By James Davies in Japan Guides.
If you’re planning on spending seven days in Tokyo then you’re in for a truly unforgettable trip. In our opinion Tokyo is the greatest city in the world with an endless amount of things to do and plenty of fascinating neighbourhoods to explore. You’ll also find some of the best food you’ll ever eat.
With so much to see and do it would take several lifetimes to fully explore everything Tokyo has to offer. With this in mind, we’ve put together a seven day Tokyo itinerary that will guide you around the city’s most famous sights as well as a few spots that lie a little off the beaten path.
Table of Contents - 7 Days in Tokyo
Our 7 Day Tokyo Itinerary Explained
We love Tokyo so much that we decided to move here. This means that our seven day Tokyo itinerary is based on our own experiences from living in the city. Packed with first-hand suggestions and practical advice, our Tokyo itinerary is the perfect guide to help you to explore the very best of this fascinating city.
Because Tokyo is enormous and there is so much to see and do, our week-long itinerary has been carefully planned and structured to make the most effective use of your time.
We’ve made sure that on every day of our itinerary, each location is within easy reach of the next. This means you can spend more time enjoying Tokyo instead of schlepping across the largest city in the world.
TLDR: Our 7 Day Tokyo Itinerary At a Glance
👉 Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of our 7 Day Tokyo itinerary:
- Day 1: Sensoji Temple, Asakusa & Kappabashi Street, the Tokyo Skytree, Ameyoko
- Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku & Omotesando, Shibuya
- Day 3: Spend all day in Shinjuku
- Day 4: Tsukiji Outer Market, Ginza, Tokyo Tower, teamLab Borderless, Tokyo Station
- Day 5: Visit a sumo training session, Ueno Park & Yanaka, Akihabara
- Day 6: A day trip out of Tokyo
- Day 7: Gotokuji Temple, Shimokitazawa, Kichijoji & the Ghibli Museum, Nakano
Where to Stay in Tokyo
One of the biggest decisions to make when visiting Tokyo is working out where to stay. There is a world of choice when it comes to accommodation in Tokyo, and while this is not the cheapest place to stay, there is always something for every budget.
👉 You can search for accommodation in Tokyo here but if you need a few suggestions, here are a few hotels that we recommend would make an ideal place to stay during your seven days in Tokyo:
› Budget Friendly
Super Hotel Asakusa: The Super Hotel Asakusa is perfectly located just a stone’s throw from Sensoji Temple. Rooms are on the small side but clean and feature comfy beds and are fully stocked with all essentials. There’s also a free breakfast included.
› Next Level
The B Ginza: The B Ginza is a modern, smart and stylish mid-range hotel in a wonderful location only a few minutes walk from the glitzy streets of Ginza.
› A Bit Fancy
Marunouchi Hotel: If you’re looking to stay in Tokyo in style check in at the Marunouchi Hotel, located directly opposite Tokyo Station. The hotel has a host of facilities including three restaurants and a bar on site.
One Week Tokyo Itinerary
If this is your first trip to the city, we have a complete guide full of essential advice for those visiting Tokyo for the first time here, including how to get around, the best time to go and how to save money.
But now, let’s jump straight into our seven day Tokyo itinerary.
Seven Days in Tokyo: Day 1
Our seven day Tokyo itinerary begins in Asakusa on the banks of the Sumida River. Though most famous for Sensoji Temple, there’s plenty to see, do and eat in this bustling part of town.
Sensoji Temple
Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, originally built in the 7th century.
The main entrance to Sensoji is Kaminarimon, the temple’s imposing main gate and one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Kaminarimon is famous for the giant statues of the gods of wind and thunder that stand either side of an enormous four metre tall red lantern.
Souvenirs and Senbei on Nakamise-dori
Behind Kaminarimon is Nakamise-dori, a 200 metre-long shopping street that’s lined with a variety of stalls that sell a fantastic range of local souvenirs. Many stalls also sell traditional Japanese snacks such as rice crackers (called senbei) , mochi, and Ningyo-yaki.
Hozomon Gate, Five-Storied Pagoda and Sensoji’s Main Hall
Just after Nakamise-dori is Hozomon, another giant gate that marks the entrance to Sensoji’s main temple grounds. Three giant lanterns hang from Hozomon gate, which also houses two giant statues of Nio, the warrior-like figures that guard Buddha.
To the left of Hozomon is Sensoji’s elegant five-storey pagoda, while just behind the gate are a number of stalls where you can buy omikuji, a slip of paper that will predict your fortune in love, health, business, and more.
Nearby is Sensoji’s grand main hall, topped by a high sloping roof, beneath which is another huge red lantern. Take the stairs that lead up to the main hall to see the dazzling gold altar.
👉 Sensoji Top Tips:
• Sensoji Temple is one of the most popular tourist sites in Tokyo and gets incredibly busy, especially on weekends. If possible, to avoid the worst of the crowds try to visit Sensoji early on a weekday morning.
• For the best views of Sensoji take the elevator to the 8th floor of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center. Located directly opposite Kaminarimon Gate, the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center’s small viewing platform offers some of the best views of Sensoji Temple and Nakamise-dori, as well as the Tokyo Skytree.
Explore the Streets of Asakusa
Surrounding Sensoji are dozens of lively streets that are the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and gifts or grab a bite to eat.
Cutting across the top end of Nakamise-dori is Denboin Street, where there’s a number of souvenir stalls and restaurants that specialise in Japanese dishes such as udon noodles, tempura, and yakiniku. Daikokuya Tempura is a great spot to try tempura, a traditional dish commonly associated with Asakusa, as is Aoi Marushin on Karinarimon-dori.
The covered Shin-Nakamise Shopping Street also dissects Sensoji’s Nakamise-dori and has a great range of souvenir shops as well as cafes and places to eat. Hinatomaru is a great spot for sushi, while Funawa is perfect for macha served with traditional Japanese desserts such as imo yokan, made from sweet potato.
All things Hello Kitty in Asakusa
If you’re looking for super cute gifts head to Sanrio Gift Gate, impossible to miss on Orange Street thanks to the giant Hello Kitty that adorns the front of the store.
Nearby, Hoppy Street is lined with numerous bars and restaurants with outdoor seating and is an extremely lively area at night. Hoppy Street is a good place to try monjayaki, a popular dish in Asakusa. Very similar to okonomiyaki, monjayaki features a wide mix of ingredients that are cooked on a hot plate at your table. We recommend Kanoya for their friendly staff and excellent choice of dishes.
Kappabashi Street
Around a 10 minute walk from Sensoji is Kappabashi Street. One of the most unique areas in Tokyo, Kappabashi Street is known as kitchen town.
All along the 800 metre long Kappabashi Street’s 800 are stores that supply absolutely everything to the restaurant trade, including chopsticks, crockery, tableware, sushi knives, all manner of pots and pans, staff uniforms and even restaurant furniture.
By far the most impressive items for sale here are the incredibly realistic plastic models of plates of food that you see in shop windows in restaurants all over Tokyo.
Even though the shops here are primarily aimed at restaurants, this is a great place to pick up souvenirs, especially miniature food samples. Don’t miss the area’s most prominent landmark, the giant chef’s head that sits on top of an office block at the southern end of Kappabashi Street.
Sumida Park for River and Skytree Views
From Kappabashi Street, head back towards Sensoji Temple and Kaminarimon-dori. If you’d prefer to save a little energy, take the Ginza Line one stop to Asakusa from Tawaramachi Station.
At Asakusa, take a walk through Sumida Park to get an even closer view of the Tokyo Skytree that towers over the Sumida River. If you’re visiting Tokyo in the spring then there’s a good chance that Sumida Park’s cherry blossom trees will be in bloom. The sakura trees that line the river are a magical sight against the backdrop of the Tokyo Skytree.
From Sumida Park you can walk across the Sumida River Walk to the Tokyo Skytree, which takes around 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Tobu Skytree Line one stop from Asakusa Station to Tokyo Skytree Station.
See the City from the Tokyo Skytree
The world’s tallest tower, the Tokyo Skytree offers arguably the best view of the city of any of Tokyo’s observatories.
