I am Headed to Tokyo!

[+ VictorPowers]

March 28-31 I’ll be in Tokyo! This is my first visit. I am traveling for leisure and work. I’d love any pointers and Do’s/Don’ts! ?

[CuriousByNature]

March 28-31 I’ll be in Tokyo! This is my first visit. I am traveling for leisure and work. I’d love any pointers and Do’s/Don’ts! ?

Don't try any fugu sashimi unless the chef is specially licensed and you have a good life insurance policy.... ?

 

Have a great trip and safe travels!

[EZEtoGRU]

Ok I’m just gonna put this out there. There is no way I would choose to travel to anywhere In Asia right now. I was just there for nearly a month on a Cruise.(I was not in Japan specifically) and I couldn’t get out quick enough due to the coronavirus threat. I felt very wary of being in Hong Kong at the end and finally returned to the US three days sooner than planned. I was so happy when the plane took off heading back to the US on January 26th. People are scrambling to get out of Asia right now....not wanting to fly in.

 

Obviously we all make our own decisions regarding the level of risk we are prepared to take in any given situation. I would recommend you carefully consider your decision to make this trip to Tokyo right now.

[+ VictorPowers]

Great advice @EZEtoGRU. You’re right on all of that but I figure 6 weeks is a good amount of time for things to “cool off”.

[keefer]

I was in Tokyo many years ago with work (we have an office there), and it was the most amazing and simultaneously most surreal place I've ever visited... and the place I'd most like to revisit... when some friends were planning to visit I asked our Tokyo team where they took out of town visitors, and they didn't disappoint... I've found the original mail -- hope this helps.

 

Day trips from Tokyo,

 

· Hike/onsen in Hakone with views of mount Fuji

 

· Hiking and/or Temples in Nikko

 

· Hiking in Karuizawa

 

· Hiking from Mitake to Oku-tama (long hike and takes a while to get there, full day)

 

· Temples in Kamakura

 

 

 

Tokyo Restaurants

 

Tokyo is not just about Japanese food, all food is amazing. Small Japanese restaurants often don’t have English menus and the staff don’t speak English. If you’re open to trying new things, then don’t let this scare you, just point at things on the menu and play pot luck. Many more restaurants to choose from with maps and descriptions in english on http://www.bento.com

 

Some tips on food styles here http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japanese-restaurants and here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_cuisine

 

 

 

Gonpachi, Nishi-Azabu

 

· English Menus. Nice restaurant, worth booking, the staff speak english. Famous as was the inspiration for Kill Bill set. Also has a good sushi restaurant on the top floor open very late. there is also one in Shibuya, but not as good

 

· http://www.bento.com/rev/1735.html link to map on website

 

Ahirusutoa, Shibuya

 

· Restaurant own by a brother and Sister who are making everything, form Sausage to bread. This is only open at night and have only 10 seats. It was the restaurant next to where we lived and loved it.

 

· http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1318/A131810/13051357/

 

Kaikaya, Shibuya

 

· Great Fish restaurant. Noisy, good fun. Again english menus. http://www.bento.com/rev/0211.html link to map on website

 

Fuku, Yoyogi-Uehara

 

· Simply the best Yakitori in Town, book ahead and stuff your face with things on sticks fresh from the bbq. English menus available

 

Toriyoshi, Nishi-Azabu

 

· Yakitori restaurant (chicken and veg on sticks), no english and no booking, but you can point to things on the counter to order.

 

Akanoren, Nishi Azabu

 

· Great late night Ramen place, open until 3am. Don’t miss the Siu Gyoza (Water Dumplings) to go with your Ramen

 

Bikkuri Sushi, Ebisu

 

· Loud, bright, great value Sushi, no booking required. Always try to sit at the counter. Has menus with pictures, so you can point. The 5 kinds of tuna set is my personal favourite

 

Gyoza Lou, Harajuku, http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/12853/Harajuku-Gyoza-Lou

 

· Dumplings, Beer, the cheapest meal in town. Long queues and no booking, but that’s part of the fun

 

Kitchen 5, Nishi Azabu

 

· The chef Kobayashi-san spends a couple of months a year travelling the world and the spends the whole day cooking an eclectic selection of recipes that she’s picked up along the way.

