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Are you heading to Japan? How exciting! Most travelers start their trip in Japan’s capital Tokyo and with good reason. Opinions differ on how long you should stay. I would say 3 days are the minimum but you can easily spend a week or more in Tokyo without getting bored.
How to plan a 3 day itinerary in Tokyo and plenty of practical tips in this post.
FAQ – 3 day itinerary in Tokyo
Is Tokyo worth visiting?
I think Tokyo is a bit of a legend if only for its status as the largest city in the world by population and third-largest city by area. Who knew New York was the largest city by area? I did not! I digress. Yes, I think especially if you have never been to Japan you should go to Tokyo as it is well worth visiting. That said, sometimes people make it seem that if you haven’t been to Tokyo you haven’t been to Japan or might as well stay home. And this I think is highly unfair to a lot of other amazing places Japan has to offer.
I, for example, really liked Tokyo, but am not sure if I loved it whereas I did love Hiroshima. Just remember that Tokyo is a somewhat exhausting big city and plan accordingly especially if you usually prefer nature and beaches.
How many days to spend in Tokyo?
I spent a total of 5 days in Tokyo as I expected to be jetlagged and get tired after a lot of walking. This was perfect for me personally. Alas, Tokyo is expensive so you may want to fit more into each day. Therefore I created this 3 day itinerary in Tokyo for you!
But honestly, even if you spend a week or two, I doubt you would get bored of Tokyo.
Where to stay in Tokyo?
There are plenty of guides showing you the best areas where to stay in Tokyo. This can get overwhelming, so I would rather just share the 3 hotels in Tokyo I have stayed at so far and why I like them.
In general, ask yourself the following questions before booking:
- How far is its location from the sights you want to see? Some travel is inevitable, but if you have to drive an hour every time you leave the house, this might not be ideal.
- How far is its location from the next station? Anything longer than a 10-minute walk will get tiring very quickly.
- Budget aside, how big is the room? Real estate is notoriously expensive and thus small in Tokyo. Rooms for solo travel in Tokyo often offer actual single beds and too little space to open your suitcase. For once, check the square meters shown when booking a hotel in Tokyo!
Read more about my recommendations when booking hotels in my Japan for first-timers guide.
Muji Hotel Ginza
Compare booking sites! It was during my first trip to Japan when I ventured from Booking.com and started to compare prices on Agoda as well as the hotel’s direct website. There is no one cheapest option, as it varies. But a bit of research can save you a lot of money if you are set on a specific hotel.
The MUJI Hotel Ginza is probably one of the most famous hotels in Tokyo. It is located directly above a 5-floor MUJI store and completely outfitted in the MUJI-style. Understated, sleek, and very calming.
To be honest, staying here was a real splurge for me – the rooms are not cheap. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the room size. I stayed in type C, which was a very spacious 25㎡, not a given in Tokyo hotel rooms. You also get to take all the little MUJI amenities provided, like snacks, a notebook and pen, travel-size beauty products, and slippers. Obviously, you could always buy those things cheaper, but there is just such an appeal to getting these little bits for free.
They also put on a great breakfast spread at the restaurant with all your Japanese favorites, and serve lunch and dinner as well. There is also a Coffee & Salon area, and of course, you have direct access to the store from the reception area.
Right in front of the door, you will find all that Ginza has to offer – shop till you drop. A bonus: the Tokyo Station is within walking distance.
All Day Place Shibuya
If you are looking for the perfect hotel in Shibuya, look no further – All Day Place Shibuya is it. You are just around the corner from Shibuya Station, Shibuya Scramble Square, and the crossing, but the area here is so nice and quiet.
Downstairs is a cool coffeeshop and bar, and on the first floor you will find the reception as well as a pizza restaurant. Judging by the crowds, it must be great pizza. You get a 10% discount at both if you are staying at the hotel.
I had booked a Medium Double room, which is definitely going to be too small if you are traveling with two people – 13㎡! While the bed is super comfy, it is small for two, and my open suitcase took up all the floor space. Go for a King if you are not traveling alone.