The Tokyo Skytree has two observation decks. The lower of the Tokyo Skytree’s two observation decks is the Tembo Deck, located on the 350th floor and at a height of 350 metres above ground level. The top deck, called the Tembo Galleria, offers an even higher vantage point, from 450 metres above ground level.
The 360 degree view from the either deck is simply stunning, and the Tokyo Skytree’s location in the east of the city offers the chance to really appreciate the true enormity of the metropolis. On clear days there are views right across the city’s skyline and way beyond Tokyo. Mount Fuji is often visible to the south west of the city.
👉 You can buy skip-the-queue tickets for the Tokyo Skytree in advance on Klook here, with Viator here, or through Get Your Guide here.
- Tokyo Skytree
- 10am - 9pm daily
- Tembo Deck: 2,100 yen | Combo ticket for both decks: 3,100 yen
Tokyo Solomachi and Sumida Aquarium
Beneath the Tokyo Skytree is Tokyo Solamachi, a large shopping mall and entertainment complex. There’s a great range of shops to browse here, as well as a good selection of restaurants and cafes if you’re peckish.
Also at the base of the Tokyo Skytree is Sumida Aquarium, featuring beautifully arranged displays of sea life, including jellyfish, sharks and around 50 penguins.
A Night Out in Ameyoko
From the Tokyo Skytree head back across the Sumida River to spend the rest of the day around Ameyoko, the vibrant market street that’s wedged into every gap beneath the train tracks of the Yamanote Line between Ueno Station and Okachimachi Station.
We’ll explore much more of Ueno on another day, but Ameyoko is at its best in the late afternoon and early evening. This is when office workers settle into the area’s bars and shoppers pick up fresh produce from Ameyoko’s stores and stalls.
The name Ameyoko comes from the American goods that were sold on the black market that sprang up here after the Second World War. Today Ameyoko is famous as the place to pick up fresh fish, dried foods, spices, sweets, as well as clothes, shoes, sports equipment, cosmetics, jewellery, and more.
Ameya Yokocho is also packed with izakayas and restaurants and is a great place to experience Tokyo’s nightlife. There is an almost infinite choice of places to eat, from hole in the wall stalls to larger restaurants that offer everything from sushi, ramen, tempura, yakitori, eel, Japanese curry and more.
There are numerous great places to eat around Ameyoko, but Ramen Kamo to Negi is incredibly popular for its duck ramen, while Tokyo Butchers is a great place for roasted meats and excellent craft beers.
Day 2 in Tokyo
Start your second day in Tokyo with a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine. Dedicated to the former Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, Meiji Jingu Shrine is located in the middle of an enchanting forest right in the heart of the city. with a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine located in a beautiful forest right in the heart of Tokyo.
The south entrance to Meiji Jingu is right next to Harajuku Station’s west exit. An enormous torii gate stands at the entrance to the forest, which was planted in 1920 at the same time as the building of Meiji Jingu Shrine.
Over 200 different types of tree from all 47 prefectures of Japan were donated to the creation of the Meiji Jingu forest, which covers an area of 70 hectares. A wide path leads all the way through the forest’s towering trees to Meiji Jingu Shrine.
The route passes more torii gates, as well as a wall of decorative sake barrels, donated by breweries for use in various ceremonies at the shrine.
At the centre of the forest is Meiji Jingu Shrine. One of the most sacred shrines in Japan, Meiji Jingu is majestic while remaining fairly muted in its design and decoration, reflecting the reverence felt for Emperor Meiji. The shrine is built from dark wood that is complemented with ornate flashes of gold.
Surrounding the shrine are a number of walking trails through other parts of the forest. Nearby, the Meiji Jingu Gyoen is a beautiful inner garden hidden within the forest. Originally created by the Emperor for his wife, the garden features a small lake and a picturesque tea house.
- Meiji Jingu Shrine
- 24 hours
- Free
Harajuku and Omotesando
Loop back around to the south entrance of the forest to be transported back to Harajuku. A world away from the calm and tranquillity of Meiji Jingu, Harajuku is the bright and brash centre of Japanese youth fashion and all things kawaii.
Kawaii and Crepes on Takeshita Dori
At the centre of Harajuku is Takeshita Dori. This bustling narrow street is lined with a huge range of youthful street fashion and vintage clothes stores, cute character-themed cafes, and a host of crepe stalls.
Recently larger chains such as Dasio and Ikea have moved into the area, but this 400 metre long street still retains its independent youth-centric vibe, with dozens of small shops selling vibrant clothes, outlandish jewellery, and colourful cosmetics.
Along Takeshita Dori you can also snack on all manner of kawaii snacks and treats, from multicoloured candy floss at Totti Candy Factory and crepes served with an endless choice of ingredients at Marion Crêpes. You can also eat super cute cartoon character themed meals at the Pompompurin Cafe.
Crepes and cute toys in Takeshita Dori, Harajuku
If Harajuku’s kitsch and colour starts to overload the senses, take a stroll through the grounds of the Togo Shrine, an oasis of calm hidden behind Takeshita Dori. The nearby Ota Memorial Museum of Art is also well worth a visit for its fantastic collection of Japanese woodblock prints by masters such as Hokusai and Hiroshige.
New and Vintage Fashions on Cat Street & Omotesando
At the end of Takeshita Dori, cross the main road and head to Cat Street. Cat Street connects Harajuku with the more upmarket area of Omotesando.
Along Cat Street and many of the neighbouring side streets are dozens of vintage clothes stores that specialise in carefully curated secondhand clothes, sneakers and accessories. Here the focus is a little bit more on more stylish and fashionable trends compared to Takeshita Dori’s younger kawaii styles.
Vintage clothes galore on Cat Street
As well as fashion, Harajuku is a great place for food. The Little Bakery Tokyo does a great range of donuts and coffee. Around the corner is Jennifer Seven Old School Burger Shop, an retro burger joint hidden through a secret door in the back of a general store. The super-popular Menchirashi specialises in great udon and tempura dishes in a very stylish setting.
Fans of colourful contemporary art should take a look at Design Festa Gallery, tucked away down a narrow street off Cat Street, which also has a decent cafe.
Cat Street cuts across and continues on the other side of Omotesando, the area’s main shopping street.
Befitting of Omotesando’s upmarket image, this side of Cat Street features a greater range of boutique stores and shops dedicated to more established brands, such as Adidas, Ralph Lauren, Armani and Levis. At the far end of Cat Street are Pink Dragon and Creamsoda, two of the street’s most outlandish vintage clothing stores.
Omotesando
At the end of Cat Street, cut back and return to Omotesando. Omotesando is known as one of the most upscale areas of Tokyo, famous for the many high-end fashion stores and boutiques that are based here.
Along Omotesando you’ll find plenty of chic big brands, such as Hermes, Dior and Burberry. Just off Omotesando is Oriental Bazaar, one of the best places in Tokyo to pick up authentic Japanese homewares and crafts as the perfect souvenir from your trip.
Elsewhere in Omotesando, the mirrored entrance to the Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku shopping mall has made it an Instagram hit, though the views from the roof terrace on the 6th floor are worth a visit too.
The beautiful Nezu Museum, a short walk from Omote-Sando Station, is well worth a visit both for its art collection and its stunning traditional Japanese garden.
Afternoon and Evening in Shibuya
Next, travel the short distance from Omotesando to Shibuya, one of the most famous areas of Tokyo.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Immediately outside Shibuya Station you’ll soon spot two of the area’s most recognisable landmarks. The first is the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the world’s most famous street crossing thanks to the 3,000 people who pile across the junction when the lights turn red every three minutes or so.
Salute Hachiko, Japan’s Most Famous Dog
In front of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing is the almost as famous statue of Hachiko. The faithful Akita dog became a celebrity in the 1930s in Japan when he continued to wait to greet his owner outside Shibuya Station each day long after he had passed away.
The story of Hachiko captured the nation’s hearts, with the dutiful dog becoming a symbol of faithfulness and loyalty. Today the statue of Hachiko is a popular meeting point as well as a reminder of one dog’s devotion to his owner.
Savour the Sunset at Shibuya Sky
While you might not think you need to visit another of Tokyo’s observatories, the location of Shibuya Sky, right in the centre of the city, does offer a very different perspective than the Tokyo Skytree.
