The Singapore Forum

So, having never been to Japan, am thinking of taking a short trip (around 4 days) next month and would be grateful for advice on Tokyo vs Osaka...and any tips for both places, really.

Accommodation, eating, sights, shopping...all recommendations appreciated!

Tokyo = Sydney
Osaka = Melbourne

Osaka is also a short hop from Kyoto where japanese history is still alive.

Never been to Osaka but Tokyo is great. Nev knows a lot and can write up something tonight

Only 4 days? You should start with Tokyo.
I would highly recommend Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku hotel (http://goo.gl/maps/GXoYx), clean, convenient, and there's a direct bus to/from the airport. Also everything you want to buy in Tokyo, you can find in Shinjuku or nearby Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya.
Shopping: Takashimaya Times Square and Tokyu Hands (in the same building) in Shinjuku. Tokyu Hands has all kinds of things you never thought you need, I can spend hours there. Harajuku has Laforet, which is an entire building full of women's clothes, and little streets full of quirky shops. Shibuya has 109, which is an even bigger building full of women's clothes (shibuya109.jp/en/top). Mostly local brands. Roppongi Hills is also quite interesting, the Diesel brand in Japan somehow has better (and different) stuff than the shop here, maybe because their Japan buyer has better taste in fashion? Roppongi Hills has more international brands.

Sightseeing: I would highly recommend Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku (you can go shopping after). It's probably one of the oldest and largest shrines in Tokyo, and still being used for wedding ceremonies, usually there are a few during the day. It's very tranquil and the surrounding forested area is beautiful.
You should also do a day trip or overnight trip to Hakone, up in the mountains. It's beautiful and on a very clear day you can see Mount Fuji. Try the hot springs!

Eating - I've never had a bad meal in Japan so you should be OK even if you don't know what you're eating. My favorite places:
Satou Steakhouse in Kichijoji - Best steak I've ever had. Place is a hole in the wall, but the beef OMG. They use the famous beef from Matsuzaka, worth every penny (and it's a pretty penny) I'd go for the highest-grade beef. http://goo.gl/maps/EKZ22
Gogyo ramen - My favorite ramen place, that happens to also be a bar. It's opposite Hardy's Barracks in Roppongi, near Roppongi Hills. PM me if you need a map with walking directions/subway exit number. http://goo.gl/maps/UYSQH. Google Travelling Hungryboy's blog for the review.
Maisen tonkatsu - famous for the deep-fried breaded pork chops. Its Harajuku location was formerly a traditional bath house, charming. http://goo.gl/maps/zrOF3

When are you going? June, Jul are very hot, August is hot and crazy rainy in Tokyo.

Thanks Nev! Thinking of going next month, though probably too late for cherry blossom season, unfortunately.

Guess Osaka would need more time to explore, although I do love Melbourne

April in Tokyo is lovely, you might still be able to see some cherry blossoms in some places if you're lucky. Try Inokashira Park in Kichijoji.

Also this is a great club/lounge/bar to check out for evening entertainment: http://goo.gl/maps/mHg1y It's called Feria at Grace Roppongi building. The last time I was there I ran smack bang into Rihanna!

Did you give her your autograph?

Any other recommendations re eating places - vegetarian / seafood menus ?

Honestly I didn't even know who she was my friend made me listen to her song when we got back to the hotel. This was 2006 when she was not that famous yet.

Vegetarian I love vegetables but I'll never be a vegetarian. I'm a carnivore of the worst kind, I eat anything with legs except for tables. That said, fruits and vegetables in Japan are nothing like what you get elsewhere, even the humble potato tastes better somehow. You should try this local turnip called kabu, I used to hate turnips (they remind me of stupid people-sorry turnips!), but I loved kabu. Seafood is great everywhere, but if you want specific restaurants, I'd recommend this website http://www.bento.com/info-search.html you can search for vegetarian. Their reviews are spot on, look for the star that indicates high recommendation. A quick search landed here:

http://www.bento.com/r-veg.html
http://www.bento.com/gmaps/veg.html
http://www.bento.com/r-unagi.html
http://www.bento.com/r-fish.html

You should also try tempura restaurants, they can do seafood&veg only. Tsunahachi is a good bet, if you want the higher-end Tsunahachi Rin in Shinjuku is particularly excellent. Also sushi and sashimi are mostly seafood so you should be safe there, just say no to whale meat! Midori-zushi is a good mid-range sushi restaurant with branches everywhere.

For the more expensive restaurants, try to go at lunchtime, it's much cheaper! Also you should ask a Japanese friend to write "vegetables and seafood only" in Japanese.

OSAKA reflects the traditional Japan and the Tokyo reflects totally the modern Japan. If you are in AUS then what is the difference between Sydney and Brisbane... All the cities have their own worth and importance. So if you are prioritizing one over other then it would not be fair.

Have you been yet? I just found this guide: http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/esca ... kyo-753662

Skip the towers, they're not that special.

generation.Z wrote:OSAKA reflects the traditional Japan and the Tokyo reflects totally the modern Japan. If you are in AUS then what is the difference between Sydney and Brisbane... All the cities have their own worth and importance. So if you are prioritizing one over other then it would not be fair.

I don't know why I'm bothering to respond to this, but anyway...

Isn't 'prioritizing one place over another' the whole the basis of travel?? You choose where to go based on a whole host of subjective points like: what do I really want to see? How much do I have to spend? Which place has more of the type of stuff I'm interested in? Etc. I'm not getting how 'it's not fair.'