CALLING TO USA
If you want to call the US directly, purchase an international phone card (kokusai denwa kaado) (国際電話カード) at the convenience store for ¥1000 ($10). This will give you about 10-15 minutes of phone time.
IF you have AT&T, MCIWorldCom or Sprint Calling Cards from the USA, put in a ¥10 coin in the phone (green in color, a public phone) and dial the following numbers:

AT&T 005-39-111+area code+number 0066-55-111+area code+number 0044-11-111+area code+number
MCI 00539-121 0034-811-811 0066-55-121 0044-11-121
SPRINT 00539-131
AT&T can dial direct with the above. MCI and SPRINT, will get you to an operator.

TRANSPORTATION
On the Tokyo part of trip, will we primarily take three companies for transportation. They are Toei (都営), Tokyo Metro (東京メトロ) and Japan Railways (JR).
Roppongi station is known as H04 (H for Hibiya) or E23 (E for Toei Oedo). These are the two lines that you can take to get to other destinations in Tokyo.

Toei (都営)
This is the transportation system that is owned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Toei owns the Arakawa line and also 4 subway lines. Toei Shinjuku (都営新宿線) (light green or S), Toei Mita (都営三田線) (deep blue or I), Toei Asakusa (都営浅草線) (pink or A) and the Toei Oedo line (都営大江戸線) (maroon or E) are the subway lines.

Tokyo Metro (東京メトロ)
This is the primary subway system in Tokyo. Yurakucho line (有楽町線)(gold or Y), Marunouchi line (丸の内線) (red or M,m), Tozai line (東西線) (light blue or T), Ginza line (銀座線) (orange or G), Hibiya (日比谷線) (gray or H), Chiyoda (千代田線) (deep green or C), Hanzomon (半蔵門線) (purple or Z), and Nanboku (南北線) (blue-green or N). For the length of time that you are in Tokyo, ¥2000 is probably more than enough for the subway.
If you plan on using the subway, you can purchase a SF Metrocard (SFメトロカード), which will enable you to put the card into the ticket gate and go straight on the train. It is much easier than having to try to figure out how much you have to pay and figure out where you are going. The SF Metrocard can carry values of ¥1000, ¥3000 or ¥5000. The price of a one-way trip ranges between ¥160 and ¥290. If you do change to a Toei line from a Teito line your fare will increase, but you can purchase an individual ticket that will have a combined fare.
If you go one stop west you will reach Takadanobaba station (高田馬場駅), which is located on the JR Yamanote line (JR山手線).

Japan Railways (JR)
This was the railway that was previously owned by the Japanese government, but it has now been privatized into different groups around Japan. The main loop of Tokyo is called the Yamanote Line (JR山手線), which will have a green color when you look at the train from the platform. Another major line in Tokyo is the Chuo/Sobu Line (JR 中央/総武線), which cuts through the middle of Tokyo to connect Shinjuku and Akihabara stations. The minimum fare on the JR trains are ¥130 and even to go to the other end of the loop from Ebisu only costs ¥250. Still, JR goes many places in the Tokyo area and will get you were you want to go.

For Your Free Time in Japan

TOKYO FISH MARKET IN TSUKIJI 築地市場 (E18)
DIRECTIONS: Take the subway Toei Oedo Line (都営大江戸線) (maroon) and go to Tsukiji-Shijo (築地市場駅). This will cost ¥210 and take about 10 minutes. Take exit A1 and head to the entrance where all the motorized carts are going.
Please be reminded that the Fish Market opens in the early morning and closes around 2 PM. Also, the Fish Market has two markets. The bigger one is the main fish market and also there are fruit and vegetable stands. Be careful because the stores that are closer to the station are the vegetables. You need to walk further back to see the fish.
The Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the largest, and busiest, fish markets in the world. To get your head around the sheer scale of it consider these statistics: 2500 tons of fish, worth over US$23 million, is sold daily, and 240 tons of ice per day is used to keep the produce fresh.
Every water-living creature is sold here: giant tunas, scallops, fish galore, sea cucumbers, poisonous blowfish - in fact if it swims and isn't wearing a wetsuit it's up for grabs. But it's no place for the amateur looking for one tuna steak for dinner - a barely concealed hysteria of commerce is the order of the day as motorized carts move down the aisles, workers scurry around with clipboards and cartons of seafood, chainsaws go to work on giant tuna, and the gutting, slicing, scaling and sectioning of fish all keep pace.
A wander around the aisles (remembering that in any traffic situation the captains of commerce always have the right of way) is best topped off with breakfast at a sushi bar in one of the many alleyways running off the fish market.
After visiting the Tokyo Fish Market in Tsukiji, walk along Harumi Street (晴海通り) to Ginza 4-chome (銀座四丁目). On the way, you will see a Traditional Japanese Theater called
Kabuki-za (歌舞伎座) (Higashi-Ginza station (H09, A11)) on the right hand side. This theater was rebuilt about 100 years ago, and has a history of more than 200 years. Kabuki is one of the traditional Japanese plays, which prospered in the Tokugawa era. If you like, you may watch one-act, which is cheaper than a whole show and does not require reservations. A matinee starts at 11:30 AM and ends around 4:00 PM. An evening show starts at 4:30 PM and ends around 9:00 PM. The program is usually constructed by two or three acts and a dance.

