I'm thinking of going to Japan.?

Question

I want to take advantage of my 8 day trip to Japan. What are the "must see" places in Japan??

I'm thinking of staying in the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Tokyo. Any feedback on this hotel? Once I get to the airport, how do I pay the cab? U.S. dollars? do they accept U.S. dollars in Japan? I would also like to know what is the best way to get around... Thanks

Answer 1

Having recently gotten back from Japan, I will give you a few tips on things.

I don't know about the hotel you are staying at, but the name 'sounds' expensive, expect a room smaller than you would in another country.

Places to see, Akihabara on a Sunday is a geek heaven, budding idols standing in the middle of the main street (they close it down on sundays) singing with hundreds of otaku snapping photos of the budding starlets, while they sing, dance, and pass out promotional items for whatever they are promoting. Also hundreds of shops selling anime/manga/figures/video games, music, gadgets, lots of duty free shops. It is definitely a shopping town.
If you are not into electronics, and more into fashion, instead go to Harajuku, Yoyogi park on Sunday, thats where tons of teens go, showing off their different fashions. some of which are quite strange.
Tokyo Tower, Imperial Gardens, asakusa temple (i think thats the name) riding the water taxi, watching rush hour at Shinjuku Station, posing for a photo with Colonel Sanders at any KFC, eating a burger at Mos Burger, Visiting the Ghibli Museum if you are into anime, There are so many things to do in Japan, its amazing.

Don't take a taxi, extremely expensive, instead ride one of the buses into tokyo, or take the skyliner service, both will run you about 20 bucks and take 80 minutes to get you into town. Best way by far to get around is via Japan's train system, its extremely efficient, trains run every few minutes, and in more than a month there, I only saw a train late by 1 minute once. Print a copy of this out before you go, http://www.tokyometro.jp/rosen/rosenzu/pdf/rosen_eng.pdf its a map of how a good portion of the Japanese subway system works, where connections are, and the like. If the fare system confuses you, always buy the cheapest ticket, and use the fare adjustment machine when you get off where you are going. you can also use http://www.zone81.com/arch_sections/trains or a site like it to figure out what trains to take on your journey.

As far as money, your dollars are going to be pretty much useless, before you leave you can ask your bank to exchange some usd to yen, also in the airports there are kiosks that do the same. rates may vary, I never had to, however there are atms that take american debit cards in Japan, and give you yen in return. be aware that many stores do not take credit cards as it is a very cash based society (however big stores usually take them)

Answer 2

Must See Places in Tokyo:

1. Tokyo Tower
2. Harajuku
3. Shibuya
4. Shinjuku
5. Ikebukuro
6. Meiji Shrine
7. Kabukicho
8. Ueno
9. Akihabara
10. Asakusa
11. Tsukiji Fish Market

As Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel is near to Shibuya JR Station, you can just take the Airport Limousine Bus from Narita Airport, and it will bring you directly to your hotel. You can get the bus tickets from the airport customer service counters. The whole journey would take about 85mins and costs only 3000yen. Definitely cheaper than taking a cab.
Check out the websites below:

Answer 3

I don't think you should take a cab. It will be expensive. Take a limousine bus from Narita Airport to the Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel. (It takes about 110 min.) Or you can take the Narita Express from Narita Airport to Shinjuku( it takes about 80 min.), then change to the Yamanote Line to Shibuya Station.The Hotel is 6 minutes walk from the station. You should change some money at the airport or a bank.
It depends on what you want to do in Tokyo. You can join some tours there. Ask the Hotel some information. I would personally suggest Edo-Tokyo Museum.

Have fun!

Answer 4

I have been to Japan twice this year, and am going back next week, for two weeks. I am also going skiing over the weekend. If there is no special reason to stay at that hotel, or in that area of Tokyo, then I would suggest a change. That hotel is quite expensive. There are a number of hotels in Shinjuku for slightly less or maybe much less. I stay at the Century Hyatt Shinjuku, and I love it. Shinjuku is a great starting point for seeing the city, and is on the Narita Express line from the airport. Cabs are good for short trips in the immediate area of the hotels, but the trains and subway are much cheaper and easier for any distance, if you can figure them out.

