Planning A Japan Trip?

Posted by J Train Freak 

I'm starting to plan my next Japan trip and thought I would post some of the links I have found concerning going to Tokyo. My dream tour would be a figure tour with a visit to either the Max Factory of Good smile offices along with the guided Akihabara tour. The event would be Wonderfest of course. But unlike the Tokyo Anime fair, nobody does tours to Wonderfest. So I'm going it alone, again.
Planning a trip to Tokyo from the US is surprisingly easy. I managed to do most of it online with only two trips to JTB, mostly because you need to get the tickets for the Ghibli Museum beforehand through JTB here in the US. From the US it's better to use midweek flights if you can. They are much cheaper. If you are planning to visit the Ghibli Museum get your tickets in advance because more than likely you won't be able to get in due to space restrictions. Other than Ghibli, getting everything done was straightforward. It's not too hard to find inexpensive hotels which can save you a bundle for loot. If you are planning a trip out of Tokyo, get a JR Rail pass and save yourself a ton of hassle having to figure out train fairs wherever you go. On the other hand the ticket machines all have English buttons so language shouldn't be a barrier.
The thing to remember is not to be afraid to get lost and carry a map. The hotel should have a computer and use google maps to make printouts of places you want to go if they are not well known. Japanese addresses are not for the timid. Wear hardy shoes that are reasonably new, but broken in. I wore myself out walking, last trip. I'm including pics from my first two trips to whet peoples appetites. With no further ado here's my link list:

Wonderfest Info:
http://www.kaiyodo.co.jp/wf/index.html

Akihabara and Otaku Info:
http://akihabara-tour.com/en/
http://akiba.kakaku.com/en/
http://geraet040.web.infoseek.co.jp/tokyo_hobby_shops/index.html#shop_list
http://www.angelfire.com/id/croon/japan/akihabarafigures.html

Nakano Broadway:
http://bwy.jp/

Ghibli museum:
http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/
Odaiba:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html

Ueno Park:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ueno_Park

Tokyo Tower:
http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/english/

Museum Of contemporary Art:
http://www.mot-art-museum.jp/eng/

Asakusa:
http://www.jref.com/practical/asakusa.shtml
http://wikitravel.org/en/Tokyo/Asakusa

Himiko Ferry:
http://www.suijobus.co.jp/
JR East:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/

Tokyo stuff:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/tokyo/
http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/kanto-tatemonoen.html
http://tatemonoen.jp/index.html
http://www.quirkyjapan.or.tv/kanto-asakusabashi.html
http://www.tokyofreeguide.com/
http://www.tokyoessentials.com/index.shtml

Akiahabara News let's visit Tokyo videos
http://en.akihabaranews.com/tag/visit
http://en.akihabaranews.com/25719/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-okachimachi
http://en.akihabaranews.com/23612/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-shinagawa-train-station-shinagawa-business-center
http://en.akihabaranews.com/29890/japan/let%E2%80%99s-visit-tokyo-shinagawa-part-2
http://en.akihabaranews.com/25852/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-shinjuku-part-i-2
http://en.akihabaranews.com/33305/japan/let%E2%80%99s-visit-tokyo-%E2%80%93-nezu-museum-nezu-garden
http://en.akihabaranews.com/23891/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-kokyo-gaien-part-i
http://en.akihabaranews.com/32125/japan/let%E2%80%99s-visit-%E2%80%9Cquickly%E2%80%9D-tokyo-under-the-snow
http://en.akihabaranews.com/24639/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-ochanomizu
http://en.akihabaranews.com/23190/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-daimon
http://en.akihabaranews.com/23301/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-zojoji
http://en.akihabaranews.com/22918/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-tsukudajima
http://en.akihabaranews.com/23013/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-shibuya
http://en.akihabaranews.com/24395/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-shibuya-part-ii
http://en.akihabaranews.com/23404/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-futakotamagawa-river
http://en.akihabaranews.com/25039/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-odaiba-part-1-2
http://en.akihabaranews.com/24769/japan/let-s-visit-tokyo-nijubashimae-2