Located across the top two floors of the Shibuya Scramble Square skyscraper the top deck of the Shibuya Sky is open air, meaning that you get a completely unobstructed views of the city. The Shibuya Sky observation deck is also one of the best places to see the sunset over Tokyo.
Shibuya Sky’s enclosed lower floor features wall to ceiling windows that look out in all directions across sensational views of Tokyo as well as the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
Take the escalator to the open air observation deck on the roof to fully appreciate the magnitude of the city with a bird’s-eye perspective from 230 metres above street level. The design of Shibuya Sky offers unobstructed vistas of the city skyline and far beyond from the observation deck’s glass-enclosed viewing platform.
👉 TOP TIP:
Due to its popularity, tickets for the Shibuya Sky observation deck regularly sell out and are often not available to buy on the day. Access to the observation deck is also on a timed entry basis, so to avoid disappointment we strongly advise you to book ahead.
› You can pre-book entry tickets to Shibuya Sky for a specific time slot here.
- Shibuya Sky
- 10am - 10.30pm daily
- Adults: 2,200 yen / children: 700-2,000 yen depending on age
Miyashita Park
After admiring the views from Shibuya Sky, end the night with a taste of regional Japanese food at Miyashita Park, a new shopping complex with a rooftop park next to the train tracks of the Yamanote Line.
Alongside a host of shops, a skate park and Miyashita Park is also a wonderful place to eat. On the ground floor of Miyashita Park are around twenty restaurants offering a diverse range of foods from all over Japan, including traditional dishes from as far afield as Tohoku, Kyushu and Okinawa.
There are also plenty of international restaurants here too if you fancy something else, from mouthwatering burgers to modern Vietnamese and Thai cuisine.
Alternatively, check out the great range of Japanese and international restaurants on the 6th and 7th floors of the Shibuya Hikarie skyscraper.
Day 3 in Tokyo:
Spend day three in Shinjuku, a city within a city that has plenty to see and do to fill a day.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Begin exploring Shinjuku with a relaxing stroll around Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a large, beautiful park that is very much at odds with the area’s towering skyscrapers and colossal department stores.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden consists of several different areas, including a large traditional Japanese garden, a French-style rose garden, a wild forest and several scenic ponds and lakes. The garden is particularly popular in spring thanks to its collection of cherry blossom trees, as well as in autumn, when the leaves on many of its trees turn orange and red.
If you’d like to rest your feet for a while then there are plenty of places to stop and relax and admire the scenery. Inside the garden there are also traditional tea houses, a small restaurant, and coffee shops, including a Starbucks, in case you need a little pick-me-up.
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- 9am - 4pm daily
- Adults: 500 yen / children under 15: free
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Views
For a fabulous and free view of the city, head straight to the observation deck at the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building on the west side of Shinjuku Station.
There are observation decks at a height of 202 metres above ground level at the top of both of the building’s two towers. On clear days the view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory is fantastic.
Located right in the heart of the city, the observation decks looks out across the rooftops of Shinjuku and other famous landmarks such as the Meiji Jingu forest and Tokyo Skytree. During the sunny winter months there are often excellent views as far as the snow-tipped Mount Fuji.
The observation decks have a small cafe as well as a gift shop. Always far less busy than all of Tokyo’s paid observation decks, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is ideal if you’re looking for a killer view without spending a single yen.
Both towers have regular alternating closing days, and the north tower closes earlier than the south tower. You can check both observatory’s opening days and hours here.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck
- South Tower: 9.30am - 9.30pm / North Tower: 9.30am - 5pm
- Free
See Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the Sompo Museum
If you’re in the mood for a spot of culture, call in to the Sompo Museum of Art, just a short walk from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
Located inside a stylish, modern gallery, the Sompo Museum holds a range of excellent exhibitions throughout the year of works by famous Japanese and international artists. The Sompo Museum holds a large collection of artworks by the Japanese artist Seiji Togo, as well as one of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers which is on permanent display.
- Sompo Museum of Art
- 10am - 6pm daily
- Varies per exhibition
Hit Shinjuku's Shops
As one of the biggest shopping districts in the Tokyo, Shinjuku is one of the best places in the city to spend some yen. Shinjuku is home to several major department stores and malls, all of which are filled with several floors of stores that are the perfect place to indulge in a spot of retail therapy.
Isetan Shinjuku is perhaps the biggest department store in Shinjuku, with eight floors of stores specialising in women’s and men’s fashions, cosmetics, jewellery, stationery and a variety of homewares and household goods.
Takashimaya and Shinjuku Marui Honkan are also two of the area’s most popular department stores, with several floors of shops. Each department store also has a multitude of restaurants, as well as a roof terrace, which are perfectly secluded spots to relax if you need to take a break.
The Beams Japan store is a great place to find goods and delicacies from all over Japan. If you’re into tech and gadgets, Yodobashi Camera is the place to go, spread across several buildings on the west side of Shinjuku Station.
Meet Godzilla in Kabukicho
Keep your eyes peeled for the huge head of Godzilla that hangs from the top of the Toho Cinema building next to the Hotel Gracery in Kabukicho. The Toho company owns the Godzilla franchise, having produced all of the Godzilla films since the first was released in 1954.
If you stay at the Gracery Hotel you can book special Godzilla-themed rooms, including one with a view of the giant 80 ton and 12 metre tall head of the monster. You can get up close and personal to Godzilla by visiting the Cafe Terrace Bonjour on the hotel’s 8th floor, which directly faces the angry monster. The cafe also serves Godzilla-themed drinks and desserts.
Get a Glimpse of Old Tokyo at Omoide Yokocho
No visit to Tokyo is complete without stopping by Yokocho Omoide. Also known as “Memory Lane” or “Piss Alley”, Yokocho Omoide’s two narrow alleys are crammed with around 60 izakayas, yakitori stalls, and tiny eateries, most of which can only accommodate a handful of customers at a time.
Yokocho Omoide sprang up next to Shinjuku Station after the Second World War and is somehow still standing despite Shinjuku’s constant development and modernisation. Besides yakitori, many of the izakayas here also serve other Japanese dishes, including ramen, sushi, soba noodles, tempura and grilled eel.
Yokocho Omoide in Shinjuku
Most bars in Yokocho Omoide have an English menu and are very welcoming, so take a wander along the tiny lanes and see what takes your fancy. Due to their miniature size, most of the bars have a few rules, such as a minimum order of at least one drink and one plate of food.
Some izakayas in Yokocho Omoide have a small cover charge, and most also enforce a rule of a maximum of three drinks per customer. This is to make sure that anybody waiting outside for something to eat won’t have to wait too long for a seat to become available.
Golden Gai
Just across the train tracks on the east side of Shinjuku Station is Golden Gai. Similar to Yokocho Omoide, Golden Gai is a collection of tiny parallel streets filled with even smaller bars that somehow survives amongst Shinjuku’s ever-changing landscape.
Unlike Yokocho Omoide, the majority of the bars in Golden Gai are geared towards drinking rather than eating. Squashed into each street in Golden Gai are over 250 unique and minuscule bars that are open well into the morning. Each bar in Golden Gai has its own unique theme, style, and atmosphere.
You’ll find everything from tiny hole-in-the-wall pubs to themed bars dedicated to specific genres, from the literary inspired OPEN BOOK, the punk rock Hair Of the Dogs, the anime-obsessed Bar ANIME HOLIC or the horror movie and heavy metal themed Deathmatch in Hell.
Each bar is only big enough to accommodate a handful of customers at a time, so bar-hopping is encouraged to allow others the chance to enjoy each spot. There’s surely no better way to end the day than on a mini pub crawl Golden Gai.
Be aware that despite its popularity, a minority of bars in Golden Gai only cater to regular patrons where tourists are not welcome. These will usually have a sign on the door written in English that says something like “members only”. Some bars in Golden Gai also have cover charges or minimum drink requirements.
👉 If you’d prefer to be shown the best places to eat and drink in Omide Yokocho and Golden Gai, you can take a guided tour of both areas. We highly recommend this boozy bar crawl that visits many of the best izakayas in Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai in a single tour.
👉 KABUKICHO TOP TIP:
While out in Kabukicho at night make sure to ignore any touts that might approach you offering all-you-can-drink offers or deals on cheap drinks. This is a well-rehearsed scam aimed specifically at tourists.
