Our 5 days in Tokyo itinerary for you to follow for each day! 5 days is the perfect amount of time to explore this huge city, it’s vibrant and full of exciting things to do. This 5 day itinerary will give you everything you need to just go!
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What’s the Best Way to Get to Tokyo from Narita International Airport?
The Narita Express is the best way to access the city from Narita International Airport (seat reservations are required to and from the airport). The JR Rail Pass covers this line if you have this. Generally the trip takes at least an hour to the Shinjuku area.
What’s the Best Way to Get Around Tokyo?
The entire city is easy to navigate by foot, train, or bus. We used the Suica Card to catch the bus and local trains and buses. You can get one at the main stations that can be reloaded. There are two options one that you pay a deposit for(getting it back when you return it) or a tourist one that is free to get and you can reload it.
The other option is to buy individual train tickets. You can purchase these from machines at the train stations or there’s a Suica mobile app that enables you to use your phone to scan. I did this and it was incredibly convenient to use as you can just link your debit/credit card to it and reload it with money as you need. It is only available on Apple devices though and as Mike uses Samsung he got the physical tourist Suica Card. He had to reload this at the train station when it was running low and while this was fine you did need to leave a little time to do it. Also the top up Suica card machines only take cash. The JR Rail Pass also works for some lines in Tokyo.
Where to stay in Tokyo
We stayed at APA Hotel Nihombashi Bakurocho Ekikita and it was excellent! The rooms are tight as most in Japan but they really have everything you need. The location is really convenient to 3 train station options. The hotel is super clean and there’s a floor with microwaves, water and ice machine which is so useful. We heated up convenience store food late at night and used the water and ice all the time.
5 days Tokyo Itinerary!
You can follow this and choose from the activities each day, make sure to book ahead as things book out quickly, I have added links to help. Feel free to leave out anything that doesn’t interest you, for example if you are not interested in gardens, skip them and have a nice meal somewhere!
Day 1: Taito City area (north right of Tokyo centre)
Taito District in Tokyo is a more traditional area to explore, it is where you will find Asakusa Shinto temple and Senso-ji Temple one of the oldest in Tokyo.
Must visit in Taito City
Asakusa area
This is the main area in Taito City to visit, Asakusa is home to the beautiful Senso-ji Temple lots of cute shopping streets and delicious snacks. You can even book to see a sumo fight and eat the traditional meal!
Nakamise-dori Street
Nakamise-dori Street is right between the temple and the train station, there are loads of shops and snacks to check out here. Make sure to stop in at the oldest paper store in Tokyo and my favourite souvenir store, Yoroshi Cosmetics, to buy a hand cream or lip balm with your (or your friends and families birthdays on it!)
Senso-ji Temple
One of the most famous in Tokyo it is really impressive. Completed in 645 and the oldest in Tokyo it has a lovely area to walk around in and fortunes to try. We did our fortune with the numbered sticks and got one of the best! You can book a guided tour of the temple which will help you understand such an important part of the history of Tokyo so much better!
Asakusa Nishi-sandō Shopping Street
Right next to the Senso-ji shrine is this bustling shopping street. Walk down here to check out the shops and grab some snacks. Mike tried the famous sweet buns at Asakusa Kagetsudō and loved it with ice cream. There is a Don Quijote near to this shopping street and it is a must visit for souvenirs and cosmetics.
Samurai Museum
Before you leave this area check out the Samurai Museum, it is really interesting and a great experience for families and adults. It is a lot of fun and educational as well, it is not too far from the temple. You can book tickets for the samurai musuem in advance as well.
Alternatively and a little out of town but there is an actual samurai training experience that looks incredibly cool!
Rikugien Gardens
One of the most lovely gardens in Tokyo, the Rikugien Gardens are quiet and serene. A great escape from the bustling city areas. These traditional gardens are really big so prepare for a walk. They really shine in Spring during cherry blossom season or in Autumn for the colourful leaves but are still gorgeous at any time of year. You will also find tea houses here for a nice slow moment.
