots of cheap or even free things I recommend.

You could spend a whole day in Shinjuku. Go early in the day, walk west to the Metropolitan Building and you'll find the elevators to the towers in the lobby. I believe it is free to go up there. The view is fantastic.

Walk east of the station a few minutes to Shinjuku Gyoen, the imperial garden. It costs a few hundred yen to go in. You could spend an hour there, or eat a picnic lunch there.

Walking around Shinjuku Station is an experience. It's one of the biggest in the world. You've got all the big department stores, electronic stores right there.

Then, in the evening, I recommend Omoidasu yoko-cho, the drinking holes just next to the Uniclo flagship store This is where Shinjuku salarymen have a drink before going on to the next obligatory drinking party.(Ah, you'll laugh - lots of Korean proprietors and staff there!)

I second aynnej's idea of going to Takaosan for one day. It's an easy hike and the air is fresh.

[wayne432]

[PO1]

I may be in the minority here, but I really liked Ueno. The times I stayed in Tokyo, I stayed there. Ueno Park was great and so were the museums located there. The zoo was also really cool, even though the giant panda wasn't there when I went. It's also extremely close to Akihabara (about a 15-20 minute walk if you don't feel like taking the train) if you want to explore there some.