kimball

回復 1# chrichri

1. Go to this Taiwan discussion site and read people's questions and answers - you will learn a lot from them:
http://www.backpackers.com.tw/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=43

2. Buy a good TOKYO self-tour guide book from Hong Kong. I don't remember the name but ask your friend to buy and mail it to you - just ask him to buy the most popular guide book for Tokyo and he should find it. I think it has a very shiny silver color cover and quite thick with lots of photo and maps. I see that the lottery kiosk just outside the Osaka Supermarket has this book on the wall - they want $30 which is about twice the price in HK and also I think their book is 2009 model. You should get the 2011 book. But go there and take a look at the book so you know what it is.

You should be fine with these two information sources. Tokyo is great for self-tour as the public transit (JR -Japan Rail and subway systems) is fantastic and you will have way more fun than joining any tour group. Read the discussion site and the book throughly before you go -you still have plenty of time to do this. If you need hotel recommendation later, just ask. Very easy to book on the internet.
Watch the Yen rate closely and buy whenever they are cheap. This way you can spend cash in Tokyo knowing exactly your cost in C$. Credit cards will make a profit of 2 to3 percent on the exchange rate when they send you the statement in C$.