Tokyo tourism suggestions...

hcs

hcs

Active member
Ok, so, I have a http://icpc.baylor.edu/icpc/trip to Tokyo</a> coming up March 10th, I'm wondering if anyone who's been there can recommend stuff I should see/do in the week or so I'll be there. Keep in mind my nerdliness and practically no spending money (trip, hotel, most food paid for).

(hotel is actually in Chiba, it would seem, so that region is fair game)

(also note that "consider my nerdliness" doesn't rule out culture and nature)<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by hcs on 02/24/07 02:20 AM.</FONT></P>
 
I've actually only gone through Tokyo on my way to somewhere else, but I've lived in Japan for a while, often with little money, and I have some thoughts. The first one being that you'll really need to decide exactly what your budget is. Every $50 could really change things around.

Now, pretty much every attraction you go to is going to cost something, and what's more, it's going to take at least a few dollars to get there. A lot of shrines are open for free, and you should check out a couple if you can. Nature parks and some touristy-public monuments, however, will at least require a small entrance fee of 200-1000 yen. The nature in Japan is one of my favorite things about the country, and I would recommend it to anyone. However, in your case, just getting to it and back will cost you something significant.

You could go on a nerd pilgrimage to Akihabara, and I bet you would see some amazing things there. However, you may really regret it if you don't have a couple hundred dollars to blow on games. But there is a compromise, and it's actually my best suggestion for a guy with a lower budget: arcades. Not just in Akihabara, but all over Tokyo there are really good arcades. If you're a little lucky, you can find a place with some games you want to play for 20-30 yen per credit, and in that case you'll be amazed at how long just $20 will last you. If you're good, it could be days.

I guess this wasn't really all that helpful, but I hope you can get something out of it. Feel free to ask any questions.
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I am planning to be in Tokyo soon too. I am looking for a 2 week period between May and June of this year. I would buy the ticket now but I need to wait until March 8, when my wife's immigration status clears up. I am further looking to take another 2 week trip this year at christmas. I intend to spend christmas and new years in Japan.

I am lucky in the fact that i have free lodging with my wife's parents in Tokyo. Last time I was there, I spent my time getting drunk on voldka and beer with my father in law.

Akihabara was nice. The place is large though. There is lots of arcades, electronics, anime, and other "nerdy" stuff there. I enjoyed it but my feet got sore. When I was there last I could not buy anything.

I also went on a boat ride to sensouji temple. I got to see a piece of modern "art" on the way to the temple. Basically, some artist designed what looks like a big yellow erect penis and placed it ontop of a black building.

Sensouji temple was interesting. It has a place nearby where it was full of panchinko parlours. I ate at a good chinese restauratnt there. This place put N.A. Chinese food to shame!!

Shibuya was featured in Lost in Translation I believe. It was also in F&F: Tokyo Drift. I found a fairly big book store there with an english section. It had a good selection of english translated manga. Other than that, it was alot of department stores. That is where i cam going to be stuck next time when I am in Japan (*cough* wife *cough*)

DO NOT go to Tokyo Disneyland. It is busy, expensive, and boring.
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> DO NOT go to Tokyo Disneyland. It is busy, expensive, and boring.

yeah, my teammates expressed interest and I'm going to try my best to talk them out of it, seems to entirely miss the point of "something to do in japan"
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> Ok, so, I have a trip to Tokyo coming up March 10th, I'm
> wondering if anyone who's been there can recommend stuff I
> should see/do in the week or so I'll be there.

Akihabara-photo-Tokyo-_smgpx10001x13426x19df38299.jpg


Akihabara! so you can see all the awesome shit you have no money to buy!

I also thoroughly enjoyed the http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.htmlTsukiji fish market</a> where one must get up before the crack of dawn to see them auction off massive tuna fish for the sashimi market. also all manner of other crazy seafood. this is one of the biggest fish markets in the world.

edit: i guess in 2005 they closed the tuna auction to spectators. boo hoo.
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> yeah, my teammates expressed interest and I'm going to try
> my best to talk them out of it, seems to entirely miss the
> point of "something to do in japan"

It just sucks. It is a young kids place. Tokyo disney land is divided into two sections: Regular disney park and the water themed disney park. You have to pay 60 000 yen to go to one park or the other. There is a joint entry fee for a 100 000 yen or so to be able to go to both parks.

The rides suck in the regular park. There are 2 roller coasters and a water drop ride. Thats it. The rest are theme areas and crappy little rides. Average queue length when i was there on a weekday was 1 and a half hours. I did not go to the water themed park.

Trust me, do not go there. It is a waste of money!
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> You have to pay 60 000 yen to go to one park or the other.

That's a little over $500! What in the fuck?! <img src=smilies/erm.gif>
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> > You have to pay 60 000 yen to go to one park or the other.
>
>
> That's a little over $500! What in the fuck?!
>

An extra 0. 6000 yen.

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