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Hostelworld PDF Guide Tokyo
Hostelworld PDF Guide Tokyo
Climate
Each season in Tokyo is very distinctive. Winters are very cold and temperatures regularly drop to 0C and sometimes below. Its summer, on the other hand, is extremely hot and in July and August in particular, it can get very hot and sticky. As a result, the most pleasant times to visit the city are spring and autumn.
Good to know...
By train: If you're travelling to the Japanese capital by train, you will do so on one of the famous 'shinkansen', also known as bullet trains. These extremely efficient trains connect Japan's major cities. Language: Japanese Currency: Japanese Yen Electricity: 100 Volts, AC/50Hz Area Code: +81 (Japan), 03 (Tokyo) Emergency Codes: Ambulance 119 / Fire 119 / Police 110 Time Zone: Greenwich Meantime + 9 Central Post Office: There is no central post office, instead there are post offices in the city's various neighbourhoods Main Tourist Office: 1st Floor, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Nishi-Shinjuku 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku
In this Guide...
Useful Information After Dark Places to Eat Top Attractions Budget Tips Where to Shop
By bus: If you travel to Tokyo by bus your journey will end in either Shinjuku Station or Tokyo Station.
Getting Around
By subway: Tokyo's subway network may seem daunting at first, but thanks to the number of lines in operation, getting around is very easy. Two companies operate the city's subway network and one-way tickets cost between Y160-Y300. Trains operate between 5am and midnight and, as they cover basically everywhere, you won't need to use buses during your stay. By taxi: Taxis can be hailed down on the street or called by your accommodation. In relation to other Asian cities though, Tokyo's taxis are considerably more expensive.
Embassies / Consulates
USA: +81 (0)3 3224 5000 UK: +81 (0)3 5211 1100 Canada: +81 (0)3 5412 6200 Australia: +81 (0)3 5232 4111 South Africa: + 81 (0)3 3265 3366 Ireland: +81 (0)3 3263 0695 Germany: +81 (0)3 5791 7700 Spain: +81 (0)3 3583 8531 Italy: +81 (0)3 3453 5291 New Zealand: +81 (0)3 3467 2271 France: +81 (0)3 5420 8800
Tokyo facts
Name: Tokyo, which started out a small fishing village, used to be called Edo ('estuary'). The city's name was changed to Tokyo in 1868. Population: More than thirteen million people inhabit this bustling metropolis. Area: The city of Tokyo covers an area of around 2,200 square kilometres. Hostelworld Guide for Tokyo www.hostelworld.com
Cheap Eats
Gonpachi, 1-13-11 Nishi-Azabu Minato-ku Seeing as this restaurant (allegedly) inspired one of Kill Bill Vol. 1's most famous scenes, you simply have to check out it. Choose one big noodle dish or lots of smaller ones such as 'yakitori' (skewers) and sushi. Bookings are essential though. Open daily from 11.30am-2am; tel: 03 5771 0170. A Good Diner, Inc, Maruhachi 2-10-12, Shibuya Amidst the bright lights of Shibuya is this informal eatery where you can easily forget about the crowds. Its extensive menu is packed with dishes comprising of fish, cheese, chicken and salad. It's also a perfect place for a beer as it stays open way into the early hours. Open daily from 5pm-7am.
After Dark
Geronimo, 2nd Fl, Yamamuro Bldg 7-14-10, Roppongi, Minato-ku Titling itself as a 'shot bar', this tiny Roppongi venue draws mostly ex-pats who go to down shooter after shooter after shooter. If you really want to leave your mark on the bar, down 15 shots in a row and they'll inscribe your name on a small plaque and stick it on the wall that is holding you up. Open nightly from 6pm-6am. Karaoke Bars Scattered all over Tokyo are karaoke bars. Different to doing karaoke in other countries, here you rent your own private booth for 1 or 2 hours. After paying for your time you are ushered to your booth with a song book bigger than most phone books and your dignity. Whether you leave with or without the latter is entirely up to you. Open from 6pm-5am.
Don't Miss
Harajuku Made famous in recent times thanks to Gwen Stefani, Harajuku is a part of Tokyo where you will see (arguably) the coolest kids. The best time to visit is on Sunday afternoons when 'Harajuku girls' stand on the bridge outside the train station, posing solemnly for tourists looking to get their picture taken with Tokyo's youth of today. Subway: Harajuku.
Neighbourhood Watch
Roppongi Best visited after dark, Roppongi is where you will find endless bars and nightclubs. Most of those who populate them are 'gaijans', or foreigners. You won't find too many Japanese here. But if you want to paint the town red when in the Japanese capital look no further. Start the night at Roppongi Crossing and make your way from there. Subway: Roppongi.
