Getting to Japan is a dream for anyone interested in discovering new places, cultures and people. In the late autumn of 2015, Ive managed to to visit the country to visit her family who are now based in Japan. Our long-time plans of visiting the country together as a couple became a reality during the holidays. Best of all, we spent not just a few days but almost two weeks(!!!) in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Although the more popular destinations for many travelers these days is Osaka or Kyoto, Tokyo remains a prominent and must-visit destination in Japan being the country’s capital and seat of government and the Imperial family. So en route to our ultimate destination which is Toyama Prefecture, we spent about three days in one of the busiest and most amazing metropolis we’ve been to so far.

WHAT TO DO in Tokyo

Shibuya Crossing. You haven’t been to Tokyo if you haven’t set foot in the famous Shibuya Crossing. Located within Shibuya ward, this commercial area, surrounded by fashion shops and restaurants, is perhaps Tokyo’s busiest district. Some of its popular fashion strips and districts include Center Gai, Koen Dori and Shibuya 109. The sea of people crossing the busy intersection has become a popular sight in this area. Join the crowd in crossing the street or go inside the Starbucks Coffee just across the Hachiko statue to get a good view of the crossing. Coming to Shibuya is very convenient since almost all subway trains stops at Shibuya Station, one of Tokyo’s busiest.

Hachiko Statue. Who can not recognize Japan’s most loyal dog? The statue located just outside the Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station is perhaps one of the most famous attractions and most accessible around the district. Just a few steps from the statue is the famous Shibuya Crossing.

Tokyo Skytree. Neither sky or tree,  this landmark structure is actually a broadcast tower. At 634 meters, it is Japan’s highest structure and one of the world’s tallest towers. Some of the amazing features of the Skytree are its two observation decks at 350 meters and 450 meters above ground which are accessible to visitors. These observation decks provide a 360-degree view of Tokyo. On a clear day, Mt. Fuji is visible from the tower. In its base, there is a shopping complex. Fast Skytree ticket costs 3,000 yen each (350m deck) and 4,000 yen (both decks). For Hayao Miyazaki fans, don’t miss the Studio Ghibli shop at the base of the tower. For ticket information, please visit the Tokyo Skytree website. You can also avail of Tokyo Skytree deals of KKday.

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū). This is a Shinto shrine built in dedication to Emperor Meiji, Japan’s first modern emperor, in the 1920s. Typical features of a Japanese shrine can be found here such as the Torii, an entrance marker of the shrine which usually comes in orange or black. Beside the shrine’s offering hall, one can find an Ema where visitors can write their wishes on wooded plates. Along the trail towards the offering hall, there is a large collection of sake barrels which are offered by breweries all over the country to the deities in the shrine. Before entering the complex, you can try the cleansing ritual of hands and mouth. The Shrine is conveniently located right outside Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line), Meiji Shrine and beside Yoyogi Park. Entrance is FREE.

Mount Fuji (Fuji-san). It is Japan’s highest peak and one of the highest in the far east. This symbol of Japan is also the country’s prime tourist attraction. From downtown Tokyo, it is possible to see the summit of Mt. Fuji from the Tokyo Skytree on a clear day. Climbers can go up Mt. Fuji during summer. In other seasons, it offers a picturesque landscape, particularly its iconic snow-capped peak. There are commuter buses going to the surrounding attractions of the mountain park.

The Shinkansen (Bullet Train). The Shinkansen is Japan’s premier train system that operates and connects the country’s three major islands. Operated by the Japan Railways or JR, it is best known for its speed of up to 300 kph and is recognized for its on-time schedules (we are living witnesses to this). It is a must to experience riding it at least once in your life. The Shinkansen is also a wise travel option if you want to cover as many destinations around Japan in a limited time. Despite its relatively expensive fare, many Japanese and tourists still prefer taking the bullet train for its convenience and for the wonderful scenery along its routes. JR also offers the JR Pass, a time-bound pass that offers free rides in almost all Shinkansen and JR trains as well as select city bus lines around Japan. It can be bought online or even locally through Japan Visa accredited agencies in Manila.

Tokyo Tower. Another iconic Japanese landmark, the Tokyo Tower stands a bit shorter than the Tokyo Skytree at 333 meters. It also functions both as a broadcast tower and an observatory. There are two observation decks — the Main Observatory (150 meters) and the Special Observatory (250 meters) — which offer amazing views of the city. Tickets cost 900 yen for adults, 500 yen for children above the age of four, and 400 yen for kids below age four. There are restaurants, souvenir shops, and a themed One Piece shop for fans of Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates at the base of the tower. The Tokyo Tower is accessible by bus or by JR Line (Hamamatsucho Line). See more details here.

Enroll in Cooking Class in Tokyo by airKitchen. Experience authentic Japanese cooking classes straight from local Tokyo homes. Learn sushi-making, bento boxes, ramen and many more authentic Japanese cuisines.

Other Popular Attractions:

Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea 2-Day Pass – Klook Travel, Akihibara Shopping District, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Shinjuku area, Tsukiji Fish Market etc.