That said, the rooms are cozy, stylish, and are very quiet. Plus, the location could not be any better!
All Day Place Shibuya on Booking / Agoda
HOTEL CEN
HOTEL CEN was my first encounter with the notoriously small Tokyo hotel rooms, but I liked it nonetheless. It is located in a quiet part of Shinjuku and just a five-minute walk from the Shin-Ōkubo Station, perfect to catch the Yamanote Line.
The hotel itself is modern and stylish, and the rooms, while tiny, have everything you may need. Including a cozy bed, PJs, and other hotel amenities, and a clever layout to make up for their lack of size.
There is also a cafe, a rooftop terrace, and a terrace downstairs for snacks and drinks. Another highlight: CEN is Japan’s first diversity hotel and provides dedicated LGBT training to their staff to become a haven for travelers from all walks of life.
How to get from the airport to the city?
There are two international airports in Tokyo: Haneda and Narita. I flew with Finnair into Haneda which is a little bit closer to the city center while Narita has more international flights. Finnair flies to both airports and honestly, I would just choose the one that offers the better connection for your flight and arrival time.
From both airports you have different ways to get into the city and for both taxis will be the most expensive and least convenient one due to traffic. Alternatively, there are airport buses that take you to many big hotels or you can use the metro and Metrorail trains. I recommend you check with your hotel for the closest subway stop. Once you know this, use the airport wifi and Google Maps for directions when you arrive. It will show you the various options, travel times, and prices and you can choose the best one once you are actually on the ground.
Taking the train is definitely better as you won’t be stuck in traffic. The only exception is late at night as most trains don’t run after midnight.
How to get around Tokyo?
These boots are made for walking…no, seriously, pack comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking in Tokyo. For longer distances, there is Uber and taxis but they are also the most expensive way to get around in Tokyo.
And honestly, the public transport system is amazing. It includes buses, various metro lines, trams, and JR lines. The only slightly confusing thing is the ticketing system. To make your life easier I recommend you get an IC card. The most famous ones are Suica and Pasmo. They are basically prepaid cards that you can use for all the public transport in Tokyo (and other cities) as well as in some taxis and convenience stores.
You simply tap your physical card or your smartphone when using a digital IC card when entering the station and tap it again when leaving. When you leave you will be shown your remaining balance. You can top up your card at most ticketing machines at the stations (and yes, they are in English too) or at stores like 7-Eleven. And don’t worry: if you are caught with too little balance when you are leaving the station there are so-called fare adjustment machines.
While it might be technically a bit cheaper to get day passes for the metro, each train line system has its own tickets. Unless you know exactly how often you are going to use it and where to, it is a complete hassle. Honestly, save yourself the headache and just get an IC card!
How do you know which trains to take? Use Google Maps! It works almost perfectly and will even tell you which exits to take at any given station. A godsend considering how big some Tokyo train stations are!
And don’t worry – stations are named in Japanese and English and also have a number assigned. All announcements are done in Japanese and English, you won’t get lost! And if you do, you can always ask a station attendant.
Where to eat in Tokyo?
Many places to visit in Tokyo for first-timers will evolve around food. At least they did for me. I put together list upon list which I quickly ignored once I arrived.
Here is what you need to know about eating in Tokyo: getting reservations at high-end restaurants can be very tricky, especially as a single traveler. There are usually booking sites that will charge you a small fee to make your reservation and often you will have to book for a minimum of two people. I quickly decided that I wasn’t going to bother and the only Omakase I ate, I got lucky with an early walk-in – more about it below.
Even for everyday places with udon, sushi, ramen & Co., it can be difficult to get a seat at a regular hour. Why? Because Japanese love queuing up for stuff. Once a place makes it into the Tokyo Michelin guide your chances of getting a table without any wait are pretty much zero.
