Tokyo is the largest city in the world, so it can be a little bit daunting to visit it for the first time. Before I travelled to this exciting metropole, I had already lived in Japan for over 2 years, so I knew how to navigate its public transport for example. Yet the idea of masses of people made a me a bit anxious, not mentioning all the sites I wanted to visit. For me, good planning is the key to a successful trip and Tokyo wasn’t an exception. I am here to share with you what I learned from my first visit to Japan’s capital, which attractions we visited (and if they are worth it), where we went to eat and how we managed our time to get the most out of the city! 5 day tokyo itinerary
General information about Tokyo
Tokyo is located in the Tokyo Bay in southern Kanto region in Japan. Before it became Japan’s capital in the 19th century, it carried the name Edo. Edo was small and unimportant fishing village, but in a short period of time, it became one of the biggest cities in Japan. The name “Tokyo” literally translates as “The Eastern capital” and with its 38 million inhabitants (in greater Tokyo), it is the biggest city in the world today. 5 day tokyo itinerary
The cityscape of Tokyo may not seem very charming at first. It is a concrete jungle that had to be rebuilt twice in recent history – first time after the Great Kanto Earthquake, and the second time after the bombings during the WW II. That’s why you won’t find here many older, traditional buildings, but rather contemporary architecture. Tokyo is also every film lover’s dream destination, as it featured in many Hollywood movies, for example Kill Bill, Lost in Translation or Inception, just to name a few.
Even though Tokyo is exciting and there’s no shortage of activities to spend two weeks there straight, I always highly recommend spending some time in the countryside when visiting Japan.
Day 1 – Arrival, evening in Shinjuku
If you are travelling to Tokyo by shinkansen, bus or plane, you will need at least the whole morning to get around and find your hotel. Hotels in Japan usually allow check-in at around 3 pm. Many of them will let you leave your luggage there so you can go and start exploring. Alternatively, you can also keep your luggage in the storage boxes at one of the train stations.
We arrived to Tokyo with Nozomi Shinkansen from Osaka. After check-in to our hotel located in Asakusa, we went straight to Shinjuku.
What to do in Shinjuku
Omoide Yokocho
Shinjuku may be a modern area full of skyscrapers, but among the tall buildings, you can find little back alleys with local eateries, pubs and izakayas. Omoide Yokocho is one them and it is probably the most popular among them all. The name translates as Memory Lane and it shall remind you of simpler times during Showa Period. It is a really lovely alley, popular among tourists and locals alike.
Godzilla
One of the great ways how to enjoy Shinjuku is just walking around. You never know what you discover! For example, a giant Godzilla peeking from the top of a building. You will find its exact location here.
2D Café
After its initial success in Seoul, 2D Café opened also its franchise in Tokyo. It is really fun place, great for taking nice pictures. To my surprise, it wasn’t crowded and their cakes were actually delicious! I wouldn’t mind at all going there again.
Food tour in Golden Gai
Golden Gai is another popular area in Shinjuku with strong retro vibes. Full of narrow alleys and small bars and pubs, it is the perfect place to go for a drink or two. However, during our whole stay in Japan, it was also the first place where I didn’t feel 100% safe. Japan is known as a safe country, but in this area, there have been some scams lately run by minorities that live in Japan (not Japanese people themselves). I don’t want to scare anyone, but I heard crazy stories when people woke up and they knew they were drugged and their money and credit cards disappeared. When walking around Golden Gai we were approached several times by strangers trying to lure us into bars for “free drinks”. It was hard to get rid of them so we left quickly.
There is a way to have a good experience in Golden Gai though. You can join a food tour with an experienced guide who will take you to all the right places. From my experience I can recommend Arigato Japan. I worked as a tour guide with them in Osaka and they are currently the best on the Japanese market. Check their Shinjuku Tour here.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
This large governmental institution may not seem as much, but in its South Tower there is an observation deck that you can visit completely for free. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it on time, but the views should be pretty decent, especially over Shinjuku Chuo Park. If you are travelling to Tokyo on budget, I would recommend giving this place a go!
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
If you have time to spare in Shinjuku, this large park offers plenty of places to relax. It is particularly beautiful in April when cherry blossoms are blooming and in autumn, for its countless colourful maple trees.
Day 2 – Asakusa, Tokyo Sky Tree, Hokusai Museum and Roppongi Hills
On our second day in Tokyo, we explored Asakusa neighbourhood, Sumida city and Minato City. Here are all the places visited during the day.
Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine
Both Senso-ji and Asakusa shrine are located within one religious’ compound in the Asakusa area. Senso-ji is the largest and oldest temple in Tokyo and the original building was completed in the 645 AD, but since then it was completely rebuilt due to WW II bombings. The entrance to the temple is truly majestic. It is decorated with massive lanterns and the alley that leads to it is lined with shops and street food stalls.