At best you will be met with a very hefty bill at the end of the night. At worst your drink may be spiked and you will have no recollection of how the night ended and have had a huge bill charged to your credit cards while you were passed out. Simply ignore any touts in Kabukicho and you’ll have no problems.
Cocktails at the Park Hyatt Hotel’s New York Bar
If you’d prefer a slightly more salubrious setting for evening drinks, take the lift to the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt Hotel. This is where you’ll find the New York Bar, the setting of many of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson’s rendezvous in the film Lost in Translation.
Much more than a tourist spot, the New York Bar is an excellent (if a little pricey) cocktail and jazz bar. You can take your pick from the extensive cocktail menu – around ¥2,600 each – and admire the bar’s classy surroundings and the spectacular view of the city.
The bar opens at 5.00pm and you’ll want to arrive shortly afterwards to get a view of the sunset and to avoid the pretty hefty cover charge. The live jazz starts from 6.30pm.
Day 4 in Tokyo
On day four, discover Tokyo’s best seafood, great shopping, one of the city’s most famous landmarks and fabulous interactive art.
Tsukiji Outer Market
The next day, start your day at Tsukiji Outer Market for some of the freshest and most mouthwatering seafood in Tokyo.
Tsukiji Outer Market is a small area of narrow streets lined with a huge array of restaurants and stalls that serve up delicious sushi, sashimi and donburi.
Until 2018 the Tsukiji Outer Market stood next to the iconic but old Tsukiji Fish Market. Having outgrown the site, the main fish market relocated to a new purpose-built home in Toyosu in Tokyo Bay. However, Tsukiji Outer Market still remains, and is filled with history and character, as well as plenty of sumptuous seafood.
There are dozens of places to eat in Tsukiji’s Outer Market, from small mom-and-pop style donburi stalls to smart restaurants that dish up exquisitely presented sushi and sashimi.
The majority of the restaurants in the Outer Market open at the crack of dawn, and all source their seafood directly each morning from the new fish market in Toyosu. This means that the seafood you’ll taste at Tsukiji Outer Market is going to be some of the finest and freshest you’re ever likely to try.
👉 If you want to eat some of the best seafood at Tsukiji Outer Market, treat your tastebuds with a spot on this food tour of the famous fish market.
Ginza
Once sufficiently fed, make your way from Tsukiji to Ginza just a short walk away. Ginza has long been Tokyo’s most upscale shopping and entertainment district. Today the area is home to countless high-end fashion boutiques, glittering department stores and the flagship stores of almost every luxury fashion brand you can name.
At the heart of Ginza is Chuo Dori, the area’s main shopping street. This is where the majority of Ginza’s major department stores are located, along with stores for major brands such as Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Cartier and Tiffany and Co.
Amongst Ginza’s department stores, Seiko House Ginza is one of the most famous. The elegant curved building is one of Ginza’s most famous landmarks, named after the Seiko clock on its roof.
Ginza Six mall and art materials on sale at Itoya
Directly opposite is Mitsukoshi, which first began trading in 1673. To the south is GINZA SIX, an ultra modern shopping mall filled with luxury brands, while north towards Nihonbashi is Takashimaya, one of Ginza’s most elegant department stores.
There is more to Ginza than just department stores. Another local landmark is Kabukiza, Ginza’s kabuki theatre, where you can watch traditional performances of Japanese plays. Itoya is one of the biggest stationery stores in Japan, home to a gigantic selection of writing equipment, art materials, craft goods, and much, much more.
The Ginza Graphic Gallery hosts a number of exhibitions each year focussed on all aspects of modern design. Further north, nearer to Nihonbashi, is the Artizon Museum, which features a collection of artworks by famous masters such as Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Jackson Pollock. There’s a different kind of art on display at the Art Aquarium, where thousands of colourful goldfish are displayed in brightly illuminated and shaped and sculpted fish tanks.
Tokyo Tower
If you’ve already visited any of the observation decks in our itinerary, you might not need to ascend to the top of the Tokyo Tower.
However, the Tokyo Tower is still one of the city’s most famous sights and it’s definitely worth taking a closer look at this iconic landmark. Modelled on Paris’ Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower’s dazzling vermillion-orange steel frame remains a joy to behold.
If you do decide to see the views from the Tokyo Tower then you won’t be disappointed. Like the Tokyo Skytree, the Tokyo Tower has two observation decks. The lower deck is the larger of the two, which is at a height of 150 metres.
Spread across two floors, the lower deck has excellent 360 degree views of the city, as well as a small cafe. The recently refurbished top deck is 250 metres from ground level and a lot cosier than the lower deck. Naturally, there is a better view of the city from the top deck’s higher vantage point.
At the base of the Tokyo Tower is Foot Town, a small mall with restaurants, shops and an exhibition about the history of the tower.
For a wonderful view of the old and new(ish) side by side, head to the neighbouring Zojoji Temple to see the temple’s main hall overshadowed by the bright orange Tokyo Tower. At night, the tower is beautifully illuminated in different colours depending on the time of year.
- Tokyo Tower
- 9am - 10.30pm daily
- Main deck - Adults: 1,200 yen/children - 500 to 1,000 yen
- Combination ticket Main deck & top deck tour - Adults: 3000 yen/children - 1,400 to 2,800 yen
New teamLab Borderless
The Tokyo Tower is only a ten minute walk from the brand new teamLab Borderless exhibition in Azabudai Hills. This is the art collective’s biggest and most dazzling collection of immersive light installations and screen projections which opened in February 2024. This permanent exhibition replaces the incredibly successful teamLab Borderless exhibition that closed in Odaiba in Tokyo Bay in 2022.
Spread across several rooms and featuring a huge number of diverse digital artworks, the teamLab Borderless exhibition delivers more of the collective’s epic and often overwhelming visual displays.
👉 Tickets for teamLab Borderless sell out weeks in advance. To avoid disappointment we strongly suggest you pre-book tickets before you arrive. You can book tickets for teamLab Borderless in advance here.
- teamLab Borderless
- 10am - 9pm - closed every first and third Tuesday of the month
- Adults: 4,800 yen / children: 1,500-2,800 depending on age
Tokyo Station/Nihonbashi/Kanda or Yurakucho
Spend the evening in or around Tokyo Station. Start at Marunouchi Square, on the west side of Tokyo Station, where you can admire the gorgeous original red-brick station building which was built in 1914.
The beautiful building looks its best when lit up at night and is a very popular spot for young couples’ wedding photos. To get the best views of Tokyo Station, head to the outdoor viewing platform that overlooks the station on the 6th floor KITTE Marunouchi mall.
Inside Tokyo Station you’ll find a massive selection of shops, restaurants and bars, as well as an excellent art gallery. If you’re hungry then you’ll find a massive selection of places to eat, especially at basement level. This is a great place to find excellent Japanese food with several sushi, soba and udon restaurants and eight mini-branches of popular ramen restaurants in Tokyo Ramen Street.
Alternatively, if you’d rather unwind alongside some of Tokyo’s overworked salarymen, head to any of the bars or restaurants between Tokyo Station and Yurakucho Station. Sat between the arches underneath the railway tracks, there are many relaxed and atmospheric izakayas that specialise in Japanese classics such as yakitori, as well as many restaurants dishing up international cuisine too.
7 Days in Tokyo: Day 5
Sumo Training Session
Start your fifth day in Tokyo by watching a training session at a sumo stable in Ryogoku.
Located in eastern Tokyo, Ryogoku is the historic home of sumo in Japan. Three of the six sumo tournaments that take place each year are held in Ryogoku’s Kokugikan National Sumo Arena. The vast majority of sumo stables, where rikishi live and train, are also located in Ryogoku.
When not competing in tournaments, sumo wrestlers train for several hours every morning. A few stables allow visitors to watch the sumo training sessions on a guided tour.
Watching the rikishi’s gruelling training sessions is an unforgettable experience and sheds a lot of light on the dedication and surprising levels of athleticism required to become a professional sumo wrestler.
As part of the tour the guide will explain a little of the history of sumo, as well as about the lifestyle and training methods of the rikishi. After the training session, many of the rikishi will happily pose together for photos.
