Coming to Tokyo in 2 weeks!!
 

Hey all,
My name is Lisa, and I'm a 26 year old gal' from Australia.
My family and I are heading to Tokyo for 15 days in a few weeks, and we were after some advice! What do you believe are the 'must-sees' and 'must-dos' in Tokyo?? We're after the things that you don't find in the travel guides, cool little neighbourhoods, weird things to see and eat, etc etc.
Also...
*Does anybody know any cool places to find toys ala kidrobot?
*Does anybody know of any flea markets that are worth a visit?
Thank you all for your time!!
Lmp1984:marusmile: :marusmile:

Just curious, how did you come to choose Tokyo as a vacation spot?

I believe it is under the rails at JR Ueno station there are many stalls/shops set up like a flea market. (It has been a few years since I have been there.)

You can find toys at the MANDARAKE shops. I believe the biggest one is in Akihabara.

I studied Japanese as a kid, and have always been fascinated with the culture, especially all the kooky things you hear! My folks went to Tokyo last year and just raved on about it, so this year the husband and I are going. He is also extremly interested in Japanese culture - plus - we hear it's a real foodie city and we are both extreme foodies! - Extremly exciteda about our trip to say the least!!

Within Japan Tokyo is probably the least "food conscious" city by reputation. If you want to go to a real foodie area, split your trip in two and go to Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe (all very close to each other). Tokyo has good food if you want to pay an arm and a leg. In Osaka you can get a fantastic meal at a fantastic price, and Kobe is a very international city with terrific restaurants with chefs from everywhere from India to Brazil.

Think right now we are just sticking with Tokyo, but will be going back to Japan to spend some more time in other cities/parts in a few years time. Didn't want to rush through the whole of Japan in a few weeks - I like spending a few weeks in one places, enjoying it, and then moving on to another city if I have time.
Thank you for your comments.

MMM i think you´re talking about Ameyoko-cho wich is just across the street as you exit Ueno Station. It looks kinda like a flea market but they are mainly selling food items. Its a nice walk anyway because its so different from the rest of Tokyo, so i´d recommend to go there! There is a nice Shop somewhere on the other end of Ameyoko-cho wich sells rice with raw fish for a good price.

To be perfectly honest, I think five days in Tokyo is more than enough to see what is really interesting. Two hours away is Kansai, with the real "foodie" culture. Kansai includes Osaka, Wakayama, Kobe, kyoto and Nara (on the far edge depending who you talk to).

Tokyo isn't nearly as big as people think it is, so to limit yourself when visiting an isolated island county seems, to me, to be a little of a waste.

I can't tell you what to do, but if you are going to Tokyo for the food, you are making a little bit of a mistake. If someone wants to tell me I am wrong, I am open to arguments.

OP might refer to Greater Tokyo Area.If so,I think two weeks is not so long.
I might be wrong,but people from Australia come to Japan more lightly than people from the US and EU.So,this time Tokyo,next time Kansai is not so strange plan for OP.
I don't think you are wrong.And going to Tokyo for the food is not a mistake too.Tokyo is richer than Kansai in diversity(rest of the world and Japan,from Hokkaido to Okinawa).Even Kansai style food is available in Tokyo,though they might be mediocre.If OP is in love with Kansai style,she should go Kansai.If she is in love with Soba noodle and soy source taste,going to Kansai is a waste.

@OP
I personally like Kagurazaka.Kagurazaka - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
But it is my taste.
You have enough time in Tokyo.Walk around the streets and find something wired for you!

I've been in Japan for three years now, spending most of my time in Tokyo. I know the city better than many Japanese, but in all that time I have not come close to seeing it all.

Visit Tsukiji and Hamarikyu, Odaiba, Tsukishima, Nihonbashi, Kanda, Ameyoko, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando, Daikanyama, Meguro, Yurakucho, Ginza, Yokohama, and the Tokyo Disney Resorts. These are just the larger destinations, I couldn't begin to list the smaller districts and neighborhoods worth seeing. Tokyo is one of the great cities of the world, even if you spent the summer here you could find something different to see and do every single day.

I don't know what that means "richer in diversity". That's a little like saying Los Angeles is richer in diversity, in the fact that the city is made up of people who aren't from Los Angeles, but the problem is everyone pretends they ARE from Los Angeles, so sayonara to diversity.

Yes there is Kansai food available in Tokyo, and in my experience, unless you are willing to pay outrageous prices, it is mediocre. That is my point. I doubt the OP is in love with Kansai food, soba noodles or soy sauce, my point is food is better in Kansai, so if this is a foodie trip, jump on a shink and head west for a couple days, at least. It's like going to Disneyland but only going to Tomorrowland, saying we will visit the other sections in future visits as the People Mover rolls by.

