36 Hours in Eastern Tokyo

The café right over the train tracks sounds like a good place to spend some time. Next time I want to check it out. This article reminds me of one of the problems I have with Tokyo. I was there for five days, saw really good things each day, was thinking, I really saw the good stuff, then read this article and there is not one place, that I've been to. That's what huge Tokyo is all about. :-)
Some friends of mine are totally into Manga and they have been to places, that I've also never been. Just in that case I maybe don't regret it as much as with this article. :-)
A third remark: I'm a blogger and I wrote an extensive article about things, that can be done In Tokyo, from classic to crazy. If it is ok, I'll post the link here: http://www.dontworryjusttravel.com/asiapacific/japan/what-to-do-in-tokyo/. It's hard to name a favourite, but maybe that huge fish market of Tokyo would be one or all these small restaurants with a menu ticket vending machine, that can be found around train stations in small corners on the side ot the train tracks.
Which brings me to my fourth and last remark: In Kyoto everyone checks out the temples. You should also spend time in the amazing main train station, an architecture gem in my opinion. I especially liked sipping a coffee and watching all the commuters catching the trains during rush hour in the main hall.

I just got back from spending some time in this area and falling in love. I visited Gallery Ishi in the Okuno Building mentioned in the article. The building is one of the oldest gallery buildings in Tokyo, if not Japan. The article was great, except for the map. You have to show the Yamanote Line on the map. Yamanote Line is the major landmark in Tokyo that people navigate themselves with. Knowing where the various stations are, you know approximately where you stand in the vast city. You don't drive in Tokyo, you ride the train and the subway.

Another lodging possibility is the Tokyo Station Hotel, beautifully restored, close to the Imperial Gardens and Ginza, and a nice stroll away from the Tsukiji Fish Market. I find Tokyo one of the easiest cities to navigate and to experience -- the people are so helpful, the transportation system is well laid out and reliable, and there are adventures to be had everywhere.

Anyone know how to best utilize the map with YOUR google maps?

Can't seem to really get the two to work together.
The "Save to Maps" sounds great - but doesn't seem to work :(

The author describes Tokyo as "one of the most daunting cities for foreign visitors." I've never understood this. Tokyo is fairly easy to navigate, clean, and orderly. Tranquil green spaces abound in the cities giant parks and gardens. Outside of Ginza, Shibuya, and other hubs, there are many quiet streets to escape from the crowds. The Japanese are incredibly helpful and customer service puts the US to shame. Compared to NYC, Tokyo is easy.

An interesting albeit incomplete slice of things to do with a short time in Tokyo. Having spent some time there, I can say that there's probably a lifetime's worth of culture, food, and entertainment to be found.

I do have one critique in that, for lodging, one would be remiss not to suggest staying in a traditional ryokan style hotel wherever one goes in Japan.

My Japanese-American barber--visiting Tokyo-- avoided locals who wanted to practice their English on her; instead, her two kids were American ambassadors! It must feel nice to meet foreigners with such an interest.
As a west coast native, I have enjoyed San Francisco's Japan Town as well as Denver's Sakura Square. For instance, a shoji screen has enhanced my porch for the past thirty years. Furthermore, the honesty to be found in this culture is admirable.

Under lodging, you have listed a hotel that goes for over $700 a night. Come on, NYTimes, it is just not affordable for the average New Yorker much less American. If a writer for the Times cannot afford it, then you shouldn't be recommending a hotel catering to the 1 percenters.

great article. another nice hotel option as a base of operation for a short stay is the mandarin oriental in ginza. walkable from most of the locations in this article and a bit cheaper than the luxe lodging mentioned.