Three Days in Tokyo: The Most Efficient Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Tokyo is a vast and seemingly endless metropolis. This can get pretty overwhelming for first-time visitors, especially when your stay in the capital is just the first stop on a hectic two-week journey across Japan. This guide offers you a handy three-day itinerary to get the most out of your time in Tokyo without it feeling all too rushed. No time-wasting, no endless subway transfers: just one major sight or experience every morning, afternoon and evening. 

So you decided to spend just three days in Tokyo? First of all: oh dear oh dear, you should have booked a longer stay. Tokyo is probably my favourite city on the planet and is especially rewarding to those who simply start wandering at random. This said: for many travellers, a trip to Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which means they’ll try and cram as many of the big hitters as humanly possible into that one visit. This often leaves them with just a couple of days in the capital – usually as the first stop after flying in. Leave out the first evening to fight the jetlag with a cup of microwaved 7-Eleven noodles and they’re most likely left with a maximum of three to four days before moving on.

Tokyo is enormous and has dozens of unique and lively neighbourhoods that all warrant a visit. These are spread out all over the city and you can’t see all of them in just three days – sorry but it is what it is. If you try and tick them all off anyway, I guarantee it’ll feel like a race instead of a rewarding experience – and you still won’t make it in the end. Plan your stay in a logical and efficient way though, and you can see quite a lot of the main sights while actually enjoying yourself throughout the process. This is where my guide comes in – you’re welcome.

 

 

The trick for a satisfying shorter stay in Tokyo, is to think in local clusters. Yes, the city is incredibly spread out and you’ll never see all of it, but several of the most iconic sights and neighbourhoods are quite close one another and are generally well-connected. Pick a different one of these clusters every day, and you’ll have a varied experience without losing hours riding the subway all over the city. So book yourself a hotel close to one of the main stations, get a Suica card for easy transport and payments and let’s get this baby rolling.

 

Day 1: East Tokyo: Asakusa, Ueno & Akihabara

Morning: start your day in style in Asakusa and visit Sensoji

Asakusa was the first area I ever visited in Tokyo, and is a good place to start this three-day adventure as well. It’s a varied and atmospheric neighbourhood and although most of the buildings are replicas – half of the city was flattened during WWII – the spirit of traditional Tokyo was kept alive surprisingly well. Think alleys with wooden houses, a myriad of shrines and temples and covered arcades full of little shops and restaurants.

Star of the show and one of the most visited attractions in the capital is Sensoji: the oldest and most iconic temple in town. Usually it’s completely packed, but get here early and you can have your visit in peace. The main hall opens at 6:30 AM (6 AM from April to September), but the temple grounds are accessible 24/7. Have a leisurely look around, take a picture in front of the massive red lantern and draw a fortune stick (¥100 – tie the bad fortunes on the racks outside to keep them from happening) to bless your journey.

Head back out to Nakamise-dori when you’re satisfied. This is the Edo-era shopping street leading straight to the temple gates and its many shops open around 9:00 AM. Arrive at this time and you’ll once again be ahead of the crowds. Take a stroll on nearby Denboin-dori as well: a side street lit by old lanterns and full of wooden facades.

For a completely different nostalgia hit, head to Asakusa Station through the Asakusa Underground Shopping Street (via the stairs leading down from the covered arcade across Ekimise – google “Ninjabar” to find the entrance). This is a Blade Runner-esque underground alley from the 1950s that feels like a relic from a long forgotten time. After that, stay below street level and hop on to the Ginza Line to our next destination – it takes just five minutes and three stops.

 

Afternoon: relax in Ueno Park and eat your way through Ameya Yokocho

Ueno lies west of Asakusa and feels similar in many ways, as this too is an older, somewhat nostalgic neighbourhood. The biggest difference is the massive Ueno Park serving as the anchor point of the entire district. This is one of Tokyo’s many great parks and one of the city’s best-known – fantastic place for people-watching. The park entrance is almost just across from the train station.

In the park are some of Japan’s best museums, with the Tokyo National Museum as the biggest draw. These are absolutely worth a visit on a longer trip or when it’s raining, but since we’re on a schedule it’s probably better just to enjoy the park. There are several interesting temples and shrines to explore – Kaneiji and Toshogu being the most impressive – and if you’re dragging your kids along you might want to take them to the ridiculously cheap Ueno Zoo. They just lost their giant pandas though, since China and Japan are a little mad at each other at the moment.