I ended up eating a lot of lunches at 11 am and a lot of dinners at 5 pm so I could minimize any wait. I also said goodbye to most places on my list and instead used Google Maps to search for random well-rated restaurants in the area I was at. I would simply type in what I was in the mood for i.e. udon and look up places in my vicinity.
This system worked reasonably well for me as I also realized that I didn’t know enough about Japanese food to really appreciate the intricate differences between udon restaurant A and udon restaurant B. I also only trust the Michelin so far…
In addition, Google reviews are a great source of information i.e. when a line will start forming or how difficult it is in general to get into a place.
How to find great tours and activities in Tokyo
I love little more than a good food tour, and when in Tokyo, Arigato Travel is the company I usually book with. They have a variety of different tours that either take you to a specific area in Tokyo, focus on a topic, i.e., ramen or vegetarian, or center around breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They also offer a special tour for families, as well as some centered around alcoholic beverages, and a couple of them are in Spanish.
I have done a few of their tours throughout Japan now and couldn’t love them more.
Recently, I have also tried some tours with Wabunka, though I would rather call them experiences than tours. All of their activities are private trips, and you and your group get a personal interpreter. This way, there is no language barrier, and you can immerse yourself in an ultra-local experience. You do something you would never be able to organize on your own in Japan, making it so special. While they have quite a few food experiences, you can also do arts and crafts like learning how to make your own Japanese knife, learn Kintsugi (repairing cracked ceramics with gold), and joining architecture or history walks.
All of the experiences follow an expert in their field and are truly one of a kind.
What to do for 3 days in Tokyo
Day 1 in Tokyo – Shinjuku
Shinjuku Cat
Where to go in Tokyo for first-timers? Start your first day in Tokyo with a visit to Shinjuku, the vibrant part of town that you may know from the movies. Make sure that your camera is fully charged and just walk around to take in the sights.
I like to start with a visit to Shinjuku Cat. She is located outside of Shinjuku station and is basically a giant 3D calico cat on an advertising billboard. Not only cat lovers like her but there is usually a little crowd filming on the other side of the street as she plays, jumps, and cleans herself. Watch the billboard opposite her as she sometimes moves frames!
Want more cat madness? Visit Cat Cafe Mocha. It is a cute place with even cuter patrons. They have various locations around town, one in Shinjuku.
Godzilla
From Shinjuku Cat, it is only a short walk to the Gracery Hotel where Godzilla lives. It pays off to stick around for a bit as it puts on a smoke and sound show frequently. If you want to get really close to him, you can visit the cafe at the Gracery Hotel which is open to the public. And for those who absolutely love Godzilla, you can even book a night in the Godzilla room at the Gracery.
In the street leading up to Godzilla, there is also a Don Quichotte if you want to have your first experience with the mad shopping empire. Be warned though: I am convinced it is designed in a way making it harder to find the access and driving you absolute mad with sights and sounds so you end up spending all of your money.
teamLab Borderless
Tokyo for first-timers shouldn’t miss teamLab Borderless in Azabudai. It is absolutely stunning. Visual interactive art, a light show, a fairytale – something along those lines. At times it also resembles a (very beautiful) escape room as it is up to you to find all the different rooms. I didn’t and was very sad as I realized too late that I missed a few I really wanted to see. You can book a time slot to enter but once you are in there is no time limit.
Some people recommend booking the first slot in the morning to have a chance to take pictures without the crowd but honestly, I wouldn’t bother. Make sure to book your tickets far in advance and just go for a time slot that works for your itinerary when you only have 3 days in Tokyo.
There is a second teamLabs in Tokyo at the moment, more on that below, but if you only have time to see one, Borderless is the one I would recommend.
Get your ticket for teamLab Borderless
Arigato Food Tour
Once the sun sets another side of Tokyo comes to life. One that I explored during a food tour with Arigato. You can recreate the trip yourself but especially if you solo travel in Tokyo it is so much more fun to do it with a tour. You will also be shown some amazing places to eat and drink and safe to say, you would never find them on your own. That said, if you wanted to try – Tokyo is very safe so you wouldn’t have to worry about that.
