Limitations on going into town during 48hr stay in JPN?

[stolid_revenge]

In late June I will be travelling to Mongolia through ANA (All Nippon Airways). The plane will take off from Dulles Washington DC and land in ANA Hotel Narita. I will basically be there for about one to one and a half days in Japan until I go on my plane to Beijing the next morning. To make the best of it I pretty much plan to not sleep the entire time in Japan.

My questions are:
1. Am I allowed to leave the hotel to go visit downtown Tokyo?
2. If so what kind specific documentation do I have to acquire if any?
3. Will it be expensive to visit Tokyo from ANA Hotel Narita. I'm guessing it's about 70 kms from Tokyo, if not please tell.
4. Any tips on making the best of this short time in Japan? I will be going through it twice like this. One on the way and one on the way back.

Thank you

[AssKissinger]

1. Am I allowed to leave the hotel to go visit downtown Tokyo?

Of course

2. If so what kind specific documentation do I have to acquire if any?

You should probably carry your passport but I've never been asked for ID after six years in Japan. You don't need any other document since you're already in the country.

3. Will it be expensive to visit Tokyo from ANA Hotel Narita. I'm guessing it's about 70 kms from Tokyo, if not please tell.

The hotel should have a free shuttle to the airport from there I think it's about 3,000 (30usd) yen to get into the city.

4. Any tips on making the best of this short time in Japan? I will be going through it twice like this. One on the way and one on the way back

For me just people watching in Shibuya and Shinjuku is pretty cool. Get some ramen have a beer. Maybe I should defer to some of the Tokyoites we got here.

[Taro Toporific]

3. Will it be expensive to visit Tokyo from ANA Hotel Narita. I'm guessing it's about 70 kms from Tokyo, if not please tell.

Take the Airport "Limousine" Bus, it's what I always use...
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/e/index.html
"the journey to central Tokyo takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the traffic and costs around 3000 one-way. The buses depart from the Airport outside the Arrivals Floor of Terminals 1 and 2." Ask at your hotel's front desk which bus is the best.

The ANA Hotel Narita is just a free 10 minute shuttle ride from the Narita International Airport. Some buses will go directly from ANA Hotel Narita to the airport and then to downtown Tokyo. Rather than getting out at TCATS, Tokyo's bus station which is uninteresting you might get out a Shibuya hotel to hook up with randy schoolgirls or stop at the "Lost in Translation" Hiatt hotel to be a real f'ed gaijin.

[stolid_revenge]

The ANA Hotel Narita is just a free 10 minute shuttle ride from the Narita International Airport. Some buses will go directly from ANA Hotel Narita to the airport and then to downtown Tokyo. Rather than getting out at TCATS, Tokyo's bus station which is uninteresting you might get out a Shibuya hotel to hook up with randy schoolgirls or stop at the "Lost in Translation" Hiatt hotel to be a real f'ed gaijin.

Sorry to ask so many questions but I want to know a couple of things beforehand to make the best of it you know.

1. Does the bus have multiple stops on the way? I'm guessing since you mentioned Shibuya I guess I don't have to get off at TCATS.

2. Do the buses run all night?

3. Any faster method of getting to downtown tokyo? Maybe for about 20$ more I would be willing to take a bit faster transportation.

Thanks

[mr. sparkle]

i think the narita express is the high stylin' way to arrive in the big T. you take it from the airport and it takes a bit more than an hour. you can get out at shinjuku and have your 24 hour lost in translation fix right off.



i agree, you should get a hotel in town rather than cutting off your "fun" at 11PM. it's much more fun stumbling around tokyo without any time limits to your single night of fun.

stay in a love hotel in shibuya instead!

[Taro Toporific]

double post

[Taro Toporific]

2. Do the buses run all night?

Welcome to the stalinist worker paradise, Japan, where all good little wage slaves should go home and get ready for tomorrow's work. There are almost no night buses and absolutely no night trains.


Last airport bus is 7ish, last airport train in 11-ish. Taxi is $230 and up. Warning: the last trains are puke-filled and very confusing since they only go to Nartia City which is 30 minutes away from the your airport hotel by taxi. You could play it safe take the Grey Line "Night Tour" of Tokyo.

Via the Tokyo Tourist Bureau....

BY TRAIN
Always crowded! The train is the standard way to get from A to B. ...
BY BUS
...There are no night buses. The service usually stops at around 10:00pm.
A map and timetable is available from the bus station in the basement of Shinjuku Station.
BY TAXI
For non-Japanese speakers taxis are not an easy option. To travel in confidence you really need to have your destination written down in Japanese. Having done this, still don't be alarmed if the driver suddenly stops and pulls out a large A-Z map.

