What to do in Tokyo overnight? (slightly different layover thread)
 

Hi Everyone,

First off, this forum is great and I have found a ton of useful information. So thanks to everyone who has contributed and made it so.

Background for my question: I will be traveling through China and my routing to get home takes me through Tokyo. So I have a pretty short stay in Tokyo (Narita I guess): Arrive at 7:30p, leave at 11:30a. From the forum I am pretty certain that if I go into Tokyo I'll take a limo bus into Tokyo and use it to get back. Based on what I've heard about the trains/subway and this being my first time, sounds like that's a better choice. And the luggage storage sounds very useful.

However my question is: is it worth going into Tokyo for what will basically be an overnight visit? I've never been before and would love to "see" Tokyo, however I realize that by the time I'll get into Tokyo it's likely to be close to 11:00 or 11:30p. I'm not against staying out all night if there's stuff to do, but I really have no idea where to go, what takes place in the wee hours, etc. I can shower at the Admiral's Club and sleep on the plane, so if it's worth it, I am game. Otherwise I'll likely book the CP Narita and sleep there.

So any ideas about good late night restaurants, sightseeing and stuff would be great. As a caveat: I don't drink but am happy to check out bars/clubs if any are recommended.

Thanks very much for your help!

For your timing I will suggest against limo, you should take NEX / Keisei Line to buy more time. Limo are more for people with luggage and require direct access to Hotel, definitely not your case.

Consider you are w/o luggage (either checked-though or stored. If you are traveling same airline / same alliance they can and should check-through your luggage)

for a 7:30 touch down you probably on train around 8:30, and probably at Tokyo station 10:00 at the very worst, I am not too sure about opening hours but I will try the following spots for the night part

1. Shibuya / Shinjuku
2. Roppongi Tower for the night sight of Tokyo Tower + Roppongi for the bars and clubs

Then I probably go find those comic cafe offering cheap overnight seats (not sure cost, 3000 yen or so?) or find a bed in business hotel (6000 yen or so) some nap, personally I like Ikebukuro as it has easy access to JR / Tokyo Metro, and good for mid-night snack. You can also know how the special service industry promote the service there.

At next morning if I have energy to wake up at 6am I will head to Tsuikji for some sushi treat before heading back to airport (via NEX / Keisei Sky Access)

Chris,

Thanks very much for the quick response! I actually just got some good news that I was able to switch to an earlier flight into NRT - I now arrive at 12:55p, so I can book a hotel and spend my day in Tokyo without fears about timing!

Best,
Phipps

We will arrive at NRT at 3pm on a Friday and are staying at the ANA Crowne Plaza before our 11am Saturday flight back to IAD. We would love to check in and then go downtown to Tokyo just to soak up anything we can. Feel some energy. Eat dinner and return to the hotel. Are we crazy? Best way to get back and forth from downtown?

Have you looked at the sticky about transportation options and NRT layovers?

What forum is that in? I dont see it in this forum.

Nevermind--found it.