TYO what can i do?
Oct 9, 2014, 5:50 pm
#17
Join Date: Jun 2005
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You might be interested in this - A company has created some audio walking guides to Kabukicho and Akihabara:
http://tokyorealtime.com/
Those two neighborhoods are a bit odd - Most of Kabukicho is a red light district. It's one of the few places in Japan where you can easily be the victim of a crime and you'll certainly be pestered by touts who want to entice you into a bar where you're likely to be fleeced, so I can't really recommend that you hang around there if your eyesight is damaged and you're not quick on your feet. Akihabara is probably a safer choice - it has a mix of electronics stores and "geek culture".
It looks like this company is planning to produce audio guides for other neighborhoods, but so far it's just those two.
http://tokyorealtime.com/
Those two neighborhoods are a bit odd - Most of Kabukicho is a red light district. It's one of the few places in Japan where you can easily be the victim of a crime and you'll certainly be pestered by touts who want to entice you into a bar where you're likely to be fleeced, so I can't really recommend that you hang around there if your eyesight is damaged and you're not quick on your feet. Akihabara is probably a safer choice - it has a mix of electronics stores and "geek culture".
It looks like this company is planning to produce audio guides for other neighborhoods, but so far it's just those two.
Oct 9, 2014, 11:32 pm
#18
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An excellent online resource is Japan Guide. You might want to read there.
Oct 10, 2014, 3:47 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2005
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An excellent online resource is Japan Guide. You might want to read there.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...l#post23653968
Oct 10, 2014, 5:14 am
#20
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
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A newly started company - Tokyo Way - is offering some interesting guided tours and experiences on various themes. You can select your interests and input your dates to find suitable tours during your visit:
https://tokyoway.jp/
https://tokyoway.jp/
Oct 10, 2014, 5:33 am
#21
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The question here seems to literally be "What CAN I do?"
OP does not have perfect vision.
Cannot walk very far.
Needs limited exposure to stressful situations.
Will not use public bathing facilities, nor traditional toilets.
I've been in the - cannot walk far - category and also looked for minimum exposure to stress and anxiety. When I visited Japan alone with these expectations I didn't go to Tokyo but spent time on an island near Okayama as well as visiting Nara.
If I had needed to go to Tokyo I would find somewhere to stay near Nippori and just potter around the Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi neighbourhoods. Occasionally, whenever I felt brave or strong enough to do so, I would get the Yamanote line and visit another area, either to see the gardens or museums or whatever sights and attractions I was interested in.
If you need ideas or inspiration then check out what the Grutt pass will give you access to:
http://www.rekibun.or.jp/grutto/pdf/grutt_pass2014.pdf. It's 2,000 yen, gives you plenty to do for any of the 16 days when it is raining or cold and miserable and (with the exceptions requiring a supplement amount) you won't need to pay anything extra on top of the travel costs.
A big advantage of visiting a city rather than the countryside is that you are never far from a taxi if you get into problems.
OP does not have perfect vision.
Cannot walk very far.
Needs limited exposure to stressful situations.
Will not use public bathing facilities, nor traditional toilets.
I've been in the - cannot walk far - category and also looked for minimum exposure to stress and anxiety. When I visited Japan alone with these expectations I didn't go to Tokyo but spent time on an island near Okayama as well as visiting Nara.
If I had needed to go to Tokyo I would find somewhere to stay near Nippori and just potter around the Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi neighbourhoods. Occasionally, whenever I felt brave or strong enough to do so, I would get the Yamanote line and visit another area, either to see the gardens or museums or whatever sights and attractions I was interested in.
If you need ideas or inspiration then check out what the Grutt pass will give you access to:
http://www.rekibun.or.jp/grutto/pdf/grutt_pass2014.pdf. It's 2,000 yen, gives you plenty to do for any of the 16 days when it is raining or cold and miserable and (with the exceptions requiring a supplement amount) you won't need to pay anything extra on top of the travel costs.
A big advantage of visiting a city rather than the countryside is that you are never far from a taxi if you get into problems.
Last edited by LapLap; Oct 10, 2014 at 5:39 am
Oct 11, 2014, 3:10 am
#23
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23651974-post154.html Sorry, I have no idea.
For someone who says they can't walk too far I'm actually quite worried about you installing yourself into the IC Yokohama.
I stayed there for 9 days a few years ago (just before my back gave up and had the operation, did have sciatica at the time).