Our tour started with a literal stroll down Memory Lane, the nickname of Omoide Yokocho, a small alley full of typical izakayas. These little pubs often only fit a handful of patrons and offer sake, beer, and a small array of dishes like yakitori.
Nightcap
If you are doing the Arigato food tour, it will take you for a nightcap to the Golden Gai, a cute area with countless tiny bars. Not all are accessible for foreigners (if you read ‘members-only’, that is a sign), so it is nice to have a guide. You can also do karaoke, and it is a lot of fun to try some typical Japanese drinks like Shochu or pickled plum wine (my personal favorite).
Otherwise, you can also book this Shinjuku Local Bar tour. It is a bit cheaper as you are only paying for your guide, and food and drinks are extra. It will also take you to Golden Gai, and a karaoke session is also included.
Book a Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour
Day 2 in Tokyo – Shibuya
Breakfast recommendation: You will start your day in Shibuya and from the station, it is only a short walk to Katsuo Shokudo. They are known for their Katsuobushi breakfast and it is a treat. Rice is topped with a generous amount of Katsuobushi, freshly shaved Bonito, and you can watch while they shave it. Get in line a few minutes before they open as the place is tiny. You can also get some extras for your bowl and do order the bonito karage as well!
Shibuya Crossing
Now your belly is full and you can explore the most (in)famous crossing in the world: Shibuya Scramble. There is not much to do but walk and wait when the light turns red, and just be awed by how big it is. To be honest, it is probably better appreciated from above but you will do that later in the day.
Imperial Palace
History lovers head to the Imperial Palace afterward in the center of Tokyo. It sits in a massive garden with moats, bridges, and all the trimmings you would expect for a palace. The inner grounds are not accessible except for two dates in the year as the royal family actually does live here. Instead, you can do a guided tour of the other parts of the palace grounds that are free, you just need to register online here as spots are limited each day.
Alternatively, you can book a private tour or download a free audio guide to do your own tour.
Gotokuji Tempel
Are you a cat lover? Then Gotokuji is a must because the temple is said to be the birthplace of the Maneki-Neko, the lucky beckoning cat figurine you probably know from any Asian business around the world. Allegedly a poor monk lived on the site of the temple with his cat back in the 17th-century and said cat beckoned a Samurai to come in during a storm.
To get to Gotokuji you can take one of the few trams that are still in service in Tokyo and with a bit of luck, even the cat tram (I was not that lucky). From the station, it is only a short walk. On the grounds, you will find shelves with thousands and thousands of Maneki-Neko in various sizes.
A highlight for many is the temple shop where you can buy your own. The shop is so popular that there is usually quite a wait and you can only buy one cat per person. They have various sizes, the smalles one as small as your fingertip – perfect for a traveler!
Dinner recommendation: For an amazing modern omakase I recommend you make a reservation at Sakai Shokai. I just stumbled in or rather up the stairs as they are located on the first floor of a very unassuming building. It is a lovely place with a great selection of Japanese natural wines and some incredible cooking at affordable prices. The omakase I had was 11,000 yen (approx. $71) in March 2024.
Shibuya Sky
Back in town, back to Shibuya. Of course, you are smart and got your ticket for sunset at Shibuya Sky at least a month in advance. Once you do you take the elevator up and get in line, it usually goes fast.
At the top, you store your belongings in a locker (take 100 yen for it) and move up an escalator to the roof. Honestly, if you are afraid of heights this is not for you. Glass walls everywhere – great for picture taking but especially the escalator can feel a bit scary. There are plenty of photo corners at the top and people tend to queue nicely, they also have a photo service if you want to pay for it. Alternatively, there is a corner where you can put your phone down and use a self-timer.