Once you’ve had your fill of the park, head back towards the station and visit Ameya Yokocho. This is a bustling food market under and around the train tracks. Unlike the more famous Tsukiji Market (not in this guide but still fun to explore) which became very touristy and overpriced in recent years, Ameyoko still attracts plenty of residents and local office workers as well.

Start exploring the market in the late afternoon and watch the whole place light up. The alleys leading to it are some of the most fun and lively in the entire neighbourhood. Done wandering? Get yourself a seat in one of the many izakaya under the tracks, mingle with the salarymen getting wasted and order yourself a beer and some yakitori – kampai!

To get to the next stop, head back into Ueno Station and take the JR Yamanote Line to Akihabara. It takes just two stops and four minutes. Feels good, doesn’t it?

 

Evening: dive headfirst into the otaku madness of Akihabara

I think it’s right about time for your first taste of completely over-the-top Tokyo. Akihabara lies just south of Ueno and started out as an electronics hub in the 1950s. This is why it’s still called Electric Town to this day. While plenty of tech stores can still be found here, Akiba went through a peculiar transformation in the past thirty years and gradually turned into one of the wildest places in all of Tokyo.

Akihabara now serves as the global epicentre of otaku culture and all things anime. The place is extremely popular, and while there are more niche and down-to-earth alternatives all over the city, it’s still the poster child for all the excesses of modern Japanese pop culture. Think rowdy neon lights, anime shops the size of a mall and an army of pretty girls dressed up as French maids trying to lure you into their café.

The main drag, Chuo-dori, is an attack on the senses and is where you’ll find most of the biggest stores. Visit Mandarake and Radio Kaikan for all of your figurine and manga (as well as hentai ^^) needs, and Super Potato in one of the backstreets if you love retro gaming – it’s a treasure trove. These back alleys and the more modest shops there are extremely rewarding to explore, so venture into as many nooks and crannies as you like. Many stores start closing around 8:00 PM, so do your shopping first.

The arcades stay open much later, as do most maid cafés. Go and visit one of the latter if you’re up for it. These are not everyone’s cup of tea but they’re an iconic facet of the whole otaku experience and most of all hilarious. It’s all surprisingly innocent: expect hyper-enthusiastic performances, saying “nyan-nyan” (meow in Japanese) before every order and some of the cutest food and drinks you’ll ever see. Maidreamin is the biggest chain and probably your best bet for finding some English-speaking maids. Go on, you know you want to.

And that, my friend, is your first full day in Tokyo sorted. Enjoy your time in Akihabara, get some gachapon from the capsule-toy machines as a souvenir, and then head back to your hotel for a completely different itinerary tomorrow.

 

Day 2: Central Tokyo: Tokyo Station & the Imperial Gardens, Ginza and Tokyo Tower

Morning: explore the maze under Tokyo Station and enjoy the Emperor’s backyard

Rise and shine baby: it’s time for a sniff of Imperial Tokyo. You’ll get there through the city’s most iconic train station, so consider it killing two birds with one stone. Many stations in Japan look rather modern and drab these days, but the classic red-brick façade of Tokyo Station is the most notable exception. It’s not the busiest train station in Tokyo (that would be Shinjuku), but it’s where most Shinkansen bullet trains depart and it’s by far the most rewarding to explore. There’s half a city hidden under the surface.

Since most of the interesting stuff only opens at 10:00 AM, we’ll head out of the station first. A short walk west from it lies the Imperial Palace, the emperor’s main residence. You can visit parts of the palace grounds on a guided tour twice a day (you aren’t allowed in the actual buildings), but for our itinerary it’s much more convenient to visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens instead. Entry is free (open from 9:00 AM but generally closed on Mondays and Fridays) and it’s a lovely green space to wander through, with some gorgeous old watchtowers, several koi ponds and the foundations of the original Edo Castle to marvel at.

Head back into the station after your relaxing morning stroll, because two of the underground streets are particularly worth visiting. Tokyo Character Street is a collection of over thirty colourful shops dedicated to both Japanese and international pop culture. There’s a full Harry Potter and even Miffy store here, and Studio Ghibli is present as well. Tokyo Ramen Street is a tiny hallway nearby, lined with quality restaurants serving nothing but ramen bowls. Join one of the lines, order from the machine and hand your ticket to the staff: perfect spot for an early lunch. Afterwards, head to the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line for a one-stop ride to Ginza.

