I would say it is wild cherry blossoms glowing in the morning sun!
- Motoori Norinaga
HOW TO GET AROUND TOKYO?
We decided to purchase the JR Suica Card since the hotel we chose is just 5 minutes walking distance from Hamamatsucho Station. Hamamatsucho Station is the last station on the Haneda Express Monorail that takes you to Tokyo. This is where you also change lines to go to other neighborhoods. Hamamatsucho Station is conveniently included on the JR Yamanote Line. JR Yamanote Line (green line) loops to all the places we want to see (click here if you want to see the stops on the JR Yamanote Line). A complete circle is 35km and takes about 60 minutes while visiting 29 stations (source: Tokyo Moob).
WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO?
Like in every city, we suggest for you to do is to make sure that your hotel is in close proximity to train and subway stations. This will make your life very easy in navigating the largest metropolis in the world, no matter which neighborhood you choose.
For us, we wanted to have ease in bringing our luggage from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to Tokyo Station. Since we planned to take the shinkansen (bullet) train from Tokyo Station to Kyoto, we made sure that the area of the hotel is very convenient to get around the city. Hamamatsucho Station is just one stop away from Tokyo Station. This way, we do not feel the need to rush to get to the station to catch the shinakansen train, especially they leave on the dot. However, because Tokyo's so well connected by rail, staying outside of the city center is a viable option that will save you money.
PLANNING THE ITINERARY
Here's our two cents how to enjoy your 48 hours in Tokyo during spring time:
SAY HELLO TO HACHIKO IN SHIBUYA
CROSS THE BUSIEST INTERSECTION IN THE WORLD
HAVE A HOT BOWL OF RAMEN
VISIT MEIJI JINGU SHRINE
ENJOY HANAMI AT YOYOGI PARK
WHAT-THE-HECK! PASS BY TAKESHITA STREET ANYWAY
GO TO MEMORY LANE/ PISS ALLEY AND EAT YOUR HEART OUT!
Read 48 Hours in Tokyo: Part 2, here.