👉 NEED TO KNOW:
You will need to book a place on an arranged tour to attend a sumo training session. You can book these through Viator here, or with Get Your Guide here.
Ueno Park
From Ryogoku, spend the bulk of the day in and around Ueno Park, a huge green space that opened to the public in 1873.
Chock full of things to see and do, Ueno Park is home to several excellent art galleries and museums, many historic temples and shrines and Ueno Zoo. Ueno Park is also one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo in the spring.
Ueno Park’s Art Galleries and Museums
There are several major museums and art galleries that occupy the northern end of Ueno Park. The National Museum of Western Art houses a collection of art by the likes of Van Gogh, Picasso and many more. Directly across the park is Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, which features a variety of large scale exhibitions throughout the year.
The Ueno Royal Museum is dedicated to up and coming artists, while the Tokyo National Museum displays a huge collection of historic Japanese and Asian art. The informative exhibitions at the National Museum of Nature and Science will also be of interest to those travelling to Tokyo with young children.
Ueno Park’s Shrines
Many important temples and shrines are located within the park, including Ueno Toshogu Shrine. Decorated in dazzling gold leaf and adorned with beautifully detailed wooden carvings, Uenoi Toshogu Shrine was built in the 17th century.
The shrine is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the most important shogun in Japanese history. Next to Toshogu Shrine stands the grand five storey Kyu-Kaneiji pagoda that dates from 1639.
Just to the south of Ueno Toshogu are Gojoten-jinja Shrine and Hanazono Inari Jinja. The staircase that leads to these modest shrines passes through a procession of picturesque vermilion torii gates. A few minutes walk away is Kiyomizu Kannon Temple, the oldest building in Ueno Park that’s famous for its circular shaped pine tree that frames the view of Shinobazu Benten-do Temple below.
Take a Swan Boat Ride on Shinobazu Pond
Shinobazu Benten-do Temple sits on an island in the middle of Shinobazu Pond. In summer a whole area of the pond is filled with beautiful lotus flowers that bloom and cover the water. If you feel like taking a sail, you can also hire swan-shaped pedal boats and take a jaunt out onto the pond.
Walk the Old Streets of Yanaka
About a ten minute walk to the north of Ueno Park is Yanaka.
Yanaka is a beautiful, historic area that still retains the atmosphere and charm of times gone by. Known for its traditional shops and restaurants, as well as its stray cats, Yanaka is best seen from Yuyake Dandan, the famous staircase that overlooks the rooftops of the area’s main street, Yanaka Ginza.
Along Yanaka Ginza sit a mix of Showa-era grocery stores, butchers and fishmongers alongside souvenir shops, cafes, bakeries and more. Here you can browse the street’s traditional confectionery stores that sell a variety of Japanese snacks, such as manju dumplings, rice crackers or decorative sweets called wagashi.
At the far end of Yanaka Ginza lies Yomise-dori Street, a longer shopping street lined with more food stalls and all manner of local shops and restaurants. If you’re peckish, this is a wonderful place to try typical Japanese dishes, such as sushi, yakitori or grilled eel.
Anime and Manga in Akihabara
From Yanaka, take the train from Nippori Station four stops to Akihabara, Tokyo’s anime and manga capital. Even if you know nothing about the world of Japanese anime or manga, Akihabara is a fascinating place to visit and well worth seeing during your time in Tokyo.
Outside Akihabara Station’s west exit you’ll instantly see high-rise anime stores, multi-storey games arcades, and maid cafes. Akihabara Radio Kaikan is one of the area’s most famous arcades, packed with stores selling a huge range of anime models, manga novels, and more.
Many of the area’s most famous anime and manga stores are based along and behind Akihabara’s main street, Chuo Dori. Massive stores such as Animate, Mandarake, Akihabara Gamers, Yellow Submarine are pure heaven for fans and collectors of all things anime and manga.
As well as being the epicentre of all things manga and anime, Akihabara is also known as Tokyo’s Electric Town. Many major retailers have massive stores in Akihabara, such as Yodobashi Camera. Older signs of Electric Town still remain, such as the distrinctly old-school Akihabara Radio Center, wedged beneath the railway tracks of the Sobu Line.
In recent years Akihabara has also become known as the place to go for retro games consoles and games. Fans of retro gaming will not want to miss Super Potato, a store dedicated to vintage games consoles of a generation ago.
Dinner in Akihabara
Akihabara looks its most impressive after dark, when its towers filled with manga and anime stores are lit up in a dazzling assortment of colours. The area is also flush with a lot of very good places to eat.
Two great options include melt in the mouth grilled eel at Unagi Sumiyaki Hitsumabushi Minokin and delicious tempura at Tempura Hisago. Alternatively, pop across the Kanda River to Hitachino Brewing Lab Kanda Manseibashi for excellent craft beers.
Day 6: Take a Day Trip from Tokyo
If you’re spending seven days in Tokyo you’ll probably want to take at least one day trip out of the city. There are several places within easy reach of Tokyo that make a great day trip.
Here are a few ideas for a great day out from Tokyo.
Kamakura
Around an hour by train from central Tokyo, Kamakura is one of the most popular day trips from Tokyo. The former capital of Japan, Kamakura is famous for its many historic temples, and especially the giant bronze Buddha statue that sits in the grounds of Kotoku-in Temple.
Located close to the coast, you could even combine the trip with a visit to Enoshima Island, home to a picturesque shopping street, a picturesque shrine, seafront caves, and sunset views of Mount Fuji.
• How to Get to Kamakura:
There are direct trains to Kamakura Station from Tokyo Station on the JR Yokosuka Line. This journey takes just under an hour.
You can also take a direct train to Kamakura Station from Shinjuku Station on the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line. This journey also takes around one hour. Both journeys are covered by the JR Rail Pass.
Fujiyoshida and Kawaguchiko
Shimoyoshida offers perhaps the most famous view of Mount Fuji and is an extremely popular day trip from Tokyo. The viewpoint of Mount Fuji alongside the Chureito Pagoda from Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
You could also combine your trip with a visit to one or more of the area’s other main attractions, such as Lake Kawaguchiko or the historic picturesque traditional buildings at Oshino Hakkai. Alternatively you can enjoy the many rides and rollercoasters at Fuji Q Highland.
• How to Get to Shimoyoshida/Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine:
Chureito Pagoda and Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine are only a 15 minute walk from Shimoyoshida Station, which is around a 1 hour 40 minute journey by train from Shinjuku Station on the Limited Express service on the Chuo Line.
There are direct trains from Shimoyoshida Station via Mount Fuji Station on to to Kawaguchiko Station and Fujikyu-Highland Station for Fuji Q Highland.
Alternatively you can book a guided day trip to the Mount Fuji region. Many tours include visits to several of the area’s main attractions and can be booked through Get Your Guide or with Viator.
Hakone
Though we think it’s much better to spend two days in Hakone, many people visit this arty onsen town on a day trip from Tokyo. Hakone is famous for its hot springs, views of Mount Fuji and many and wide variety of art museums, including the Hakone Open Air Museum and the POLA Museum of Art.
You can take pirate ship sight-seeing cruises across beautiful Lake Ashi and the Hakone Ropeway over Hakone’s volcanic mountains. The huge torii gate of Hakone Shrine next to Lake Ashi has become one of Hakone’s most famous symbols and a very popular photo spot.
• How to Get to Hakone:
The best way to get to Hakone by train is by taking the Odakyu Railway Romance Car service to Hakone-Yumoto Station from Shinjuku Station. This takes 85 minutes and costs 2420 yen if booked online in advance (this is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass).
Odakyu also offers a slower express service that takes two hours and requires a transfer at Odawara Station. This option costs 1270 yen.
You can also reach Hakone from Odawara by using JR trains, including the Shinkansen from either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. From Odawara you will need to take the Hakonetozan Line to travel to Hakone, which is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
You can also use local buses to get to Hakone from Odawara. These are also very useful for travelling around Hakone. There’s much more information on how to get to Hakone by public transport here.
You can also visit Hakone on an organised day trip – there are several options available that offer a choice of different itineraries which can be booked in advance with Viator, Get Your Guide or through Klook.
