Shinagawa Keikyu EX Inn Hotel Stay Experience - Tokyo Reasonable, Spacious, Stylish and Convenient Location Accommodation Review

In October 2017, I traveled in Japan using the Japan Rail JR pass. I stayed at Shinagawa Keikyu EX Inn Hotel 京急 EX イン 品川 駅 前 while I was visiting Tokyo and nearby areas. While hotels are merely places for rest and sleep to many travelers, reasonably priced and conveniently located hotels would make travel experiences more efficient. I am writing this blog article to showcase the importance of conveniently located hotel stay as well as other advantages of staying at Shinagawa Keikyu EX Inn Hotel in front of Tokyo Shinagawa station.

Project Shinkansen 2015 - Japan Rail Pass Itinerary Seto Inland Sea

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the Japan Rail Pass. I traveled solo. It was my second trip using the JR pass since the The Journey 5 years prior. I bought a 14-day JR pass and used it for 10 days in Japan due to lack of vacation time from my job. Even though it was only a 10-day trip, I was able to maximize my time in Japan and the value of the JR pass for a trip of a life time. Briefly, I traveled through Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto, Shikoku, Fukuoka, Ise, Tokyo and Nagano. Here are the highlights of my itinerary:

Japan Rail Pass Route 2015. Project Shinkansen Setonaikai Seto Inland Sea

First Cabin Hotel Hakata - Review for Japan Hotel

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the Japan Rail Pass. While I was traveling in Fukuoka/Hakata area in Kyushu, I stayed at First Cabin Hotel (hostel) in the most bustling area in Fukuoka/Hakata city. I am posting my hotel review on my Tokyo travel blog since First Cabin hotel chain offers same setting for each of their locations throughout Japan: Akihabara, Tsukiji and Haneda terminal in Tokyo, Namba in Osaka, and Karasuma in Kyoto. All locations are highly convenient and popular.

First Cabin Hotel Hakata, new concept of accommodation in Japan

Hotel Princess Garden - Review for Tokyo Hotel

In November 2015, I traveled to Japan using the JR pass. While I was traveling in the Tokyo area, I stayed at Hotel Princess Garden off the JR Meguro station on the JR Yamanote loop line. Aside from being an inexpensive and convenient hotel, here is my latest in-depth hotel review:

Hotel Princess Garden, great value Tokyo hotel.

Useful Travel Japanese Phrases

While language barrier has never been an issue for me during my trips to Japan in the past 15 years, I found it fun to be able to speak a few phrases to test out my foreign language skills during my travel. Having some survival Japanese phrases handy could make your trip more pleasant when people around you can not or unwilling to speak English (or any other foreign language) I also felt that Tokyo has become more English speaking friendly along with the foreign tourism surge in the past ten years.

Just point and order when you see plastic food models in front of the restaurants

I have listed phrases that are useful and essential for new travelers to Japan.

Tokyo Transportation - Getting around in Tokyo

Getting around in Tokyo could be both adventurous and challenging for first time travelers. With one of the most developed public transportation system in the world, learning about the basics before hand could make your trip much more pleasant. I am focusing on public transportation in major train and subway systems in this blog post, as they are the most popular methods of getting around in Tokyo.

Famous Tokyo Yamanote loop line train

Tokyo Meiji Jingu Shrine - Time Travel in Tokyo

Aside from the hustle and bustle in Tokyo, a visit to the Meiji Jingu shrine offers a more relaxing and spiritual experience while in Japan. This Shinto shrine was originally dedicated for the Meiji Emperor, it has recently become one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo for both Japanese people and foreign travelers.

Time travel in Tokyo, a visit to Meiji Jingu shrine.