 

ANA Hotel Teppanyaki Restaurant, Akasaka

 

· Go at lunch time for good value set menus and a nice view from the 27th floor. Booking recommended

 

Jumbo, Yakiniku, Shirokanedai

 

· Excellent Korean BBQ, used to be a butcher’s shop and became a restaurant. Booking in advance essential

 

New York Grill, Shinjuku

 

· For a good view of Tokyo, the brunch at New York grill in the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku is good value with views from the 52nd floor over Tokyo. Booking essential. Was the hotel used in Lost in Translation. You can also upgrade to the Wagyu steak as a main course, but it’s not cheap

 

Atelier De Joel Robuchon, Roppongi Hills

 

· 2 star Michelin restaurant. They have these around the world but Tokyo is the best example. Dinner tasting menus are excellent and I love the counter seating and open kitchen

 

Gordon Ramsey, Conrad Hotel Shiodome

 

· Great Champagne Sunday brunch, haven’t checked current pricing

 

Aux Bacchanales

 

· Chain French bistro, with restaurants by the New Otani Hotel, in Ginza, Akasaka Ark Hills and a few others. Great Salad Nicoise, Steak Tartare and Frites. As much free bread as you can eat

 

Bar Two Rooms

 

· Nice place to enjoy a lovely cocktail with a beautiful view on Jinjuku

 

· http://www.tworooms.jp/en/

 

Le Savoy, Azabu-Juban

 

· Perfect Pizzas, they only make Margarita and Marinara, but they are really something else. Couldn’t find better in Napoli!

 

Cave, Takadanobaba,

 

· Great small counter restaurant with friendly staff serving excellent French food and lots of well-priced wines to match. A bit of the beaten track, but worth the trip for the atmosphere and the food. Don’t miss the escargot or the scallop risotto.

 

· http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130503/13001030/

 

 

Parks + To Visit

 

In Autumn, there are many lovely parks and gardens in Tokyo.

 

Shinjuku Gyoen

 

· Really beautiful gardens with loads of cherry trees short walk from Shinjuku station

 

Yoyogi Park

 

· Good spot to walk around on a sunny day. Nice colours in Autumn. Nice to enjoy as well on the Week end on the Harajuku gate the Elvis and the Rock and Roll. You need to go as well around Harajuku street to see what it’s look like. Really easy to work from there to Shibuya and even Shinjuku. From inside the park you can have a really nice view to Shinjuku

 

Asakusa + Hakihabara

 

· The first one is the temple area. You can have a great view on the Tokyo Sky Tree( never been). Near there on train you have as well Hakihabara which is the Otaku town. From electronic stuff to Made café. Worth trying it.

 

 

 

Museums, Clubs and Events

 

For nights out, museums and full event listings in Tokyo, check Metropolis magazine available at bookshops and some cafes and bars. It’s free and in English, also has a webpage at http://metropolis.co.jp/

 

 

 

Hotels

 

Not really the experts here unfortunately. If anyone has found good deals they would like to share, then please send them on.

 

· Lots of nice premium hotels, the Grand Hyatt and Ritz Carlton are conveniently placed in Roppongi.

 

· Air BnB has extensive listings for Tokyo for whole apartment or shared lets.

 

· Nice areas to stay are Roppongi, Shibuya for the younger crowd. Azabu-Juban, Meguro, Naka-Meguro and Daikanyama are more suburban but really nice with shops and restaurants

 

Granbellhotel, multiple locations

 

· there is 1 in shibuya, 1 in akasakamitsuke, 1 in shinjuku (shinjuku is in the back of kabukicho so maybe not really good area..)

 

· its a boutique/business hotel compact but very comfortable and good price.

