Tokyo Itinerary Advice Needed

[Devil7]

Hi, I will be traveling to Tokyo in mid June with a group of friends. As this is the first time we are going Japan,we are very clueless on how to plan the trip We will be exploring Tokyo only due to time constraint, then fly off to USA in between for a few days before flying back to Tokyo again. I have drafted a brief itinerary but still a lot of blanks to fill in. In total i have about 8 days of planning to do for the trip. Hence, I need some help and suggestions here.

Day 1 (Mon)
- Arrive at Haneda Airport (0950)
- Lunch at Shinjuku area
- Check in Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku 2pm (haven't book but mostly likely choosing this hotel)
- Rest of the day (Any recommendations on places to explore?)

Day 2 (Tue)
- Check out of hotel in the morning
- Travel to Hakone – Buy Hakone Freepass to do the Hakone loop tour
- Thinking of trying the romance car (Is it worth it?)
- Stay overnight at Hakone (haven't book. Any recommendation for Ryokan with onsen?)
- Where else can we go during the evening?

Or should i book a tour package which looks like the link below or go F&E for this part? --> http://www.viator.com/tours/Tokyo/2...-Train-Tour-from-Tokyo/d334-2142TYO_F810_F860

Day 3 (Wed)
- Explore Mt Fuji area (Depends on whether i book the 2D1N tour package above)
- After Fuji tour travel back to to Shinjuku and check in back to sunroute plaza

Day 4 (Thurs)
- Tsukji Fish Market (BF - Eat At Sushi Dai. Not going tuna auction)
- Ginza
- Asakusa
- Odaiba

Day 5 (Fri)
- No plans yet (Any suggestions?)
- Need to fly to USA (5 days) ---> Fly out from Narita Airport (1710)

Day 6-10 (Sat - Wed)
- USA

Day 11 (Thurs)
- Touch down Narita Airport (1410)
- Check in hotel (Thinking of trying a different hotel. Considering Citadines Central Shinjuku. Any feedback?)
- Any suggestions on where to go?

Day 12 (Fri)
- Any suggestions on where to go?

Day 13 (Sat)
- Any suggestions on where to go?
- Narita Airport -->Flight back to SG (1810)

I have also shortlisted a few places that we can possibly explore. However, i am not sure where to slot in. Any help here will be greatly appreciated


- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No 1
- Akihabara Electric Town
- Roppongi
- Cup Noodle Museum/Yokohama’s Raumen (Ramen) Museum (Worth it to go?)
- Yoyogi Park(Most info i read said go on Sunday. But i do not have any days on Sunday. Still worth to go?)
- Meji Shrine
- Harajuku
- Shibuya

- Or any other interesting places or activities not listed here?

We also need food recommendations. Any suggestions will be helpful. In fact, we are willing to spend on good food! Currently short listed the following:
- Shinjuku robot restaurant (for the concept. Not sure about the food)

 

[deodorant]

"We are willing to spend on good food" is quite vague oso. Check out tabelog list of best Tokyo restaurants lor. Dinner generally 20-30+k Yen per person, ask your Tokyo hotel concierge to help you make reservations.

http://s.tabelog.com/en/bestrst/2014/tokyo/

When you go asakusa for the temple, make sure to eat the legendary melon pan there.

Other than that, to me it's a bit pointless to ask "any suggestions where to go." go Japan guide click on Tokyo and see for yourself what you like or don't like.

 

[evilerniex]

ur day 4 is too packed. may take out asakusa and out it on another day with akihabara and ueno.
Tokyo metropolitan gov building is in Shinjuku. u can do it on ur first day there.
yoyogi park and meiji shrine is all in harajuku, and shibuya is just a station away. so u can group them all into a day.
roppongi is a night spot, can just put it in on one of the nights. and can visit Tokyo tower first since it is nearby

 

[dimitri_can]

For Shinjuku, u can try shopping at Tokyu Hands at Takashimaya. A lot of stuff to see.

 

[thesal]

Citadines Shinjuku is a pretty good service apartment for its price (room is huge compared to Sunroute and around same price), but note that it's 2 stops away from Shinjuku main station

 

[Devil7]

Citadines Shinjuku is a pretty good service apartment for its price (room is huge compared to Sunroute and around same price), but note that it's 2 stops away from Shinjuku main station

Hi Thesal,

I realised there are 2 Citadines hotel around shinjuku. One is Citadines Central Shinjuku and the other Citadines Shinjuku, which is closer to the shinjuku station (5 mins walk). So i am actually looking at the 2nd one. Did you stay in the 2nd hotel before?

