Family of 5 / airline employee

Hi. I am hoping to fly standby as an airline employee, arriving Feb. 9th 2008 and stay 9 or 10 days... I will have my wife and our three young boys (ages 3, 5, 6) but am getting more and more confused the more research I try to do. Any advice on where we should try to stay, should we successfully get seats over to Narita Airport? Perhaps someone knows a low cost western style hotel that has airline employee rates? Afraid to book anything in advance since we might get there on the 9th, might get there on the 10th... could arrive at night, could arrive early in the morning... who knows. Do hotels allow 2 adults / 3 kids (they have padded sleeping bags so no need for a bed) but are we crazy thinking we could find an affordable place to sleep on basically no notice?

oh, and would it be best to stay in one room the whole time and take day trips by train, or stay in a few different spots to be closer to areas we'd like to visit?
I'm leaning towards something near the airport for the whole time so we can develop a home base and then just decide what direction to go for the day. Is that too optimistic? Got a specific neighborhood to suggest if the airport area is not a good call?

All we have in mind so far is a day at tokyo disneyland, a tip to visit hot springs, a day in some snow (we're from hawaii), and a stroll through some gardens/temples.

Any advice would be great, thanks.

We had a hard time finding places that would allow all four of us to all stay in the same room. You'll have an even harder time with five. Check with the places we stayed to see if they can take another. We could have fit another in each of our rooms, but that doesn't mean the owners would necessarily allow it. http://www.2think.org/japan-hotels.shtml

I'm working for an airline as well and I think you should check with your company, which Tokyo hotels the air crew stay in.

Few hotels will offer special rates for all airline employees. The hotels usually offer special rates only to airline employees who are from the airlines that they have got business relationships with.

Sadly, my airline does not fly to Japan, and we do not seem to have any relationships in place. I'm open to other suggestions though if anybody has comments on the other matters of interest in the original post. Mahalo.

Jason,

I think you need to plan stuff out more before you get to Japan. For the night of the 9th when you arrive, maybe you can stay at a hotel in Narita, a lot of airline crews stay at those hotels, so they might give you an airline rate. You should make reservations at your desired hotel in the Tokyo area for the following day. One of the most convenient hotels to stay at especially for a first timer is the Shinagawa Prince Hotel; it's located directly across the Shinagawa Train station. Disneyland is easy to get to, just get directions from the hotel concierge. As for seeing snow and other tours around Tokyo, you can sign up with JTB Sunrise or HATO tours, they are very good for the first time Tokyo traveler.
You are looking at a very good website for Japan travel, keep searching this site for travel ideas and tips.
Not sure if I helped you or not, but if you need more help, just ask.

Good luck brah.
Aloha

That did help, thank you, trouble is... when I tried to hold a room there (and other places) it won't accept a family of 5. The prince wouldn't even take three in a room. I tested 2 adults / 1 child based on what seems to be some kind of 'age 5 and under is free' custom (?).

That didn't work either. Seems like we'd either have to lie about the size of our group... or book multiple rooms each night...??

Any insight into why websites don't seem to allow a group of three or more when it has two beds in the room?

Either way, thanks for taking the time. Things always seem to work themselves out eventually.

kind of nerve wracking isn't it?
have a look at:
http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/ and at www.japanhotel.net. I like Toyoko inns a lot but reserving rooms there can be maddening. On the other site you deal with hotels that are working together. each site show you the normal price and the special price, plus photos, maps etc. I gather that you don't want to spend a fortune..Shinagawa is now a bit pricey, especially considering that you may have to get 2 rooms. some budget business hotels and most budget ryokans have big family rooms, if you don't mind sleeping on futons on the floor. I am over 50 and love it..only stay in Narita upon arrival and reserve for the day after in downtown Tokyo, preferably in a cheaper area like Ueno, Asakusa, Ikebukuro. Some airline staff get as much as 50% off in hotels like Hilton etc. off season but you still have to pay 150 $ US. don't stay in Narita the whole time as going to and fro between Narita and dowtown is long and expensive.
You don't need to take tours either. I don't speak Japanese (only a few words) but can travel on my own in Japan very easily. You need to do a lot of reading on the internet,in guidebooks etc. to learn about places to see etc. though you definitely don't have to go to all the so-called "must see" places. If you are from the USA there is no point going to Disneyland..Japan the trains, the elevated freeways, the huge neon signs and videos screens, the big department stores-especially the food floor in the basement-) is a huge colourful and mind boggling attraction in itself! a visit to Asakusa then a boat ride from there to Odaiba will please both kids and parents.
Harajuku (the Meiji shrine and its park, then Omotesando avenue (with luxury stores for mom..), a visit to the (free) Tokyo metropolitan Government building in West Shinjuku to see all of Tokyo down below..Ueno park, its zoo and museums..Ameyokocho market nearby, the Tokyo-Edo museum etc. lots of stuff all over the place. you may also wish to take a short one day trip outside Tokyo: Kamakura for exemple (45 minutes-1 hr by commuter trains).

You may try to check this one.
http://www.toukaisou.com/index-e.htm
It's near Asakusa, just 1 station.
I book here for my visit in this April. You don't have to pay in advance.

Also advice to buy ''Tokyo Metro Open Ticket'' at Narita Airport.
1-Day Open Ticket = 600 Yen
(For child, 300 Yen)
2-Day Open Ticket = 980 Yen
(For child, 490 Yen)
- You can enjoy riding all Tokyo Metro Lines. Unlimited ride.
It's much cheaper than buy this ticket in the city.

Mahalo for the help. I think we're getting much closer to figuring this all out.
:)

It may be useful for you to contact hotels through parent company website and then call their telephone number. I found Holiday Inns near Narita had good rates for same time period and some have kitchenettes which could be useful for family.