Originally Posted by
abmj-jr
Just get a Suica pre-paid card for local travel in Tokyo. There is a similar pre-paid card for Kyoto.
You can actually use the same Pasmo/Suica that you get in Tokyo on Kyoto trains/buses. Unlike Tokyo, however, using an IC card in Kyoto doesn't get you any discount over the regular ticket price. Still, it's convenient not having to buy a separate card.
Originally Posted by
FederalFlyer
I will check out the sites you recommend. And I agree, except that working with such a short time frame, I don't want to spend too much time looking for things to do. So, I'm at least hoping to get pointed in the right direction. In New York City, for example, I might advise someone to head to the Lower East Side in Manhattan, or Williamsburg in Brooklyn. I imagine there must be neighborhoods beyond equivalent in Tokyo?
Shimokitazawa might be of interest to you, laid back area with lots of cafes, music venues, second-hand clothes shops, record stores etc. Short train ride from Shinjuku/Shibuya stations.
Walk around Shibuya/Harajuku. Can combine with first visiting the Meiji shrine during the early afternoon, then Yoyogi Park from the Harajuku entrance (best seen on a Sunday), and head over to Shibuya in the evening.
For dive bar/karaoke, go to One Coin Bar Champion in Shinjuku. 15-20 minute walk from the Park Hyatt.
For Kyoto, here are a few good day/half-day trip ideas:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3950.html