Either you will need to get a train each and every time you go anywhere (and the costs will rack up, so please factor this into your budget) or you will have a long, long trek through a never ending shopping mall just to get to the edge of the Yokohama Bay Area
I can not overstate how much walking can be involved for those staying at the IC Yokohama and watch out for the "premium" ocean view rooms that feature views of, you guessed it, the ocean. Sounds like it should be glorious; blue seas, blue skies, a balm for the soul, the reality is that the view is usually grey, murky and, frankly, depressing. Out of the 9 days I spent here, at least three were spent in tortured misery as I got kidney stones and had to flush them through my system. I'd actively turned down an upgrade when checking in and was so pleased I did, spent A LOT of time gazing out of the hotel room window and the view over the Cosmo Amusement park and the Yokohama waterfront really helped me keep my spirits up. Had I spent that time looking out over an expanse of grey gruel in turmoil it could well have tipped me over the edge.
Oct 11, 2014, 3:23 am
#24
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I stayed there for 9 days a few years ago (just before my back gave up and had the operation, did have sciatica at the time).
i use an company rate who have just 2 different price for quit all room. So i try to book the highest category i found who cost the same as the lowest room category.
Is there an Supermarket next to the Hotel who accept a CC?
I can walk over hours if there is no lager Stairs or a big hill.
Everything is depended of my stomach. If there is a stressful environment everything goes wrong....
Oct 11, 2014, 8:30 am
#25
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For the back surgery? I live in London, procedure was done under the National Health Service at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead. Doubt that information will be of any use to you.
For the kidney stones? Went to the BLUFF Clinic in Yokohama (corrected). The physician I saw spoke excellent English, knew immediately what was wrong, gave me painkillers strong enough to really help and warned me that I might get an infection and what the signs would be, which proved very useful back in London.
Mr Sato, the concierge at the IC, was also wonderful. His colleagues, whilst polite, just weren't the same calibre.
This hotel charges a premium for ocean view rooms and they are regarded as a higher category. But not by me. 16 days by myself looking out onto a horizonless expanse of grey would dampen my mood. The city view is much more cheerful and quite spectacular in its own way. Didn't matter to me that the room they offered to upgrade me to was more expensive and a higher category, the actual room itself was the same (had colleagues with me who were booked into these ocean view rooms, they liked the view from my room better too).
Not really. There ARE convenience stores around, and there is a bakery close to the entrance of the nearest train station (not sure if you can use a cc to buy baked goods, you'll need to take cash around with you and 7-11 ATMs are one of the few places you can reliably withdraw cash). At the IC Hotel you are perfectly positioned for conference facilities, everything costs that little bit more, it's just like being in the middle of a major metropolitan financial district. Not that easy to get fresh fruit in this corner of Yokohama.
If you are looking to save some money during your stay you might want to figure out the closing times at the big department stores at the main Yokohama station and go visit a half an hour or so before they close. This is a way to get discounted foods (particularly bento) and fresh fruit.
Talk to Mr Sato (if he's still the head concierge) and figure out if you need any signs to show people selling food. Not sure if there are any restrictions you need to follow with regards to your stomach.
That's lucky then. You will have to walk for hours but you won't have to climb many stairs and the area is very flat. As for stressful environment - walking through a shopping mall doesn't fit into everyone's idea of "relaxing times", but you can walk along the outside if you want to avoid the shops and the shoppers. At least you have the option to go inside if and when the weather gets bad.
For the kidney stones? Went to the BLUFF Clinic in Yokohama (corrected). The physician I saw spoke excellent English, knew immediately what was wrong, gave me painkillers strong enough to really help and warned me that I might get an infection and what the signs would be, which proved very useful back in London.
Mr Sato, the concierge at the IC, was also wonderful. His colleagues, whilst polite, just weren't the same calibre.
Not really. There ARE convenience stores around, and there is a bakery close to the entrance of the nearest train station (not sure if you can use a cc to buy baked goods, you'll need to take cash around with you and 7-11 ATMs are one of the few places you can reliably withdraw cash). At the IC Hotel you are perfectly positioned for conference facilities, everything costs that little bit more, it's just like being in the middle of a major metropolitan financial district. Not that easy to get fresh fruit in this corner of Yokohama.
If you are looking to save some money during your stay you might want to figure out the closing times at the big department stores at the main Yokohama station and go visit a half an hour or so before they close. This is a way to get discounted foods (particularly bento) and fresh fruit.
Talk to Mr Sato (if he's still the head concierge) and figure out if you need any signs to show people selling food. Not sure if there are any restrictions you need to follow with regards to your stomach.
That's lucky then. You will have to walk for hours but you won't have to climb many stairs and the area is very flat. As for stressful environment - walking through a shopping mall doesn't fit into everyone's idea of "relaxing times", but you can walk along the outside if you want to avoid the shops and the shoppers. At least you have the option to go inside if and when the weather gets bad.