GINZA 銀座 (H08, G09, M16)
DIRECTIONS: Take the subway Hibiya line (日比谷線) (gray) to Ginza station (銀座駅). It costs ¥160 and takes 9 mins.
Ginza is the place where foreigners enjoy staying for many hours. You will enjoy a sophisticated atmosphere and well-organized streets. There are many nice cafes and restaurants in the Ginza area. It is a good area for shopping. This is the place to experience Tokyo.
Also the Sony Building in Ginza is great for seeing Sony products and it has a duty-free store in the basement, but bring your passport.
Every Sunday, an area of streets around Ginza 4-chome (銀座四丁目) is closed to vehicular traffic. This is called a pedestrians’ paradise.
Ginza is also easily accessible in going to Asakusa (浅草) or Shibuya (渋谷) on the subway Ginza line (銀座線) (orange). It is 15 minutes and ¥190 in either direction.

ASAKUSA 浅草 (A18, G19)
DIRECTIONS: Take the Hibiya Line (日比谷線) from Roppongi to Higashi-Ginza (東銀座) (H09, A11) and transfer to the subway Toei Asakusa (浅草線) (pink) and go to Asakusa (浅草駅). This will take 25 minutes and 260 yen. Or Get off at Ginza (銀座駅) and take the Ginza line (銀座線) (orange) to Asakusa and save 70 yen.
Asakusa is famous for its temple, called Sensou-ji (浅草寺), and a main tourist spot for visitors. While walking through an entrance path to the temple, you can enjoy a last minute shopping at a souvenir store and traditional sweets shop. Do not forget to enter the temple and pray before the altar to exorcize bad spirits.

HARAJUKU 原宿 (C03)
DIRECTIONS: Take the Toei Oedo Line (都営大江戸線) (maroon) to Yoyogi (E26) and transfer to the JR Yamanote line (JR山手線) and go one stop to Harajuku station (原宿駅), 18 minutes, 300 yen. Or take the Hibiya Line to Kasumigaseki station (霞ヶ関駅)(M15, H06, C08) and transfer to the Chiyoda Line (green) to Meiji-Jingu-Mae station (明治神宮前駅)(C03), 190 yen, 18 minutes.
There is a main street outside the Takeshita Exit (竹下口). Follow the street that is called Takeshita Street (竹下通り). You will see a lot of little shops on both sides of the street. Harajuku is a town for teenage boys and girls. You can enjoy watching their fashions, which is handmade or is originally styled.
Also this is where the Meiji Jingu Shrine is on the west side of the Yamanote line.

SHIBUYA 渋谷 (Z01,G01)
DIRECTIONS: Take the Hibiya line to Ebisu station (恵比寿駅) (H02) and transfer to the JR Yamanote line (JR山手線) to Shibuya station (渋谷駅), one stop away. It will take 13 minutes and 290 yen. Or take the Toei Oedo Line to Aoyama-Itchome station () (E24, Z03, G04) and transfer to either the Hanzomon (purple) or Ginza (orange) Lines and go two stops. 260 yen and 16 minutes.
Go to the Hachiko exit (ハチ公口). There is a statute of a dog, called Hachiko. The dog would wait for its owner everyday at Shibuya station. Even after the owner’s death, the dog would still go to the station waiting for its owner. Many people will meet their friends at this statute. Before leaving the station area, be amazed with the three television screens all with different commercials. This is one of the scenes in Lost in Translation with the giant dinosaur on the screen. You will face a main crossing, which leads you to Dogenzaka (道玄坂) and Koen Street (公園通り).
Shibuya is a town, which represents the youth culture of Japan. It is always crowded. You will see many young Japanese girls who wear weird make-up and strange boots. There are a number of interesting restaurants and shops in the area.

