This 5 day Tokyo Itinerary has everything you need to plan the perfect vacation. Featured here is the Tokyo Imperial Palace

5 Day Tokyo Itinerary: Japan’s Modern Megacity

Tokyo is the kind of city you can easily visit multiple times for weeks and still not see everything. This 5-day itinerary for Tokyo has sweeping views of the city, delicious food, the best temples and shrines, and day trips to Mount Fuji and Kamakura to make the most of your time in Japan.

The highlight of Tokyo for me was getting to wander the city and explore the different areas. From the Electric City to Shibuya it felt like Tokyo had so much to discover. I love that Tokyo has something to offer every kind of traveler.

While planning my trip to Tokyo it got a bit overwhelming with how many things need to be booked in advance at specific times. I do recommend booking some experiences in advance but overall, you can visit Tokyo without having to plan every meal or activity. Being a megacity, knowing how to arrange the itinerary efficiently was also a challenge. I’ve got your stress-free Tokyo itinerary here so you don’t have to worry about where to stay or how to arrange your days in Tokyo.

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Planning Your Trip to Tokyo lAST mINUTE?

Planning your trip to Tokyo? Below are some places to stay, things to do, and more.

Best Tours and Experiences in Tokyo
  1. Mt. Fuji Full-Day Sightseeing Trip (This is the tour I took!)
  2. TeamLab Borderless (advance tickets are a must!)
  3. Shibuya Sky (get sunset tickets!)
  4. Sumo Show (extremely popular!)
  5. Dinner Cruise on Tokyo Bay
Best Food Experiences in Tokyo
  1. Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
  2. Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku (discover hidden bars!)
  3. Tsukiji Fish Market Walking Tour (very popular tour!)
Top Hotels in Tokyo
  1. Hotel Kabuki, Shinjuku (Great location, in room karaoke!)
  2. Mitsui Garden Hotel, Gotanda (I stayed here! Onsen)
  3. Book Tea Bed, Shibuya (Capsule hotel)
Hundreds of people cross at Shibuya Crossing at night in Tokyo
Shibuya Crossing from Shibuya Sky

Is Tokyo Worth Visiting?

Tokyo is worth visiting for all types of travellers. It’s a megacity so you can find a little bit of everything for your interests. What I loved about Tokyo was wandering the different districts to see how each has its subculture within the city. Right up against the modern skyscrapers you can find historic places like Asakusa or Omoide Yokocho. This mix of old and new gives Tokyo a unique identity that I haven’t quite seen in other places.

Tokyo is also a great base for so many different day trips, including visiting Mount Fuji. Even if you are not a big fan of dense cities, Tokyo has places like Meiji Jingu Shrine and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden that offer green space.

When to Visit Tokyo

Tokyo is best visited in spring (March to April) and autumn (October to November) for the best weather. I visited in March and was very happy with the weather.

I would avoid Tokyo during summer (July to September) as the weather is hot and humid. If you do travel in summer, take breathable fabrics, consider purchasing a sun umbrella, and drink plenty of water.

Sakura in full bloom in front of a lake in Ueno Park with a temple and reeds and in the background in Tokyo, Japan
Sakura in Ueno Park, Tokyo

How Many Days to Spend in Tokyo

Tokyo is a massive city so to see the top sights you need a minimum of three days in Tokyo, without any day trips. If you want to add on day trips from Tokyo like Mount Fuji, Kamakura, Nikko, or Disney, you will need four or more days in Tokyo.

This Tokyo itinerary is 5 days and you can easily add more time in Tokyo. I spent a week in the city and cut this itinerary down to what I think the essentials of Tokyo are.

Where to Stay in Tokyo

One of the most difficult decisions I faced when booking my Tokyo trip was where to stay. I ended up splitting my stay between Gotanda and Ginza. In general, as long as you book near a metro station on the circle line of Tokyo (the Yamanote Line) you will find it easy to get around the city. The circle line connects all of the major sights of Tokyo.

Shinjuku and Shibuya are the most popular areas to stay in Tokyo. Both are very busy locations. Shinjuku is a great place to stay if you are looking for nightlife. In Shinjuku, I would stay at Hotel Kabuki for its in-room karaoke. Shibuya is great if you are looking to be in the heart of it all. In Shibuya I would stay at either Tokyu Stay Shibuya or get a capsule bed at Book Tea Bed Shibuya.