Ueno Park
This huge park is really nice, there are shrines to check out, the Tokyo Zoo, Tokyo Art Museum and the National Museum also. We checked out a couple of the shrines and wandered near the lake area, grabbing some drinks to sit in the park and people watch. It seemed perfectly acceptable to find a spot to sit and drink or eat a snack in the park as long as you take your rubbish with you.
The National Museum
We arrived right on the National Culture Day in November and there are loads of museums around the city that are free to enter on this day so entry was free here, but would normally be 10,000 Yen. There are a bunch of other museums that are free on this day but do don’t know how you would see them all. Some are The National Museum of Modern Art, National Museum Of Western Art, National Museum of Nature and Science and Kenrokuen Garden.
The museum was huge and interesting with a lot of natural history. It was particularly busy on this free day so we saw as much as we could!
Nezu Shrine
Not too far from the museum is Nezu Shrine, it is pretty and not too crowded. There are red tori gates to walk through as well. It is free to enter and if you prefer not to walk then take the subway to Nezu Metro Station (Chiyoda Line) and it is a 3 mins walk.
Koishikawa Korakuen
This is one of the oldest gardens is Tokyo. It is really pretty and features a pond in the centre with walking trails around it. There are cherry plum blossom in spring and maple leaves in autumn. If you don’t want to walk, take the Oedo line to the Lidabashi Station and it is a 2 minute walk from there.
Akihabara
If you are a gaming or anime fan you will want to visit Akihabara. This area is home to all the electrical, gaming and anime stores you will ever need. We wandered this area at night so the neon signs were lit up. Not being huge gaming fans ourselves we had a little fun at the gotcha machines in Gigo and walked around to check out the sights. There are robot cafes, maid cafes and a 1300 year old shrine here.
5 days in Tokyo Itinerary Day 2: Ginza and Minato area (south of Tokyo centre)
The Ginza area is close to the centre of Tokyo, you can explore Tsukiji Fish Market, teamLab Planets and our favourite and somewhat secret sushi spot.
Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji Fish Market and Tsukiji Outer Market is one of my favourite places to visit in Tokyo. We have been to loads of markets around the world and it is always interesting. Here you will find interesting food to try, lots of cute pottery stores and a big fish market that you can wander. Be amazed by the huge selection of perfect seafood on offer fresh and ready to buy.
Mike tried out a huge oyster here and loved it. Definitely somewhere we preferred to come early to avoid the crowds but it is buzzing all day really. Mike tried some flat squid which was unique and I found a gluten free ice cream that was delicious. You will find the Strawberry Mania stall where people come from all around Japan to try. They sell strawberry mochi and strawberries covered in sugar. Eat some sushi and wander around we spent about 1.5 hours enjoying it. Make sure to try (or buy) some bonito flakes from the stall selling them, Mike says they are a flavour sensation. You can book a tour so you don’t miss anything and explore the markets with a local inclu!ding sake tasting!
Our favourite (somewhat secret) sushi restaurant!
This place is so local that we couldn’t even find a name on the wall for it. We happened to see it in a very short clip on a vlog and knew that we had to try it. Mike tracked it down and although we heard that some non Japanese speakers were not exactly welcome we entered politely and respectfully and were allowed in to have some sushi! Mike had the lunch plate which consisted of a sample of different types of sushi from egg to eel and loved them all. It feels just like you stepped into your grandfathers house, all wood walls and cosy. We were given hot tea and miso soup as well as the sushi plate.
Search for Motodane, the Google Maps location is 6 Chome-25-4 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
This was so delicious we highly recommend it if you want a very local experience. It is very quiet inside so we did make sure to just whisper to each other. Cash for payment is recommended. Alternatively you can book yourself a sushi making class!
