Tokyo, the world’s mega-city. At over 38 million, it’s the largest metropolitan area in the world. It leaves Shanghai (with the world’s largest city proper population) in the dust. Shanghai’s metro area has a measly 24 million.
I’ve only spent a few hours in Tokyo. When my ship was visiting the port of Yokosuka, a Navy friend took me in to Tokyo for dinner. He knew how to get there by train. It all seemed pretty confusing to me. Just from the short time I saw it, Tokyo was quite overwhelming. Tall buildings and bright lights everywhere. And not a lot of English. At the restuarant where we had dinner. I ordered spaghetti with seaweed. I thought the seaweed would be interesting. It wasn’t. Not in a good way, anyway. But I’ve had seaweed in dishes since, including sushi, of course. I think my palette has just matured since then. After dinner, we went to a bar for a drink. And that was it. Back to the secure familiarity of Yokosuka. I think I’m due a trip back.
How to enter Japan with a US passport
No visa required for normal tourist stays under 90 days. (Always have at least 6 months of remaining validity on your passport before traveling overseas.)
How to get into Tokyo from the airport
Tokyo has 2 airports, Haneda and Narita. Here are the best ways to get into Tokyo at a reasonable price:
Haneda 3 options:
- Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho.
- Keikyu Line to Shinagawa.
- Airport Limousine and Keikyu/Haneda Airport Express buses to hotels and other stops throughout Tokyo.
Narita 4 options:
- Skyliner (fastest), Sky Access/Access Express, or Keisei Mainline (slowest) to Nippori and Ueno.
- Narita Express (faster) or JR East/Airport Narita (slower) to Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuru.
- Airport Limousine buses to hotels and other stops throughout Tokyo.
- Keisei Bus and The Access Narita bus to Tokyo and Ginza Stations.
Where to stay in Tokyo
How should I know? Well you can always stay at the Park Hyatt, made enormously famous by “Lost In Translation”. But I have a suspicion it would be quite pricey.
Red Planet Asakusa, Tokyo I did my research and came up with this promising property run by a Thai chain. An extremely reasonable price for Tokyo, excellent online reviews, near several important attractions, and just a 5-minute walk from the subway. Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
Where to eat in Tokyo
Who knows where the restaurant was where I had spaghetti with seaweed? So I don’t have a lot for you. Just one word: Yakitori. Yakitori is grilled chicken skewers. I used to love getting them from street stands all over Yokosuka. I’m quite certain they must have them all over Tokyo too. And of course, if you love sushi, what better place to enjoy it than Tokyo? But you didn’t need me to tell you that, now did you?
Delicatessen If you insist on checking out the Park Hyatt, try grabbing a bite at their reasonably priced snack bar.
The Peak Lounge Another value-priced option at the Parky Hyatt for tea and/or sweets.
Must-Sees in Tokyo
I’ve never been to any of these places, but I do know how to research and plan! So here is a baker’s dozen of Tokyo must-sees.
Ginza They say the neon lights are bright in this luxury shopping district.
The Imperial Palace Home to the emperor, in a park setting.
Meiji Shrine Tokyo’s grand imperial Shinto shrine.
National Museum of Western Art When I am in Asia, I’m happy to take a break from the art of the West that I get plenty of in European museums. So why have I included the NMWA? Well, not only is there collection topnotch, but the building itself is a designated World Heritage Site designed by Le Corbusier.
Odaiba Tokyo’s high-tech entertainment district, built on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay.
Sensō-ji Tokyo’s oldest and largest Buddhist temple. (And close to the Red Planet, if you end up staying there!) Other notable shrines are located nearby.
Shibuya/Harajuku Shop for fashion in these adjoining districts. If you’re lucky, you’ll see some Harajuku girls on a Sunday afternoon. Don’t miss Shibuya Crossing, the world’s craziest crosswalk.
Shinjuku Tokyo’s retail and entertainment center, best experienced at night!
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden A large, peaceful park with numerous gardens. Catch the cherry blossoms in the spring!
Tokyo National Museum Japan’s largest museum, specializing in traditional Japanese art.
Tokyo Skytree The word’s tallest tower and 2nd tallest structure in the world, behind Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. Ascend by day to see Mount Fuji. Ascend by night to see Tokyo when the city comes alive.
Yasukuni Shrine A memorial to the war dead of the Empire of Japan.
Yoyogi Park A large, very lively park in Harajuku built on former sites of the 1964 Olympics.
Day Trips from Tokyo
Kamakura Shoguns ruled Japan from here for about 150 years in the early part of the 2nd millennium. Today you can see many significant Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines (including the important Tsurugaoka Hachimangū shrine) plus the Great Buddha, a huge bronze Japanese icon.
Nagano Site of the 1998 Winter Olympics in the Japanese Alps. Nagano is also home Zenkō-ji, a historic 7th-century Buddhist temple.
Narita Located near Narita Airport, Narita is home to Narita-san Shinshō-ji, aBuddhist temple founded in 940.
Nikkō 2 Shinto shrines and a Buddhist temple are together designated as a World Heritage Site. At one of the shrines, you can see the original Three Wise Monkeys, who can see, hear, or speak no evil.
Saitama According to legend, Saitama’s Hikawa Shrine is 2,400 years old.