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wants to eat something at fmd_goodForno Centrale
wants to drink something at fmd_goodThe Anchor
want to meet at fmd_good Common Place
wants to do some sport at fmd_goodCommon Place
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Input on Machida Suburb?
yeah jf oberlin is a bit of a hike from the main station but the bus is fine. if you're into hiking or just want a break from city stuff, serigaya park is a 20 min walk from campus and has these cool bamboo groves and a little shrine, really peaceful. for food, there's a curry place called curry house cochin in the shotengai that does a mean keema curry for like 800 yen, way better than the chain stuff. safety is basically non-issue, i've walked home at 2am from the station plenty of times and never felt sketchy. just know that the last odakyu express to machida from shinjuku is around midnight so plan your nights out accordingly or you're looking at a pricey taxi
machida's honestly a solid choice for a semester. it's not the most exciting part of tokyo but it's super safe and has everything you need day to day. the main station area has a big tokyu department store, a bunch of restaurants, and a decent movie theater. for getting into central tokyo, you take the odakyu line from machida station straight to shinjuku in about 30 minutes on the express, super easy. the vibe is more family-oriented and a bit sleepy compared to shibuya or shinjuku, but that makes it a good place to actually live and study without the constant chaos. if you want a real local experience, check out the yakitori places in the shotengai (shopping street) near the station, they're cheap and good
honestly machida's pretty underrated for a study abroad spot. the bus system from jf oberlin to machida station is reliable, like every 10 minutes during peak hours, and a one-way is like 220 yen. for weekend trips, the tokyu line to futako-tamagawa is only 15 minutes and has a huge shopping complex with a nice riverside park. the area around the university itself is really quiet, mostly residential hills, so bring a bike if u want to explore without waiting for buses. the machida gig concert venue sometimes has decent indie bands for cheap, like 2000-3000 yen tickets.
Things to Do in Tokyo (2026)
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspec… 🗼 Iconic Landmarks
Start your Tokyo journey at the Tokyo Tower (4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato), which offers panoramic views from its 150-meter observation deck for 1,200 yen. For a more modern perspective, head to the Shibuya Sky observation deck (2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya) for 2,000 yen, open until 10 PM. Both spots are less crowded on weekday mornings.
⛩️ Cultural Temples and Shrines
Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (2-18-9 Kaminarimon, Taito), Tokyo's oldest temple, open daily from 6 AM to 5 PM. For a quieter experience, explore the Meiji Jingu Shrine (1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya), set in a large forested area and free to enter. Arrive early to avoid crowds, especially on weekends.
🍜 Must-Try Food Experiences
Sample authentic ramen at Ichiran Shibuya (1-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya), where individual booths let you focus on the tonkotsu broth, starting at 1,290 yen. For a unique twist, try conveyor-belt sushi at Uobei Shibuya (1-19-3 Jinnan, Shibuya), with plates from 100 yen. Reservations are not needed, but expect short queues.
🏯 Hidden Neighborhoods
Explore Yanaka, a district that survived WWII bombings, with narrow lanes and traditional shops like Yanaka Ginza shopping street (3-11-1 Yanaka, Taito). For a bohemian vibe, wander Shimokitazawa (Kitazawa, Setagaya), known for vintage stores and indie cafes. Both areas are best explored on foot in the afternoon.
🚇 Getting Around
Use the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway networks, with a 24-hour pass costing 800 yen for unlimited rides on most lines. The Suica or Pasmo IC cards are rechargeable and work on trains, buses, and even vending machines. Avoid rush hour (7:30-9 AM and 5-7 PM) to travel comfortably.
🌃 Best Evening Spots
Watch the sunset from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku), where the free observation deck is open until 10 PM. For nightlife, head to Golden Gai in Shinjuku (1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku), a maze of tiny bars with a cover charge of around 500 yen. Reservations are recommended for popular bars.
🌸 Seasonal Highlights
Cherry blossom season in late March to early April draws crowds to Ueno Park (5-20 Uenokoen, Taito), with over 1,000 cherry trees. For autumn foliage, visit Rikugien Garden (6-16-3 Honkomagome, Bunkyo) in November, lit up at night for 1,000 yen. Check the Japan Meteorological Corporation's forecast for peak dates.
🎁 Unique Souvenirs
Buy traditional crafts at Kappabashi Kitchen Town (3-18-2 Nishiasakusa, Taito), famous for realistic plastic food samples and kitchenware. For quirky gifts, explore Don Quijote stores, like the one in Shibuya (1-16-5 Udagawacho, Shibuya), open 24 hours and offering everything from electronics to snacks. Prices are reasonable, and tax-free shopping is available for tourists.
honestly this is a solid list, you've hit the major spots. one thing i'd add is that the Tsukiji Outer Market is worth a morning even if the inner market moved to Toyosu. the stalls there for tamagoyaki and fresh uni on skewers are unbeatable, and it gets packed by 9am so go early.
for a cheap meal that slaps, try CoCo Ichibanya for curry rice. there's one near basically every station and you can customize the spice level and toppings. it's not fancy but it's a real Tokyo staple that tourists often overlook.
also if you're into temples, the walk from Senso-ji down Nakamise-dori is fun but the side streets in Asakusa have smaller shrines and old-school snack shops that are way less crowded. i stumbled on a tiny place selling matcha soft serve for 350 yen last time and it was better than the touristy ones.