Tokyo!

Here are some excursions to consider during the Tokyo stay.  If I don't give 

extra information it's because it's easy to get info on the web.  If anyone is interested 

in any of the excursions that I describe, I am more than willing to help out with 

more information.  When searching any of these places, do look for Japan Guide, 

which is pretty informative and reliable.

First, some info on Shinagawa, where your hotel is located:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3040.html

1,  Tokyo Disneyland or other amusement park.  If you are a Disney freak, 

then you may want to go here and compare it to the U.S. versions.  

2.  Fujisan (Mt. Fuji)--unfortunately, the bus service to the Fifth Station 

up the mountain doesn't start until July 1, which is when the climbing season 

starts.  So this really isn't an option.

3.  Hakone--This is a hot springs resort area that is not far from Mt. Fuji.  

It's a very popular day trip from Shinjuku on the Odakyu (train) line.  

It's rather expensive, however, with transportation costing more than 5,000 yen.  

It's kind of a romantic trip (I've done it with girlfriends and my wife--not at the 

same time), and one highlight is Owakidani, which has erupting volcanic 

gases.  There are numerous museums along the way, and a boat ride on 

(of all things) a PIRATE SHIP.  If it's a clear day, you can see Fujisan.  

If you haven't been to a hot springs resort, you can sample various kinds 

of hot springs, including outdoor baths, while on the tour.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5200.html

http://www.odakyu.jp/english/destination/hakone/

Hot springs in Hakone:  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5209.html

4.  Kamakura--this is where the "other" Big Buddha is.  It's by the sea, 

which is nice.  For Celia, there is Hasedera, a mizuko kuyo temple.  

There are some nice temples in the hills with pretty gardens.  I have gone 

to Kamakura from Tokyo many times for day trips.  It's on the Yokosuka Line, 

which can be picked up at Shinagawa Station (right by your hotel).  

My route is usually to get off the train at Kita Kamakura and then walk 

to Kamakura (it's not that far), looking at sites along the way.  

Then, from Kamakura, I get on the Enoden trolley (mentioned by Matt Krueger 

in pre-departure), and I get off at Enoshima, which is a beautiful island 

connected to the beach by a bridge.  There is a path that takes you around 

the island.  Then I get back on the Enoden and go to Fujisawa, where 

I pick up the JR train back to Tokyo.

Kamakura:  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2166.html

Enoshima:  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3117.html

5.  Another popular day trip is Nikko, which has a gaudy mausoleum 

for the Tokugawa family (the shoguns).  Years ago, a couple of Ursinus 

students got attacked by monkeys there.  (Yes, there are wild monkeys.)  

There are several ways to get to Nikko, but the easiest is to take the Tobu 

Line from Ikebukuro Station.  My father liked Nikko a lot, and had this saying: 

"Don't say "kekkou" until you see Nikko!"  (This is for the Japanese lang. students.)

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3800.html

Tobu Railway (see the Nikko 2-day pass):  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_002.html

You take the Ginza subway line to Asakusa, then walk a short distance to the Tobu station.

The above are probably the most popular full-day excursions.  

Other popular places in Tokyo (aside from places I've already mentioned, including 

the Ueno museum and department stores in general):

1.  Akihabara (of course).

2.  Asakusa (will be on the tour).

3.  Ueno Park, the museum, and the tofu restaurant.  Also the zoo if anyone is into 

such things.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3019.html

4.  Ginza.  Walking from Shinbashi or Ginza Yonchome to Nihonbashi.  Lots of 

nice stores.  But not really "youth-oriented."  Great department stores.

Ginza:  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3005.html

5.  Shibuya and Omotesando.  "Yangu" (young) oriented.  Was it Nicole who 

wanted to go to "Ichi-Maru-Kyu" (109)?  By Omotesando, the really fun street 

(more like an alley) is "Takeshita-dori."  Meiji Shring (Meiji Jingu) is right 

there.  Don't miss it.  And don't waste your money on the "treasure house" (museum).  

But you may want to check out the iris garden (famously beautiful) if the irises 

are in bloom (they usually bloom in June).  And if you're into goth loli, you can't 

miss the Baby The Stars Shine Bright store in Daikanyama.  

http://www.babyssb.co.jp/store_list/honten/

Harajuku (Omotesando):  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html

Shibuya:  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html

Tokyo Shopping Guide:  http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3053.html

6.  Shinjuku.  This is where the famous (from pre-departure) Shinjuku Gyoen is.  

Also the Isetan dept. store (a really nice but expensive one).  A nice Takashiyama 

is to the south of Shinjuku Station, along with a really neat store called Tokyu Hands, 

which is a kind of cross between Home Depot and Michaels and Toys R Us 

and a stationery store.  And Kinokuniya, the best bookstore chain in Japan 

(yes, there are still bookstores in Japan).

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3011.html

7.  And of course, many of you will be going to the Peace Museum (and possibly 

Bingoya, the folk craft store), and also Yasukuni Shrine and the Yushukan (museum).  

8.  Sozoji (temple), a mizuko  kuyo temple not all that far from the hotel.  

9.  If you're going clubbing, go with people who know the scene, or do some 

homework before you go.  Here's one random page with some helpful info:

http://www.eok.jp/content/articles/lists/clubbing-in-japan.php

Please note that clubs will often card, whereas restaurants (including 

izakaya) usually don't.  

I've left out a lot of stuff, of course.  (For me, Tokyo is one big Disneyland.)  

As always, I'm more than willing to help if anyone is interested in more info, 

or in other things.  And one food thing: if you haven't had okonomiyaki yet, 

be sure to try it during the tour.  Shibuya has a lot of cheap okonomiyaki 

restaurants, but you can find them anywhere.   

MM

P.S.  I've never been to Odaiba, but' I've wanted to visit.  It's accessed by 

a train from Shinbashi Station, and has a lot of attractions:  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odaiba

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3008.html