Teamlabs Planets
We loved our time in TeamLabs planets and highly recommend it! It was such a cool immersive experience that we ended up staying about 2 hours in there. Wandering from room to room it was so engaging and otherworldly in many parts. Our favourite room was the Falling Flowers, the Koi Pond and the LED Light experience. It was incredibly interesting and we would abosolutely go again! I think they change the program regularly so be sure to check it out when you are in Japan. You can pre-purchase TeamLabs tickets as they do sell out usually in advance.
Tokyo Tower
The views from the Tokyo Tower are stunning, you will see out all over Tokyo and experience this bustling city from above. You can pre-purchase tickets to make your day even faster to get around.
TeamLabs Borderless
If you loved your TeamLabs Planets experience then check out TeamLabs Borderless. It has rave reviews and is really close to the Tokyo Tower.
Roppongi
Head over to the Roppongi area which is known for trendy cafes, boutiques, and cool art galleries. Check out the National Art Museum ( the building itself is really cool), then head to the new neighbourhood of Roppongi Hills for city views from the observation deck. After dark there are cocktail bars and clubs here to spend a lively evening!
Hamarikyu Gardens
This is a really lovely garden where the ponds and canals are full of seawater instead of fresh as it is connected to the bay. Here you can see the water rise and fall with the tide, there is a tea garden as well as a shrine. There is a 300JPY entry fee and the nearest station is Shibakoen Subway Station (Mita Line), then a 6 minute walk.
Nakameguro Neighbourhood
While is not exactly close by it is a very cool area. There is a pretty river to walk next to and some cool stores and coffee shops. Stroll the Meguro Riverwalk and then grab a coffee at Omnibus. Perfect time to come here is in the spring when the cherry trees are blooming along the river.
5 days in Tokyo Itinerary Day 3: Shibuya (Left & down of Tokyo centre)
Shibuya is a huge are to explore, we loved it. These are our must do things in Shibuya.
Imperial Palace
On the way to Shibuya you can stop off to visit the Imperial Palace gardens. You can enter the gardens of the Imperial Palace for free from most gates. We entered from the east gate. There are mostly gardens to walk through and cherry trees in spring. It is pretty and there is a cute koi pond but on the day we visited the Imperial Palace tours were not running so we couldn’t see this.
Hie Shrine
Hie Shrine is a beautiful place to visit and gives a little of a Kyoto vibe. There are beautiful red tori gates and if you can not get to Kyoto then this is a nice taste of it. Wander the shinto gates and gardens, if you are lucky enough to be in Tokyo during a festival this is a great spot to enjoy them.
Meiji Jingu Gaien Gingko Avenue
If you are in Tokyo in Autumn then head here for some stunning Autumnal colours, the street is lined with ginkgo trees which turn stunning shades of yellow.
The Matcha Tokyo Omotesandō
If you love matcha or want to try one then head here, they make a great matcha latte and it is incredibly aesthetically pleasing! You can also book a Matcha and Kimono Experience which is a lovely experience.
Totti Candy Factory
Before entering the shrine or gardens stop off at this candy store famous for its fairy floss and candies.
Meiji Jingu
Wander up to Meiji Jingu Shrine to see the beautiful temple housed in Yoyogi Park. It is a huge place with lots of gates and walls, wander around here to appreciate the massive complex. There is a fountain where you can take part in the purification ritual that you will see most people doing, wash your hands and rinse your mouth. Use the ladle to put water in your hands.
Yoyogi Park
The park is connected to the shrine above and is a nice place to stroll and escape the city. There are tons of people wandering through here doing the same. Make sure to check out the Consecrated Sake Barrels display.
Harajuku
Harajuku is a busy neighbourhood which really becomes lively later during the day and evening. Walk the famous Takeshita Dori street which runs right through it. You will find loads of food shops, animal cafes and it is great for people watching. You will also find Cat Street here, it has nothing to do with cats but is a nice shopping street.
Shibuya
Heading down to Shibuya is perfect to soak up the excitement of Tokyo. While here these are the must do things-
Shibuya Scramble
This world famous crossing is busy all day. You can walk across and feel the vibes or take photos and videos of everyone racing across. You can also go up to the Starbucks, buy a coffee and watch the scramble below.
