Tokyo (JP)

[shego]

I've booked a two week trip for later this year. First time! Appreciate any input/info on 2 week Japan itineraries and recommends for hotels/accommodation at key places (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto etc.).

[JCMx800]

Is Iron Heart Hachioji the only branch near Tokyo or is a IH Shop direct in Tokyo? Don’t know if I wanna go to Hachioji again in my next trip. It was a fun bus ride tho…

Places I liked in Tokyo:
Iron Heart Hachioji
Full Count Harajuku
Warehouse Ebisu
Junky Special Shinjuku
Supreme/Neighborhood Harajuku
All the Vintage Shops in Harajuku

3x Hinoya and 610 Americana in Ueno are ok, too crowded for my liking.

Vegan Food:
Ts Tan Tan
Ain Soph Ripple
Afuri
Mr Farmer
Pickled Plum Onigiri at 7/11

Went to SDA and RMC in Osaka so no mentioning in my Tokyo List...

[Giles]

No Iron Heart shop in central Tokyo, I am afraid…

If you go to Hachioji, I would not go by bus....

https://www.ironheart.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3785.msg193305#msg193305

[gaseousclay]

@Snowy:

Japanese Baseball is amazing! So much co-ordination, activity, and general buzz from the crowd. 3.5 hours of non-stop 'things' for players and runs etc. Goes SO far beyond the rally cap/sweep traditions.

Worth going to for anyone in Japan up for an experience, don't even need to like the game! (but it'll help).

http://www.japanball.com/tickets.htm is where I got our tickets from, delivered to the hotel.

The Seibu Lions were my favorite team back in the early to mid-80’s. My mom hated my Lions baseball cap for some reason and always hid it from me. Last time I went to a Japanese ball game was in 2000 or thereabouts. I think my ex and I saw the Yomiuri Giants and the Chunichi Dragons I think

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bonguno]

Going to Japan for the first time with trips to Osaka and Kyoto. Already have some shopping spots planned out but hoping for some recommendations for anything else. Food, attractions, etc. I understand it's easily to look stuff up but I'd love to hear your opinions on what's worth it or what's not. Great appreciated.

Also does the IH stores have different stock then what's available to IHUK's website? Curious.

[jfk1117]

Anyone happen to know of any good vintage / second hand stores that carry Japanese clothing? When I went years ago I found most were littered with vintage Americana / Harley tees.

[mhussy]

@bonguno said in Tokyo (JP):

Going to Japan for the first time with trips to Osaka and Kyoto. Already have some shopping spots planned out but hoping for some recommendations for anything else. Food, attractions, etc. I understand it's easily to look stuff up but I'd love to hear your opinions on what's worth it or what's not. Great appreciated.

Also does the IH stores have different stock then what's available to IHUK's website? Curious.
@bonguno how was your experience in Japan. It's in my bucket list for long time.

[Alex]

@mhussy the stock holding of Japanese stores and IHUK is not linked. They do not stock several cuts that we do, and they will have stock of some older products we have sold out of as well as current stock too.

[Mizmazzle]

Hey folks. We’re heading to Vietnam in June. It just so happens we have a 10 hour layover in Tokyo!!

So, you know what I want to do!! I’m heading straight to Hachioji to check out the Iron Heart shop!! So stoked to have this random opportunity.

I was kind of planning on just taking an Uber (is that even an option?) straight to Hachioji to save time as we need to be as efficient as possible.

I’ve got probably about 6 hours to check out the area between 8am-1pm ish.

Our objective is to hit the IH shop and maybe check out the neighborhood and eat lunch before returning to the airport.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

[Mizmazzle]

Ah fuck me!! We will be there on 6/18 which is a Tuesday. Looks like IH Hachioji is closed on Tuesdays. I think I’m going to cry

[pechelman]

Probably a little overcome by events, but public transportation would be the way to go to hachioji. It's pretty far outside of town and even further from the airports.

Instead, stash your luggage at a locker, hop on a train, and go to Ueno. Lots of great shops for denim and leather, street food, and a great atmosphere. Also 2k540 is near which has some cool artisan shops. Certainly this is enough to kill a few hours. After there it's up to you and where to go. I'd probably say to book entrance to Shibuya sky to see the massive city, stroll through Shinjuku gardens, and then find ramen or whatever before heading back to the airport.

Alternatively, Ueno, 2k540, ramen, the sky tree, the zoo or senso ji, is a similar day and much more compact.

[Mizmazzle]

@pechelman thanks holmes!! These are great suggestions. Is the bus system pretty easy to navigate?

[pechelman]

It's an experience. Though if you've ridden mass transit in any large city it's like that, but bigger, faster, and amazing. Google maps is your friend! Getting around Tokyo is more about trains than buses but it's all pretty straightforward we found except navigating inside Shinjuku station which is kinda poorly signed imo and heavily under construction as of last October.

Also about Ueno, there's at least a couple of shops that sell IH there so all may not be lost.

Fyi you'll need to pickup an IC card (eg pasmo passport card) to get around, pick one up at the airport. I think you have to charge it with a minimum of 1500yen but you can use this for just about everything including buying snacks at the airport.

[Mizmazzle]

@pechelman super helpful, all of this!!
I’m not going to lie, I’m crushed that IH will be closed. But we’ll make a great day of it anyhow. Much appreciated. I did message IH Tokyo on IG to double check. Haha

[pechelman]

You're welcome and good luck! Tokyo is so fun even if you only have a day. Hachioji is a trek for sure even if you're staying on the west side of Tokyo somewhere. If you do end up in Ueno I can point you to an amazing ramen place that specializes in this ultra rich amazing chicken based style that was our favorite of anything we had over 3wks there last year.

[Mizmazzle]

@pechelman I will 100% hit you up on that ramen spot!! Having this little chunk of time to see Japan, even if only for a day, is just the icing on the cake of this whole trip!! Just three weeks until takeoff!!

[pechelman]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kTnTWCgwfTkeBrbr5

Kinda "hard" to find. Look for the stairs leading down through a very dark passage. At the bottom of the stairs you'll come to a vending machine, pop in cash, order the rich chicken one and whatever drinks, give them the ticket, find a seat, and enjoy. Their tomato ramen is pretty great too, we went back a second time to try it, kinda like if ramen and spaghetti ohs had a delicious baby. Lol.

[Mizmazzle]

@pechelman said in Tokyo (JP):

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kTnTWCgwfTkeBrbr5

Kinda "hard" to find. Look for the stairs leading down through a very dark passage. At the bottom of the stairs you'll come to a vending machine….

This sounds like the entry point into some of the more “obscure” stories I’ve heard about Japan!!

[marco23d]

Yea I’d avoid Uber in Tokyo. You’ll find some amazing shops if iron heart is closed

[marco23d]

Highly recommend free wheelers and the real mccoys. Really cool shops