Kantō Region What to Expect

Kamakura is a great area for tourists. It is full of temples and shrines and overflowing with small shops and restaurants. There is easily a day's worth of activities here. Kamakura station is easily reached from Tokyo via the Yokosuka line. As far as attractions go, the Daibutsu (Big Buddha) is amazing rain or shine. It is the second largest in Japan (second only to the Daibutsu in Nara). However, this is the only one of the two that stands in the open air as its temple was destroyed in a tsunami. I guess the Buddha wanted to see the ocean. Probably the first thing you will notice upon exiting the station is a long walkway flanked by cherry blossom trees. This leads to Hachimangu shrine and was built by the shogun Yoritomo who took regular trips to the shrine. At the time, Kamakura, not Edo (Tokyo), was the capital of Japan, and Hachimangu was the most important of its shrines as it housed the patron god of the Minamoto family. Be sure to look at the two ponds on either side of the entrance. The pond on the right has three islands to represent life. The pond on the left has four to represent death (the number 4 is associated with death due to one of its pronunciations). After the Daibutsu, Hasedera temple is only a short walk away. When you visit Hasedera, keep an eye out for small statues of Jizu, a bodhisattva (someone who has learned the path to enlightenment, but stays on this plan of existance to help others attain nirvana). Jizu statues represent children who were stillborn or aborted. If you look closely, you will notice that a number of the statues (Which were dedicated by parents) are adorned with hats, scarves, and toys. Despite all this, Hasedera temple is an especially beautiful place to visit in the spring when the Sakura (cherry blossom) flowers are blooming. Kamakura is also home to several other temples and shrines including the famous Jufukuji temple. These three are simply my favorites. Be sure to do a search on the internet before you go. Also, after you hit the temples, spend some time wandering the alleys near the station for food and shopping!

If you have children, go to the Hadano-Tokawa park. There are all facilities and you can have a funny walk in the nature.

If u want to save money but still want to be in the centre of it all, I suggest staying in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It's a 15 min train ride from Tokyo city, but it has all the night life... If you are coming from Nairita Airport - Take the Nairita Express train, a cab will cost you a fortune and take 2 hours. Just make sure you know where you want to go as the subway is extremely busy all hours of the day and night. Not everyone speaks english so it can be difficult to work out how to get to where you want to go. Go into some quiet little Sake Bars for dinner, I guarentee it's a great experience! and so cheap too. On the other side of the train station is all the night life, red light district, clubs, bars, shopping, restaurants and excitement. Shopping is open till 10-11 pm everynight. Go into Tokyo city on a Friday night, the place is amazing. The cars, the shopping, the people, the food, the highrise buildings, the lights and the rich!! The place is bursting with excitement, I assure you will be like a little kid in a lolly shop with all the bright lights of this bustling city... Bring a camera!

Tokyo is unforgettable. This city never sleeps. Lights everywhere and everybody's running. If you didn't have enough sleep at night Tokyo will solve this problem.People are amazing. Nobody speaks english but everybody wants to help. Remember the kid who took me to a serviceman, I think he had stuff to do instead helping me. And yes underground is so cool. Amazing place!

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.

Crowded subway trains are a nuisance. Try and avoid rush hour (early morning and late at night). Females, beware of groping hands from curious 'salarymen'. In these unfortunate circumstances, grab the offending hand, yank it up into the air, and loudly announce: "Chican!" (Pervert!) You can guarantee there will be a red face somewhere near you, with other people looking daggers at him, and the hand will meekly withdraw.

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.

Make sure you are on an airport train going to Narita Airport and not a local train going to the town/city of Narita. If this mistake is made you will have to wait for the next train on the platform and risk missing your flight home.

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.

Make sure you are on an airport train going to Narita Airport and not a local train going to the town/city of Narita. If this mistake is made you will have to wait for the next train on the platform and risk missing your flight home.

Carry lots of bottled water with you! It gets incredibly hot during summer.

I have been sent to Cascabe as part of my job, i actually travelled most part of Japan on business.. So i haven't got much to tell about sightseeing..

Best visiting in July 7-14th for the Tanabata Festival.

always wear a pair of nice shoes!you don't want to stop shopping around because of sore legs. a better way is to exercise on walking at least 1 month earlier.

American Airlines Admirals Club at Narita International Airport. All Admirals Clubs are not created equal. This one is special from the moment you walk in the door. There are many Western refinements, but you never lose the sense that you are in an Asian environment. I would not recommend spending money for a day pass at most Admirals Club. This is the lone exception. If you are around for three (3) or more hours, the pass will be well worth it. You can shower, eat, and drink. Also free wi-fi internet access for your laptop, or free access to club computers. This place cranks.