OUTSIDE OF TOKYO
KAMAKURA 鎌倉
DIRECTIONS: Take the Hibiya Line to Ebisu and transfer to JR Shonan-Shinjuku line (JR湘南新宿線) towards Yokohama (横浜), Yokosuka (横須賀) & Kurihama (久里浜). This will cost 940 yen and take 1 hr to get to Kamakura.
If you would like to see the Great Buddha, take the Enoshima-Dentetsu Line (江ノ島電鉄線) towards Fujiwara (藤原), to Hase (長谷) station. It costs ¥190 and takes 5 minutes.
Kamakura was the capital of the first shogun in the 13th Century of Japan. Around Kamakura station, there is a major temple, which is a bit of a walk and a climb up the stairs will get you a great view of the city. You may be able to see couple going to their wedding in traditional Japanese clothing on the way to the temple. If you get lucky, the cherry blossoms may be in bloom during the same time.
In Hase, there is another temple with a gigantic Buddha statute that is about 40 feet high. You can walk inside the Buddha for a fee of ¥50. It is a bit of a walk from Hase station, but many people walk from the station, so you should not get lost on the way there.
It is a long day trip, but a very beautiful and interesting excursion.

HAKONE 箱根

Japanese Hot Springs Tour

This is a great day trip from Tokyo. The tour loops through Hakone National Park and its major features, including a cable car ride to Owakudani, famous for its volcanic sulfur hot springs and volcanic baked black eggs, a walk along Cedar Avenue with its 350 year old trees, and a cruise around Lake Ashi on a pirate ship. The views are spectacular and on a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji. Back in Hakone-Yumoto, take a relaxing soak in the hot springs spas at Tenkan Notemburo before heading back to Tokyo in the evening.

I recommend buying a “Hakone Free Pass,” a discount round-trip ticket that allows unlimited boarding access on all modes of transportation from Shinjuku and back again. The cost of the pass is ¥5500 and can be purchased at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center at Shinjuku Station. (Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) For a map go to http://www.odakyu-group.co.jp/english/center.htm. The pass saves a lot of money and eliminates the need to purchase tickets at every stop. You can also use your pass for a discount at the hot springs and other tourist attractions in the area. The Hakone Free Pass is valid for three days so I recommend buying it Friday, so you can leave early Saturday morning for this trip. NOTE: The last train from Hakone-Yumoto returning to Shinjuku (Tokyo) leaves at 8:50 p.m.!!!

Note: From Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto station the regular train fare is included in the Hakone Free Pass. The limited express romance car has reserved seating and costs an additional ¥870 yen. It takes 20 minutes off the trip. Romance trains are red, regular trains are white with a blue stripe.

Outline:
From Ikebukuro take the subway to Shinjuku station. From Shinjuku station, take the Odakyu train line to Hakone-Yumoto station (1 hour 40 mins) and transfer to the Tozan bus line headed for Moto-Hakone (about 40 minutes). Buses leave every 20 minutes. Walk around the Moto-Hakone area, through the cedar avenue and on to Hakone-machi where you board the pirate ship and cross Lake Ashi to Togendai (40 minutes). From Togendai, take the Hakone Ropeway, stop off in Owakudani and board the ropeway again to Sounzan and the cable car to Gora. (Total ropeway time about 40 minutes). On to Hakone-Yumoto from Gora by Tozan toy train (36 minutes) and visit the Tenzan Notemburo hot springs onsen spa.

Attractions:

Moto-Hakone 元箱根 & Cedar Avenue

On the way from Moto-hakone station to Hakone-machi road you can visit the Hakone-jinja Shrine. It is located within a wooded grove where about 300 huge 350-year-old Japanese cedars line the pathway leading up to the shrine. The cedars served as thick foliage during summer and as a snow break during winter to foot passengers in old days. The scenery remains the same today. You can also see the red entrance gate (torii) rising from the lake. Hakone shrine, located northwest of Lake Ashinoho's deep forest, was founded in 757 and is painted a beautiful scarlet color. The shrine is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hakone Checkpoint (Hakone Sekisho-Ato) 箱根関所跡

In the beginning of the Edo Period, the Hakone Check Point was established at the Tokaido, the most important highway that connects Tokyo with Osaka and Kyoto. The checkpoint's main purpose was to ensure that nobody carried weapons illegally or left Edo (Tokyo) without permission. Today, the Japanese style checkpoint building can be visited at its original location and includes a museum.

