Tokyo People & Culture

The best way to travel around Tokyo is by train, but there are a few things to remember. Buying a ticket from the kiosks is easy even if you don't know the language. Try to go to the train station before 9am because the crowds will be incredible. They have men on the platforms who wear white gloves and have the job of shoving people onto the train so they will all fit. If you get lost or have a problem, people will be more than willing to help and someone will likely know at least a little English.

Tokyo is so mindblowing! The train system is amazing. It is fast, on time and fully utilised. You can even check the timetable from your mobile (and that was in 2001)! There are people everywhere wearing anything. The buildings are huge! There is a huge American influence with restaurants, clothing, etc. You can get anything you want. But don't stand still in the middle of the footpath or else you will be run over by hundreds of Japanese in a hurry. Ropongi (bad spelling) is an awesome party district. Had a great night out there (all night). Shinjuku is the business district, but it still has good shopping for electronics, cosmetics and clothing (if you are of teeny tiny proportions). The public toilets in the big department stores play classical music to you while you are doing your business even!

For a place to stay, try booking K's House in Taito City, Tokyo. Try booking a week in advance for a dorm-style room or over two months in advance for the single. Great rates, comfortable beds, clean, friendly atmosphere great for meeting new people and all the amenities of home.

Harajuku: Freaked-out shops for young people with lot's of cool stuff

AMAZING Shops, Food, People, Asakusa Temple, Sushi Bars, Tokyo Youth Hostel, Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Kimonos! Everyone should go at least once!

Stay outside of the most popular areas, such as Shinjuku or Ginza and watch your hotel bill drop by more than half. You can find excellent culture off the beaten track in places like Ueno, and the hotels are around 3000 yen/night rather than 9000 in Shibuya.

Toyko would be a good place to travel to see their culture, how people dress and just somewhere where you want to have fun!!

If you want to experience the Japanese culture then head to the KABUKI-ZA THEATRE.....While walking around Ginza and the Apple store and others head past the Mitsukoshi deaprtment store... you'll find the Kabuki-za Theatre.

It's a beautiful structure, and in Tokyo it's one of only three or four good examples of a traditional style building built from modern materials, not wood.

Performances take place everyday ,you can buy a ticket on the door for under 1000 yen...what a deal!!..

And did you know that..UNESCO designated KABUKI traditional Theater one of the MASTERPIECE of the ORAL and INTANGIBLE HERITAGE of HUMANITY...in 2005..they took into account that KABUKI is a comprehensive art combining the actors physical performance, fine art and music.

When you Exit C2 of Ginza Subway Station, brings you out next to the Sukiyabashi zebra crossing.... look out for the department stores Hankyu,
Seibu,
Printemps,
sony building,
Mitsukoshi department store,
Apple store ginza,
Kabuki-za theatre,
Tsukiji Honganji,
Tsukiji fish market,
Nakajin capsule apartment building..

Ginza is a very pleasing area to visit. This area is very sophisticated and caters to adults and the wealthy. It is not too different from Shinjuku, Shibuya, or other areas in regards to the shops and entertainment but it tends to be a cleaner and less chaotic area.

Ginza is definitely worth checking out for an afternoon or on a weekend. A good idea would be to have a cup of coffee or eat a meal, do some shopping, and walk around and get a feel for the Ginza area.

Be kind and not forceful. Tokyo is very busy, very fast, very clean and yet beautiful. It is much more Americanized than I anticipated. But don't let that fool you, it is a different culture to be respected.

Prepare an Itinerary and be well organised on where to go and how. Japanese people are very helpful but language can be a huge barrier. If you can't read or speak Japanese I suggest you write down key words and phrases (together with correct pronunciation). I also reccomend that you learn what is or isn't polite in Japanese culture.

Tokyo is so mindblowing! The train system is amazing. It is fast, on time and fully utilised. You can even check the timetable from your mobile (and that was in 2001)! There are people everywhere wearing anything. The buildings are huge! There is a huge American influence with restaurants, clothing, etc. You can get anything you want. But don't stand still in the middle of the footpath or else you will be run over by hundreds of Japanese in a hurry. Ropongi (bad spelling) is an awesome party district. Had a great night out there (all night). Shinjuku is the business district, but it still has good shopping for electronics, cosmetics and clothing (if you are of teeny tiny proportions). The public toilets in the big department stores play classical music to you while you are doing your business even!

The easiest way to travell is by subway, it is very acurate, clean, safe and easy. A must try is go to a tea ceremony at the nearest tea school, oh and then of course go to a nice sushi resturant. Also a visit to Minon music museam is a must do, it is located on Samon cho, Shinjuku ku. Have fun

I would like to vist all the anime stores, and watch Sailor Moon musical!

