Tokyo, Japan

[Karizmatik]

I know there are a few other threads with where to go around Osaka, etc, but I couldn't find one for Tokyo alone.

Money / Travel wouldn't usually be an issue for me but my brother is coming along and he is on a bit of a budget, and every time I've mentioned bullet trains down to Hiroshima or the like he's cringed at the price (By the way, does anyone know the actual price for a bullet from Tokyo to Hiroshima or Kyoto? I was only guestimating) to get down there.

So, destinations around Tokyo and within a 1 hour radius I guess I'm after! I'm after Photo spots but also just cool places to go so my brother doesn't go nuts (He's a non-photog, blah)

So, any places people can recommend me? I'd be very, very grateful!!!! :D:D

[DutchOven]

I'm going to be visiting Tokyo as well in June and I'm very excited. I'm also interested in what people have to say. OP, when are you going? thread subscribed!

anyone know any good spots for good pictures?

[Karizmatik]

July 9th to the 23rd :D

[haisai-ojisan]

Nice blog by the way.

Look at about 19,000 yen one way and about 4 hours on the bullet train. That's about 190USD (not sure in A$) with the conversion rate as of today. Who knows how ****ty it'll be in July. Right now 1 USD is 100yen. May want to Google it...
http://www.japanrail.com/
Tokyo to Kyoto is a little cheaper than that around 14,000yen.

Then some travel fares within the city too which can get up there.

My opinion for less spending: I'd easily have to say, hit the back streets of Tokyo for starters (just about any of the 23 wards (especially Shibuya and Shinjuku)). Day or night, you'll find things left and right. Especially if this is your first time here.

If your looking around the area but away from Tokyo, two cities south, Yokohama may be a good choice. It's a personal favorite. From Tokyo station, you can get to Yokohama station within 30 minutes.

Sankeien Garden is a preserved garden with 17th century houses and etc. most brought from Kyoto...i think. It's a small garden but probably a half a day affair. I think the entrance fee is 300yen. May not need to go there if you plan on a Kamakura trip though.

MinatoMirai 21 is more modern. Shopping, port, old warehouses from the 19th century, etc. If timing is good, they've got a lot of festivals and events going on throughout the summer months which are photo worthy too.

Yokohama is celebrating it's 150th year since it opened it's ports to the rest of the world. I think there's events going on throughout starting this month until September-ish. Chances are, you'll be here to catch a few of them.

Anywhoo...Naka-ward in Yokohama alone has a lot to see.

The next city down, Kamakura is a nice place for photogs. Basically a small Kyoto (for the lack of better words). If you were to tour the area for shrines and temples, you'd probably need a week or two. There are well over 100 of them scattered throughout. Some places have an entrance fee...normally around the 300-500yen range. Also, if you don't want to walk, you could rent a bicycle to get around.

Now up north of Tokyo has a few places within an hour too...give or take a few.
Kawagoe in Saitama prefecture is n old town...preserved buildings and so on. Chichibu also in Saitama is an awesome place if you really enjoy nature. But I think it may take more time to go there....can't remember.

Also, Chiba prefecture has an awesome place that I recommend to all new comers. Nokogiri-yama (Nokogiri Mountain or Saw mountain). I am so surprised that this mountain is not a World Heritage. The main buddha and QuanYin are so far the most stunning I've seen...even more so than the Great Buddha here in Kamakura, IMHO.

Also, you may want to consider eating out of the convenience stores. So-so cheap and you can find almost anything. Anyway, I could go on but I've already wrote a book. I hope this helps!

[john-in-japan]

Check Japan Rail Pass. Might be a bargain. Not sold here in Japan.
I live maybe 50 minurtes from Nokogiriyama. Happy to guide you. Oyama Senmaida
(1000 rice paddies also close by me).

[Karizmatik]

Nice blog by the way.

Thanks, haha.

My opinion for less spending: I'd easily have to say, hit the back streets of Tokyo for starters (just about any of the 23 wards (especially Shibuya and Shinjuku)). Day or night, you'll find things left and right. Especially if this is your first time here.

I'm actually staying in Shinjuku! So that's great to know.

