Japan - Arrive NRT 1930,11-24 depart 1520,11-25. To do? Stay where?

I"ve always transited NRT but I'm on an PVG-ICN-NRT (20hrs) ORD-DCA flight.

I'd like to take a peek at Tokyo without a lot of hassle if possible. To me this means a quick ride (NEX?) into town with a short walk/taxi to a fairly cheap hotel (I'm not a chain hotel person unless necessary and I just sleep in hotel rooms anyway).

I'll probably have time for a meal and a look around in the PM and ditto in the AM, so I'd like to be fairly close to something interesting. I'm not a shopper per se, more interested in the back streets, old architecture etc.

I travel light so no real problem with bags, I can easily carry what I take with me.

I leave on 11-16 in the PM for PVG so any suggestions before then appreciated. I've looked at numerous threads here and I don't think just going into Narita would be that interesting.

So if going into Tokyo for such a short hop is reasonable/doable, please advise.

I suggest taking the Keisei skyliner to Ueno.
[EDITED - Correction. Better to take the skyliner to Nippori]

Stay somewhere cheap around there. Visit Yanaka during the morning of the following day.


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-558668.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=528114
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-96587.html

More threads can be found if you search for Yanaka, Ueno, Ameyoko, Skyliner, Nippori

Hotel Lungwood might be OK - 1 minute from Yanaka station. Recently rennovated - Rooms for under $100.
http://domestic.hotel.travel.yahoo.co.jp/bin/hotelshisetsu?chiku=4018&shisetsu=050&pre_j=0

There are other cheaper options - but there's a lot to be said for going for a new or recently rennovated place.

Thanks jib71 for the info.

After reading some threads I think I'll stay at the Ryokan Annex Katsutaro. I'm not sure how to get there though. If I take the Skyliner to Nippori, is it short and simple to get to this Ryokan? Any directions appreciated.

Once I get there I think I'll just follow my nose (yes, I'm talking about food). If anybody has any suggestions for walks, shops, sites, I'm totally open to suggestions.

Take the Skyliner to Nippori. Get off the skyliner .. exit through the North exit and not the south exit.

When you exit the station via the turnstile, you'll be walking through a corridor that twists towards the left. As you come out of this turn, you will see a set of stairs to your immediate right. Go up these steps. You have two choices - hail a cab or walk to the ryokan (the walk is a bit of a pain if you have two roller suitcases).

If you choose to walk:

- Turn left when you have gotten to the top of the steps I describe above and walk uphill (not downhill!), you'll come to a 7-11 at the top of the hill, grab a drink here if you so desire or anything else you may need. Then continue on up the street on this sidewalk.

When you come to the point where the hill starts to slope downwards, you will see a fork in the road - the left fork leads downhill but don't take that fork unless you like playing dodgeball each time a vehicle comes up this road! Take the right fork and you'll come to a set of long stairs that go downhill towards a ginza. This is the Yanaka Ginza you'll be looking at. Walk down these stairs and through the ginza until you come to a T intersection. Turn to your left and walk until you get to the "tori" (gateway arch). Just past this Tori is the Annex Katsutaro (right there on your left).

If you choose to take a Taxi, make sure you have directions to the Annex Katsutaro printed out from http://www.katsutaro.com/annex_map.html This will help you immensely in directing the driver to the ryokan (if you take the black taxi they will know where it is and should cost not more than 1200 yen if you're going by yourself). Any more Q's just holler and I'll be of help, I have stayed at this particular Ryokan Annex Katsutaro 5 times.

Sanosuke!

I'll have a light bag so I'll walk although it will be dark when I arrive so I assume there is no safety problem. I also assume these great directions will also work in the dark. ;) I can always hope for a full moon or just hop in a cab. :D

Thanks much for the directions. Only on FlyerTalk... ^

The website Sanosuke linked has a pretty good map to that ryokan. Just be sure to exit Nippori Station at the north exit. If you go out the east exit, you will have to walk south past some stores to a concrete pedestrian bridge over the tracks to get to the Yanaka side then veer right through the cemetery to get back on route. The cemetery makes a very nice morning walk - quiet and interesting with centuries-old markers and plots. The small temple immediately adjacent to the aforementioned bridge is usually quiet and makes for some nice photos. I linked some in one of the previously linked threads.

If, for whatever reason, you are unable to get reservations at that ryokan, I know of a nice, small business-type hotel I have used, very near to the east exit of Nippori Station - about 3 minutes walk away, on a quiet side street. Wireless internet included. Let me know if you would like information.

Nippori and especially Yanaka and Nezu are kind of "small town" Tokyo, if such a thing is imagineable. Nice for walking and siteseeing. If you are into guidebooks, Frommer's "Tokyo" has a detailed description and map of a great half-day or less walking tour of this area.

JR

If, for whatever reason, you are unable to get reservations at that ryokan, I know of a nice, small business-type hotel I have used, very near to the east exit of Nippori Station - about 3 minutes walk away, on a quiet side street. Wireless internet included. Let me know if you would like information.
JR

Since I'm operating with short time frames it would be good to have a backup place to stay. I emailed the ryokan but haven't heard back. Would you post or PM me with the URL/email of the hotel. Thanks.

Since I'm operating with short time frames it would be good to have a backup place to stay. I emailed the ryokan but haven't heard back. Would you post or PM me with the URL/email of the hotel. Thanks.
Sure. There is a link to a map under the "Access" menu.

http://www.tokiwahotel.com/index_e.htm

Their English is limited but serviceable and the very small staff - I think just 2 partners and a couple of maids - are very anxious to please. They even rummaged around and found an extra-large pair of slippers as soon as I walked in the front door and they got a look at my size 13s. :D

If you would be more comfortable booking through an English language booking service than directly with the hotel, they can also be reached and booked through: http://www.japanhotel.net/data/pref/Hotel_list_major.asp?Area2=UENO

JR

I like the shopping street in the Yanaka area near Nippori station, I didn't realise until now that it was called Yanaka Ginza (I think this is a tongue and cheek nickname).

This webpage has a nice map showing what's in the area:

http://web-japan.org/tokyo/tips/yanaka_tour/yanaka_print/

Since I'm operating with short time frames it would be good to have a backup place to stay. I emailed the ryokan but haven't heard back. Would you post or PM me with the URL/email of the hotel. Thanks.

I once tried to book one of those budget ryokan (not the Katsutaro, but one in Nagoya) by e-mail, and when I hadn't heard back pretty close to my departure date, I broke down and faxed them. The reply came back saying that they rarely checked their e-mail, but they did have room for the night I needed.

Thanks to everbody who provided such good information. Unfortunately (well, fortunately as well) UA found a non-stop for me that avoids the overnight in Tokyo. I'll keep the link for future reference though. Great stuff. ^

... UA found a non-stop for me that avoids the overnight in Tokyo... ^I'm sorry to hear this...you and Tokyo seem like a perfect match! With the new UA IAD-NRT service, hopefully you'll find it convenient to visit soon. I had a twenty hour VDB bump layover, in Tokyo, last year, and spent my time in the Ueno area. My favorite kaiten sushi place is near Ueno Station, under the tracks, so I can fill that need before walking to the Keisei Ueno Station, for the trip to NRT.

If you are scheduled to arrive at 19:30, after getting thru customs and train ride to the city it could be 22:00 b4 you set your bags at the hotel room. To catch a 15:20 flight for the States you would need to be at the airport by what? 13:20? It would be a very brief morning rush in Tokyo, unless you have specific places to visit in mind. May be you should consider staying for an extra day to make the trip more worthwhile.

Too bad about not staying in Japan 1 night :( , and of course the UA part too :p .........