Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cj1976]

I'm thinking about taking a short break (3 days) in Tokyo during winter vacation. Any tips on things to do/see while I'm there?

[crash]

The area around Asakusa is pretty good for sightseeing and basic tourist type shopping if you're into that. Tokyo Tower is rather overrated but if you're just there for three days why not check it out. Recommend hanging out around some of the bigger stations, Shibuya or Shinjuku, for the crowds and shopping. Hit up Rappongi for a night out. The area around Tsukiji and Higashi Ginza has some pretty good sushi restaurants although it is Tokyo so good restaurants aren't too hard to find.

Subways are expensive though so you might want to look into a Japan Rail Pass if you think you'll be moving around a lot. You could even catch the shinkansen to Kyoto or Osaka for a day if you'd like to see more of Japan while you were there.

Accomodations aren't too cheap but check around online for some deals of ryokans or hostels. Would be a good idea to get a reservation in advance.

Hope you have a good trip. Cheers!

[Masta_Don]

If you go to Tokyo Tower (meh) then make sure you go to the cemetery for aborted and stillborn fetuses at the temple right next door. Some of the best outdoor sex I've had. It even inspired me to do a little painting in memory of the event.

[whatever]

Give me a break, over three days subways aren't expensive in the least. They get expensive if you live there (as did I).

Skip Roppongi. That is, unless you are planning to visit Japan with the intention of hanging out with a bunch of other foreigners.

Asakusa is also overrated. It's probably the third or fourth most visit-worthy temple grounds in Tokyo. Just go hit up the Meiji-jingu shrine near Harajuku, and you'll be right next to much better shopping and a quick walk to Shibuya, Aoyama, Ebisu, Hiroo or Daikanyama...the latter of which has the best electronic music clubs, if you're interested.

And for god's sake, don't consider staying at a ryokan in Tokyo, because...brace yourself...they don't exist. That's a countryside thing. Screw a hostel, as well. Stay at love hotels. Some of the most interesting ones can be found near Shibuya Stn.

Bunk advice, crash...

[crash]

"bunk advice" seems a little harsh if OP is only visiting for three days. Just giving a few ideas of the some of the easier things to do in Tokyo, especially for the first time. I've visited there a bunch of times but don't have the experience of someone who has lived there such as you, whatever, although i did live in Japan too. I'm sure OP will take all opinions into account and hopefully has a good time.

[Masta_Don]

[cj1976]

Some good info there. Is Tokyo the kind of place I can go to and find accommodation without booking in advance? I was thinking about having a few beers, but I've heard it's really expensive for booze. Is this true?

[bucheon bum]

i didn't find booze to be that expensive but I didn't go to roppongi or any nightclubs. Prices at low-key bars were actually lower than what I've found in some western cities (most notably SF and NYC).

If you stay at a hostel, book in advance. Japan is the only country where I've had to make reservations for places to stay. I stayed at the Oak Hotel, 1,800 yen for a dorm room. I think it has singles for 6,000 yen or so.

[Masta_Don]

Alcohol is cheap at the local hof-esque places, where they serve beer, whiskey and anju. Other than that, it's expensive. It took me nearly two months to find a bar where I could get a drink less than 800Yen (except Gas Panic during happy hour). And that was some dinky place called Shortstop in Roppongi.

[whatever]

[SeoulShakin]

If you're around Tokyo tower at night, it's quite a sight, but it's not cheap to go up the tower to the observation deck. Instead, we went to the metropolitan government buildings to the FREE observation deck, which offered a great view of the city, and on REALLY clear days, a distant view of Mt. Fuji.

Harajuku had some great shopping and people watching opportunities, and the Meiji shrine was good. We also went to the temple in Asakusa on Buddha's birthday, so it was a really busy place. That area is alright if you want the typical touristy souvenirs to send home to people.

We also got up really early one morning to go to the fish market to check out the action. It was pretty insane, and a HUGE area. When we finished around there, we had a sushi and sake breakfast.

Just go to the lonelyplanet website, or google "things to do in Tokyo" and you'll have a huge list of things to do.