Kawagoe
Kawagoe is a charming city that’s just 45 minutes from Tokyo by train. Kawagoe is famous for its well-preserved and striking Edo-period architecture and quaint streets lined with traditional clay-walled warehouses and shophouses.
The city’s most famous landmark is the iconic Toki no Kane tower which has been rung several times a day ever since the Edo period. In Kawagoe’s Kurazukuri Zone you can wander along the historic streets. Don’t miss the shops and stalls on Kashiya Yokocho where you’ll find plenty of delicious traditional Japanese confectionery.
• How to Get to Kawagoe:
A number of different train companies run services between Tokyo and Kawagoe.
There are direct trains to Kawagoe Station from Shinjuku Station on the Saikyo Line. This journey takes one hour and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Express services also run between Ikebukuro Station and Kawagoe Station on the Tobu-Tojo Line, which takes only 30 minutes. This journey costs 490 yen and is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
There are also trains from Seibu Shinjuku Station to Honkawagoe Station in the centre of Kawagoe. This journey takes around an hour on regular services (520 yen) and 45 minutes on express services (1120 yen). This is not covered by the JR Rail Pass.
Nikko
The historic town of Nikko is most well-known for the spectacular religious sites surrounded by magical forests that form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around a two hour train journey from Asakusa Station, Nikko is another popular day trip from Tokyo.
The city’s most famous landmarks are the iconic red Shinkyo Bridge and Nikko Toshogu Shrine, possibly the most beautiful shrine in Japan, with its stunningly decorative buildings and gates.
Also worth exploring in Nikko is the spectacular Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, where you can visit the former villas of the Italian and British Embassy that sit on the lake’s southern shore.
• How to Get to Nikko:
The most convenient way to reach Nikko is by train from Tobu Asakusa Station. Tobu Railways run limited express trains, including the plush Spacia X service, from Asakusa Station to Nikko Station, though some of these services required a transfer at Shimo-Imaichi Station. This journey takes around two hours, costing 3050 yen each way, or 3340 yen for the Spacia X train.
Tobu Railways also run slower services that takes around two and a half hours in total and usually need at least one transfer on the way. This journey costs 1400 yen each way.
Alternatively, you can take the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya Station from either Tokyo Station or Ueno Station and transfer to the JR Nikko Line all the way to Nikko Station. This journey is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Without a rail pass the journey costs 6,080 yen.
Day 7 - Discover Western Tokyo
On the final day in Tokyo, discover one of the city’s most unique temples and some of its most colourful neighbourhoods.
Gotokuji Temple
Start the day with a visit to see the thousands of cat statues at Gotokuji Temple. To get to Gotokuji, take a tram to Miyanosaki Station on the Tokyu Setagaya Line from Sangenjaya Station.
Now a common sight in restaurants and bars all over Asia, Gotokuji Temple is said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko, also known as the beckoning cat.
According to the legend, in the early 17th century a passing samurai stopped at Gotokuji Temple after seeing a waving cat sitting at the entrance. Shortly after entering the temple a huge storm broke.
Thanks to the cat’s beckoning gesture the powerful samurai was saved from being caught in the downpour. In gratitude, the Gotokuji became the temple of the samurai’s clan, bringing with it great prestige and prosperity.
Today, Gotokuji is synonymous with the beckoning cat. Thousands of statues of maneki-neko of different sizes are neatly arranged alongside the temple’s Shofuku-den building, each with their right paw raised. Shofuku-den was built to enshrine the spirit of the cat that beckoned the passing lord into the temple.
Maneki-neko figurines can be bought from the temple’s shop which you can take with you as a souvenir. You can also write a wish on the doll and place it amongst those on display in the hope that your dreams will come true.
Explore Super Trendy Shimokitazawa
Next, take the train from Gotokuji Station to Shimokitazawa. A fascinating area to wander, Shimokitazawa is a laid-back neighbourhood packed with vintage clothes stores, second hand record shops, stylish cafes, and a varied selection of excellent places to eat.
If you’re into street fashion Shimokitazawa is the place to come. You’ll find second hand clothes stores all packed with high quality vintage fashions on almost every street, including Flamingo, Chicago, Kinji, and New York Joe Exchange. There’s also a great range of clothing and accessories to be found at Toyo Department Store, a collection of independent fashion stalls.
Fans of second hand vinyl are also well catered for. Some of the best record shops in Tokyo can be found in Shimokitazawa, including Flash Disc Ranch, General Record Store, Record Station, JET SET Shimokitazawa, as well as a branch of Disk Union.
Not only is Shimokitazawa a great place to shop, it’s also a fantastic place to eat. Alongside a huge range of independent cafes and coffee shops, you can find all kinds of cuisines here too, from Japanese to a great choice of international food, including Thai, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, and Indian restaurants.
Kichijoji
From Shimokitazawa, take the Inokashira Line to Kichijoji, another popular neighbourhood that’s less than a 20 minute train ride away. Like Shimokitazawa, Kichijoji is a busy and bustling neighbourhood that’s known for its relaxed atmosphere and a great range of shops and places to eat.
Directly opposite Koenji Station are the area’s main shopping streets, Daiyagai and Sun Road, two covered arcades where you can find an eclectic mix of shops selling everything from fashion, household goods, Japanese foods and more. At Amane Taiyaki you can try taiyaki, a small cake filled with red bean paste or custard in the shape of a fish. Just next door is Ozasa which specialises in traditional Japanese decorative sweets such as yokan and monaka.
Between Daiyagi and Kichijoji Station is a small area known as Harmonica Yokocho. This nostalgic maze of narrow alleys is filled with tiny eateries and bars, giving visitors a taste of Tokyo from a generation ago.
Harmonica Alley is a feast for the senses, featuring colourful hanging lanterns and the smell of food sizzling over hot coals. Jam packed with atmosphere and good vibes, the bars and restaurants of Harmonica Alley are a great place to eat, drink and watch the world go by.
Inokashira Park
One of the main attractions in Kichijoji is Inokashira Park, a spacious and picturesque park centred around a large pond. In springtime the park is an incredibly popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, with over 500 sakura trees. You can take a relaxing boat ride on the park’s pond, or admire the animals at the small Inokashira Park Zoo and Aquarium.
The Ghibli Museum
Also in Inokashira Park is the Ghibli Museum, dedicated to the works of renowned Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli.
One of the most popular attractions in Tokyo, the Ghibli Museum has detailed exhibits on the studio’s animation process and screenings of various Ghibli films. The museum also hosts several special exhibitions throughout the year based around specific Ghibli films or themes within their animation. The museum also features a charming rooftop garden and a gift shop.
Entry tickets for the Ghibli Museum can only be bought online in advance via a slightly confusing and convoluted system. Tickets go on sale at 10.00am on the 10th of each month for entry in the following month. Despite the unconventional selling method, tickets typically sell out incredibly quickly.
- Ghibli Museum
- 10am - 6pm - closed Tuesdays
- Adults: 1,000 yen / children: free to 700 yen depending on age
Finish Up in Nakano
From Kichijoji, make your way to Nakano. just a few train stops away. Nakano is another of western Tokyo’s highly desirable neighbourhoods and only a few stops from Shinjuku and central Tokyo.
Similar to Kichijoji, Nakano has its own bright and busy covered shopping street called Sun Mall, which is also packed with all manner of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
At the far end of Sun Mall is Nakano Broadway. This multi-story shopping complex is a haven for collectors and enthusiasts of all things anime and manga. Across several floors are dozens shops selling manga comics, books, vintage toys, figurines, and even original hand-drawn cels from various Japanese anime films. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just curious, Nakano Broadway is a fascinating place to visit.
In the evenings, Nakano comes alive as people pour into the neighbourhood’s izakayas, bars, and restaurants. Most of these are found tightly packed into the maze of streets and alleys that lie just off Sun Road.
A wonderful area for a night out, Nakano is also famous as a place to find some of the best ramen in Tokyo. We can’t recommend Chuka Soba Aoba Nakano highly enough.
More Ideas and Suggestions for Your 7 Day Tokyo Itinerary
If you need even more inspiration, here are some extra ideas to make the most of your seven days in Tokyo that we couldn’t quite cram into our itinerary.
