Originally Posted by
robyng
For your limited time the day you arrive - I have a perhaps unusual suggestion. Explore the train station. It is a masterpiece of modern architecture. And you can be there at rush hour - which is an amazing sight. There is an entire city of stores and restaurants beneath it. The large department store in the station (Isetan) has wonderful food basements - where you can try samples of lots of Japanese foods. Or buy and nibble on a bit of this or that. There is an excellent eel restaurant on the 6th floor (or so) of the department store. Food basements in department stores are one of the most terrific things in Japan - and they will give you an excellent introduction to Japanese food - everything from food people take home to eat - to $500 melons. You probably won't have time to explore them in Tokyo - so this is a good place to do it. Robyn
Whilst I agree with everything else you have posted, I'm not so sure I could bring myself to recommend this as a good idea. Mrs NU only has one full day in Kyoto and I find it really hard to imagine that the architecture, momentum and depachika of Kyoto station is what she's really aiming for.
never-up has implied that they view this trip as a 'taster' and will return with more time depending on this initial visit.
Although very different (and I agree that Kyoto station is spectacular and well worth exploring - there's even a garden on the rooftop with views out over the city and surrounding mountains) perhaps the suggestions you made can be best experienced somewhere like Shinjuku. Most of the 'ingredients' of the Kyoto station itinerary you described can also be savoured at Shinjuku station. Even with only two days in Tokyo, I'm confident that Mr & Mrs NU will make it to this extraordinary location.