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ok.
so theres a bunch of tfpers here in tokyo.
i'll start the ball rolling with a really basic 'must see' list...
10 days is great.
(this list is not in any particular order)...
Harajuku - sunday afternoon is best... catch all the litle lolitas and cosplay fanatics and the elvis guys at the entrance to yoyogi park.
Shibuya - this is quintessential tokyo... take the hachiko exit at the station... let your eyes do the rest.
Shinjuku - this is where everyone comes to play... and by play, i mean SHOP! (no one else in the world knows how to consume quite like tokyo locals!).
Ginza - this is my fav place. rich. beautiful. amazing. stunning. don't miss this place. Ginza girls are the greatest on earth.
Tsukiji - this is the greatest fish market on earth (no exaggeration). for variety and quantity this is the largest... get there REALLY early for the tuna auction... i haven't experienced this yet, but i've heard its amazing. also, there is a rumour floating round that its going to be closed to tourists soon since they just get in the way... so i'll keep you posted about that.
Meiji-jingu - this is an amazing shrine (the entrance is right next to harajuku station, so, after you've seen the lolitas, you can head on in). don't miss.
Senso-ji - this is the other main temple in tokyo. well established tourist track to asakusa. so you won't get lost. they've started using ipod-like tourist information packs at senso-ji... but i'm sketchy on the details... maybe someone else might know more.
Imperial Palace - Akihito's pad. take the Marunouchi exit at Tokyo Station and walk for about 200m. you can't miss it... but its only open two days a year. so its not a biggie if you miss this one.
Akihabara - this used to be the place you went if you wanted to get cheap electronics. now you can basically get cheap electronics anywhere in tokyo. now akihabara is just a place for geeks and other forms of otaku. its crowded and hectic... but if thats your schtick then take a look.
Omotesando - Aoyama just a smaller ginza. between shibuya and harajuku. the Prada building is of particular architecural significance.
Ebisu - GREAT restaurant area. recommend. and the prices aren't as crazy as other places like ginza... but hey, its tokyo, so they're still crazy.
umm... well, thats a start. maybe the others can fill in the gaps.
oh, the Yamanote train line is JR and Light Green in colour...
Fugu tastes great...
so does Kujira...
natto does not...
Roppongi can be great... don't listen to the jaded gaijin who don't like a good time out.
always check if an izakaya (type of bar) has namihodai (sp?) - which is an all-you-can-drink special kind of thing.
magic mushrooms are now illegal.
don't blow your nose in public. snorting and sniffing is fine... just don't blow.
don't talk on your keitai (cell phone) on the train.
don't worry if strange old men (ohaji) harass you.
don't bother experiencing capsule hotels... they're like paying for a night in prison.
love hotels on the other hand can be fantastic.
and finally...
never forget to check what time the last train leaves your station. usually the yamanote shuts down a bit before midnight... and starts again between 5-6am
if you get caught out late at night and miss your train... places you can sleep include (because taxi's are crazy expensive - flag fall is usually 660yen)... love hotels, capsules, convenience store toilets (but that usually pisses people off), coin laundries, karaoke bars and even night clubs if you can handle it.
good luck.
i'll update if anything comes to mind.
have fun. its the greatest place on earth.
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Ohayo!!!
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