Senso-ji is very popular and it is estimated that 30 million people visit it every year. If you would like to explore it at your own pace, I recommend coming here early in the morning, or later at night. It’s open 24/7 and there are no entrance fees.
Asakusa is very nice neighbourhood. It kept the vibe of old, traditional Tokyo. You can find here small shops, wooden buildings and izakayas with outdoor seating in the streets. There are also ricksha carriers just like in Kyoto. I personally never tried them but they are very popular among tourists.
Sumida Park and Tokyo Sky Tree
Sumida Park is walking distance from Asakusa shrine. It is a great urban park spreading along the riverside. There are many cherry trees of different varieties so they bloom for a very long time. We visited Tokyo in mid-April, which means the main Sakura season should be over, but there were still many trees in bloom. Sumida Park also offers great view at Tokyo Sky Tree!
Tokyo Sky Tree is just across the river from Sumida Park. You can walk there or you can take a short train ride. With its 634 metres, it is the tallest free-standing tower in the world. There’s an observation deck in the 450 metres height that you can visit, but after a careful consideration we decided not to go. Sumida City, where the Sky Tree is located, is quite flat and Tokyo skyline is far in the distance which is not a view that would be interesting for me personally. But in case you’d like to try, you can find the ticket information here.
Hokusai Museum
Over the years in Japan, I have become very fond of artwork by Hokusai, so visiting his museum was on my “must-do” list. Hokusai was Japanese ukiyo-e artist. Ukiyo-e are Japanese woodblock prints. The most famous ones from Hokusai include The Great Wave of Kanagawa and Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. Hokusai museum is located in a nice modern building in Sumida City. The entrance fee is only 400 yen and it is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm every day (except of Mondays when the museum is closed).
If you are not interested in visiting Hokusai Museum, you can dedicate this time to visiting Shiba Park, from where you can admire the famous Tokyo Tower. Or even better, you can go up to the tower itself.
Roppongi – Tokyo City View and Sky Deck
We spent the evening in lively Roppongi neighbourhood full of late night izakayas and bars. For the sunset we went up to the Tokyo City View and Sky Deck, which is an observation platform on top of Roppongi Hills skyscraper. From the large floor-to-ceiling windows, you can admire the whole panorama of Tokyo with amazing views at the Tokyo Tower. If you are lucky, you can also see Mount Fuji in the distance.
Tokyo City View and Sky Deck has also adjacent art museum and a bar/restaurant on the top. I expected it to be really busy, but to my surprise it was very calm in the middle of the week. For more information about tickets, museum and opening hours, check their official website here.
Day 3 – Museums, Shibuya and Harajuku
On out 3rd day in Tokyo, we planned on going to Saitama prefecture near Tokyo to visit Kadogawa Musashino Museum. It is a large cultural complex and an art museum. My original plan was to stay there for the bigger part of the day. We booked the tickets online in advance and they were quite pricy. Then when we arrived, they basically told us that even though, on our tickets it is stated that we were allowed to visit certain areas, it doesn’t apply anymore and we have to pay extra. Not a good start! I didn’t want to pay more money so we went where we could and it wasn’t worth it. Not worth the money, nor the trip outside of Tokyo. I mean, it is an interesting place, but definitely over-charged. I wouldn’t bother to go there again. So, here’s an alternative plan for day 3!
The National Art Centre Tokyo
If I shall go to Tokyo again, I will not miss The National Art Centre! It is a large complex in Roppongi area and it has one of the best and largest collections of art and archaeological artifacts in Japan. The entrance is free, you only have to pay for certain temporary exhibitions. Within walking distance, there are other interesting art museums, for example Nezu Museum, 21 21 Design Sight, or Mori Art Centre Gallery in Roppongi Hills, just to name a few.
Harajuku
After we came back from Saitama, we actually went to Harajuku. The most famous street, the one where everyone takes pictures, is called Takeshita Street. To be honest, Harajuku was a little underwhelming, nothing like the crazy streets full of fashionable teens and anime characters, like you see on YouTube. During the day it was a pretty regular street with some cute shops and cafes. The cafes offer different kawaii food. For a better experience, I would recommend visiting in the evening maybe.
Explore Shibuya
Shibuya Sky
In the evening we went to Shibuya. First we watched the sunset from the newest observation deck Shibuya Sky on top of the Shibuya Scramble Square skyscraper. It has also an outdoor area where you can relax on the helipad. There are sun chairs, nets and lounges, it has a very chill vibe. There were many people, yet it didn’t feel crowded. I would recommend booking tickets in advance and if you shall visit only one observation platform in Tokyo, it should be this one. The 360-degree views are incredible and you can spend here a lot of time. From the inside, you also get a great view at the famous Shibuya crossing.
