Tokyo Things to Do Tips by Wild_Orchid Top 5 Page for this destination

Take a ride on the Disney Resort Line Disney Resort Review

Getting to Disneyland or Disney Sea Tokyo is really very easy from either Tokyo, Shinjuku or Narita Airport. From Tokyo, it takes about 45 minutes.

You can use the JR Keiyo line to Maihama station, and switch to the Disney resort Line. This little circular loop, covers about 5 km and 4 station stops.

For those going to DisneyLand, there is no need to get onto this internal monorail, as it is only a short walk from JR Maihama station to the Disneyland entrance. However, for those opting for Disney Sea, it is advisable to pay 200 yen to get you there.

Before you go, do click on the picture to check out the unique Mickey Mouse shaped windows and hand straps. You won't be able to stop yourself from smiling all through out this very short ride!

Address: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu-shi, Chiba-ken

Directions: take the JR to Maihama Station and switch to the Disney Resort Line.

Phone: 045-683-3333

Visit the Beautiful Lake Chuzen at Nikko Nikko - Day Trip Review

The tour that we were on had a stop here for lunch. The area around the lake is really beautiful.

It was very cold the day that we were there, but I enjoyed the cold weather! I felt so lucky, because due to cold weather (colder than Tokyo city) the lake side was awash in colours of light pink and white, with late cherry blossoms still out in bloom.

There were indeed many photo taking opportunities that are found only in Japan. I have put in more photos in my Nikko Travellogue.

Nearby to this lake is the famous Kegon Waterfall. There is also a museum and swan paddle boat rides.

Address: Nikko-shi, Tochigi-ken

View the Cedar Forest and Don't Miss the Trees! Nikko - Day Trip Review

The cedar forest of Nikko is not only renowned for its natural beauty, but also for its historical significance. The cedar trees were planted here more than 350 years ago and they line both sides of what is called the Cryptomeria Avenue, that leads from the vermillion painted Sacred (Shin-kyo) Bridge, just outside Nikko Town to the Nikko Toshogu Shrine Complex.

Amazingly, more than 13,000 of the orginal cedar trees which were planted in the early days of Nikko's beginnings, are still standing till this day. At midmorning, when the tops of the cedar trees catch the sunlight, the view is remarkably beautiful and picturesque. During cold winters, they take on a different look when snow falls on the cedar branches.

One of the sights NOT TO BE MISSED if you can spare a day out of Tokyo.

Address: Nikko-shi, Tochigi-ken

Toshogu Shrine at Nikko-a World Heritage Site Nikko - Day Trip Review

If you read the history of Japan, the name Tokugawa Ieyasu will crop up again and again. He was a great military strategist who unified Japan and begin what would become the most powerful shogunate, the Tokugawa Shogunate, that ruled for over 250 years.

Tokugawa Ieyasu was enshrined at the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko in 1616. The shrine was built by the third Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu's grandson, and completed in 1636.

Designated in 1999 as a World Heritage Site, it is among the national treasures of Japan.

Address: Nikko-shi, Tochigi-ken

Getting to Nikko Nikko - Day Trip Review

After some extensive research on how to get to Nikko, I decided to book a day tour. I used a company called JTB Sunrise Tours which I booked through the internet. While we would have undoubtedly spent less money if we had taken the local trains, I was not confident of finding the right connections and the journey would have been longer (apart from the bullet trains, but those are rather expensive)

No regrets! The tour company arranged a pick up service from our hotel at Shinjuku according to the stated schedule, which dropped us off at the Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal near the World Trade Center.

Thereafter, the coach ride to Nikko was around 2.5 hours (inclusive of the toilet break). This being a popular tour, the coach was full!

The tour guide was very helpful, and explained the history and culture well, and she also took the time to explain about the food being served for lunch. I was impressed!

Besides the Toshogu Shrine at Nikko, the tour also included the Irohazaka zigzag driveway up the mountains, lunch at the Lake Chuzen area (tip & pics below) and the Kegon Waterfalls.

If you want to know more about this lovely place, please have a look at my Nikko pages.

The picture shows a Middle Eastern family at the car park area of the Toshogu Shrine.

Address: Nikko-shi, Tochigi-ken

Beautiful Hakone Hakone - Day Trip Review

Spent a rainy morning at extremely scenic Mt. Fuji – Hakone – Izu National Park area. Stopped at the Owakudani boiling volcano valley, where sulfurous fumes rise from crevices in the rocks. It's also a popular hot springs area & eggs boiled in the hot springs are said to prolong one's life. They're readily available for sale but who wants to live to a 100 years?

Address: Hakone-cho, Ashigara Shimo-gun, Kanagawa-ken

Directions: 100km out from Tokyo so an early start is recommended.

