I was really curious to visit Japan. Hence, I put this country into my bucket list. Moreover, I just had a super cheap round-trip ticket so I was encouraged to start my journey to Japan. I took a trip in the summer, which means it was the low season in Japan, but it was such fortune for you to have lower price than other seasons. It’s your choices to decide whenever to start a trip to this amazing country since it has own characteristic in each season, but I think Japan always become a great destination in any situation. Japan is greatly wide to see, so many places I’d like to visit honestly, included Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. However, because I had only 2 days to spend up, so I decided to visit Tokyo as my initial trip to Japan.
I thought Tokyo was a great deal to start a trip since there are so many places to visit and see as well. Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji Temple, Imperial Palace, Ueno Park, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, Odaiba and of course Mount Fuji, are the must-see places when coming to Tokyo. It’s not only about what I mentioned before to make an itinerary, you can even find the other hidden amazing and interesting places in Tokyo as long as possible. As I told you Tokyo itself is wide and spending up 2 days in Tokyo was so challenging and I was sure that would not be enough to explore the city at all. So, maybe it would be helpful to have an itinerary with you, to make the priority places to visit and save your time.
Actually, deciding to go on a trip to Japan in early spring is perfectly great because seeing cherry blossom is the right moment to see, but keep in mind that you would have to cost an arm and a leg since it’s kind of high season peak. Since I had a summer trip to Tokyo, which means the time when tourists or visitors are much fewer than in the high season, I knew that would be unfortunate to visit Mount Fuji, as I heard that it would be mesmerisingly seen in spring or fall. Hence, I postponed my trip to Mount Fuji at that time and find the alternative destinations.
I would spend up this trip for about 3 days 2 nights. Before arriving in Tokyo, I tried to find out all about the amazing destinations, and of course, affordable ticket and accommodation to stay. Keep in mind that the currency of Japan is Yen (JPY), so make sure you have enough this currency with you while in Japan. Fortunately, I had affordable price including round-trip ticket and hotel for a 2-day stay. I only paid for 44.078 JPY. The flight took me about 7 hours and I arrived there in the morning.
I landed at Narita International Airport. After disembarking from the aircraft, I had to write down and fill all the information on the embarkation card, such as personal data based on the passport and the travel or stay period in Japan. This card then would be given to the officers at the immigration counters. After getting the sticker for my passport and passing though custom gates, I left and started to look for travel pass. There are a lot of type of pass, based on your necessaries. In this case, I bought JR Tokyo Wide Pass, which means I would have 3 days of unlimited travel on train and Shinkansen in the area covered. I paid for it about 10.000 JPY, this pass would cover my journey with all trains operated by JR East.
To get JR Tokyo Wide Pass, you can go to the JR East Travel Center at the airport. You can ask for the pass valid for however many days you need. This pass is not only valid for commuter train, but also for airport train and Shinkansen as well. For airport train, you can activate and make a reservation at the travel center while buying the pass. You can choose the departure time and where station you want to get off. It's free. please kindly click here, for more information about JR Pass
For your information, there are two international airports in Tokyo, Haneda International Airport and Narita International Airport. Haneda International Airport is quite closer to the main city than Narita International Airport. Since I started it from Narita International Airport, so I made a reservation for Narita Express and got off at Shinjuku Station, because I had to transit here to get the hotel I stayed. Nevertheless, if you start the journey from Haneda International Airport, you can take the Tokyo Monorail and transfer at Hamamatsucho Station. JR Tokyo Wide Pass can cover the Tokyo Monorail cause it’s been integrated. You can activate it at the JR East Travel Center (Haneda International Airport). After I received the pass, then I went to the station and got on Narita Express to Shinjuku Station. If you take the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport, you need to transit at Hamamatsucho Station and get on either Yamanote Line or Oedo Line, then get off at Shinjuku Station.
