48 hours in Tokyo...or maybe not?
April 9, 2010 1:55 PM Subscribe
48 hours in Tokyo...or maybe not?
I love big cities and I've never been to Japan and through a rather ridiculous flight of fancy, I'm about to fly into Narita and spend two days...somewhere within reach. Normally I'd gravitate to Tokyo and I know there are a ton of things to do and see that I'll barely scratch the surface of, but at the same time I'd like to get a taste of The Other Japan. Would it be ridiculous and impractical to forego some of my scant time in the Big City to take a day trip to Kamakura?
My understanding is that the train from Narita to Shinagawa is an hour, and that the train from Shinagawa to Kamakura is an hour too (and that it's relatively cheap), so it wouldn't eat up a huge chunk of my time--but is there anything else I should account for? (I know there will be jet lag. I will Deal With It.)
Also, I most definitely want to stay in a capsule hotel in Tokyo. Is there one that stands out in your experience?
I love big cities and I've never been to Japan and through a rather ridiculous flight of fancy, I'm about to fly into Narita and spend two days...somewhere within reach. Normally I'd gravitate to Tokyo and I know there are a ton of things to do and see that I'll barely scratch the surface of, but at the same time I'd like to get a taste of The Other Japan. Would it be ridiculous and impractical to forego some of my scant time in the Big City to take a day trip to Kamakura?
My understanding is that the train from Narita to Shinagawa is an hour, and that the train from Shinagawa to Kamakura is an hour too (and that it's relatively cheap), so it wouldn't eat up a huge chunk of my time--but is there anything else I should account for? (I know there will be jet lag. I will Deal With It.)
Also, I most definitely want to stay in a capsule hotel in Tokyo. Is there one that stands out in your experience?
It took about an hour and half, give or take to get from the western Tokyo burbs (Mitaka) to Kamakura when I went last year at this exact time of the year. It's definitely doable as a day-trip (leave early and get back to Tokyo some time around dinner) and quite beautiful (the shrines, great Buddha, and center city walkway).
Keep in mind you will lose a little time going to and from Narita and it is a bit away from the city.
posted by seppyk at 2:15 PM on April 9, 2010
Keep in mind you will lose a little time going to and from Narita and it is a bit away from the city.
posted by seppyk at 2:15 PM on April 9, 2010
with only two days, just stick with tokyo...the 'other japan' is hiding all over the place...they call them 'temples', 'shrines', and 'gardens' and they'll be marked on every tourist map. japan is amazing that way...on a block of nothing but skyscrapers, you'll see an old wooden archway, and suddenly you're down an alley, around the corner, 1000 years in the past, and in the middle of the woods. these kinds of things are literally everywhere in tokyo. don't waste your time travelling, everything's right there... oh, and if you see them selling octopus balls on the street, eat them! yum! if you see a big department store, go to the basement, trust me ;)
posted by sexyrobot at 2:39 PM on April 9, 2010
posted by sexyrobot at 2:39 PM on April 9, 2010
oh, and if you like art, the tokyo national gallery is not to be missed (there was this lacquer box...oh, never have i come closer to attempting a 'smash and grab' in a museum...it was like it was made of water, holding still.)
posted by sexyrobot at 2:43 PM on April 9, 2010
posted by sexyrobot at 2:43 PM on April 9, 2010
My understanding is that the train from Narita to Shinagawa is an hour, and that the train from Shinagawa to Kamakura is an hour too
The Narita Express runs about once an hour from the airport to Ofuna, which is two stops away from Kamakura, so the trip would require very little hassle on your part, even with luggage. You could stow it in a locker at Kamakura Station, then retrieve it when you finish sightseeing.
posted by armage at 5:41 PM on April 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
The Narita Express runs about once an hour from the airport to Ofuna, which is two stops away from Kamakura, so the trip would require very little hassle on your part, even with luggage. You could stow it in a locker at Kamakura Station, then retrieve it when you finish sightseeing.
posted by armage at 5:41 PM on April 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
I don't think it's ridiculous. Go for it. I say this because you couldn't possibly see everything in Tokyo in 48 hours anyway, so instead of trying to cram multiple areas into your itinerary, you might as well focus on one area that piques your interest and get as much out of that as you can. After you see the regular touristy stuff in Kamakura, you could take the lovely little Enoden to Enoshima, take a walk on one of the most famous beaches in the Kanto area, and then ride the rest of the way to Fujisawa to catch your train back to Tokyo, then on to Narita.
Like whatzit said above (Hi!), I think the trip could give you a chance to see the more relaxed, everyday side of what life in Japan is like for many people, which to me is always a Good Thing.
I'd love to hear how this little adventure of yours works out.
posted by misozaki at 5:46 PM on April 9, 2010
Like whatzit said above (Hi!), I think the trip could give you a chance to see the more relaxed, everyday side of what life in Japan is like for many people, which to me is always a Good Thing.
I'd love to hear how this little adventure of yours works out.
posted by misozaki at 5:46 PM on April 9, 2010
...Which made me notice, why is this question anonymous??? The idea's not that embarrassing, is it?
posted by misozaki at 5:53 PM on April 9, 2010
posted by misozaki at 5:53 PM on April 9, 2010
The Green Plaza Capsule Hotel around Shinjuku was large and multi-storied and complex and great.
posted by suedehead at 8:36 AM on April 10, 2010
posted by suedehead at 8:36 AM on April 10, 2010
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The transportation won't be a problem (no strikes, few delays [France, Italy, that nasty look is in your direction]. There is plenty to do, with lots of temples and a great beach town atmosphere that will totally shake your previous images of Japan. If you go, do it for a full day, or make it a half day starting at early-o-clock.
But there is so, so much to do in Tokyo...
Another alternative would be to spend a half day in Narita city. It also has some quiet lovely temples and some narrow streets of old buildings and local specialties.
Capsule hotels: really they are intended for visiting salarymen and people who miss the train. You should do some research online to make sure you find one that will take foreigners and perhaps will take women. Do you get two nights? Your second night could be at a love hotel. Same caveats apply, but you do get a vending machine full of sex toys in your room.
posted by whatzit at 2:06 PM on April 9, 2010