Re: Travel to Tokyo
Not a problem! I hated how all of the guidebooks say the same basic thing. I tried to go to as many offbeat places as possible.
The Cat Cafe was one of the places I got lost trying to find and had to step aside on the street and fumble with my map for a good ten minutes. If I remember correctly, when you leave Akihabara station, going straight, you'll reach one street, and then you want to turn right, and at the next intersection go left, and then right on the next street. So it's the second street over from the train station, running parallel to the tracks, on the right hand side of the street. You'll have to pay close attention to the buildings because it doesn't have a sign that sticks out or anything, but you'll know it right away because the door handle is shaped like a cat's paw. The Akihabara Wikitravel page gives this information:
Speaking of guidebooks, these are the two I took with me to Tokyo and found very useful:
Tokyo Subway Guidebook
Tokyo City Atlas
As far as the places I stayed, they each had their pros and cons:
Khaosan Tokyo Annex
Pros:
Good location -- lots of restaurants, 99 yen store, really beautiful temple and outdoor marketplace, onsen
Free internet use in lobby with several computers
Heated toilets
Some free wi-fi
Bike rental
Kitchen w/stove, microwave, fridge, etc
TV in lobby
Helpful staff
Cons:
Difficult to find the first time
Certain floors don't have wi-fi
Private rooms more expensive
New Koyo
Pros:
Easy to find
Close to train station
Helpful staff
Free wi-fi in rooms
TV in room
Ofuro
Futon bed available
Single rooms affordable
Kitchen with stove/microwave/sink/free tea!
Cons:
Rooms can be chilly
Not as much around
Single computer in lobby costs money after 15 min use
I've always said that if I go back to Tokyo to visit I would stay in the New Koyo, because I like the atmosphere of it, especially the bath and futon, but I'm also really glad I stayed at the Khaosan because Asakusa is a wonderful neighborhood. Honestly, if you're staying more than a few days I recommend splitting your stay between multiple hotels, because that gives you a chance to experience more.
Originally posted by turtlegirl
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The Cat Cafe was one of the places I got lost trying to find and had to step aside on the street and fumble with my map for a good ten minutes. If I remember correctly, when you leave Akihabara station, going straight, you'll reach one street, and then you want to turn right, and at the next intersection go left, and then right on the next street. So it's the second street over from the train station, running parallel to the tracks, on the right hand side of the street. You'll have to pay close attention to the buildings because it doesn't have a sign that sticks out or anything, but you'll know it right away because the door handle is shaped like a cat's paw. The Akihabara Wikitravel page gives this information:
Neko JaLaLa (ねこJaLaLa), 東京都千代田区外神田3-5-5 1F (8 mins from Akihabara station: on the next main road west after Chuo-doori, about 7 or 8 blocks north of the Chuo railway line. Look for a brown sliding door with a cat's foot), ☎ 03-3258-2525 (shop@nekojalala.com), [13]. 11AM-7PM. A recent phenomenon in Tokyo has been the rise of 'cat cafes': you play with the shop's (very clean) cats while drinking tea. You'll be asked to remove your shoes and wash your hands on entry. You'll also be gently pressured to order one of their drinks. It's a different experience. ¥500 for first 30 minutes, then ¥150 for each ten minutes. Drinks are ¥300 to ¥500.
Speaking of guidebooks, these are the two I took with me to Tokyo and found very useful:
Tokyo Subway Guidebook
Tokyo City Atlas
As far as the places I stayed, they each had their pros and cons:
Khaosan Tokyo Annex
Pros:
Good location -- lots of restaurants, 99 yen store, really beautiful temple and outdoor marketplace, onsen
Free internet use in lobby with several computers
Heated toilets
Some free wi-fi
Bike rental
Kitchen w/stove, microwave, fridge, etc
TV in lobby
Helpful staff
Cons:
Difficult to find the first time
Certain floors don't have wi-fi
Private rooms more expensive
New Koyo
Pros:
Easy to find
Close to train station
Helpful staff
Free wi-fi in rooms
TV in room
Ofuro
Futon bed available
Single rooms affordable
Kitchen with stove/microwave/sink/free tea!
Cons:
Rooms can be chilly
Not as much around
Single computer in lobby costs money after 15 min use
I've always said that if I go back to Tokyo to visit I would stay in the New Koyo, because I like the atmosphere of it, especially the bath and futon, but I'm also really glad I stayed at the Khaosan because Asakusa is a wonderful neighborhood. Honestly, if you're staying more than a few days I recommend splitting your stay between multiple hotels, because that gives you a chance to experience more.
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