Yokohama is celebrating it's 150th year since it opened it's ports to the rest of the world. I think there's events going on throughout starting this month until September-ish. Chances are, you'll be here to catch a few of them.

Sounds great!

Also, Chiba prefecture has an awesome place that I recommend to all new comers. Nokogiri-yama (Nokogiri Mountain or Saw mountain). I am so surprised that this mountain is not a World Heritage. The main buddha and QuanYin are so far the most stunning I've seen...even more so than the Great Buddha here in Kamakura, IMHO.

I'm definitely going to this!

Also, you may want to consider eating out of the convenience stores. So-so cheap and you can find almost anything. Anyway, I could go on but I've already wrote a book. I hope this helps!

Yeah, a friend of mine recommend this also -- Is this simply because eating out is so expensive? Is it really expensive? Or a typical night out at any restaurant(Regardless of country) ?

Thanks heaps! It does help alot.

Check Japan Rail Pass. Might be a bargain. Not sold here in Japan.
I live maybe 50 minurtes from Nokogiriyama. Happy to guide you. Oyama Senmaida
(1000 rice paddies also close by me).

Wow, what an offer John! Thank you so much. I'll definitely keep you in mind as I'll be in Japan for 2 weeks so once I get lost I'll probably give you a PM haha!

[liannallama]

We went 4 years ago and we got a JR (Japan Rail) pass for about $400 that let us use any train as much as we wanted for 2 weeks. So we were able to take the Shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo, and we also took it to Hiroshima and it was like getting all the rest of our rail travel for free the whole time we were there. They sell them at US travel agencies, but I don't know if you can get them where you are. You have to be a foreigner to Japan and not living there to get one.

There's plenty of fabulous things to see in Tokyo! Two things I wanted to see but missed was Big Buddha at Kamakura and the temple at Nikko. They are both day trips from Tokyo. If you can afford it at all, go south to Miyajima--it is truly the most magical and beautiful place in Japan.

[tonydee]

Rail pass is good. There's also a deal at Narita where you just a fraction more than the fair for the Narita express into town they throw in a "Suica" electronic rail pass with 1500 yen credit on it. They're convenient around Tokyo as you don't need to find out the exact fare for every train journey.

haisai-ojisan's provides a mass of excellent advice, though I must say I was unimpressed by Yokohama's sankeien garden... maybe wrong time of year or something. I'd particularly recommend Hase-Kannon in Kamakura and nihon-ji / nokogiri-yama... both fabulous. In Kamakura, once you've seen Hase-Kannon and the Daibutsu (Big Buddha), I'd suggest taking the train or hiking route to Kita (north) Kamakura as there are a concentration of interesting temples there. Of the gardens inside Tokyo, I quite like kiyosumi teien. Nikko's great but a few hours each way and a couple changes: train to train, train to bus. Hakone's another great place for a day trip or overnighter, but takes a couple hours to get to. Lots of pics of all the above on my linked gallery, but might constitute spoilers depending on your attitude....

Cheers, Tony

[anygirl]

I spent about a year in Japan and found that some of the usual touristy spots were interesting. Harajuku/Omotesando/Meiji Shrine or Sensoji Temple in Asakusa are all busy with plenty to check out. Shinjuku Gyoen was a relaxing respite during a busy day in the city. For a day trip, aside from Yokohama (check out Chinatown) and Kamakura (which I'd also recommend), I'd suggest a trip up to Nikko. It could probably be done in a day and there's plenty to see (temples, mountains, etc). Definitely look into the JR Pass. Depending on how long you'll be there and how much you'll travel, one of the passes could save a bundle. Have a great trip!

[Karizmatik]

Thanks people!

I'll definitely be adding all this to my diary so I have a place to go every day!

Are there many Travelex, banks or places you can exchange foreign currency or is it best to do it before I leave? I just don't want to be carrying around a few thousand $ in yen with me lol.