I stayed in the less popular, but more affordable, Gotanda and found it convenient to access sights by metro as it is on the Yamanote Line. It’s also a short walk to Meguro, which has a beautiful canal lined with cherry blossom trees. I enjoyed how Gotanda was quieter than Shibuya or Shinjuku but still had all the popular stores and plenty of bars and restaurants. I stayed at Mitsui Garden Hotel and highly recommend it. The hotel is beautiful and the rooms are quite spacious, especially for Tokyo. Mitsui Garden Hotel also has an onsen so you can unwind after a long day of walking around Tokyo.

View of Gotanda in Tokyo. This quieter neighbourhood is a great place to stay when you visit Tokyo
Gotanda at night

Ginza is another popular location to stay and is great if you are looking to do some shopping. I stayed in Ginza for a couple of nights and I liked exploring the area and found it convenient to access the Tokyo Station area. One downside is that Ginza hotels tend to be a bit more expensive. I can’t recommend the hotel I stayed at but I would consider Ginza Hotel by Granbell as I loved my stay at the Granbell in Kyoto.

Where to Eat in Tokyo

You are spoiled for choice in Tokyo. My recommendations are a bit different as I visited Japan as a vegetarian. I also didn’t make reservations in advance so I probably missed out on some great places. My favourite restaurants I ate at in Tokyo were:

The Best Five-Day Itinerary for Tokyo, Japan

This five-day itinerary for Tokyo gives you three full days in Tokyo as well as two amazing day trips from Tokyo to make the most of your time. I visited Tokyo at the end of a two-week Japan trip. Visiting Tokyo at the end of the trip felt right as it felt like I was moving from the old capital of Kyoto towards the new capital of Tokyo.

One thing you won’t find in this Tokyo itinerary are animal cafes. Most are not ethical experiences so I chose to skip them. If you want a cute cafe experience, check out character cafes like the Pokemon Cafe or Kirby Cafe instead.

Day 0: Arriving in Tokyo

I arrived to Tokyo in the evening from Hiroshima so I didn’t have very much time on my arrival day to Tokyo to explore. If you are flying into Tokyo you may also be dealing with jetlag. In my case, I explored Tokyo Station. Tokyo Station is a lot of fun to visit because it has different areas separated by shop type like Ramen Street or Character Street. There are lots of food options as well. I went to the vegan T’s Tantan ramen restaurant which is a bit difficult to find as it is not on Ramen Street but inside a paid area of the metro.

If you aren’t arriving by rail, I would just plan on having dinner and hanging out in the hotel or nearby.

Day 1: Teamlab Borderless and Shibuya

To start your trip in Tokyo, today you will visit two of Tokyo’s best activities: TeamLab Borderless and Shibuya Sky. For both of these activities, you need to book tickets about a month in advance as they do sell out.

Head to the Azabudai Hills in the morning to visit TeamLab Borderless. You do need to book your tickets in advance and it is a timed entry. TeamLab Borderless is a digital art museum that you explore on any path you choose. I spent about 2.5 hours exploring the museum but I have read some people take 4 hours. This was one of my favourite activities in Tokyo and I ended up wishing I also visited TeamLab Planets as well.

I loved all of the rooms at TeamLab Borderless but my favourite would be the Light Vortex which is a light show set to music. The Flower Forest is probably the largest room at TeamLab Borderless and you are treated to different flowers that interact with your movements through the space.

Woman stands in front of digital art exhibit in TeamLabs Borderless in Tokyo, Japan
One of the interactive art exhibits at TeamLabs Borderless where the water and petals flow around you

The creators of TeamLab Borderless do not provide a map of the experiences or spoilers as they want it to be more of an organic discovery process for visitors. If you are more of a planner, I did find this map of TeamLab Borderless created by a visitor.

People stand looking at different coloured crystals in TeamLab Borderless in Tokyo
Exploring TeamLab Borderless

After exploring TeamLab Borderless, get lunch in Azabudai Hills. I ended up just getting a sandwich at a convenience store but Soba&Co. Kamiyacho is a great option for a quick meal in the area.

Just a short walk away is the Tokyo Tower which you may want to make a quick visit to as it looks like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I didn’t go up the tower but it was interesting to see.

The Tokyo Tower during day time. Looks like the Eiffel Tower and is covered in vermilion and white paint.
Tokyo Tower

After, head to Shibuya. In Shibuya, check out the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing and see the statue of Hachiko. Depending on your entry time for Shibuya Sky, you may have some time to explore and do some shopping. Some stores that may be of interest are Shibuya Loft and Hands Tokyo for unique home goods, and Shibuya Parco for Nintendo, Pokemon, Jump, and Capcom Stores.