 

[Devil7]

I just revised my itinerary based on some of the helpful suggestions above:

Day 1 (Mon)
- Arrive at Haneda Airport (0950)
- Lunch at Shinjuku area
- Check in Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku 2pm (haven't book but mostly likely choosing this hotel)
- Tokyo metropolitan gov building
- Explore around Shinjuku

Day 2 (Tue)
- Check out of hotel in the morning
- Travel to Hakone – Buy Hakone Freepass to do the Hakone loop tour
- Thinking of trying the romance car (Is it worth it?)
- Stay overnight at Hakone (haven't book. Any recommendation for Ryokan with onsen?)
- Where else can we go during the evening?
Or should i book a tour package which looks like the link below or go F&E for this part? --> http://www.viator.com/tours/Tokyo/2...-Train-Tour-from-Tokyo/d334-2142TYO_F810_F860

Day 3 (Wed)
- Explore Mt Fuji area (Depends on whether i book the 2D1N tour package above)
- After Fuji tour travel back to to Shinjuku and check in back to sunroute plaza
- Akihabara Electric Town (Evening)

Day 4 (Thurs)
- Tsukji Fish Market (BF - Eat At Sushi Dai. Not going tuna auction)
- Ginza
- Odaiba

Day 5 (Fri)
- Ueno,
- Asakusa
- Sensoji Temple
- Need to fly to USA (5 days) ---> Depart from Narita Airport (1710)

Day 6-10 (Sat - Wed)
- USA

Day 11 (Thurs)
- Touch down Narita Airport (1410)
- Check in hotel (Thinking of trying a different hotel. Considering Citadines Shinjuku. Any feedback?)
- No plans yet or should i put yokohama on this day?

Day 12 (Fri)
- Meiji Shrine
- Harujuku
- Shibuya
- Roppongi


Day 13 (Sat)
- Day trip to Yokohama - Cup Noodle Museum/Ramen Museum
- Narita Airport -->Flight back to SG (1810)


Any feedbacks especially with regards to the 2D1N tour package for Hakone & Fuji above?

 

[Hisashiburi]

Day 12 u can take a day trip to Nikko ( if u like temples) or Kawagoe or Kamakura.

 

[thesal]

Hi Thesal,

I realised there are 2 Citadines hotel around shinjuku. One is Citadines Central Shinjuku and the other Citadines Shinjuku, which is closer to the shinjuku station (5 mins walk). So i am actually looking at the 2nd one. Did you stay in the 2nd hotel before?

The one I stayed at is the one below. I quite like it
http://www.agoda.com/en-sg/citadines-shinjuku-hotel/hotel/tokyo-jp.html

 

[Devil7]

Day 12 u can take a day trip to Nikko ( if u like temples) or Kawagoe or Kamakura.

Hi hisashiburi, we are not exactly planning to do a lot of temple visiting. Hence I didn't include a lot of that into the itinerary. But I will take a look at those places you suggest in case I find something interesting that I may want to explore

 

[Devil7]

The one I stayed at is the one below. I quite like it
http://www.agoda.com/en-sg/citadines-shinjuku-hotel/hotel/tokyo-jp.html

Yes, this is the one that I am referring to. Just a slight concern. I read that this hotel is near the red light district. Will it be safe at night as we have ladies in the group?

 

[thesal]

Yes, this is the one that I am referring to. Just a slight concern. I read that this hotel is near the red light district. Will it be safe at night as we have ladies in the group?

I think you mixed up the 2 hotels. This is the one located at the quiet end of Shinjuku, which is 2 metro stops away from the Shinjuku Main station.

The one nearer to Shinjuku station is Citadines Central Shinkuju. Looking at the location map, it's either inside the red light district, Kabukicho, or just at the boundary. Can't comment on the safety though.

In all honesty, there's really no need to stay in Shinjuku. There's always other hotels located near train stations if convenience is your concern. Examples will be Richmond Hotel Mejiro or Arietta Hotel & Trattoria Tokyo.

 

[samtcy]

You had better monitor the situation at Hakone first before making any ryokan or tour reservations for a visit to Hakone.

