KUL – Friday 2nd Dec 0820 –Osaka (KIX) 1545 Osaka to Tokyo  Get JR Pass

KIX to Shin-Osaka station . KIX – 2nd Floor . Use JR Haruka – 50 mins

*source from KIX

Shin-Osaka to Tokyo – platform 24,25,26 . SHINKANSEN HIKARI 484 – Hikari (3 hrs) *make reservation in JR station . *sit on left – row E for Mt Fuji view Shinagawa to Ikebukuro . JR Yamanote Line Inner (green color) – platform 2 . 34 mins

Ikebukuro station - West exit near Tobu

Platform Guidance

Saikyo Line for Shinjuku Saikyo Line for Omiya

Shonan-Shinjuku Line for Tokaido, Yokosuka, Yamanote Line Inner Tracks for Shinjuku Tohoku (Utsunomiya), Takasaki

Yamanote Line Outer Tracks for Ueno "Narita Express" for Narita Airport

*source from Kimi Ryokan

 IKEBUKURO ----Yamanote Inner (18mins)/Saikyo Line (13mins) ---EBISU Yebisu Garden Place is a five minute walk from Ebisu Station, one station south of Shibuya Station on the JR Yamanote Line. It is connected with the station by the well marked "Yebisu Skywalk".

Op: Megurogawa minna illumination IKEBUKURO ----Yamanote Inner(22mins) ---Gotanda (2 stations away frm Ebisu)

Saturday – 3rd Dec Tsukiji Fish Market – 7am  Tsukiji Market is just above Tsukiji Shijo Station on the Oedo Subway Line. Alternatively, it can be reached in a five minute walk from Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Subway Line. The closest JR station is Shimbashi, from where you can walk to the market in about 15 minutes.  Ikebukuro –# Tokyo Metro Marunouchi (18 mins) – Ginza -- #T.M Hibiya 4mins -– Tsukiji => 190Y

Ueno Park – 9.00am . Frm TSUKIJI --T.M Hibiya (12mins) –UENO => 160Y . West exit (park exit – near platform 3. East exit is for market  National Science & Nature Museum Open: 9 – 17.00 (close Monday) admission 600Yen  Toshogu Shrine – 200Yen  Lunch at Ameyayoko

*Source from Japan-Guide - Ueno

Ikebukuro – 1pm  UENO ---Yamanote Inner loop (16 mins) --- Ikebukuro  The Japan Traditional Craft Center on the first and second floors of the Metropolitan Plaza Building is a must-see. See a wide range of exquisite traditional Japanese crafts for sale, and watch craftspeople at work. Open daily 10am - 7pm. The center is located close to Ikebukuro Station in central Tokyo. From the JR lines at Ikebukuro station: leave from the Metropolitan ticket barrier, and the entrance to the center can be accessed through the Tobu Department Store Plaza Hall.  Ikebukuro Bosaikan (Ikebukuro Natural Disaster Hall), run by the Tokyo Fire Departement, has a Life Safety Learning Center on its 4th and 5th floors that simulates, and prepares people for, natural disasters. The most fun "attraction" is the Earthquake Simulation Section on the 5th floor, but there is also a First Aid Training Section, an Audio Visual Room, a Smoke Maze Section, a hands-on Fire Fighting Training Section, a Rescue and Escape Section, and a Map Exercise Section. There are tours for groups of up to 32 people at 9:30am, 1pm, and 3pm, but individuals can turn up anytime without a reservation. Not all facilities might be usable though if your visit coincides with a pre-booked group tour.

Rikugien – 5pm  IKEBUKURO –track 7 –Yamanote Outer (6mins) --KOMAGOME  7min walk from Komagome JR lines – 2 stops away from Ikebukuro Rikugien Korakuen will have a special autumn illumination from every evening from 17:00 to 20:30. The event runs until December 4 and admission costs 300 yen. Shibuya – 6pm  KOMAGOME --Yamanote Inner (22mins) --SHIBUYA  Hachiko Exit  Tokyu Hands (craft shop)  Shibuya Crossing – Observation frm 2nd floor of Starbucks in Tsutaya Building (North side)  Tokyo Food Show in Shibuya Station  Kyotako (next to Tokyu Hands) – Takoyaki Balls

*source from NHK -

*source from Japan-guide - Shibuya

Sunday – 4th Dec Harajuku – 9am  IKEBUKURO p6---Yamanote Inner – 13 mins(2 stations away)  Cosplay gather at JR station  Per HM, try takoyaki near JR station  Yoyogi Park (next to JR station) - To spot musicians  Leave the station via the main exit, walk towards the pedestrian footbridge and then veer round to the right. Keep walking and when you reach the next pedestrian footbridge you'll see the entrance

*source from Japan-Guide - Harajuku  Walk to Takeshita Dori till end – turn right to Meiji Dori  Meiji Dori 明治通り – Blue label on this Rd  Tenya (てんや). This fast-food tempura chain has an outlet on Meiji-dori just to the north of the Meiji- dori/Omote-sando intersection. ¥500 for a bowl  Tofu ice cream  Omotesando (street bands are here too)  Oriental Bazaar – for souvenir  Kiddy Land (Cat Street)

