Hi, I'm going to be in Japan and I have a weekend to sightsee ... FRI afternoon until sunday at 5 pm when I have to be at NRT for my flight to HNL. Does anyone have any good suggestions for a decent hotel - around 150.00 a night for FRI & SAT? I would also need them to hold my luggage until sunday afternoon. Thanks.

Doomed to Coach (Well, at least not going to Japan.

Doomed,

Tokyo is pretty big. Do you have any idea what you want to see? There are many nice hotels. Can you narrow it down a bit?

Well, Ive never been... and I wont have a car, I'll be relying on the trains, which I hear are good but crowded... I will be at Atsugi rom tue- fri... then its off to town... I'm a little bit of a disney freak, so I was thinking about going there on friday night, but I'd also like to see the ginza, the imperial palace. I'm really open to anything - what do you suggest?

Doomed to Coach

Haven't been to Tokyo myself. But I'm going there in 3 weeks. I've booked a room at AKASAKA PRINCE HOTEL. It seems to fairly close to most sights. Also they are offering a great United weekend rate "two nights for the price of one" until end of september. Total for 2 nights is JPY21600=USD200 ! Normal rate is about JPY30000 for one night... Check this link for more info: http://www.srs-worldhotels.com/japan...er_nrtaka.html

Has anybody been to this hotel?

Doomed,

My wife is from Chiba, where Tokyo Disneyland and Narita airport actually are located. I have stayed at the Manhatten Hotel in Kaihin Makuhari. It is a very nice hotel. It is one train ride to Disneyland. The train takes about 20 minutes to get to Disneyland from this hotel. The Manhatten is one train ride to Tokyo, and is located actually close to Narita airport. The rate is about 135-140 USD per night, which includes breakfast. The Airport Limosine (actually a bus) serves this hotel every hour. It is about 30 minutes to the airport.

There are so many options for you. Too many to list here. If you like, please e-mail me and I (my wife) can give more options and ideas.

-RKG

Doomed,

I think RKG's probably your best best for advice, and hope you have luck getting thru to him. I live in Tokyo - which unfortunately means I don't stay in hotels here much.

My wife and I might be able to swing you a deal at the Tokyu Capitol - we and my family stayed there last month at 17,000 yen/night (about 50% off). It's in the central gov't area, but close to Ginza or basically anyway else downtown. Nice outdoor pool, too! (For Tokyo, anyway.)

Keep in mind, though, that central Tokyo is almost 2 hrs and $30/person (one-way) from Narita. (And people wonder why I can't dash off to meet FT'ers for a quick drink at an NRT lounge after work! -Sorry, AusTX!) So whatever costs you pay for the hotel will be leaving out the $60/person to get there & back.) RKG's idea of a Chiba hotel saves you time and $ - but doesn't allow for any Ginza runs, etc.

-KP ([email protected], if you need more details.)

PS $200 for two nights at the Akasaka Prince is insanely cheap for them. (Haven't stayed there myself, but it is well known as a "nice" hotel.) Wonder what they're thinking !?


[This message has been edited by kidpachinko (edited 08-28-2000).]

Doomed,

I was based at Atsugi for 3 years, it's a great place, I really enjoyed it. If you get free time during the week while you're there, Hayama/Zushi/Big Budda (Dai Batsu?) are easily reached by train. Since you're out that way, you might also try to swing a trip out towards Hakone National Park, close to Fuji.

If you're staying at the BOQ on base they have nifty xeroxed maps with directions to all the close-by attractions. Even for an evening out you can catch the train into Tokyo, it takes about 1+1/4 hours total trip either from Ebina to Shinjuku or by connecting through Yokohama to Shinagawa. By the way, I hope when you arrive that you are taking the Narita Express train straight through to Yokohama, then connect to the Sotetsu line for Sagamino. This is much nicer than the van/bus they run between base and the airport. (though connecting at Yokohama station is pretty crazy!) Here is a link to a Sotetsu Line page if you're interested Sotetsu Line

I don't know if it's possible, but you could try to arrange lodging in Tokyo at the New Sanno Hotel. It's a DOD facility, a real hotel, however rooms can be tough to get at short notice on weekends. And you must have a certain status. Not sure of the rate these days, but it used to be below $50/night a few years ago.

