Helpful links for Visiting Japan

Free Maps of Tokyo on Google Maps

Google has free maps of Asia inside Google Maps. These now include road and street maps of major cities. Check out Tokyo Google maps here:



Link to Google Maps

NY Times: Japan's Onsen Ryokans

Full Article: A Relaxing Tradition Dips a Toe in the 21st Century

A Relaxing Tradition Dips a Toe in the 21st Century
By DANIEL ALTMAN

WHAT happens when Japan's deeply rooted traditions and its insatiable appetite for new technology collide? The results are on show in a recent wave of hot spring hotels, or onsen ryokans, that merge ancient ideas with concepts from modern design.

Though some Japanese might shudder at the idea of tampering with their age-old retreats, the new features may help ensure the survival of onsen ryokans.

Continued on nytimes.com

Japanese Garden at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo

Angry Statue and Bridge, Hotel New Otani Garden
Originally uploaded by jpmatth

Japanese Garden at Hotel New Otani Metro: Nagatacho (Exit 7)

If you're looking for a place to relax and enjoy a traditional Japanese garden in Tokyo, the Hotel New Otani garden is one of the best in the city. With its large coi ponds, beautiful bridges, and stunning waterfall, the Japanese garden at Hotel New Otani is a great place to explore and enjoy some peace in the heart of Tokyo.

Ginza, Tokyo

Lovely Ginza
Originally uploaded by OiMax

Ginza is Tokyo's premier shopping district. Home to the great luxury brands of the world, Ginza attracts both shoppers and admirers of architecture and design. Many of the high fashion houses have commissioned buildings for their flagship Tokyo stores, so you can go to Ginza and be wowed by the glowing Hermes rectangle, the white as night Dior cube, and other luxury retailers. Ginza has its own stop on the Metro so you can step out right into the heart of it all. Happy shopping!

Meiji Shrine in Tokyo

Entrance to Meiji Shrine
Originally uploaded by sofafort

Meiji Shrine Metro: Harajyuku

One of the few places you'll see green space and feel at peace in Tokyo is at the Meiji Shrine. The shrine is situated in the heart of a large park and is open to visitors.

The Shinto Meiji Shrine was built to honor the souls of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, who died in the early 20th century. The original shrine was destroyed in WWII, and the current one was built in the late 1950's.

Le Meridian Pacific Hotel in Tokyo

Le Meridian Pacific, Tokyo
Originally uploaded by nobihaya

Le Meridian Pacific Hotel in Tokyo is conveniently located near the Shinagawa metro station in central Tokyo. Rooms are surprisingly spacious for a Tokyo hotel, and feature modern decor and those great Japanese toilets.

Le Meridian Pacific Hotel houses several restaurants (Japanese, Chinese, American) and a top-floor bar with great views of Tokyo. Rooms at Le Meridian Pacific Hotel cost around $135/night, depending on the season and the number of guests.

How to Get from Narita Airport to Tokyo City Center

Narita Express - Shibuya Station
Originally uploaded by abuckingham

The best way to get from Narita Airport to the Tokyo city center is to take the Narita Express. The Narita Express runs regularly throughout the day and into the early nighttime, and takes just over an hour. The Narita Express stops at major Tokyo stations such as Shibuya, Shinagawa, and Tokyo. Tickets for the Narita Express can be purchased at the airport or at a station in the city center. Tickets cost around $30 USD.

Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo

Tsukiji Fish Market
Originally uploaded by Telstar Logistics

Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo is the largest and most famous fish market in the world. The Tsukiji Fish Market is well worth the visit, not to mention the 5am starting time. Make sure to get there on time if you want to see the fish auctions (frozen fish auctions at the Tsukiji Fish Market are open to visitors). Once you've had your fill of the auctions, wander through the endless rows of fish and shellfish in the Tsukiji Fish Market itself.

The Tsukiji Fish Market has some of the best and freshest sushi in the world. Make sure to stop by the rows of restaurants near the back to eat your fill of great fish. The popular restaurants fill up quickly so make sure to get there before 6:15am if you don't want to wait in endless queues.

