5 days in Tokyo

The 5-day plan, day by day

1. 1

   Day 1 · Wednesday — Asakusa, Sumida River, and Tokyo's old-meets-new east side

   Easy city arrival rhythm with historic temple streets and riverside views

   5 stops€80 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Transfer into central Tokyo

      Make your way into the city and head toward your hotel area before beginning the day's sightseeing.

      €10 per person

      TIPA prepaid IC card makes trains and short metro hops much easier.

   2. 10:302

      Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Street

      Tokyo's most famous Buddhist temple is a strong first stop, with a dramatic gate, incense-filled courtyard, and lively approach lined with traditional snack and souvenir stalls. Arriving in the late morning gives the area energy while still leaving time to wander the side lanes around Asakusa.

      2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, JapanFree

      TIPPause at the main hall, then explore the smaller lanes west of Nakamise for a calmer look at the district.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:153

      Lunch around Asakusa backstreets

      The streets around Senso-ji are packed with casual counters, tempura specialists, noodle shops, and dessert stops. It is a good place for a first Tokyo meal because the area is easy to navigate on foot and offers plenty of classic options in one compact neighborhood.

      €12 per person

      TIPLook one or two lanes away from the temple approach for shorter queues and more relaxed seating.

   2. 13:454

      Sumida Park riverside walk

      This gentle walk opens up broad views of the Sumida River, passing promenades and bridges with a mix of local life and skyline scenery. It is a pleasant transition between the temple quarter and the modern landmarks across the river.

      Free

      TIPBring a drink from a convenience store before the walk; benches along the river make for an easy short break.

   3. 14:455

      Tokyo Solamachi

      This large shopping and dining complex at the base of the tower district is one of the most recognizable stops in the area, mixing souvenir shops, Japanese brands, snack counters, and polished indoor arcades. It works well as a flexible afternoon stop with plenty to browse and easy access to cafes and rest areas.

      1-chōme-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, JapanFree

      TIPHead to the upper mall levels for lighter crowds and good views back across the neighborhood.

   Evening

   1. 18:306

      Dinner in the Asakusa and Oshiage area

      The east side of Tokyo offers a comfortable first-night dinner scene with izakaya, ramen, grilled dishes, and casual local restaurants spread between station areas and smaller streets. Staying nearby keeps the evening simple after a full day of walking.

      €18 per person

      TIPIf one place looks too busy, keep walking; the smaller side streets often have equally good options with shorter waits.

2. 2

   Day 2 · Thursday — Ueno culture, Ameyoko energy, and Akihabara lights

   Museums, market lanes, and pop-culture streets with a lively evening finish

   6 stops€72 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Ueno Park stroll

      Ueno Park brings together broad promenades, ponds, shrines, and museum buildings in one of Tokyo's most useful sightseeing clusters. Starting here gives the day an easy structure and a calmer opening before the busier shopping districts later on.

      4 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, JapanFree

      TIPUse the park paths as your main route and choose one museum focus rather than trying to see everything nearby.

   2. 10:152

      Tokyo National Museum

      Japan's best-known museum for art and history offers a strong introduction to the country's visual culture, from samurai armor and screens to ceramics and religious sculpture. Even a focused visit feels rewarding because the main galleries are rich without being overwhelming.

      13-9 Uenokōen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8712, Japan€6 per person

      TIPConcentrate on the Honkan main gallery if you want a manageable first visit.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:453

      Lunch at Ameyoko

      This busy market district under and around the rail lines is full of compact eateries, street snacks, and low-key local bustle. It feels energetic and distinctly urban, making it a fun contrast to the museum setting just before it.

      €14 per person

      TIPWalk the lane once before choosing a spot; the atmosphere is part of the experience.

   2. 14:154

      Ameyoko market walk

      Beyond lunch, Ameyoko is worth exploring for its layered mix of produce stalls, discount shops, fashion, snacks, and everyday city rhythm. It gives a more informal, lived-in side of Tokyo than the polished flagship districts.