 

· here is the link for shibuya one http://www.granbellhotel.jp/en/shibuya/

 

Tokyustay, Aoyama (Gaiename station)

 

· We use it in my company when some guests are visiting our office and we don't want to spend too much money like hyatt or cellulian tower in shibuya..

 

· All the guest always seem to be happy and I think you can get good deals if you book in advance . http://www.tokyustay.co.jp/e/hotel/AO/

 

Rosegarden Hotel, Shinjuku.

 

· My friends from Spain stayed before and they were happy because of the price and the location.

 

· As a hotel is really a business hotel so not much to expect but the location. http://www.hotel-rosegarden.jp/global-menu.html

[+ Charlie]

Nikko is definitely worth a day trip. We did it our first time in Tokyo, and liked it so much that on our next trip to Japan, we booked an overnight there.

[CuriousByNature]

I was in Tokyo many years ago with work (we have an office there), and it was the most amazing and simultaneously most surreal place I've ever visited... and the place I'd most like to revisit... when some friends were planning to visit I asked our Tokyo team where they took out of town visitors, and they didn't disappoint... I've found the original mail -- hope this helps.

 

Day trips from Tokyo,

 

· Hike/onsen in Hakone with views of mount Fuji

 

· Hiking and/or Temples in Nikko

 

· Hiking in Karuizawa

 

· Hiking from Mitake to Oku-tama (long hike and takes a while to get there, full day)

 

· Temples in Kamakura

 

 

 

Tokyo Restaurants

 

Tokyo is not just about Japanese food, all food is amazing. Small Japanese restaurants often don’t have English menus and the staff don’t speak English. If you’re open to trying new things, then don’t let this scare you, just point at things on the menu and play pot luck. Many more restaurants to choose from with maps and descriptions in english on http://www.bento.com

 

Some tips on food styles here http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/japanese-restaurants and here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_cuisine

 

 

 

Gonpachi, Nishi-Azabu

 

· English Menus. Nice restaurant, worth booking, the staff speak english. Famous as was the inspiration for Kill Bill set. Also has a good sushi restaurant on the top floor open very late. there is also one in Shibuya, but not as good

 

· http://www.bento.com/rev/1735.html link to map on website

 

Ahirusutoa, Shibuya

 

· Restaurant own by a brother and Sister who are making everything, form Sausage to bread. This is only open at night and have only 10 seats. It was the restaurant next to where we lived and loved it.

 

· http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1318/A131810/13051357/

 

Kaikaya, Shibuya

 

· Great Fish restaurant. Noisy, good fun. Again english menus. http://www.bento.com/rev/0211.html link to map on website

 

Fuku, Yoyogi-Uehara

 

· Simply the best Yakitori in Town, book ahead and stuff your face with things on sticks fresh from the bbq. English menus available

 

Toriyoshi, Nishi-Azabu

 

· Yakitori restaurant (chicken and veg on sticks), no english and no booking, but you can point to things on the counter to order.

 

Akanoren, Nishi Azabu

 

· Great late night Ramen place, open until 3am. Don’t miss the Siu Gyoza (Water Dumplings) to go with your Ramen

 

Bikkuri Sushi, Ebisu

 

· Loud, bright, great value Sushi, no booking required. Always try to sit at the counter. Has menus with pictures, so you can point. The 5 kinds of tuna set is my personal favourite

 

Gyoza Lou, Harajuku, http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/12853/Harajuku-Gyoza-Lou

 

· Dumplings, Beer, the cheapest meal in town. Long queues and no booking, but that’s part of the fun

 

Kitchen 5, Nishi Azabu

 

· The chef Kobayashi-san spends a couple of months a year travelling the world and the spends the whole day cooking an eclectic selection of recipes that she’s picked up along the way.