Tokyo Metro Guide

Tokyo_Metro
Originally uploaded by purprin

The Tokyo metro can be a confusing system to navigate. Here is a basic Tokyo Metro Guide to help you get around:

There are multiple lines and multiple train systems on the Tokyo metro.

If you switch lines in the middle of a journey, you usually have to exit the gates and buy a new ticket, then enter the gates of the next line.

Always pay for your ticket one leg of your journey at a time. Otherwise the ticket collecting machine will eat your ticket and you will lose the extra fare on the card.

Make sure to get a Tokyo metro map from your hotel concierge that lists all of the stations in English.

Stops on the Tokyo metro are numbered, which helps you know how many stops are left until your destination.

Ginza Natsuno Chopstick Store in Tokyo

Chopsticks
Originally uploaded by sparktography

If you're looking for chopsticks, look no further than Ginza Natsuno chopstick store in Tokyo. The tiny Ginza Natsuno store is packed with hundreds of chopsticks ranging from inexpensive children's chopsticks to chopsticks that cost more than the nice meal you'll eat with them. Ginza Natsuno chopstick store also carries bowls, chopstick rests, plates, and other decorative items.

Ginza Natsuno chopstick store is conveniently located just outside the Ginza metro station in Tokyo.

Ecute Shinagawa

ecute Shinagawa
Originally uploaded by abex

A great place for a snack or light meal in Tokyo is Ecute Shinagawa. Located inside the Shinagawa metro station, Ecute Shinagawa is home to dozens of upscale pastry shops, bakeries, sushi counters, and dim sum eateries. Stop by for some bean cakes, rice triangles, sushi, or pork buns. If you're tired of Japanese food, Ecute Shinagawa has a Paul bakery, a Cold Stone Creamery ice cream shop, and some amazing cake stores. Upstairs in Ecute Shinagawa there are retail stores selling everything from paper goods to watches.

Tokyo Okonomiyaki and Monjyayaki Restaurant

OKONOMIYAKI
Originally uploaded by uberculture

Phone: 03-3496-9389

In the heart of Tokyo's Shibuya district is a great Okonomiyaki and Monjyayaki restaurant. A short walk from the Shibuya JR line, the Okonomiyaki and Monjyayaki restaurant is great for a social meal. Each table has its own cooking surface in the center. Once you order your Okonomiyaki or Monjyayaki, you cook it yourself and pick your own sauces to go with.

Rainbow Roll Sushi Restaurant, Tokyo

Sushi
Originally uploaded by barron

The hip sushi restaurant Rainbow Roll Sushi is located just outside the Azabu-Juban metro stop in Tokyo (exit 5A). Inside you can sit at private tables by the window or upstairs, or you can opt for the sushi bar or the large communal table in the middle of the Rainbow Roll Sushi restaurant. You can feast on great traditional sushi as well as special creations from the bar. Lots of sake is on offer at Rainbow Roll Sushi as well.

Rainbow Roll Sushi Restaurant, Tokyo
Rainbow Roll Sushi Hours:
M-F 11:30-2:00, 6:00-11:00
Sat: 11:30-2:30, 6:00-11:00
Sunday and Holidays: 11:30-2:30, 6:00-10:00

Rainbow Roll Sushi Phone: +81 3 5572 7688
Rainbow Roll Sushi Address:
2F Monteplaza 1-10-3 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Welcome

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Recent articles:

Free Maps of Tokyo on Google Maps
NY Times: Japan's Onsen Ryokans
Japanese Garden at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo
Ginza, Tokyo
Meiji Shrine in Tokyo
Le Meridian Pacific Hotel in Tokyo
How to Get from Narita Airport to Tokyo City Center
Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo
Tokyo Metro Guide
Ginza Natsuno Chopstick Store in Tokyo
Ecute Shinagawa
Tokyo Okonomiyaki and Monjyayaki Restaurant
Rainbow Roll Sushi Restaurant, Tokyo
Welcome
Welcome