If you decide to buy the pass just like this case, I probably suggest you buy smart card as well, the reason is when you go to your destination and take a train not covered by JR East Pass, it would burden you. I know it would spend your money for more, but trust me it would make your journey much easier. Another benefit of using smart card is able to use outside Tokyo. There are two types of cards, Suica and Pasmo (see the differences bellow).
" The differences between Suica and Pasmo "
Source : https://tokyocheapo.com/travel/pasmo-suica-cards-tokyo-travel/
I bought Pasmo for my alternative smart travel card. You can get it from the ticket machine and top it up as well. For internet connection, I rented for a pocket Wi-Fi. I booked and brought it from my home country and activated the day while arriving in Tokyo.
How to use the JR Tokyo Wide Pass for commuter train is just to show it to the officer at the entrance gate. If there is a train operated by JR (Japan Railways), the officer would allow you to get in.
I stayed at Sakura Hotel Hatagaya, where place is very strategic since it’s really close to the train station and there are a lot of food courts. That was amazing!!
" Location around Sakura Hotel Hatagaya "
When I arrived at Shinjuku Station, I transferred to the Keio New Line and got off at Hatagaya Station. The distance from the station to the hotel is really close and it’s accessible within a 1-minute walk. Keep in mind that make sure to take the Keio New Line, not Keio Line as Keio New Line calls at Hatagaya Station, which the Keio Line doesn't.
" The Direction to get Hatagaya Station "
Note : The departure and arrival time depend on the train schedule
After checking in at the hotel, then I started the journey and visited Meiji Jingu. It’s not quite far from the hotel, so it was simple to get there since I just took Keio New Line towards Shinjuku Station and got off at Hatsudai Station. I walked for about 15 minutes to get there.
" The Direction to get Meiji Jingu from Hatagaya Station "
Note : The departure and arrival time depend on the train schedule
There’s a choice as well if you don’t want to walk, but you have to transfer the train at Shinjuku Station and take the Odayaku Line to get off at Sangubashi Station. This station is really close to the gate of Meiji Jingu.
" Sightseeing at Meiji Jingu "
I had enjoyed the day in Meiji Jingu and around, then I decided to see Shibuya Crossing since it’s one of the popular sites in Tokyo. To get there, I needed to take the Yamanote Line towards Shingawa/Shibuya from Harajuku Station (it’s accessible for a 1-minute walk) and got off at Shibuya Station. Upon arriving at Shibuya Station, I just looked for the exit gate and sign of Hachiko Memorial Statue. The location of Hachiko Memorial Statue is really close to the Shibuya Crossing, so you would get 2 interesting sites within 1 destination.
" Different Conditions at Shibuya Crossing "
" It's not far from the Shibuya Crossing, to see Hachiko Memorial Statue "
After that, I decided to go and see Odaiba. This place is great to see sunset. I took the Saikyou Line from Shibuya Station, then got off at Tokyo Teleport Station.
" Map for direction to get Odaiba from Shibuya Station "
Note : The departure and arrival time depend on the train schedule
It was perfect to see the sunset at Odaiba Marine Park, so I walked for about 10 minutes to get there.
" Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba Marine Park "
" Enjoyed the sunset at Odaiba "
The day was getting dark, so I decided to go back to the hotel and continue my journey for the next day.
" The day was getting darker, lights just made the city shine bright "
Rise and Shine!
The beautiful day has come. I just had a breakfast at the hotel before starting the amazing journey. I decided to have a good day in Ueno Park. This place is recommended to see cherry blossom when spring comes. So, if you guys decide to have a holiday to Tokyo in spring, it would be amazing. Moreover, there are a plenty of interesting places around the park and relatively close, such as Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science and Tokyo National Museum.
" Tokyo National Museum located in the front of Ueno Park "
How to get there?
I took the Keio New Line from Hatagaya Station to Shinjuku Station to have a transit, then tranferfed to the Chiyoda Line and got off at Yushima Station, then walked for about 2 minutes to get Ueno Park.
