I have been to Tokyo twice - business. One time, I also went to
Yamagata, 3 hrs by train.
When in Tokyo, I stayed at Akasaka, the second time I stayed just
above Shibuya train station.
http://www.tokyuhotelsjapan.com/en/TE/TE_SHIBU/index.html.
Hotel is NOT cheap, but as I'd said, business trip, company
pays.
Upon reaching the airport, after exiting from immigration, you can
get a airport limo bus to the city. The ticket is about 3,000 yen.
Journey time, anything from 1 hr to 1.5 hr (depending on
destination and traffic condition).
After checking in, you'd be free to roam the city via the JR train
system or the subway.
http://www.japanrail.com/
http://hisaai-hp.hp.infoseek.co.jp/Tokyu/03_s_eg.html
Within Tokyo there are actually plenty of things to see and do. For
nature, there are plenty of parks eg Ueno Park. Then there are the
historical temples eg Akasuka. These places has no entrance
fees.
For shopping (even window shopping) you can go to Shibuya,
Shinjuku, Ginza, Nihonbashi. If you have Isetan and Takashimaya
cards, you can enjoy 5% discount (which takes care of the
VAT).
Cheaper still, enjoy the scenery by getting on the JR Yamanote line
which circles, above ground, on most of the stations I'd mentioned
above.
Food wise, there's of course, McDonalds, and as I'd mentioned in my
previous note, Yoshinoya.
If you want something better, just walk into the many lanes for
udon, soba, and sushi.... maybe $10 to $15 for a meal for one,
which should include green tea. Otherwise, walk into the 24hr
stores (like 7-11, AM/PM, and other similar chain) and get yourself
a sandwich or instant noodle (via the microwave).
... one note of caution, bring plenty of cash. Most of these places
do not accept card... and almost no one speaks English, so you may
need to be good at play "charades" and sign languages.
Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneysea are next to each other. Entrance
fee depends on which park you want to go to. The train journey from
downtown Tokyo to the parks are about 30 to 45 minutes... depending
on where you start at, the ticket is about 350 yen. DO NOT go to
these parks over the weekends.
Disneysea is actually quite nice, the facades are very interest,
and very Mediterrean (sp?). The park is bigger than I expected and
is probably better than Disney HK. Disneyland is a copy of the LA
Disneyland, on a smaller scale.
Have fun.
