Hello there. I am wondering if I could pick your brains regarding good place to take my colleagues from overseas in Tokyo area. It would be nice to take them to Kyoto, if we had more time, but we only have one day! Your suggestions will be appreciated!
>Ms. 疲労党大尽-,
If your colleagues live in Tokyo metropolitan area, I recommend them Hakone, Kanagawa. There is located near the Tokyo area and they can go easily by train or by car. There are many hot springs, museums and other tourist spots. Actually, I went to Hakone with my friend from yesterday to today. We could see very beautiful colored leaves!! Many mountains changed to various colors, yellow, red, green... the landscape is splendid!! Many tourists have visited there not only Japanese, but also foreigners.
If you go out at night, you should go to Shonben Yokochou(or Omoide Yokochou) in Shinjuku. I don't know why but many foreign tourists, regardless of nationality, love to walk through the alley and eat yakitori.
When I take people for short sight seeing tour in Tokyo, I go to Asakusa if the person is first time to be in Japan. Most of them like exploring souvenir shop street, and after that it is easy to find old fashioned restaurant in the area.
Or, take them to Meiji shrine and after that shopping at Oriental Bazar in Omotesando.
If you have time to look at what they are playing, how about going to see Kabuki. I saw it once after I heard an American friend said he enjoyed and had seen it three times.
There seems to be from inexpensive tickets for one play to more expensive ones for three plays.
But if I were you(I'm just too lazy to check the play out), I'd take them to Asakusa or Kamakura. then, if they don't know about a Japanese style barr, Izakaya I'd go there.