6 days in Tokyo

The 6-day plan, day by day

1. 1

   Day 1 · Wednesday — Asakusa introductions and Sumida riverside views

   Easy city arrival rhythm with Tokyo’s historic core and a classic skyline outlook

   5 stops€112 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Airport arrival transfer into central Tokyo

      Make your way into the city and onward to the Ginza base before starting the day’s sightseeing.

      €10 per person

      TIPKeep a rechargeable IC card ready for trains and subway transfers.

   2. 10:302

      Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise-dori

      Tokyo’s best-known Buddhist temple district brings together a grand lantern gate, incense-filled temple grounds, and a lively approach street lined with traditional snacks and souvenirs. It is an excellent first stop for getting a feel for the city’s blend of ceremony, street energy, and everyday tourism.

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

      TIPArriving before lunch keeps the approach street more comfortable for photos and browsing.

   Afternoon

   1. 13:003

      Lunch around Asakusa

      The lanes around the temple are packed with casual spots for tempura, soba, rice bowls, and sweet snacks. This is a good area to try a classic Tokyo-style meal while staying close to the main sights.

      €12 per person

      TIPSmall local places often have ticket machines at the entrance, so keep some cash or an IC card handy.

   2. 14:454

      Sumida Park riverside walk

      This relaxed riverside stretch opens wide views toward the Tokyo Skytree and gives a pleasant break after the temple crowds. The walk is simple, scenic, and especially good for seeing boats, bridges, and the contrast between low-rise old Tokyo and modern towers.

      Free

      TIPThe paths are straightforward, so it is easy to shorten or extend the walk depending on energy levels.

   3. 16:305

      Tokyo Skytree observation decks

      From here, the city reveals its full scale, with dense neighborhoods, broad rivers, and distant mountain silhouettes on a clear day. Going up in the late afternoon often gives both daylight views and the first glow of evening lights.

      1-chōme-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan€16 per person

      TIPReserve a timed entry if possible, as sunset hours are one of the busiest periods.

   Evening

   1. 19:006

      Dinner in Solamachi at Tokyo Skytree Town

      The dining floors here make an easy first-night meal stop with many straightforward choices and a lively local crowd. It is convenient after the observation deck and keeps the evening simple while still feeling atmospheric.

      €18 per person

      TIPUpper floors and window-side restaurants can build queues around sunset, so a slightly earlier dinner helps.

2. 2

   Day 2 · Thursday — Ueno culture and Yanaka neighborhood streets

   Museums, market energy, and older neighborhood character

   6 stops€90 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:301

      Ueno Park walk

      This large park clusters major museums, shrines, ponds, and broad tree-lined paths in one of Tokyo’s most visited cultural districts. Beginning here gives the day an easy structure and a calm start before moving into the busier market streets nearby.

      Free

      TIPUse the park as your navigation anchor; the museum area is spread out but well signed.

   2. 10:452

      Tokyo National Museum

      Japan’s premier museum offers a strong introduction to the country’s art, religious sculpture, armor, ceramics, and historical objects. Even a focused visit gives valuable context that deepens the rest of the Tokyo trip.

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

      TIPPick one main building and one special interest section to keep the visit enjoyable rather than rushed.

   Afternoon

   1. 13:153

      Ameya-Yokocho market lunch

      This bustling market corridor under and around the rail lines is full of snack counters, casual eateries, produce sellers, and discount shops. It offers a very different Tokyo mood from the museum district, with noise, color, and quick local bites everywhere.

      €14 per person

      TIPWeekday lunch is lively but still easier to navigate than the weekend rush.

   2. 15:004

      Yanaka Ginza and Yanaka backstreets

      This older low-rise neighborhood feels intimate and human-scaled, with small shops, stairways, temples, and residential lanes that survived the city’s postwar rebuilding. It is a rewarding area for a slower walk and a look at everyday Tokyo beyond the major centers.

      Free

      TIPMany small shops begin winding down by late afternoon, so this area works best before evening.

   Evening

   1. 17:305

      Coffee and sweets break in Yanaka

      A short pause here fits naturally with the neighborhood’s unhurried mood and its cluster of small cafés and local dessert spots. It is a pleasant way to rest before returning to the brighter pace of central Tokyo.

      €7 per person

      TIPLook for smaller side-street cafés if the main shopping lane feels busy.

   2. 19:156

      Dinner around Ueno Station

      The station area is packed with dependable casual dining, from izakaya-style menus to noodles and grilled dishes. It is an easy end to a museum-and-walking day with plenty of choice at different comfort levels.

      €18 per person

      TIPIf energy is low, stay close to the station exits to avoid extra walking after dark.

