Resources: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/
Tokyo is one of the best places to shop in Japan (but not the best in my opinion).

Shopping areas
*Area names are linked to maps

Shinjuku
Tokyo = Shinjuku
Everytime you hear about Tokyo, you'll think Shinjuku.

If you have a shopping list, it's probably here where you can fufil every single item.

Just on the top (and the same level) of Shinjuku Stn, there are 6 malls.
Odakyu, Keio, Lumine, Mylord, Lumine 2 and Est.
IMO, its enough to make you stay for at least 4hrs.
For Odakyu, there's a small budget cosmetics section on the 2nd floor where you can get your drugstore cosmetic fix.
Lumine, Lumine2, Mylord and Est have nice fashion items and equally appealing stores.

On the outside areas to the east, there is Alta, Isetan, Muji standalone store and Marui City.

Alta is similar to Lumine, catering to young females. Oh and there's a Mister Donut here.
The Muji is just next to Isetan and has about 4 or 5floors. Worth a peek.
The Isetan caters more to branded items, did not feel like there was much to see.
Marui City has Orbis in case you are interested.

To the south of the station, there's Takashimaya, Tokyu hands and Kinokuniya.
The Takashimaya here is pretty big and carries quite a few counter-brand cosmetics.
Tokyu hands is more for the creative arts and craft person.
Kinokuniya is pretty huge here, good for buying Japanese language textbooks :)

For your counter brand cosmetics fix, you can probably get everything at Odakyu or Takashimaya.

Kabuki-cho is actually an interesting place to walk plus there's quite abit of resonably priced eats in the alleys there. Yes it is a Yakuza area by the way, but don't let that discourage you. It's a very colourful neighbourhood.

Somewhere to the north of Odakyu there's an alley with lots of cheap yakitori joints called Shonben yokocho. Might want to visit if you are there in the evenings.

There is also a Bic camera and Yodobashi camera here.
Their respective websites actually publishes prices of items they carry.

Shibuya
I prefer this place way more than Shinjuku or Harajuku.

And I feel it's a must to have a drink at the Starbucks at Q-Front (a CD store like HMV) and watch as people cross the massively huge pedestrian crossing down below.

There are plenty of small independent shops here as well as trendy malls.
My favourites would be Parco 2 （There's Parco 1 and 3 too) and Loft.

Oh.. how I love Loft!
It has a massive drugstore skincare and cosmetic section, as well as all the stuff and gadgets you see in sprees.
And not forgetting the stationary section!
It's hard not to fall in love with Loft.

There is also the famous Shibuya 109 and 109-2. Somewhat like our Far east plaza?

There's also a standalone Uniqlo store somewhere near Parco 3.

Part 2 here

Resource: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/suica.html

What is Suica?

It's specifically Tokyo's (yes Tokyo.. not Japan) version of our ezlink card.



Only thing is that you do not get any discounts on transport, which I do not find it much of a problem.



It SOooooo convenient.

Just tap and go. Tap to go out.



It's easy to top up at the ticketing machines (there's english :) ) and you buy it via the ticketing machine! So no queueing.

What can I use it for?
Basically, in Tokyo itself, you can use it for..

1. Any JR local lines, Ltd Express lines and Express Lines
2. Tokyo Metro Subway lines
3. Toei Subway Lines
4. Tokyo Monorail
5. Private owned railway lines (Not all though)

A train map of all lines that you can use the Suica on is found in the Suica User Guide page 22

On top of that you can use it for JR lines in:

1. Chiba Prefecture
2. Sendai
3. Niigata
4. Toica areas, which means Nagoya and Shizuoka area
5. Icoca, which means Kyoto and Osaka area.
6. Area spanning Okayama and Hiroshima

For points 2 to 6, the Suica is not usable for trains spanning Tokyo to these areas and in between them.

Local public buses in Greater Tokyo also accepts the Suica

Oh and besides transport.. you can use it to purchase things in stores that accepts the Suica as payment method (includes Muji, convenience stores)
And there are some vending machines which you can use the Suica as well.

How to buy?
Just purchase it at any Ticketing machine with the Suica sign at any JR station in Tokyo.
OR... purchasing it as part of the Suica-N'ex package.

Refunding wise only green window offices in JR stations in Tokyo.

What is the Suica-N'ex Package?
For 3500yen, you get a one way ticket (use on day of purchase only) on the N'Ex train to Tokyo or Yokohama and a Suica with travelling value of 1500yen.

It's a great deal!
The typical N'Ex cost from Narita Airport to Shinjuku is 3110yen!