Back a floor below there is a gallery and a coffee shop as well as a panoramic view in all directions. This is a great spot to observe Shibuya crossing and its action from above and with a bit of luck you can even see Mount Fuji on a clear day. And if you get really lucky, you can even see him while you are taking a picture of yourself in the bar mirror on top.
Get your ticket for Shibuya Sky
Tea Ceremony with Cha-kaiseki
A tea ceremony in the evening, you may ask? Yes, indeed, because this one is followed by a Cha-kaiseki and cocktails. All done in the private tea room Yobanashi Sahan in a residential area of Tokyo. Unassuming from the outside, to say the least. Chances are, you will be double-checking that you have made it to the right place.
Luckily, you have an interpreter by your side walking you through it all. Or at first crawling through it – you enter through a small window, head bowed and on your knees. But not to worry, your interpreter is there to help, not only when it comes to language but also cultural etiquette or how to enter a tea room.
The tea room is run by wonderful Hamazaki Sosei, who is the tea ceremony master, bartender extraordinaire, and sake sommelier.
The cha-kaiseki or “tea kaiseki” meal comes with small bowls of seasonal yumminess and even tinier bowls of sake to enhance the tea ceremony that will follow. After the meal and the tea ceremony, made even more magical by the ambience – tatami mats, candlelight, and a witchy kettle over an open fire, you move on to cocktails.
This is when Hamazaki literally rolls up his sleeves. After all, his cocktails are meant to be shaken, not stirred. On the menu? A concoction of matcha and German rose liquor (is that me as a cocktail?) and Bacacha with iris, butterfly pea, and gold leaf – cocktails like the food here are seasonal.
And once you leave, you may blink your eyes and shake your head. How did you get through that little window back onto the streets of Tokyo? Was it all just a dream? It sure feels like it…
Book a private Tea Ceremony with Cha-kaiseki & Lounge Drinks
Day 3 in Tokyo – Something old & something new
Tsukiji Market
Start your day at the world-famous Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast! Next to it used to be the Inner Market world-renowned tuna auction but this moved to and became known as Toyosu Market.
But since all the fish and produce at Tsukiji comes directly from Toyosu it is still an awesome place to shop for and of course eat fish and seafood. Some vendors already start at 5 am but it usually gets busy after 9 am while most shops close by 2 pm. Indeed if you come just before 9 am you will be able to skip most lines and have all your favorites before it gets busy.
It is a great place to stroll around and try some wagyu skewers with sea urchin, tuna donburi, Tamagoyaki, a Japanese omelet, preferably with eel, and so much more.
Tsukiji is actually not too big and even if you forgo the long queues, allegedly a sign for the best something-something, you will find yummy things everywhere. That said, there are plenty of guided tours that take you to some of the best spots. Alternatively, you can book a Tsukiji Market with no food which will be a lot cheaper and you can simply decide for yourself what you want to eat afterwards. This was the option I chose and very much enjoyed it.
If you want to see the famous tuna auction you can still book a tour taking you to both Toyosu and Tsukiji Market but be warned: they are quite pricey and you will have to get up early!
teamLab Planets
From Tsukiji Market, it is not far to teamLab Planets, the latest exhibit by the famous art cooperative. This time it is all about nature in addition to digital art. Some say, if you book the earliest slot you will have the best chance to take pictures but honestly, don’t bother! Unless you are a pro, it is incredibly hard to photograph inside and regardless of which time slot you book, you can always find a quiet corner for a sneaky selfie.
Ticket sales start two months in advance. Do not, I repeat, do not try to wing it and get a last-minute ticket at the door.
Once you arrive you will see a sign with your allocated time slot and queue up, don’t worry, it goes quite fast. Then you will get a video introduction and in you go. You will leave bags, purses, and tripods in a locker room as well as your shoes. Yes, you read correctly – your feet will get wet and you must take off your shoes before you go in. Make sure to wear some pants that you can easily roll up or a skirt – water will come up to your knees.
There are towels available as you walk through the rooms but to be honest, if you get the ick by people walking barefoot over carpet this might not be the place for you. If you don’t care, go for it, you will have a great time!
