Tokyo is a rad place that has its unique flaws -much like any other place on this great planet. Having lived there for a year the one I identify most with is the seperation between Japanese society and the foreigners. If someone complains that the people are like zombies - they have to be - born and raised in ny, I know that there is no better way to overcome the overstimulus than look down at the pavement and bustle with the crowds. Also, if you have a penchant for drinking, you will see that Tokyoites play it cool until they are a few beers in. (and their clubs are unbelievable!)
But I mentioned a flaw - and this is one that really purtains to people who stay for an extended period of time: you can never be Japanese. Learning the language, learning the city, and mastering the culture only to forever be considered a foreigner made for some tough times and life-changing events, but I will move on to more relevant things...
A lot of people slam Tokyo for being expensive, but spending some time there I have learned to eat meals for under 500 yen (less than 5 bucks when I was there, about 7 now). However, succumbing to homesickness and getting Western food can be pricy, so be adventurous!
There are also some consumer issues that Americans may find odd - for example, a small beer will be slightly cheaper and twice the size of a small soda. Japanese fashion is brilliant, but almost unwearable by mainstream america in both its size and flamboyance. (But this makes people watching in Tokyo an amazing source of free entertainment.)
Hotels run the gammut, but there exist a cheap type of hotel: love hotels. As the name suggests they cater to couples and, as seedy as this concept may sound, they run excellent and clean rooms. During the weekdays the price is around 50$ a night and for cheap weekends look no further than business hotels, which cost similar rates on weekends (which obviously is their off time)
Here is my brief synopsis of major places:
Ueno= museums, shopping, fish markets
Akihabara= cheap electronics, nerds, and anime culture
Harajuku= fabulously extreme fashion, boutiques, and on weekends Gothic Lolita's, Rockabillys, and random clowns hang around inbetween Harajuku and Yoyogi Station - you have not been to Tokyo if you don't enjoy this free treat
Shibuya=clubs, bars, lights
Shinjuku=clubs, bars, lights, mobsters
Ikebukoro= bars, shops, lights, mobsters
...
etc.
if you want more info just hit me up

Just an incredible, overwhelming city. Tokyo is massive. It's dense. =
Everything runs vertical, as well as horizontal - it's not uncommon to =
see a restaurant or store on the eighth floor of a building. It's =
teeming with people, yet somehow the city stays incredibly clean. The =
fashion is pretty crazy, especially for the women. Often the women seem =
dressed like anime characters, and it's a bit unnerving.

The gadgets are everywhere, but not as quite in your face as San =
Francisco.

Stuff worth seeing: Akhibara (the electronics district), the Imperial =
Gardens, Ebisu, Shibuyo, Shinjuku, the Fish Market, and many more. Just =
jump on the incredible subway system, get off, and explore.

I am staying in Shibuyo, and I would recommend it. It's very cool and =
hip, but quiet enough if you stay away from the crazy Chibuya Station =
area. More reviews to follow.....

Tokyo is fascinating but it can be overwhelming. It's huge, overpopulated, and bustling. No trip to Japan is complete without a trip to Tokyo but it is by no means representative of Japan.

COOLEST CITY ON THE PLANET! If you dont like it, then stay away and suck it :)

Tokyo is a very unpleasant city. All bright lights and glitz and little to see or enjoy. It is overpriced beyond belief- $100 for a melon? Come on! And the food is just horrible. I would advise travelers to steer clear of Tokyo. If you must go to Asia, check out Pattaya in Thialand.

I had a wonderful time there. The people were very kind, there was always something to do, and everything is efficient and clean. Although expensive, the transportation system is amazing. Living my life in NYC, I never thought the train system could be beaten, but Tokyo beats it by far. On the down side, Tokyo is expensive. Tokyo also suffers from being very expansive and non-grid city planning (in these respects its alot like LA). However, for a visit, the positive outwieghs the vices drastically. I recommend going to Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Harajuku, Asakusa, Akihabara, and Odaiba

The biggest city in the world, but makes New York City and Chicago look like paradise. What a waste of space.

Hated it: people are like robots, polite but not very friendly to foreigners (gaijin)...spent two days there: two days too many!

Yes, you really must see Tokyo. It is the world's most modern city, clean and friendly -- and crowded. Be sure to take the train loop that goes over the harbor and the Yamanote line around the city. See ultra-chic in Shinjuku, nerds and gadgets in Akihabara. Plan ahead and you can save money by not staying the city center. Public transit will take you there quickly. Try for spring or fall.

I most reccomend visiting the districts of Shinjuku & make sure to visit Halajuku on a SUNDAY for a fabolous experience in culture shock^___^

Such a great place to visit. I visited for the NFL Tokyo 2003 game. The people there are extremely nice, and the whole city is SO CLEAN! I thought it was impossible for a city larger than NYC to be like that but it is. They are much more technologically advanced than the U.S.! I mean the toilets (well, you'd have to check it out for yourself) but they're too cool. The subway system is very helpful, and there are many great attractions. If you visit, be sure to check out Tokyo Dome City and Tokyo Disneyland, both world class attractions. Akasaka and Shinjinku are also great. The city is safe, and crime is virtually non-exsistent. You will be safe walking on the street at any hour. If you ever get a chance, make sure to visit Tokyo!

Love Tokyo! The people are wonderful!

if you thought it was impossible for a major world city to be literally really clean and safe, you thought wrong. this city is pretty impressive when it comes to that. they have such unique artistic sense. but they're way into gadgets. even the macdonald's has electronic sliding glass doors. might seem too futuristic at times, but there are some beautiful parks and rock gardens. it is expensive though, and you better be a fan of seafood.

I didn't have to worry about the cost, because I was there for work. So, I had a great time and it's safe. There is good culture.

I had an excellent Millennium eve in Tokyo; however, you must realize it is a National Holiday, so the majority of things are closed Dec 31-Jan3! I did have an excellent time, but might recommend not going there during the Xmas-New Years holidays. Oh yeah, it IS very expensive

Tokyo is fantastic (as is the whole of Japan). And prices are not so terribly high as I feared.

Tokyo is truly amazing! Be sure to visit the free observation deck on the 50th floor of the Sumitomo bank building in West Shinjuku at nighttime. The views will blow your mind.