Shibuya crossing and Starbucks Shibuya
Shibuya crossing is the most famous crossing in the world and it attracts lots of tourists. It is located next to the Shibuya Station (exit A6b). Let’s say it is fun to cross the street but I find it more mesmerizing to watch people how they do so. Above the crossing, there’s a Starbucks with a great view. We got some coffees and did a little bit of people watching.
Hachiko memorial
Next to Shibuya crossing, there’s a bronze statue of loyal dog Hachiko. I think most of you know the story of the unconditional love of Hachiko to his owner, who tragically died yet his dog kept waiting for him at the station to come home. There was also a movie starring Richard Gere about Hachiko (but it didn’t take place in Tokyo, which kind of missed the point if you ask me). Anyway, Hachiko memorial is a popular meeting spot in Shibuya. You will see some dog treats next to the statue that people leave there for the dog up to this day.
Day 4 – Japanese Gardens, Imperial Palace, Ginza and Akihabara
On our 4th day we woke up into a rainy morning and it didn’t stop for the next few days. I planned to go to Yayoi Kusama Museum and booked the tickets in advance. It is a private museum, a little bit far from any major attraction and also far from train stations. If you are not a particularly big fan of Yayoi Kusama, I would skip it. The tickets were quite pricey for how small the museum actually was. If you decide to visit The National Art Centre (mentioned before), there’s a whole section dedicated to Kusama anyway.
Here are some activities as an inspiration what to add to your itinerary:
Yoyogi Park
If the weather was nice during our visit, I would love to spend some time in one of the many amazing parks in Tokyo. Yoyogi Park has a large cherry blossom alley, so it is a must-see place if you are visiting at the end of March. You will find here a rose garden (roses are usually in season in May and October), ginkgo trees that turn colours into bright yellow in November, or Flowerland with many seasonal flowers that bloom all-year-round.
Meiji Jingu Gaien
Meiji Jingu is another amazing park famous for its spectacular Gingko Avenue. The trees are lining the pavement and they are cut in a pointy shape to make the view more majestic. I don’t have to tell you that this place is particularly popular in November when all the people come here to take beautiful photos.
Imperial Palace
Imperial Palace is still the main residence of the Japanese Emperor and his family. It is located in the Chiyoda Ward in the centre of Tokyo and it is surrounded by a large park and a garden. Tours of the castle should be available (but they were cancelled during the pandemic, so I would check beforehand on their website here). I personally regret that we didn’t find the time to visit the Imperial Palace. Be aware though that the park around it is very large and it requires a lot of walking around.
Ginza
If you love a good shopping, you shouldn’t miss Ginza district. It is known for upscale boutiques with interesting architecture. On the weekends, the main Chuo Dori Street becomes a pedestrian area.
Akihabara
When it stopped raining for a bit, we spent the evening walking around Akihabara. Akihabara is a lively shopping area, where you can find countless electronics retailers that sell not only the newest gadgets, but you can find here vintage stuff that is not in production anymore, everything in a great condition! Akihabara has a retro vibe from the 80ties – 90ties, when Japan was experiencing its biggest boom. There are also many maid cafes with hostesses in costumes luring potential customers in. At times I felt like in a movie scene…
Day 5 – Odaiba Island and TeamLab, Departure
Our 5th day was the departure day. We had a flight scheduled at 10 pm from Narita airport, so it still gave us plenty of time to enjoy our last day. Unfortunately, it was raining again, so we didn’t get to see as much I intended to.
Odaiba Island
On the last day, I planned to go to Odaiba Island, in Koto City. Odaiba is an artificial island in Tokyo Bay where you can find high-tech entertainment hubs, shopping malls, seaside parks, beaches, famous Rainbow Bridge and great views at Tokyo skyline. To get to Odaiba, you have to take a futuristic Yurikamome train that takes you all around. Odaiba is also home to the massive Unicorn Gundam Statue, based on a famous anime character, and some great museums. The most notable one is TeamLab Planets (note: as per September 2022, there’s only one TeamLab museum in Tokyo. Before there was also TeamLab Borderless that closed down in August 2022. It is planned that Borderless will be open again and Planets will close for renovation, but no dates were set yet).
TeamLab Planets
Visiting TeamLab Planets was like a cherry on top of our Tokyo adventures. Last time I had this much fun was when we visited Universal Studios in Osaka! I would say it is an absolute must-do experience in Japan, it will be fun for the whole family. TeamLab is a digital art museum that will transport you to a world of wildest imagination. I don’t want to spoil it too much for you, as what to expect there, but let me just tell you, it was hard for me to leave. This wasn’t our first TeamLab visit. We did also TeamLab Forest in Fukuoka. I think I liked Planets more, just because you have to take your shoes off and walk around barefoot on different textures so all your senses are included.
