Toyko tips! Good accom near Tokyo Big Sight

[Glider_]

Hi All,

Mr Glider and I are going to check out the Robotics Expo in Tokyo at the end of November this year:
INTERNATIONAL ROBOT EXHIBITION 2017

Neither of us have been to Japan before, and have booked redemption flights into HND and out of KIX two weeks later. Any hot tips are greatly appreciated! I've seen there are a few threads with good info on them and am all ears.

Particularly though, we're looking for somewhere good to stay in Tokyo that's convenient to get to from HND and to get back and forth to the Tokyo Big Sight convention centre. Ideally about $250aud p/n, though I'm not sure if this is realistic.

Any suggestions?

 

[BacchusMarsh]

I wouldn't sweat the location too much. It's one train away from Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinbashi, Ikebukuro, and various other places with lots of accommodation, so you can pretty much take your pick.

 

[Himeno]

Accommodation on Odaiba is expensive.
There are 2 train lines that on Odaiba with stops near Tokyo Big Sight. Yurikamome and Rinkai. Some trains on the Rinkai line are through trains from the JR Saikyo Line (other trains on this line might require a change at Osaki). The Saikyo line has stops in Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro where you can find much more affordable places to stay.

Are you doing anything else in Tokyo other then this event? That could have baring on accommodation picks as well. There are direct buses from HND to most of the major centers in Tokyo (and some buses direct to selected hotels).
How are you planning to get to Osaka? Will you be staying in Osaka before your flight out of Kansai?

 

[Glider_]

Thanks for your reply Himeno,

Current level of planning = air tickets .

We've both wanted to go to Japan for a long time, but don't really know where to start to get the most out of our short time there. The expo is finally a solid reason to visit and build a holiday around.

The general idea was to spend 4-5 days in Tokyo attending the expo and fitting in as many other activities as possible (not sure what they might be yet!), then catching a bullet train and spending the rest of the time in Kyoto and Osaka. But the only definites are the Tokyo expo and at least a night near KIX on the way home.

We have a pretty wide range of interests: tech, tradition, wildlife, food, adventure activities. I think we just want to get a taste of as many unmissable things as possible in the short time we have, and come back again for more focused and leisurely trips in future.

 

[yohy?!]

sheraton in minato would work ok for you i think although might break the budget. love their lounge and japanese garden.

free shuttle to and from meguro station and to shinagawa station for haneda connection

 

[Glider_]

sheraton in minato would work ok for you i think although might break the budget. love their lounge and japanese garden.

free shuttle to and from meguro station and to shinagawa station for haneda connection

Looks great and the rates aren't too bad if booked this far ahead ($265pn in taxes for basic rooms)

 

[Himeno]

If you are getting at least 3 long distance intercity trains, a JR pass might be worth a look. However, the JR passes aren't much use in the cities. You can use them for free travel on JR lines within Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, but they are worthless on the private lines (and non JR lines account 2/3s of the trains in Tokyo).

In Osaka, I tend to stay at one of the Chuo group hotels near Shin-Imamiya station (the Kansai airport trains go from Namba station and through Shin-Imamiya before leaving Osaka). The Shinkansen stops at Shin-Osaka Station, which is to the north of the city.

You might consider booking an airbnb. Many listings in Japan are full apartment with most hosts running a number of apartments. There are some good apartments around Tokyo/Akiba, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro.

 

[Spongbob]

Glider_ , of all the counties I have visited the most (pleasantly) unexpected was Japan. Once you appreciate they do many things differently (but also many things the same way), you will enjoy yourself.

 

[cosi]

Location is critical in Tokyo.

As a regular visitor to Tokyo Bight over many years, I stay at this hotel Park Hotel Tokyo in Tokyo - Book a Luxury hotel for these reasons:

1. Close to Haneda airport (I normally arrive in the evening, around 8pm and for me, its more cost effective to take a taxi (about $75 and 20 minutes).
2. This hotel is on the Airport Limousine pick up and drop off service Scheduled Bus Services | Airport Limousine Bus (Yen 3,000 per person).
3. Next door the hotel is the Shiodome station for Yurikamome train Yurikamome,Inc. which takes you in about 20 minutes to Tokyo Big Sight. The rain winds it around the harbor because Tokyo Big site is all built on reclaimed land. Going over the rainbow bridge is always fun.
4. Shimabshi Station and all the JR local trains is only a 7-8 minute walk.
5. There is lots of restaurants is the surrounding office building for meals.
6. I don't eat in the hotel and breakfast is usually a toasted sandwich and coffee in the building near the Shiodome station. Also the food at Tokyo Big sight is very good and not expensive.
7. In the basement of the hotel is a Family Mart convenience store.

A couple of golden rules when visiting Japan:

1. Good comfortable walking shoes.
2. Layers of clothing (inside is all heated and can be warm).
3. Coin purse (Japanese has so many coins).
4. Take only minimal clothing to leave plenty of room for shopping

I would also factor in a couple of nights in Kyoto

 

[Timtammi]

Yep Cosi is on the money. Shiodome area is prefect for access to Tokyo bigsight but also allows for easy access to other Tokyo attractions. The Park is an excellent hotel, have stayed there several times.

 

[Glider_]

Thanks, great tips and the Park looks good and in budget.

 

[sudoer]

+1 for Park Hotel Tokyo. Very convenient location, walking distance to Tsukiji for a very early morning feed at the markets (without an expensive cab fare) and has an amazing view of Tokyo Tower to boot.

 

[Glider_]

Park hotel seems popular! Are there any tips for getting a better room rate? It doesn't seem like they have a mailing list for promotions.
Are the 'art rooms' worth the extra for a special treat? I guess that's a very subjective thing.

 

[sudoer]

Park hotel seems popular! Are there any tips for getting a better room rate?

Last I stayed I booked through Hotels.com and paid 25,000 JPY for a Corner King w/ Tokyo Tower view, which also collected Hotels.com rewards (essentially 10% off). It looks to still be going for about the same rate, which I think is excellent for the quality and convenience of the hotel.



I did a bit of shopping around at the time and found all sites were within dollars of each other.

Are the 'art rooms' worth the extra for a special treat?

Some of them look amazing, but some of them weren't to my taste. I thought to play it safe (and save a few bucks) with the view.

 

[Conrad_S]

There are 3 hotels in that small area. The Park, the Royal Park and the Conrad. We've stayed at the latter 2 and they are both very good for the price points. Would go back to both. Haven't stayed at the Park though we might have a look at the rates next time we visit.
Yurakucho is another good dinner option if you end up staying around there. It is only a short walk or one stop on the train.

 

[Timtammi]

There are 3 hotels in that small area.

Actually, there are 4. The Villa Fontaine Shiodome is also very closeby. I have stayed there as well, its cheaper, the rooms are smaller and its a bit less western/more Japanese. Quite good though and an option if you want to save a few $$.

 

[cosi]

Park hotel seems popular! Are there any tips for getting a better room rate? It doesn't seem like they have a mailing list for promotions.
Are the 'art rooms' worth the extra for a special treat? I guess that's a very subjective thing.

I have always booked direct (normally a month out) with the hotel using any current promotions. Winter promotions will not be released for another 6 months.

All the art rooms are located on 1 floor (from memory floor 31) and are not my cup of tea, especially if you have a few sake’s with dinner.

If travelling on my own, I take a standard room. If I am with my wife, I always book a corner room.