Originally Posted by drjazz
I will be staying in Tokyo for the first time in December. Two nights at the Park Hyatt. I will be taking a bullet train from Osaka (2 nights there, also for the first time). A few questions:
1. Which train to take from Osaka?
2. Any overview of the area around the Park Hyatt. Any absolute must things to do/see/eat for a first timer on a short stay?
3. Any favorite places to shop in the section of Tokyo with all the electronics stores?
As you will be in Shinjuku anyway, I'd recommend Yodobashi Camera
(EDIT: as does the thread above) - link with address here:
Frommer's desription
I suggest you ignore the advice about bargaining - it isn't the done thing, and I suspect that people who have done this and gotten away with it probably got their price lowered because the assistant relented in order to extract themselves from an embarrassing situation. Rather than 'bargaining' the official sweetener are the points you get on a card. These add up with every purchase and get you further discounts. Perhaps someone else can correct me here. Personally I wince every time I see a guide book advocate haggling in Japan.
Best place to get presents for people back home is Tokyu Hands, it's on the Eastern side of the Takashimaya Store - the place that looks like the empire state building at Times Square - 7 floors of shopping heaven - no matter what your budget.
ADDED: as you're there in December, check out the diaries and day-to-day organisers up in the stationery section (7th floor?) - the selection is staggering and make original and welcomed gifts.
Please check out this previous thread for more information:
Park Hyatt Tokyo (oops! same one as mentioned in thread above! - you beat me to it too!)
I'm especially fond of the ICC gallery within Tokyo Opera City. Alas NTT are pulling their funding next Spring and the Gallery will close. I personally believe that, culturally, Tokyo will be much
much poorer as a result.
If you end up with jet lag and are feeling adventurous, then why not try a quintessentially Japanese(Tokyan?) experience at "Green Plaza" a 24hour public bath (sento) complex. The entrance looks sleezy, but it is an awful lot nicer inside - you go up about 10 floors.
1-29-2 Kabukicho, Shinjuku (Tel: 03-3207-5411)
Open 24hr (VIP Sauna 1pm-9am, 1pm-12am Sun);
admission men JY1900 for entry after 6am,
JY2300 from 4pm,
JY2800 after 10pm;
women JY2700 (6am-10pm),
JY3300 (after 10pm)
There's a description
here but you'll need to scroll right to the bottom to see it.