Tokyo is one of our favorite cities in the world and a must-see while you are in Japan. Tokyo offers the perfect combination of culture with the benefits of a large cosmopolitan city – great restaurants, shopping, outstanding public transportation, and nightlife. Tokyo will not leave you disappointed and you will leave the city wanting to come back for more.
In order to be able to experience Tokyo at its fullest, you will need to spend at least one week in Tokyo. Below is great one week itinerary of top places to visit while you are in Tokyo. Please note you will also need some time at the beginning of your trip to get adjusted to the time difference depending on where you are coming from.
Day 1
Shibuya
Shibuya is known for its famous pedestrian scramble, which you will experience upon exiting the Shibuya Station. This district is also known as one of Tokyo’s most popular fashion districts for the shopping places around Shibuya Station, as well as the nightclubs and restaurants in the area.
Meiji Shrine
A visit to Tokyo would not be complete without seeing the Meiji Shrine and the gardens surrounding it. Meiji Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and is located beside the Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line.
Omotesando
Omotesando, which is often referred to as Tokyo’s Champs-Elysees, is a scenic tree lined avenue known for its stores, restaurants, and cafés. Be sure to walk around the small alleys for some amazing restaurants and cafés.
Day 2
Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji Market is one of the world’s largest fish markets. Wake up early to experience the tuna auction, which takes place at around 5am in the morning; or come later in the morning to get up-close with the hundreds of varieties of seafood being sold to professional buyers. Upon exiting the market, visit the many shops and restaurants available around the market where you can buy authentic Japanese knifes or a souvenir for your family. For more on the Tsukiji Market, please visit this section of our blog.
Ginza
Ginza is one of the biggest shopping areas in Tokyo where you will find plenty of department stores, including Japan’s oldest department store chain Mitsukoshi.
Day 3
The Imperial Palace of Tokyo
The Imperial Palace of Tokyo is where the Imperial Family resides. You can visit the Imperial Palace of Tokyo by making a reservation online for one of their free tours at http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/. Upon completing the tour, you can visit the Imperial Palace East Garden which are sensational gardens, especially during the spring. The gardens are open to the public and do not require a guided tour.
After seeing the Imperial Palace of Tokyo, a great area to visit is Marunouchi located between the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station. Marunouchi is one of Tokyo’s most prestigious business districts and one of our favorite areas to visit in Tokyo. Marunouchi is a great place to dine and shop, with a great selection of vintage stores, and some very chic restaurants.
Day 4
Senso-ji Complex
The Senso-ji Complex located near the Asakusa Station on the Ginza Subway Line is Tokyo’s oldest temple, making it one of the most popular destinations in Tokyo. Around the temple, you will also find many souvenir stores.
Akihabara
Akihabara, also known as Tokyo’s electronics district, is a place where you can find the newest in the electronics market. In addition, this district has also become a place where people can satisfy all kinds of fetishes at the popular maid cafes, making this district very interesting and wacky for westerners.
Day 5
Take a day trip to Kamakura or Mount Fuji.
If visiting Mount Fuji, please note it is best to visit on a clear day so you can get a clear view of the mountain; but given the area’s unpredictable weather this can be somewhat of a challenge. For more information on Kamakura, please visit our previous post on Kamakura.
You can reach both Kamakura and Mount Fuji by train from Tokyo.
If you have time…
Spend your last days in Tokyo visiting the Tokyo National Museum or Roppongi, a great place to have dinner or grab a drink.
Tokyo National Museum
This museum holds the largest collection of Japanese art.
I wouldn’t leave akihabara for last especially since it’s close to ueno so you can easily combine it with senso ji- kitchen appliances shopping- shinobazu ike.