Posted by stefaan on Monday, 8. February 1999 at 20:42 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Tokyo before Bali posted by Cindy on Sunday, 7. February 1999 at 08:21 Bali Time:
I stayed in Tokyo last year and I can recommend a short stay in Ueno. It is the first station you reach from the airport and it takes little less then one hour with the 'narita airport express'. Ueno has a wonderful park next to the station. In the park you can find several museums, the Ueno zoo with its famous panda's and a nice little temple on the small island in the middle of the small lake in the park. I think life in the park stops when all the museums close so you shouldn't arrive there after 6.00 pm. If you want to eat something you might want to take a train to Tokyo station. It is only a few minutes away from Ueno. In Ginza (the area around Tokyo station) you will find a lot of departement stores and resaurants. You can eat there and see the royal palace (only the outside since it is not public!) at the same time. I would like to recommend the restaurants on the upper flour of almost every department store. The food is very nice, quite cheap and you are served very quickly + you can point at the plastic food displays to show the waiters what you want to eat. And believe me, you will need to point because English will not get you very far in Japan. Only young people speak english (and seldomn good).
Strolling around in Ueno park and visiting the royal palace and having a bite is the most you can get out of a short day in Tokyo.
Check the Ueno section in the 'Japan' lonely planet guide where you can find a small map of Ueno the will set you of. Visit the link below and you will find more info provided by the Jpanese National Travel Organisation. I think they will send you walking tour maps if you ask for them. They are very helpfull!