[DutchOven]

Came back from Tokyo a few weeks ago and all I have to say is that it was amazing. I love Japan. Here's a shot from Tokyo Disneyland:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3710513041_cda32eaa57_o.jpg

Tokyo Imperial Palace:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3433/3711406426_d62281a07c_o.jpg

View of Shinjuku District from hotel room:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3711468586_1b03b5e8a3_o.jpg

The famous Shibuya crossing:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3711468196_29b313162a_o.jpg

[john-in-japan]

Great Shots DutchO -
For All - We have some great ex-pat shooters in the Tokyo area (and Nagoya + points south), so let us know when you are in town next. "Anyone Living in Japan?" thread is quite active. Next shoot is probably 2 August - Nokogiri Mountain - stay tuned for details.
Always happy to help a visitor with a camera.
Cheers,
John

[kobel4k3r5]

I stayed in Shinjyuku just 2 weeks ago for 5 days. Didn't go out of Tokyo though. I lived quite well with only $500 to spend on food and metro passes. Try to avoid the taxis cause they are quite pricey and only do it if you are really lazy. I would've been able to live with an even lower budget if it wasn't for the foot massages cause there was a lot of walking for me.

[advaitin]

Truly and deeply love the place, but not necessarily the cities. If I could choose how to end my days, I'd wander from hot springs to hot springs in Tohoku and sampling the local shochu, saki and wines. When the time arrived my bones would burn very nicely.

[nihsahs]

If your looking around the area but away from Tokyo, two cities south, Yokohama may be a good choice. It's a personal favorite. From Tokyo station, you can get to Yokohama station within 30 minutes.

etc.


+1 on Yokohama. I love Yokohama! Haisai-Ojisan speaks many truths.

I would also add as an option, Hakone, which would be a really fun day trip. A day pass from Shinjuku costs about 5500 yen if I remember, and includes rides on cable cars, ropeways, and a pirate ship. Beautiful views of Mt. Fuji.

Kind of wordy, but if you can get past that, I have some stuff on my blog from a recent trip (we also stayed in Shinjuku): http://harispoteris.blogspot.com/search/label/japan.

Hope you have a blast!
n

[Karizmatik]

I stayed in Shinjyuku just 2 weeks ago for 5 days. Didn't go out of Tokyo though. I lived quite well with only $500 to spend on food and metro passes. Try to avoid the taxis cause they are quite pricey and only do it if you are really lazy. I would've been able to live with an even lower budget if it wasn't for the foot massages cause there was a lot of walking for me.

Wow, thats amazing! I am having trouble staying under $1000 and I have only been here 7 days haha. Too many nights on the Asahi I think.

It is summer here at the moment, very hot -- Been walking around a fair bit, seen a few parks, akeyomo markets and the like, went to the Temple in Asakusa - Very nice. And also the ones in Ueno Park. Having fun so far! Going to the Tsukiji Fish Markets on Tuesday with a local, should be good too.

I have decided to stay within the Tokyo area as there seems to be enough to do.

[DutchOven]

Hey Karizmatik, so how did your trip go? Got any pics to show yet?

[Karizmatik]

Sure do. Once I run em' through Lightroom and what-not I'll throw em' up.

[DAUMO]

i am so going to japan!

[Karizmatik]

You can catch a few images on from my trip on my blog

http://kmatik.blogspot.com/2009/07/picturesssss-travel.html

I'll be adding more everytime I finish em'. I'm a bit busy right now, so only a few every few days are going up.

[DutchOven]

Great pics! Did you use the 17-55is most of the time?

[Karizmatik]

Nope, didn't even take it. Just my UWA (10-20) and 50.

[CustomMinds]

Nice pic from Starbucks Dutch! :-)

[BCBryce]

I ended up hiding in starbucks to get out of the rain there, I was so happy to be dry, taking out my camera didn't even dawn on me. :cry:

I was in Japan and Korea in May, gallery below if anyone is interested. I actually really enjoyed Nikko myself.

http://www.bryceburnip.com/gallery/8334862_iDwWC



Nice pic from Starbucks Dutch! :-)

[oomus]

here are couple shots from our trip last February
One is off the 28th floor from the balcony of our hotel overlooking the Neon district.

The other is of the Olympus building in downtown Tokyo