Theme Parks and Attractions
Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea
For many, it will be impossible to spend a week in Tokyo without visiting either Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea. The two giant theme parks are located in the Tokyo Disney Resort just outside eastern Tokyo about 25 minutes by train from Tokyo Station.
Both theme parks offer an extensive range of Disney-based rides and attractions and a visit to either will easily take up the whole day. As Tokyo DisneySea is unique to Japan, many seasoned Disney fans recommend visiting here over Tokyo Disneyland, which is very similar to other Disneyland resorts elsewhere in the world.
👉 You can pre-book tickets to Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea via Klook here. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to buy through Get Your Guide, you can book tickets to Tokyo Disneyland here or to Tokyo DisneySea here.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter
Opened in 2023, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter is the largest Harry Potter theme park in the world. For Harry Potter fans, no visit to Tokyo would be complete without a visit to the Wizarding World and this incredibly fun, immersive and exhaustive insight into the making of each of the films.
Detailed sets and locations from the Harry Potter films have been recreated, including Platform 9 ¾, the Great Hall and the Grand Staircase at Hogwarts, the colourful Diagon Alley and the London Ministry of Magic. Many of the props and costumes used in the Harry Potter films are also on display.
The theme park is located in Toshimaen, about a 15 minute train journey from Ikebukuro Station or 25 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station.
👉 There’s a daily cap on visitors in order to prevent overcrowding and to keep the experience as enjoyable as possible. To avoid disappointment you can pre-book tickets to Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter here.
Toyosu Fish Market
The brand new Toyosu Fish Market might lack the character of the old Tsukiji Fish Market, but it does still have the famous tuna auctions at the crack of dawn and a huge range of restaurants that dish up incredible seafood.
Toyosu Fish Market is spread across a number of buildings located next to Shijomae Station in Tokyo Bay. Unlike the old fish market, visitors can no longer wander around the market floor. Instead there are viewing platforms that look down on the market traders and stalls from above.
The tuna auctions at Toyosu Market start at 5.30am, which can be viewed from a gallery above the market, or if you’re lucky, the viewing platform on the market floor. For this you’ll need to apply for tickets for this in advance. There’s also a wonderful selection of restaurants at Toyosu that all source their seafood directly from sellers at the market.
State Guest House Akasaka Palace
The State Guest House Asakasa Palace is a grand neoclassical palace that was originally built in 1909 as the main residence of Japan’s Crown Prince. Also known as the Akasaka Palace, today the State Guest House hosts Presidents, Prime Ministers and heads of state on diplomatic visits to Japan.
The Akasaka Palace was built in a neoclassical architectural style, heavily influenced by palaces that were commonly seen across Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, when not hosting visiting VIPs, parts of the palace as well as its beautiful landscaped grounds are open to the public.
A visit to Akasaka Palace offers the chance to take a peek into some of the lavish surroundings that foreign dignitaries get to experience when visiting Japan. We also recommend adding a guided tour of Yushintei, the elegant Japanese-style annex building that was added in 1974.
- State Guest House Akasaka Palace
- 10am - 5pm - closed Wednesdays and if hosting visiting dignitaries
- Adults: 1,500 yen / children: free to 1,000 yen depending on age
Areas and Neighbourhoods:
Odaiba
Odaiba is Tokyo’s entertainment island located in Tokyo Bay. The area is undergoing a major redevelopment, and a lot of its famous attractions have recently closed down.
However there is still plenty to see in Odaiba, including teamLab’s other digital art show, teamLab Planets, the giant Gundam statue that stands outside the DiverCity mall, and wonderful views of the Rainbow Bridge.
Jimbocho
Jimbocho is Tokyo’s book town thanks to the many book shops based in the neighbourhood. Amongst the many famous book shops here are Komiyama and Bohemians Guild which specialise in art and photography books.
Kitazawa has a large selection of second hand books in English while at Nyankodo all of the books are about cats. Besides books, Jimbocho is also a great place to find vintage comics and magazines as well as traditional souvenirs such as original antique woodblock prints and kokeshi dolls.
Koenji
Koenji is a favourite hang out of Tokyo’s fashionable younger crowd thanks to the huge number of vintage clothes stores, excellent record shops and a huge choice of great places to eat and drink.
A myriad of shopping streets spill out of Koenji Station, including Nakadori Shopping Street, Koenji Junjo Shopping Street, Koenji Pal Shopping Street and Shinkoenji-dori Shopping Street. All are crammed with countless boutiques, eclectic second hand clothes stores, tiny bars and restaurants.
Nakameguro
Nakameguro is a lively neighbourhood full of excellent places to eat and some of the best shopping spots in the city. South of Nakameguro Station is Jakuzure-isewaki dori, a vibrant shopping street where you’ll find plenty more second hand clothes stores, as well as shops selling Japanese homewares, vintage goods and even more places to eat.
The thousands of cherry blossom trees that line both sides of the Meguro River make it one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo in spring.
Daikanyama
One stop by train from Nakameguro is Daikanyama, one of the most chic and sophisticated areas in Tokyo. Alongside fashionable boutiques and design and lifestyle stores, the most famous shop in Daikanyama is the Tsutaya Bookstore T-Site, with its extensive selection of books, magazines, stationery as well as several cafes.
HIGH! STANDARD is one of the area’s best vintage fashion stores and just across the road is Okura, located inside a converted traditional Japanese storehouse which specialises in indigo-dyed fashions and Japanese denim. The Kyu Asakura House, an elegant traditional Japanese mansion that dates from the early 20th century is also well worth a visit.
Ebisu
Just one stop from Shibuya on the Yamanote Line is Ebisu. The area is named after Yebisu, the beer that was founded and brewed here in the early 20th century. The area is dominated by Ebisu Garden Place, a stylish commercial complex featuring numerous shops, restaurants, and a large open-air plaza. You can learn all about the history of the local beer at the recently renovated Museum of Yebisu Beer.
Nearby is the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, one of the world’s best photography galleries. The perfect place for a night out, there’s no shortage of great places to eat in Ebisu, including Ebisu Yokocho, home to numerous rowdy stalls that specialise in all kinds of traditional Japanese dishes.
Museums and Galleries:
Mori Arts Museum
The Mori Art Museum is one of the largest and most famous art galleries in Tokyo. The museum is located on the 53rd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower in the upmarket and international area of Roppongi. The Mori Art Museum hosts a number of major contemporary art exhibitions throughout the year and you can combine a visit to the Mori Art Museum with entry to Tokyo City View, the tower’s observation deck on the 54th floor.
Yayoi Kusama Museum
One of Japan’s most famous artists, Yayoi Kusama is most well-known for her vibrant artworks covered in polka dots. Amongst her most famous works are the two giant pumpkins in Naoshima, but you can admire much more of her art at the Yayoi Kusama Museum. Exhibitions and artworks at her museum change regularly throughout the year.
Hyakudan Kaidan
Hyakudan Kaidan, or the One Hundred Steps Staircase, is one of Tokyo’s best kept secrets. The Hyakudan Kaidan formed part of the original Hotel Gajoen, which was built in 1931 and is now encased inside a much larger and modernised version of the same hotel. The Hyakudan Kaidan features a series of stunningly ornate original banquet rooms decorated with fabulous artworks and carvings that depict traditional Japanese scenes as well as a wide range of animals and flowers.
The rooms all sit off a long ascending staircase and feature several displays of seasonal artworks throughout the year. Despite its name the staircase actually only has 99 steps. The Hyakudan Kaidan is now encased by a modern but equally lavish hotel, where you can also enjoy an indulgent high tea.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
Originally constructed as the residence of Prince and Princess Asaka in 1933, The Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is renowned for its exquisite architecture and picturesque gardens. The building itself is an Art Deco masterpiece with opulent interiors and magnificent decor throughout that blends classic Western and Japanese styles.
Today, the former palace is used as a museum that hosts a variety of art exhibitions, including contemporary and modern artworks by Japanese and international artists. The artworks are often thoughtfully displayed to complement the palace’s interiors. The grounds include a tranquil Japanese garden with a traditional tea house, plus there’s also an excellent cafe on site in the museum’s modern annexe.