      Free

      TIPKeep an eye on small side alleys; some of the most interesting stalls sit just off the main flow.

   3. 16:005

      Akihabara Electric Town walk

      Akihabara is Tokyo's iconic anime, gaming, electronics, and hobby district, with dense layers of shops, bright signage, and themed retail floors. A late-afternoon visit catches the neighborhood as it becomes more vivid toward evening.

      Free

      TIPMajor stores often have multiple themed floors, so check directory boards before heading straight upstairs.

   Evening

   1. 18:456

      Dinner around Akihabara Station

      The station area has an easy range of ramen shops, curry counters, casual izakaya, and multi-floor dining buildings. It is a convenient place to settle in after browsing the district, with plenty of choice within a short walk.

      €16 per person

      TIPLook at the upper floors of station-area buildings for quieter dinner options.

3. 3

   Day 3 · Friday — Shibuya and Harajuku city icons

   Tokyo's landmark crossings, shrine paths, and fashion streets

   6 stops€76 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Meiji Jingu

      Set within a large forested precinct, Meiji Jingu offers a quieter and more spacious side of central Tokyo. The long gravel approach, giant torii gates, and shrine buildings create a strong sense of transition away from the surrounding city.

      1-1 Yoyogikamizonochō, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-8557, JapanFree

      TIPEnter from the Harajuku side for the most atmospheric approach through the trees.

   2. 11:002

      Takeshita Street and Harajuku lanes

      This compact area is known for youth fashion, colorful sweets, and constantly changing small shops, but the nearby lanes also reveal quieter boutiques and cafes. It is a lively place to experience one of Tokyo's most recognizable style districts on foot.

      Free

      TIPWalk a block or two beyond the main street to find calmer backstreets with more interesting storefronts.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:303

      Lunch around Omotesando backstreets

      The streets linking Harajuku and Omotesando are filled with polished cafes, casual Japanese lunch spots, and stylish side-street dining. This is a comfortable midday stop that combines people-watching with an easy neighborhood walk.

      €18 per person

      TIPWeekday lunch sets often offer good value compared with evening menus.

   2. 14:154

      Omotesando avenue walk

      Omotesando pairs broad tree-lined sidewalks with striking contemporary architecture, flagship shops, and a more refined street atmosphere. Even without shopping, it is rewarding as an urban design walk linking several famous districts.

      Free

      TIPLook up as much as you look into shop windows; many of the area's best details are on the building exteriors.

   3. 15:455

      Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko area

      This famous intersection delivers the classic Tokyo big-city image, surrounded by giant screens, layered pedestrian flows, and constant movement. The nearby station-front area is ideal for soaking in the district's pace and neon-heavy atmosphere.

      Free

      TIPWatch one full light cycle from street level first, then take in the scene again from an upper-floor viewpoint or cafe.

   Evening

   1. 18:306

      Dinner in Shibuya Center-Gai and nearby streets

      Shibuya's evening streets are packed with casual dining, basement restaurants, and energetic food alleys that suit a first-time visit well. The area comes alive after dark, making dinner here feel like part of the sightseeing itself.

      €20 per person

      TIPIf the main lanes feel crowded, try the side streets climbing gently away from the station for more options.

4. 4

   Day 4 · Saturday — Imperial Palace area and Ginza weekend strolls

   Gardens, civic landmarks, and polished central Tokyo streets

   6 stops€100 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Imperial Palace East Gardens

      These well-kept grounds combine stone walls, gates, lawns, and seasonal landscaping on part of the former Edo Castle site. The visit gives useful historical context while also offering one of central Tokyo's most spacious and orderly garden settings.

      1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, JapanFree

      TIPEnter earlier in the day for a more relaxed walk and bring water; the grounds are larger than they first appear.

   2. 11:002

      Tokyo Station Marunouchi area walk

      The district around Tokyo Station mixes restored red-brick architecture, broad avenues, office towers, and smart plazas that show another face of central Tokyo. It is an easy area for a leisurely walk between the gardens and Ginza.