I would agree in the "greater area" there is more to do. Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan, and has a great Chinatown. Of course "Tokyo Disneyland" would more accurately be called "Chiba Disneyland" but then it loses that special appeal people seem to have for the word "Tokyo".

In this case,very simple.Many restaurants from all over the world and Japan. These restaurants never pretend they are originally from Tokyo.
Kansai-jin never pretend too.
You said,"Kobe is a very international city with terrific restaurants with chefs from everywhere from India to Brazil."
I say,"Tokyo is a very international city with terrific restaurants with chefs from everywhere from India to Brazil."

Going west for a couple days costs more eating some of Kansai style food in Tokyo.
different from "richness in diversity",soba noodles and soy souce are the icons of Kantou cuisine. No one think soba and Tenpura in Kansai is better than in Kantou.
My point is all　food is not better in Kansai.not better in Kantou.
If they want,no problem. Especially,when they live near and have chances of next visit.Actually,Tokyo Disneyland is full of repeaters.

Toys
Biccamera Store Guide
http://www.yodobashi-akiba.com/info/access.html

Appliance Store. A lot of toys are handled.
Yodobashi Camera(Akihabara) sowings are abundant.
Big Camera has Reward Card for the traveler.

KIDDY LAND: For the human smile, celebrating 60 years of history
There are a lot of kinds(price is high)

Hi----------price--------Low
kiddyland>>>>>>Yodobashi>BigCamera

wide variety
Yodobashi=kiddyland>>>BigCamera


Ueno is a maze! There are a lot of shops also in the alley, and looking for is serious.
Tokyo is a city where a lot of cultural assets following Kyoto and Nara exist.
The mountains part of Tokyo where it can go easily recently is also popular.
(Mt.mitake, Mt.takao, okutama)

I have no problem spending two weeks in Tokyo with only a couple of day trips out to other areas. I get pulled into so many interesting things in every neighborhood I visit I need at least a day for each, sometime two if I run out of time. There are a few flea markets but I have only managed to get to the one on the first Sunday of the month that's at the Togo Shrine in Harajuku. I've picked up some cool antique and vintage things.

Tokyo is currently the holder of the world's most Michelin three star (highest rating) restaurants which was a huge deal last year when they beat out Paris for the most three star dining spots. I think you'll find some perfectly good food when visiting Tokyo if you're a foodie. ;)

Thank you! Your information was very usefull!:pompoms:

I think Inokashira Park have flea markets every weekend, especially sunday.
and the park itself is worth a visit too.

I am not a flea market fan, but I think there is a website where u can check flea market schedule all over tokyo. maybe just google flea market tokyo.

Yeah, I have tried that, but a lot of the websites are out of date, and don't tell you when the markets are actually being held. Thanks so much for the info!

Thanks fo much for replying!! Do you know if the Harajuku market is still on?? I heard somewhere on the internet that it was cancelled earlier this year. Gutted, because it sounds amazing!
Cheers again!
Lisa.

うらやましいなあああ!

I'm not sure if you have checked this out already but sakura house compiled some flea market areas which might be worth your time

Flea market in Tokyo Japan | Tokyo apartment, Guest house, guesthouse room in Japan - Sakura House

flea markets Schedule (JP Language only)

東京のフリーマーケット情報
フリーマーケットへ行こう！（フリマ開催情報）
フリマ開催日程 - フリーマーケット楽市楽座

The plan an itinerary of visit to Japan?

Accessibility is the difference, in my experience. Really good international cuisine in Tokyo seems more expensive than it is in Kansai.

In Kanto people brag how expensive things cost. In Kansai they brag how cheap things cost.

Again, she said it is a kind of "foodie" vacation. I am just recommending where the best food is, not only in my personal opinion, but what I have heard time and time again from people from both parts of the country.

What is popular in Kansai compared to Kanto is different when it comes to soba. You can say neither is better, but try takoyaki or okonomiyaki in Kansai, then try and eat it in Tokyo. I have never wanted to return food in Japan before, but the sad excuse for okonomiyaki I got in Tokyo.

On top of that, pound for pound (and yen for yen) the Italian food (spaghetti, pizza, etc.) has been better and a better value in Kansai.

If that is convenient for them, that is fine, but, again they said it was a foodie vacation. I wouldn't go to Tomorrowland to see the Haunted Mansion.

Right, i totally forgot about the market in Inokashira Koen.
The market on Sunday is kind of an artist market where they mainly sell selfmade stuff, like photos or pictures or some other handcrafts. This is a really nice place to go as there is almost always someone playing musik and there is a lake in the park. Its especially beautifull in Autum. It can be combined with visiting the Ghibli Museum (if you are interested, book tickets ahead) and a stroll through kichijoji (in walking distance) is very nice as well, as this is a spot where many Tokyotes go to hang out or shop but its not so popular with tourists.

Have fun