Tokyo Metro Museum
The Tokyo Metro Museum offers a fun and engaging exploration into the history and operations of Tokyo’s extensive subway system. Alongside interactive exhibits and detailed displays that trace the evolution of Tokyo’s metro network from its inception to the present day are a collection of vintage train carriages and a range of fascinating historical artefacts.
Multimedia presentations highlight the technical and architectural advancements of Tokyo’s subway system over the decades. The museum provides several hands-on experiences with simulators that allow visitors to learn how to drive a train. This is a great option if you’re travelling with young kids.
Traditional Japanese Gardens
If you’re keen to see more of Tokyo’s beautiful traditional Japanese gardens there are plenty to choose from. Each has beautiful landscaped grounds, cultivated lakes and traditional tea houses for a spot of green tea.
Here are some of the best Japanese gardens in Tokyo:
- Koishikawa Korakuen Garden: Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most well-preserved gardens. The garden’features a central pond surrounded by man made hills, scenic bridges, and serene walking paths.
- Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens – Located just outside Hamatatsucho Station, Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Gardens is a beautiful oasis in the heart of one of Tokyo’s busiest business districts.
- Hamarikyu Gardens – Around a 15-minute walk from Shimbashi Station, the large grounds of Hamarikyu Gardens were originally part of a 17th-century villa and enjoy views over Tokyo Bay.
- Rikugien Gardens – Situated in the north of the city, Rikugien Garden is particularly spectacular in autumn and features wonderful lake views.
- Kiyosumi Garden – Kiyosumi Garden is another beautifully maintained garden located in a laidback and charming neighbourhood in eastern Tokyo.
Shrines and Temples:
If you’d like to see more of the city’s most interesting temples and shrines, here are a few that we recommend visiting:
- Nezu Shrine – Located near Yanaka, Nezu Shrine is famous for its beautiful grounds, including a corridor of colourful torii gates and a landscaped garden of colourful azaleas that bloom in late spring.
- Hie Shrine – Hie Shrine is famous for its beautiful wisteria trees and steep staircase lined with hundreds of torii gates.
- Toyokawa Inari Betsuin Temple – This small temple is one of the most picturesque in Tokyo thanks to the hundreds of inari fox statues that fill its grounds.
- Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine – Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine features a 16 foot replica of Mount Fuji that you can climb. Mini Mount Fuji’s were a common sight at shrines in Japan in the 18th and 19th century, built by a religious sect who considered the mountain to be a god.
- Zojoji Temple – Founded in the 14th century and located directly beneath the Tokyo Tower, Zojoji Temple‘s biggest attractions are its giant entrance gate and beautiful grounds watched over by hundreds of jizo statues.
- Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine – This large shrine is most well known for the major festival that it holds every three years, as well as the excellent flea markets that are held here several times a month. The shrine’s yokozuna stone honours sumo’s greatest ever wrestlers and famous for flea market held every few weekends
- Kameido Tenjin Shrine – This beautiful shrine is famous for its flowers. In early spring the shrine’s grounds are awash with colourful plum blossom, while from April to May is when the shrine’s wisteria trees are in full bloom.
Tokyo Practical Advice And Travel Tips
We go into great detail with a ton of advice and travel tips for those visiting Tokyo for the first time in this article.
However, here are some of the essentials you’ll need to know before visiting Tokyo, starting with how to get into the city from it’s two international airports:
How to Get in to Tokyo from Narita International Airport
Most intenational flights into Tokyo arrive at Narita Airport, located to the east of Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture.
Here’s how to get in to and from Tokyo from Narita:
By Train:
- The Tokyo Skyliner Express: The Tokyo Skyliner Express takes around 45 minutes to reach Keisei Ueno Station in central Tokyo. Operated by Keisei this train is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. A single journey from Narita to Ueno costs￥2,470. You can book tickets for the Skyliner Express in advance here.
- The Narita Express “N’EX: Operated by JR East and covered by the Japan Rail Pass though seats need to be reserved. The Narita Express “N’EX takes just under an hour to reach Tokyo Station and also calls at Shibuya and Shinjuku Stations. A single trip to Tokyo Station costs ¥3,020 or ¥ 3,190 to Shibuya and Shinjuku Stations. You can also pre-book your tickets on the Narita Express via Klook here.
By Bus:
The Airport Limousine Bus service from Narita is another option and stops at various locations in central Tokyo, including Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, and Ginza. A single ticket from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station costs ¥3,100.
You can book Airport Limousine Bus tickets from Haneda Airport in advance here.
Getting to Tokyo from Haneda Airport
If you can, we recommend arriving in and departing from Tokyo at Haneda International Airport in the south of the city on the tip of Tokyo Bay and much closer to the centre of town.
Here’s how to get into Tokyo from Haneda Airport:
By Train:
- Keikyu Airport Line: Trains between Haneda Airport and Shinagawa Station in central Tokyo run every ten minutes, with the journey taking around 15 minutes and costing ¥330.
- Tokyo Monorail: The Tokyo Monorail connects Haneda Airport with Hamamatsucho Station in 30 minutes and costs ¥500.
By Bus:
You can also book an Airport Limousine Bus service from Haneda Airport, which also stops at multiple locations in central Tokyo, including Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, and Ginza. A single ticket from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Station costs ¥1,000.
You can also book Airport Limousine Bus tickets in advance here.
How to Get Around Tokyo
The best way to get around Tokyo is with some form of Pasmo or Suica IC card. These are contactless prepaid cards that you top up with credit at ticket machines then use to tap in and out of train stations.
The sale of most Pasmo and Suica cards were suspended in 2023 due to the global shortage of semi-conductors that are needed to produce them.
However there are still short term versions of both Pasmo and Suica cards available for visitors to Japan that are valid for a period of 28 days. These are the Pasmo Passport and the Welcome Suica. You can order a Welcome Suica IC card in advance here.
If you have an iPhone you can download and use either the Suica and Pasmo app to tap in and out of stations instead of a card. These apps can be linked to your iPhone using the Apple Wallet app. You can find out how to set up a Pasmo with an iPhone here.
Unfortunately for Android users the Pasmo and Suica apps only work on Android phones that are sold in Japan.
Get Online to Get Around
To navigate your way around the city the size of Tokyo will require getting online. You will rely heavily on Google Maps for getting from A to B in Tokyo, plus you’ll probably want to check the reviews of every bar and restaurant that tempts you in.
There are a number of ways to get online in Tokyo, either with a pocket WiFi plan, a temporary SIM card or even by downloading a local eSim to your phone. All are easy to arrange and come with full instructions on how to get set up and get online.
Book Tickets for Tokyo's Most Popular Attractions in Advance
Tickets for many of Tokyo’s most popular attractions often sell out days or even weeks in advance. This is certainly true of both teamLabs Borderless and the teamLab Planets exhibitions, the Shibuya Sky observation deck and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter.
You can pre-book skip the queue tickets for these and many more attractions on sites such as Klook, Viator and Get Your Guide.
Klook are based in Asia and specialise in destinations across the region. Of the three companies, they probably have perhaps the largest selection of tickets, tours, and excursions in Tokyo. They also have the best range of train tickets of the three companies, including the Japan Rail Pass and all of JR’s regional passes.
👉 You can find a full list of tickets and tours in Tokyo available through Klook here.
Viator and Get Your Guide might be more familiar to travellers from Europe and the United States. If you prefer to use either of these companies instead they both offer an extensive range of tickets, tours and activities in Tokyo.
👉 You can find tickets to a huge range of attractions, tours and more in Tokyo on Viator here.
👉 Alternatively, you can pre-book tickets for attractions and events in Tokyo through Get Your Guide here.
Bring Cash
Cash is still king in Japan. You’ll quite often find restaurants, bars and shops that still only accept cash in Tokyo, though card and contactless payments are now very common.
It pays to always have some cash in your wallet in case you end up somewhere that doesn’t accept card. If you need to take money out whilst in Tokyo your best bet is to use an ATM at a 7/11 convenience store, which usually accept all types of overseas bank cards.
I’m James, the founder, editor, writer and photographer at Where You’re Between. Currently based in Japan, I started Where You’re Between in 2017 to create detailed itineraries and in-depth travel guides for the places that I’m fortunate enough to visit. You can see all of our destinations here.
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