Hachiko Statue in Shibuya.
Statue of Hachiko in Shibuya

Shibuya Sky requires some planning as it is a timed entry and tickets sell out in advance. I recommend booking a ticket so you are there for sunset. Sunset was the perfect time to be there for beautiful lighting and you could even see Mount Fuji in the distance. I stuck around to see Tokyo lit up at night as well. Shibuya Sky has lockers for bags as they are not allowed on the viewing platform.

View of the Tokyo Tower and Skytree from Shibuya Sky in Tokyo, Japan
View over Tokyo from Shibuya Sky

After Shibuya Sky, enjoy some sushi for dinner. I went to Uobei and while there were lines, the turn over was fast. I loved the experience of conveyor belt sushi and the food was yummy.

Sunset over Tokyo from Shibuya Sky with Mount Fuji in front of the sun
View of Mount Fuji from Shibuya Sky

If you still have any energy, it’s a good time to see the famous 24-hour Mega Don Quijote for shopping or wander the streets of Shibuya to take in the energy of nighttime Tokyo.

Day 2: Day Trip to Mount Fuji

If you only take one day trip from Tokyo, make it to Mount Fuji! While you can visit Mount Fuji independently, I suggest joining this tour to Mount Fuji. You get to see more places on the bus tour than you would if you try booking trains and buses yourself. Also, buses to Mount Fuji do book up so if you book independently make sure you book a round-trip ticket in advance.

I joined this tour because I wanted to see Lake Kawaguichiko but there are also bus tours that include Hakone.

The tour starts with a visit to the most famous of the Fuji Five Lakes, Lake Kawaguichiko. Afterwards, you head to one of the most famous views of Mount Fuji, Chuerito Pagoda. There are a surprising number of stairs at Chuerito Pagoda but they are well worth it.

Mount Fuji on a clear day with Chureito Pagoda in the foreground. This is one of the must visit stops on a day trip to Mount Fuji from Tokyo
Chureito Pagoda and Mount Fuji

Wander the streets of Oshino Hakkai for street food and views of Mount Fuji over the scenic town and clear spring ponds. Finish the day tour with a stop at the highest accessible station on Mount Fuji, 5th Station. If you do this tour in winter, you will only be able to go to 1st station and do a short stop at a nearby temple. You can read my full account of the Mount Fuji day trip here.

The day tour to Mount Fuji will drop you off at Tokyo at Tokyo Station or Shinjuku. End your day with dinner at Vegan Izakaya Masaka in Shibuya which has amazing food.

One of the springs in Oshino Hakkai on a sunny day with Mount Fuji in the background
Oshino Hakkai

Day 3: Exploring Harajuku and Shinjuku

In Harajuku, start by visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine. This Shinto Shrine hardly feels like it is in the middle of Tokyo, especially right next to bustling Harajuku. I spent about an hour exploring as it is a large area and you do have to walk a short distance to get to the shrine.

The gate of Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo, Japan
Meiji Jingu Shrine near Harajuku

After Meiji Jingu, take a walk down Takeshita Street. This street is packed with quirky clothing stores and interesting food like giant rainbow cotton candy. It’s great for people watching, but mostly of other tourists. The only “Harajuku Girls” I saw were near the metro station and if you paid you could take a photo with them.

From Takeshita Street, walk towards Micasadeco & Cafe for amazing souffle-style pancakes. The walk also takes you by Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokado which has a beautiful mirrored escalator that looks more like a modern art installation than an entrance to a mall.

Mirrors at different angles above an escalator in Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokado
Mirrors of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokado

After lunch, take the metro to nearby Shinjuku.

In Shinjuku, start your visit by exploring the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. I loved how the garden had guides for each season so you are sure to spot something blooming. The grounds are large and you can easily spend 2 to 3 hours here. It feels like a little oasis in the middle of the city. I visited right before peak cherry blossom season and was treated to some blooms.

Sakura blossoms reflect off of a pond in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo during March
Sakura in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

After visiting the garden, head to the heart of Shinjuku to explore. Shinjuku is quite busy so it can be a bit overwhelming.

Omoide Yokocho bar district with its paper lanterns and wooden alley buildings are not to be missed. Kabukicho is a fun area to wander and see the Godzilla Head watching you from above Toho Cinema. You can easily spend a whole evening in Shinjuku before heading back to your hotel.

Godzilla head next to Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku, Tokyo
Godzilla looks over the streest of Shinjuku

After exploring Kabukicho, head to the Golden Gai for dinner and drinks. This area is famous for its small establishments that may seat only 2 to 6 people. To make the most of your visit you may want to join a barhopping tour or a food tour of Shinjuku.

