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Obviously non QPR. Currently in Japan for a snowboarding trip, 12 days up in Niseko and then 3 nights in Tokyo, haven't ever been here before and haven't yet booked Tokyo.
Anyone on here, been or live in Tokyo and could pass on any helpful advice for newbies traveling there for the first time. There are 4 of us, and we wouldn't mind staying where there is a bit of nightlife as we're not doing much partying up here!!
Thanks in advance.
LOTR
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Tokyo Travel Advice on 18:29 - Jan 9 with 6699 views
I think there's a few on this forum that will be able to give you some detailed advice.
I've been a few times and found it a fascinating place. The only two recommendations I'd have are to check out the karaoke places (you hire a room with just you and your friends) and to check out some of the Japanese Gardens, which are beautiful.
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Tokyo Travel Advice on 18:55 - Jan 9 with 6680 views
I would argue Tokyo is the best night out in the world, if you know what you're doing. Some tips in no particular order.
Eating out in Tokyo is comparatively cheap compared to London whereas drinking is on the pricey side. Hiring a karaoke box is a good way to get warmed up for an evening. You can order Japanese lager by the pitcher at the fraction of the cost you'd pay in bar. The technology usually has an English option you can switch it to. If you are going out, make an effort. Everyone else will be and you'll feel like a tramp if you don't.
Clubs, particularly the larger ones, will often have cover charges to get in. These can be quite pricey but you do normally get at least one free drink. These are advertised as "Â¥2000 1D", "Â¥3000 2D", etc.. No cover charge for women tends to indicate a meat market so look to avoid.
Be aware that the public transport (train, subway) starts shutting down at midnight if you're not within walking distance of your hotel then you'll be staying out unless you want to pay for an expensive taxi ride back (If you take a taxi do not touch the door - it opens and closes automatically. If you try and open it you'll break the mechanism and be landed with a very hefty bill!) On the flip side a lot of great places won't even open till midnight.
Roppongi has a lot of bars and clubs but the quality is hit and miss as it's seen as the 'gaijin' (foreigner) district and can be a tourist trap so generally best avoided. Check out Shibuya if you're under 30 or Shinjuku if you're not. Ebisu is good for a 'quiet' night out or if you're the wrong side of 40. Time Out Japan will have the latest listings. Club-wise Module ( http://module-tokyo.com/), Womb ( http://www.womb.co.jp/) and Unit ( http://www.unit-tokyo.com/) are all usually worth a look.
Avoid any bar or club that is part of the 'Gas Panic' chain. Worst kind of meat market hellhole, full of lonely Western businessmen with corporate credit cards and US Marines from the nearby Yokosuka naval base with 24 hours shore leave.
Tokyo has quite a few 'theme' restaurants which are absolutely mental and worth checking out. In Shibuya there's 'Alcatraz ER' where you eat in the cells of an asylum for the criminally insane and Hannibal Lecter goes on the rampage midway through your meal only to be stopped by some sexy nurses who stick a six foot hypodermic needle up his arse. You can volunteer for this honour. http://alcatraz-er.net/
In Shinjuku you have 'Robot Restaurant' which I haven't been to but looks absolutely bonkers. http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/
Current location: OX10
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Tokyo Travel Advice on 01:04 - Jan 10 with 6636 views
I would argue Tokyo is the best night out in the world, if you know what you're doing. Some tips in no particular order.
Eating out in Tokyo is comparatively cheap compared to London whereas drinking is on the pricey side. Hiring a karaoke box is a good way to get warmed up for an evening. You can order Japanese lager by the pitcher at the fraction of the cost you'd pay in bar. The technology usually has an English option you can switch it to. If you are going out, make an effort. Everyone else will be and you'll feel like a tramp if you don't.
Clubs, particularly the larger ones, will often have cover charges to get in. These can be quite pricey but you do normally get at least one free drink. These are advertised as "Â¥2000 1D", "Â¥3000 2D", etc.. No cover charge for women tends to indicate a meat market so look to avoid.
Be aware that the public transport (train, subway) starts shutting down at midnight if you're not within walking distance of your hotel then you'll be staying out unless you want to pay for an expensive taxi ride back (If you take a taxi do not touch the door - it opens and closes automatically. If you try and open it you'll break the mechanism and be landed with a very hefty bill!) On the flip side a lot of great places won't even open till midnight.
Roppongi has a lot of bars and clubs but the quality is hit and miss as it's seen as the 'gaijin' (foreigner) district and can be a tourist trap so generally best avoided. Check out Shibuya if you're under 30 or Shinjuku if you're not. Ebisu is good for a 'quiet' night out or if you're the wrong side of 40. Time Out Japan will have the latest listings. Club-wise Module ( http://module-tokyo.com/), Womb ( http://www.womb.co.jp/) and Unit ( http://www.unit-tokyo.com/) are all usually worth a look.
Avoid any bar or club that is part of the 'Gas Panic' chain. Worst kind of meat market hellhole, full of lonely Western businessmen with corporate credit cards and US Marines from the nearby Yokosuka naval base with 24 hours shore leave.
Tokyo has quite a few 'theme' restaurants which are absolutely mental and worth checking out. In Shibuya there's 'Alcatraz ER' where you eat in the cells of an asylum for the criminally insane and Hannibal Lecter goes on the rampage midway through your meal only to be stopped by some sexy nurses who stick a six foot hypodermic needle up his arse. You can volunteer for this honour. http://alcatraz-er.net/
In Shinjuku you have 'Robot Restaurant' which I haven't been to but looks absolutely bonkers. http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/
On the same subject, don't go to Roppongi, the Westerners' hang-out. Its a hole. If you need to see a game, look up your local Footniks (sports bar chain) or Hub bar (English pubs). Going to a game is strange. They are more keen on getting their chants perfect than following the game. No-one leaves for half an hour after full time. Palace fans would love it. For Tokyo salary-man weirdness, head to Ueno Station and find the Ameya Yokocho Market. Shepherds Bush Market x 10. http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g1066461-d554175-r157644655-Ueno-Ta More local weirdness at Akihabara, where the pervy nerds hang out. Not far from Ueno. Teenage girl weirdness (not for me, but I don't know how old you are) at Shibuya/Harajuku. Truly bizarre. Above all, don't be intimidated by the language barrier. Japanese people are the most welcoming in the world and will try their hardest to help you. Public transport is brilliant, you can get anywhere with a bit of help, and there are plenty of signs in English. Beware of the beer. It tastes innocuous, but its strong (5.5% alcohol) and gives you a lethal hangover.
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Tokyo Travel Advice on 01:32 - Jan 10 with 6629 views
I like staying in Shinjuku, very high rise and fantastic neon lights at night, loads of bars and clubs but can't remember their names. I stay at the Keio Plaza, very reasonable. I agree with someone else on Ropongi, don't waste your time there. Shibuya is nice, Ginza is good for shops, if you can make a trip to Kamakura on the train, 45 mins, it is well worth the cultural experience and it's on the coast. Good luck.
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Tokyo Travel Advice on 02:33 - Jan 10 with 6614 views
Eat at Inakaya restaurant in Roppongi - superb, sat round the barbeque pit with samurai chefs shouting and chanting and cooking amazing fish and wagyu beef to order. Not especially cheap, but especially memorable and fun.
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