Japan Trip

[Madbot]

Wifey and I are our of Japan for a family visit from Mar 12 to Mar 14... Where are you staying at? Can arrange a week night visit if you guys aren't too far away.

[Drakovic]

We are staying at the Mecure in Ginza, 2 9 4 Ginza Chuo ku  1040061.

[Madbot]

You're a few stations away from me. We can meet up and head to Akiba if you guys are free one evening. Most shops close at around 7-8pm so be aware of that. I can leave work a bit early. Akiba is not difficult to get to from Ginza.. about 10 to 15 minutes on the train and you can experience the train system. 

Wife usually finishes work at around 10pm so she is unlikely to accompany us (ie. no Japanese support). You guys interested in visiting Tokyo tower (similar to Sydney tower but looks like a red Eiffel tower) or anything else in particular?

[Drakovic]

We would very much like to meet up for an Akiba trip. The only days we have booked stuff for so far are the 10th and 12th, all the others are free. Which evening would suit you best?

I have read about tokyo tower, and would be keen to visit. There are heaps of other things I want to see, I will have to try and work out what stuff is nearby.

[Madbot]

Looks like I was too late at booking the family trip and the airline has jacked up the price by 100%. May be in town that weekend after all.

Let's pencil in evening of Mar 11 (Thu) and the afternoon of Mar 13 (Sat) for a trip to Aki and whatever other places we can fit in.

List the places that interest you and I'll work out a plan for you that include as much places as possible and and an efficient route.    It's easy to get around Tokyo so with the right instructions and a vague sense of directions it's no problem to get around whether you are with friends or on your own.

[Drakovic]

The dates are penciled in. 

I am working on our plan at the moment. I will put it up here soon for your comments

[Drakovic]

Below is a very rough idea of what I am thinking at the moment. I don't really know how much we will be able to squeeze in to a day, or how long it takes to get places.

We arrive on Tuesday 9. The plan is to spend most of the day in Ginza - Sony building, Hachiman-Jinja and check out the shops. Probably visit the Imperial Palace East Garden.

Wed 10 is DisneySea.

Thur 11. Early morning trip to Tsukiji fish markets. Sushi class. Maybe Roppongi - Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Midtown or Roppongi Hills, Zojo-Ji. Meeting up with Mr Bot is penciled in. Akiba?

Fri 12. Day trip to Mount Fuji.

Saturday 13. Mr Bot penciled in. Would this be a good day for Akiba?

Sunday 14. Ebisu - Beer Museum. Shibuya - Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Crossing, Yoyogi-Koen. Harajuku - Jingu-Bashi, Takeshita-Dori.

Monday 15. Asakusa - Senso-Ji, Asakusa-Jinja, Chingodo-Ji, Edo Shitamaki Dento Kageikan, Kappashi Dori. Jump on to a boat to eventually get to Odaiba - Toyota Mega Web, Fuji Television Centre.

We fly out on the night of Tuesday 16.

I want to visit Yasakuni-Jinja, Ueno Park and the Statue of Saigo Takamori, Shinjuku - Japanese Sword Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices. Still working on when to slot them in. Pretty sure there was other stuff that I don't remember right now...

Not really sure if we will want to go to all the temples / shrines on the list.

[Madbot]

Remember to bring your walking shoes. 

On Tuesday while you're walking around Ginza, head to Bic Camera - a large electronics store. Don't need to buy anything there as Akiba prices tend to be cheaper but it gives you an idea of what to expect. And if you do see something you like but can't find in Akiba, you can always go back later since it's not far from your hotel. Here's the google map link:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=35.675193,139.762512&spn=0,359.997422&z=19&layer=c&cbll=35.674969,139.76253&panoid=5TWn0W2_Mxf1HL5Ry70sLg&cbp=12,36.45,,0,-15.7

The palace is also just a few blocks away.

On Thursday:
Roppongi Hills + Midtown + Tokyo Tower won't take up the whole day. Look up Azabu-juban as it has some of the smaller shops that feel more "Japanese". It's just 5 to 10 minute walk in the Roppongi area. By the way, Roppongi is the equivalent "Kings Cross" of Sydney except it's a lot safer - you'll see plenty of dodgy looking people and virtually everyone speaks/knows English.  It's the primary foreigner hangout.

Google map:
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=35.655553,139.736198&spn=0,359.997422&z=19&layer=c&cbll=35.655485,139.736546&panoid=8Jy2uOUPfz7XCxppRNy95w&cbp=12,277.89,,0,4.63

Let's leave Akiba for Saturday so it'll give you guys more time to look around. For Thursday night, we can meet up for dinner around Roppongi - you guys are in the area already. We can go to an Izakaya in the area - think of it as a Japanese drinking place/pub.

I'll think of some more ideas from home.

[Alchemius]

Sounds like a lot of fun Benny.

[Drakovic]

Mr Bot,

I just sent you an email with my email address and phone number.

[Madbot]

Can't find your email... Just in case - I've sent an email to your registered email address with my contacts. 

[Drakovic]

Got your email, thankyou sir.

[Madbot]

What the.... you brought snow to Tokyo..!! It's cold..! 

[Drakovic]

Yeah... I would call it ZOMFG cold. Wishing I brought a beanie now...

[Madbot]

Weather report reckons it should get warmer by Friday.

At least the rain/snow has stopped.

Apparently this is winter's last (3rd) bite. Spring is on the way now.