Destinations Non-touristy things to do in Tokyo?

If you want to avoid tourists and, at the same time, take a ride back in time to see a part of Tokyo as it existed many years ago, I would highly recommend taking a ride on the the Toden Arakawa Line, better known as "the Arakawa sen." (My family and I lived in Tokyo from 1987 - 1989 and this was one of our favorite things to do.) I believe that the Arakawa sen is the only remaining operating section of the city's once-sprawling Tokyo Toden streetcar system. In a way, it's analagous to the cable car lines that still run in San Francisco, a small remnant of what used to be but, nevertheless, a beautiful link with the city's past.

Constructed by the Oji Electric Tram Company in the early part of the 20th century, the Arakawa sen is now operated by the city's Bureau of Transportation and runs between Minowabashi and a station adjoining Tokyo's famous Waseda University. It winds its way through the northeastern section of Tokyo, an older, historic area, far from the shining new skyscrapers, subways and high-speed trains that one usually thinks of when one thinks of modern Japan.

You can buy an all-day pass for a very modest fee that will allow you to get on and off the trolleys as many times as you would like, at any of the many stops along the line. In addition to getting a chance to walk through one of Japan's finest universities, you'll see old buildings, little family-run stores, shrines, ancient cemeteries, as well as quaint little restaurants and coffee shops that serve delicious food at very reasonable prices. (Speaking Japanese certainly would help if you venture into one of these establishments, as Westerners rarely venture into the neighborhoods that the Arakawa sen serves. However, the people in Tokyo are usually quite friendly and, especially if the shop has some of the ever-present, very authentic plastic replicas of Japanese food that typically can be found in the window display, you'll have no trouble getting fed. It will be all part of what will, no doubt, be a very exciting day.)

I completely agree with "YOun's" suggestion to visit Hakone. Years ago, my family and I lived in the Shotoh section of Shibuya, in Tokyo, and going there was always a wonderful experience for us. Now, if you want to see and enjoy Hakone, and if you want to be adventurous (and have the time for an ALL DAY experience) I would recommend that you get out fairly early in the morning (about 9:30 am) and take the subway (ending up on the red line – the Marunouchi Sen) to Shinjuku station. (I believe Shinjuku station is the world’s busiest railroad station.) Then, follow the signs to the Odakyu sen, buy your tickets (which I think have to be reserved seats…. remember, don’t be bashful, just ask your questions in English) and take the Odakyu sen to Hakone Yumoto station. There, you should be able to transfer to the HAKONE SWITCHBACK RAILROAD. If you’ve never rode a switchback railroad before, you’re in for a treat. It’s exciting and an engineering marvel. The views as you go up the mountain are breathtaking. There’s a fantastic outdoor sculpture museum about three or four stops from the end of the line, near the top of the mountain. However, if this is your first time to Hakone, I’d recommend not getting off this time and taking the switchback railroad directly to the very top. (You'll probably love Hakone so much that you'll come back and, then, the next time, you can visit the sculpture museum.) I believe the station at the top is Gora. Then, walk about a block or two and take the TRAM up the mountain. Next, buy tickets for the CABLE CAR, which will take you over the sulfur mines and, then, into the mouth of an old (extinct) volcano that contains one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, “Ashinoko.” When you get to the end of the cable car line, jump on a ferry (if you’re lucky, you’ll find one that looks like a Spanish galleon or, as "YOun" described it, a "pirate boat" ) and take it across the lake. After riding on the ferry for a while, get off at any one of the towns that border the lake. Walk around. Have some tempura for a late lunch or, if you’re adventurous, try some tempura wagasagi, which uses a little fish that is native to Ashinoko. Enjoy the spectacular scenery. (If you go during the winter time, dress warmly – it may be cold. If you go in October, the leaves are so beautiful that they make New England seem pale by comparison. Hakone is also beautiful in April or May.) Take a deep breath. Enjoy. Then, retrace your steps and get back to Tokyo. It will be an adventure and it will take the entire day. But, it'll be well worth it!

I would also highly recommend doing the following, although it could take a good deal of time to do, especially if you do it in a leisurely fashion (which is always my preference): Take the Yamanote Sen (the Yamanote line) to Shimbashi Station. (The Yamanote Sen is a loop – you can get to any station by going in EITHER direction, so try to take the shortest trip. For example, from Tokyo Station (one of the main stations in Tokyo) you would go from Tokyo to Yurakcho to Shimbashi, which takes about six or seven minutes. If you went in the other direction, it could take you over an hour.) Anyhow, as I said, take the Yamanote Sen to Shimbashi Station and get off there. Then, transfer to another line (not a subway line and not a railroad) called the Yurikamome. The Yurikamome is one of the newest lines in Tokyo and is completely computer controlled. I would suggest buying an all-day pass, so you can get on and off the line at any time, as many times as you want to. This will save a good deal of walking. Sit up front in the first car if you can. However, definitely try to sit facing forward. Take the Yurikamome over the Rainbow Bridge (a spectacular view) to Tokyo’s New City. Take it to the end of the line and get off at Ariake. Walk around. See the National Tennis Center. See the Exhibition Halls. Walk in if the exhibit is open to the public. The exhibits are usually very interesting. Do some shopping. Continue around the New City and walk into some of the office buildings. Everything seems to be right out of the future. Finally, if you’re up to it, walk up to the amusement park and take a ride on the Super Wheel which (I think) is the world’s largest ferris wheel. You'll see an unbelievably great view of Tokyo. Then, at the end of the day, ride the Yurikamome back to Shimbashi and take a walk through the area, ending up in Ginza for dinner. You'll enjoy the day immensely!

Fibonacci - when you initiated this discussion in October, 2007, you indicated that you'd be travelling to Tokyo in the Spring of 2008. Well, if you're still planning to be there in the spring, besides having an obligatory picnic under the cherry blossoms in either Ueno Park or Yoyogi Park, I would suggest going to a Japanese baseball game. You'll find the level of play to be exceptional (as evidenced by the fact that there are now quite a few Japanese playing in the major leagues in the U.S.) and the games are, in many respects, more exciting than in America. There are team cheerleaders, fight songs and sometimes you're wondering whether you're attending a baseball game or a college football game, considering all the fanfare. If you're going to be spending a good deal of your time in Tokyo, there are a number of professional teams to choose from: the Yomiuri Giants, the Yakult Swallows and the Nippon Ham Fighters. (I love that name - the team doesn't actually fight with ham. It's just owned by the Nippon Ham Group.) There are also teams located in the nearby cities of Yokohama and Makuhari, each about an hour away from the center of Tokyo by train. So, buy some tickets to a baseball game, if you have about three hours or so to spare! You'll have a great time and you'll remember the experience for the rest of your life!