 

ANA Hotel Teppanyaki Restaurant, Akasaka

 

· Go at lunch time for good value set menus and a nice view from the 27th floor. Booking recommended

 

Jumbo, Yakiniku, Shirokanedai

 

· Excellent Korean BBQ, used to be a butcher’s shop and became a restaurant. Booking in advance essential

 

New York Grill, Shinjuku

 

· For a good view of Tokyo, the brunch at New York grill in the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku is good value with views from the 52nd floor over Tokyo. Booking essential. Was the hotel used in Lost in Translation. You can also upgrade to the Wagyu steak as a main course, but it’s not cheap

 

Atelier De Joel Robuchon, Roppongi Hills

 

· 2 star Michelin restaurant. They have these around the world but Tokyo is the best example. Dinner tasting menus are excellent and I love the counter seating and open kitchen

 

Gordon Ramsey, Conrad Hotel Shiodome

 

· Great Champagne Sunday brunch, haven’t checked current pricing

 

Aux Bacchanales

 

· Chain French bistro, with restaurants by the New Otani Hotel, in Ginza, Akasaka Ark Hills and a few others. Great Salad Nicoise, Steak Tartare and Frites. As much free bread as you can eat

 

Bar Two Rooms

 

· Nice place to enjoy a lovely cocktail with a beautiful view on Jinjuku

 

· http://www.tworooms.jp/en/

 

Le Savoy, Azabu-Juban

 

· Perfect Pizzas, they only make Margarita and Marinara, but they are really something else. Couldn’t find better in Napoli!

 

Cave, Takadanobaba,

 

· Great small counter restaurant with friendly staff serving excellent French food and lots of well-priced wines to match. A bit of the beaten track, but worth the trip for the atmosphere and the food. Don’t miss the escargot or the scallop risotto.

 

· http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130503/13001030/

 

 

 

Parks + To Visit

 

In Autumn, there are many lovely parks and gardens in Tokyo.

 

Shinjuku Gyoen

 

· Really beautiful gardens with loads of cherry trees short walk from Shinjuku station

 

Yoyogi Park

 

· Good spot to walk around on a sunny day. Nice colours in Autumn. Nice to enjoy as well on the Week end on the Harajuku gate the Elvis and the Rock and Roll. You need to go as well around Harajuku street to see what it’s look like. Really easy to work from there to Shibuya and even Shinjuku. From inside the park you can have a really nice view to Shinjuku

 

Asakusa + Hakihabara

 

· The first one is the temple area. You can have a great view on the Tokyo Sky Tree( never been). Near there on train you have as well Hakihabara which is the Otaku town. From electronic stuff to Made café. Worth trying it.

 

 

 

Museums, Clubs and Events

 

For nights out, museums and full event listings in Tokyo, check Metropolis magazine available at bookshops and some cafes and bars. It’s free and in English, also has a webpage at http://metropolis.co.jp/

 

 

 

Hotels

 

Not really the experts here unfortunately. If anyone has found good deals they would like to share, then please send them on.

 

· Lots of nice premium hotels, the Grand Hyatt and Ritz Carlton are conveniently placed in Roppongi.

 

· Air BnB has extensive listings for Tokyo for whole apartment or shared lets.

 

· Nice areas to stay are Roppongi, Shibuya for the younger crowd. Azabu-Juban, Meguro, Naka-Meguro and Daikanyama are more suburban but really nice with shops and restaurants

 

Granbellhotel, multiple locations

 

· there is 1 in shibuya, 1 in akasakamitsuke, 1 in shinjuku (shinjuku is in the back of kabukicho so maybe not really good area..)

 

· its a boutique/business hotel compact but very comfortable and good price.

 

· here is the link for shibuya one http://www.granbellhotel.jp/en/shibuya/

 

Tokyustay, Aoyama (Gaiename station)

 

· We use it in my company when some guests are visiting our office and we don't want to spend too much money like hyatt or cellulian tower in shibuya..

 

· All the guest always seem to be happy and I think you can get good deals if you book in advance . http://www.tokyustay.co.jp/e/hotel/AO/

 

Rosegarden Hotel, Shinjuku.

