How long in Tokyo before you get bored? - Please help! -

[Kinkokoro]

I've been to Japan last year for 9 days, Tokyo to be specific.
It was great, however it did get sour from time to time.

I want to travel back to Japan, my last time for 2-3 years, and stay for a hella long time. My ticket will cost me roughly $300, and I'll have about $2,000 bucks while I'm there.
I don't know where to go though..
I'd like to stay 3 weeks, or maybe more, in Japan.
I don't see how I could afford the enormous cost of traveling in Japan, while staying in Japan, for 3 weeks.

here's my golden question,
Could I be happily entertained in Tokyo for 21 days? or, would I have seen there all has to be seen at that point? Please take into account the 9 days I was there last year.

Thanks!

[Ewok85]

I've been here almost 3 years, I'm not bored yet.

[gaijinalways]

Depends on the person. I would recommend some trips out to Nikko and Kamakura as both can be done as day trips. You can also visit Yokohama, which has a different feel and a Chinatown. But if you have 3 weeks, why not drop down to Kyoto?

[Kinkokoro]

Depends on the person. I would recommend some trips out to Nikko and Kamakura as both can be done as day trips. You can also visit Yokohama, which has a different feel and a Chinatown. But if you have 3 weeks, why not drop down to Kyoto?
How much would I be looking at in travel cost though?

[Mikawa Ossan]

One way trip from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station via shinkansen (bullet train): 12,710 yen

One way trip from Tokyo Station to Nikko Station　by train: about 5,000 yen

One way trip from Tokyo Station to Kamakura Station by train: about 900 yen

One way trip from Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station by train: 450 yen

[Elizabeth]

How much would I be looking at in travel cost though?
The cost really isn't that enormous at all with a little planning and ingenuity. A great place to start if you're planning on traveling economically by train is with the 7 (or 14- or 21-) -day JR Rail Pass. For the fare of a roundtrip ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto you could have seven days worth of travel pretty much anywhere on a regular JR line car either in Tokyo or around the country.
Sound like a good deal ? Read more here.

http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en003.html

Can't help much on the question of boredom, though, except as with anything it's up to the traveler to make it the experience you want and not the city to do the "entertaining" for you. Were you anxious to leave by the end of the last time ? :(

[Iron Chef]

Could I be happily entertained in Tokyo for 21 days? or, would I have seen there all has to be seen at that point? Please take into account the 9 days I was there last year.

That's the most open-ended question I have read in a long time. Without knowing anything about you (save for the fact you visited previously) who is to say what or what doesn't constitute "boring" according to your definition? I know people who could spend an eternity just taking in the local scenery, shopping for bargains, hanging with the locals and making rounds in the entertainment districts, visiting the surrounding countryside, etc.

Budget is one thing but if you don't have a set of priorities in mind for yourself first, you'll find your next trip has once again "soured"... If you want to avoid your upcoming trip from becoming a wasted opportunity, you should prioritize what you want to do so you get the most for your time and money. Decide that first, then worry about finances imo.

[bakaKanadajin]

Yeah I agree with Iron Chef, the trip's gonna be what you make it. I recommend checking out some online guides, guide books, whatever you prefer, and picking out some things you want to see.

From Tokyo, here are some good destinations for day trips:
- Kamakura: lots of shrines, some nice hiking to be done
- Hakone: go down for a day, check out a hot springs, quiet place but very picturesque
- Katase-Enoshima: Great views of the ocean, a very nice aquarium, a cool Hawaiian themed restaurant (across the road from the aquarium) and a nice beach
- Shimo Kitazawa: tons of vintage clothes, odds and ends, shoe shops, restaurants, very eclectic and fun to walk around in. Easy to get lost your first time, careful!
- Kichijoji: Lots more shopping, game centers, malls, eye-candy, Kichijoji park is 5 minutes away and it has a nice little zoo.
Yokohama: Yamashita Koen is nice, lots of flowers, people, ocean view, etc. In Yokohama you'll find China town, lots of food, little shops, an interesting place to walk around for the day. There's also a small amusement park there.
Tokyo Disneyland: hey, why not

As Elizabeth said, to reduce travel costs the JR Rail pass is excellent value. Do some planning and maximize your use of the pass and your trip will definitely be interesting and affordable.

[tigermilk]

Can you ride a bike? I've actually found more enjoyment staying away from Tokyo (I often go to Tsukuba, north of Tokyo) and riding my bike around the mountains and small towns. I personally get tired of Tokyo pretty fast, especially from a tourist perspective.

[gaijinalways]

Did you go to see the hula girls?

[frostyg02uk]

The second i left the airport i hated Tokyo. Ive always been much happier in kansai, in fact i think i spent roughly 4-5 days in tokyo which included 2 days at fuji and in 4 years ive not been back.

[Mikawa Ossan]

I hate to be a git, but Fuji is not part of Tokyo....

[frostyg02uk]

....lol. i mentioned Fuji but i didnt say it was IN tokyo. Which is why i counted the stay as different days. My point is that in the few days which were broken up as 2 in tokyo, leaving to fuji for 2 days then spending one last day in tokyo.
So just to make it clear for the 5 days i spent 2 of them in Fuji and STILL disliked being in Tokyo and havnt been back. :o
EDIT: just so there is no misunderstanding I DID like Fuji, i loved it there

[ArmandV]

Tokyo is what you make of it. I've always enjoyed it and found plenty to do.