80 Hours in Tokyo

[Aeryn]

Hello newbie here hoping to pick up some great tips.

Due to limited award availablity my partner and I will have a 80 hour stop-over in Tokyo on way home from London at end of April. As first time visitors to Japan we are looking for suggestions for things to do and interesting places to eat.

Given we have a night and 3 full days we wondered if we should spend each day in a different neighbourhood? But no ideas which ones?

We have no interest in theme parks or sport or cat cafes but other novelty cafes could be fun. We love to eat so maybe a food tour?

Can anyone recommend some quirky or less obvious places to visit or restaurants to try? We would like to see the essential sites but also have less obvious experiences.

TIA

 

[Must...Fly!]

As it's your first time, I would try not to pack your itinerary too much. Use it as an opportunity to get a taste of Tokyo and Japan in general. It is a big place and it can be a bit overwhelming if you try and do too much.

Shimokitazawa is rather quirky and interesting, however it's probably quite popular with tourists now so might have lost some of its charm.

 

[Matt_01]

You can easily spend 3 days in Tokyo and still not see all the highlights. As for places to eat I cannot provide any specific recommendations as I pay little attention to where we have eaten. In general the more traditional restaurants/ places to eat will do 1 or 2 things and do it well, weather is be ramen, sushi, yakitori, tonkatsu etc. some will also specialise in one thing only e.g. eel, chicken, beef. The more traditional restaurants are also small in size compared to western establishments some may only sit 8-10 people, in general if there is a queue it is normally pretty good. Queues can move quite quickly as the guests order, eat and leave and do not hang around. A food tour may be a good idea however I have not done one of these.

Getting around in Tokyo is easy and cheap but it may take a little getting used to, purchasing tickets for the JR lines and metro is easy and all the machines have multiple language options. If you need to change lines the biggest trick is making sure you stay within the station on the rail side as if you exit the station you may end up having to purchase another ticket. Also when entering the train stations ensure you hang onto the ticket as you need these to exit. If you purchase a ticket that doesn't cover the actual cost don't worry as there are adjustment machines inside the station. The use of IC cards such as Pasmo or Suica can be helpful but maybe not worth it for 3 days if you are not planning on going back any time soon.

As for some of the essential sites most tourist will make their way to the Shibuya crossing, it is outside the station and always busy and if you are in the area Harajuku is just up the road. Shinjuku is another major center and is only a few stops away from Shibuya. Ueno and the Ueno Park area has a few good museums as well as a number of back streets that are worth walking through. If cooking is your thing from Ueno you can use the metro or walk to Kappabashi St (kitchen St) and you will find everything you could ever imagine in relation to kitchen stuff. In that neck of the woods there is also Asakusa with markets and the Asakusa Shrine. Akihabara is the electronics and gadget area of Tokyo and then there is Ginza. You can easily spent 3 days in these areas alone and you will not have ventured from a 3-5km radius of central Tokyo. You could do a day trip down to Kamakura which is on the coast and was the capital of Japan for around 150 years back in the C13. If you really wanted to you could take a longer day trip to Kyoto (2 hours on the Shinkansen, for some it may be considered as not inexpensive) or another major city out side of Tokyo.

Having been to Japan on a few occasions I find it difficult to provide recommendations on what to see and places to go to. Each time we go we list out the places we would like to see and then drop a few off the list. Anyhow have fun and I am sure you will enjoy your trip.

 

[Aeryn]

Thanks.

Is a Pasmo or Suica is like an Opal/Myki/Oyster card that is pre-loaded with credit? Is there an easy way to get a refund any unused balance?

In London we just use debit card to tap on and off of the tube, was hoping for such a short trip similar might be possible in Japan or is acceptance of foreign cards problematic?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks.

Is a Pasmo or Suica is like an Opal/Myki/Oyster card that is pre-loaded with credit? Is there an easy way to get a refund any unused balance?

In London we just use debit card to tap on and off of the tube, was hoping for such a short trip similar might be possible in Japan or is acceptance of foreign cards problematic?

If you have an iPhone you can just add a digital Suica card to your Apple wallet and top it up via Apple Pay as and when you need to.

 

[DC3]

Hello newbie here hoping to pick up some great tips.

Welcome to AFF.

 

[Aeryn]

If you have an iPhone you can just add a digital Suica card to your Apple wallet and top it up via Apple Pay as and when you need to.

What about Android and Google Pay?

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 4:36 PM

Welcome to AFF.

Thank you

 

[Princess Fiona]

What about Android and Google Pay?

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 4:36 PM

Thank you

No, doesn’t work on foreign phones.

 

[Aeryn]

Looks like buying a 72 hour subway ticket which allows unlimited rides for about JPY1500 / AUD$16 might be easiest option.

 

[DC3]

Given we have a night and 3 full days we wondered if we should spend each day in a different neighbourhood? But no ideas which ones?

I tend to stay in the same accommodation for 3-4 days, and do sightseeing trips from that base, rather than change accommodation every day That’s just me.

As you may already know, Tokyo is probably the most populous metropolis in the world. However, the subway system is easy to navigate.