Visit Akihabara Akihabara Review

Akihabara is the famous "electric street" where you'll find all things electronic. It is also affectionately known as "akiba" by the Japanese.

There are personal gadgets such as digital cameras, IPODS, video cameras, handphones, PCs, notebooks and more. You'll also find parts for digital cameras, wires for computers, & used cameras and camera parts. General electrical household items may also be found here.

Big names here are LAOX which features a multi-storey shop selling all kinds of electrical and electronic items. You can handle & test the digital cameras & digital Video cameras out. I tried quite a few out myself. The default setting was in Japanese, but you can try to ask for the staff to change the language setting to Chinese (Mandarin or simplified Chinese) or English or other languages.

The time I was there, a bunch of ladies in Anime costume were on hand just outside the JR station handing out flyers.

*Update* (2009): I've found a very useful website which tells you how to plan 1/2 day visit of Akihabara and Ueno. Please click on the link below to have a look at the map.

Address: Chiyoda-ku

Directions: JR / Tokyo Metro AKIHABARA

Website: http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/tourists/guideservice/route/route53/49/49_map.html

Bird's eye view of Tokyo - TMG Towers 1 & 2 Metropolitan Government Office Building Review

The TMG Building No.1 is the tallest building in Tokyo, with 48 stories that tower 240 metres into the sky. It has a twin tower named, surprise, surprise, TMG Building No.2!

Not nearly as tall as Malaysia's own Petronas Twin Towers, it was still worth a visit to the observatory which commands a sweeping view of Tokyo. The part I enjoyed the most was seeing the large green part of Tokyo that was the grounds consisting of Yoyogi Park, Imperial Palace and the Meiji Shrine. It was really a contrast to the rest of Tokyo. As you can see, Tokyo is not all tall buildings but also has well-preserved greenery and low rise residential areas.

Best of all, it's free: One of the few things in Tokyo that IS free. Don't miss it!
Handy Tip for Tourists: Do pick up the Welcome to Tokyo TOKYO Handy Guide from TMG, or Haneda Airport Terminal 1F or at Keisei Ueno Station (in front of the ticket gate). It contains useful information on all the best places to visit and transport tips as well. Yes, it's in ENGLISH!
Open year round. Closed 29-31st Dec & 2-3 January. Re-open on Jan 1st to view the first sunrise of the new year.

Address: 2-8-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku

Directions: On the Tokyo Metro - Nishi Shinjuku station
or take the JR line to Shinjuku and look for the Tokyo Metropolitan or Western exits

Phone: 03-5321-1111

Website: http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/

Odaiba & Tokyo Bay-the way of the Future Odaiba Review

The Tokyo Bay area was the result of landfill activities around the river. The man-made island of Rinkai Fukutoshin (served by the Rinkai monorail line which loops around the island), better known as Odaiba, is home to Tokyo's architectural innovations.

There are a number of interesting tourists attractions here. Among them is the futuristic Fuji TV building (near Daiba station), Museum of Marine Science (opens daily from 10 am to 5pm) and the large grey Telecom Centre, and the Museum of the Future (opens daily from 10 am to 5 pm, closed on Tuesdays)-which showcases Japan's hi-tech achievements.

There is also a beautiful pedestrian Rainbow Bridge (illuminated at night it is very pretty) from which you can see the Statue of Liberty, a large Ferris Wheel (said to be the largest in the world), which is located in Pallette Town, which has shopping, cinemas and amusements for the whole family. (The mall at Pallette town is written up under my shopping tips). The main Toyota car showroom is also located within this mall.

For those who have more time, instead of taking the monorail or JR line, you could also do a river cruise here.

Address: Daiba, Minato-ku

Directions: Rinkai Monorail Line
Yurikamome ODAIBA-KAIHIN-KOEN
Opposite the JR Shimbashi Station on the Yamanote Line

Trendy Roppongi Hills Roppongi Hills Review

My first evening was spent at Roppongi Hills, a trendy new development opened in 2003.The Mori Tower with its 54 floors dominate the skyline & houses an Art Centre. Adjacent to the Mori Tower are a few more buildings occupied by shops and restaurants, as well as the luxury Grand Hyatt Hotel (see second pics).

I was there in the evening & had coffee & ice-cream at the Mori Garden, a traditional Japanese garden given a modern touch. Just next to the garden is the TV Asahi building & it was there that I bumped into the famous TV star Doraemon, who’s one of my children’s favourite TV personality. (see third pics)

Behind the Mori Tower runs the Roppongi Keyakizaka Street with more cafes and luxury brand shops such as Louis Vuitton.

Address: Minato-ku

Directions: Tokyo Metro Roppongi
and
within walking distance of JR Akasaka station