Tokyo

[Hastley]

Any of you people been to tokyo as a tourist. Any recommendations on the best spots to check out. Thanks

[Jauna]

The only thing I remember is that if you buy a life size sexdoll you have to pay for its plane ticket back

[iruinedyourday]

any sex hotel will do.

[Psionide]

Looks like someone forgot about Pearl Harbor....[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Psionide]

Oh wait never mind that was the Germans...

[Tann]

Originally Posted by iruinedyourday [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

any sex hotel will do.

just check under the hood first, oh wait that's Thailand.

[barrettdc1]

Originally Posted by Tann [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

just check under the hood first, oh wait that's p99

ficksd

[maskedmelon]

There is a visitor center out by Fuji Terebi. Has a great view of the metropolis and sells Oppai Pudding (and Jello). Highly recommended.

If you want to nerd out there is always Akihabara.

If you want to perv out there is Shinkuku's Kabuki-cho

And you've not had the true Tokyo experience if you don't visit the Shibuya Scramble Kosaten.

[Kevris]

I've been a few times.

I find myself gravitating to Ginza and Shinjuku. Ginza has great shopping, but finding things that fit can be a challenge - I wear an American medium and 32/32 pants, I was an extra large in Japanese clothes and I didn't even waste my time with pants. Shibuya 109 is pretty cool to venture though, but the only thing I found that I wanted to buy there was a pair of shoes, that of course were not available in my size. You also have to be wary of the shirt cuts. Young male Japanese were wearing shirts that looked like they were cut for my girlfriend rather than a man, so you're going to find a lot of that in the stores. Basically - try everything on.

I also thought the Sony building was really awesome. There's a bar on the first floor, so you can get a little sauced and walk around and look at Sony's flagship storefront.

Akihabara is also really awesome to see to get your nerd on. Make sure you don't take any pictures of the various café girls, that is a big no-no.

Both times I've gone, I stayed in a Prince-branded hotel, the first time at the Shinagawa Prince (fan-fucking-tastic location as Shinagawa station is literally right across the street). Right behind the station there are also a ton of izakaya to eat at, drink at, etc. It was a great place to launch the day from.

The second time I stayed at the Prince Park Tower. I didn't like this one as much, just because the close train access is a subway rather than a real train station. The room had a fabulous view of Tokyo Tower, and the bar on the top floor is fantastic, but I don't go to Tokyo to stay in the Hotel. The Park Tower is incredibly close to Roppongi, where there are a lot of western-style bars, and women who tend to gravitate towards western men. I didn't go to Roppongi the first time I went, and the 2nd time I thought it was a tragic mess of white guys trying to get laid by Japanese girls. There were also a large number of incredibly aggressive African men trying to drag you into the various titty bars. I will most likely never go to Roppongi again; it felt really, really low-class. I've heard it's different during the day and they've recently opened a new shopping district in Roppongi Hills that I didn't make it to (damned hangovers...)

Make sure you make it to the Park Hyatt's bar. The one from Lost in Translation. You're going to pay top dollar, but if you're going to go, you have to see it.

I would also check out the Asaksua Shrine, the Japanese Sword museum in Shinjuku, and get a window-seat at the Starbucks overlooking Shibuya crossing...don't be a moron and try to stop in the middle of the crossing to take a picture, go up to the Starbucks to get your picture, or take it from the sidewalk.

You should also go to Akihabara to see some weird Japanese shit, and if you can make it Yoyogi Park in Harajuku has a big cosplay gathering on Sundays. Some of the costumes are really amazing and I'm not even in to that kind of thing. You're also going to see some incredibly beautiful Japanese girls at these things. Before you take pictures, ask!

Eating at Izakaya (the little shops that are freaking everywhere) is the way to go - while there are some fucking fabulous restaurants in Tokyo, you're eating food that is not Japanese. You're in Japan, eat the god damned local flavor.

If you can, fly into Haneda rather than Narita, and fly ANA over JAL every time. ANA is a star-alliance partner, so if you have club access through any of the airlines, a mileage account, etc, it will always benefit you to fly star alliance. All of that aside, ANA is a top-tier airline and provides some of the best service in the world.

Stay on the left side of the escalators if you're just riding, the right side is for people walking/running up them.

EAT WAYGU BEEF - NO MATTER THE PRICE YOU PAY. IT'S FUCKING WORTH EVERY PENNY.

And ....if you have issues going to the bathroom, they sell this little drink in the drugstores called Fibe-Mini. I eat a lot of vegetables, and found a diet of beer, sake and noodles was problematic. Fibe-mini was a life-saver.

For hangovers - there is this Aquarius vitamin water that's citrus flavored, and helped me a LOT.

Don't go there expecting Japanese girls to fall in your lap if you're dressed like a slob, too. Leave the t-shirts at home and bring your best button-downs. If you have a beard, shave it. They are really not into that shit and will think you're a communist for sporting one.

One last thing - cash is king in Japan. The vast majority of small eateries don't accept credit cards.

[Baa]

Good advice from Kevris - I am much lazier so here is my short version.

For first timers would always recommend splitting your time at least 50/50 between Kyoto and Tokyo. Lots of touristy things to do from Kyoto including day trips.

Ideally for two weeks (14 days / 13 nights) I would do the following:
Kyoto - 6 Nights
Hiroshima / Miyajima - 1 Night
Tokyo - 6 Nights
(a week in Tokyo is probs overkill, personally though I love it)

If you have more time add some extra stopovers at Kanazawa and Takayama.

I would also recommend asking for advice here and use Tripadvisor or Japan Guide first, unless of course you want to be prompted to 'try red instead of Tokyo'