[stolid_revenge]

Aye it seems it's impossible to go to Tokyo without missing my plane next morning.

I guess I can expore the area around the ANA Hotel Narita

meh I'll visit Japan for real later

[Taro Toporific]

Aye it seems it's impossible to go to Tokyo without missing my plane next morning.
I guess I can expore the area around the ANA Hotel Narita
meh I'll visit Japan for real later

No it ain't impossible. Here's a "doable" schedule:
Check into your hotel by 5pm.
Take the hotel shuttle to the NEX train in the basement of the airport.
Arrive in Shinjuku at 7pm.
ATTACK Kabukicho like Godzilla till 10-10:30pm.
BEFORE 11pm, drag your freshly STD-polluted butt back to Nartia.

Use the Train Calculator here to figure it out.
http://www.zone81.com/arch_sections/trains/japan_travel_calculator

The important point is to start heading back to your Narita hotel well before 11pm or you will be doing the night like Mr. Sparkle in the stairwell of some soapland.

[Taro Toporific]

I guess I can expore the area around the ANA Hotel Narita

The Narita Temple complex is huge and Japanese consider it very impressive (if you like fake concrete temples). Since concrete is the only true religion of Japan, your experience will be more authentic than if you went to a cultural Disneyland like Kyoto.

[ramchop]

What time does the plane leave?

You could always pull an all-nighter and catch the first train (Keisei Ueno 5:03am - Narita Airport 6:45am (only 1000yen)) the morning of departure.

[AssKissinger]

I guess I can expore the area around the ANA Hotel Narita

Well, you won't be very impressed.

[stolid_revenge]

the plane leaves around 11 AM I think, but I don't want to risk it esp if there are any problems.

Missing a plane means a month in Mongolia is ruined, after all that is the main goal of my trip.

[Caustic Saint]

Missing a plane means a month in Mongolia is ruined, after all that is the main goal of my trip.

I've heard they have really good barbeque there.

[kamome]

the plane leaves around 11 AM I think, but I don't want to risk it esp if there are any problems.

Missing a plane means a month in Mongolia is ruined, after all that is the main goal of my trip.

If your plane leaves at 11AM, you should plan on being at the ticket counter in Narita between 8 and 9AM. If you take ramchop's advice, and take the first or second express train to the airport that morning (with a stop at your hotel first if needed), you should have ample time. Granted, the distance between Tokyo and the airport is a real hindrance and you have to ask yourself if you want to put your body through all that just for an overnight binge in the city.

[Taro Toporific]

the plane leaves around 11 AM I think, but I don't want to risk it esp if there are any problems.

Sooooo, take the Hato bus tour, "Tokyo by Night"...it's actually rather fun. Even though I've lived here 20+ years I have taken the tour because friends were on a package tour. The Kabuki tour was a fine introduction to the art and the "Nightlife" was fun in a tacky, clean-sleaze Los Vegas way. The Hato bus people will figure out a reasonable, affordable, no-Japanese-required way to get you back your hotel if you SPECIFICALLY ask them to "guarantee" it (or they won't sell you the tour ticket). The ANA Hotel front desk will know how to make all the arrangements---ask them when you get to your hotel.

Kabuki Night 9,800yen (Adult) Tokyo Nightlife 6,500yen (Adult)
http://www.hatobus.co.jp/english/tour/index.html

[Taro Toporific]

I guess I can expore the area around the ANA Hotel Narita

Even though, I've trashed the idea of visiting Narita Temple, actually it ranks in the top ten in Japan in sheer size. Visiting it will be a hell of a lot better than watching the planes takeoff from your hotel window.

[stolid_revenge]

I guess I can expore the area around the ANA Hotel Narita

Even though, I've trashed the idea of visiting Narita Temple, actually it ranks in the top ten in Japan in sheer size. Visiting it will be a hell of a lot better than watching the planes takeoff from your hotel window.

Yeah I'm sure we'll figure something out, since I'm travelling with my friend. He's american and I'm Mongolian, been living in the US for about 6 years now. So it's exciting for me to go back to my home country for a visit.

[Big Booger]

Whatever you do, don't take that nearly 3 man yen taxi.. what a rip off.

[AssKissinger]

I think we need your exact arrival and departure times to seriously advise.

[Taro Toporific]

Missing a plane means...

What to do in Nartia for a 13-hour layover....
http://www.mgnewman.com/narita/

[leathernick]

Missing a plane means...

What to do in Nartia for a 13-hour layover....
http://www.mgnewman.com/narita/

hey taro. is there an equivalent site for a long layover in osaka (actually kansai)? PM me plz if you have the info. thx in advance.