Good district in Tokyo for accom?

cocoshovel

Hey all, sorry if this is the wrong forum.
I'm going for a city break to Tokyo this May and was unsure of what district to stay in. I'll be staying in a hostel because thats the cheapest, but I was just wondering do any of you have any recommendations, and also which district is best to stay in. In terms of distance from popular locations (travel times) and price etc.
Was thinking the Taito area.
Any help will be appreciated.

FruitLover

I lived in Taito-ku for a bit, it's not a bad spot. You have Ueno park pretty central (nice if you catch the cherry blossoms), plus Akihabara just down the road which might be interesting if you have a nerdy streak. Not a huge amount of nightlife if that's a concern, although there are a lot of nice little alleyway restaurants, particularly along Ameyoko, and a red-light strip heading West from Ueno. Asakusa (North-East) is a pretty popular tourist area, and the Tokyo Sky Tree is visible from near the Sumida river.

TBH anywhere central is pretty handy due to the subway but if you're planning on doing a lot of partying, I'd recommend somewhere around Shibuya or Minato (the trains stop shortly after midnight and a taxi journey across the city can be very expensive).

Fr Tod Umptious

was in Tokyo 10 yaers agio for the World Cup.

Staryed in Shinujku

Seemed like a great spot, central, lots of transport options, plenty of places to eat and drink.

It seems like Shinujuk is where the Japanese like to go out and about, where as Reppongi is more centered to tourists, and a bit more expensive as a result.

cocoshovel

Thanks for the info. I think Ive settled on Taito, it seems like a great spot and Ive found a top rated hostel there. about €30 a night so isnt too bad.

a lot of nice little alleyway restaurants

Thats sounds great. I love all the little alleyways and small streets in Tokyo (or what pictures Ive seen of them), might spend an entire evening just wandering them . Proximity to Ueno and Akihabara is a plus too.

Fr Tod Umptious, Shinjuku seems a little bit far out, although I'm terrible at judging distances and with tokyo's transport system I'm sure Ill have access anywhere just as fast from there. Also not too keen on visiting Roppongi. Have heard nothing but poor things about the area, and there are better places for night activites supposedly.

Really appreciate your information guys, thanks.

Fr Tod Umptious

cocoshovel wrote: »

Thanks for the info. I think Ive settled on Taito, it seems like a great spot and Ive found a top rated hostel there. about €30 a night so isnt too bad.



Thats sounds great. I love all the little alleyways and small streets in Tokyo (or what pictures Ive seen of them), might spend an entire evening just wandering them . Proximity to Ueno and Akihabara is a plus too.

Fr Tod Umptious, Shinjuku seems a little bit far out, although I'm terrible at judging distances and with tokyo's transport system I'm sure Ill have access anywhere just as fast from there. Also not too keen on visiting Roppongi. Have heard nothing but poor things about the area, and there are better places for night activites supposedly.

Really appreciate your information guys, thanks.

The way Tokyo is laid out no place is really 'far out' but neither is there one 'city centre' either, there are lots of very busy places dotted all along the Yamanote Line.

I would just pop down to Roppongi for a look, a bit more expensive that other areas I found.

cocoshovel

Would you have any idea about what type of rail pass to go with? THe Japan rail pass is pretty expensive and seems to be geared and taking trains all over the country. Im only going to the Tokyo area for a littel under 2 weeks. Would it be best off to just buy day tickets every day?
The amount of rail companies, and lines/subways is a bit overwhelming to know what to do.

Fr Tod Umptious

cocoshovel wrote: »

Would you have any idea about what type of rail pass to go with? THe Japan rail pass is pretty expensive and seems to be geared and taking trains all over the country. Im only going to the Tokyo area for a littel under 2 weeks. Would it be best off to just buy day tickets every day?
The amount of rail companies, and lines/subways is a bit overwhelming to know what to do.

Two weeks is a long time to be just in Tokyo.

Get the Japan rail pass and you can take a day trip to Mt Fuji, or down to Koyoto or head all the way down to Hiroshima and stay overnight.
Plus it will get you around Tokyo on the Yamanote Line and others.

You can buy a single subway pass that will get you all around the underground network.

cocoshovel

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

Two weeks is a long time to be just in Tokyo.

Get the Japan rail pass and you can take a day trip to Mt Fuji, or down to Koyoto or head all the way down to Hiroshima and stay overnight.
Plus it will get you around Tokyo on the Yamanote Line and others.

You can buy a single subway pass that will get you all around the underground network.

yeah I have been planning a bit and think I will head to Kyoto for 3 days. Im going for 1 week and 5 days which isnt too bad I guess, and Ill spend one of those taking it easy and getting my bearings/getting over jet lag.
Ill prob only buy the 1 week rail pass which is still pretty costly and then grab the little day tickets for the 5 days without it.

Thanks for the reply.

eamo12

Shinjuku - amazing place where Lost in Translation was filmed (Hyatt hotel). Trains to everywhere. Would recommend the Hub British pub there as well.

fricatus

I'd steer clear of Roppongi . It's a happening spot but later on in the evenings they tend to see gaijin men as just looking for girls, girls, girls... A lot of the time it's very nasty-looking guys from places like Sri Lanka or Arab countries coming up and telling you to go to their bar, because they have the best girls. Not nice really, and especially in such a nice polite and civilised country.

I'd go for Shinjuku. There's loads going on, and you can get anywhere in the city easily by train. You're not far from Shibuya and Harajuku on the Yamanote line, and over the other way Ueno and Akihabara are easy to reach. You can explore those places while the trains are still running and then go out in Shinjuku so if you do need to get a taxi, it won't cost the earth.

imme

Asakusa is a fine area, interesting temple complex nearby and a variety of everyday life to check out on the streets. You've got the river close by and can hop on a cruise down to town.

There's a decent hostel close to the metro.

Are you in Tokyo for 2 weeks?

That's way too long imo. You should look to head to Kyoto or Nagoya if you can.

Enjoy.

cocoshovel

Have heard numerous times to avoid taxi's as they're too expensive. Im on a tight enough budget so I probably will stick to the train. Im not in a rush or lazy anyway so it doesnt bother me.

I will be in tokyo for 6 days and then Im planning to head to Kyoto for 3 or 4 before coming back to Tokyo. Im actually only going for a total of 12 days (didnt take into consideration that flying takes up 1 day out and 1 day back).

Havent booked anything yet but once again, the Taito area is attracting me, it seems to have the best and cheapest accom available. Also, I discovered there is a festival on when Im there http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanja_Matsuri over in Asakusa, which is also in Taito.


I know I have strayed off the topic a bit of accomodation so forgive me, but I also have questions about the rail pass I just want to double confirm. I can hop on and off the shinkansen without having to book/buy a ticket using it? The rail pass covers the entire cost? and is it much of a problem having to only use JR lines. The amount of different rail companies and ticket types is overwhelming compared to other large cities.

Once again, thanks a million for responding.

imme

I rented a bike for 3 days from the metro station in Asakusa in Tokyo.
It's run by the state and cost about 3 Euro for the 3 days.

Looking back that seems incredible but that's how I remember it:o

The hostel you're staying in should be able to tell you if there's one of those places near you.

Tokyo is a lovely place to cycle and so safe.


You might like to check out the gardens of the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo if you get a chance.

You'll have to leave the bike outside.

The gardens are a great break from city living.