 

· My friends from Spain stayed before and they were happy because of the price and the location.

 

· As a hotel is really a business hotel so not much to expect but the location. http://www.hotel-rosegarden.jp/global-menu.html

Awesome info!!!

[sincitymix]

you should be fine if you dont stop or layover anywhere in china. a co worker visited south korea, and on her way home her plane stopped in bejing for a layover. she is now stuck there as of today she cant leave. flight delayed turned into flight cancellation, and she noone is flying to the us or allowing flights from china to the us. hope her situation changes.. shes due back to work tomorrow

[+ VictorPowers]

I appreciate everyone for concerns and PMs regarding Coronavirus. My primary reason for the trip is a concert on 3/29. A subsequent search using Delta Skymiles convinced me to go. I booked a flexible Hotel stay and I can cancel my flights for a full Miles refund anytime.

 

So basically I can cancel anytime for free and I’ll only be out my VIP Concert ticket cost.

 

I do have a day layover (By choice) In Seoul.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Many parts of Asia are currently fine. For now, I'd avoid China, including even a quick stop at HKG or HND.

 

While I can't say what it will look like in March, I'm in Seoul now and it's business as usual for the people here. The Korean media coverage is a lot more circumspect than the breathless 24-hour news cycle we have in the States.

 

On the way back to Dallas next week, I'm making quick stop in Tokyo to get some shopping done and have zero concerns about being in any danger. The sky is not falling for those who are intrepid travelers.

 

PM me if you need any hotel/eats/shopping recs

[mike carey]

Many parts of Asia are currently fine. For now, I'd avoid China, including even a quick stop at HKG or HND.

HND? Haneda airport?

 

I would still consider flying CX and the transit stop that requires in Hong Kong.

[+ nycman]

I would still consider flying CX and the transit stop that requires in Hong Kong.

I’m not so sure. Unless things rapidly improve (come on Spring!), I would expect the mass hysteria

to continue to expand. I‘m not afraid of the virus, I’m afraid of being quarantined in a foreign land.

And these days, like it or not, Hong Kong is China. That’s not a risk I’m currently willing to take.

 

Come on Mother Nature!

 

Come on Spring!

[wklukas]

Many parts of Asia are currently fine. For now, I'd avoid China, including even a quick stop at HKG or HND.

 

While I can't say what it will look like in March, I'm in Seoul now and it's business as usual for the people here. The Korean media coverage is a lot more circumspect than the breathless 24-hour news cycle we have in the States.

 

On the way back to Dallas next week, I'm making quick stop in Tokyo to get some shopping done and have zero concerns about being in any danger. The sky is not falling for those who are intrepid travelers.

 

PM me if you need any hotel/eats/shopping recs

 

 

Except for some tech & a couple other categories, a lot of “essential“ shopping in Tokyo (& most of Asia) is mediocre quality at best......

I leave later today on a biz trip that puts me in Japan at the end of the week.....I have no really serious concerns about any current health hazards......& anyway, i look really good wearing lower face masks ?

 

( I had my hotel in Tokyo secure a dinner reservation at Sukiyabashi for a “best in the world” sushi meal for myself & a friend)

 

https://www.sushi-jiro.jp/dining-at-jiro/

 

(( say “hey” to Will if part of your plan is to meet up w/him.....if he’s still in town there ))

Edited February 17, 2020 by wklukas

[mike carey]

I’m not so sure. Unless things rapidly improve (come on Spring!), I would expect the mass hysteria

to continue to expand. I‘m not afraid of the virus, I’m afraid of being quarantined in a foreign land.

And these days, like it or not, Hong Kong is China. That’s not a risk I’m currently willing to take.

I can certainly see that and agree it's a risk. For me, it's hypothetical at the moment, I'm not on the point of booking any flights. Then again, CX doesn't fly any A380s.

[+ ArVaGuy]

I appreciate everyone for concerns and PMs regarding Coronavirus. My primary reason for the trip is a concert on 3/29. A subsequent search using Delta Skymiles convinced me to go. I booked a flexible Hotel stay and I can cancel my flights for a full Miles refund anytime.