Because it seems like there's some active underground activity going on at Hakone, not sure if there's going to be an eruption soon or not.

 

[Devil7]

I think you mixed up the 2 hotels. This is the one located at the quiet end of Shinjuku, which is 2 metro stops away from the Shinjuku Main station.

The one nearer to Shinjuku station is Citadines Central Shinkuju. Looking at the location map, it's either inside the red light district, Kabukicho, or just at the boundary. Can't comment on the safety though.

In all honesty, there's really no need to stay in Shinjuku. There's always other hotels located near train stations if convenience is your concern. Examples will be Richmond Hotel Mejiro or Arietta Hotel & Trattoria Tokyo.

Alright, i will take a look again. Confused by the similar names

 

[Devil7]

You had better monitor the situation at Hakone first before making any ryokan or tour reservations for a visit to Hakone.

Because it seems like there's some active underground activity going on at Hakone, not sure if there's going to be an eruption soon or not.

Ya, i saw the news also. A bit worried now but lucky i have not booked any package or ryokan yet. Hai... Now i may have to re-plan my already confusing itinerary again if hakone is too dangerous to go by then.

 

[Devil7]

Hi everyone, i just revised my itinerary. Appreciate if you guys can share some input to see whether this itinerary is ok? Thanks in advance!

Day 1 (Mon)
- 9.50am arrive at Haneda Airport
- Check in Airbnb 12pm (Already booked at Shinjuku)
- Lunch at Shinjuku area
- Walk around Shinjuku (Takashimaya Tokyu hands etc..)
- Tokyo metropolitan gov building

Day 2 (Tue)
- Ueno (Worth to go? If no time I will take out since no cherry blossoms to see in June anyway)
- Asakusa,
- Sensoji Temple
- Odaiba

(I did not put this day on day 11-13 as 2 of our friends won't be joining for the 2nd part of the trip. Though i know it's more feasible)

Day 3 (Wed)
- Meiji Shrine
- Harujuku
- Shibuya
- Roppongi
- Tokyo tower (not planning to go up. Maybe snap a pic if happen to pass by?)

Day 4 (Thurs)
- Tsukiji Fish Market (Eat breakfast at Sushi Dai. Not going tuna auction)
- Day trip to Yokohama (Visit Nissin Cup Noodle museum)
- Shop at 1 of the shopping malls in Minato Mirai area
- Go Chinatown. Maybe have dinner there? Else go back to shinjuku or other places

Day 5 (Fri)
- Finish up shopping at shinjuku/nearby
- 5.10pm flight to USA (5 days) via Narita Airport

Day 6-10 (Sat - Wed)
- USA

Day 11 (Thurs)
- Touch down Narita Airport (2.10pm)
- Check in Airbnb (planning to book at Asakusa but heard that transport not so accessible. Should i just stay at Shinjuku again?)
- Ginza
- Akihabara Electric Town

Day 12 (Fri)
- Day trip to Nikko (decided to cancel my hakone and fuji plan)

Day 13 (Sat)
- No plans yet
- 6.10pm flight back to Sg (Via Narita Airport)

 

[thesal]

Its okay not go to ueno on day 2.

for day 11, staying at asakusa is good as the train to nikko departs from there.

Ginza and akiba are also near to asakusa.

There's also the new 'Tokyo tower' called 'Tokyo skytree' which is near asakusa as well.

 

[evilerniex]

maybe can put ueno on the last day. go ameyoko and buy japanese tidbits to bring back to sg

 

[Devil7]

Thesal, is it convenient to travel around if we are staying in asakusa? Like to narita airport or maybe to other areas like shinjuku/shibuya etc? The train line really confuse me because I read Asakusa is not on the "main line" and they said Asakusa gets very quiet at night. We may want to pop by to other places like shinjuku/shibuya in the evening since we probably won't sleep so early. As for tokyo skytree, we don't plan to go up but just like tokyo tower, maybe just take a pic from outside.

Evilerniex, I read up on ameyoko. This place looks interesting! I didn't know about this place since it wasn't really mention much. Thanks for the recommendation. Will drop by on the last day then

 

[thesal]

Ya asakusa is on the end of 2 lines, not the main one (JR yamamote) and will not be close to Shinjuku etc. but to airport, it's still okay as it connects via keisei.

Think of asakusa as pasir ris