 

[Aeryn]

Sorry for the confusion, what I meant was plan to explore a different neighbourhood each day. Intend to use the subway to get around but reduce any backtracking or crisscrossing of the city by visiting places collocated in similar area together.

We will stay in the one city hotel for 3 nights and then at airport hotel the last night due to very early departure.

 

[Himeno]

Thanks.

Is a Pasmo or Suica is like an Opal/Myki/Oyster card that is pre-loaded with credit? Is there an easy way to get a refund any unused balance?

New IC cards cost either 1500 or 2000 Yen. 500 yen for the card and the rest in credit. There is one IC card that has a post pay system (linked to a JP bank account), but you won't be using that (The Pitapa issued by the private rail companies in Osaka).
You can also use the IC cards at most convenience stores and many vending machines, as well as some shops and restaurants.
Topping up an IC card requires cash at a ticket machine.
The normal IC cards are valid for 10 years from last use. I got my Suica and ICOCA cards in 2006. They both still work.
You can get a refund of a normal IC card, including the original 500 yen card fee and any remaining balance, at an office of the company that issued it. ie, a JR office for a Suica and another Tokyo area rail operator for a Pasmo. There is a small admin fee to issue a refund.

There are virtual IC cards available in the digital wallets of both major mobile phone types. The Apple Wallet card works on any iphone, though there have been some issues, seemingly randomly, getting cards to work with non Japanese bank accounts.
The Android option only works on Android devices sold in Japan.

There are tourist options for both Tokyo area IC cards, the Welcome Suica and Pasmo Passport. These are only valid for 30 days and only to tourists. There have been limits to IC cards in Tokyo recently due to a shortage of chips, but that is getting resolved with normal cards becoming more available soon.

In London we just use debit card to tap on and off of the tube, was hoping for such a short trip similar might be possible in Japan or is acceptance of foreign cards problematic?

Some rail companies in Japan have started rolling out this option. It is not yet wide spread. I haven't attempted to use that option (nor anywhere else around the world where such payment is an option).

Looks like buying a 72 hour subway ticket which allows unlimited rides for about JPY1500 / AUD$16 might be easiest option.

The different passes can be somewhat limiting, depending on what you want to do and where you go. The Tokyo Subway Ticket is only valid on the 9 Tokyo Metro subway lines and the 4 Toei Subway lines. It isn't valid on any JR lines or other transport operators. A number of private rail companies have trains that travel through parts of the subway lines. For example, Keikyu and Keisei, the companies which have lines to each Tokyo airport competing with JR, have through trains on the Toei Asakusa subway line. The subway pass is not valid to enter/exit the Asakusa line at a Keikyu or Keisei station.

There are over 50 train lines that are within or pass through the Tokyo Metro area across more then 11 train operators. The IC cards are valid on all of them. The passes are not.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Jump on trains, get off at random stations and wander. You'll find stuff.

 

[jukebox333]

*snip*

The different passes can be somewhat limiting, depending on what you want to do and where you go. The Tokyo Subway Ticket is only valid on the 9 Tokyo Metro subway lines and the 4 Toei Subway lines. It isn't valid on any JR lines or other transport operators. A number of private rail companies have trains that travel through parts of the subway lines. For example, Keikyu and Keisei, the companies which have lines to each Tokyo airport competing with JR, have through trains on the Toei Asakusa subway line. The subway pass is not valid to enter/exit the Asakusa line at a Keikyu or Keisei station.

There are over 50 train lines that are within or pass through the Tokyo Metro area across more then 11 train operators. The IC cards are valid on all of them. The passes are not.

This part is a catch not everyone is aware of - but also means you sort of have to have an idea of where and what you are going to see. Don't assume using the subway will be the cure-all to get around; those JR and private lines will offer better transportation choices to some destinations or between some key locations. But you of course need to you extra $$$ via the IC card, and it may mean you don't take enough subway journeys for the 1,2,3 day pass to pay for itself.

It does depend on how mobile you are going to be, but given your limited time, I'd be recommending you use the fastest way from point A to point B, rather than trying to save $2 by just using the subway.

Good luck, and enjoy yourself!

 

[Aeryn]

Wow it certainly seems like Japan has made their metro train network overly complicated, doesn't seem very tourist friendly at all.

We thought Tokyo would be more advanced than Sydney or London or New York where you can just tap on/off with a debit card.

Seems like we are going to be needing to find ATMs to get out cash out, then manually topping up a transport card at stations. Is there anywhere to get a refund of transport card at Haneda at about 5:30am?

Whirlpool tells me fee free ATMs are rare. We generally try to avoid using cash overseas for security, and fact it can be difficult to estimate what you are going to spend on any given day and the cost of converting leftover funds back to AUD.

Are debit/credit cards widely accepted at restaurants, museums and convenience stores?

 

[Himeno]

Seems like we are going to be needing to find ATMs to get out cash out, then manually topping up a transport card at stations. Is there anywhere to get a refund of transport card at Haneda at about 5:30am?

