Well, I'll be in Tokyo the last 3 weeks of July (and free on the weekends to travel around). I know we have some Tokyo locals on the forum and I'm sure many of you have visited... and it's my first time, so I was wondering if anybody had suggestions on restaurants I must try or places I should experience that I may not find in the average travel guide?

I'm looking forward to the many Porsche Design stores.

Thanks,

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- Suneet

Don't know if they still do it but - on Sundays, they close off the road between Harajuku and Ebisu (or was that Shibuya? It's been a loooong time!) and have bands, rockers, bikers and muscle cars. Some of the bands seem to think that the louder you play, the better you get (they don't! - get better, that is).

Best restaurants I've been to there were in the Shibuya and Ebisu districts. I wonder if the garlic restaurant is still there! And a few in the back streets of Kabuki-cho. Not too far from the Akasaka Prince and the New Otani used to be the restaurant of chef Chin Ken-ichi of Japanese Iron Chef fame. Another Japanese Iron Chef (Nakamura) has a restaurant at the New Otani.

The Ueno zoo is a great day out. And not too far away is Chiba, where you'll find Tokyo Disneyland. There's nothing more mind-bending that watching Bear Country Jamboree and hearing them singing in Japanese. They do understand "Big Mac, fries and Coke" at ALL McD's anywhere in Japan.

Depending on how much traveling you want to do, you might consider taking the Shinkansen to Osaka. From there it's a short local train ride to Nara. Wonderful small(er) town. Stay at the Nara Hotel, where the Imperial family, presidents, princes, royalty and other VIPs stay. The park just at the hotel's front gate is justly famous. You'll want to head out there early in the morning to get the full effect. One of my favorite weekend getaways in Japan.

I envy you - I haven't had a chance to visit Japan in almost 10 years - and Taipei, Dongguan and Shenzhen just don't compare....

Thanks for the thoughtful response I'm looking forward to the trip... my first time in Japan.

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- Suneet

Oh yeah Tokyo is great. I have to agree with Ebisu and Shibuya, but I didn't see everything. I stayed in Ebisu and the food there was great. I basically just remember where there places are and not the names, but that really doesn't matter. It's all good, but the food there is way too dangerous for the US. I don't know of any place where there are deep fryer built into the table. Anything and everything fried on a stick. That's a start. Shabo Shabo is really good too and of course the sushi is fantastic.

Akihabara is where the electronics flea market is on Sunday. Here is picture there. Don't know what the other dudes are looking at. Probably someone was taking a PS3 apart or something. This was an interesting place to walk around.



DanM

Dang that's Shibuya.

Here is Akihabara. Again don't know what else these guys are looking at.



DanM

If you do not have much free time - go to Kamakura and try the "Kura Goma" ice cream. If you have more time, hit an onsen in the mountains. Does not matter which one. Ask some locals, there are few where they will have monkeys come down to the onsen as you hang out.

Hiroshima can be interesting. And if it is few weekend, you are just few hours away from Phuket. (Direct flight.)

Roppongi is the area that foreigners hang around and hit on each other and few locals... think MINI vegas.

If you are going with or find a significan other to be with - check out the love hotel, not found on this side of the world.

You have to see Shibuya, even if for lunch. The busiest interesection I have see in my life. Good shopping in Ginza - bring your Platinum AMEX though.

Oh, and before you go definitely pick up a copy of "Ugly Americans", read it on the way. Best guide you will ever have.

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Tomasz

Apologies for spelling mistakes, most of them are keyboarding errors. To enjoy this forum I run out of time to proof read.

I'm a native Japanese. I must agree with Tomasz' suggestions on sites and things to see. Ebisu and Shibuya are kids' town (unless you're so young to be able to blended in the crowd. It really depends on the individual's taste and liking but, Japanese foods are not for all foreigners. You must like it to appreciate it. If you're really into sushi and stuff, I can recommend places around the famous Tsukiji (Tokyo) fish market near Ginza (walking distance).

If I were anywhere nearby, I would want to have lunch with Sandybelle!

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2007 Speed Yellow Cayman GT 2.7 (retired)
2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
"Carpe Cayman"

+1 .

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"The Cayman doesn't need any more toys." -- My wife

I thought she was in Osaka area ??? but, hey, give her a PM....

I've been to Japan maybe 30 times.... just too much good stuff to tell you about. My second favorite country to visit...

#1 by a mile is Australia...but that's just personal taste

I'd pass on Roppongi..... cheap tricks...no local interest

+1 for Kamakura....easy trip from Tokyo...

Ginza all about how much money you can spend... recommend passing on that too....you've seen the same high end shops in NY, SF, LA, etc...

I also recommend the Edo Museum in Tokyo....they have English signs...it's a great, great, great history lesson..................also on display is a very early Subaru (#1 I think)

Another great place of interest is the Yokohama Maritime museum...again, a simple, short train ride from Tokyo...

Food... better practice at some good local sushi places in FL.... if you like it, you'll love the fare in Tokyo...more variety and better quality for the most part...

Beer: my Japanese favorite is Suntory Malt...not available at most places...you need to seek it out.

Now.........if you have really big kahunas, go to Matsumoto City... wonderful, restored shogun castle there....but the city is famous for serving horse...and horse sushi is marveleous...no kidding... better than any beef you've had...

Be carefull about buying electronics stuff at Akihabara...not everything is US standard... A friend bought a walkman, only to later learn that Japanese FM stations are on a different frequency band...

have a great time... wish I could be with you..

Cheers

Bob

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Cold Croc
38 years of continuous Porsche ownership

Ride History
1966-1969 ---- 1961 Rambler Classic (Sorry)
1969-1970 ---- 1969 Mustang Mach I (Engine lasted 49K mi... swore I'd never buy another American car)
1970-1972 ---- 1964 356C - Rust Bucket
1972-1976 ---- 1972 914 - Ball Buster
1976-1977 ---- 1973 911T - Was I crazy?
1977-2007 ---- 1963 356SC 306K mi
2001-2003 ---- 1984 911 SC Targa - For my son
2000-2005 ---- 1997 Ferrari 355-F Brain Fart
2007- ???? ---- 2007 Cayman S
2008 ---------- 2008 Audi R8 - Delivery late spring '08

Oh yeah Kamakura was cool. I agree with that too. It is hard to go wrong no matter which way you go.






DanM

Thanks for everything guys!

The main reason I'm looking fo