 

Afternoon: go luxury (or window) shopping in Ginza

Tokyo is considered one of the world’s premier cities for luxury shopping, and Ginza is where this becomes most obvious. Japan’s most glamorous retail district lies just southeast of Tokyo Station, and is packed with glitzy department stores, flagship shops and boutiques housing some of the world’s most prestigious brands.

Ginza embodies a facet of Tokyo you haven’t experienced yet: a place built for those who want to be seen spending money. The area is riddled with upscale restaurants, cocktail bars, theatres and art galleries. Don’t despair: there’s plenty to do for visitors with a less hefty purse as well.

Be sure to walk past Ginza Crossing, overlooked by the iconic Wako Clock Tower. It’s nowhere near as chaotic as the famous Shibuya Crossing we’ll visit tomorrow, but it’s arguably the district’s most recognisable view. If you’re here on a weekend or public holiday, you’re in luck: the main avenue Chuo-dori (yes, same street as in Akihabara) gets closed to all traffic during the afternoon, giving pedestrians free rein.

If you’re not just here to empty your wallet, Ginza Six is probably the most interesting mall to explore. It’s an architectural beauty with a rooftop garden, and on one of the upper floors you’ll find Tsutaya Books: a gorgeous bookstore housing its own small art gallery with stacks of books for walls.

Looking for some fun places to buy things that won’t cost you an arm and a leg? Uniqlo’s enormous global flagship is in Ginza, as well as Hakuhinkan Toy Park: a massive four-storey toy shop with its own slot-car racing circuit on the top floor. Most unique and iconic might be Ginza Itoya. This is a very cool, century-old, 12-storey stationery shop offering everything from beautiful fountain pens, notebooks and fancy paper to greeting cards from all over the world. You can recognise the building by the giant red paperclip attached to the façade.

Satisfied your shopping needs? Walk about ten minutes back towards the Imperial Palace and Yurakucho Station, and get ready for another affordable and atmospheric dinner.

 

Evening: have an izakaya dinner and see Tokyo Tower light up

Right next to Japan’s most high-profile luxury shopping district, is an area where you’ll find some of the city’s most atmospheric and down-to-earth food alleys. It’s a testament to the versatility of Tokyo, but most of all it’s where you’ll fill your belly tonight.

Yurakucho is a business district separated from Ginza by the JR Yamanote Line. Under and around the tracks are a couple of alleyways where a multitude of cozy izakaya and seafood restaurants are grouped together. One of the biggest concentrations can be found by searching Google Maps for “Yurakucho Sanchoku Inshokugai.”

This is a great place to explore after dark and take pictures of, with plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. The atmosphere is a bit rowdy, with tables full of salarymen going at it after a long day at the office. There was even a band of local musicians doing the rounds when I was here, singing requests at every table. Pick a restaurant of your liking, fill up and take the Yamanote Line two stops to Hamamatsucho, followed by a roughly 15-minute walk to Tokyo Tower (this is the longest you’ll have to walk from one place to the next in this entire itinerary, I promise).

Bright orange Tokyo Tower is Japan’s slightly taller answer to the Eiffel Tower, and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It gets all lit up in the evening, so it’s especially worth a visit after dark. The tower was completed in 1958 as a broadcasting mast and remained Tokyo’s tallest structure for decades. Its broadcasting role was eventually largely taken over by the much taller Tokyo Skytree, leaving it to enjoy its second life as one of the city’s most beloved tourist attractions.

Tokyo Tower comes with two observation platforms, but these are not my favourites. This, for the simple reason that you obviously can’t see the tower when you’re on top of it. If getting that iconic skyline shot is important to you, Tokyo City View in nearby Roppongi is a much better option – but I’d save it for another time rather than squeezing yet another stop into this itinerary. For now, just enjoy Tokyo Tower from below and get your shots from Zojo-ji or Shiba Park. Head back to your hotel when you’re done and get some rest before your final (and craziest) day in Tokyo. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.

 

Day 3: West Tokyo: Harajuku, Shibuya & Shinjuku

Morning: visit Tokyo’s most famous shrine and indulge in Harajuku’s kawaii culture

Did you know Japan’s two main religious traditions happily coexist, with many Japanese people taking part in customs associated with both? Sensoji in Asakusa is a Buddhist temple, but today we’ll visit a Shinto shrine (Shinto revolves around the kami: countless deities or spirits associated with nature, ancestors and other aspects of life). Meiji Shrine – built in the early 20^th century to honour Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken – is wedged in between Shibuya and Harajuku and is one of the most popular religious sites in Tokyo.

