So, you’re about to dive into the Tokyo adventure of a lifetime? Awesome! This 7-day itinerary is like your virtual BFF, showing you the coolest spots, the yummiest eats, and the must-do things for your very first Tokyo escapade. Buckle up, because we’re about to make your Tokyo debut one heck of a story!
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo and explore Shinjuku
Arrive at Narita International Airport and take the Narita Express train to Shinjuku Station (about 60 minutes, ¥3,070).
Shinjuku is a great area to stay, as it has plenty of hotels, restaurants, shops and nightlife options.
🏨 Hotels in Shinjuku:
After checking into your hotel, head out to discover the charm of Shinjuku Gyoen (open 9:00-16:00, admission: ¥500), a captivating park boasting Japanese, French, and English gardens.
Then, head to the skyscraper district, where Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building awaits. It offers free observation decks with breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
🍱 For dinner, venture to Omoide Yokocho, also known as Memory Lane, a narrow street lined with tiny eateries serving yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and other Japanese delicacies. It’s a great place to enjoy authentic local cuisine!
Visit Golden Gai, a maze-like area with tiny bars, each with its unique theme and décor. It’s a perfect spot for bar-hopping and mingling with locals and fellow travelers.
Don’t miss the renowned Kabukicho, Tokyo’s vibrant red-light district, with its iconic giant Godzilla head atop a hotel. Remember to stop by Don Quijote, a popular discount store in Kabukicho. It’s a treasure trove of items, from souvenirs and cosmetics to electronics and quirky gadgets.
Day 2: Central Tokyo
Start your day at the Imperial Palace East Gardens (open 9:00-16:00, free admission).
🍱 Then, head to Tsukiji Fish Market for a sushi breakfast (open 5:00-14:00). (Visit Sushizanmai in Tsukiji for a fantastic sushi experience!)
Visit Hama-rikyu Gardens, a beautiful Edo Period garden (open 9:00-17:00, admission: ¥300).
Then, head to the Mori Art Museum (open 10:00-22:00, admission: ¥1600 adults), located on the 53rd floor of the Roppongi Hills complex. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the city and amazing contemporary art exhibitions.
🍱 Have lunch at a local restaurant (bave a refined tempura experience at Tenmasa in Ginza).
Then visit Ginza, Tokyo’s upscale shopping district. Eat amazing sushi at “Sushi no Midori“: This restaurant is known for its delicious sushi and reasonable prices.
🏨 Hotels in Ginza:
Day 3: Western Tokyo
Start at Meiji Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife (open sunrise to sunset, free admission).
Then, explore Harajuku, the epicenter of youth culture and fashion in Japan. Walk along Takeshita Street (grab a delicious melon pan here!), a crowded and colorful street full of shops selling clothes, accessories, crepes and other cute things. Don’t forget to explore some of the side streets, where you can find more quirky and unique shops.
🍱 Grab lunch at Harajuku Gyoza Lou for amazing gyoza varieties! Nana’s Green Tea in Harajuku is a matcha lover’s paradise.
Then visit Omotesando, often referred to as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysees.
End your day in Shibuya, home to the famous Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko statue.
🍱.For dinner, head to Genki Sushi, a fun conveyor belt sushi restaurant where you can order your dishes on a touchscreen.
🏨 Hotels in Shibuya:
Day 4: Northern Tokyo
Visit Ueno Park, home to several museums and Ueno Zoo (open 9:30-17:00, admission: ¥600). Visit the Tokyo National Museum (open 9:30-17:00, admission: ¥1000) , which has an impressive collection of Japanese art and history.
Then, explore Ameya-Yokocho Market, a lively street market that sells everything from clothes and accessories to food and electronics. It’s a great place to find bargains and try some street food.
🍱Have lunch at Gindaco for some mouthwatering takoyaki.
Then visit Asakusa, where you can explore Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and most popular temple (open 6:00-17:00, free admission). As you stroll along, you’ll come across the Kaminarimon, a striking red gate with a huge lantern suspended from it. Keep going, and you’ll pass through the Hozomon, featuring three lanterns and two guardian god statues. Finally, you’ll find yourself at the temple’s main hall.
After visiting the temple, walk along Nakamise Shopping Street, where you can buy souvenirs, snacks and traditional crafts.
End your day with a cruise on the Sumida River (about 40 minutes, ¥780), enjoying the scenic views and the sight of Tokyo Skytree in the distance.
🍱Wrap up with a relaxing dinner at one of Asakusa’s traditional izakayas, savoring authentic Japanese cuisine and drinks. One highly recommended izakaya in Asakusa is “Izakaya Hana“, known for its cozy atmosphere. (Their sake selection is impressive, featuring both local and premium options!)
🏨 Hotels in Asakusa:
Day 5: Minato & Odaiba
Start your day at Tokyo Tower for a panoramic view of the city (open 9:00-23:00, main deck: ¥1,200). You can take the elevator to the main observatory at 150 meters, or challenge yourself to climb the 600 steps to the special observatory at 250 meters. Either way, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning vista of Tokyo and beyond. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also walk on the glass floor sections and see the ground below your feet.
Later, head to Zojoji Temple, a historic Buddhist temple that dates back to the 17th century.
After exploring the temple, take a short walk to Shiba Park, one of the oldest parks in Tokyo. The park is a great place to relax and enjoy nature, as well as admire the contrast between Tokyo Tower and the surrounding greenery.