If you are staying in Tokyo itself, there is much to see, although many other smaller cities are beautiful, as others have said here. A great thing to do is to go to the concierge or the travel desk at your hotel, and sign up for a half-day or full-day bus tour of Tokyo. This is a great overview of the city. I was very glad I did that my first day!

A lot depends on your age, your gender, and the time of year you go, but Tokyo is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, and the nightlife is fantastic.

Feel free to email me if you need help or have questions. [e-mail]

Answer 5

I do think too many people are interested in Japan from a misplaced idea that the entire country is just as crazy as they are about anime/manga/video games. I know that I was very hesitant to take Japanese or admit I like Japanese (I still am) because of people like that. Most people don't seem to actually like Japan, but instead their own concept of the country. I think if a number of these people did actually go to Japan, they'd be sorely disappointed. People are also poorly educated concerning geography and thus forget about a number of countries in Asia, in my experience (such as the fact that the "Middle East" & India are in fact on the continent of Asia). I also feel that, at the moment, the most news/media coverage of Asia in a positive light is focused on Japan. I'd say it's the current "flavor" for Asian countries. So, I wouldn't really call it overrated, rather misunderstood. It's peoples' opinions of Japan that are "overrated."

Answer 6

Hey! I spent a short week in Japan as well, and i must tell you i ran out of money when i was there. Bring lots of yen with you! It's a pricey place!

I agree with Horticulturegirl, see Kyoto! the temples tehre are beautiful, and there is a very geisha filled atmosphere walking around the streets at nite. Squeeze in a tea ceremony if you can. Get yourself to an arcade just once! they ahve these great photo booths you can stand and dance around in and get photo stickers of yourself in!!

We saw mount fuji and made the climb from the 5th station! it was a REAL challenge!!!!! the trails were all still closed except for ONE due to snow (the trails only open up in july!!) we took a very expensive cab AROUND the mount to the one trail that was open! it was an incredible journey! if you are travelling in the summer you must do this climb!

Answer 7

I only lived in the Kansai area of Japan, but I enjoyed Kyoto, Nara, Himeji castle, Hiroshima--Miyajima Island, and Takayama. Also, Izumo. Of course, some places I've mentioned are far apart, so you'll have to plot your course. Tokyo is fun but hectic. If you want old Japan, then I'd suggest Nara, Kyoto and Takayama. They aren't too far apart, if you take the train. Nagoya is a fun but smaller city, and Osaka is larger and known for its food. For example, you could arrive in Osaka, go to Nara, then head back for Kyoto, Nagoya, and Takayama by train. It all depends on what you want. Have a great time! I miss living there. The food is great. Don't forget to take in a hot springs (an onsen).

Answer 8

As for "must see" places in Japan, I'd add Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They are middle size quite cities, not hectic like Tokyo or Osaka, good to enjoy everyday Japanese life. There are many historic and cultural places to visit. And they are the only place on this planet to learn misery of nukes.

Answer 9

Don`t go by taxi it is way too expensive. Take the Narita express into Tokyo. Taxi drivers don`t take U.S. dollar you can change money at the airport. Most Taxi drivers can`t speak English so becareful. There is so much to see in Tokyo. Check out Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Odaiba. If you are interested in temples and shrines go to Nikko or Asakusa. If you want to relax at a hot spring go to Hakkone. If you want to travel around the country be sure to buy a Japanese rail pass before you go as the Shinkansen(bullet train) is very expensive if you don`t have one. Have a fun trip

Answer 10

The cheapest and efficient way is to buy the JR pass from your country before you going to Japan. Check this website.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/
You can buy a week or 14 days pass which you can take unlimited times of Japan Railway within the same province. You can also use this pass for the airport transfer.