The Essential Tokyo Itinerary: 7 Days in Japan’s Most Exciting City

Introduction

It is quite easy to imagine oneself standing at the heart of Tokyo, with lights of Shibuya Crossing flickering around and the smell of ramen wafting through the air, with a shrine bell somewhere off in the distance. Reality does tend to creep up, however: where does one even start in a city as big as Tokyo? There are so many sights and activities it makes it quite taxing to plan your trip, but worry not, for you are not alone and have come to the right place.

This seven-day, one-stop itinerary really helps one get a feel for the best Tokyo has to offer. Both first-time visitors and seasoned travelers wanting to delve into the city’s culture can be convinced that with this plan, they would cover all the highlights and not miss the underground treasures of Tokyo. By the end of your week, you’ll have developed a deep appreciation for Japan’s capital and lifetime memories to boot. Ready to explore? Let’s dive in!

Click the link to start you’re dream Tokyo vacation @ Trip.com

Day 1: Arrival and Akihabara Adventure

Your Tokyo journey begins the moment you land at Narita or Haneda Airport. After checking into your hotel, dropping your bags, get a feel of the city by paying a visit to Akihabara — Tokyo’s electric town. It’s famous for anime, manga, and electronic stores, so it’s a must-visit, especially if you are big on Japanese pop culture.

Pro Tip: Don’t worry if you’re not into anime — Akihabara’s got a little bit for everyone. Retro video game shops are worth a gander, too, or you could just stride the neon-lit streets to drink in the atmosphere. For a quirky experience you’re unlikely to find anywhere else, try visiting one of Akihabara’s themed cafes — so-called “maid cafes” are very popular.

Tomorrow, we’ll take you from the electronic pulse of Akihabara all the way to the serene temples of Tokyo — but first, make sure you’re rested up.

Day 2: Tradition and Serenity in Asakusa and Ueno

Today, we step back in time. Start your morning in Asakusa, home to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Walking through Kaminarimon and strolling along lively Nakamise shopping street, the ancient traditions of Japan spring to life before your very eyes.

After soaking up all the history, jump on a quick train ride over to Ueno. The afternoon could be spent in Ueno Park, where the Tokyo National Museum and the Ueno Zoo can be visited. During spring, this park is highly popular among the Japanese for cherry blossom.

Terrified of getting templed out? Well, don’t be. In Senso-ji, the temple environment is as lively as anywhere else here — as much about the experience as history. Not to mention, Ueno has a ton to do beyond its temples.

Day 3: Shibuya and Harajuku Modern Marvels

After a day of history, it’s about time you immersed yourself in modern Tokyo. Begin in Shibuya, where you can witness the world-renowned Shibuya Crossing. From there, walk down toward Hachiko Statue and then do some shopping at Shibuya 109.

Afternoon: Take a quick walk towards Harajuku, a district of Tokyo known for its quirky fashion, trendy shops, and serenity of the Meiji Shrine. Stroll down Takeshita Street in search of some gifts with a difference and sample the delicious crepes or the rainbow-colored cotton candy.

You’ve seen the cutting edge of Tokyo, but tomorrow you get to taste a bit of the refined flavors of Ginza.

Day 4: Ginza Luxury and Culture and Imperial Palace

All is class today. This morning, start the day in Ginza, which is Tokyo’s luxury shopping district. Of course, this can be well worth visiting some of the high-end shops or at least doing some window shopping. Ginza in itself is an experience. The famous department stores like Mitsukoshi or Ginza Six shouldn’t be missed.

When you’ve had enough retail therapy, head to the nearby Imperial Palace. Although the inner grounds are usually closed to the public, the East Gardens are always open and free. You’ll hardly believe that you’re right in the middle of one of the most populous cities in the world while taking a casual walk in the gardens.

Not into shopping? No problem. Ginza also hosts some of Tokyo’s best art galleries and museums. You can easily tailor your experience to your interests.

Day 5: Day Trip to Mount Fuji or Nikko

By now, you’ve got a good feel for Tokyo, so it’s about time you take one day out of the city for a day trip. Depending on your preference, you can either head to iconic Mount Fuji or historic Nikko.

Mount Fuji affords views that are breathtakingly beautiful alongside its nature trails, while Nikko is famous for shrines listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and natural beauty. Whichever one you opt for, it certainly eases you away from the bustle of Tokyo.

After the day trip, we’ll return to Tokyo’s brilliant nightlife scene — but we’ll save that for later!

Day 6: Odaiba and Tokyo Bay

On your second-to-last day in Tokyo, take a trip out to the Odaiba, a futuristic island. First, visit the borders of TeamLab Borderless to experience digital art in a way that’s never been done before. Afterward, spend the rest of the day enjoying the area, as there are many attractions to see, including the Rainbow Bridge, the life-size Gundam statue, and the huge Ferris wheel located over at Palette Town.

Take an easy cruise around Tokyo Bay in the evening to view this city from a different perspective and get some great photo opportunities.

Still concerned about getting around? Once again, public transport in Tokyo is phenomenal, and Odaiba is exceedingly well connected by trains and buses.

Day 7: Shinjuku Exploration and Tokyo Nightlife

This will be your last day in Tokyo; it’s all about keeping up with the dynamic energy of the city. Start at Shinjuku, where you can feel and sense the energy with its bustling streets and tall skyscrapers. It is good to visit the Tokyo City Hall for its observation deck, where you can get a free view of the city.

Relax in Tokyo’s nightlife in the evening. Whether it’s a chic rooftop cocktail bar, a sweaty karaoke session, or just a wander amongst the neon lights down Kabukicho, it’s definitely going to make for one wild last night in Tokyo.

Want to go on the ultimate Tokyo vacation? Click Trip.com

Conclusion:

So there you have it: your week in Tokyo, already ended. The kind of memories you would keep for a lifetime. So on a journey with this itinerary, you have to enjoy a perfectly balanced combination of history, culture, modernity, and nature — a thing that wakes up the excitement for the city in even the most seasoned traveler. And if you didn’t see it all, well, no worries: there’s always more with Tokyo, so this unarguably — that’s a rhetorical question at this point — is not the last time you will visit.

Safe travels, and may each moment in Tokyo be an adventure!

Discover the Secret to the Perfect Tokyo Vacation — Don’t Miss Out!