I would not go all the way from Atsugi to spend a Friday night at Disneyland. That is a very long trip to make just for an evening there. Plus, you then have a hotel to deal with. Difficult logistics there. I think a night in Roppongi is time much better spent, kind of a Disneyland for adult gaijin!

Have a great time there! If there's anything else you want to know about the immediate base area, restaurants, etc. just let me know. (make sure you have lunch at the awesome little soba shack on base!)

If you want to do th ecity then don't stay out in Chiba.

Disneyland is a short hop from central Tokyo. Staying in Chiba is a little antiseptic. It's a convention and business area. If you can stay in the Ginza (Renaissance) you are close to it all. The underground is a very efficient way to get around.

Shinjuku is also a decent area. There's a Hyatt and Park Hyatt. Although, you won't get breakfast at the park hyatt for $150 let alone a room!

i stayed at both shinjuku hyatt, resonably priced, nice staff but old decor,(i believe they have a shuttle to transport you to the subway station?), and park hyatt (the best!).... of course if money is no object, park hyatt!

don't know about Tokyo but if you don't stay in a japanese inn in Kyoto, do try the GrandVia hotel, located just above the amazing Kyoto station. In Europe, station hotels have a very bad reputation as a nest for crime and prostitution, in addition to noise, but in Kyoto, the Granbvia is a luxury place, silent and very well located. you can get a beautiful room for as low as Y 14,000. Don't take your breakfast at the hotel ( about US$ 25 for a so-called buffet), do instead try the nice italian cafe located in the basement of the station, which is very cheap for Japanese standards and offers good coffee and a wide range of pastries, croissants etc.

My recommendation is the Westin at Yebisu Place. If you'd like my reasons or comments from other people, do a search on this topic. Doc, are you out there? This topic has come up at least ten times...

I remember Yebisu, I went to their brewery...took the tour and although they do not give out free beer like in the USA and other countries (no offense to my Japanese friends) it was a nice way to spend a rainy afternoon - it is also at Yebisu Place Mall.

Also, having been to Tokyo Disney - going on the weekend will be CROWDED...not that the Tokyo area is less crowded

Doomed,

Is it this weekend you're flying? Mrs. Kid and I are going to a concert Saturday (9/2), but if you're going to be downtown, drop me a line! (I'm a ten minute ride from Ebisu - or as the in-crowd writes, Yebisu.)

If you're only around for a couple days, you might not want to blow that "hanging" - but my wife and I could probably arrange some translation help for ya at the Hard Rock in roppongi or other such touristy places.

As RKG wrote, drop me an e-mail directly, and I think I can offer a lot of choices for your time here. -Just as soon as we know where/when "here" is!

All part of the package here at FT.

-KP in the Big Mikan

Kid & RKG & Eveyone else:

I should have posted my itinerary earlier:

RIC to ORD TO SFO TO NRT - starts on 16 OCT and Arrives at NRT on 17 OCT - my office has arranged my transportation to where I am going... I will be there (Atsugi) on the 18, 19th & 20th... From midafternoon on the 20th until my flight departs on sun the 22nd (7:55 PM NRT to HNL) - I am free to see and explore... Unfortunately my budget will restrain me from staying at the park hyatt.. it looks wonderful... From what I have read the traditional ryokan hotel is probably not for me... although I look like a SUMO to a great extent.. 6'2' 375.... unless someone can convince me otherwise... the traditional bath looks "interesting", but I am not a fan of "extremely hot water"

If any of the following are going on:

Baseball (probably done for the season?), SUMO, Kabuki, or NO, I would like to try and see one or two... maybe during the week after work? ie from about 4 PM.

thanks again for all the help..

Doomed to Coach

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