I usually leave Tokyo Station about 2.5 hours before flight time at NRT. If I get back to Tokyo station earlier, I just stop at the ticket counter at B1 (just to the left coming down the escalator) and change to an earlier train.
For instance, I had a 16:00 flight on Saturday. I originally bought a ticket on the 13:33 train. I got back to Tokyo Station in time for the 12:33 train. There are many lockers on B4 level just above the B5 N'EX platforms to store luggage.
Things we'd like to see/do.
-Spa (at FS)
-Shopping (Tokyu Hands, Electronics, yukata, kitshy gifts for Christmas...)
-Fish Market
-Ginza
-Harujuku
Electronics: I assume you are coming from the US- if you are, Japanese electronics are generally cheaper in the US, thanks to export incentives. If you want to get something only available in Japan, thats another story. Still, if you are an electronics geek, its worth browsing Akihabara or electronics stores in other places for the fun of it.
Ginza: If you want to go to the Kabuki theater, great. Otherwise, might not be worth much of your time, unless large Japanese department stores and the Sony center float your boat.
There is tons more to see and do in Tokyo, as well...
Akihabara is fun because you get to see all sorts of futuristic electronic equipment in bizarre colors, as well as the whole geek subculture. If you actually need something, such as a two-pronged adapter for a three-pronged plug or a tiny radio that picks up Japanese FM (which operates on a different part of the spectrum than FM in other parts of the world), go to the scruffy little arcades between the main streets.
After the fish market (and Hama Rikyuu gardens, unless you plan to see gardens in Kyoto), take the boat up the Sumida River to the Asakusa area. It's not particularly scenic or historic, but it's an interesting perspective on the city.
See the Asakusa Kannon temple (Sensoji) and walk the back streets to Ueno. These are the least modern parts of Tokyo. Near Ueno Station, find Ameya Yokocho, a raucous street of outdoor vendors selling cheap goods, often in entertaining ways. Unless you need a dish pan or a fake Rolex, there's not much to actually buy, but it's fun to stroll down.
Ginza: If you want to go to the Kabuki theater, great. Otherwise, might not be worth much of your time, unless large Japanese department stores and the Sony center float your boat.
I don't agree with this at all. My view is that Ginza is a very worthwhile destination (as explained recently):
Quote:
Originally Posted by LapLap
Ginza keeps being mentioned again and again as somewhere that's overhyped with limited worth for visitors, but there’s so much more to it than just the department stores and neon lights.
What keeps drawing me back to the area (and the main reason I’ve taken people to see it) all happens on the little side streets off the main ‘drag’. Ginza seems to be one of the main engines that churns the wheels of the nation’s artesan industries relating to kimono and kimono accessories that are such a draw to tourists looking for glimpses of ‘real Japan’.
The Maiko and Geisha of Kyoto help generate a proportion of the output with their own unique costumes and ways of wearing indigenous clothing, but in the Ginza area are a breed of ladies who take kimono wearing to an exquisite level rarely seen elsewhere (even at weddings). There must be craftsmen and women throughout Japan who rely on Ginza in order to continue their professions, and seeing their work showcased so beautifully as adornments on the women who work within this tiny portion of Tokyo is something that is, for me, breathtaking and intensely satisfying.
As well as these ladies who wear kimono professionally, Ginza also attracts a good share of well heeled Tokyoites in fabulously expensive zouri, it’s a great place to see contemporary Japanese clothes. But, I stress, it’s the side streets, from dusk onwards, where the most impressive highlights of the area can be spotted. You just need to keep your eyes open and know where to look.
LapLap, I did keep your recent post in mind when panning the Ginza experience, because I think that unless you:
a) know what streets to venture down
and
b) have a particular knowledge/fascination with geisha/maiko/kimono culture,
I think the average Tokyo tourist would be much better served seeing something else in a city that has no lack of things to see.
On the other hand, knowing specific locations or touring with someone such as you who could convey the subtleties of the geisha/maiko or kimono lifestyle would undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience. Perhaps you or someone else could come up with concrete plans of streets to tour? I agree that the discovery experience is half the fun of touring, but it makes it hard to recommend a place that, in your words, "You just need to keep your eyes open and know where to look."
It comes down to the difference between telling a person what places to visit vs. taking them on a personal tour.
b) have a particular knowledge/fascination with geisha/maiko/kimono culture,
Aaargh! Please don't lump them together!
I'm not that interested in Geisha and Maiko...
I do care a lot about kimono and kimono in the modern world (I don't want this style of dress to become a meaningless relic)
I find it peculiar that people will prowl the streets of Pontocho and other areas in Kyoto for hours in order to glimpse and photograph a Maiko (for many this will be a highlight of their trips)
Whereas there are ladies who are just as painstakingly and deliciously adorned (because they do take most people's breath away) in areas of Tokyo who are being completely overlooked by visitors who think Ginza is just department stores and neon lights.
My interest actually goes beyond the ladies wearing dresses worth the price of a sports car - in the morning there are glimpses of local trades still being practiced in these same streets. Like the guys who deliver the ice, hacking away at blocks with utensils our grandparents would have been familiar with. But I stuck to a recommendation that pretty much most visitors actually want to see and which I still do believe is a superlative attraction in a city full of wonderful attractions.
Unfortunately, I don't really know where to look in Ginza, which is why I haven't given directions. Just wandering through the side streets as a clueless tourist seems to yield a never ending cornucopia of surprises and delights.
Perhaps what I should have said is "One needs to know it's there in order to look, just keep your eyes well open" something nobody would do if they believe the area is overhyped with little to offer...
EDIT - sorry, forgot to mention what it was that made me repost the prose about Ginza being worthwhile into this particular thread.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gruffydd
-Shopping (Tokyu Hands, Electronics, yukata, kitshy gifts for Christmas...)
