Japan or Bust!

First post so first of all, Hello all! and now onto business...

After about 4 years of contemplating and building up sky miles on my credit card it came down to this winter at the mark of my turning 26 (17th of Jan) that I will finally make it to japan.

Language wise, I can speak a bare minimal of yes/no hi/bye and general directions which is usually enough to get one by in most places in the modern world and being originally from india and moving to the U.S. and having to deal with culture shock I'm used to it and also the fact that its a city like Tokyo I'm not too worried about it.

What I am concerned with is the time I have and finding a decent place. I'm leaving from New York City on the 8th of January and will be arriving at Narita airport on the 9th and plan on staying in Japan until the 20th of January before heading home to start grad school, which of course means this is a fairly budgeted trip.

I'm looking for some decent hotel recommendations. I've found one or two places, but haven't been too thrilled with the prices compared to their locations and quality. Seems my price range of ($50 to $65 a night) is a bit too low which being a New York city resident is understandable. So if anyone has any good recommendations please let me know. I could probably spring for a little more per night for a nice place, but not a lot more.

Secondly, things to do. I've been so busy with the last semester and with trying to find an apartment that other than booking a ticket I haven't really had much time (this post being made at 3:30 at night being evidence of the fact) to plan out anything. I plan on staying in Tokyo at the moment, but would also like to see other interesting points as well. To my luck the Tokyo Auto Salon is on the weekend that I arrive so that should fill up a day or two at least.

Another point of concern is the amount of cash to have on hand upon arrival, other than credit cards of course. Basically how much to have for cab fare to the hotel or anything else of the sort.

I actually do have an acquaintance that is from japan and is actually back home at the moment, but doesn't reside in Tokyo and I don't know how much I can really depend on him. I should have probably stuck my head in one of these forums a few weeks ago when I made my reservation to try and find some people to hang with or something.

So if anyone in my age bracket, or not currently resides there and would like to hang out and see the sights that would help a great deal as well as I'm traveling alone. I'm a fairly outgoing and easy going guy and enjoy a pretty wide array of hobbies like drifting,films,photography,history,art,music I could probably buy you some lunch/dinner as payment as well.

I've waited for this trip for a while and would like to make the most of it so any help in any of the mentioned fields would be appreciated, so thanks for taking the time to read it.

Welcome aboard, AC.

First off, I would recommend Hotel Asia Center of Japan. They are in the $50-60 price range and it is a nice hotel and centrally located. Their phone number is 011334026111. They have their own restaurant and have a nice buffet breakfast at 900 yen. They have their own website, just Google them in and you can print off a map and make your reservations there.

Japan is basically a cash nation, although some places to accept credit cards. Since you're going 13 days, I would say you should have about $2,500 to $3,000 on hand. Exchange your money at Narita Airport for best rates.

Taxis can be expensive. You should take the Narita Express in from the airport, get off at Tokyo Station and take the Yamanote Line from there to Shimbashi Station. Pick up the Ginza line from there to go to the Aoyama Itchome Station. Get off there and walk 2 blocks to the hotel. The fare on the subways and trains are a lot cheaper than the cabs (basic rate for subways is around 160 yen).

Make sure you have a good map of Tokyo. You can get them free from JNTO at Travel Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) . Trying to find an address in Tokyo is like swimming the ocean. You can get free booklets and brochures from them as well.

Thanks for the reply.

I thought I had found the place to stay with your suggestion of the Asia Center, but seems making last minute reservations is not a good idea as it doesn't have any vacancies longer than a night's stay.

what about hostels like K's House, or places like sakura house? You really did wait until the last minute to find accommodations, which will be the biggest problem for you

Ac3 said:

Thanks for the reply.

I thought I had found the place to stay with your suggestion of the Asia Center, but seems making last minute reservations is not a good idea as it doesn't have any vacancies longer than a night's stay.

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They always have cancellations. Ask them to put you on a list for other nights.

yeah ive just been too busy and the date seemed to just come up all of a sudden. I'm sure worst case scenario I can always find a hostel or a place that's a bit more expensive.

Also, most hotels usually will hold some rooms for walk ins as well and list them as being at capacity. I'm going to inquire at the Asia center and see if I have any luck.

After a lot of searching about I managed to get an ok rate at the pearl Ryogoku. Its more than I wanted to spend, but i managed to get it for the duration of the trip. Now its just a matter of finding things to do

So tomorrow morning is D-day. Shipping out at 10:45 and scheduled to land in Narita at 5:00pm on the 9th.

Only have 1 issue of figuring out my best option to get to the hotel from Narita, which is steps from the JR Ryouguku Station.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Reading my map, I'd say take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station. From there, take the Yamanote Line to Akihabara. From there, take the Sobu Line to Ryoguku Station.

As for things to do, you're in relative close proximity to Asakusa (Nakamise St.), Akihabara (Electric Town) and Ueno (Ueno Park and museums). Those are good places to start. I'd also recommend Aqua City in Odaiba, Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace, cruise the Sumida River from Asakusa, Ginza, and taking a trip down to Yokohama for a day.

meet one of my best friend
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/e-norikeyin.html

Narita-Airport(line:keisei)->Keisei-Funabashi/Funabashi(line:sobu)->Ryogoku
On board for 77 minutes (Traveling for 83 minutes)
One-way fare:1,010 yen Distance:64.1 km

or if you want the direct one. Just take the Narita-airport sobu line straight to ryogoku. +270yen.

Hope you'll enjoy your stay here in Japan.