Tokyo
April 5 - 10, 2015 (5D4N): This is one of my favorite cities in the world and we were here just in time for the Cherry Blossom!! We sampled everything from sushi at the Fishmarket, ramen at the Tokyo train station, and fishing for our own dinner. You can combine this trip with a visit to the Kansai Region.
*Highly Recommended
Day 1
Afternoon flight arrival in Tokyo Narita
Keisei Sky Liner to Keiseiueno + JR to Shinjuku (1:10 hr)
Check-in @ Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku*
Walk around Roppongi Hills
Maman (giant spider) in front of Mori
Tokyo City View Observation Deck (it was closed for renovation when we were there)
Snap a picture of Tokyo Tower at a distance
Dinner @ Zauo Fishing Boat Café* (need reservation)
Walk around Shinjuku
Day 2
Early morning Taxi (~¥3790) to Tsukiji Fish Market
To see the Tuna Auction (register at 1st Floor of "The Fish Information Center" by the Kachidoki Bridge entrance; see tips below for more info)
Sushi breakfast @ Daiwa Sushi* (set menu of 8 pieces + 6p roll = ¥3500 pp; we waited for 1 hr for the 6 am seating)
Walk over to Hama Rikyu Garden - one of Tokyo's oldest Japanese gardens (opens at 9 am)
Nap @ the hotel
Visit Shibuya:
Shibuya Station and down to the bustling Tokyu Food Show (supermarket)
Lunch @ some random curry shop
Starbucks (check out the famous Shibuya crossing)
Shibuya 109 (unique fashion building)
Shop @ Uniqlo
Observatory at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices building (free, 9:30 am-11 pm, go during day & night)
Walk to Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) in Shinjuku (a street with all yakitori stands)
Dinner @ Ebisu Yokocho (small indoor eatery stalls)
Day 3
Tsukemen (dipping ramen) @ Rokurinsha Tokyo* (inside Tokyo station B1)
Walk around Harajuku:
Santa Monica Crepes (across from 7-11; green tea ice cream w/cheesecake)
Sakuara shake @ McDonald’s
Walk around Shinjuku
Kabukicho (red light district)
Don Quijote
Konica Minolta Plaza (closed)
Dinner @ Bar Yasuda* (omakase)
Day 4
Lunch @ Tsunahachi (tempura)
JR to Atami/Izutaga (~3 hrs)
Check-in @ Nagahamaen* (Ryokan)
Hot spring (private outdoor tub with an ocean view) @ ryokan
Full-set of traditional Japanese Dinner @ ryokan
More Hot spring!!
Slept on tatami
Day 5
Morning Hot spring
Breakfast @ ryokan
Walk to the ocean
JR train back to Tokyo (~3hr)
Check-in @ Centurion Hotel Ueno
Asakusa (old Tokyo)
Senso-ji Temple (浅草寺)
Shop for souvenirs along Nakamise Dori
Lunch @ Asakusa Okonomiyaki Sometaro* 染太郎 (Sit on the floor and watch them make okonomiyaki in front of you. Both their okonomiyaki and yakisoba are excellent)
Akihabara (electronic area), walk around Chuo Dori
Buy Kit Kats @ Niki no Kashi 二木の菓子 in Ueno Ameyoko and walk around Ueno shopping area
Dinner @ Torigin (yakitori)
Walk around Ginza
Ramen @橫濱家系 in Ueno
Friday, 4/10:
Breakfast @ hotel
Take Keisei Sky Liner from Keiseiueno to Narita Airport T1 (41 mins)
Morning flight to Chicago
Other points of interests & food
Odaiba - It’s an island connected to Tokyo city by the rainbow bridge. Really pretty views. Also, there’s this “onsen” place that’s quite cool.
Visit Theme restaurant
Fish market - Sushi Dai (Look for the faded green doorway curtains and a very long line out front) or Sushizanmai's honten (outside the market)
Tips
Please note that the subway closes around midnight. Taxis are very expensive...avoid that when the subways are running.
Be sure to have small bills of Yen when buying subway tickets.
Late March to mid-April is the Sakura Season (cherry blossom) in Japan; hotel rates are generally higher.
We arrived at the Fishmarket around 4:20 am to sign-up for the Tuna Auction but it was too late as the allowable spots were filled. We heard that the list closed at around 3:30 am. If you are ready to do this, it is easier to just stay at the bar nearby and start lining up around 2:30 am.