OP already knows the difference between kimono and yukata , this signals to me some interest - as Harajuku is also in the must-see list, as well as celebrated temples, I assume that they are keen to see both traditional and contemporary dress and culture. Ginza can showcase a perfect fusion of both.
On the other hand, what the OP thinks of as a yukata may actually be a nemaki, or old fashioned sleeping garment.
If it has large holes at the armpits and a simple sash about half an inch wide instead of a real obi, it's a nemaki.
I once wore a nemaki around a gaijin house in Kyoto, to the astonishment of a Japanese girl who happened to be visiting a friend there. To her, nemaki were "granny garments." I tried to explain that they're wonderful for lounging around in in hot weather, but she couldn't see past the connotations.
The most reasonably priced nemaki are found in the kimono departments of department stores.
I once wore a nemaki around a gaijin house in Kyoto, to the astonishment of a Japanese girl who happened to be visiting a friend there. To her, nemaki were "granny garments." I tried to explain that they're wonderful for lounging around in in hot weather, but she couldn't see past the connotations.
If your connotations were showing, you can't have been wearing it right.
Electronics: I assume you are coming from the US- if you are, Japanese electronics are generally cheaper in the US, thanks to export incentives. If you want to get something only available in Japan, thats another story. Still, if you are an electronics geek, its worth browsing Akihabara or electronics stores in other places for the fun of it.
...
What electronics goods does it make sense (for whatever reason) to buy in Japan for someone visiting from US?
It rarely makes sense unless you're a really, really early adopter for the following reasons:
1. Anything TV, cell phone, or FM radio-related will not work well or at all outside of Japan, due to different broadcast standards.
2. Electrical current in Japan is 100V AC. North American voltage is 110V. This may be a problem with certain delicate equipment.
3. You may be able to get an export model of your preferred item, but it won't be any cheaper than at home
I have bought electronic gear in Japan for the following reasons:
1. I was living there and wanted a radio-cassette player for my apartment (This was the 1970s.) I had purchased other electrical and electronic appliances, such as the TV and refrigerator, from the previous tenant.
2. I back in Tokyo for a month and wanted a radio that would pick up Japanese FM
3. I was in Tokyo for a month and needed a two-pronged adapter for my computer
4. I dropped my digital camera on the sidewalk and bent parts of it so that it wouldn't work properly. Three different camera shops told me that it couldn't be fixed except for some outrageous price, so I went to Akihabara and bought a recently discontinued model that used the same kind of memory card.
Don't get me wrong. I enjoy walking through Akihabara and seeing all the gadgets. But most of it I wouldn't want even if I could take it home (a pink washer-dryer?).
My first trip to Japan in 2000, I picked up a JPN-ENG electronic dictionary. There are some available in the US, but I imagine the selection is better in Japan. My second trip in 05, I picked up a few pairs of Sony decent-quality retractable over-ear headphones that can't be found in the US. Sony updates these models quite frequently, but I've only seen them in Japan and Taiwan. I also overpaid for a plastic sushi USB drive.
In my `05 trip in Akihabara I saw some great digital cameras, and was close to buying one. I decided to spend a few yen in an internet cafe first, to compare with American prices. I was disappointed to find Amazon had much better pricing for a similar model.
For technology, Japan is a primarily export-oriented economy. Government incentives make the same electronics you'll find on shelves in Akihabara cheaper on shelves at your local Best Buy.
If you are looking for a unique purchase, there are some very interesting watches one can see here: http://www.tokyoflash.com/en/
And cool toy lines such as the Nonohon Zoku series http://www.toysnjoys.com/sunshinebuddies.html (I grabbed a special edition one made of biodegradable corn while in China). Japan has all sorts of crazy USB devices and unique electronic toys that go in and out of fashion like an electronic finger toy http://www.prefixmag.com/forum/prefix-forum/3306/ plastic edamame, and electronic bubble wrap keychains. These are examples from recent years- I'm sure there is something else that is totally hot right now that you won't see in stores next year. But these are the kinds of things I would pick up on a trip to Japan, for myself for kicks, or for presents that people will never find anywhere else.
There are unique items that most cookie cutter US electronic store don't carry. In Akihabara you can find tube audio amplifiers, sound isolation devices to make your PC more quiet, collection of high end camera gear, nicely made tools not available at Home Depot.
When I was there last Saturday, the main attractions was Y20,000 netbooks and people were lined up waiting for the shops to open. Unfortunately I didn't have that much cash and a little worry about those no name brands.
I always buy the small little things, like tiny power adapter / flexible USB direction changing / HDMI direction changing stuff at japan
I found it the price is normally higher at Japan for most of the thing I want due to recent jump of exchange rate ... so I do most of my purchase at my home, another geek heaven for electronics ....
Programs: AA EXP, CO Dirt, HH Gold, Hyatt Diamond, VS Gold, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 5,859
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pureboy
For technology, Japan is a primarily export-oriented economy. Government incentives make the same electronics you'll find on shelves in Akihabara cheaper on shelves at your local Best Buy.
Not to take this OT, but it isn't "government incentives" what makes prices at Akihabara sometimes higher than your local Best Buy. There are many reasons, but "government incentives" isn't one of them.
Not to take this OT, but it isn't "government incentives" what makes prices at Akihabara sometimes higher than your local Best Buy. There are many reasons, but "government incentives" isn't one of them.
It might not make the prices at Akihabara higher but might make the prices at best buy lower...
, this signals to me some interest - as Harajuku is also in the must-see list, as well as celebrated temples, I assume that they are keen to see both traditional and contemporary dress and culture. Ginza can showcase a perfect fusion of both.
