I decided to spend some time in Tokyo to break up my trip as a stopover to Bangkok from the US. I decided with my 7 days I would spend as much time in every neighborhood in Tokyo and left one day for an excursion to nearby town of Hakone for the hot springs and a beautiful view of Lake Ashi.
I walked, ran, people watched, ate lots of ramen and udon, rice balls, and local sweets. Japan itself can be quite pricey but i came in under budget for my entire trip because you can eat really well, and amazingly for a very reasonable price. I was not here to hunt down the next michelin star restaurant or pay $50 for a slice of fish.
I had hot pot with some Tokyo friends, walked through Ueno park at night with local snacks and beers you can pick up at Family Mart, hopped metros across town to meet friends at a skateboard shop, shared travel stories at an apartment convert into a grilled cheese shop and bar.
I'm already thinking of ways to come back here, hey maybe on my stopover back to the states?
Where I stayed:
Nui Hostel and Bar: http://backpackersjapan.co.jp/nui/
It's got a bit is a hip vibe, packed mostly with locals who drink and gather in the lounge on weeknights, but really immaculate and clean and not so much in the heart of crazy lights of Shinjuku. I wanted to stay at their sister hostel Toco since it's more of a ryoken with traditional japanese floor mattress but it was fully booked.
Where I ate Ramen:
EVERYWHERE, I mean you literally can't go wrong, eat in Shinjuku, Shibuya or Ebisu area if you want lots of choice. You pay at the vending machine usually they are inside or outside the restaurant, pick the bowl you want, grab a seat and then the server will bring out the piping bowl when ready.
Best Running Routes:
1. Imperial Palace, 5K loop, great run slight hills, bathrooms and water fountains, bring a hat not much shade
2. Yogogi Park, granite trails, leads you to Meiji Shrine (cannot run here!) but you can loop around the park, shaded so you don't get sun buurnt
Best Day Trip:
Hakone, Lake Ashi (1.5 hrs from Tokyo, Shinjuku stop)
This area is best known for is many hot springs or ryoken is about a 1.5 hr direct train ride (RomanceCar via Odakyu train, $18) from Tokyo. There are plenty to chose from but check in advance as many do not allow tattoos of any kind. about 45 min ride further into the Hakone region by local bus ($9) to Lake Ashi you can enjoy sweeping views, amazing hikes, abandoned palaces, and if YOU'RE REALLY lucky, get amazing view of Mt Fuji on less cloudy day.
