Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo
東京

Tokyo Travel Guide & Itinerary

Tokyo is a big city that plays a significant role in Asia. When traveling in Tokyo, history and technology as well as nature are constantly intertwined in the itinerary. As there are too many attractions to visit in Tokyo, the following 5 days 4 nights Tokyo travel itinerary & guide will focus on highlight attractions.

To experience Tokyo thoroughly, please go a few more times! You will love traveling in Tokyo!

» Start the guide with...Transportation Where to Stay Itinerary

Attractions

There are numerous attractions in Tokyo of different aspects. But some are must-go attractions like Tokyo Tower, Sensoji Temple, Ameyoko, Akihabara! There are also Disneyland, Oedo Onsen Monogatari, and Sanrio Theme Park to visit.

Transportation

For many toursits, the biggest difficulty of traveling in Tokyois transportation. Here are some travel tips for you.

Buying a single way ticket from machine is really complicated so you better buy a Pasmo / Suica card (a rechargeable rail card) to save time! It is much more convenient by just scanning the card each time going in and out of the JR / subway station. » Purchase a Suica Card

People who live near subway stations may buy a Tokyo Subway Ticket. There are options of 24/48/72 hours. Also, different suburbs have their own travel passes, such as Hakone Free Pass ,Kamakura-Enoshima Pass and more.

Hotel Accommodation

Shinjuku, Ueno or Asakusa are the best areas to stay in. These 3 regions are convenient and those hotels are of reasonable prices.

Recommended Hotels:

Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (Booking.com rating 8.3) Check price: Booking.com Agoda
APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Chuo (Booking.com rating 8.2) Check price: Booking.com Agoda
Centurion Hotel & Spa Ueno Station (Booking.com rating 8.3) Check price: Booking.com Agoda

» Search more hotels in Tokyo

Detailed Itinerary

Below is a Tokyo travel itinerary for 5 days, it includes visiting popular tourist attractions in Tokyo and a day trip to suburb / theme park. It can be a sample itinerary for you to have more travel ideas for your coming Tokyo Trip.

If you are going to visit Osaka and Kyoto, you can have a look of our guides:
» Osaka Itinerary 5 days
» Kyoto Itinerary 3 days

Day 1

Airport – Tokyo Imperial Palace – Roppongi – Roppongi Hills Tokyo City View

1. Airport

After arriving at Tokyo Airport, take the Skyliner Express to arrive the city center (Uneo / Nippori Station) in 41 mins.

Go to the hotel to Check-in or drop your luggage. Choose an accommodation near the JR station or subway station around Shinjuku, Ueno, Asakusa and Ikebukuro, they are convenient for transportation and shopping. If you plan to go to Hakone / Kusatsu for hot spring, better stay a night in these onsen town to enjoy the specific atmosphere.» Discount Combo: Skyliner & Subway Ticket KLOOK

2. Tokyo Imperial Palace

Settle the luggage and start the journey! If it’s early, you can go to the Imperial Palace ( get off at Otemachi Station on the subway Marunouchi Line). It was the residence of the generals in the Edo period. Later, the Emperor Meiji moved into here, so it was also called the Imperial Palace. You need to register online 1 month in advance to go inside the Palace. You may also try walk-in but only 300 people are allowed in each section on first-come basis (official details).Those who haven’t applied can still visit the Imperial Palace and the East Palace from outside. It’s Chidoribuchi Park is said to the best place in Tokyo city to enjoy cherry blossom.

3. Roppongi

Roppongi is a district full of arts, fashion and nightlife. There are many public art installations in Roppongi; Mori Art Museum is the center of Tokyo’s contemporary art. Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown are the two landmarks of this area.

The most popular place to enjoy the splendid Tokyo city view is the open air & indoor observatory deck on the 52th floor of Roppongi Hills (official website). You can see the brilliant Tokyo night view with the Tokyo Tower, and it is open until late night

Day 2

Ghibli Museum – Kichijoji – Shinjuku
(Or theme park: Disney / Sanrio / Fujikyu)

1. Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

Today, you can visit to Mitaka City next to Tokyo. The journey is a bit long, but friends who like Hayao Miyazaki will not miss it. You can take the JR Chuo Line to Mitaka Station and walk to arrive The Ghibli Museum (the animation and art museum of Miyazaki Hayao’s Studio). There are many manuscripts and animation production processes of Hayao Miyazaki and Takahata displayed inside.

However, it’s very difficult to buy a ticket. It is recommended to book from an agency as early as possible, or to make a reservation on the Lawson website in Japan. If you really can’t buy any ticket, you can join a one-day tour to go in, but the price will be more expensive.» Ghibli Museum and Inokashira Park Walking Trip

2. Kichijoji

After visiting the museum, you can go to the nearby Kichijoji area. This street is not as prosperous as Tokyo, but it shows a very authentic life in Tokyo. You can either eat in a small restaurant there, browse the grocery stores, or enjoy the cherry blossom/ ginkgo yellow /autumn red in the Inokashira Park next to it.

3. Shinjuku

Return to Shinjuku by JR and continue your trip in Tokyo downtown.

Shinjuku is a shopping paradise, where the most fashionable clothing in the latest season can be found here. Shinjuku Department Stores include Isetan, Keio Department Store, Lumine, etc. Kabukicho is a red light district where can go shopping with your peers. Men have to be careful to be deceived.

You can go to the interesting “Robot Restaurant” in Kabukicho. It has a very popular robot performance before dinner.

There is a good place to enjoy the panoramic night view for free – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The viewing floor is on the 45th floor, no reservation is needed.

