A QUICK TRAVEL GUIDE TOKYO AND BEYOND 6 DAYS IN JAPAN dbucketlist.com Day 1 AM Ueno Most people visit Ueno for its park, museums and other historic structures. It is considered by the tourists as the perfect place to relax and experience the old downtown atmosphere of the city. Ueno Park Designated in 1873 as the first park in Japan. It is one of the city’s most popular spot for cherry blossoms viewing from late March to How To Get There mid of April. Ueno Station JR or Subway Walk 5 mins. from station. Shinobazunoike Bentendo Kiyomazu Kannon Temple Day 1 PM Sumida The World’s Tallest Tower Tokyo Sky Tree Built in 2012 634m How To Get There: Oshiage Station Fast Skytree Ticket For International Visitors Single Ticket (Floor 350) 4-11 years old ¥ 1,500 12 years old and above ¥ 3,000 Combo Ticket (Floor 350 + 450) 4-11 years old ¥ 2,000 12 years old and above ¥ 4,000 Note: Reservations are not required. Operating Hours 10:00 - 21:00 Day 2 AM ASAKUSA If you want to see the city of Tokyo at its most traditional state, back to a world before the bright lights and the cutting edge technology vibe in Shibuya and Shinjuku, then Asakusa would be the best place to be. SENSOJI TEMPLE • KAMINARIMON GATE • NAKAMISE-DORI STREET • ORANGE STREET • ASAKUSA CULTURE AND TOURISM CENTER HOW TO GET THERE: ASAKUSA STATION WALK FOR 5-10 MINUTES. Day 2 PM MUST VISIT: Shinjuku Gyoen Park HOW TO GET THERE Shinjuku Shinjukugyoenmae Station Walk for 5-10 minutes to Shinjuku Gate. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Free Observation Deck North Observatory 9:30 - 23:00 South Observatory 9:30 - 17:30 HOW TO GET THERE: Tochōmae Station Direct connection to TMGB 10-15 minutes walk from west exit of JR Shinjuku Station MUST VISIT IN SHINJUKU AT NIGHT: · Piss Alley · Robot Restaurant · Don Quijote · Walk around Kabukicho ◄ This alley in Shinjuku popularly known as Piss Alley or the Golden WHERE TO EAT: Gai has at least 60 bars and restaurants lined up and cramped IKINARI STEAK in small spaces. Highly Recommended Tip: Expect that it would be crowded at night but it's fun as you eat, drink and meet locals and foreigners next to you. HOW TO GET THERE: Shinjuku-Sanchome Station Exit C5, Walk for 5-10 mins Day 3 DAY The best park I've been to yet. IBARAKI PREFECTURE Hitachi SEASIDE PARK Park Information Operating Hours 09:30 – 17:00 Mar 1 – July 20 ; Sept 1 – Oct 31 HOW TO GET THERE 09:30 – 18:00 July 21 – Aug 31 09:30 – 16:30 Nov 1 – Feb 28 Note: The park is closed when Japanese National Via Ibaraki Kotsu Highway Express Holiday falls on a Monday and the day after it, From Tokyo Station to Hitachi Seaside Park Tuesday. The park is also closed on December 31st. Roundtrip Fare: ¥ 3,800 Note: Earliest bus will leave at 10:30 AM Admission Fees Adults (15-64 yrs old) – ¥ 410 Via Limited Express Hitachi Train Children (7-14 yrs old) – ¥ 80 From Ueno Station to Katsuta Station Seniors ( 65 yrs old & above) – ¥ 210 One-way Fare: ¥ 3,800 Cheaper Option: Train from Ueno Station to Mito Station Note: Entrance Fees are free for children ages 6yrs old One-way Fair: ¥ 2,270 and below. From Mito Station, transfer to a local train bound to Katsuta Station From Katsuta Station, ride the Ibarakikotsu Bus. Day 3 NIGHT Shibuya This entertainment and shopping district in the southern side of Tokyo is a must for first time visitors in Japan. Stride by the world's busiest intersection — Shibuya Crossing! Best Time to Visit: 7PM onwards How To Get There: Shibuya Station Take Hachiko Exit, Walk for 2mins Day 4 AM Minato Must Visit: This neighborhood Zojoji Temple in Tokyo is a quiet town especially in & Tokyo Tower the morning. But did you know that most of the headquarters of the multinational companies like Google and Apple are in Minato? Must Visit: How To Get There: Tokyo Onarimon Station Imperial Palace Walk for 3-5 mins How To Get There: Otemachi Station Walk for 2-3 mins Chiyoda Located in the center of Tokyo, this area in the capital is referred to as the political center of the country. Most government offices like the Supreme Court of Japan etc. and foreign embassies of UK, Philippines etc. are situated in the said district. Day 4 PM Tokyo DISNEYSEA How To Get There: Tokyo Station > Maihama Station Where to Buy Tickets: You can buy tickets directly in their official website or through walk-in but tickets for sale onsite is unpredictable. I suggest you book via Klook! Hakone Day 5 K A N A G A W A P R E F E C T U R E In 90km west of Tokyo, this lakeside and 2. Ropeway 4. Kuro Tamago mountainous landscape of Hakone is a perfect getaway for the soul. Follow the well-established day trip route around the area to experience Hakone without any hassle. 