If you want to experience the Japanese culture then head to the KABUKI-ZA THEATRE.....While walking around Ginza and the Apple store and others head past the Mitsukoshi deaprtment store... you'll find the Kabuki-za Theatre.

It's a beautiful structure, and in Tokyo it's one of only three or four good examples of a traditional style building built from modern materials, not wood.

Performances take place everyday ,you can buy a ticket on the door for under 1000 yen...what a deal!!..

And did you know that..UNESCO designated KABUKI traditional Theater one of the MASTERPIECE of the ORAL and INTANGIBLE HERITAGE of HUMANITY...in 2005..they took into account that KABUKI is a comprehensive art combining the actors physical performance, fine art and music.

When you Exit C2 of Ginza Subway Station, brings you out next to the Sukiyabashi zebra crossing.... look out for the department stores Hankyu,
Seibu,
Printemps,
sony building,
Mitsukoshi department store,
Apple store ginza,
Kabuki-za theatre,
Tsukiji Honganji,
Tsukiji fish market,
Nakajin capsule apartment building..

Ginza is a very pleasing area to visit. This area is very sophisticated and caters to adults and the wealthy. It is not too different from Shinjuku, Shibuya, or other areas in regards to the shops and entertainment but it tends to be a cleaner and less chaotic area.

Ginza is definitely worth checking out for an afternoon or on a weekend. A good idea would be to have a cup of coffee or eat a meal, do some shopping, and walk around and get a feel for the Ginza area.

If you're in Tokyo you have to go to the "Bar Lounge O" in Shibuya!!
Its great.
Full of nice, fun people, has cool music and delicious drinks^^

There is far too much to Tokyo to write in one entry here.  I will attempt to put the most important (for a tourist's point of view) things here today.  I will add more as I think of things.


MONEY: The most important thing I can think to write is to remember to bring cash.  It is easier in Tokyo than in the rest of Japan to find places that accept credit card, but it can still be frustrating at times.  You can always get cash from post-office ATMs (Look for a symbol that resembles a large red 'T' with an additional horizontal line at the top) or at a Citibank (Shibuya has one that is easy to find.  Right past McDonalds).  

TRANSPORTATION: Tokyo runs on trains.  When you get to Tokyo, get a SUICA card (similar to Boston's Charie card) for use on the JR lines.  You will frequently have to switch between JR and the Tokyo Metro lines, but a SUICA card will at least allow you to bypass ticket lines when riding the JR trains.  If you do not wish to spend all of your money in one go, avoid taxis.  They are a sure way to run out of cash fast in Tokyo.  If you plan to stay more than a few months, buy a bike.  Most bikes are decently cheap (under 100 dollars) and come with baskets to hold your things and a dynamo-powered headlamp for riding at night.


FOOD: If you are looking for good sushi, go to Harajuku station (原宿駅) on the Yamanote line (山手線) (The big green circular line).  When you exit the station, everyone will head for an alleyway to the left of a giant Snoopy shop (not Peanuts, just Snoopy).  Go to the right of this shop and take the elevator to the 3rd (I believe, though it may only have been 2nd) floor.  There are two restaurants here.  Go to the sushi restaurant on the left called Kakiya-Zushi (柿家鮨).  You will most likely have to wait a half hour or more to get a seat if you aren't alone, but it is definitely worth the wait.  While this is a kaiten (conveyor belt) restaurant, their sushi is among the best I tasted while living in Tokyo.
Never be afraid to try something from a street vendor.  Street vendors sell some amazing food.  Not to mention, they usually set up in the same place each day making them fairly reliable as landmarks.  
When you want dessert, try a milk tea or crepe from Pearl Lady (In Shibuya.  Look for Book 1ST.  Stay on the left side of the street (across from the book store) and continue away from Shibuya station.  You will round a corner and pass a soap shop.  Pearl Lady is a recessed shop on your left.).  Else you can look for a parfait restaurant.  These are easy enough to spot from their flamboyant displays.  No one can ignore that many parfaits lined up and lit in a window.  It's simply not possible.  

ELECTRONICS: Head to Yodobashi-Akiba in Akihabara.  Take the green Yamanote line (山手線) to Akihabara Station (秋葉原駅).  Electric town is on one side of you (always worth a visit) and Yodobashi Akiba is on the other through the Showa Dorii exit.  You will take a left before you reach the street, pass a bakery, and the entrance is on your right.  

OTHER...TOYS: If you want to embarrass yourself or others, or if you really need those handcuffs and that costume, go to Akihabara station via the green Yamanote line (山手線).  Exit through the Electric Town exit.  You will be facing a large electronics store that remotely resembles your 10th birthday party due to the large glass tubes that house the escalators.  Turn right and follow the street.  You will see a neon pink awning when the street Ts out at the end of the block (Electric town continues to your right for some blocks and is worth a visit when you get your curiosity back under control).  That's your happy place.  Else, you can walk toward the electronics store and pass it to the left.  Take your first right and encounter a second store on your right (Yes, there are two in one block).  This one has a more plain front and is harder to distinguish.  It is the last door on the block.  There are far more than these if you are willing to search.  By all means, enjoy yourselves.