ENTRY VISA

Since 2007, the application, processing and releasing of VISA for visit to Japan is being undertaken through accredited agencies duly recognized by the Japanese government. In our case, we applied for Visa at Reli Tours SM Megamall Branch. We learned that they offer the lowest service fee for Tourist Visa among other agencies. They also have branches in SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM South Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall and Dusit Thani Hotel. Their mall-based branches are open the whole week. Normally, Visa processing takes 3-4 days. The complete requirements and process can be found here.

It is also critical that you can prove that you are able to finance your visit or tour in Japan, so it is a must that your available money could cover all your expenses (accommodation, food, fares, entrance fees, etc) in the duration of your stay. The agency will inform the applicant if the Passport is available for pickup. You will only know the result upon pickup. At any time, reason/s for denial of Visa is not divulged by the Embassy. Hence, it is IMPORTANT to complete the requirements and strictly follow the process. Check our comprehensive Visa guide for Filipino tourists here and for multiple entry visa applications here.

GETTING THERE

The usual port of entry to Tokyo is via Narita Airport or Haneda Airport. Travel time from Manila is around 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take flights via Nagoya or Osaka. If coming from Osaka (Kansai Airport), you can ride a train via Shinkansen/JR Line or bus bound for Tokyo. If entering through Nagoya (Chubu-Centrair Airport), you can take Shinkansen (Bullet Train) for 2 hours or Bus for 6 hours (Willer Express) to Tokyo. Port of Entries: Tokyo (Narita/Haneda), Osaka (Kansai) and Nagoya (Chubu).

From Manila, various airlines operate these routes, including full service carriers such as Philippine Airlines, ANA and Japan Airlines. However, in recent years, budget carriers have also mounted regular flights to/from these destinations. So far, we have experienced Cebu Pacific and Jetstar Airways out of Manila and bound for Osaka, Tokyo (Narita) and Nagoya. Philippines Air Asia has also started flying out from Clark to Osaka. Vanilla Air, ANA’s budget carrier, also mounts flights coming out of Cebu to Tokyo. From our research and experience, we found out that Jetstar actually offers lower year-round rates to Japan. Cebu Pacific rates are relatively affordable and could get low during seat sales. These are the destinations of said budget carriers: Jetstar: Manila-Tokyo, Nagoya & Osaka / Cebu Pacific: Manila-Tokyo, Nagoya & Osaka, Cebu-Tokyo, Cebu-Osaka and Vanilla Air: Cebu-Tokyo.

WHERE TO STAY

Compared to other cities in Japan and even other capital cities in Asia, accommodation is quite pricey in Tokyo. However, you can always look for budget accommodations via online booking sites like Agoda.com. These types of affordable accommodations range from dorm or backpacking-type inns or apartments which are shared with other tourists/guests. If this arrangement is not comfortable with you, you can always look for or select private rooms at a higher rate. Another good option is Airbnb, which offers probably the lowest rates within and around Tokyo. Our last query indicated rates below Php 2,000 per person per day on shared room/dorm type (Shinjuku area).

Getting Around Tokyo

Taxi fares in Tokyo are quite expensive. The most efficient mode of transport is through Tokyo’s Subway System.

Train/Subway. Given its population and the fast-paced lifestyle of the Tokyo metropolis, its transport system is probably one of the most efficient yet complicated at the same time. For first time visitors like us, we were anxious that it might complicate our itinerary and plans. However, we learned that its not as hard as it could be, save for the deluge of people converging at Tokyo Station especially during rush hour. Therefore, it’s best to plan your itinerary so you can research ahead your route/directions to your destination. Train maps are available all over the web. Just familiarize yourself with the routes beforehand. In our case, we just approached the information counters for directions/guides. There are English speaking staff who can assist you. Subways Line also offer DAY PASSES for tourists. This can be very convenient and cheaper option than buying individual tickets.

SAMPLE ITINERARY & BUDGET

Below is a matrix similar to our itinerary with a mix of actual and indicative budget items. For the airfare, please note that our port of entry is through Tokyo’s Narita Airport and we based our ALL-IN fare computation of 12,000/pax from the lowest rate (4,000/way) to include Add-Ons (Baggage, Meals), which you can skip by the way. If you decide to arrive via Nagoya, you will have to shell out additional Php 400 (Non-reserved Seat) for the Meitetsu Line (Nagoya Airport-Nagoya Station, 30mins) and Php 4,500 for the Shinkansen Tokaido Line (Nagoya-Tokyo, 2hours).

Travel Notes

• Always be polite to locals. The Japanese are perhaps the most polite of people.
• Learn basic conversational Nihongo. It is very helpful especially in asking for directions.
• Food in restaurants can be really pricey. An option is to refrain from eating in restaurants especially in commercial areas where you can allot enough amount (about 1000 yen) for a meal or two in fast food. For the penny-pinchers, there are convenience stores all around. Chicken karaage and onigiri in Lawson, Family Mart or 7-11 are common and affordable. Fast foods are also another option.

For affordable and convenient deals, check out online travel operators.

Visit these websites for comprehensive guides about Tokyo and Japan: Japan Tourism, Tokyo Travel Guide and Japan Guide. #

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