Author Topic: Japan Master Thread (Read 165851 times)

Fan of Dan · « **on:** July 19, 2011, 01:24:25 PM »

I will be in Tokyo for one night this august. I land at 245pm and depart on an early ten o clock flight the next morning. Don't know if I should stay near the airport cause have early flight or better to stay in downtown where its happening. The trip from downtown to airport is over an hour. If I stay near airport is it hard to get to the heart of things being away from the trains and shuttles? I was never there and want to see the sights. Also what should I do there? Thirdly what's the best option on kosher food - if difficult I can bring with me.

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2011, 01:44:59 PM »

You are a good hour drive from the city.

Officially you cannot bring in food (I did).

Maybe there is a way to get in by train.

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2011, 01:59:49 PM »

I found this, seems like useful info (for one day, don't start looking for food):

http://wikitravel.org/en/One_day_in_Tokyo

Dan · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2011, 02:59:17 PM »

Go into the city via the train. Taxis in Tokyo are a fortune.
I brought in some small kosher snacks without any problems and they did look through our suitcases.
I think there are a couple kosher options.
The Park Hyatt is supposed to be fantastic.
Tokyo Tower has great views.
The fish market auction is famous as well.
Don't miss the electronics neighborhoods like Akihabara.
Everything is accessible by subway/train.

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2011, 11:08:47 PM »

Not speaking a word of Japanese is it hard to figure out the trains and get around?

Dan · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2011, 11:22:54 PM »

Quote from: Fan of Dan on July 20, 2011, 11:08:47 PM

Not speaking a word of Japanese is it hard to figure out the trains and get around?

Nope, not too difficult.

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2011, 04:34:28 AM »

Just remember, unless you are me* people do not speak a word of english. Even if you say eg the word 'Hilton', they might either pronounce its so different, that they won't get what you are talking about, or some brand names in the far east have different names then in europe/usa.
Transportation and emergency signs are in english.

Dan · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2011, 10:51:59 AM »

That reminds me of when I was in Osaka looking for Costco. I kept asking people where Costco was but nobory seemed to understand what I was saying. Finally one Japanase gys sais , "Ahhh. you mean Cost-O-Co, it's right this way..."

In Japan they don't have normal western-style addresses, everything is a bunch of numbers that even the taxi drivers have no idea how to find. When I got off the train in Kobe I hopped in a taxi for what should have been a 5 minute drive to the shliach, but wound up taking an hour and a detour to the police station for help on how to find the address I had. People's business cards have maps on he back to help you find the address...

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2011, 11:23:36 AM »

I forgot to explain the *me from my post:

I grab people (literally) in the street, and don't let go until they speak english.

You would be surprised how fast some very basic english comes back to him...

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2011, 11:30:59 PM »

should i try to figure out the train schedules around tokyo before I go since I am tight on time or is it pretty straightforward and no need for advance research

E · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2011, 11:59:36 PM »

no need they are pretty simple, and frequent enough unless you are scheduled down to the minute...

Dan · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2011, 12:00:21 AM »

Quote from: E on July 26, 2011, 11:59:36 PM

no need they are pretty simple, and frequent enough unless you are scheduled down to the minute...

Trip report?

E · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2011, 12:05:03 AM »

Quote from: Dan on July 27, 2011, 12:00:21 AM

Trip report?

coming soon...

ReadsTheT&C · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2011, 07:24:00 AM »

for train schedules visit http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ ; if at all possible you should fly into Haneda as Naritas much further outside the city and is a much more expensive trip ; if you contact Rabbi Edery in advance, he has a Japanese sushi chef friend who will prepare sushi under the Rabbi's supervision and then have it ready for you when you arrive

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2011, 10:18:41 PM »

Quote from: cuddrew on July 29, 2011, 07:24:00 AM

for train schedules visit http://www.hyperdia.com/en/ ; if at all possible you should fly into Haneda as Naritas much further outside the city and is a much more expensive trip ; if you contact Rabbi Edery in advance, he has a Japanese sushi chef friend who will prepare sushi under the Rabbi's supervision and then have it ready for you when you arrive

Funny that you mention that, I actually emailed him and he said he can do sushi but will run me eighty bucks for one plate not to mention shipping costs to my hotel. Is the sushi really good? I'm kind of a sushi addict.

Dan · « **Reply #15 on:** July 30, 2011, 10:37:22 PM »

Quote from: Fan of Dan on July 30, 2011, 10:18:41 PM

Funny that you mention that, I actually emailed him and he said he can do sushi but will run me eighty bucks for one plate not to mention shipping costs to my hotel. Is the sushi really good? I'm kind of a sushi addict.

I think kosher delica might have kosher sushi in tokyo if you don't mind that its an unabashedly mishichist location.

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2011, 12:44:52 AM »

Oh I don't mind their views so long as they can rack me up some authentic Japanese sushi!!

Dan · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2011, 01:03:06 AM »

Quote from: Fan of Dan on July 31, 2011, 12:44:52 AM

Oh I don't mind their views so long as they can rack me up some authentic Japanese sushi!!

Send him an email then. Maybe add yechi and you'll get a 28% discount?

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2011, 02:09:01 AM »

Quote from: Dan on July 31, 2011, 01:03:06 AM

Send him an email then. Maybe add yechi and you'll get a 28% discount?

Now that's already a good stratetgy!!

ash · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:50:38 AM »

He (The Meshichist) is a very nice guy and he goes out of his way to help people

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Author Topic: Japan Master Thread (Read 165851 times)