Korean Job Discussion Forums

[hexagonsun]

Flight is booked, but advice is needed. Lonely Planet has been combed over.

I'm heading out to Japan right after Christmas for 7 days. I'm going to to Kyoto right away for 3 days then head back up to Tokyo on the 30th for 4 days.

I think I got Kyoto pretty much figured out with accommodation. Tokyo, on the other hand is a mindf**k. Considering it is New Years some of the places I've researched are already booked up or out of the way (K's Hostel, Oak, Sakura and a few others). I researched the whole hostel world site and am considering a capsule for a night or two. Not all four nights.

Does anyone have any reliable, centrally located places to stay in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Akasaka? Doesn't have to be a hostel either. Advice on hostels, Ryokan, or business hotels in those areas would be ideal (names or websites). A ryokan that doesn't have a ridiculous curfew at 11pm perhaps? Near the Yamanote Line too.

Also, I'm probably going to purchase the JR Pass for the simple reason a one way ticket to Kyoto is $181 and I can use it in Tokyo as well. Another question is, how packed will these trains be that time of year? I want to shoot back up to Tokyo on the 30th, will I get bumped out of a seat? Is it possible to just stand for the 2.5 hours if the train is booked up (You could do that with the eurorail)? Has anyone experienced this? Can you reserve seats with the JR Pass in advance?

Thank you.