Travel: Japan - General
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tony:
We took the Romance Car (actually a train) from Shinjuku to Hakone. About 1.5 hour ride:Hi lwm99,
How do you get from Hakone to Tokyo? Do you take a flight or train?
TIA
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/rc/index.html
On the way back, we went to Gotemba factory outlet, and took a bus back from there. That is one of the best outlets around Tokyo, and we had a good view of Mt Fuji from there. -
Hi Insider,
How about
1) Shinjuku station area (big dept stores like Times Square (Takashimaya) and Tokyu Hands - -> 1 day
2) Ueno station area (100 Yen shop, Ameyokocho) - -> at least 1/2 day
3) Ginza area (high-end shopping - -> for me I finished within 2 hours)
4) Odaiba - -> 1 day
5) Yokohama area (Sakuragicho-station) - -> 1 day
6) Asakusa - -> 3 hours to 1/2 day
7) Harajuku - -> 1/2 to 1 day (good place to find a cafe to sit down and look at people walking by)
Hope the above helps. -
lwm99:
Was looking at the maps... actually Shinagawa (where we will put up for first 6 nights) is nearer Tokyo Bay which is almost opposite Odaiba... still rethinking Odaiba... I think we'll save Asakusa for Nikko area... should be cheaper...Looking at your itinerary,
day3(M): Tsukiji / Odaiba / maybe Akihabara
day4(T): Asakusa / Tobu World
You can take the ferry from Asasuka to Odaiba. So you can plan a day with these 2 places in mind.lwm99:
We're taking out Mt Fuji coz its off-season... *sigh*...day6(T): Hakone
day7(F): Hakone / back to Tokyo
day8(S): Gotemba Premium Outlet
day9(S): Mt Fuji
If you plan a few out out-of-town trips, try stay in Shinjuku area, as many trains/buses leave from there.
Mt Fuji, Gotemba, Hakone are in the same area, better to stay around there for 2-3 nights rather than taking day trips on days 8 and 9. It could be tiring for both parents and kids.
The buses don't operate so we'll have to find other ways to get there... and even if we did manage to find something... its not advisable to climb... strong winds and basically unpredictable weather... so scratch Mt Fuji...
We re-did the itinery to fit a 3 nighter into Gotemba but realised the choice of accomodation not very appealing for that area... and since we're skipping Mt Fuji, no point staying there... but its a good idea, provided its climbing season...
Revised itinery (ver 4):
(Shinagawa Prince) day1(S): UENO - lots to do here... end at Ameyayoko Mkt
(Shinagawa Prince) day2(S): Harajuku / Omotesando Hills / Aoyamate
(Shinagawa Prince) day3(M):
(Shinagawa Prince) day4(T): Hakone
(Shinagawa Prince) day5(W): Hakone back to Tokyo
(Shinagawa Prince) day6(T):
(Oakwood Shinjuku) day7(F): Asakusa / Tobu World
(Oakwood Shinjuku) day8(S): Gotemba Premium Outlet
(Oakwood Shinjuku) day9(S): Disney
(Sheraton) day10(M): DisneySea
(Sheraton) day11(T): DisneyLand
day12(W): Back to Singapore
the accomodation is a special arrangement, block of 3 days at a discounted rate... thats why the Hakone part on the first 6 nights looks kinda funny...
still trying to fill in the gaps... only 2 months more! -
found the Disney FastPass Stratergy from another forum:
Not sure if its something i'm keen to do... might just take the fun out of the whole thing...
[quote]The following strategy will see you through the crowd most of the time, but bear in mind it's not recommended if you want to leave a good impression as a tourist lol:
1. Memorize where all the fast pass rides are.
2. Get there way before the opening hour (maybe 30 min to 1 hr before?). Its unbelievable the crowd that gathers there to wait for the gates to open... Best is if you can be in the first few rows in the queue.
3. Split your group into two (A and B).
4. Once you're through the gate, Group A SPRINTS for the first fast pass ride - usually the most popular one - and grab the fast pass first. Yes, you will see other guests using the same strategy and sprinting as well. Notice you can only get the next fast pass 1.5 hrs after you get the first one.
5. Group B SPRINTS for the next fast pass ride and queue in the Standby queue (the normal one). Group A joins the queue after they get the fast pass.
