TimeOut

Hello guys!

I've already sent off a PM to Ken (KIH) asking for his advice, but I was wondering if anybody else would have advice for great things to do in Japan during a very short trip (June 3rd-8th) to Japan. 

Favorite restaurants? Favorite museums? Favorite entertainments? I probably shouldn't be buying any watches at this point, so it's best not to tempt myself too much on that front...

Regards,

Jon

I've only been to Tokyo, we stayed at the Conrad which I highly recommend.  It's conveniently located in the Shidome area, right next to Ginza and Tsukiji.  Some quick links below, more if you use the 'SEARCH' function and specifically in the TimeOut forum section:

An amazing dinner and entertainment at Waentei-Kikko (the chef owner Fukui Kodai is one of the rare instructors and master of the traditional Japanese instrument, the Tsu-garu Shamisen.  Staff and owner were so wonderful as was the meal:

timeout.watchprosite.com

fellow Purist 'cen@jkt' trip to Japan: 

timeout.watchprosite.com

Had some of the best sushi at Kyubey in Ginza and the sushi breakfast at Sushi Dai inside Tsukiji Market was well worth the wait:

www.network54.com

PuristS on Tour Tokyo:

timeout.watchprosite.com

Recent recommendation for accommodations:

timeout.watchprosite.com

ED-209's review on Din Tai Fung in Tokyo:
www.network54.com .

Tea Ceremony at Hamarikyu Garden:

www.network54.com

We did a city tour that is half day (they offer full day as well), it was a good way to check out some of the major landmarks of the city (the Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Tower, Imperial Castle, Roppongi, and Akihabara)  We also took the Waterbus that is at the Park next to the Conrad down to the Asakusa, along the way it passes over several colorful bridges.











This message has been edited by DRMW on 2013-05-19 15:46:55

Thank you for the very helpful reply...so many great things to do there.

We flew into and out of Narita as well.  Very friendly staff at Narita, even more so when you compare them to TSA!  LOL.  Sounds like you got quite a few days.  Akihabara is very interesting.  Lots of neon and lights, they got all kinds of electronics and if you like robots/anime/sci-fi stuff it's all there.  There were girls dressed up like cartoon characters passing out flyers. 

Note: TM and ED-209 were my tour guides...

Yep, TM and ED-209 took me to these places...

We hit up a Ramen shop, perfect as it was a cold and rainy day when we went.  It's inexpensive and really hit the spot plus you got to experience slurping a big bowl of noodles (don't be embarrassed to slurp, everyone there does it!)  You buy a ticket outside and go in (usually it's a narrow place and you grab an open barstool) and eat your food. 

We went to this giant electronics store, stopped by the Nikon boutique, went inside a Pachinko parlor (this is what is inside of the bikini girl statue shown above):

Near the trains run, they have this long row of tiny restaurants, it's where locals go after work to drink and eat bar type food.  One place even had horse meat on the menu.  We were the only non locals around there and just pointed to things on the menu that we wanted to eat and drink, quite the local experience!

For Shabu-Shabu, we also did Rengetsu.  They have different grades of Wagyu beef and it was delicious.  The only thing is finding specific places was a bit difficult.  Even though you have the address, the store or restaurant you are looking for is in the basement or up in the building.  Luckily the subway is convenient to get around.    Downstairs of the department store are where the supermarkets are, it's crazy to see the produce, everything is perfectly wrapped and looks too good to eat.  I wanted to buy some of this and take home to cook:

Master Chef of Kyubey in Ginza:

Meiji Shrine:

Tokyo Tower...

Dang, when searching thru my external harddrive of my Tokyo pics for this post, you make we want to book a trip right now!

Hope this helps.  If it does, you can return the favor and share your travel photos and experiences in Tokyo with the rest of us on the TimeOut forum.  Also, I'm sure others will chime in on their recommendations.  Have fun and enjoy your trip, you're going to have a great time out there!!!

-MW

You provide very few details.  

On something of a whim, I decided to use a spare week to visit Japan from my home in Philadelphia.  Initially, other than the plane ticket, I had no plans...but with the help of Ken (KIH), DRMW, and other great Purists, I'm working out some details.

I debated going to Kyoto, but decided I really couldn't do even a half-way passable job of both Kyoto and Tokyo, so I'll stay in the Tokyo and make a day excursion to Kamakura for some exposure to more historic Japan. 

As my flight is arriving into Narita rather late, I will spend the first night there and visit the Narita-san Shinshō-ji the following morning.  I will then make my way into the city proper.

I was thinking of trying to economize on my hotel and got a good recommendation from Ken.  In the end, though, I decided to get something a little nicer and saw good reviews of The Capitol Hotel Tokyu in the Chiyoda neighborhood, next to the national government buildings.

It's fun to put together plans for trips, but one always worries about everything that must be left out.

Regards,

Jon