Hakone Machi 箱根町

From Hakonemachi there are three Sightseeing Pirate Ships that will take you across Lake Ashi to Togendai. Lake Ashinoko was created by the volcanic action of Mt. Hakone. You can see the red torii gate at the entrance to Hakone Shrine along the lakeside from the ship and fantastic views of Mt. Hakonerenzan and Mt. Fuji, weather permitting. The ferry ride takes about 40 minutes.

Ropeway - Togendai桃源台 - Owakudani大涌谷 - Sounzan早雲山 - Gora 強羅
From Togendai take the Hakone Ropeway, a distance of 4,035 m. It is the longest ropeway in Japan and the second longest in the world. From Togendai, you have views of Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji behind Mt. Kami. It takes about 18 minutes from Togendai station to Owakudani station.

Get off at Owakudani where you can see the large volcanic crater and the steam rising from the sulfur springs. Owakudani, the mouth of the active volcano of Mt. Hakone, is the site of a constantly bubbling and steaming valley formed by a volcanic eruption three thousand years ago. Hike up the valley from the station through the lava formations to the bubbling pools where you can walk through the steam rising from the sulfur springs. Here, you can taste the black volcano-baked egg, purported to extend your life for seven years. Cable cars leave every 20-30 minutes from Owakudani station to Sounzan station, a 10-min ride.

Continue on to Gora, ((9 minutes) and pick up the Tozan toy train to Hakone-Yumoto ((36 minutes).

Hakone-Yumoto 箱根湯元

The highlight of Japan and a wonderful way to relax and unwind after your travels is to spend some time in a traditional Japanese onsen (hot springs spa). The natural hot springs in Hakone-Yumoto are filled with water from Mt. Hakone’s volcano. The Japanese love of bathing in hot springs goes back a long way. The baths are a place to relax and to socialize and the water is naturally full of minerals, which can treat a wide variety of disorders including skin problems and rheumatism. Some types of water can be drunk which helps to cure digestive problems and aid the body’s metabolism. (I wouldn’t recommend it). Beneficial properties aside, bathing in hot springs (or onsen to use the Japanese term) or outdoor baths (rotemburo) is a sheer joy, and a “must-do” for any visitor to Japan.

The Tenzan Notemburo hot springs spa (daily 9am-11pm; ¥900) is a luxurious public onsen complex at Oku-Yumoto, 2km southwest of town. (You should get a discount with your Hakone Free pass.) The main building has separate male and female outdoor baths, including waterfalls and jacuzzi baths, naturally set in a series of rocky pools. There is the main bath, open-air baths, a Jacuzzi, a cascade bath, and a steam bath. When you enter you are given a towel to use, which is yours to keep when you leave. The changing area has hair dryers and there is a coin locker charge of 100 yen for your clothes. Soap is located in the bathing area. I recommend taking shampoo, lotion, and a hairbrush with you.

A free shuttle bus runs to the baths from the bridge just north of Hakone-Yumoto Station or you can take a taxi for around ¥650. You can check the website for Tenzan. It is all in Japanese, but there are some nice pictures (http://tenzan.jp/). Tenzan’s baths are all outdoors so you can lie there and enjoy the ambience. At this time of year, the air will be cool and crisp outside while the water keeps you toasty warm creating a steamy ambience that is surreal. Let the water soothe you and be at one with nature. It’s a beautiful and calming sensation.

How to take a Japanese style bath (温泉)

Baths are not for washing in, as other bathers share the water. You should clean yourself before entering the bath. Find a spare stool, water bucket and tap. Fill your bowl with water, rinse and thoroughly scrub yourself too. Use the towel for this, if you don’t you will be considered not to have washed properly. When you are done, rinse yourself. Thoroughly. Then rinse yourself again. Any trace of soap in the bath is a major cultural faux pas. If you have long hair, you should put it up. Before entering the bath, check the water temperature, they are usually VERY hot!

Where to eat:
I can’t recommend any particular restaurants. We just grab bentos and snacks from convenience stores and at stations along the way. You may want to take some snacks along from the convenience stores near the hotel in Ikebukuro.

References:
Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center (information about the free pass, romance car, and sightseeing) http://www.odakyu-group.co.jp/english/

Onsen Hot Springs - Tenzan Notemburo http://tenzan.jp/

Transportation Schedules for all modes of transportation included in this tour:
http://www.kankou.hakone.kanagawa.jp/tebiki/b-e.html