The grounds are beautiful and can be entered almost right across from Harajuku Station, through a long, forested footpath and under some huge torii gates. Meiji Shrine is usually incredibly busy, but since it opens at sunrise, you have quite some leeway if you want to stay ahead of the crowds. The shrine is a popular place for photo shoots. You might see some traditionally dressed couples striking a pose for their wedding album, as well as little kids forced into a colourful kimono by their parents. All good fun indeed.

A short walk from Meiji Shrine lies Takeshita Street. This used to be the beating heart of Harajuku and one of the main breeding grounds for Japan’s youth culture and counterculture. Today it’s become almost a parody of what it used to represent. Everything that once made Harajuku a wild and exciting place to be is pushed to the absolute extreme here. It has basically become a kawaii tourist trap, but one that’s still fun to wander through (once :p).

Takeshita-dori is an insanely busy cacophony of rainbow-coloured candy shops, cosplay stores, photo booths and animal cafés. There are still some cosplayers walking around, but most people here are tourists. Enjoy the chaos and ignore the touts trying to lure you into their dubious backroom “shops” and you’ll be fine.

Looking for some less outrageous fashion? Omotesando is the broad, tree-lined avenue running through the district. Here you’ll find high-end malls, flagship stores and some of Tokyo’s flashiest contemporary architecture. It’s more comparable to Ginza than to the rest of Harajuku. The actual streetwear can be found in the much quieter alleys leading away from Takeshita Street. Cat Street in particular is great to explore, especially because it runs all the way to Shibuya, our next destination. A leisurely twenty-minute walk and you’re there.

 

Afternoon: blend into the masses on the world’s most famous crossing

Shibuya is probably one of the only districts of Tokyo many people can name before visiting. This is almost entirely because of the internet being full of images of Shibuya Scramble Crossing: the most famous pedestrian crossing on the planet, with half a country worth of commuters and tourists crowding it every day. You should be pretty close to it now, having walked here from Cat Street. Impressive sight, especially during rush hour. Don’t keep standing right in the middle of it to take your selfie though: most people in Tokyo have somewhere to be.

Looking out over the crossing is Shibuya Sky: one of Tokyo’s most spectacular viewing platforms, and one that actually lets you be outside. It’s extremely popular, so book a timed ticket in advance – especially if you’re aiming for sunset (they currently go on sale four weeks ahead of time). An easier alternative would be MAGNET by Shibuya 109, also at the crossing. Its rooftop terrace offers another elevated view, and at the time of writing admission was ¥1,800 with a drink included.

Luckily there’s way more to Shibuya than just the crossing. This is one of the city’s main nerve centres, and one of the best places for both nightlife and fashion. Right behind the crossing is Shibuya 109: probably Japan’s most iconic mall. It opened in 1979 and eventually became one of the epicentres of Japanese youth fashion, helping popularise many of the trends associated with Shibuya in the 1990s and 2000s. Even the (absolutely atrocious if you ask me) gyaru style blew up here.

Behind Shibuya 109 lies Dogenzaka: one of the liveliest and most photogenic nightlife areas in Tokyo. Go and have a wander around sunset if you want, but the real party starts much later. I have a different grand finale for your Tokyo trip in mind, which is why you need to head back to Shibuya Station to hop on the JR Yamanote Line one last time. Three stops to Shinjuku Station it is. Don’t forget to say hi to Hachiko before you enter the station. This famously loyal Akita continued returning here for almost a decade after his owner died, patiently waiting for him to come home from work. The little bronze statue made in his honour draws crowds every day.

 

Evening: enjoy a crazy last night in Kabukicho

You’ve seen a varied slice of Tokyo in the last three days. All that’s left for you to do now is to have one legendary night out before heading off to whatever other corner of Japan you’ll visit next. Luckily, we’ve kept the most Tokyo-looking part of Tokyo for last. Shinjuku is what most people who’ve never been to Japan imagine every major city there to look like: a forest of skyscrapers covered in flashy neon, with a network of dingy streets full of bars and pachinko parlours below it.

Exit the world’s busiest train station and head to Godzilla Street. This is the heart of Kabukicho: the largest entertainment (and red-light) district in the country. Marvel at the overload of lights and people, and check out the enormous head of Japan’s favourite atomic monster looming out over the movie theatre. If you’re here early enough, you might even catch it roaring and breathing mist over the street.