Last edited by LapLap; Oct 17, 2014 at 4:29 pm
Oct 11, 2014, 9:34 am
#26
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I have an Travel insurance so if someone bad happened the pay the bill for me and the Transport home. (I make a joke sometimes why i have to go skiing in St.Moritz because the Travel Insurance pay the Helicopter, Private Doctor and transport back Home. If the same happened in Austria there i life the send me the Bill home and to pay it myself....)
I book the "LORAL SPACE AND COMM" Rate and all Rooms in the lower category have the same Price for a Stay so...
For today i watch many Youtube movies about japan.
Do you know what is better to chance the Money in VIE (if the have Yen) or in NRT?
omg i am so f... nervous!
I book the "LORAL SPACE AND COMM" Rate and all Rooms in the lower category have the same Price for a Stay so...
For today i watch many Youtube movies about japan.
Do you know what is better to chance the Money in VIE (if the have Yen) or in NRT?
omg i am so f... nervous!
Oct 11, 2014, 12:54 pm
#27
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Will assume you have very specialised travel insurance. The cheap deals won't necessarily cover a pre-existing condition.
No idea about what LORAL SPACE & COMM rate means at the IC Yokohama.
For changing money. Would not advise changing more than the minimum at VIE. You'll get a better exchange rate using an ATM at Narita. Seems you will be with Lufthansa flying into Terminal 1. There is both a Citibank ATM as well as a 7-11 ATM around the Arrivals Hall. Airport Staff will be there and willing to assist you if you cannot find them. Please bear in mind that the ATMs from other companies may be useless.
You might find it lessens stress to have at least 5,000yen when you arrive. This will be more than enough to get you to the hotel with public transport. Once you are at the hotel the concierge will be able to give you further assistance.
When you go out and about, rather than asking for help directly, keep a map with you and look at it in a puzzled manner (your hotel will be able to provide you with these). I understand that you might not be able to see the map well but it will be a signal to others that you need some help. Don't try and pick out the 5% of people who might feel comfortable enough speaking English with you, let them come to you. That map and you looking lost is like a distress beacon. There are a lot of very, VERY kind people in Japan. Enjoy your visit. Don't worry.
No idea about what LORAL SPACE & COMM rate means at the IC Yokohama.
For changing money. Would not advise changing more than the minimum at VIE. You'll get a better exchange rate using an ATM at Narita. Seems you will be with Lufthansa flying into Terminal 1. There is both a Citibank ATM as well as a 7-11 ATM around the Arrivals Hall. Airport Staff will be there and willing to assist you if you cannot find them. Please bear in mind that the ATMs from other companies may be useless.
You might find it lessens stress to have at least 5,000yen when you arrive. This will be more than enough to get you to the hotel with public transport. Once you are at the hotel the concierge will be able to give you further assistance.
When you go out and about, rather than asking for help directly, keep a map with you and look at it in a puzzled manner (your hotel will be able to provide you with these). I understand that you might not be able to see the map well but it will be a signal to others that you need some help. Don't try and pick out the 5% of people who might feel comfortable enough speaking English with you, let them come to you. That map and you looking lost is like a distress beacon. There are a lot of very, VERY kind people in Japan. Enjoy your visit. Don't worry.
Oct 11, 2014, 1:06 pm
#28
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No idea about what LORAL SPACE & COMM rate means at the IC Yokohama.
Will assume you have very specialised travel insurance. The cheap deals won't necessarily cover a pre-existing condition.
There is both a Citibank ATM as well as a 7-11 ATM around the Arrivals Hall.
I would chance 50€ the are ~6800 are the enogth for the first food store?
i belive i cant sleep will i arrive in my hotel....
Oct 11, 2014, 2:32 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
There's a supermarket (Seijo Ishii) on the ground floor of Landmark Plaza. They take CC. It's probably about the halfway point btwn IC and Sakuragicho Station as you walk down the shopping/business promenade from IC towards Sakuragicho. It's probably a 5-6min walk from the hotel, and that's probably the easiest supermarket (that I can think of) to get to from IC. It's kind of a high-end supermarket like ZA's Woolworths. Anyways, you won't be hurting for food options around the hotel. There's food galore in World Porters complex, lots of dining in Queen Square / Landmark complex. Wrt bakery, I think LapLap was alluding to Pompadour at the top of the long escalator leading down from the mall into Minatomirai Station, and that place is very good. Vie de France, little further away from IC in Landmark Plaza) is also great.
Oct 11, 2014, 5:51 pm
#30
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The distance between the IC and the Landmark Plaza is roughly three quarters of a kilometre.
Yes, it was the Pompadour I was thinking of.