Itinerary Check – Tokyo, JP first-timers

5 comments

1. What time of year are you planning on coming? I live near Fuji San and there are times of the year that are not ideal for seeing it so taking a day trip may or may not be worth it to you even if it’s not visible so I’m just wondering. Also I’d expect to be jet lagged your first day or two here depending on where you’re coming from so just be wary of that and plan accordingly 🙂 (maybe doing your anniversary dinner or something on day two instead when you’ve rested). Also it sounds like you’ll just be in the Tokyo area (aside from Hakone) so maybe just an IC card would be best for transportation but I don’t live in Tokyo so I don’t know the best option, that’s just what I always use.

2. Just day 4 and day 7 you are going to places that will have a lot of travel between each place.

   >Do you recommend we get some transportation passes?

   Just get a Suica. You’re not travelling enough to get moneys worth from any passes.

   >boyfriend doesn’t eat eggs:(

   Allergy or just doesn’t like them? If allergic and you don’t know how to speak Japanese then get any allergies written down on a card to show to restaurant staff.

   >our anniversary – would like to get recommendations please on where we can have dinner so we can check for reservations

   You don’t say where your from so I’m guessing American. Just be prepared for Jet lag. This building has a few restaurants in it and is in the Asakusa area.

   https://maps.app.goo.gl/GxeEmGg6Nd8t8u37A

3. Instead of a tour in Hakone, you can do it yourself using the Hakone Free Pass.

   Transportation pass, it depend. Being in Asakusa your best bet would be the Tokyo Metro 24-48-72 hours ticket. It will cost 800 to 500 yen a day depending on the length.

   The cheapest metro/subway ride is 180 yen, so it would need 3 to 5 rides on a day to make it worth, or even less if you take a longer ride. This should be easier to achieve because the only line you would use from Asakusa station is the Metro/Subway lines (Asakusa Line or Ginza Line), so every day you should have 2 rides to get out and to Asakusa.

   For this reason, I think that you would possibly benefit from using the 72h pass, maybe even every day.

   However, there is some drawback.

   It won’t be possible to use it to go everywhere, for example there is no Metro/Subway to Odaiba or Mitaka, so for those, you will have to pay individually. Of course there is ways to integrate use of the pass, for example you could decide to use the pass to/from Nakano, so instead of paying 410 yen on JR from Kanda to Kichijoji/Mitaka, you would pay 180 yen from Nakano.

   There is also routes that are just way less efficient. For example from Shinjuku to Harajuku or Harajuku to Shibuya, there is a direct JR line (the Yamanote) but there is no direct subway line, doing these route would require to use two different lines. So either you pay for the ride on JR, or you tweak the order. For you, what would make sense is to walk from Harajuku to Shibuya, then take the Fukutoshin line from Shibuya to Shinjuku that is a Metro line, so covered by your ticket.

   So again, because you will be in Asakusa, this is a good option. Also note that if you get an IC card, I would recommend to get the Pasmo. The reason is simple, you can put your Metro ticket on the Pasmo (or Pasmo Passport if they have not resume sale of regular Pasmo). Just make sure that you can identify what is the Metro and Subway vs other lines on Google Maps and make sure you enter the right station. I say that because I saw people with the pass who tried to enter the JR station at Akihabara with their pass, but their route was possible with the pass if they enter by the entrance of the Tokyo Metro Hibiya line, that does not have an entrance near the Electronic Town exit of JR station, but if you have the ticket on Pasmo, it would have let you enter.

   ​

   So you can probably do 2x 72 hours to cover days 3 to 8. First and last day you only have 1 subway ride to/from the airport (there is direct train as the Asakusa line can turn into the Keiku train line) and day 2 that is 1 or 2 rides as everythign is in the same area at walking distance (1 ride only if you decide to take the boat ride from Asakusa to Hamarikyu garden, yes it’s more expensive, but it can be cool to be on the water).

4. Here’s my feedback / ideas on your itinerary

   **2nd Day**

   Consider visiting Seiko Museum, Ginza Art Aquarium, some cool desserts too in the area (Fruit Parlor)

   Why not visit Pokemon Cafe for lunch? (I know reservation is hard, but not impossible)

   Tokyo Character Street in Tokyo Station is often missed by visitor. This area has Kirby Petit Cafe, tons of interesting stores, etc.

   **3rd Day**

   Try to get TeamLabs first thing in the morning – 9AM opening. This is to beat the crowd!

   Joypolis – could be worthwhile checking out in Odaiba

   Don’t miss just walking around Daiba park to catch a glimpse of Rainbow Bridge with amazing view of Tokyo Skyline

   Depending your return time – can take futuristic water taxi bus back to Asakusa from Daiba. How cool is that to skip subway and take a water vessel?

   **4th Day**

   Nice that you included Edo Open Air Museum! I wanted to go here but had no time.

   Make sure to check out Toro Toro Puff Pastry near the station

   Buying Ghibli Ticket Tips: DO NOT go to the English site. I made a guide about buying Ghibli ticket in this sub and there other guides too.

   Kura (the sushi conveyor belt) has its global flagship store at Sky Tree. There is also Ghibli store located in SkyTree

   There is Kirby Cafe located in Skytree – reservation required

   **5th Day**

   This is a packed day! Make sure to checkout Tokyo Kabukicho Tower, 3D billboards located at Shinjuku and Shibuya, and Shibuya Sky for evening observatory to the city (reservation required if you want to go at sunset)

   **7th Day**

   If you can, get the first time slot 10AM. The park opens 1 hour before – so you absolutely have the entire place to yourself!

   That’s all from me! Have fun on your trip!

5. >Would love to get my hands on Toho and Miyuki beads – any leads to stores where I can purchase them?

   Since you are staying in Asakusa, whole sale district Asakusabashi isn’t too far away. There are many huge beads shops there, including Miyuki beads.

   https://www.miyuki-beads.co.jp/english/etc/retail.html