Streets of Shinjuku at Night all lit up with lanterns and lights
Shinjuku at Night

Day 4: Asakusa and Akihabara

Start your morning early to try to beat the crowds in Asakusa. Senso-ji Temple is one of Tokyo’s most popular sights, so it gets very crowded.

Visit Senso-ji Temple by beginning your exploration at Kaminarimon Gate and walking along Nakamise-dori Street until the Hozomon Gate. Senso-ji Temple is famous for its giant red lanterns and pagoda. It’s one of the iconic views of Tokyo and you can even see Tokyo Skytree from here.

A large Hozomon Gate with red paint and grey roof at Sensi-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo
Hozomon Gate at Senso-ji Temple

Nakamise-dori gets busy but there are lots of souvenirs you can buy here or street food. There are plenty of places to get a snack or lunch in this area.

After Senso-ji walk towards Kappabashi Street, famous for being the place to get kitchen goods such as Japanese knives.

From Asakusa, you are close to Ueno Park. It’s quite a large park so you could spend an afternoon here, especially if you visit the museums. However, after visiting, I didn’t enjoy Ueno Park much, so I’m suggesting skipping it and heading to Akihabara instead.

Akihabara is also known as Electric Town and is famous for being the place to go for anime, computer goods, and manga. Akihabara closes its main streets to car traffic on Sundays from 1-6 pm (5 pm in winter) so try to visit on a Sunday afternoon.

The closed streets of Akihabara, Japan with the streets open to pedestrians and many billboards in the background
Exploring the streets of Akihabara on a Sunday

In Akihabara, it’s worth visiting Kanda Myoujin Shrine. The lion fountain here is beautiful. While the shrine was rebuilt after earthquakes, there has been a shrine here since 1616.

Kanda Shrine in the Akihabara District of Tokyo with a green torii gate and walkway leading up to the vermillion coloured gate with a green roof.
Kanda Shrine in Akihabara

Afterwards, explore the main streets of Akihabara. You can spend a whole afternoon bouncing between the different shops and arcades. Some options for anime and manga stores in Akihabara include Animate, Lashinbang, and Mandarake.

Have dinner across the river at Kanda Matsuya for handmade soba noodles and dining in a prewar building. Alternatively, it’s a great time to head to Etchūjima Pier and take a dinner sunset cruise around Tokyo Bay to get a different perspective on the city.

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Day 5: Day Trip to Kamakura

Kamakura is an amazing day trip from Tokyo because you can do it yourself without having to pre-book tours, buses, or trains. If you prefer guided tours, you can also join this bus tour to Kamakura and Enoshima.

From Tokyo, Kamakura is just 1-1.5 hours on transit. When you arrive in Kamakura, take a bus to your first stop, Hokokuji Temple, known for it’s bamboo forest.

Afterwards, walk the short distance to Sugimoto Temple. If you walk all the way to the top of this temple you might even be able to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is one of the must-visit spots in Kamakura. This large temple even has a small inari shrine that is reminiscent of thousands of torii gates you see at Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto.

A large staircase leads to the main shrine at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, a must visit while on a day trip to Kamakura, Japan
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Grab some lunch on your walk back to Kamakura Train Station and take the train to Hase Station. From here you can walk to Hasedera Temple for views of the coast. Afterwards, the highlight of the area, Kotoku-in Temple and its seated Buddha. You can see my full guide to Kamakura here.

Great Buddha of Kamakura at Kotoku-in Temple
Great Buddha of Kamakura, Japan

If you have time you can take a train from here to nearby Enoshima or head back to Tokyo and spend the evening exploring Tokyo’s nightlife.

Day 6: Departure

Depending on your flight or train time, you may have time to explore more of Tokyo. I recommend using any remaining time on this day to revisit your favourite area or restaurant.

If you have a lot of luggage, I would take a taxi to the airport if you aren’t in an area that has a shuttle bus to the airport as the metro is not suitable for large luggage.

Spending 5 Days in Tokyo

Five days in Tokyo will fly by. This massive city has so many areas that you are sure to miss some things on your first visit. I can’t wait to go back and explore more areas and experience Tokyo in different seasons. It was a great end to two weeks in Japan.

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing Tokyo itinerary! I really appreciate the detailed recommendations and helpful tips, especially about booking in advance and where to stay. It’s great to see such a well-rounded guide for exploring Tokyo’s best attractions and hidden gems.

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