hey everbody,

I'm planning a trip to Tokyo in February and I'm looking at hotels around the city.

This will be purely, recreational visit and I've heard of specific areas where there are a lot of entertainment and electronic districts. What are some good hotels in those areas? I also want to do a bit of sight seeing too like some historical architecture and art.

I'm looking forwards to your ideas and pics are always welcomed!

Thanks!

 

I shouldn't let the cat out of the bag, but we stayed at the Presso Inn in Shinjuku last year. It was under $100/night and it was clean and the staff were great.
We went to Odaiba, and I had to go to Shibuya station to see Hachiko. It's also a great people watching location! I of course had to go to Harajuku and do some shopping.

You'll find that some tourist attractions give out things you can collect stamps on. I got a slew of them at the NHK building on Odaiba, Osaka Castle, the Honda Collection Museum and a few others I think. Fun!

I'd also recommend a rail pass, especially if you're going to be travelling out of the city.

 

Damn I've always wanted to go to Japan, especially Okinawa. How much are air fares to go to Japan?

 

I've been there. Nice and festive, but wayyyyyy too crowded.

 

I lived in Tokyo for 8 years. Not very sure about hotels since I was a resident there but I would recommend you going with someone that know Japanese. Rarely anyone speaks English there and it might be very inconvenient for you. And yes, definitely take a visit to akihabara, that's where you want to shop for all these electronics. Don't get yourself broke.

 

I've found flight and hotel combo prices from 1400 bucks to the sky for a week. The trip won't be very expensive if I plan and ahead and get rail passes(thanks shareall) and other discounted items.

Thanks guys for the help! Keep 'em coming!

 

gotta check out those "JDM" video retal stores, if u know wat i mean~

 

Um... I hope you're kidding.. My wife planned our trip.. speaks 0 Japanese. Booked our hotel, railpass, etc... I booked out plane tickets and I think I ordered a few things here and there while we were there.. but for the most part, she did most of the planning (she's an amazing trip planner so I am lucky ).

English is a required language in Japan.. I'm surprised you had difficulty with people not being able to communicate with you... Did you get up real close to them, talk real loud and slow? That always seems to get the locals attention (j/k)

 

As an FYI, I believe that you *have* to purchase your rail pass prior to arriving in Japan. The voucher is mailed to you from a US office and then you exchange it for the actual pass when you get there.

As for the English speaking, Mocky is right. I can't see how you would have a problem in Tokyo. In many trains they announce the next stops in English and plenty of signs are in English as well.

You may want to learn one Japanese phrase though (and I have no idea how to spell it ): soo-me-mah-san. (Anyone can correct me on that one if I'm off!) It's sort of an equivalent of "excuse me" when you're bumping into people.

 

sumimasen