Akihabara – 1pm  *need to check the time – there is different transfer for diff line.  Most direct is Yamanote Inner takes 28 mins  Main street close frm 1pm – 5pm  Tokyo Anime Center located in Akihabara UDX building is filled with anime information. Location: Akihabara UDX 4F 4-14-1 Sotokanda Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo  Sushi Zanmai (すしざんまい), Yodobashi Akiba 1F/8F. Excellent sushi at fairly reasonable prices. The first floor outlet is a traditional chef and counter operation, the eighth floor is a more foreigner-friendly "conveyor belt"-style. Plates ¥98-628, most in the ¥150-300 range.  Yoshinoya, (located across the road from the north exit of Yodobashi Camera). Chain fast food restaurant selling gyudon beef bowls. Meals start from around ¥300-400

Shinjuku – 4pm  AKIHABARA ---JR Sobu Chou Line (19 mins) –SHINJUKU  South Exit Tokyo Metropolitan Govt Building - 45th floor 9.30 – 11pm *south observatory closes at 5.30pm Take observatory elevator from main building  Dinner op – Odakyu, Kabukicho *source from TMG

Tokyo Midtown – 6pm  SHINJUKU TOEI ---Toei Oedo Subway line (9mins) – ROPPONGI =>¥210  Exit 8

Roppongi illumination  Mohri Garden  Roku-roku plaza  Keyakizaka Dori  O-Yane Plaza

*source from Tokyo Midtown

Monday – 5th Dec Op: Otaguro Park  IKEBUKURO ---Saiko(6mins) ---SHINJUKU ---#JR Chou (10mins) --OGIKUBO Akasuka - 9.30am  IKEBUKURO ----Yamanote Outer (15mins) ----UENO -----#T.M.Ginza (5mins) ----ASAKUSA ¥160 Meiji Shrine  Shin - Nakamise Shopping Street *restaurants there  Kappabashi Kitchenware  Op:Walk down to Komagata Street – Bandai Office Op: Tokyo station  ASAKUSA ---T.M Ginza (5mins) ¥160---UENO ---Yamanote Outer (7 mins) Odaiba - Akasuka to Odaiba  AKASUKA ----T.M Ginza (18mins)----SHIMBASHI ¥190  Shimbashi ----Yurikamome (15mins) ---- Daiba Station  ¥310 (unlimited pass --¥800)

*source from Japan-Guide.com Yurikamome (dedicated line for Odaiba)  Crosses Rainbow Bridge – view harbor and Tokyo Waterfront  Sit at very front of the train

*source from Japan-Guide.com - Odaiba  Odaiba Marine Park – statue of Liberty  View from Aquacity  Food court at 1st Floor  Palette towne  Venus Fort - Christmas illumination: 15:00/17:00/19:00 - Rimasu Fountain Square  Toyota Mega Web  Ferris Wheel

Tokyo Dome – 6pm  SHIMBASHI ---Yamanote Inner(7mins) ---AKIHABARA ----#Sobu Chuo (5mins) ---SUIDOBASHI

To go back  SUIDOBASHI –Sobu Chou(13mins) –SHINJUKU – Any 3 JR lines (5/9mins) --- IKEBUKURO Op: Ginza  SHIMBASHI ---Yamanote Inner (2mins) ---YURAKUCHO

Tuesday – 6th Dec Nippori – 9.30am  IKEBUKURO ----Yamanote Outer (11mins) ----Nipponri  JR Nippori station (north exit => east exit) Go back to Ikebukero – 12pm  Exit East  For lunch  Toyota Amlux  *Source from Toyota Amlux –  -11:00 – 19:00 1F simulator – style attraction To get here from Ikebukuro Station, exit towards the east (or look for signs that point toward Sunshine City). Walk up Sunshine 60 Dori (usually very crowded). Once you hit Tokyu Hands on your right side you will see a huge sign for Sunshine City and escalators going down. Head downstairs and across the moving walkway. Before entering the main Sunshine City complex, the Toyota showroom will be on your left. Shinjuku

Shiodome – 3pm  IKEBUKURO ---Yamanote Outer (26mins) ---SHIMBASHI

Big Clock, Nippon TV Tower Travel Tip - The windup hours are: - Monday to Friday 12:00 15:00 18:00 20:00 - Saturday and Sunday 10:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 20:00 The show starts 3 minutes and 45 seconds before each hour. Shiodome – Dec 6 for Illumination show 17:00 – 22:00 Caretta Shiodome Access by JR Line : 5-minute walk from Shimbashi Station (There is a convenient underground passage connecting Caretta.) Advertising Museum Hours: 10:00 to 18:30 (Weekends and holidays until 16:30)

Tokyo – Marunouchi  SHIMBASHI ---Any JR line (3mins) ---Tokyo Station  West of Tokyo Station

------Koishikawa Korakuen is a 5-10 minute walk from Iidabashi Station (various JR and subway lines) or a 10 minute walk from Korakuen Station on the Marunouchi and Nanboku Subway Lines.