Tokyo Trip Next Year

[jelom00]

i noticed you are not visiting yoyogi park/harajuku nor takeshita street ?

harajuku should be nice place to observe some interesting characters
and takeshita street is full of life ...

how about tokyo tower ?

Harajuku was a choice for the sunday so we can see some cosplayers or people on unique clothings. ended up we cannot make it back by afternoon so might as well just skip them...but im still hoping i can still see some , maybe put it on the reserve list in case there will be changes on my itinerary...Yoyogi park will be skipped for next time when we travel back during cherry blossoms season.

Tokyo tower was never my first choice as im not aware with nearby places (walking distance) that i can check at the same day..with the limited time, decided to skip it also and put it on my list for next trip to tokyo...i just hope that i can see and take a picture of it from a far from wherever place ill be going.

 

[jelom00]

i second sobeckscxl's comment. anyway, i went tokyo tower. night view from the tower nothing brillant but looking at tokyo tower from close by was quite surreal for me.

i find skytree expensive also and not sure if now still must queue in advanced for tix. honestly, i think those observation decks more or less the same - over rated.

but it might be nice to view skytree lit up at night. maybe you can go to odaiba in the afternoon, then ride the river boat to asakusa and spend the evening in the area.

got at least two more observation decks - mori tower and sunshine city. mori not cheap also but the sunshine 60 one is one of the cheapest around.

- honestly, i find observation towers overrated also. but for the sake of experience, i still go to them...If there will be a queue, will really reconsider going up..most probably go to the aquarium (for my kid) and just take a pic of the skytree from below.

- about the river boat ride, i seriously considering it even if it will change my itinerary big time..is the boat ride, worth it? i mean for the fare and the time ill spent?

- for the other two decks, need to pass as it will mean ill be exploring another two more areas.

 

[kifo]

Skytree does have one good point, the view of the sumida river and the tokyo bay in the distance is fantastic in the evening. I went up last year, no queues for ticket. But I think it depends if it is a weekday or a weekend. It is expensive because of the extra 1000JPY for walking up a bit higher than the main observation platform. As it is 100m higher, the view is slightly better for those that prefer height.

I have only been to 3 observation decks in Tokyo - Skytree, Mori and Metropolitan. I rank them in this order of scenic beauty.

 

[jelom00]

@kifo - but basically the first level will be enough? i mean, other than it is higher, any thing that can be seen from up there only? i really am not inclined to go another level due to the extra costs.

 

[kifo]

@kifo - but basically the first level will be enough? i mean, other than it is higher, any thing that can be seen from up there only? i really am not inclined to go another level due to the extra costs.

I searched online for comparison - I only found this report...
Tokyo Skytree visits too short, tourists say | The Jakarta Post

For myself, I remembered that the 2nd deck allowed me to look really far. This also means the buildings look smaller compared to when I saw the same building at the 1st deck.

Keep in mind, both Mori tower and the Metropolitan tops out at about 240m. I felt I was standing higher than the surrounding buildings, but just a bit higher to see over the top of the rest. The Skytree 1st deck is at 350m and the 2nd deck is at 450m. There is a big difference between the views here and the views from the other 2 places, especially the higher deck. However, I also remembered that I was slightly disappointed to see everything was so small when I got up to the 2nd deck. Can't be helped I suppose.

 

[cpuer]

Dont forget the lowest observation deck ever in Tokyo, the Asakusa Tourism Building

Where due to its lack of height, the views are not so tiny and still recognizable

 

[jelom00]

- asakusa tourist info bldg - noted! will fit it in.. I assume it is free, right?

 

[cpuer]

- asakusa tourist info bldg - noted! will fit it in.. I assume it is free, right?

Yes, free, its just a tiny rest area outside of a small roof top cafe.

 

[sobeckscxl]

If you will be staying at Shinjuku, you can always pop by Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building since the North Observatory closes at 11pm if you really want to visit it.

For Tokyo Tower, I will not recommend the observatory. It is beautiful viewing it from afar (esp at night) but you can't see the iconic landmark when you are up on the observatory.

For Tokyo Skytree, it was very crowded when I visited. I have to squeeze with people to get a place at the glass panel but I will recommend it if you are choosing between Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower.

I visited Mori Tower too and liked it because it is less crowded.

 

[sobeckscxl]

For Day 1, you can try going Asakusa and Odaiba on the same day. That is what I did.

Asakusa: Nakamise Shopping St, Kaminarimon, Sensoji Temple, Shin-Nakamise Shopping St, walk to Sumida River Boat Terminal and take the ferry (50 mins) which saffronsatire mentioned to Odaiba.

2 hours since be sufficient for Asakusa. Say you reach Asakusa at 2.30pm, you should reach Odaiba by 5.30pm. Visit Legoland first then the rest of Odaiba slowly.

I liked the ferry ride though it is very touristy. It brings you through the iconic 11 (I think) bridges of Sumida River. You can rest on the ferry and also not worry about the transport to Odaiba.

-----

For Mount Fuji, have you thought of visiting Kachi Kachi Ropeway instead of Chureito Pagoda? It is not really child friend because Chureito Pagoda is like 400 steps up from the shrine. Pretty exhausting for a 2 year old child.

 

[jelom00]

For Day 1, you can try going Asakusa and Odaiba on the same day. That is what I did.