WESTERN FOOD: Since some of you may be students at Sophia University in search of Western food, I will list a few restaurants that are NOT McDonalds.  First, you can get a good selection of Western beers at Za Morrigans (Turn right out of the main gate to Sophia's Yotsuya campus or take the yellow Chuo line to Yotsuya station, exit, and head toward the campus.  The bar is about 2 blocks past the post office.).   You can also find a Subway if you go the opposite direction across the bridge next to Yotsuya Station.  At the end of the bridge take a right.  The Subway is on your left.

DRINKING: If you really want to party, head to Gas Panic.  There are several of these spread all over Tokyo, but the best is still the "red" Gas Panic in Roppongi (anyone can identify it if you describe it as this).  This bar is two floors of liquid insanity.  From the female patrons dancing on the bar to the bucket of viagra on the second floor, nothing is ever boring here (unless you come on a Tuesday night.  stick to the weekends and you'll be fine.). If you want a more relaxed and personal atmosphere, but still want to get away from your part of town, head to Azool.  Also located in Roppongi, Azool creates an amazing atmosphere by using private, themed rooms for parties and curtained tables for couples.  To reach Azool, simply head toward Roppongi Heights from Roppongi station.  Pass Roppongi Heights and continue straight for about 1 km.  The entrance is on your left.  The exterior is fairly subdued, so keep your eyes peeled and look for a wall of running water.

Visit the fish market early in the morning

Fish market in the morning is great

If your ever in the center of Tokyo, near the imperial palace, head out the east gate and keep walking. You'll find yourself coming across the National Science Museum which is pretty cool, but the real treat is the food court. So many different vendors and a perfect place to try out a Japanese style cafeteria. Afterwards keep going east and check out the stadium(looks like a buddist temple) which hosts many different types of sporting events, from kendo to sumo

If you want to experience the Japanese culture then head to the KABUKI-ZA THEATRE.....While walking around Ginza and the Apple store and others head past the Mitsukoshi deaprtment store... you'll find the Kabuki-za Theatre.

It's a beautiful structure, and in Tokyo it's one of only three or four good examples of a traditional style building built from modern materials, not wood.

Performances take place everyday ,you can buy a ticket on the door for under 1000 yen...what a deal!!..

And did you know that..UNESCO designated KABUKI traditional Theater one of the MASTERPIECE of the ORAL and INTANGIBLE HERITAGE of HUMANITY...in 2005..they took into account that KABUKI is a comprehensive art combining the actors physical performance, fine art and music.

When you Exit C2 of Ginza Subway Station, brings you out next to the Sukiyabashi zebra crossing.... look out for the department stores Hankyu,
Seibu,
Printemps,
sony building,
Mitsukoshi department store,
Apple store ginza,
Kabuki-za theatre,
Tsukiji Honganji,
Tsukiji fish market,
Nakajin capsule apartment building..

Ginza is a very pleasing area to visit. This area is very sophisticated and caters to adults and the wealthy. It is not too different from Shinjuku, Shibuya, or other areas in regards to the shops and entertainment but it tends to be a cleaner and less chaotic area.

Ginza is definitely worth checking out for an afternoon or on a weekend. A good idea would be to have a cup of coffee or eat a meal, do some shopping, and walk around and get a feel for the Ginza area.

Tokyo is a busy city for tourists who like city. If you want to stay really cheap, you can stay in `Manga-kissa` or `Karaoke`. There is no key on the door but it's no prob if you watch your property out. It costs ￡6-7 for ataying overnight. The next cheap accomodation is hostels. Japanese traditional hotel `Ryokan` isn't so cheap, but you could have very interesting experience there. You can also choose a hotel. You can take trains, underground, buses or taxi. The best transport may be underground but you can't see any view, of course. When you came to Japan, try to eat real Sushi. It's completely different from Sushi which you can eat abroad. I think Tokyo isn't such a expensive city as you think. There is much more way you can save your money than I could write down here.

There is far too much to Tokyo to write in one entry here.  I will attempt to put the most important (for a tourist's point of view) things here today.  I will add more as I think of things.


MONEY: The most important thing I can think to write is to remember to bring cash.  It is easier in Tokyo than in the rest of Japan to find places that accept credit card, but it can still be frustrating at times.  You can always get cash from post-office ATMs (Look for a symbol that resembles a large red 'T' with an additional horizontal line at the top) or at a Citibank (Shibuya has one that is easy to find.  Right past McDonalds).  