Retail Therapy
Ginza Not a shopping area that targets the budget traveller, Ginza is where you will find branches of all the world's top designers. Here you'll find stores belonging to Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and more. It's particularly nice to wander around on Saturdays or Sundays when its main roads are closed to traffic. Shibuya 109, 2-29-1 Dogenzaka Shibuya-ku This landmark building in the middle of Shibuya is where Tokyo's trendsetters come to stock their wardrobes with the latest fashions. The centre has over 9 floors with stores catering for every age and taste. Open daily from 10am-9pm. HMV/Tower Records, Shibuya Of these two world famous music stores, Tower Records is the biggest, although the HMV sign is the one to catch your eye first as you approach Shibuya Crossing. Both are enormous and always busy. If you fancy purchasing some 'Shibuya-kei' music, a unique type of Japanese pop music, look no further. 100 Yen Shops Dotted all over Tokyo are '100 Yen' shops, stores selling a wide range of products for Y105 (Y100 for the item and Y5 consumption tax). In them you can pick up everything from chopsticks to ping pong sets. Many can be found around subway stations.
Budget Tips
Visit Yoyogi Park on Sunday If you venture down to Harajuku on a Sunday, don't stop once you get your photo taken with the girls on the bridge. Keep on walking, past the teddy boys showcasing their moves, and on to Yoyogi Park. Chill out for an afternoon watching people skinny dip in the lake, others playing frisbee and budding musicians jamming in every corner. Check out the Sumo Museum If your visit to Tokyo doesn't happen to coincide with one of the year's three sumo tournaments, it isn't all bad news. Situated beside the city's Kokugikan Stadium is the city's Sumo Museum. Exhibits include pictures of the all-time greats and various bits of memorabilia. Open Mon-Fri from 10am-4.30pm.
A Day in Tokyo...
Rather than head straight for the bright lights of some of Tokyo's more vibrant districts, start the day in Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's best known place of worship.
Go from the old to the new and visit Akihabara. Pick up a high-tec bargain or simply embrace the electrical atmosphere! While it may be best-known for its electrical shops, Akihabara is also home to some great restaurants. For lunch grab some sushi or ramen (noodles). The next neighbourhood to explore is Ginza, one of the city's more affluent areas. Browse in its boutiques and cross its manic pedestrian crossing. Next check out Harajuku. Keep an eye for the Harajuku girls before moving onward to Yoyogi Park. Take a break from the city and chill out in the park for a while. See where the locals go for their kicks and visit Shinjuku. Its train station is the busiest train station in the world! There are lots of cheap restaurants and shops here too. Go to Shibuya, an area best seen at night. Its pedestrian crossing is the world's busiest. Also full of cool bars and restaurants, the ones here are a little more upmarket. Jump in a cab bound for Roppongi before they get too expensive! Check out some of the bars in Tokyo's most vibrant district after dark. Finish the night off singing away to your heart's content in one of Roppongi's many karaoke clubs.
Electric Town
Akihabara Located in north-east Tokyo, Akihabara is the Tokyo most of us imagine before going there. If you plan on picking up cheap electrical goods, and in particular cameras, hop on a subway bound for here. The best known department store is Yodobashi which is conveniently located right beside the subway station. If you don't find what you want there, head towards the streets and lanes of central Akihabara for tons more electrical stores.
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You have paid US$33.92 as part of your deposit. Upon arrival at the hostel the BALANCE OF JPY 29,790.00 IS PAYABLE
From Keisei-Ueno station(15minutes); Upon passing by ticket gate, Please go to left side and you can see the main exit. From the main exit you can find a big electric store named by Yodobashi camera in front of you and turn directly left and walk until Ueno station railway. Pass under the railway bridge keeping your left and you can see a big department store named by OIOI on your right side and then keep going straight until you find a taxi station.(JR Ueno Sta. Asakusa exit on your left) From JR Ueno station Asakusa exit(10minutes); You will see First Kitchen in orange on your left(Hamburger shop), go straight and cross the road toward FedEX Kinkos. Passing by FedEX Kinkos, Just keep straight ahead walking along Asakusa dori Ave. Keep going straight about 7min,and you will find Tokyo Metro Inaricho Sta.(Ginza line from Ueno Sta.) From Inaricho station(2minutes); From main exit you don't need turn no left no right jut go straight ahead along Asakusa dori Ave.. Pass by the overhead walkway, you will find a convenience store named by Mini stop on your left side and keep going about 100meters. There is a sign board of the hostel on the right side of the sidewalk and turn left, Oakhostel is located at the end of the path.
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