1. Tozan Train 3. Okawudani Valley 5. Sightseeing Cruise 6. Lake Ashinoko (Lake Ashi) Getting Around: The usual day trip route through Hakone starts from Shinjuku Odakyu Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station. It runs anti- clockwise in a series of multiple exciting rides via train, cable car and a cruise ship. For tourists, it would be best to avail the Hakone Freepass as it allows you to get on and off freely. You can purchase the ticket directly from Shinjuku Odakyu Station. Validity are good for 2 days (¥ 5,140 from Shinjuku Station) and 3 days (¥5,640 from Shinjuku Station). Prices vary between adults & children and may be subject to change. Day 6 Fujigoko YAMANASHI PREFECTURE One of the best place to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji without the hassle of climbing up is to tour around this area in the Yamanashi Prefecture — The Fuji Five Lakes Region a.k.a. Fujigoko. Best Months to see Mt. Fuji: October to May Kawaguchiko Out of the five lakes, the most popular among the locals and tourists alike is Lake Kawaguchiko. It is prominent for its sightseeing spots around the area. The easiest way to get around it is via retro buses. There are three lines that can take you around Kawaguchiko and the other lakes in the Fuji Five Lake region. The red line takes you to the sightseeing spots around Lake Kawaguchiko. The green line takes you to the sightseeing spots around Lake Saiko. Lastly, the blue line takes you to the sightseeing spots around the other lakes in Fujigoko. You can buy the Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Pass (all lines) for only ¥1,500 / 2 Days. How To Get There: Via Bus Must Visit: Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Kawaguchiko Natural Kawaguchiko Station Living Center Cost: ¥ 3,500 (Roundtrip) Must Visit: Aokigahara Suicide Forest Estimated Budget Expenses Roundtrip Airfare ¥ 15,000 Accomodation ¥ 20,000 Food ¥ 10,000 Transportation w/in Tokyo + Airport ¥ 5,000 Tokyo Sky Tree (Single Ticket) ¥ 3,000 RT Bus Ticket to Ibaraki ¥ 3,800 Hitachi Seaside Park Entrance Fee ¥ 400 Tokyo Disney Sea (1-Day Passport) ¥ 7,400 Hakone Freepass (2-Day Pass) ¥ 5,140 RT Bus Ticket to Kawaguchiko ¥ 3,500 Kawaguchiko Sightseeing Bus ¥ 1,500 Total Estimated Budget Expenses ¥ 74,740 Note: Other expenses such as travel tax and souvenirs are excluded. Sample Conversion Per Country: United States of America $ 686 Philippines Php 35,000 Singapore SGD 898 "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer." Things to Visa Requirements Requirements vary per country of residence and type of visa to apply for. This is for your quick reference only. Always validate the complete list in the official website of the Japanese embassy in your country. Take Keep in note that only residents of certain countries need to apply for tourist visa. Tourist Visa Mind 1. Valid Passport 2. Visa Application Form with complete info 3. Birth Certificate The Japan National Tourist 4. Marriage Certificate (if applicable) Organization operates four Tourist 5. Daily Schedule in Japan / Itinerary Information Centers in Tokyo Narita 6. Bank Certificate (Valid for 3 months from Airport, Kansai International Airport, Date of Issue) Central Tokyo and in Kyoto. You can 7. Income Tax Reform get free maps and travel guides in 9. Photo ID (4.5cm x 4.5cm) these locations or even just ask their 10. Guarantee Letter, Proof of relationship of english speaking staff. Watch out for the applicant and the guarantor, Bank other local tourist offices they call "i" Certificate and Income Tax Return of the centers. If you're stuck somewhere guarantor (if applicable) and would require an assistance (not limited to travel), you can call the toll- free at 0088-224800. They provide english information and assistance from 9AM - 5PM daily. The currency of Japan is Japanese Transportation Yen (¥). There are a lot of foreign exchange counters in Narita Airport Public Transportation in Japan is efficiently and banks in the city. But don't forget designed to accommodate millions of to always bring emergency money (in passengers every single day. Out of all the USD). existing modes of transportation, the best Japan is a country that values its one for tourists is via train. There are several culture and its people. Always keep railways available within the metropolitan in mind to observe proper etiquette areas and across nearby prefectures which when dealing with the locals. includes the Japan Railways. Most districts in Tokyo can be reached via train. The Yamanote Line is one of the most important lines in Tokyo that connects the major cities which includes Ueno, Shibuya, Shinjuku and many more.