Travel Agencies:
http://hisexperience.jp/
http://www.jtbusa.com/en/default.asp
http://www.popjapantravel.com/
http://japanforyou.com/

Ten Trips to visit Japan:
http://www.kirainet.com/english/10-tips-to-travel-to-japan/

Toyoko Inn:
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/
Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro:
http://www.sakura-hotel-ikebukuro.com/?gclid=COLT9uveuZcCFQIyxwodAQxwbg

Kamakura
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2166.html
http://www.enoden.co.jp/flangu/e1top.htm

Shimokatazawa:
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/tokyo/shimokita.html

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Go here for figures and other goodies. Right outside the Electric Town exit at Akihabara station

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Just some of the things you see in Akihabara

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Inside Radio Kaiken

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Just one of the many things you see in Akihabara

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Planning A Japan Trip?
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Planning A Japan Trip?

Renault 2CV in Akihabara(Black and White)

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Go here for non Otaku shopping or for the ambience

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Wonderful place filled with all sorts of Miyazaki genius

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Nice place to visit and shop

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Take this from Asakusa down the Sumida River to Odaiba

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Great views from here

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Planning A Japan Trip?

Go here to shop and see the lights

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Planning A Japan Trip?

when you are tired of Akihabara or looking for the hard to find, you should go here next to the Sunshine mall East of Ikebukuro station

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Planning A Japan Trip?

If you like hobby, hardware, tools or art supplies you will love this place

  •  
    R-1 in a happy place. [www]
    2010/02/28 03:11
    Registered on 2007/07/05. Overman
     

    Alright! Now I know what Radio City Hall looks like! There's only one place I really want to go to there... Gonna go nuts in that place.

  •  
    freefall in the wrong place [www]
    2010/02/28 03:22
    Registered on 2010/01/20.
     

    Good timing for me, got a lot of info without searching the net :)
    I am also planning a trip to Japan, now I just have to see when I go.
    Thanks for your hard work and info!!

  •  
    nendoxnerd in Chicago [www]
    2010/02/28 03:38
    Registered on 2009/12/25. Student
     

    Sousuke!

  •  
    hase0 in Clemson, SC, USA
    2010/02/28 06:31
    Registered on 2009/09/21. University Student Graduate (M.O.I.T.), Otaku, a...
     

    What is that!? It looks almost like something out of Full Metal Panic...

    •  
      J Train Freak in Southern Ct
      2010/02/28 07:58
      Registered on 2007/11/21. mechanical engineer
       

      It's the Sumida River cruise boat. Designed by Leiji Matsumoto. Frankly it works better as a work of art than a tour boat as the windows are the wrong shape and the seats are poorly positioned.

  •  
    GabrielVH in United Kingdom [www]
    2010/02/28 07:26
    Registered on 2010/02/16. Digital Designer / Developer / Photographer / Fi...
     

    Hah, co-incidences??

    Planning a trip to Japan with my friend also - a lot of great information, and will make good reading. Thanks!

    (I'd be heading out from here, England)

  •  
    LoganRunn in Miami
    2010/02/28 11:29
    Registered on 2008/11/30. Boukenger
     

    Going back for my 4th trip in April and thought I'd post some info as well to help others. First thing is where to stay and this place is very highly rated on Tripadvisor:
    http://www.aizuya-inn.com/
    Its a nice clean place with dirt cheap rooms so if you are trying to save cash, this is the place. Next is transportation and while the Rail Pass is good if you are going to be going outside of Tokyo, if you plan on doing mostly Tokyo the Suica card is your best bet. Basically, its like a debit card you just touch at the train entrances and it deducts the right fare automatically. I averaged about $60 per week. Here is a good info clip:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3K6NLBxiYA
    As for guidebooks, Lonely Planet guides are the best I've seen, period. Hope this helps!

  •  
    Harts in Estonia
    2010/03/04 03:35
    Registered on 2008/06/02. Android developer
     

    Thanks a lot for the links and planning advice, will definitly need it when I someday start planning my trip to Japan:)


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