6. After you take the ride in Step 5, rinse and repeat steps 4 and 5.
Only ever tried this strategy once, and we rode all the rides in one day even though there was a huge crowd. However, its very tiring so that was the only time I participated.
(Edit) Was there June this year. The Monster Inc ride was incredibly popular - it just opened in April this year. There was this huge queue outside the ride that I mistook for the Standby queue, when its actually the Fast Pass queue!!! The result was that the Fast Pass for the ride was \"sold\" out within 30min of the park opening time![/quote]
.. -
insider:
mckenzy:
found the Disney FastPass Stratergy from another forum:
Not sure if its something i'm keen to do... might just take the fun out of the whole thing...
..
My previous trip to Disneyland Tokyo during xmas. Saw a big crowd and many snake-like queues for almost every ride. Only queued for one ride (that time Star Wars roller coaster that I don't know still around or not) for more than an hour. Then I gave up and just walked walked around, shot some pix and left...
Kancheong type travel not suitable for me... Probably off season will be much better...
Hi,
Personally think the FP think not really useful, still need to queue.
Tokyo Disney is a place where seems no matter which month you go, the queue is forever there, but its a big hit place for my 6yo DS.
Will be going there in Dec'09, wanted to stay at the new Disney Hotel, but too ex, booked into Sheraton Grande instead. Hoping to catch the fireworks from the hotel room. -
Insider, I copied the suggested list from happymom_aa and added my own comments in blue. By the time I went to Japan, I was already a mother in my 30s so my shopping \"haunts\" will be different. I also stayed mainly within the Yamanote Line so all the stations are easy to reach. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamanote_Line
How about
1) Shinjuku station area (big dept stores like Times Square (Takashimaya) and Tokyu Hands - -> 1 day
I only went to Kinokuniya and Takashimaya at Shinjuku on my 1st trip. On subsequent trips, I couldn't be bothered anymore since I could find cheaper stuff elsewhere. I buy Jap books and manga so trips to Jap bookstores are a must for me when i go to Japan. As for Taka, sashimi and I went to take a look at the \"depachika\", i.e., the basement where they sell lots of cooked food. As for Tokyu Hands, I've only gone to the one at Ikebukuro. Young girls will probably like to patronise 0101, a building full of boutiques with very trendy clothes. I'm not sure about the prices and sizes since I didn't go in.
2) Ueno station area (100 Yen shop, Ameyokocho) - -> at least 1/2 day
I only went to Ueno on my 1st trip, and that was by myself. I kinda got \"lost\" there and just wandered about. Didn't really find anything interesting. If you like to bargain and/or hunt for good deals, I guess Ameyokocho will suit you.
3) Ginza area (high-end shopping - -> for me I finished within 2 hours)
I didn't even go there since I wasn't interested in window shopping for stuff I won't ever buy. After all, high-end branded goods don't appeal to me. I guess, if you're willing to splurge, and not going to any factory outlet, you will love the shops there.
4) Odaiba - -> 1 day
There are a number of malls there but the feel (and the prices) are rather touristy. What I enjoyed was the Miraikan (Museum of the Future) and if I have the chance to return to Odaiba, I'd probably check out Venus Fort, a mall designed for women. Yes, they will have the usual high-end boutiques (like in Ginza) but I read that the architecture and atmosphere are \"special\" and there are shops which target females like cake shops or cafes with tea-time buffets (that offer pastries and cakes). Odaiba has its own driver-less train system called the Yurikamome Line and it is very easy to transfer to this line from Ginza.
5) Yokohama area (Sakuragicho-station) - -> 1 day
I have never been there so can't comment.
6) Asakusa - -> 3 hours to 1/2 day
I only went there to visit Sensouji, the temple, and browsed at the shopping street leading up to the temple's main gate. This was one of the few places in Tokyo that I went for sight-seeing only.