Mario Karts
Jump into real life Mario Karts and drive around Shibuya, it’s so much fun and not as hard as it seems! This is the booking link for the Mario Karts.
If this isn’t enough action for you then book this tour and explore Tokyo in a Nissan GT-R35/R34/R32/Supra! It is a lot of fun!
Shibuya Sky
Book this early as it books out almost daily about a week in advance. It is a must do, the escalators and the views are stunning. You will look out over the skyline of Tokyo, sunset is really popular and will book out first, but booking an earlier time and then waiting is usually best. This panoramic viewpoint is totally worth it, there is a bar there to grab a drink while you watch the city.
You will also find a Mega Don Quixote store which is perfect for souvenir shopping. Make sure to head to Mags Park Rooftop overlooking the square and grab a drink to watch the crowds below. For a free view of the street below try Shibuya Hikarie, take the lift to the observation deck. We grabbed some drinks and sat up there enjoying the view.
One of our favourite ramen spots is here, check out Oreryu Ship Ramen. One of the best ramen Mike had in Japan was here.
5 days in Tokyo Itinerary – Day 4: Shinjuku
This is one of the biggest areas to see and there is so much to do here. We really loved it, even the station is gigantic and worth a wander-make sure to remember where you are because it is easy to get lost. Make sure to check out:
Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory
The cutest place to get coffee with an animal shaped cream puff-a must try for cutesy overload. Cream puffs cost approximately 460JPY
Metropolitan Government Building
Head here for stunning views over the city from their free observation deck. If it is clear you might see Mt Fuji and in the evening you will see the city alive with lights.
Gotoku-ji Temple
Gotoku-ji Temple is one of my favourite temples in Tokyo and it is so accessible from Shinjuku. Free to enter you will be surrounded by ceramic cats. It is a nice quiet place and you can purchase a cat of your own from 500-70,000JPY.
Shinjuku Gyogen National Gardens
One of the best for cherry blossom season with 144 acres of botanical gardens to stroll around you could spend a couple of hours here.
Aoyama Flower Market Green House
This is a gorgeous place to go for tea and cake.
Shinjuku Cat
This is such a must see and yet it is just a billboard! We stood for ages just watching the cute cat which in 3D seems to leap from the billboard. Looks as good during the day as it does at night. Honestly it is mesmerising.
Godzilla
Located above a cinema check out the huge statue of Godzilla, each hour between 12pm and 8pm it plays the Godzilla theme music while roaring and smoke erupting from its mouth. If you want a close up view go to Cafe Terrace Bonjour located on the eighth floor of Hotel Gracery Shinjuku.
Omoide Yokocho (aka Memory Lane or Piss Alley)
This is a small alley that has loads of food stalls, lots of tiny restaurants. It is really cute and the food is good. Head here in the evening once the sun sets to get a great meal with vibes. You can book a tour which will make finding the best foods and ordering easy, check out this Shinjuku Food tour
Golden Gai
This famous area is an old district that is full of bars. it comes alive between 7pm and 5am, usually by 11pm it is in full swing. There are tons of bars that fit sometimes only 3-4 people in them. Often tourists are welcome but if not there will be a locals only sign on the door. If you find a friendly one squeeze in and enjoy a drink or 3. Bring cash. It can become pretty lively so be prepared. They usually don’t serve food so eat first. This Golden Gai bar hopping tour will make it easy to find out which bars are tourist friendly and help in ordering drinks too, it is a really fun time!
5 days Tokyo Itinerary – Day 5: Take a Day Trip
There are so many great day trips you can do from Tokyo, we did a few and I will definitely be doing some more next trip. These are our favourites:
Seaside Trip to Kamakura
This is a coastal town and nice to get a change from a city. There is s one great shopping. some temples and shrines as well as a very cool train crossing we didn’t make it to this trip ( it is a little out of town). Sit by the sea and relax with a drink or head to the big Buddha. There is some thing here for everyone who is looking for a laid back getaway. Make sure to have a full day here, or book a day trip so you don’t miss anything!
