I fell upon a group of teenagers in the Harajuku area who were dressed in a way befitting "Brittany Spears on acid," and they started talking to me. Normally, I may have not entertained these youngsters, but they were so genuine and totally enthralled with all things Westerner that I ended up spending about 2 hours just having general conversations with a total group of tricked-out strangers. They ended up inviting me and one of my friends to come to their high school and be a guest in their English class. What a treat and so totally unexpected!

The people are what make a trip come alive. Memories of experiences and interactions are truly a gift better than any souvenir or photo!

Quick Tips:

Tokyo is a shopper’s dream, but you could go broke buying for all of these people! That's where the handy-dandy ¥100 stores come in!! Just like our dollar stores, they pack in lots of cute souvenir items that won't set your pocketbook back tons of yen. Fans, chopsticks, dated Hello Kitty merchandise, toys, sake cups… all for just ¥100. It's a good thing!!

Best Way To Get Around:

The Keio has well-appointed rooms that I would place on the small end of room sizes. The bed was very firm and the pillows were quite fluffy! This being my first stop after getting off of my nonstop Chicago-to-Tokyo flight, I quickly tried both the pillow and bed out!

The bathroom was very modern, and all of the proper amenities were available. Great water pressure and just the right temperature make for an excellent bath or shower experience. And don't forget the Toto toilets in the room with a seat warmer and other interesting options (go ahead and take your photo of the toilet - you know you want to!).

There are several very nice restaurants in the hotel, but I preferred to head out into the neighborhood and try some of the other places nearby.

I would definitely suggest asking at the front desk for an English map of Tokyo to help you get around, and remember that within just a 5- to 10-minute walk from the hotel are numerous convenience stores, camera shops, massive department stores, and a post office to ship all of your goodies back home!

To find the Kimono section, head to the very back of the store and turn to the right to find the greatest selection of moderately prices kimonos you will ever see. Beautiful textiles in a plethora of patterns will be afforded to you. Stacks of yukata and obis will be on shelves directly in front of the kimono racks. The two that I purchased to take back home to my classroom totaled $85, an incredible bargain considering that the price for a new kimono in a retail location starts in the hundreds.

Try Chicago out for a great deal in a great location, and don't forget to talk to some of the kids in the neighborhood!!

Ride the public elevators with 20 of your newest, closest friends (please realize personal space in Japan isn't what it is in most other places) to the top of the Tokyo skyline. You will be afforded far-reaching views across all of Tokyo, and if lucky (and it's very clear), Mt. Fuji will be in the distance. Spend some time getting your bearings straight in this massive city. Break out your guidebook and try and decipher where the sites you want to see are. I spent about an hour here and really took in the surroundings. It gave me a better understanding of the distinct districts that make up Tokyo proper.

While up top, I also spied a small park that was having a "flea market." Always on the lookout for a good buy, I made my way down and made a few inexpensive purchases. Keep on the lookout for unique adventures. They are always out there to be had.

The bazaar has several different focuses, and the store is laid out accordingly. Furniture and ceramics/porcelains are mostly on the first floor, with more touristy items there as well. Also, a very fine selection of tea and sake services is found downstairs. I purchased one of each and was very pleased with the quality and price.

Upstairs are prints (standard and woodblock), more touristy items, and textiles for purchase. Each section of the store is operated by a separate owner, so don't walk away with goods from one section to browse in another! Make you purchase and move on or compare and come back to buy.

Overall, the Oriental Bazaar is a handy place to do some comparative shopping in one central location. The craftsmanship probably is not as good as in some high-end shops, but it is quite nice and the price justifies the purchases.

Additionally, for some last-minute purchases, the Oriental Bazaar has a shop in the Narita airport in terminal 1 on the fourth floor.

Located about 20 minutes by train and bus from Shinjuku station, this museum/park is a real treasure hidden away in Metropolitan Koganei Park. For a mere ¥400, you are allowed to wander about among more than 20 reconstructed homes, businesses, gates, and arbors of many different periods in Tokyo's (Edo's) past. Many of the buildings are open for walkthroughs, and all are of historical significance.

In addition, interspersed throughout the different buildings were various craftsmen plying their trades. We saw toymakers, paper-umbrella makers, textile workers, and printers working away and offering samples of products. What a treat to see delicate and masterful workers steadily doing a task that is so often lost in today's busy world.

Additionally, a great noodle shop is located in one of the reconstructed buildings, where you can try your luck at the automated ordering machine!! Best of luck!

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday and can be reached via Koganei Koen Nishi Guchi Bus and then by walking through Metro Park.