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Tokyo is the vibrant and energetic capital of Japan, located in Northeast Asia. It’s well know for its neon-lit street, enormous crossings and soaring skyscrapers but also has tranquil temples and abundant gardens. Tokyo seamlessly blends the old with the new, creating a vibrant tapestry of culture, history, and innovation. From the iconic Shibuya crossing to the amazing Mt. Fuji. There’s something for anyone in this gorgeous city! My husband and I visited Tokyo a couple of years back and we instantly fell in love with this stunning city. Let’s uncover some travel tips for Tokyo and what we did there.
We took a 12 hour journey to Tokyo starting from Sydney with a stop over in Cairns and then to Tokyo. We left Sydney from their domestic airport to Cairns and then flew on Jetstar from Cairns to Tokyo Narita Airport. Even though this is marketed as a low-cost airline, we had a pleasant and comfortable journey and I would definitely suggest travelling with them if you don’t mind the stop overs. Qantas Frequent Flyer members can also use points to book with Jetstar. If you aren’t a FF member, Trip.com has exclusive deals, find out more here. Here are of the some of the things we loved most about Japan and some hints and tricks to make your travel a breeze.
Transport & Travel tips for Tokyo – JR Pass and Suica cards.
Since we were only visiting Tokyo we didn’t think it was worth paying over $450 AUD for a JR pass. We decided on getting a Suica pass called Welcome Suica that lasts for 28 days for tourists. This pass allows you to travel on JR east trains, subways and buses. The Welcome Suica card is a prepaid card that allows you to top-up money on the card as you go. The Welcome Suica card can only be purchased at Haneda and Narita Airport train station. You can also use your Suica card at locations across Tokyo given they display this logo. The cost of travel depends on the base fare and the distance travelled. On average a 30 minute metro train ride will cost roughly 260(2.60AUD) YEN while a shorter train ride of 11 minutes will cost 180YEN (1.77AUD).
However if you are travelling around Japan, your best option would be to purchase the Japan Rail Pass or JR Pass. This allows tourists to travel on all trains, including the Shinkansen bullet trains and busses. The pass will set you back $496AUD for a 7 day pass and up to $991AUD for a 21 day pass. There is also an option to upgrade to a green class pass which range from $694 AUD to $1388 AUD depending on the duration of your stay.
Hotels around Tokyo.
Most hotels in Tokyo tend to be on the smaller side than other hotels around the world, however this won’t affect your stay as there are many more storage options in most rooms. Tokyo also has various hotels from luxurious hotel stays, to more traditional ryokans, so what ever preference you prefer there is something for everyone. If you are looking for a luxurious hotel stay, The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo boats an amazing view of Tokyo city Skyline. Other hotels in this category include Mandarin Oriental and Park Hyatt Tokyo to name a few. When we went to Tokyo, we stayed at the Rhiga Royal Hotel which is a 4 star hotel in Shinjuku. We stayed in the Luxury Double room which has an old style charm which we found it big enough to fit all of our luggage and have a little extra room to move around. The hotel looks upon Okuma Garden which is filled with lush green trees and walking paths located in Waseda University. The Hotel is not in central Tokyo or big areas in Tokyo however, the 10-minute shuttle service to and from the hotel made it a breeze to explore Tokyo. The FREE shuttle service runs every 30 minutes to Takedonbaba Station to the hotel with the first service at 9am – weekdays and 8am weekdays to and from the hotel.
If you are after something traditional or you want to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, then staying in a Ryokan may interest you. Ryokan are traditional Japanese style inns that you can find across Japan. They are most commonly known for their sofa-beds, tatami matted rooms and shared bathrooms. There are also different kinds of ryokan’s that can suit travellers preferences and styles. There are more traditional family-run ryokan with only a few rooms, whilst some are more luxurious and offer many rooms and facilities for their guests. Most Ryokan’s in Tokyo range from $80AUD – $120AUD per night while Ryokan’s throughout Japan can vary from $75AUD to $300AUD per night. It’s best to check for exact dates as prices may go through seasonal changes.
Now here comes the fun part…
Popular Sites In Tokyo.
I’ll need another post to really deep dive into what we did during our holiday but there’s really something for everyone in Tokyo. I loved shopping and exploring their multilevel shops in Shinjuku and Shibuya. Many of these are western stores such as H&M, Zara, Adidas and so on, but the hidden gems throughout their small alleyways are the place to be! My husband and I visited a small clothing store situated in a smaller alley style like street in Shinjuku and found some DragonBallZ shirts – my husband’s favourite anime. We also visited some discrete Pokemon trading card shops that really made me relish in our childhood! If you are searching for something more tranquil there are several shrines and temples in Tokyo that are sure to bring you inner peace on your journey. Make sure you behave respectfully and dress appropriately, you will be required to remove your hat (if wearing one) before you enter and some shrines and temples require you to remove your shoes upon entering. Also important to note that you cannot take photos inside the shrines and temples but are able to take photos outside and on the grounds.
During our stay we spent two days visiting DisneyLand and DisneySea, yes that’s right. Tokyo has two Disney theme parks. Tokyo DisneyLand has the same feel and style as many Disney theme parks worldwide as DisneySea is marketed as being a unique experience for Disney lovers. Disney features common rides that are well known attractions across Disney theme parks such as Tomorrowland and Adventureland. There’s also the iconic princess castle where you can explore famous Disney Princess and have a go at sitting on the princess throne (which I definitely did!). Tokyo Disney Sea is situated next door to Tokyo Disneyland and boasts seven different themed areas which are based on the legends of sea and displays a nautical themed environment for visitors. One main take away I’ve found visiting both is that Disneyland is catered to a much more younger audience whilst, DisneyLand was catered for more mature visitors, with more thrilling rides than Disneyland. Important note: tickets cannot be purchased at the theme park so it’s best to book your tickets from the Disneyland website or other authorised ticket vendors. One single entry is for one theme park, so if you want to visit both, you must buy two single passes on two different days. Expect tickets to range from 7900YEN ($77.86AUD) to 9400YEN($92.65AUD) depending on the day.
The best till last… Mount Fuji .
Mount Fuji is Japan’s highest and most iconic peak, standing at 3776 meters, that incorporates both cultural wonder and natural significance. Located on Honshu Island, about 100 kilometres southwest of Tokyo, Fuji is an active stratovolcano with a snow-capped summit that draws millions of visitors annually for climbing, hiking, and contemplation. The best and easiest way to get there is by a guided tour that takes you to Mount. Fuji via a tour bus. Simply meet at the desired location in the morning and return in the evening. Most guided tours also offer visitors a chance to experience the Shinkansen on the return back to Tokyo city. We booked our guided tour through TripAdvisor and visited Mt. Fuji 5th station and ate some warming corn on the cob, Ninja village, an active volcano valley and the best charcoal ice cream, a cruise through Lake Ashinoko and a bullet train back to Tokyo Station. A buffet lunch was also provided, however you can also order your own lunch at the Ninja village if you prefer to buy your own.
Whether you’re looking to be immersed in traditional Japanese culture or prefer more of the neon lights and electric vibes. Tokyo is sure to please anyone who visits!
Blog That Travels xx
Images Attributes: 1. File:Jetstar 787 JQ35 in flight by MDRX is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 2. “Suica card tap” by タチヤマカムイ, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons
