Tokyo on the Cheap!
 

So, I have 1 day in Tokyo. I fly in on UA 1 day, fly out the next.

I called HHonors and the rates seems incredibly expensive. No awards available. So am I dreaming to think I can do Tokyo on the cheap?

I've never been out of NRT airport before so any tips/advice would be welcome...

thanks in advance...

Hotels are not that cheap, but if you join the Keio Plaza Intercontinental "Executive Club" for free you can get a decent room for around Y20,000. It's not that far away from the Hilton, in fact. There are so-called "business hotels" that are cheaper -- tiny rooms with bathrooms reminiscent of on-board lavs. An acceptable one of these is around Y13,000. But all hotels are clean.

You can eat for not much more than in the U.S. Public transit isn't too bad, except the train or bus to/from the airport is about $30 each way. There are cheaper ways than taking those trains and busses in from the airport, but I don't think I'd recommend them for a first time, 1 day visitor. Avoid taxis, flag drop for the first 2 km is $6.

No tipping anywhere.

Any specific questions, please ask. I spend about 30 nights a year in Tokyo. There are other folks in here who live in Tokyo. I've seen a guide book for sale called "Tokyo for Free" that might be interesting, but it refers to sights, not hotels!

Well, you could go the YHA route and prebook on line, but you'll need a membership card from your national hosteling group by the time you check in ($28 in U.S., don't know what they charge in Canada).

http://www.yhabooking.com/ibnpub/english/index.asp

I checked and they have one in Narita, and 3 in Tokyo, though I have not personally stayed in those properties. 4200 yen a night for a dorm bed in Narita (didn't price out the Tokyo properties).

You're referring to the non-stop express trains (N'ex) from the airport - yes, they cost $29. But you can always take the regular express trains at $12 (Blue line I think. Sobu line?) which stop at maybe 6-7 stops before getting into the downtown Tokyo station. In fact, being a first time visitor, that choice would be preferable because you'd absorb more local culture through observing the local passengers.

There are business hotels outside Chiba City (Narita is in the Chiba prefecture) which is halfway between the airport and Tokyo station: oh, about 30 minutes away from Tokyo by train. These go for around $60-$70. That'll buy you a room literally the size of a shoe closet but at least you can be assured that it'll be super clean. A little hard to find though if you can't read the Yellow Pages in Japanese. I know for a fact there's one at Nishi-Chiba (the station next to Chiba) that's a stone's throw from the train station - you might get off and ask the station master.

Food options are fairly cheap - comparable to the US. If you're really cheap, you can fill up at the supermarkets where they have food samples galore.

Or try:
http://www.asiatravel.com/japan/prep...kyo/index.html

They have some reasonably-priced hotels in the downtown Tokyo area.

I've been visiting Japan once a year for the last 14 years but sorry couldn't be of more help: I literally sleep-walk through the visit because we're visiting the in-laws.

For a one day visit, I wouldn't recommend hiking it all the way out to Shinjuku. I'd stick around the Tokyo/Ginza area instead. A good choice I've used is the Holiday Inn Commercial Center in Hatchobori. It is cheap and clean, and well located. However, I think it no longer is a Holiday Inn, but you can check.

The recommended Limousine Bus or Narita Express are very nice but if you really want to travel cheaper into Tokyo, you can take the Keisei train to Nippori or Ueno. Their Keisei Skyliner uses a common platform with Narita Express (located in the airport building underground) and is a non-stop which cost 1,920yen one way (approx. 16US$) for a less than 1-hour ride or, if you wish, you can take the Tokkyu (Express) for 1,000 yen (8.3US$). It has approx. 10 stops and the ride is 1h20, and leaves every 20 min during the day (less at night).

http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/accesse/

Once you arrive in Nippori, you can take other trains to go to downtown Tokyo.

Room charges in Tokyo have really fallen these last few years, you can get nice deals under 10,000 yen for two whereas previously it was very difficult. Have a nice trip!

You might also look into checking the JTB (Japan Tourist Board) website here:

www.jtbusa.com

They sometimes offer good hotel rates. Does anyone know if you can you priceline a hotel in Japan?

There is a train that takes 5 minuts longer than the express and only costs abour $10 each way.

As for hotels, I'd recommend a capsule hotel. They are very cheap and a fun and unusual way to spend the night.

I have exactly the same situation. I will be in Tokyo for one night only and have never been there. Please keep the tips coming, thanks http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif.

A big thanks to everyone! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif Good advice!

I have discovered the Crown Plaza Metropolitan in Ikebukuro. It is right next to the JR Yamanote station and major subway lines, costing only about Y12,000 if you are a member of the (free) Holiday Inn Priority Club. Throw in free high speed internet access (be sure and ask in advance for this, as not all rooms have it) and this one can't be beat.

http://www.sixcontinentshotels.com/h/d/CP/hd/tyomp

(by the way, the Holiday Inn Commercial Center was a dump of a place... it was probably no longer deserving of the name)

A bunch of posts (including a few of my own) about a similar subject at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum35/HTML/005231.html, fyi.

[This message has been edited by et415 (edited 03-01-2003).]

I found it perfectly fine, and who am I to complain for 6,000 yen a night? My usual haunt is the Park Hyatt Tokyo, but sometimes I like to slum it when Mrs. Pickles isn't along. No need to spend on myself if I'm the only one I'll tell the experience to.

Try the Shiba Park Hotel. I can't remember how much it was but it wasn't over $125.00USD including breakfast. Good location & nice hotel. They have a web site.