Yes I'm back. Had lots of fun shopping, walking and basically F&E hanging around Tokyo city. Weather was very good, it didn't rain and it wasn't that cold. Hm, it looks like it'll take me a while to sort out the pictures and blog about them.
Since I did the 'homework', might as well write out what I had planned to do on the trip. As you know, its good to have a plan to act as a guide; but best to stay open and flexible so that you enjoy the most of the trip. Must confess that I didn't manage to be the superwoman I thought I could be and so didn't manage to do or cover everything on the list. Guess there'll always be a 'next time'! :)
Getting around is easy, for the best savings get the JR pass (7, 14 or 21 days) or the Tokyo Metro pass (1 or 2 days). Note have updated more information below on getting around Tokyo.
Here's my list.
Harajuku- Takeshita dori (shop)
- Daiso (sop)
- Kiddy Land (shop)
- Oriental Bazaar (shop)
- Omotesando Hills (shop)
- Kyushu Jangara (ramen)
- Koots Green Tea (desserts)
Shibuya- Hachiko statute
- Loft (shop)
- Tokyu Hands (shop)
- Tower Records (shop)
Shinjuku- Takashimaya (shop)
- Tokyu Hands (shop)
- Isetan (shop)
- Yasube (ramen)
- Kinokuniya (shop)
- Observation tower at the Tokyo Metropolitant Govt Office
Roppoingi- Tokyo Midtown (shop + Toraya, Sadaharu Aoki + Toshi Yoroizuka)
- Roppongi Hills
- Tokyo Tower
- Robatayaki (inazayaki)
- Ippudo (ramen)
Ginza- Hidemi Sugino (patisseri)
- Toraya (wagashi)
- Nobori Tei (unagi kabayaki)
- Genkatsu (pork cutlet)
- ito-ya top drawer (stationary)
- Gucci, Tiffany, Chanel, etc.
Tsukiji- Tuna auction
- Sushi Dai
- Chuka Soba Inoe (ramen)
- Sushi Zanmai
Asakusa- Kappabashi
- Sometaru (okonomiyaki)
- Kaminari-mon (Thunder Gate)
- Nakamise-dori (stalls)
Ueno- Ueno Park
- Ameyoko market
Mitika Station- Ghibli Museum
Takaido Station- Shiro-hige (totoro puffs)
- Onsen
Yokohama- Ramen Museum
Updated to include some information on transportation and getting around Tokyo using the train/subway - hope it is useful to those planning a trip to Japan.
*TIP #1: Getting around Japan is easy but the cost of transportation seems to be one of the biggest portion on the travel budget, so plan wisely :)*
JR Pass - Valid only on JR trains. It cannot be used on subways or any other non-JR train.
Find out more information & prices on JR pass
here. Ask for a map when purchasing this pass so that you can plan your trip accordingly.
*If you intend to travel outstation to other parts of Japan like Osaka or Kyoto, do consider the JR pass.
Tokyo Metro Open Pass - Unlimited use of the nine Tokyo Metro subway lines, but not the four Toei subway lines.
Price of Tokyo Metro pass - 1 day is Yen710; 2 days is Yen980. You can purchase this ticket at Narita Airport or your hotel. If you get the 1-day pass from Narita Airport, it'll be cheaper, cost Yen600.
Find out more information on Tokyo Metro
here. Ask for a subway map when purchasing this pass so that you can plan your trip accordingly.
*If you are only traveling around Tokyo city, this would be a better option. Then 'top-up' accordingly for train lines not covered by this pass.
From Narita Airpot to Tokyo:(1) Fastest way of travel between Narita Airport and Tokyo Station is the JR Narita Express (NEX). The one way journey takes roughly one hour, costs around 3000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass, departs every 30 to 60 minutes.
(2) Slower but cheaper JR alternative to the Narita Express is to take the JR Sobu Line (Rapid Service). The one way trip takes roughly 90 minutes, costs 1280 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass, departs every hour.
(3) Easiest (but takes longer but highly recommended for newbies visiting Japan) is to take the Limousine buses to your hotel or Tokyo Station which depart Narita Airport every 15 to 20 minutes. The one way journey takes about 80 to 100 minutes and costs 3000 yen.
From Haneda Airport to Tokyo: Take the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho station (last station). From there switch/transfer to the nearest JR station on the Yamanote Line or Toei Line (Asakusa Line or Odeo Line) and find nearest interchange station and switch to Tokyo Metro Line.
You can also take Limousine buses from Haneda Airport.
TIP #2: If you are travelling by train, travelling light would be wiser. If you have big bags, consider the baggage service delivery available from the airport/hotel, its more convenient with less hassle.
Bowl of pipping hot shoyu ramen in chicken broth (Y650), very comforting on a cold crisp morning.
They serve only one kind of ramen generously topped with spring onions (negi), slices of pork (cha-shu) and bamboo shoots (menma).
Think the owner is the man on the LHS. He makes the noodles and the other man on RHS helps with collecting money. Its self-serve so once you pay, you take your bowl of ramen on the tray and eat it on the tables provided. There's a water dispenser at the side if you need a glass of water. What also made this place different was having to slurp the ramen standing up - yes standing ramen!! No chairs around. If you are one of those proper persons who must sit and eat, then perhaps this place is not for you.
This is how I ate mine - with lots of Shichimi Togarashi red pepper....what can I say, I have a stubborn affinity with hot spice!
So if you are planning on visiting the fish auction at Tsukiji or want a tasty bowl of ramen for breakfast, do give this a go.
