- Joined
- Sep 6, 2006
- Messages
- 14,336
- Reaction score
- 4,779
The last trains are usually until 0030. If you're staying in Shinjuku, a taxi from Roppongi or NishiAzabu for example, might set you back Y3000. Maybe half that if you stay in a place like Ebisu (eg Hotel Excellent) or you could even walk back to a place like Akasaka (eg b Akasaka). Same if in Roppongi (eg b Roppongi ... although it's an area I kinda hate due to all the annoying Nigerian touts).
JR trains start from around 0500 and subways from around 0520 if you want to stay up all night.
If so inclined (and jetlagged), consider an early morning tour of Tsukiji Market. (calendar for 2010). If you are not sure how to avoid the marsupialed new anally-retentive rules to screen out tourists, just figure it out yourself with a little online research or pay these pros Y7,500 for a guided tour that starts from 0400.
If its 1-2 and you're within a few train stops, taxi it home, but if it gets past 3, just cut your losses and find a Denny's or something. Be aware that really cheap business hotels sometimes even lock their front doors after a certain time and they don't like it much if they have to wake up to let you in. You probably won't end up in a place like that, but Japan is old fashioned in some ways and staying out is for soldiering on til 5 or later.
Once got drunk and fleeced in roppongi and had to take a cab back to asakusa; you can guess how much that cost. On the bright side, the cab was an LS460 and it was a pleasant cab ride.