Tokyo in March, long with several questions

Hi All,

Heading to Tokyo with hubby in a couple of weeks. He is there for meetings, I am a tag a long. We are booked at Keio Plaza in a Premier room (sadly, no breakfast included).

Due to exhaustion and luggage, I think we will do the easy way (though I understand not the cheapest way) and take the airport limobus from Narita to Keio. If I understand correctly from reading their web site and TA, we purchase the ticket the day of boarding at the ticket counter of Airport Limousine in either terminal 1 or 2. We should see the counter after clearing customs. They take credit cards.

What is a second option for Narita to Keio so that we have a back up plan if needed? I want something I am guaranteed a seat. I don%26#39;t want to stand from Narita to the hotel.

We have a Monday with no meetings and a Saturday with no meetings. On at least one of those days we would like to get out of the city to see the countryside or somewhere that is not big city. What can easily be done all in one day? Kyoto is what we were thinking but golly, that seems so far to go for just the day (and no, we cannot spend the night there or change our schedule). What are your thoughts? Too much train time, not enough sight seeing time?

Some places that look perhaps more reasonable for just a day are Kamakura, Hakone or Nikko. Thoughts? We want something very different than Tokyo.

Tokyo sight seeing we plan to do by area. I have an extensive list of possibilities, just need to prioritize a bit. What will be our best option for day to day getting around? How and where do I buy tickets and how do we use them? I don%26#39;t like looking like a clueless foreigner (though I recognize that is exactly what we will be LOL).

Are nice jeans ok to wear while out and about?

Any fashion no nos? Any fashion must dos? (for example, I stuck out in Vienna, Austria in winter because I wore pumps with my dress while all the local ladies wore knee high black boots).

I have plenty of memory cards for my camera and I am so excited to take this adventure. Any tips or suggestions you would like to share would be most appreciated.

Thank you!

Tokyo in March, long with several questions

Suzibell you will have a ball!! I can%26#39;t answer all your questions but suggest the following...

Culturally I can give you the following tips:

CLOTHING - Jeans are fine to wear everywhere - even the temples. Most younger Japanese get around in jeans and converse shoes for casual wear. Women generally keep their shoulders covered (ie. no singlets or strappy dresses) but weather probably wont be warm enough for that anyway.

EATING - I realised (mid-bite) that it was really only me walking around eating - people don%26#39;t tend to do that, nor do they eat on the train.

I also noticed that men got somewhat nervous if I started a conversation with them (eg. needing instructions for somewhere). Either approach a woman or ask your husband to do it. There are maps EVERYWHERE anyway.

Without wanting to offend, don%26#39;t try to go to too many temples - they can be quite similar to each other, so once you%26#39;ve seen one or two, you should have a good idea of what they are about. The one at Ueno is lovely - it%26#39;s out on an island in the park.

You should try and get to the Tsukiji fish market if you can. It%26#39;s an early start, but so fascinating. Remember it%26#39;s a working market, so try to keep out of the way of everyone there (they will let you know if you%26#39;re in the way!).

I%26#39;ve only spent time in Tokyo - didn%26#39;t get out of the city, so can%26#39;t help you with that.

Have a great time - take as many photos as you can!

Tokyo in March, long with several questions

You are correct for the Limo Bus. You will see the ticket counter after you exit immigration. They accept credit cards. They will handle your luggage for you all the way to your hotel.

A second option would be Narita Express to Shinjuku. http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/

This is a good deal - http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/

A good site to do some research - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e623.html

For local train travel, Suica is best - http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_002.html

Attire: Good advice from cath-on-tour. My view is that you can%26#39;t go wrong with ';neat casual'; modest attire. I would wear khaki slacks and an oxford shirt (no tie) this time of year, but I%26#39;m an old man. When sightseeing with local hosts, we%26#39;ve gone to rather nice restaurants casually dressed. Anything business-related is dressy.

Getting around: Sure you%26#39;ll be confused--everyone is. Ask your hotel to mark out an itinerary on your map--the Tokyo Tourist Information Center has a good one. Or come back here when you have specific questions.

There are two websites that let you search itineraries anywhere in the country. The results aren%26#39;t always optimized. jorudan.co.jp/english/鈥-norikeyin.html is less confusing. www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi has links to schedules.

Here are some thoughts:

On a clear morning, go to the free observation deck of Tocho, the Tokyo Metro Gov%26#39;t Building. It%26#39;s near your hotel. The Tokyo Tourist Info center is in the lobby of the building. From there, take the Oedo subway to Ryoguku (don%26#39;t try to pronounce it--it%26#39;s not ROY..). Take the A3 or A4 exit (whichever is an elevator) to the Edo-Tokyo Museum with its excellent displays on the history of this remarkable city. http://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/english/

You could go back there for a night view, but you might want to check out your hotel%26#39;s Sky Bar choices: www.keioplaza.com/restaurants/skybar.html

I%26#39;ve never been there, but Polestar looks like something out of ';Lost in Translation.';

I like Asakusa Kannon Temple and the many shopping streets in the area. Sure it%26#39;s a concrete reproduction but it%26#39;s high-energy Japanese tourist experience. Outside the main souvenier street and plaza are quiet and beautiful buildings and gardens.

Leaving town: Nikko is memorable. A long day trip will let you see the temple complex and take the bus up the exciting zig-zag road to Kegon waterfall and Lake Chuzenji.

I really liked Nihon Minka-en, a collection of old houses in a wooded setting in suburban Kawasaki. city.kawasaki.jp/88/88minka/home/minka_e.htm

Japan Guide (link in Dave148%26#39;s message) had great info on these and everything else.

By all means visit Kyoto, if you can afford the fare. The distance is warped by speedy shinkasen. You will have more than enough time to get the flavor of Kyoto.

You can eat/drink at your seat on shinakanse/LEX, just don%26#39;t make a mess %26amp; clean up after yourself by disposing the trash in the proper bins at the door area.

Based on your description, I feel Kamakura would make a nice trip for you. Kamakura has a very relaxing feel and it%26#39;s not so far away. You get to go through the attractions at your own pace.

Most ticket machines within Tokyo can handle English instructions so there is nothing to worry about.

You can wear whatever you wear at home. Japanese women mostly wear boots these days but nobody is really going to care how you are dressed.