August 2023 I visited Tokyo, Japan.  It had not been my first trip to Tokyo, however my last trip to Japan had been ~ 15 years ago!  I had hoped to return sooner but COVID restrictiions got in the way.  In October 2022, Japan reopened to visa and agent-free foreign tourism!  I immediately started planning a trip for the following year.  In this review I will share the important details as it relates to the trip as well as offer suggestions for planning your own trip to Japan.

Flights:

The cost of flights to Japan have increased significantly since my last visit.  The cost was about triple what it was for my prior trip.  For me the increased cost wasn’t a deterrent and was worth every penny spent.

Airline - United Airlines (going) and All Nippon Airways (returning).  United has a partnership with ANA.

• Tip - Ideally the preference would be to fly First/Business Class.  Tickets for that section can cost upwards of $10,000 USD per person.  For me the cost isn’t worth it.  There are lots of other things I can do with $10,000 USD.  Consider Economy Plus seats instead.  It is the section right behind First/Business Class seats with much more room than seats in the Economy section.
  • The sections to the far left and far right accommodate two people per row.  
  • You get lots of extra perks, such as free alcoholic beverages, upgraded food menus and upgraded toiletries (blankets, socks, etc.).

Airports - Tokyo has two airports.  Haneda is the older airport but it is closer to city center of Tokyo.  Narita is the newer airport but it is further away from city center of Tokyo.  Both are really nice airports and you can’t go wrong with either choice.  My prior trip I flew in and out of Narita.  This trip I flew in and out of Haneda.  

Transportation:

Transportation To and From the Airport - there are several ways to get to and from the airports in Tokyo.  In a country as advanced as Tokyo it is not really something you have to be concerned about.  There are three main options you should consider.

• Airport Limousine Bus (least expensive)
  • Cost roughly $9.00 USD per person
  • Can be booked ahead or at the airport
  • Depending on where you are staying, drop offs could literally take you to your hotel or within walking distance
  • The type of transportation we chose for this trip.
• Subway and trains (fastest).  Train stations are not always close to your hotel.
• Private transportation (most expensive).

Lodging:

The are so many options to choose from in Tokyo!  So many options that it can be overwhelming if you haven’t visited Tokyo before.  For this visit we chose to stay at a brand new hotel named Hotel Groove!  Only in a place like Japan can you experience such unique hotel options.  Since the hotel had just opened a few months prior to our arrival I was able to get an unbelievable rate for our stay.

Highlights -

• Located in Shinjuku, one of the major areas in Tokyo.
• Active area with lots to do.
  • Shopping, eating, parks, museums, etc.
• Close to several train stations.
• Has a lot to offer.
  • Restaurant (JAM 17) that serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.
  • Occupies the 18th through the 38th floors in the Kabukicho Tower
    • We stayed in a Premium Suite on the 38th floor.
    • The room had two toilet rooms, two walk-in showers and occupied the entire side of the building.  It was amazing.
    • Microwave, refrigerator, coffee/tea and upscale toiletries.
    • Ceiling to floor windows with a magnificient view of the city.
  • You have access to everything in the Kabukicho Tower -
    • Yokocho Food Hall
    • Namco Gaming Arcade
    • Theater Milano
    • 109 Cinema premium movie theater
    • Zepp (Live venue)
    • Zerotokyo Club
    • Starbucks
    • An Airport Limousine Bus Stop is located right at the hotel.  Easy access to Haneda Airport.  You can make reservations and pay in advance.  Worry free transport.

Getting Around:

There are lots of ways to get aroud Tokyo.  Beware Tokyo IS NOT Uber friendly!.  You can take local buses, trains and taxis..  We chose to get JR Passes this time around.  For a flat fee you can ride any trains on the JR line as often as you need for a specific timeframe.  This proved to be very convenient.  It prevented us from having to keep local currency on our person for this purpose.

What To Do:

There is so much to do in Tokyo.  Since we had been there before we knew our way around and how to get to the things that we wanted to see and do.  Tokyo has gotten a lot better with posting signs in both Japanese and English since the olympics.  Just know that Japan is not a country that goes out of its’ way to accommodate other countries languages.  I apprciate this as it forces you to familiarize yourself with the local language.

Main Districts -

• Shinjuku - active adult area with plenty to do (shopping, eating, sightseeing, etc.)
• Ginza - upscale area with lots of highend retailers and Michelin Star restaurants
• Shibuya - commercial and financial district
• Akihabara - electronics and anime central
• Harjauku - street art and vintage clothing, Takeshita Street
• Several other areas worth visiting 

Food:

In my opinion, if you are not an adventurous eater, Japan is not the place for you.  You will have access to some familiar American eateries such as Subway and McDonalds.  Keep in mind that these restaurants menus will differ from those that you are accustomed to back home.  Japanese cuisine is my personal favorite and some of the best food in the world!  Immerse yourself in the culture and enjoy your food adventures there.

A Few Highlights from this Trip:

• Yayoi Kusama Museum although she has a controversial past she is one of my favorite artists.  She often does collaborations with Louis Vuitton.  All of her art centers around polka dots.
• Awa Odori dance festival occurs evey August (with exceptions like during COVID).  It offers you the opportunity to witness traditional Japanese dance that spans 400 years.
• Mount Fuji tour.  It is one of the most amazing sites you will ever see.
• Hakone is known for its’ natural hot springs.  A great place to visit if you are interested in culture and history.
• A trip to Japan would not be complete without going shopping!  Some of the best shopping you will ever experience.  One of my highlights was visiting Tower Records.  Very few brick and mortar stores still exist in the U.S.  Japan has several of them and they are always crowded with young people who are interested in music of all types.  I was able to score a vinyl album made by an old R&B/Funk band named Switch.  Something very hard to find in the U.S. 
• Food, food, food!  All I can say is that there are a plethora of restaurants.  A foodies paradise for sure!
• Haneda Airport.  A layover here is fun!  Highend shopping galore (i.e. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, the list goes on and on).  Lots of food outlets.  The airline lounges are EVERYTHING!

Final Thoughts:

I must admit that I am biased when it comes to Japan.  It is one of my favorite countries.  I love the culture, food, people and everything else about this place.  It should definitely be on your bucket list if you are a world traveler or if you desire to be one.  If you haven’t been before I’ll offer a few quick tips:

•  Plan ahead.  I’d recommend planning your trip a year in advance.  There are so many things you must consider (some mentioned above).  Each person is interested in different things and you can design your trip to meet your needs. 
• Research, research, research!  Do your research.  Know what to expect beofre you go and be prepared.  Doing this will make your trip less stressful and more pleasant.   Japanese for instance is the primary language spoken by young and old.  Learn a few common Japanese terms and phrases to show appreciation for the culture.

Check out the photos and video links to see some of the highlights from my most recent trip to Tokyo, Japan.