7) Harajuku - -> 1/2 to 1 day (good place to find a cafe to sit down and look at people walking by)
Harajuku is very, very crowded on weekends and holidays. The \"walkways\" between the shops are also not very broad so be prepared to squeeze and queue. Nearby is Yoyogi Park. On Sundays (if I remember correctly), there will be a flea mart and lots of youths will dress up (cosplay) and/or perform for free there. I have always missed out on this though due to schedule conflicts and rainy weather. To escape from all the noise and crowd, you can take a breather at Meiji Shrine which is near the park. There is a \"natural buffer zone\" that you have to pass through before you reach the shrine so the shrine is really peaceful and quiet. I haven't been there but my PILs have brought my DD there and they were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a traditional Shinto wedding.
At the other end of Harajuku (can't remember if it is near GAP or opposite end of GAP), there is Omotesando. It is another underground mall full of shops that appeal mainly to young working women in their 20s. I didn't go there since I get the impression that goods aren't cheap.
This last part is my own contribution. I'm sure you'll be wondering where I actually shop.
Ikebukuro: It is a major station on the Yamanote Line, linked to many other major train and subway lines in Tokyo. Step out from the station and there will be big department stores, Tower Records and big electronics chain, Bic Camera. There is also a new underground mall. I haven't been to this one yet but if it is anything like the one at Kyoto Station, you'll be happily stuck there forever.
Walk a short distance away from the station and you'll come to a pedestrian mall lined with shops, HMV, cinema, arcade centres, eating places (lots of fast food) and Tokyu Hands. The Tokyu Hands here is 6-7 storeys high. Next to Tokyu Hands is an escalator leading to a long underpass to Sunshine City. If you think Suntec is big, you have never been to Sunshine City. There are not only the usual shops, eateries, hotel and convention centre there, it also has an aquarium/mini zoo, observatory and planetarium. They also have a big TRU and a Namco Namja Town (that houses a gyoza stadium, ice-cream city and dessert empire).
Here are the links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikebukuro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_City,_Tokyo
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Ikebukuro -
Cosplay uniforms? there's a perfect place for her to get them in Tokyo!
http://www.donki.com/index_en.php?lang=en
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3942 -
np... forgot to mention... in order to shortcut the process she should go to the Akihabara outlet instead, it would seem they have more choices :
\"The Akihabara branch of Don Quixote has about 1,400 different costumes on sale. Maid costumes were very popular among the foreigners interviewed.\"insider:
Thanks mckenzy for the link! Will pass them to my daughter.mckenzy:
Cosplay uniforms? there's a perfect place for her to get them in Tokyo!
http://www.donki.com/index_en.php?lang=en
http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3942 -
mckenzy, thanks for the link. I remember reading about Don Quixote before.
insider, there is also a Cospa shop in Akiba. Cospa sells mainly apparel based on games, animes and mangas. Below Cospa is Gashapon Kaikan, a small shop with only gashapon machines (转蛋). I’ll ask sashimi for the address and directions. (Akiba has changed a lot over the few years we went, and now, it is more friendly towards non-male otakus. ^_^)
Akiba has big branches of Animate, Toranoana, Mandarake, etc that sell anime, games and manga. However, due to Akiba’s traditional clientele, these are mostly targeted at men. I prefer to shop at Ikebukuro’s “Otome Road”. It’s the long row of shops (also with Animate, Mandarake, etc) opposite Sunshine City. These branches cater more to females. There are supposedly also butler cafes for females (as opposed to the maid cafes for males) further down this road.
I go to Animate for latest issues but for old publications, I go to Mandarake cos even though it’s 2nd-hand, the conditions of the goods are like brand new in some cases. I can even get manga that originally cost 700yen for as low as 300yen but the pages will be slightly yellow although everything is intact.
If your daughter is keen on Mandarake, I can give her directions to Nakano Broadway (just outside the Yamanote Line) where the Mandarake there is HUGE. Broadway is like a building full of shops and Mandarake has many "branches"inside; each “branch” caters to a genre, e.g., games, old collectibles, shounen stuff, seinen stuff, shoujo stuff, etc. I usually spend half a day there and eat at Mc’s nearby (go to Mc’s during lunch time to get their meals at lunch time prices).
When will you be going? I can look through my notes and give more detailed directions this weekend. -
For a 17 years old girl, beside going Akihabara for cosplay, she will like to go Harajuku and Shibuya. Other places like Ueno, Ginza, Odaiba, etc may not be of her interest if her primary objective is to shop.