You can also visit the small Shiba Toshogu Shrine.
🍱For lunch, head to Azabu Juban, a trendy neighborhood that offers a variety of cuisines and cafes. Consider visiting “Sukiyabashi Jiro“. This renowned sushi restaurant, famously featured in the documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi”, offers an exquisite omakase (chef’s choice) menu.
🏨 Hotels in Minato:
After lunch, hop on the Yurikamome Line, a driverless monorail that runs along the waterfront from Shimbashi to Odaiba. The ride is scenic and fun, as you can see the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Bay, and the futuristic skyline of Odaiba along the way (about 20 minutes, ¥320).
Once you arrive at Odaiba, you’ll be greeted by a giant replica of the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of friendship between Japan and France.
If you’re a fan of anime or manga, you won’t want to miss Gundam Front Tokyo, a museum and shop dedicated to the popular Gundam franchise. You can see a life-size statue of Gundam RX-78-2 outside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, as well as various exhibits, models, merchandise, and interactive games inside.
Visit teamLab Borderless, a digital art museum (open 10:00-19:00, admission: ¥3,200). [CLOSED]
Then, explore Palette Town and ride the giant Ferris wheel (open 10:00-22:00, admission: ¥1,000). [CLOSED]
🍱Have dinner at a local restaurant (I recommend trying “Seryna“. This renowned restaurant specializes in Teppanyaki, a style of Japanese cuisine where ingredients are grilled on an iron griddle. Seryna offers high-quality Kobe beef and other premium meats), then visit Odaiba Seaside Park and enjoy the view of Rainbow Bridge.
Lastly, end your day at Oedo-Onsen Monogatari, a hot spring theme park (open 11:00-9:00 next day, admission: ¥2,480). [CLOSED]
🏨 Hotels in Odaiba:
Day 6: Akihabara & Ikebukuro
If you love anime, manga, and gaming, then you’ll love this one day itinerary that covers two of Tokyo’s most famous otaku hubs: Akihabara and Ikebukuro.
Start your day in Akihabara, the mecca of anime and electronics. You can easily spend hours browsing the countless shops that sell everything from figurines and cosplay costumes to retro games and gadgets.
Don’t miss the famous Mandarake complex, where you can find rare and vintage items, or the Gachapon Kaikan, where you can try your luck with capsule toy machines.
If you need a break from shopping, head to one of the many maid cafes or themed cafes in the area. You can enjoy a cute and quirky experience with maids, butlers, ninjas, or even owls.
🍱For a fantastic lunch in Akihabara, consider dining at “Maidreamin Akihabara“, a popular maid cafe located in the heart of the district.
🏨 Hotels in Akihabara:
After lunch, hop on the train and head to Ikebukuro, another otaku paradise. Here, you’ll find more anime and manga shops, as well as some specialty stores that cater to specific fandoms.
For example, you can visit the Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo, the largest Pokemon store in Japan, or the Animate flagship store, which sells merchandise from popular anime and manga series.
You can also explore some of the cultural attractions in Ikebukuro, such as the Sunshine City complex, which houses an aquarium, a planetarium, a museum, and an observation deck.
🍱For dinner, you can enjoy some of the local specialties in Ikebukuro, such as monjayaki (a savory pancake) or motsunabe (a hot pot with beef or pork innards). I recommend trying “Sakura Tei” 😉
🏨 Hotels in Ikebukuro:
Day 7: Tokyo Disney Sea
Start your day bright and early, arriving around 8:30 am just before the park opens.
Tokyo Disney Sea is divided into themed ports, and I suggest kicking off your adventure at Mediterranean Harbor. It’s the main entrance area where you can catch spectacular shows on the water during the day and night.
First things first, grab a Fastpass for Tower of Terror, a super popular ride. Fastpasses are essential here as they allow you to skip regular lines. Remember, you can only get one at a time, so plan your rides wisely.
From there, head to Mysterious Island, right at the center of the park. It’s home to two incredible attractions: Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Both are mind-blowing!
For a bit of a change of pace, visit Mermaid Lagoon, a colorful area themed after The Little Mermaid. While it’s more geared towards kids, the ambiance is delightful. Don’t miss out on Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster and Scuttle’s Scooters.
When it’s time for your Tower of Terror Fastpass slot, brace yourself for the thrill. It’s scary but totally worth it.
🍱Afterwards, refuel at Zambini Brothers’ Ristorante with some delicious Italian cuisine. Their pizza and pasta are fantastic, and you get a great view of the harbor.
After lunch, catch The Legend of Mythica, a spectacular daytime show at Mediterranean Harbor. Then, head to the American Waterfront, where you can enjoy iconic attractions like Toy Story Mania and Big City Vehicles. Make sure to catch Big Band Beat, a lively jazz-inspired show.
Port Discovery offers futuristic marvels like Aquatopia and StormRider, offering unique experiences. And don’t miss Lost River Delta for the thrilling Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull and Raging Spirits roller coasters.
Finally, wrap up your day at Arabian Coast, themed after Aladdin. It’s a beautifully designed area with enchanting attractions. If available, catch one of the evening parades, like “Fantasmic!” or “Once Upon a Time.”
🏨 Hotels near Disney:
Please note that prices and timetables are subject to change, and it’s always a good idea to check the latest information before your visit. Also, feel free to adjust the itinerary based on your interests and preferences. Enjoy your trip to Tokyo!😉