TRANSPORTATION: Tokyo runs on trains.  When you get to Tokyo, get a SUICA card (similar to Boston's Charie card) for use on the JR lines.  You will frequently have to switch between JR and the Tokyo Metro lines, but a SUICA card will at least allow you to bypass ticket lines when riding the JR trains.  If you do not wish to spend all of your money in one go, avoid taxis.  They are a sure way to run out of cash fast in Tokyo.  If you plan to stay more than a few months, buy a bike.  Most bikes are decently cheap (under 100 dollars) and come with baskets to hold your things and a dynamo-powered headlamp for riding at night.


FOOD: If you are looking for good sushi, go to Harajuku station (原宿駅) on the Yamanote line (山手線) (The big green circular line).  When you exit the station, everyone will head for an alleyway to the left of a giant Snoopy shop (not Peanuts, just Snoopy).  Go to the right of this shop and take the elevator to the 3rd (I believe, though it may only have been 2nd) floor.  There are two restaurants here.  Go to the sushi restaurant on the left called Kakiya-Zushi (柿家鮨).  You will most likely have to wait a half hour or more to get a seat if you aren't alone, but it is definitely worth the wait.  While this is a kaiten (conveyor belt) restaurant, their sushi is among the best I tasted while living in Tokyo.
Never be afraid to try something from a street vendor.  Street vendors sell some amazing food.  Not to mention, they usually set up in the same place each day making them fairly reliable as landmarks.  
When you want dessert, try a milk tea or crepe from Pearl Lady (In Shibuya.  Look for Book 1ST.  Stay on the left side of the street (across from the book store) and continue away from Shibuya station.  You will round a corner and pass a soap shop.  Pearl Lady is a recessed shop on your left.).  Else you can look for a parfait restaurant.  These are easy enough to spot from their flamboyant displays.  No one can ignore that many parfaits lined up and lit in a window.  It's simply not possible.  

ELECTRONICS: Head to Yodobashi-Akiba in Akihabara.  Take the green Yamanote line (山手線) to Akihabara Station (秋葉原駅).  Electric town is on one side of you (always worth a visit) and Yodobashi Akiba is on the other through the Showa Dorii exit.  You will take a left before you reach the street, pass a bakery, and the entrance is on your right.  

OTHER...TOYS: If you want to embarrass yourself or others, or if you really need those handcuffs and that costume, go to Akihabara station via the green Yamanote line (山手線).  Exit through the Electric Town exit.  You will be facing a large electronics store that remotely resembles your 10th birthday party due to the large glass tubes that house the escalators.  Turn right and follow the street.  You will see a neon pink awning when the street Ts out at the end of the block (Electric town continues to your right for some blocks and is worth a visit when you get your curiosity back under control).  That's your happy place.  Else, you can walk toward the electronics store and pass it to the left.  Take your first right and encounter a second store on your right (Yes, there are two in one block).  This one has a more plain front and is harder to distinguish.  It is the last door on the block.  There are far more than these if you are willing to search.  By all means, enjoy yourselves.

WESTERN FOOD: Since some of you may be students at Sophia University in search of Western food, I will list a few restaurants that are NOT McDonalds.  First, you can get a good selection of Western beers at Za Morrigans (Turn right out of the main gate to Sophia's Yotsuya campus or take the yellow Chuo line to Yotsuya station, exit, and head toward the campus.  The bar is about 2 blocks past the post office.).   You can also find a Subway if you go the opposite direction across the bridge next to Yotsuya Station.  At the end of the bridge take a right.  The Subway is on your left.

DRINKING: If you really want to party, head to Gas Panic.  There are several of these spread all over Tokyo, but the best is still the "red" Gas Panic in Roppongi (anyone can identify it if you describe it as this).  This bar is two floors of liquid insanity.  From the female patrons dancing on the bar to the bucket of viagra on the second floor, nothing is ever boring here (unless you come on a Tuesday night.  stick to the weekends and you'll be fine.). If you want a more relaxed and personal atmosphere, but still want to get away from your part of town, head to Azool.  Also located in Roppongi, Azool creates an amazing atmosphere by using private, themed rooms for parties and curtained tables for couples.  To reach Azool, simply head toward Roppongi Heights from Roppongi station.  Pass Roppongi Heights and continue straight for about 1 km.  The entrance is on your left.  The exterior is fairly subdued, so keep your eyes peeled and look for a wall of running water.

Familiarize yourself with the subway, it will make life alot easier!!

Try to stay in a Ryokan (a traditional guesthouse) instead of a hotel.

Bus tour is a must as you find out facts that you wouldn't normally know, especially because of the language barrier both spoken and written. There's more than one city centre which is unusual.

Shinjuku, much more than only a business district. Also great for shopping and sightseeing. Great viewing platform in the Tokyo Government Building (City Hall) which is unlike everying else in Tokyo free of charge!

In Tokyo from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office building it's free the view from the 45th level. In Shinjuku.