Japan

gary the great

Am heading to Japan (tokyo) for 3 nights on my way to australia.
Anyone any advice at all?

I know its mad expensive, but how expensive in compariosn to Dublin?
Do we have to get Visas or anything?
Any advice or information would be appreciated, cant wait to go have always wanted to go there!

Karl Hungus

It's not really all that expensive. You can get a really good meal for a lot less than you can in Dublin. Some things are more expensive than other though, so CDs and DVDs are very expensive, but it really depends.

ceidefields

First of all, it's not mad expensive. The Yen has been weak for quite a while now. It may have been expensive in 1985, but not any more.

Anywhoo, just walking around there is great. There are many little hole in the wall restaurants that do chilies and curries and things for cheap. Try a walk around Akihabara if you're into Electronics - it's a huge electronics district. Shibuya is great for shopping and people watching in general.

At this time of the year it's very very humid so bring sandals/comfortable walking shoes and a hankerchief, maybe an umbrella to block the sun.

No visas required.

Also, try to go for Shabu Shabu - ask at your hotel for a recommendation. You get a plate of sliced raw beef and a pot of boiling water with many dishes of different sauces. You boil the beef (it's very thinly sliced and tender) and then dip it in the sauces. Delicious! Served at most of the Japanese steak houses. I think that was the most expensive thing I did in Japan and it wasn't more than 40 euros.

mathias

I was in Tokyo and Matsumoto in 2000 , and it was crazy expensive back then , equivalent of 16 punts for a big mac meal ... and keeping the Irish tradition of guaging how expensive a place is by the price of a beer , a pint of sapporo in Roppingi was a whopping 10 punts , I dont know if the prices have come down any , but it was easily the most expensive place Ive ever been ,

It was also the craziest and most fun place Ive ever been though.

And watch out where you ask for Shabu Shabu , that phrase has another meaning ....dont mention it around those well dressed young gentlemen in Shinjuku ...:D

Glowing

I'm off to Tokyo for 3 nights, 4 days in November. Can't WAIT!

I booked a room in the Tokyo Park hotel based on a recommendation I got here. After a lot of invesigation, it seems to be well regarded on a lot of review sites.

http://www.parkhoteltokyo.com/

It's situated near the fish market, which is supposed to be well worth a visit around dawn!

edeldonlon

Do go to the fish market is worth the 4am start! I would also recommend that you get a good guide book before you go. Its not that expensive anymore lots of places do all you can eat and drink for two hours for about €15 not bad if your irish. Just ask around! I stayed at the Keio Plaza hotel the last time was down in Tokyo but heading agin in Novemeber and going to try a capsule hotel!