My boyfriend and I will be in Tokyo for a week at the beginning of May. Looking for suggestions for areas to stay in (we will stay at an airbnb or hostel), places to eat, things to do, and spots to visit. We are thinking of doing a few days trips, possibly to Hakone, Kusatsu, Nikko, and/or Kamakura. Any reviews for these places if you have been there?

if you dont want to stick with the usual sightseeing monotony, hike up mt. fuji! i'd recommend the first time with a guide though. we went with Fuji Mountain Guides and they were brilliant.

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Ooh. I’ll be there the same time! Thanks for asking this! My friend recommended this onsen theme park http://daiba.ooedoonsen.jp/en/

I really liked Kamakura . Really nice town to visit. So many temples to see if you like that.

I highly recommend staying at a Ryokan for a truly authentic experience of Japanese living. My husband and I stayed at a ryokan in Tokyo several years ago and loved the experience. https://livejapan.com/en/in-akihabara/spot-lj0001277/
Other attractions to check out are Sensoji Temple, Ueno Park, Ninomaru, wandering the streets of Tokyo and taking in the culture (Asakusa, Tsukiji fish market, Harajuku). I recommend picking up Frommer's Japan. This has a wealth of information.

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If you want to try something different (haven't been myself): http://bookandbedtokyo.com/en/

Definitely recommend a trip to Nikko, I went on my first trip and it was beautiful, and has great Onsen!

Neetu Gill
Agata Monika

Tokyo skytree, samurai museum, shibuya crossing

Also don’t forget to buy JR pass for tourists for the bullet train(Shinkansen - fastest train in the world) and definitely have a ride

I was in Tokyo for 3 nights last year and stayed at an airbnb ~10min walk from Shibuya station and loved the convenience. Endless places to eat but I really enjoyed Ippudo ramen and Joumon Roppongi (izakaya). I also got a list of coffee places too if you're into that. Sightseeing spots or neighbourhoods include Shinjuku, Ebisu, Omotesando, Harajuku, Meiji shrine, Chiyoda, Tsukiji fish market, Ginza (shopping). Bring your passport along as the stores need that as proof for tax-free purchases. Regular ATM's don't take foreign bank cards so take some yen with you. Only post office and 7-eleven convenience stores take foreign bank cards.

I personally suggest not to go to Hakone. Not worth it because most of the region is defined by the cable car and pirate boat that people ride on. However, it's a 50/50 at times, on whether both are open or not due to the sulfar levels of the volcano in Hakone. I suggest staying in Tokyo, there's so much to do in that city itself.

Also recommend staying for one night at a high end Ryoken, it's totally worth it. Along with visiting the Tsuki fish market, shopping in Shibuya, visiting the Meiji Shrine, spending a day in Akhihabara, check out Harujuku and so much more.

Love Kamakura and have been three times. An easy day trip from Tokyo. Take the train there, wander the main street and temples ending at the Zen temple in Kita Kamakura. You can take a train back from there. If you have the time, take a trip to Enoden when you visit. And if you have the good fortune to be there at cherry blossom time, you will never forget it.

Agree !

I personally think that’s too many day trips out of Tokyo when you only plan on being in Tokyo for 1 week. There’s a lot to do and see in Tokyo by itself.

I spent a month in Tokyo and put my must do recommendations as well as that of others into a guide: http://www.stoneandfern.com/tokyo-city-travel-guide/
It includes going up the Tokyo Metropolitan Building for a free view of the city instead of the Skytree and the cheapest Michelin Star restaurant! Hope it helps