Kawagoe
This is one of my favourites. The cute little town is worth it on its own, known as a little Kyoto it has the old buildings, stores, restaurants and if you don’t go to Kyoto make sure to come here. There are also some awesome shrines here, my top 2 are the Hikawa Shrine where you fish for good fortune and the Kumano Shrine.
Day trip to Nikko
Nikko is incredible and perfect during autumn for the seasonal colours. We didn’t get there this trip but I will definitely be going next time. This is one of the best places to see the autumn colours and you can book a Nikko day tour to make your day stress free.
Hakone
Hakone is easy to get to, one;y 1.5hrs from Tokyo and is beautiful, make sure to leave early so you can fit a full day in here as you could easily spend 2-3 days. There is a Hakone pass that makes it much easier to see as much as possible and we highly recommend it. Check out the cable car, the sulfur mine and eat a black egg before heading down to Lake Ashi and the famous shrine on a boat. It is all included in the pass. There are also some excellent museums here and a botanical garden. Most notably the outdoor sculpture museum is a must. You can even combine a day trip to Hakone and Mt Fuji on this tour if you are short on time!
Mt Fuji
This is an absolute must! We loved our trip here, we spent most of our time around Lake Kawaguchiko and used the tourist bus to check out as many views as we could. Autumn was the perfect time to view it as the trees were such beautiful colours however I think it would be stunning in any season. There is an easy day trip out here we highly recommend to make the day much smoother and easier! Check out these My Fuji day trips:
Tokyo: Mount Fuji, Kawaguchi Lake, Oshino Hakkai 1-Day Trip – Escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo with a day trip to Mt. Fuji. See the serene Lake Kawaguchi from the ropeway, explore the historic Oshino Hakkai, and experience the art of making matcha.
Tokyo: Full-day Tour of the Four Majestic Spots of Mt Fuji – Embark on a day trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, Oshino Hakkai, and Kawaguchiko. Explore the clear spring water from Mount Fuji, taste authentic food, and stroll through Kawaguchiko Oishi Park.
Tokyo: Mount Fuji & Hakone Private Customizable Day Tour – Visit Mount Fuji and explore its surroundings with this personalized private tour from Tokyo. Discover the Majesty Lake Kawaguchiko, Oshino Hakkai, Oishi Park, Chureito Pagoda, and the Hakone Ropeway.
Snow Monkeys
When I return in Winter I am absolutely booking this tour- I really want to go and see the snow monkeys! Take a day tour to the Nagano Prefecture from Tokyo, and visit the Jigokudani Monkey Park. See the snow monkeys, and enjoy a local lunch.
Where to eat in Tokyo
Mike loved Coco ichibanya, Ichiran ramen and Oreryu Ship Ramen. There were some great coffee shops we found called Kayaba Coffee, Omnibus, Coffee Supreme and Camelback. There is also a great breakfast restaurant (full of mostly locals) called Sakaba Fukuro.
We ate a lot at convenience stores and found having a late lunch/early dinner was perfect to then grab late dinner at a convenience store or one of the smaller grocery stores that have incredibly fresh sushi for excellent prices!
We loved our time in Tokyo and can not wait to return. This is definitely a city that captures the imagination and leaves you wanting more. As Anthony Bourdain said, “For those with restless, curious minds, fascinated by layer upon layer of things, flavors, tastes, and customs, which we will never fully be able to understand, Tokyo is deliciously unknowable. I’m sure I could spend the rest of my life there, learn the language, and still die happily ignorant.” I couldn’t agree more, this will absolutely be a city we come back to….and I can’t wait!
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I really hope this 5 days in Tokyo Itinerary helps you plan your trip, we really researched before going and found that by visiting an area each day we were able to cover most of the main things to do, although I want to come back to do more of course!