Whirlpool tells me fee free ATMs are rare. We generally try to avoid using cash overseas for security, and fact it can be difficult to estimate what you are going to spend on any given day and the cost of converting leftover funds back to AUD.

Are debit/credit cards widely accepted at restaurants, museums and convenience stores?

You can refund a Pasmo at the Keikyu office at Haneda airport. Keikyu operate lines between Yokohama, Shinagawa and Haneda.
There is nowhere at Haneda to refund a Suica. JR East owns the Tokyo Monorail (Haneda to Hamamatsuchō), but is isn't considered a JR Line, so they won't accept requests to refund a Suica. There is a small JR office at Haneda, but they won't do refunds, they just sell Shinkansen/reserved train tickets and issue JR passes.
You could refund a Suica at Shinagawa or Hamamatsuchō JR stations then get a paper ticket for the train to the airport.
Normal IC cards in Tokyo reportedly resumed normal sales this week. If you want to refund the card on departure, make sure you have a normal card, not the Pasmo Passport or Welcome Suica.

My IC cards currently have less then 5 yen on them. With a bit of planning, you can have a small amount left. On my last trip, I didn't have enough departing Hamamatsuchō for the monorail fare and topped it up with just the required difference before exiting the station at Haneda.

Outside of the main airports, the only ATMs in Japan that take overseas cards are Japan Post Bank and 7andi Holdings (Post offices and 7-11s with a few also outside those locations). 7-11s are very common. They used to be fee free before covid, but added small fees per transaction after covid lockdowns. 110 Yen or 220 Yen depending on amount withdrawn. ATMs are very safe. Most of the ATMs that will accept overseas cards are inside and being monitored by staff.

Card acceptance has increased a lot after covid. Around 85% of places will now take credit cards. Before covid acceptance was around 40%.

 

[Aeryn]

This part is a catch not everyone is aware of - but also means you sort of have to have an idea of where and what you are going to see. Don't assume using the subway will be the cure-all to get around; those JR and private lines will offer better transportation choices to some destinations or between some key locations. But you of course need to you extra $$$ via the IC card, and it may mean you don't take enough subway journeys for the 1,2,3 day pass to pay for itself.

This is indeed the challenge.

As Japan is not our primary destination we didn't do any extensive research of what there is to see and do in Tokyo before grabbing the flights. We perhaps wrongly assumed it would be relatively easy to wing it being a large city with public transport.

Now it seems we will need to do much more planning to ensure we are caught out.

Good luck, and enjoy yourself!

Thanks, Im still hopeful for yummy food, quirky gifts/souvenirs and some culture.

 

[Aeryn]

Normal IC cards in Tokyo reportedly resumed normal sales this week. If you want to refund the card on departure, make sure you have a normal card, not the Pasmo Passport or Welcome Suica.
My IC cards currently have less then 5 yen on them. With a bit of planning, you can have a small amount left. On my last trip, I didn't have enough departing Hamamatsuchō for the monorail fare and topped it up with just the required difference before exiting the station at Haneda.

So I can buy a normal card at HND on arrival? And does this mean if you arrive at a station and find you do not have enough credit to exit there are machines that will take cash for a top up before the exit?

Outside of the main airports, the only ATMs in Japan that take overseas cards are Japan Post Bank and 7andi Holdings (Post offices and 7-11s with a few also outside those locations). 7-11s are very common. They used to be fee free before covid, but added small fees per transaction after covid lockdowns. 110 Yen or 220 Yen depending on amount withdrawn. ATMs are very safe. Most of the ATMs that will accept overseas cards are inside and being monitored by staff.

Card acceptance has increased a lot after covid. Around 85% of places will now take credit cards. Before covid acceptance was around 40%.

Thank you!! This is super helpful.

 

[DC3]

As Japan is not our primary destination we didn't do any extensive research of what there is to see and do in Tokyo before grabbing the flights. We perhaps wrongly assumed it would be relatively easy to wing it being a large city with public transport.

(Greater) Tokyo is more like a massive sprawling metropolis of 20-plus cities and about 40 million people, rather than one city.

 

[Himeno]

So I can buy a normal card at HND on arrival? And does this mean if you arrive at a station and find you do not have enough credit to exit there are machines that will take cash for a top up before the exit?

Yes, at HND T3 on the arrivals level. Directly ahead of the exit from customs there is the Tokyo Monorail on one side and the Keikyu line on the other. There are ticket machines near the Keikyu ticket gates which will dispense pasmo cards. You can get Suica from the Monorail ticket machines, but as mentioned before, they can't be refunded anywhere at Haneda.

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Public transport fares in Japan are largely distance based. You can enter the system with a paper ticket of the cheapest fare available from that station, or an IC card with at least 1 yen on it. When exiting, if the fare paid on the paper ticket or the balance left on the IC card isn't enough to cover the fare to exit at that station, the ticket gate will close and you'll be directed to the nearby fare adjustment machine, or you can go to the manned help office beside most fare gate lines.
There are some public transport options that are flat fare, mostly buses in the large cities.
Payment with IC card is normally slightly cheaper then the cash fares with paper tickets.