3. 3

   Day 3 · Friday — Ginza polish, Hamarikyu garden calm, and bayfront evening

   Central Tokyo elegance with waterfront scenery and city lights

   6 stops€118 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:301

      Tsukiji Outer Market breakfast walk

      This famous food market area is lively in the morning, with seafood vendors, knife shops, street snacks, and small breakfast counters packed into narrow lanes. It is a fun, sensory introduction to one of Tokyo’s best-known food districts.

      €15 per person

      TIPGo in the morning; the area is at its best earlier in the day and some stalls wind down by lunch.

   2. 11:302

      Hamarikyu Gardens

      These landscaped gardens combine tidal ponds, pine trees, teahouse scenery, and striking views of surrounding office towers. The contrast between serene paths and the modern skyline makes this one of Tokyo’s most memorable urban green spaces.

      1-1 Hamarikyūteien, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0046, Japan€2 per person

      TIPBring water and use the shaded benches; the garden paths are open and can feel warm in midday sun.

   Afternoon

   1. 13:303

      Lunch in Ginza

      Ginza offers polished department-store dining floors, basement food halls, and refined casual restaurants in one compact district. It works well for a comfortable midday meal between garden time and an afternoon city walk.

      €20 per person

      TIPDepartment store restaurant floors are a reliable option if nearby street-level places are busy.

   2. 15:154

      Ginza main streets and depachika browsing

      This district is Tokyo at its most polished, with flagship stores, broad avenues, and immaculate food halls below major department stores. Even without heavy shopping, it is enjoyable for architecture, people-watching, and beautifully presented food displays.

      Free

      TIPBasement food halls are ideal for gifts and snacks, especially if you want easy take-away items.

   Evening

   1. 17:455

      Odaiba seaside evening walk

      Tokyo’s bayfront entertainment district opens up broad water views, futuristic buildings, and a relaxed promenade atmosphere. It is especially appealing in the early evening, when the skyline begins reflecting across the water.

      Free

      TIPIf the weather is clear, stay through twilight for the best skyline photos.

   2. 19:456

      Dinner in Decks Tokyo Beach or Aqua City

      These waterfront complexes make dinner straightforward, with wide choice and bay views that suit a slower evening finish. The setting adds a sense of occasion without requiring another long transfer after the walk.

      €22 per person

      TIPWindow tables are popular after dark, so expect a short wait at the busiest places.

4. 4

   Day 4 · Saturday — Imperial gardens, Marunouchi avenues, and Shinjuku after dark

   Green calm and grand central districts leading into a lively evening skyline

   6 stops€78 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:301

      Imperial Palace East National Gardens

      These spacious grounds combine old castle remains, stone walls, lawns, and seasonal planting within a surprisingly tranquil pocket of central Tokyo. It is a rewarding place to walk for both history and relief from the surrounding business district.

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

      TIPEntry hours are limited, so start here in the morning for the most comfortable visit.

   2. 11:452

      Marunouchi and Tokyo Station area walk

      This district pairs restored red-brick station architecture with polished office towers, plazas, and smart shopping arcades. It is an easy area for a first-time visitor to enjoy central Tokyo’s formal, modern face on foot.

      Free

      TIPTokyo Station is large, so note the exterior side you entered from before going underground.

   Afternoon

   1. 13:153

      Lunch near Tokyo Station

      The station and Marunouchi blocks offer everything from ramen streets to polished café dining, making lunch here very convenient. It is also a practical moment to rest before shifting west for the evening part of the day.

      €16 per person

      TIPRestaurant floors inside station complexes are useful if the weather turns wet.

   2. 15:304

      Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

      One of Tokyo’s finest parks, Shinjuku Gyoen brings together broad lawns, landscaped garden sections, and a quieter pace than the surrounding high-rise district. It offers a refreshing mid-afternoon reset before the neon and crowds of evening Shinjuku.

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

      TIPArrive with enough time before the last admission window, as the garden closes in the late afternoon.

   Evening

   1. 17:455

      Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck

      This free observation point gives wide city views from the west side of Shinjuku and works well around sunset or early evening. It is a simple way to appreciate Tokyo’s scale before heading down into the busy entertainment streets.

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

      TIPSecurity screening can create short lines, so avoid leaving this too late in the evening.

   2. 19:156

      Dinner in Omoide Yokocho or around West Shinjuku

      This part of Shinjuku offers everything from atmospheric narrow lanes to easier modern dining halls, all with plenty of evening energy. It is a strong place to end the day with classic big-city Tokyo atmosphere.

      €20 per person

      TIPIf the tiny lanes feel too crowded, the nearby larger streets have many comfortable alternatives.