Other Choices of the Day:

Not interested in the Ghibli Museum? You can go to a theme park instead!

Of course, the most popular is Tokyo Disneyland. You can buy a ticket online first (click me) to save time lining up as there are so many fun inside!

Another park is Tokyo Sanrio Puroland. It’s an indoor park so you can come either on sunny and rainy days. Tickets are not expensive with big online discount.

Another one is Fuji-Q Highland, which is said to be the most thrilling paradise in Japan. It’s absolutely not the timid! Online tickets for Fuji-Q Highland has not much discount, and in the event of heavy rain, many facilities will be suspended, it is recommended to buy the online tickets only a few days before or buy it on site.

» Search more hotels in Tokyo

Day 3

Toyosu – Ginza – Odaiba – Oedo Onsen Monogatari

1. Toyosu Market / Tsukiji Market

You many have heard of Tsukiji Market, but now the fish market has moved to Toyosu. However, there are still many food stalls and seafood restaurants in Tsukiji Market serving fresh and delicious seafood. So you can either choose to go to the new Toyosu Market or the classic Tsukiji Market for brunch.

2. Ginza

For 300 to 400 years, Ginza has been a world-renowned noble and prosperous area, and it is one of the 3 famous streets in the world (the other two are Oxford Street in London and Fifth Avenue in New York.) There are still many first-class well-known high-end Department stores such as Mitsukoshi Department Store, Wako, Matsuya Ginza and Tokyu Plaza. Even if you don’t like shopping, come and feel the luxurious side of Tokyo!

3. Odiaba

After experiencing the luxury side of Tokyo, you can go to the entertainment zone that young people love the most – Odaiba, which is right by the sea. There is a seaside park and Fuji TV station to visit, and a series of food to eat, but the most attractive thing is the night view. You can overlook the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower from there, and you can also go on the Ferris wheel to see the scenery.

4. Hot Spring Experience

If you haven’t planned to go to Hakone or Kusatsu for hot spring, or stay in a hot spring hotel in Tokyo, then going to Oedo Onsen Monogatari may be a good idea to experience Japanese onsen culture! This is a hot spring paradise.where you can wear yukata and go around the indoor streets decorated as from Edo period, you can find many things to eat and games to play inside. There are also open-air baths and indoor baths of natural hot spring. You can take a break in the rest area after hot spring bath. Some people who will take a flight in the next early morning will stay here until midnight, and then take a direct bus to the airport.(Onsen Ticket)

» Tokyo Suburb Hakone Onsen Guide – Private / Public Hot Springs (Enjoy Onsen)

Day 4

Meiji Shrine – Harajuku Takeshita Street – Omotesando – Shibuya -Tokyo Tower

1. Meiji Shrine

Morning is the perfect time to learn about Japanese history and culture. Meiji Shrine (or Meiji Jingu), which is located in the center of Tokyo, is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Dowager. The Emperor is very sacred in the hearts of the Japanese, so Meiji Shrine Shrine is the most visited shrine in Japan every year. It is also a very popular wedding venue so there maybe a chance that you will meet the bride and groom.with the traditional Japanese costumes. If time is limited, people will visit the super-large bird area and the main shrine built with 1500-year-old trees.

2. Harajuku Takeshita Street & Osmotesando

After visiting the shrine, you can walk to Takeshita Street Harajuku next to it. Takeshita Street is a small alley full of trendy young people―some are in fancy clothes, some are in cosplay. It turns out that there are all kinds of snack bars, trendy clothing stores, and the prices are quite affordable. There are also many idol product stores for the super fans. At the intersection, you will arrive to Omotesando, and the atmosphere changed immediately! First of all, this tree-lined avenue was originally a path stretching from the entrance to the Meiji Shrine. Both sides are full of stores selling high-end design clothing.

3. Shibuya

If you continue walk (or by subway if tired), you will arrive in another trendy area of Tokyo Shibuya! The intersection in front of Shibuya Station is the famous photo spots to represent the bustle and hustle life in Tokyo. Shibuya Hikarie and Shibuya 109 are department stores for shopping and dining. If you have a sweet tooth, do not miss the dessert area in the basement of Shibuya Hikaris the world-famous dessert cafes can be found here. Shibuya has many unique independent shop, you must come here to explore the area yourself!

4. City Night View from Tokyo Tower

The Tokyo Tower is really eye-catching at the night! If you want to go up, remember the observation deck is open until 11 pm. There is also an One Piece theme park under the tower. If you are a fan of One Piece, it is recommended to buy a value-for-money package.

Day 5

Ueno Grace Park – Ameyoko – Asakusa – Akihabara – Airport

1. Ueno Grace Park

On the last day of the your Tokyo travel, take the time to explore the wonderful Ueno Grace Park. There are more than a thousand cherry trees here so it is very spectacular when they all bloom! Other then trees, there are a zoo, museums, art galleries and shrines in the park.

Lunch can be settled in Ameyoko, where there are many restaurants, snack bars, clothing stores, bistros and souvenir shops.

2. Asakusa

Sensoji Temple (Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a mus visit shrine. Passing through the Kaminarimon Gate with two large lanterns, you will arrive at one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets Nakamise. There are a tuns of traditional Edo-style snacks here, as well as many centuries-old craft shops which may not be found in other places. Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, you can visit the Sensoji Temple Main Hall and the Five-storied Pagoda to enjoy Japanese history and culture.

3. Akihabara

If your flight departs in the evening, you can also go to Akihabara to buy some animation products or electrical appliances.

Then, time to set off for the airport….
» Buy a Skyliner Express to Narita Airport

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