The Suica has a stored 500yen deposit which you can get back when you refund the card (do note about the tax thing.. read on)

I highly recommend this, you'll save alot of money!
to read more click here http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html

What about refund of Suica?
Well.. you can technically fully refund your Suica... BUT!
You will be taxed 210yen. But you will get your deposit back in full.
Confused?

Examples...

1) Your Suica has 1000yen value left, and a 500yen deposit value.
In total you will receive 790yen plus the 500yen deposit value. A total of 1290yen.

2) Your Suica has 10yen value left, and a 500yen deposit value.
You will not receive the 10yen, but you will get back the 500yen deposit value. A Total of 500yen.

3) Your Suica has no value left, and a 500yen deposit value.
So you will get back the 500yen without being taxed.

Resources: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/

Tokyo is generally a good introduction to Japan, but it is not all that Japan can offer :) It's mainly a metropolitan city good for shopping, dining and a little culture on the side.

So how do I get to Tokyo?
from Narita Airport
There are many good and cheap options you can take to Tokyo City from Narita Airport.
Do remember that Narita Airport is in another prefecture! It's not like Changi Airport in Singapore.

I'll explain the individual package deals in another post.

1) Narita Express (aka N'ex)
This is a very good line run by JR. It's fast, comfy and stops at major locations like Shinjuku Stn, Ikebukuro Stn and Tokyo Stn. Plus with the Suica-N'ex package, it's a great deal.
It's not as frequent as the Keisei Ltd Express. Plus price wise, without the package I personally feel it's expensive.

I highly recommend this to anyone, if they are also interested in the Suica.

Do note that not all trains stop at Ikebukuro.

Timetable here: http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation.eki-net.com/pc/english/common/timetable/index.html

2) Keisei Train Lines
There's the Keisei Skyliner, Keisei's answer to the N'Ex, and the Keisei Ltd Express.

The Keisei Ltd Express is actually just a normal local train line. Its cheap and very frequent, but being a normal local train you don't get comfy seats like the Skyliner and the N'Ex. It takes about 30mins longer than the N'Ex to reach JR Tokyo Stn, plus you need to change trains at either Nippori Stn or Ueno Stn.

The Skyliner is quicker and more comfortable than the Ltd Express, but you will also need to change trains at either Nippori Stn or Ueno Stn. It is also cheaper than the Narita Express.

The Keisei lines, in order to compete with the N'Ex lines, come with a package that includes a 1-day Tokyo Metro pass.

Timetables can be accessed here: http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/keisei_us/top.html

3) Airport Limousine Bus
This is the most convenient public transport route.
It drops off at various hotels and stops near hotels, so you won't have to bother with trains and luggages at the same time.

Problem is... it's expensive and rides back to Narita airport needs to be reserved in advance.

It takes longer than the trains to reach Tokyo City and it's also subjected to traffic conditions. But i have to emphasise that it is very convenient, especially if you have huge luggages.

It also has a tie-in with Tokyo Metro, so you can get a 1-day Tokyo Metro pass if you get the package.

4) Taxi
Unless you are bleeding money, this is not an option.. EVER.
It's freaking far from Tokyo costing about 25000yen one way.

To put into perspective, with the bad economy and the resulting horrible exchange rate of 65yen per SGD.. thats S$384.62

If you would like to spend that much money on a cab.. by all means :)

Haneda Airport
This airport is located within Tokyo city itself, which explains the much cheaper price to commute there.
But they handle only domestic flights.

1) Tokyo Monorail
This train services Haneda airport via Tokyo's Hamamatsucho Stn, located on the JR Yamanote line.
It's fast and reasonably priced.

2) Keikyu Line
Connects to Tokyo via Shinagawa Stn, located on the JR Yamanote line.
This is also fast and slightly cheaper than the Tokyo Monorail.

I guess for which to choose, it depends on which station you are staying closer to.

3) Airport Limousine Bus
Same company and concept as the Narita's buses.
It's convenient but very expensive as compared to the other 2 options.

From Other major cities in Japan

Well, you have 3 main options. Domestic flight, Shinkansen or Highway buses.
Local trains are also possible, but take a much longer time and are not always cheaper.

From Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya, you can take the Tokaido shinkansen.
From Fukuoka and Hiroshima you can take the Sanyo Shinkansen and transfer to the Tokaido Shinkansen. Some lines are direct.
From Tohoku you can take the Tohoku Shinkansen.
The list goes on :)

And.. there's the option also of saving some moolah and taking the highway buses.

It's cheap and most of the time direct.
I'll be dedicating a post on Highway buses. So read up there.

There is also the option of taking a domestic flight which may land in Narita airport or Haneda airport.

To round off... for all train changing and train costs and details... Use this website http://www.hyperdia.com/ Will also dedicate a post on that. Look out for it!