The Japan Trip Resource Thread!

[Lorfarius]

Money wise I'm planning to take about £1500 in cash and keep the credit card tucked away safe in case of emergencies.

[Lorfarius]

I'm going to be staying at the Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku this Christmas mainly because it's cheap but has some fairly good reviews:

http://www.expedia.co.uk/pub/agent.dll?qscr=cmhi&flag=i&itid=18753415&ecid=27&htid=1699407

[Friction]

I'm going to be staying at the Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku this Christmas mainly because it's cheap but has some fairly good reviews:

http://www.expedia.co.uk/pub/agent.d...7&htid=1699407

I stayed there when I went in April this year!

Really nice place, nice comfy rooms and good facilities. Some of the reviews say the place is a bit small and what not and the staff aren't great, but I found none of that a problem at all. I was only there to sleep and it was quiet and clean etc.

Really well connected travel wise, pretty simple to get there from Narita airport (Skyliner into Shinjuku station), loads to see around there, places to eat, and a Citibank cash machine just next door making it easy to get some more cash!

Enjoy!

[Lorfarius]

I stayed there when I went in April this year!

Really nice place, nice comfy rooms and good facilities. Some of the reviews say the place is a bit small and what not and the staff aren't great, but I found none of that a problem at all. I was only there to sleep and it was quiet and clean etc.

Really well connected travel wise, pretty simple to get there from Narita airport (Skyliner into Shinjuku station), loads to see around there, places to eat, and a Citibank cash machine just next door making it easy to get some more cash!

Enjoy!

I had a chat with my friend (who is coming with me) and he's of the same opinion that the rooms might be small but we are going to be in Tokyo, wandering, sightseeing etc so besides the sleeping we won't hardly be there.

I'm glad it's easy to get to from the airport. After a 17 hour flight I dont think I'll be eager to spend much time struggling to find my way there

One thing we are thinking of doing is catching a train down to Kyoto as I want to see the temples and I think it's a must to ride a bullet train. Not sure where to mind!

[kryss]

一石二鳥.
Take the shinkansen to Kyoto.

[Friction]

I had a chat with my friend (who is coming with me) and he's of the same opinion that the rooms might be small but we are going to be in Tokyo, wandering, sightseeing etc so besides the sleeping we won't hardly be there.

I'm glad it's easy to get to from the airport. After a 17 hour flight I dont think I'll be eager to spend much time struggling to find my way there

One thing we are thinking of doing is catching a train down to Kyoto as I want to see the temples and I think it's a must to ride a bullet train. Not sure where to mind!

It's possibly wrong to say, but I will anyway - the rooms in that place reminded me of a typical Travel Inn/Lodge room - except a bit more classy. You know the layout, bathroom in the corner, two double beds (we had a twin room), wardrobe etc. Had a nice TV to watch, and free internet in the room so really no complaints. If you spend most of the day out and about, all you want is a nice place to relax, sleep and prepare for the next day and that is exactly what you get. I'm already planning my next trip to Tokyo for next year and I intend to stay there again, so guess it doesn't get any more higher praise than that

I can't remember the exact details of the train there - I'm one of those who remembers more by sight if that makes sense but I do believe I remember wrong - it's NOT the Skyliner you want, but the Narita Express - the ticket desk is pretty much right next to the Skyliner desk though. Takes about 80 mins on the train, but will get you right into Shinjuku nicely. Now if I could just remember the right exit of the station (its a HUGE station) we'd be in business.....



I thought about getting myself to Kyoto next time too - I think I need to visit this thread more and pick the brains of those who know the place well and are happy to share info!

[Lorfarius]

I think I'll be printing out huge sections of this thread to take with me, thanks Friction

[Jushin-Thunder-Liger]

Ha! Im in Tokyo right now on a business trip and remembered about this forum and thread.

Was it really over 5 years ago, i 1st visited?

Good lord how times change. It was a nice trip down memory lane re-reading some of this thread, tho.


What did i do last night, you ask?

Well i went to the "Darts Stadium" in Ikebukero, and played darts with some teenage girls.

Its nice to be back

[DeathAdder]

I had a chat with my friend (who is coming with me) and he's of the same opinion that the rooms might be small but we are going to be in Tokyo, wandering, sightseeing etc so besides the sleeping we won't hardly be there.

I'm glad it's easy to get to from the airport. After a 17 hour flight I dont think I'll be eager to spend much time struggling to find my way there

One thing we are thinking of doing is catching a train down to Kyoto as I want to see the temples and I think it's a must to ride a bullet train. Not sure where to mind!

Are you not flying direct? If you are, it only takes 12 hours from the UK.

[Lorfarius]

Are you not flying direct? If you are, it only takes 12 hours from the UK.

No . Flying from Manchester to Paris then straight to Tokyo.

[teddymeow]

Well i went to the "Darts Stadium" in Ikebukero, and played darts with some teenage girls.

If only darts on the TV was that interesting!!

I'd been looking at the Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku and was all set to make that "the one" for next year but when Mrs Teddy saw the Gracery Tamachi all previous thoughts were out the window.

It does look like a great hotel! The past two years we have stayed at the Chisun Inn Asakusa which, although very small, has amazingly comfortable beds which you can just kind of sink into at the end of busy day sightseeing. ALso, it's at the end of the Ginza line so getting anywhere is a cinch!!

[huxley]

Keio Plaza in Shinjuku is nice, stayed there the last 3 times

http://www.keioplaza.com/

[Darwock]

Can any of the resident residents or ex-residents help me out with a bicycle registration question?

The last time I got a bicycle at Conan, they provided the registration number and all relevant documentation. My girlfriend has just got me a new bicycle (gears! basketless! woo!) but she bought it over the internet... it came without the registration number.

I believe you can get it registered yourself by paying a small fee but I'm not sure of the process. I also believe you need ownership papers and we didn't get anything like that. So if I take it to the nearest koban are they gonna slip the cuffs on me for having an unregistered bike and no papers?

As I am 95% guaranteed to be stopped by the police I don't feel like I can take it out for a spin until I've got this sorted

[Richard.John]

Why are you 95% guaranteed to be stopped? I've been here 6 years and have yet to stopped by the police for anything. Just wondering.

[Darwock]

Osaka has numerous 'bike theft patrols' consisting of several police officers that park up on bridges and various other places you can't avoid, stop you and demand to see ownership papers. One time I didn't see them, they chased after me on their own bicycles, accelerated past on either side and closed in a pincer movement lol. Scared the crap out of me.

If you don't have papers they call in the bike reg. number to see if your name/address matches. Usually all the officers present will take it in turns to ask me the same questions, it made me late for work on a few occasions until I learnt my lesson and kept the papers on me at all times. Now I don't have any, I'm not risking it. The bike doesn't even have a number... wouldn't surprise me if I got hauled off.

That's remarkable that you have never been stopped - I've lost count of the number of times it's happened to me! Even during my very first visit to the country (which was only a short holiday) I got stopped twice in Tokyo and asked to show my visa.