5. 5

   Day 5 · Sunday — Meiji Shrine, Harajuku lanes, and Shibuya energy

   Tokyo’s youthful style balanced with shrine grounds and a famous crossing

   6 stops€106 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:301

      Meiji Jingu

      Set within a large forested precinct, this shrine feels spacious and calm despite its central location. The long gravel approaches, massive torii gates, and formal main buildings make it one of the city’s most accessible cultural landmarks for first-time visitors.

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

      TIPGo earlier in the day for a quieter walk through the wooded approaches.

   2. 11:302

      Takeshita Street and Omotesando walk

      This pairing shows two sides of Tokyo style: youthful, colorful Harajuku side streets and the broader design-focused avenues of Omotesando. Walking between them reveals how quickly the city changes mood from one block to the next.

      Free

      TIPSunday is one of the busiest times here, so expect crowds and keep valuables secure.

   Afternoon

   1. 13:303

      Lunch around Omotesando

      This area has a wide range of stylish but approachable lunch options, from noodle shops to cafés tucked inside side streets and commercial buildings. It is a comfortable midday stop before the afternoon continues toward Shibuya.

      €18 per person

      TIPA block or two off the main avenue usually means shorter waits and a calmer meal.

   2. 15:154

      Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko area

      This famous intersection is pure urban spectacle, with giant screens, constant movement, and one of the city’s defining modern images. Spending time around the station area lets the atmosphere sink in beyond a quick photo stop.

      Free

      TIPFor a better overall view, look for an upper-floor café or public viewpoint nearby.

   3. 16:455

      Shibuya Sky

      This open-air rooftop viewpoint delivers one of the most dramatic panoramas in Tokyo, especially as lights begin turning on across the city. The perspective over the crossing and surrounding districts gives the neighborhood extra impact after walking it at street level.

      Japan, 〒150-6145 Tokyo, Shibuya, 2-chōme−24−１２ スクランブルスクエア 14階・45階 46階・屋上€15 per person

      TIPBook a timed sunset slot well ahead, as these are among the hardest tickets to get.

   Evening

   1. 19:006

      Dinner in Shibuya Center-Gai

      The dense entertainment lanes here are ideal for an energetic evening meal, with casual chains, local favorites, snack stops, and plenty of people-watching. It is one of the easiest places in Tokyo to keep the night lively without complicated planning.

      €20 per person

      TIPIf you prefer a calmer atmosphere, use the side streets just beyond the brightest main strip.

6. 6

   Day 6 · Monday — Roppongi art and final city views

   A polished last day with modern architecture, art, and a final Tokyo panorama

   5 stops€116 in stops, for two

   Morning

   1. 09:001

      Morning in Roppongi Hills

      This modern complex blends public art, architecture, shops, and broad pedestrian spaces in one easy-to-navigate district. Starting here gives the last day a smooth rhythm with plenty to see before museum time.

      Free

      TIPMany shops open later than the public spaces, so use the early hour for the outdoor areas first.

   2. 10:302

      Mori Art Museum

      Known for ambitious contemporary exhibitions and strong city views from its upper floors, this museum adds a distinctly modern cultural note to the trip. It pairs well with the surrounding architecture and feels especially fitting in Roppongi’s international setting.

      Japan, 〒106-6150 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 6-chōme−10−１ Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, 53階€13 per person

      TIPCheck the current exhibition theme at entry so you can prioritize the sections that interest you most.

   Afternoon

   1. 13:003

      Lunch in Tokyo Midtown

      The dining options here are varied, comfortable, and convenient for a final central-city meal. The complex also has open space and design-focused interiors that make the stop feel a little more polished than a simple food court break.

      €18 per person

      TIPWeekday lunch can be busy with office workers, so arriving close to 13:00 helps.

   2. 14:454

      21_21 DESIGN SIGHT and Midtown garden area

      This design-focused stop brings together architecture, creative exhibitions, and a quieter landscaped setting beside the larger commercial complex. It adds a lighter cultural layer to the day and is easy to enjoy without feeling over-programmed.

      Japan, 〒107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 9-chōme−7−６ 東京ミッドタウン ミッドタウン・ガーデン€10 per person

      TIPExhibition content changes, so allow flexibility if a temporary show draws you in longer.

   3. 16:455

      Akasaka to Roppongi café break

      A relaxed coffee stop around the larger avenues or quieter side streets gives a final pause before heading out of the city. It is a simple way to reset and pack the last part of the day comfortably.

      €7 per person

      TIPChoose a seat indoors if carrying luggage later in the day and wanting a more secure rest stop.

   Evening

   1. 18:306

      Transfer to the airport

      Leave central Tokyo with enough buffer for rail or road delays and standard airport procedures.

      €10 per person

      TIPAim to leave earlier if traveling during the evening commuter peak.