" Map for direction to get Ueno Park from Hatagaya Station "
Note : The departure and arrival time depend on the train schedule
If you interested to go to Senso-ji Temple, you can start the journey from Ueno Park as well. All you need to do is go to the Ueno Station and get on the Ginza Line and stop at Asakusa Station. And If you decide to go to Tokyo Skytree, just continue the journey by taking the Asakusa Line and get off at Tokyo Skytree Station.
After enjoying the great day in Ueno Park, then I went to Imperial Palace. The nearest station from Imperial Palace is Tokyo Station. I got on from Ueno Station, then took the Keihin-Touhoku Line and got off at Tokyo Station.
" Map for direction to get Imperial Palace from Ueno Station "
Note : The departure and arrival time depend on the train schedule
There’s no admission for entering Imperial Palace, but I was given a kind of paper (maybe it seems like a visitor card) and I had to hold on while going around the palace area because I needed to get it back when my visit was over. The palace area is actually so wide. I couldn’t even explore all around the palace anymore, because I got too exhausted by the hot weather. Well.. I’m telling you guys, the summer weather in Japan is usually extremely hot. The temperature can probably be above 35 Celcius Degree/95 Farenheit Degree. So, make sure you won’t be dead-tired when visiting there in the summer.
" While looking around at Imperial Palace "
Visiting Imperial Palace was done, then it was time to visit Tokyo Tower because I wanted to see Tokyo from above. This provides an unparalleled opportunity to get a 360-degree view of the city skyline. There are two observation desk, Main Deck and Top Deck. In case, Main Deck is chosen, you can go to the Top Deck. Otherwise, if Top Deck is chosen, Main Deck is still allowed. The admissions between two both are different (see the table below).
Source : https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/en/price/
When choosing Top Deck as the tour, I could make the schedule what time I would like to go. After I made the decision, then I started the tour and went upstairs. In Top Deck tour, you are going to be guided, and there would have a small story tell about the history of the tower. Moreover, you would be asked for taking a photo, but you have to pay for about 1.500 JPY if you intend to have it with you.
If you want to have some meals, there are some food courts on each deck. Then, the souvenir shops are available if you want to bring some beautiful things with you.
Here's the direction to get there
I took the Mita Line from Otemachi Station, then got off at Onarimon Station. I walked for about 12 minutes to get Tokyo Tower.
" Map for direction to get Tokyo Tower from Imperial Palace "
Note : The departure and arrival time depend on the train schedule
I really enjoyed the view of Tokyo from the tower. That was wonderful!!
" Seeing View of Tokyo from the Top Deck of Tokyo Tower "
After getting satisfied by looking the view from the Top Deck, then I went to the Main Deck.
" View from the Main Deck of Tokyo Tower "
" Saw and enjoyed the sunset from above "
If you. need the detail information about Tokyo Tower, just click here
Well, Tokyo Tower was my last destination before I left from Tokyo. I was really excited and thrilled to explore this amazing city. There are still a lot of amazing places I haven’t visited yet. Hence, I’m going to here again in the near future.
Let me tell you, Tokyo is a kind of busy city. In the certain period (at a peak), there would be a lot of people travelling to work, especially in the train station. It would be congested. So, make sure you avoid the rush hour as possible as you can.
Other than that, Tokyo was really impressive to me because there are a lot of friendly, polite and kind people I met. Even though, in some situation I had and found a bit problem in communicating with them sometimes in English, but I was really sure it’s because of some reasons, maybe they don’t use it very often or they really love using their native language. However, they had a high willingness to help everyone, included me, and tried to made me understand what they mean. They never stop smiling to everyone they meet and always put their whole heart into their services.
I always reminisce about this experience in my lifetime and i can't even believe that it's been 3 years from my first trip to Tokyo in 2018.
どうも ありがとうございます。(Doumo Arigatou Gozaimasu.)
Thank you very much for the incredible moments!!
Japan is always being my favorite country to visit.
では、また。(Dewa, Mata.)