 

So basically I can cancel anytime for free and I’ll only be out my VIP Concert ticket cost.

 

I do have a day layover (By choice) In Seoul.

 

South Korea is imposing travel restrictions into and out of Seoul. Might be best to look into the matter. You might have to reroute your itinerary.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

South Korea is imposing travel restrictions into and out of Seoul. Might be best to look into the matter. You might have to reroute your itinerary.

 

While Seoul- for the time being- is pretty safe, I wouldn't risk going at this point and not being able to get back to the States.

Edited February 24, 2020 by Benjamin_Nicholas

[+ Pensant]

Things are getting exponentially worse. Austria stopping northbound trains at the Brenner Pass, total lies out of China, Iran. Global supply lines in jeopardy. I decided not to book any trips out of the US until there’s some moderation to this pandemic.

[+ Pensant]

I appreciate everyone for concerns and PMs regarding Coronavirus. My primary reason for the trip is a concert on 3/29. A subsequent search using Delta Skymiles convinced me to go. I booked a flexible Hotel stay and I can cancel my flights for a full Miles refund anytime.

 

So basically I can cancel anytime for free and I’ll only be out my VIP Concert ticket cost.

 

I do have a day layover (By choice) In Seoul.

Don’t risk it. You don’t want to get quarantined and marooned in Asia.

[mike carey]

Since you have travel and accommodation that can be cancelled at no cost, I wouldn't stress too much now. Travel was still happening yesterday from China to South Korea (the ABC correspondent, ours not yours, did it then), and if that hasn't stopped your arrangements are far less risky. What you might want to research is travel that doesn't involve both Korea and Japan so you only have to worry about one country. So, if Delta has US to Tokyo flights rather than via Seoul, think of changing that. Ultimately, take wide advice, not just us in here.

 

Edited: I was seriously looking at Cathay and JAL to travel for Palm Springs and would still be but for a Qantas deal for bonus elite credit for flights booked now.

Edited February 24, 2020 by mike carey

[EZEtoGRU]

Delta announces a reduction of flights to Seoul due to Coronavirus. I'm surprised it took this long.

https://news.delta.com/delta-reduces-flight-schedule-south-korea-following-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

[+ ArVaGuy]

Delta announces a reduction of flights to Seoul due to Coronavirus. I'm surprised it took this long.

https://news.delta.com/delta-reduces-flight-schedule-south-korea-following-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

 

My organization just announced that we should restrict travel to South Korea and Japan as well as Italy.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

My organization just announced that we should restrict travel to South Korea and Japan as well as Italy.

 

This is what's going to happen to a lot of companies.

 

Friends of mine with Google and Apple now have the same restrictions. It's gonna trickle down.

[JulianLondon]

This is surely now a pandemic.

 

What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?

 

Epidemic: An outbreak of disease that attacks many peoples at about the same time and may spread through one or several communities. Pandemic: When an epidemic spreads throughout the world. Infectious diseases: Diseases that you can catch. They are communicable.

 

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2235342-covid-19-why-wont-the-who-officially-declare-a-coronavirus-pandemic/

[mike carey]

Delta announces a reduction of flights to Seoul due to Coronavirus. I'm surprised it took this long.

https://news.delta.com/delta-reduces-flight-schedule-south-korea-following-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

For the moment, unlike cancellations of flights to China, Delta's changes are most likely driven by commercial rather than safety factors. Qantas and Air New Zealand have both recently cut some services to Asia due to reduced demand, Air NZ just this morning (Thursday). Offering refunds as well as rescheduling when they did it acknowledges the safety concerns some passengers will have, but also serves the commercial purpose of helping them manage down the passengers who would have used the cancelled services.

[+ VictorPowers]

It’s not looking good. My Dad would always say that phrase. I’ll mentally prepare to cancel the trip u less some sort of cure magically materializes in 30 days.