Planning A Japan Trip?
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

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

Just some of the things you see in Akihabara

Inside Radio Kaiken

Just one of the many things you see in Akihabara


Renault 2CV in Akihabara(Black and White)


Go here for non Otaku shopping or for the ambience

Wonderful place filled with all sorts of Miyazaki genius

Nice place to visit and shop

Take this from Asakusa down the Sumida River to Odaiba

Great views from here

Go here to shop and see the lights

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

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










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.
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!!
Sousuke!
What is that!? It looks almost like something out of Full Metal Panic...
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.
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)
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!
Thanks a lot for the links and planning advice, will definitly need it when I someday start planning my trip to Japan:)