Tokyo Guide

Harajuku was amazing -- definitely a highlight.
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Day One

Most people arrive in Narita airport. If this is the case, you can catch the express train from the airport, inorder to head into central tokyo (or in my case I was heading to Asakusa). You want to take the Keisei ( Oshiage) line (approximately 72 minutes) and the cost is 1060 yen (thats around 10.60 US). You can get a ticket for this train at the airport.

Harajuku was amazing -- definitely a highlight. A warning: These kids are SO hip, you can't NOT feel like a square.

Shinjuku -- where Lost in Translation was filmed. The brilliant neon that Tokyo's kind of known for.
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For those of you staying at Asasuka hostel, the website provides you with great directions from the airport to the hostel. Here is a shorten version. You want to get off the express train at Oshiage. Walk downstairs to the subway. From there get on the Asakusa Line towards Nishi-magome (its two stops) and get off at (surprize) Asakusa. The website provides excellent directions from the subway to the hostel.

If you are staying in Tokyo for a week, recommended that you buy a passnet card. These cards allow you to move freely from subways, trains and buses. To purchase one, you can get them from the machines in the subways. I used the subway, trains and buses alot, thus I put 5000 yen (50.00 US) on the card, this should last you a week.

Savour speactular views of this place while sipping a vodka martini at Aurora Lounge or Sky Bar Polestar on the same floor of Keio plaza Hotel
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Places to go and see are the following;

Harajuku was amazing -- definitely a highlight. A warning: These kids are SO hip, you can't NOT feel like a square. Still, tough it out and explore. Depending where you start, the best way to get there is the subway (master the map, it can turn into a deadly vacation if you can't). From Asakusa I went on the Ginza line and got off Omoto Sando. This eventually leads into Harajuku, and you get to see some pretty cool stuff along the way.

Shinjuku -- where Lost in Translation was filmed. The brilliant neon that Tokyo's kind of known for. Tokyo's red light district lies east of shinjuku station. Its full of love hotels, peep shows, pink cabarets, prostitutes and strip shows. The area is generally safe and alot of fun to walk through in the evening. To get to this area take the east exit take "my city" exit.

Hachiko- The Dog Statue
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Savour speactular views of this place while sipping a vodka martini at Aurora Lounge or Sky Bar Polestar on the same floor of Keio plaza Hotel. Its on the 45th fl. Both offer amazing views, and the drinks, however, are quite expensive (start 1500 yen) To get to Shinjuku, no matter where you start, you must transfer to either Oedo Line or Shinjuku line (to get to the restuarant take exit B1). Akihabara is the electronics mecca. If you're into that kind of thing, it's worth a stop. If not, the neon in Shinjuku is more impressive and you're surrounded by people other than computer lovers.

"The Spider"
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Ginza -- It's like NYC's 5th Ave. In addition, if your in the mood to shop for really nice clothes then this is the place for you. You can get there either by the Marunouchi Line or the Ginza line, getting off at Ginza.

If you hop back onto the Ginza line (or you can just walk, to save money) head towards Shinbuya and get off there. Take the Hachiko exit. There you will found a statue of a dog. The story behind the statue to wonderful. " In the 1920's a professor who lived near the station, had a small dog called Hachiko. Everyday the professor would go to work and the dog would wait for him outside of the station till he would return back home. The master died while at work in 1925, but the dog continued to come to the station and wait. Apparently, according to oral tradition, the dog did this routine everyday till his own death 10 years later. As a result of this dog faithfulness, they build a statue. I love this story.

The City the never stops moving ! Feel the beats !
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Odaiba-- This is an island and you get there by the Robot Train, which is really cool. To get there take the Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi Station to Daida Station. It's worth your while to wait for a front seat in the train to get the full experience of the above-ground ride as you cross the rainbow bridge. Once you're there, take the main exit and you'll see the phalic "Flame of Freedom" which stands across from a miniature Statue of Liberty. The Fuji Television Japan Broadcast center is really neat, and a ticket to the observatory gives you great views of the bay. This place overall is a nice place to relax and enjoy the beach.

FISH MARKET-- best part of the weekend! I feel like eating some Tuna !
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Roppongi-- Is definately a treat. An area called Roppongi Hills is worth a visit. It has shopping/dining/arts ect. There are alot of interesting art galleries along the way, if you are a fine art lover. A highlight of this area is the architecture, enhanced by a giant spider sculture located in the centre of the square. You'll probably get lost, but there are alot of maps available throught the area.

Close to Roppongi is the Tokyo tower. It is a tourist trap, because you can get free excess to most building in Tokyo and have a great view. Regardless, if you are interested, its a great way to see the city. Except to pay 1000 Yen to enter.

Beer Museum Yebisu. My favourite was Major Weiss (German Beer). Its in the corner, the light color one !
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I'd set aside a "raging" night for Ropponi. Their are plenty of bars along the way, that fill up with international crownds. Most places charge cover so expect to bring alot of money out. Regardless, have fun partying untill the small hours of the morning, when the trains finally resume (which is good, you can avoid the taxis, which is far to expensive). Places to go are Gas Panic, Bul-lets and Space Lab Yellow.

FISH MARKET-- best part of the weekend! It's in Tsukiji, which is close to Ginza.  Regardless where you start, make sure you get onto the odeo line or Ginza line and get off at Tsukijishijo exit A1. Strongly recommended wear crappy shoes and get ready to be in everyone's way. It's chaos.

Odaiba- The phalic "Flame of Freedom"
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You can catch the waterbus from the east end of hama rikyu. To get there you can enter the Hama Rikyu onshi-teien Garden, which has some really nice views of gardens as well as lanscape. Destinations include Asakusa and Odaiba (runs daily every 35 minutes starting from 10:00-6:45 at night. The time vaires according to the destination you choose, Asakusa was only an hour boat ride). Its a great way to see Tokyo as well as see the 12 bridges that Sumida River is famous for. To get to the garden, its only a 10 minute walk from the fish market. There are maps located in the area to found it.

Akasaka- is this politically district of Tokyo. The highligh of the area is the National diet.

Ebisu- There is really nothing special about this area, except the Beer Museum Yebisu. It closes at 5:00 pm so make sure you arrive early, as the highlght of this Museum is the beer that they serve from their factory, at great prices ! To get there take the harajuku JR down to Ebisu, you want to take the main exit.