Japan Travel Thread

mitre

You're staying very near where I was, so,  in the immediate vicinity of your hotel there are a couple of decent (chain) restaurants.
Itamae Sushi - part of a large worldwide chain but a good, cheap place and a good intro into sushi/sashimi.
Can't remember name, Okonomiyaki restaurant in the same complex.
also had a great meal at this place, which is nearby - Onegiya Shinjuku ten, Shinjuku - Shinjuku - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - TripAdvisor

thefragile

If you're not planning on leaving tokyo, then don't get a JR pass..... local travel is quite cheap. If you're wanting to use the shinkansen to travel the country, do get a JR pass.

I don't know if it will cover you on the maglev train, that wasn't open when I went to japan.

Foster

We dont plan on go much further than an hour out of tokyo (Day trip to Yokohama which costs about 1300YEN return)

Giblets

Reckon spending a week in Tokyo, then a week outside Tokyo (Kyoto and Nara for a start) would be a better use of your time, There is more of traditional Japan in Kyoto and Nara than Tokyo (personally I would rate them higher than Tokyo and think you are missing a trick by not going there) .  Takayama would also be a great couple of days, as it has some very traditional type streets

Foster

I appreciate your advice, we will be having day trips outside of Tokyo for sure (Kamakura been one), But there is alot of places we want to go and see in Tokyo (hence Tokyo as a base) and we will happily fill in the time .

thefragile

I would agree with that, you're crazy to go to Japan and skip out Kyoto and Nara.

Foster

Maybe so but i'd be spreading myself thin with what I want to do in Tokyo and the surrounding areas.

thefragile

Each to their own

My mate is in Tokyo at the minute, I've just bank transferred him £50 and sent him to my favourite sticker shop in Shibuya

Foster

Is it October yet?

Foster

How time flies, 9 weeks out until we go, making decent progress on a itinerary.