Tokyo solo trip

[jackieatbtu]

I am planning a solo trip to Tokyo next summer. It will be a short trip arriving Friday afternoon and leaving on Tuesday morning. I am trying to decide how to arrange my days.

I have been to Japan a few times but never actually explored Tokyo in detail. Just did Asakusa and Tokyo Tower last time. As it is summer time and will be hot, I do not plan to spend much time outdoors. Plus, I am interested in their summer sales. I need your opinions on which places to choose.

Friday arrival at 4pm. After check in hotel explore Shinjuku at night for shopping. What other places open late for shopping? Plan to stay near Shinagawa.

Saturday morning breakfast at Tsukiji outer market restaurant. Photo stop somewhere while wait shops in Akihabara to open. Walk around until 3pm. Then go chope place for fireworks at night at Edogawa.

Sunday morning Meiji Shrine and Harajuku. Photo stop at Hachiko and Shibuya crossing. Afternoon shopping either Shibuya or Shinjuku till night.

Monday morning check out Imperial Palace Garden followed by Tokyo Station area. May go to Tokyo Sky Tree Solamachi.

Tuesday morning fly back to Singapore.

Questions: Should I drop by Odaiba or any other tourist places such as Shinjuku Met Building? What other things am I missing? I am not sure where to insert them in my itinerary. Hope to have some good suggestions. Thanks.

 

[jslim2]

Odaiba is doable if you want to capture some shots. Try taking a walk through the a Rainbow bridge (if you're up for a challenge considering the summer heat); the views are worth the walk. If you want to insert Odaiba into the itinerary, slot it on the day with Tsukiji due to the proximity, though you'll have to find a way to work with Akihabara if you do so. Rainbow bridge looks spectacular when viewed from Odaiba at night.

Word of advice: bring an umbrella, or buy one from there. I had to deal with a thoroughly soaked passport on July even with an umbrella, but that was due to the rain brought by the typhoons, so hope it won't be as bad.

 

[evilerniex]

if u like taking photos, odaiba will be great, especially the view of rainbow bridge at night.
Tokyo metropolitan gov building is nice too if u like such viewing places. but if u are going up Tokyo skytree, then maybe can skip metropolitan gov building coz skytree is taller, so view shld be better (I haven't been to skytree).


will be convenient to do odaiba after tsukiji as suggested by jslim2. but since u are going edogawa for fireworks that day, it will be too rush, and u dun get to see odaiba at night. may can odaiba after Tokyo station on Monday. then take river cruise from odaiba to asakusa for skytree.

 

[jackieatbtu]

Odaiba is doable if you want to capture some shots. Try taking a walk through the a Rainbow bridge (if you're up for a challenge considering the summer heat); the views are worth the walk. If you want to insert Odaiba into the itinerary, slot it on the day with Tsukiji due to the proximity, though you'll have to find a way to work with Akihabara if you do so. Rainbow bridge looks spectacular when viewed from Odaiba at night.

Word of advice: bring an umbrella, or buy one from there. I had to deal with a thoroughly soaked passport on July even with an umbrella, but that was due to the rain brought by the typhoons, so hope it won't be as bad.

Most probably will be doing Odaiba on Monday as suggested by evilerniex. Saturday would be too rushed after Akiba. Since Tsukiji is estimated to finish by 10am and shops in Akiba open at noon or 1pm, any short stopover place is recommended on the way over?

One trick I learnt from my traveling friend is that my passport put inside ziplock bag. It was really helpful when I was soaked during my recent Iceland trip. But, my spare cash got all wet and had to be dried overnight in the hotel. Water can get inside backpacks through the thinner sides.

 

[jackieatbtu]

if u like taking photos, odaiba will be great, especially the view of rainbow bridge at night.
Tokyo metropolitan gov building is nice too if u like such viewing places. but if u are going up Tokyo skytree, then maybe can skip metropolitan gov building coz skytree is taller, so view shld be better (I haven't been to skytree).


will be convenient to do odaiba after tsukiji as suggested by jslim2. but since u are going edogawa for fireworks that day, it will be too rush, and u dun get to see odaiba at night. may can odaiba after Tokyo station on Monday. then take river cruise from odaiba to asakusa for skytree.

So, the view of Rainbow Bridge would still be during day time? Or should I go to Odaiba after skytree? Roughly how long would I need just to walk to the waterfront in order to take photos? Bridge would get lit up by 8pm?
Thanks.

 

[evilerniex]

So, the view of Rainbow Bridge would still be during day time? Or should I go to Odaiba after skytree? Roughly how long would I need just to walk to the waterfront in order to take photos? Bridge would get lit up by 8pm?
Thanks.

u can take a walk across the bridge in the day time, then stay for the view at night before heading to skytree.
sunset shld be ard 7pm in summer, so the bridge will be lit by then.


u need the check the ferry schedule though, coz i have not taken the ferry before, and i dunno wat time it runs until.


doing skytree first is ok as well

 

[jslim2]

If it's in the morning, you can probably try Ueno park? They're linked by the same metro line if memory serves (Ginza line if I'm not wrong).

 

[hutkahn]

Don't be fooled by the name though, the rainbow bridge not lit in rainbow colors in the summer haha found that out the hard way. But gotta agree still very nice!

Only managed one decent photo of it because I was still a complete noob with my camera at the time:

 

[jackieatbtu]

Wow that's nice. Can see tokyo tower in the background.

Plan take photo with lady liberty as well.

By the way any recommendations for tsukiji restaurant? Not going to queue for sushi dai or daiwa. Too long. Just want to try a nice restaurant. I had the best seasoned maguro Don at kyoto during my last trip. Hope to have something similar or as nice.

 

[kifo]

Don't be fooled by the name though, the rainbow bridge not lit in rainbow colors in the summer haha found that out the hard way. But gotta agree still very nice!

Only managed one decent photo of it because I was still a complete noob with my camera at the time:

AFAIK, the rainbow bridge light up in rainbow colours only happen in the christmas and new year period.

 

[hutkahn]

AFAIK, the rainbow bridge light up in rainbow colours only happen in the christmas and new year period.

Yep, I remember checking on the spot and realizing I was about half a year too early

Going back to Tokyo in first week Jan, not sure if I still can catch the tail end of the light-up

 

[jackieatbtu]

Normal lights not too bad also. Can take Tokyo skyline.