      Free

      TIPSpend a few moments outside the station facade before moving on; it is one of the district's defining views.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:303

      Lunch in Marunouchi

      Marunouchi offers department-store dining floors, modern Japanese restaurants, and polished lunch spots suited to a central city sightseeing day. The area is convenient, efficient, and easy to navigate between major stops.

      €18 per person

      TIPCommercial buildings often hide excellent restaurant floors above ground level and below the concourse.

   2. 14:004

      Ginza main avenues and side streets

      On weekend afternoons, Ginza's broad central streets become especially enjoyable for strolling, framed by department stores, flagship facades, and quieter lanes tucked just behind the main boulevard. It is one of Tokyo's most polished urban walking experiences and balances shopping with people-watching and architecture.

      Free

      TIPExplore one or two side streets as well as the main avenue for a fuller sense of the neighborhood.

   3. 16:305

      Ginza department store basement food halls

      The depachika food halls in Ginza are among the city's most appealing places to browse prepared foods, sweets, seasonal gifts, and beautifully packaged specialties. Even without buying much, they offer a vivid look at Tokyo's refined food presentation culture.

      €10 per person

      TIPLate afternoon is ideal for browsing, and takeaway snacks work well as a light break before dinner.

   Evening

   1. 19:006

      Dinner around Yurakucho Gado-shita

      The rail-side lanes around Yurakucho are known for compact eateries and lively evening atmosphere under and near the tracks. It is a memorable central Tokyo dinner setting that feels casual, social, and distinctly urban.

      €22 per person

      TIPWalk the full stretch once before choosing a place; the atmosphere varies from one section to the next.

5. 5

   Day 5 · Sunday — Shinjuku gardens, viewpoints, and final city neighborhoods

   A relaxed final day with greenery, skyline views, and classic west-side energy

   5 stops€58 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

      This large garden blends Japanese, English, and French landscape styles in a spacious setting that feels far removed from the surrounding city blocks. It is one of Tokyo's best places for an unhurried morning walk and a gentle reset after busier districts.

      11 Naitōmachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan€3 per person

      TIPUse one of the quieter inner lawns for a short break before continuing into the busier afternoon neighborhoods.

   2. 11:002

      Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory

      The observatory offers wide city views across western Tokyo and, on clear days, an impressive sense of how vast the metropolis is. It is a practical and rewarding viewpoint stop in the heart of Shinjuku.

      Japan, 〒163-8001 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 2-chōme−8−１ Tochomae Station, 45FFree

      TIPVisibility is often best earlier in the day, so this stop works well before lunch.

   Afternoon

   1. 12:303

      Lunch in Omoide Yokocho area

      This compact lane district near Shinjuku Station is known for tight alleys, grilled fare, noodle shops, and an old-Tokyo atmosphere tucked into the modern city center. It is a characterful lunch stop and a memorable place to slow down for a final neighborhood meal.

      €16 per person

      TIPSome small places have limited seating, so be flexible and choose the first good-looking spot with space.

   2. 14:154

      Kabukicho and east Shinjuku walk

      This walk reveals one of Tokyo's most famous entertainment districts through its signage, side streets, arcades, and nonstop street life. In daylight it is easy to explore the neighborhood's layout and take in the contrast between major roads and narrower lanes.

      Free

      TIPStay on the busier signed streets if you want the easiest, most comfortable walking route.

   3. 16:155

      Last-minute shopping around Shinjuku Station

      The station area gathers department stores, electronics, fashion floors, souvenir counters, and underground passages into one highly efficient final shopping zone. It is ideal for picking up gifts or practical items before the trip wraps up.

      Free

      TIPAllow a little extra time to navigate the station area, as exits and connected buildings can be confusing.

   Evening

   1. 19:006

      Transfer toward the airport

      Leave central Tokyo with enough buffer for station transfers and airport procedures.

      €10 per person

      TIPIf traveling at Sunday evening peak times, add extra buffer before your rail connection.