Opening hours and entrance fees
TeamLab Planets is open from 9 am to 6 pm. It’s closed on Wednesdays so plan accordingly! On the weekends, you can expect it to be more crowded. I would recommend booking your tickets in advance and come there at 9 am. The tickets cost 3200 yen per adult and they are worth every penny! For more information about the tickets, visit their official website here.
After TeamLab, we walked a bit in the rain around Odaiba and then in Asakusa, where was our hotel. The Senso-ji temple in the rain had a different atmosphere which I really enjoyed. Surprisingly it was still very busy with all the street vendors selling their goods on the main street. We bought some snacks and food and headed to the hotel to get ready for our departure.
Getting around Tokyo
The best way to get around any major city in Japan is by trains. Every part of the city is well-connected, the trains are incredibly punctual and it is the fastest means of transport. However, for a first timer it can be a little bit confusing to learn to navigate the system. There are several different train and metro lines. To change the line, sometimes you have to exit the station and enter via different entrance to access the new line. Google Maps will help you a lot.
Transportation cards
To make your transitions easier, I would recommend you to purchase a Suica or Pasmo card. If you start your trip in Osaka, you may get Icoca. You can use this card all around Japan, you just charge it and you are good to go. It can save you a lot of time that buying individual tickets every time you take public transport. You can also use the transportation cards in buses. Click here for a detailed article how to use these cards.
Taxi
It goes without saying that taxis in Japan are extremely expensive, so if you are travelling on budget, avoid them at all costs. A singe trip to or from the airport can go up to several hundred dollars. Plus the traffic can prolong your trip.
For more information about life in Japan (including transportation and their rules to follow), check my older article here.
Best time to visit Tokyo
Generally, Japan suffers from very hot and humid summers so my advice to you is to avoid June, July and August. June and July have high rainfall, while August is simply unbearably hot. Other than summer, any time during the year is great for visiting Tokyo. Winters are mild with February being the coldest month, but temperatures rarely fall under 0 degrees of Celsius. Spring brings many seasonal flowers. If you would like to see cherry blossoms, they start to bloom earlier in Tokyo than in Osaka and Kyoto (they are usually at their peak at the end of March). Autumn is also magical with November being the most colourful month.
Where to stay in Tokyo
One thing I have to remind you again – Tokyo is big and sprawling. You have to think what you really want to do and see, what your priorities are, and then choose the area of your stay accordingly. Even though the city is very well connected by trains, it takes a long time to get from one side of the city to the other. For example, if you’d like to party in Shinjuku or Shibuya, don’t look for hotels in Asakusa or Sumida city because it can take 45 minutes by metro to go back to your hotel late at night.
We stayed in Asakusa and I liked the area a lot. Asakusa is home to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and largest temple. The whole area has a retro vibe with narrow streets full of izakayas. You won’t find here modern buildings with neon lights, but rather small houses. But it doesn’t mean it is not lively! I personally loved Asakusa and I would stay in this area again. But as I said, if you are more of a party person, I would recommend Shinjuku or Shibuya as your base. For more upscale accommodation, search in Ginza area, full of high-end boutiques, restaurants and cocktail bars.
Where to eat in Tokyo
Tokyo, and Japan in general, has an amazing cuisine with a wide variety of high-end restaurants as well as affordable eateries. This list is just an inspiration for you, if you don’t have any plan. We visited some of these places, while others I saved after seeing them online.
Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu – Shinjuku
Menya Musashi – ramen shop with restaurants in Shinjuku and Roppongi
2D Café – Shinjuku
Hat Coffee – Asakusa – amazing 3D latte art
Kikanbo ramen – Akihabara – famous ramen shop with delicious, rich ramen, one of the best I’ve ever eaten. If you come later in the evening, be prepared to wait in line.
Jomon – Roppongi – pleasant izakaya serving Hakata style skewers. The food was delicious and it had great atmosphere.
Bar Trench – as seen on Netflix Midnight Asia
Eggslut – Shibuya and Shinjuku locations – in case you want to eat western food that is not McDonalds
Izakaya Masaka – Shibuya – vegan
Chukasoba Ginza Hachigou – ramen restaurant in Ginza
Flipper’s – fluffy pancake restaurant in Shibuya
I thought that spending 5 days in Tokyo would be more than enough but there’s simply so much to see and do! It’s such a big city. I would advise you to really think about the experiences you would like to have here and then dedicate a certain number of days before moving to other destinations in Japan. The country is incredibly diverse and simply amazing.
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