They frequently have new rooms and I am obsessed with their latest one “Catching and Collecting in the Sacred Forest” and the Athletics Forest. For this one you will need to wear flat, closed-toed shoes. If you come with Birkenstock like I did you can borrow some for free.
Get your ticket for teamLab Planets
Lunch tip: Should you be hungry again, I highly recommend you head to Grill Bon for lunch. They only have 7 counter seats and only make deep-fried beef tenderloin cutlet sandwiches. They also have a prawn patty option as well as wagyu. The sandwiches are served with a lovely veggie pickle and hot mustard, and the beef melts in your mouth.
I recently did a side by side comparison of the beef and the wagyu. While the wagyu manages to be even meltier than the beef, it is probably not worth the triple price if you are on a budget. Regardless of what you order, this is a very happy place and I highly recommend you go there for a little lunch before you continue with your day.
Ginza
After lunch, you will already be in the right corner of town – Ginza. Ginza is considered the fancy shopping mecca of Tokyo. Now that you are at the end of your 3 day itinerary in Tokyo, it is time to do some damage with your credit card.
While you get the usual designer flagship stores, think Prada, Gucci, and Dior, Ginza is also home to the MUJI flagship store. Honestly, the MUJI stores in Japan are on a whole other level.
There are also plenty of great department stores like the newly opened Ginza SIX or Ginza Wako with its clock tower that is the mascot of Ginza. Even for a bit of window shopping, I loved Japanese department stores and how they were curated – consider them art and your shopping spree more like a museum visit!
If you come on the weekend you might be in luck as there are certain times when they close of some streets for motorized traffic. Everyone just walks on the road and the whole area just gets a really nice neighborhoodly vibe.
Asakusa
From Ginza you can jump on the subway and head to Asakusa, what some consider the old town. Back in the day, this was Tokyo’s entertainment district including theaters, brothels, and later cinemas. After much was destroyed in WW II it is now mainly known as the home of the Tokyo Skytree and the Sensoji Temple.
That said, while the red light entertainment is gone, Asakusa still feels a bit more old-worldly and is the perfect for a stroll. Nakamise is a short shopping street with plenty of stalls for traditional foods and souvenirs leading up to the Sensoji Temple. With a strawberry daifuku in hand, you can visit what is considered one of Tokyo’s most beloved temples though the one you see today is a reconstruction from after the war.
It has different halls and gates including the famous Asakusa Shrine. Entrance is free and you can visit the temple any time.
1 Week Tokyo Itinerary
Of course, you won’t be able to see it all during 3 days in Tokyo. In fact, you can easily turn the days above into a 1 week Tokyo itinerary. I highly recommend that if you like to take it a bit slower, your feet hurt (like mine did) or jet lag hits you hard.
Alternatively, you can add other activities in and around Tokyo that take a bit more time. These include Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter, and Sanrio Puroland for all of you Hello Kitty fans.
For all of these, you will need to plan a lot more time as they are not directly in Tokyo and they offer so much to do and see. Also, make sure to get your tickets well in advance and invest in fast-lane passes if you can!
Tip: If you are a Ghibli fan, set your alarm – ticket sales opens on the 10th of each month at 10 am for the next month. Even though I was waiting in the digital line on time I didn’t manage to get a ticket. An alternative are the Ghibli Museum and Ghibli Film Appreciation Bus Tour from Klook. They are a bit easier to get albeit quite pricey.
One comment
This is such a balanced take on Tokyo! I really like how you point out that while Tokyo is iconic and worth experiencing, it doesn’t define Japan entirely—Hiroshima, Kyoto, and so many other places deserve love too. Your hotel breakdown was super helpful (especially the note about room sizes, which travelers often overlook). And I love the mix of classic sights like Tsukiji and Shibuya with more unique experiences like the tea ceremony and Gotokuji. Definitely bookmarking this itinerary for my next trip!