Asakusa: Nakamise Shopping St, Kaminarimon, Sensoji Temple, Shin-Nakamise Shopping St, walk to Sumida River Boat Terminal and take the ferry (50 mins) which saffronsatire mentioned to Odaiba.

2 hours since be sufficient for Asakusa. Say you reach Asakusa at 2.30pm, you should reach Odaiba by 5.30pm. Visit Legoland first then the rest of Odaiba slowly.

I liked the ferry ride though it is very touristy. It brings you through the iconic 11 (I think) bridges of Sumida River. You can rest on the ferry and also not worry about the transport to Odaiba.

-----

For Mount Fuji, have you thought of visiting Kachi Kachi Ropeway instead of Chureito Pagoda? It is not really child friend because Chureito Pagoda is like 400 steps up from the shrine. Pretty exhausting for a 2 year old child.

- If ill be coming from Shinjuku (my hotel location) will it be crowded at that time to go to Asakusa (both in train and the asakusa itself)?. Thanks.

- It is the shuttle looking boat ride, right? I think I will try it then. Though when, i need to check my itinerary. Maybe on day 1 or day 2. Thanks

- re: mt.fuji - i never thought of it. Upon checking, I think we will. Thanks. As for the Chureito Pagoda, Ill rethink, after checking it again, it is away from our intended kawaguchiko stn destination...also, exhausting for me as ill most probably carrying her. She'll be 30months old only by then.

 

[jelom00]

Yes, free, its just a tiny rest area outside of a small roof top cafe.

may also serve as a resting area. will really include. Thanks

 

[cpuer]

may also serve as a resting area. will really include. Thanks

yes, its just across the Kanarimon gate, so its easy, right across they have this cute free Panda bus making rounds between Ueno, Asakusa & Oshiage(Skytree)

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Its a cheapo way to tour the area. Limited runs though, check out their timetable and be prepared of no seats, depends on point of boarding.

If you like cycling, the area has cheap circling rental services too.
RENT A BIKE  | ???????????????

 

[jelom00]

yes, its just across the Kanarimon gate, so its easy, right across they have this cute free Panda bus making rounds between Ueno, Asakusa & Oshiage(Skytree)

NEW??? of ?index.html?


Its a cheapo way to tour the area. Limited runs though, check out their timetable and be prepared of no seats, depends on point of boarding.

If you like cycling, the area has cheap circling rental services too.
RENT A BIKE *|*???????????????

- this is interesting. sad to say, google cant translate most of the jap chars. How much is the trip? or must buy passport for unli rides?

 

[jelom00]

its free! read it from this website

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[sobeckscxl]

- If ill be coming from Shinjuku (my hotel location) will it be crowded at that time to go to Asakusa (both in train and the asakusa itself)?. Thanks.

- It is the shuttle looking boat ride, right? I think I will try it then. Though when, i need to check my itinerary. Maybe on day 1 or day 2. Thanks

- re: mt.fuji - i never thought of it. Upon checking, I think we will. Thanks. As for the Chureito Pagoda, Ill rethink, after checking it again, it is away from our intended kawaguchiko stn destination...also, exhausting for me as ill most probably carrying her. She'll be 30months old only by then.

- Asakusa is crowded no matter what time, esp the shopping st but it is not like you can't walk at all kind. Train wise, 2ish is quite a off-peak time so I don't think so

- The ferry looks like spaceship!

 

[cpuer]

its free! read it from this website

HOME of ?index.html?

LOL, can sense the excitement coming from you. You will enjoy Tokyo like I did. Nice place. Just that you have to plan everything with min walking(which is hard in JP) so that it wont tire you or your kid out. Bring along a fold-able slim pram, it will save your back(or your missus')

 

[jelom00]

i plan to bring a light stroller but plan to use it only on the 2 disney trips…for our kid and our bag also..but we are not sure if bringing stroller during train travels will be easy? isn't the volume of commuters there tends to fill all the trains?

Do anyone here experienced bringing strollers during commute?

 

[cpuer]

i plan to bring a light stroller but plan to use it only on the 2 disney trips…for our kid and our bag also..but we are not sure if bringing stroller during train travels will be easy? isn't the volume of commuters there tends to fill all the trains?

Do anyone here experienced bringing strollers during commute?

Nope, no experience in stroller. But I couldn't recall i see lots of strollers in the train though. But I am sure they will bring them into train if they need to. For your case, you just be mindful of the extra bulk the stroller takes up will do.

talking about peak hour, its like Singapore. Just avoid the starting work and ending work time will do. Most modern stations would have lifts or escalators. But also quite a few have none of these and you will have to carry your baby up and down the stairs.

 

[jelom00]

Nope, no experience in stroller. But I couldn't recall i see lots of strollers in the train though. But I am sure they will bring them into train if they need to. For your case, you just be mindful of the extra bulk the stroller takes up will do.

talking about peak hour, its like Singapore. Just avoid the starting work and ending work time will do. Most modern stations would have lifts or escalators. But also quite a few have none of these and you will have to carry your baby up and down the stairs.

That is what I worry. I hope there would be others here that can say something about the stroller experience.

regarding peak hour, that will be a relief if just like SG. at least i can plan ahead the time of our trips.

thanks a lot