When you feel it’s time for dinner, head to nearby Omoide Yokocho (this literally translates to “Memory Lane”, which is quite fitting). These are a couple of incredibly atmospheric lantern-lit alleys full of izakaya and yakitori – one of the most famous areas of its kind in the city. Find yourself a seat in a restaurant that looks nice and order some skewers while you sit shoulder to shoulder with the other clients. Perfect time to start getting social because you won’t have much of a choice.

End your night in Golden Gai on the eastern edge of Kabukicho. This iconic maze of alleyways is home to more than 200 tiny themed bars, most of which only have room for five to ten customers. Some of the themes are pretty wild. Deathmatch in Hell for example, is horror themed and every drink costs exactly ¥666. Albatross G feels gothic, has a tiny rooftop terrace and some massive chandeliers dangling above the counter. Kenzo’s Bar is 80s themed and full of leopard print. Note that some Golden Gai bars are cash-only, many charge a small cover fee, and a handful still cater mainly or exclusively to regulars.

There you go: you “completed” Tokyo in three days and even got a pub crawl in. That said, you’ve obviously seen just a fraction of everything this wonderful city has to offer. Read my much more detailed Tokyo Neighbourhood Guide if you want to dig deeper, and try to come back one day to explore it all at a more leisurely pace. You won’t regret it.

 

Practical info for a trip to Tokyo

**There are some affiliate links to interesting hotels and activities in this article. Are you planning to book a hotel or tour in Tokyo? Please consider doing so through one of these links. It doesn’t cost you an extra cent but it grants me a small compensation for my writing. Thank you in advance.**

 

Interesting hotels in Tokyo

Hera are a couple of hotels in Asakusa, Ueno and Shinjuku that would serve well as your base of operations for this itinerary.

Asakusa: 

Budget:
–Juyoh Hotel: cosy, but very basic hotel I usually stay at myself. Comes with a common room, a walk-in restaurant and a communal kitchen. You won’t find much cheaper places in all of central Tokyo.
–Sakura Hostel Asakusa: popular hostel with a social vibe, very close to Sensoji and the metro station.
–Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge: lively hostel offering dorms as well as private rooms.

Mid-range:
–Hotel Gracery Asakusa: reliable, modern business hotel on a great location south of Sensoji
–Onyado Nono Asakusa Natural Hot Spring: beautiful place right next to Sensoji, with traditional Japanese rooms and an onsen (hot tub/spring).
–The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon: large and very comfortable hotel looking out on the Tokyo Skytree from across the water.

Upper mid-range/luxury:
–Sake Bar Hotel Asakusa: well-designed boutique hotel just south of Sensoji, owned by a sake brewery. Comes with a rooftop footbath with a view on the skytree and free all you can drink sake (not kidding).
–Asakusa View Hotel: another wonderful hotel close to Sensoji, offering large rooms and skyline views while facing the Skytree.

Ueno:

Budget:
–Tomariya Ueno Hostel: modern dorm-style hostel with private sleep pods near Ueno Station.
–Grids Tokyo Ueno Hotel & Hostel: another popular hostel, very close to Ueno Station. Offers private rooms as well.

Mid-range:
–Hotel Graphy Nezu: cool, social hotel with a rooftop terrace, close to Yanaka.
–APA Hotel Ueno Ekiminami: not the biggest rooms, but right by the station and with a nice communal area.

Higher end:
–Nogha Hotel Ueno: beautiful and stylish venue with spacious rooms. It’s right by Ueno Station and offers excellent breakfast.
–Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno: modern and comfortable venue with views over Ueno Park.

Shinjuku:

–UNPLAN Shinjuku: very highly rated and social hostel in the heart of Shinjuku, offering capsule style dorms.
–Premier Hotel Cabin Shinjuku: popular budget hotel in Kabukicho, with much better reviews than a bunch of even cheaper alternatives.
–Sakura Cross Hotel Shinjuku East (high end, sometimes midrange): smaller hotel, outside of the busiest part of Shinjuku, but close to a popular subway station.
–Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (high end): large hotel in the heart of Kabukicho. Godzilla’s gigantic head is literally on the rooftop terrace.

 

Visa information

EU citizens don’t need a visa to enter Japan for trips of up to ninety days. Same goes for most of North America, Oceania and parts of Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Be sure to thoroughly check before you get on a plane.

 

Read more

If you’re looking for a tailor-made multi week trip to several cities and destinations, check out Japan Experience. They offer a whole array of wonderful itineraries.

Looking for other trips in Asia-Pacific? I have guides on Seoul, Jeju Island, Kanazawa, Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Hanoi.