Japan?

Hi, I'm considering visiting Japan next year, Tokyo, I think starting in Shinjuku. Any info would be welcomed, I'm being put off by statements like "It's too hot" "It's too busy" "It's too expensive" but I also read all these things can be avoided. I'll be travelling alone. Any body got any info on tokyo, or Shinjuku?

I was in Tokyo many years ago now, but am heading back this fall. What season are you planning on going? Summer is very hot and humid, the Fall (Sept/Oct)can be quite wet, and Winters are cool (although above freezing for the most part). We will be there in Nov - average daily temp is the mid teens (C), which is MUCH better than what we are normally used to for mid Nov. at home. Spring/late fall are generally considered to be the best times to visit.

Tokyo is crowded and busy - but so are alot of cities. Don't let that put you off.

Tokyo can be expensive - however, if you like Japanese food, it is possible to eat relatively cheaply. Hotel restaurants are very pricy, as are some of the top end restaurants. Convenience stores (seriously!) like 7-11 offer pre-packaged meals that are decent and reasonably priced. Many restaurants also have large displays in their windows of the meals being served, which can help with the ordering process. If you can't read the menu, you can always point at what you want! Western style food can also be found on the cheap - and is becoming much more prevalent.

Shinjuku is amazing. When I was there, we were put up in one of the hotels in the area. If you are looking at saving money, you may want to see what is available in terms of hostels in or around the area.

While Shinjuku seems to come alive after dark (including some of the seedier areas, which are still safer than some areas of North American cities during the day - still, use common sense), there is a fair bit to see and do, plus Shinjuku station and the subway system (fairly well laid out and easy to learn) can get you almost anywhere you might want to go. The subway lines also will accept pre-paid subway cards (Pasmo? card, IIRC) which make using the system easy (and save fumbling for the correct change).

Highlights:

The Imperial Palace and Ginza (especially at night)
Akhibara - great if you're into Anime or electronics
Shibuya
Asakusa Canon temple

We are also planning on seeing Tsukiji Fish Market, the Tokyo Aquarium, and the National Museum in Ueno Park this time around.

In terms of planning - get a decent guide book and a copy of the Tokyo City Street Atlas. The guide book should give you ideas of what to see, the street atlas will help you find it (pretty important, as Tokyo's streets are not always marked).

HTH

Tokyo does not have to be expensive at all. In fact if you plan ahead and get advice from people that have been there on a tight budget, they will tell you the same. There are some excellent hostels in the capital that charge less than €20 a night for a bed and there is breakfast with that as well.
What is your budget?

I'm a Shibuya-lover and it's only one stop from Shinjuku. I usually stay at Sakura Hostel in Asakusa which is the more historic area of Tokyo. That will help you save a few yen. Tokyo is crowded but that is what makes it unique and wonderful. I can guarantee you will probably visit a lot of other places than Shinjuku. Odaiba is a cool Edo themed onsen world, I never went to the Ghibli museum but that comes as a recommendation...How long will you be in Japan? You should check out more than just Tokyo if you will be there any longer than a week.

Quoting sarahjapan

I'm a Shibuya-lover and it's only one stop from Shinjuku. I usually stay at Sakura Hostel in Asakusa which is the more historic area of Tokyo. That will help you save a few yen. Tokyo is crowded but that is what makes it unique and wonderful. I can guarantee you will probably visit a lot of other places than Shinjuku. Odaiba is a cool Edo themed onsen world, I never went to the Ghibli museum but that comes as a recommendation...How long will you be in Japan? You should check out more than just Tokyo if you will be there any longer than a week.

Hi, thanks for the advice, I'll be there around 8 days I think, depending on my budget at the time. is train travel cheap?

Quoting BedouinLeo

Tokyo does not have to be expensive at all. In fact if you plan ahead and get advice from people that have been there on a tight budget, they will tell you the same. There are some excellent hostels in the capital that charge less than €20 a night for a bed and there is breakfast with that as well.
What is your budget?

Not too sure of budget yet, but hoping to take around £80 a day.

Quoting GrantV

I was in Tokyo many years ago now, but am heading back this fall. What season are you planning on going? Summer is very hot and humid, the Fall (Sept/Oct)can be quite wet, and Winters are cool (although above freezing for the most part). We will be there in Nov - average daily temp is the mid teens (C), which is MUCH better than what we are normally used to for mid Nov. at home. Spring/late fall are generally considered to be the best times to visit.

Tokyo is crowded and busy - but so are alot of cities. Don't let that put you off.

Tokyo can be expensive - however, if you like Japanese food, it is possible to eat relatively cheaply. Hotel restaurants are very pricy, as are some of the top end restaurants. Convenience stores (seriously!) like 7-11 offer pre-packaged meals that are decent and reasonably priced. Many restaurants also have large displays in their windows of the meals being served, which can help with the ordering process. If you can't read the menu, you can always point at what you want! Western style food can also be found on the cheap - and is becoming much more prevalent.

Shinjuku is amazing. When I was there, we were put up in one of the hotels in the area. If you are looking at saving money, you may want to see what is available in terms of hostels in or around the area.

While Shinjuku seems to come alive after dark (including some of the seedier areas, which are still safer than some areas of North American cities during the day - still, use common sense), there is a fair bit to see and do, plus Shinjuku station and the subway system (fairly well laid out and easy to learn) can get you almost anywhere you might want to go. The subway lines also will accept pre-paid subway cards (Pasmo? card, IIRC) which make using the system easy (and save fumbling for the correct change).

Highlights:

The Imperial Palace and Ginza (especially at night)
Akhibara - great if you're into Anime or electronics
Shibuya
Asakusa Canon temple

We are also planning on seeing Tsukiji Fish Market, the Tokyo Aquarium, and the National Museum in Ueno Park this time around.

In terms of planning - get a decent guide book and a copy of the Tokyo City Street Atlas. The guide book should give you ideas of what to see, the street atlas will help you find it (pretty important, as Tokyo's streets are not always marked).

HTH

This is great advice thanks, I think my mind is made up, Tokyo it is next year.

I'm Japanese woman , live in Tokyo & working in Shinjuku.
You had better not to get on any trains from 8 to 9 a.m. weekdays in Tokyo.
If you wanna try to a real full of train , you can get on these time trains.
We said these time train "ManIn-Densha" in Japanese.
"Manin" means "Full of people" , "Densha" means "Train".

If you use Tokyo-metro subway , you had better check this site.
You can get some discount tickets for sightseeing.
It must be usefull sight in English

http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/

And if you stay in Shinjuku & have enough time , I reccomend to go to "Hakone".
If you are lucky , you can see beautifull Mt.Fuji around there.
Please check !!

http://www.hakonenavi.jp/english/

Have a great time in Tokyo , Japan.

Hakone, Nikko are relatively near Tokyo and can be done in a day... And ofcourse you have Disney land and Disney Sea...
I liked Yoyogi Park in tokyo with lot of street performers around... Except for the room rents i didnt find tokyo that expensive... Try out sakura house.. they offer cheaper rates...

But 8 days are too less for japan