Tokyo is huge, but it’s surprisingly easy to plan once you group sights by neighbourhood. Each district has its own personality: temples and old-town streets in Asakusa, youth culture in Harajuku, neon and nightlife in Shinjuku, luxury in Ginza, and futuristic art in Toyosu.
This Tokyo itinerary works for 3, 4 or 5 days, with a realistic daily plan, 2026 prices, Google Maps routes, transport tips and the best time of year to visit. Seasonal information comes from JW Web Magazine (updated August 2026) and attraction prices from official and recently updated sources.
Tokyo itinerary at a glance
| Day | Area | Highlights | Main paid entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Asakusa, Skytree, Ueno, Akihabara | Sensō-ji, Nakamise Street, Skytree, Ueno Park | Skytree from ¥1,800 online |
| Day 2 | Harajuku & Shibuya | Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky | Shibuya Sky ¥2,200 online |
| Day 3 | Tsukiji, Ginza, Toyosu | Tsukiji Outer Market, Ginza, teamLab Planets | teamLab from ¥3,600 |
| Day 4 | Imperial Palace & Shinjuku | East Gardens, Shinjuku Gyoen, free observatory, Omoide Yokocho | Shinjuku Gyoen (small fee) |
| Day 5 | Day trip | Mount Fuji or Tokyo Disney | Transport / park ticket |
Day 1: Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Ueno and Akihabara
8:00 – Sensō-ji, Asakusa. Tokyo’s oldest temple, best before the crowds. Walk through the Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise shopping street (free).
10:30 – Tokyo Skytree. The 350 m Tembo Deck costs from ¥1,800 online for adults (more on weekends; source). On a clear morning you may see Mount Fuji.
13:00 – Ueno Park: museums, the zoo and Ameyoko market for street food.
16:00 – Akihabara: electronics, anime, retro games and arcades.
Open the Day 1 route in Google Maps.
Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku and Shibuya
9:00 – Meiji Jingu: a peaceful forest shrine in the middle of the city (free).
11:00 – Harajuku: Takeshita Street’s crêpes and fashion, then the more elegant Omotesandō avenue.
14:00 – Shibuya: the famous Scramble Crossing and the Hachikō statue.
Sunset – Shibuya Sky (¥2,200 online; source). Tickets go on sale two weeks ahead — see our Shibuya Sky tickets guide.
Open the Day 2 route in Google Maps.
Day 3: Tsukiji, Ginza and teamLab
8:30 – Tsukiji Outer Market: sushi breakfast, tamagoyaki and grilled seafood.
11:00 – Ginza: department-store food halls, flagship shops and Kabukiza theatre.
15:00 – teamLab Planets in Toyosu (from ¥3,600; book ahead — no walk-ups; source). You’ll walk barefoot through water. Details in our teamLab guide.
Evening – Odaiba waterfront for views of Rainbow Bridge.
Open the Day 3 route in Google Maps.
Day 4: Imperial Palace and Shinjuku
9:30 – Imperial Palace East Gardens (free) near Tokyo Station.
12:00 – Shinjuku Gyoen: one of Tokyo’s most beautiful gardens (small entry fee), spectacular in cherry-blossom and autumn seasons.
16:00 – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: a free observatory with views over Shinjuku.
Evening – Shinjuku by night: Omoide Yokocho’s tiny yakitori bars, Golden Gai and the neon of Kabukicho.
Open the Day 4 route in Google Maps.
Day 5: Mount Fuji or Tokyo Disney
- Mount Fuji: bus from Busta Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchiko (about 1h35, around ¥2,000) — see our Mount Fuji day trip guide.
- Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea: from ¥7,900 on quiet weekdays — see our Tokyo Disney tickets guide.
- Other ideas: Kamakura’s Great Buddha, Nikko’s shrines or Hakone’s hot springs.
Tokyo itinerary for 3 days
Follow Days 1–3, and swap teamLab for an evening in Shinjuku if you prefer nightlife to digital art.
Tokyo itinerary for 7 days
Add both Day 5 options, plus a day in Kamakura or Nikko — or take the Shinkansen to Kyoto (check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your route).
Getting around Tokyo
- Suica / PASMO: tap-in IC cards for trains, subways and buses; the tourist Welcome Suica has no deposit and lasts 28 days (source).
- Tokyo Subway Ticket: ¥800 (24h), ¥1,200 (48h) or ¥1,500 (72h) for unlimited Tokyo Metro and Toei rides (source).
- JR Yamanote Line: the loop line connecting Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Ueno and Akihabara.
- Arriving? Read our Narita and Haneda to Tokyo guide.
Best time to visit Tokyo
| Season | Weather | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 5–23°C | Cherry blossoms late March–early April; Golden Week crowds late April–early May |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 19–31°C | Rainy season early June–mid-July; hot and humid in August |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 9–27°C | Typhoon risk August–early October; autumn leaves late November–early December |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 2–12°C | Dry, clear days and the best Mount Fuji views; busy at New Year |
Average temperature ranges from JW Web Magazine. The quietest, best-value periods are mid-January to early March, June and early-to-mid September.
More detail: best time to visit Tokyo, the best things to do in Tokyo, our Tokyo food guide and day trips from Tokyo.
Tokyo on a budget
- Free sights: Sensō-ji, Meiji Jingu, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Shibuya Crossing and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory.
- Cheap eats: ramen, conveyor-belt sushi, set-meal (teishoku) restaurants and convenience-store meals.
- Transport: a 72-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket for ¥1,500 covers most sightseeing.
- Stay: Asakusa or Ueno for better-value hotels — see where to stay in Tokyo.
Plan your trip
Still to book: flights to Tokyo, hotels in Tokyo, a Japan eSIM and travel insurance. For the big picture, see our Tokyo travel guide.
Adding Kyoto? Follow this itinerary with our 3-day Kyoto itinerary; the shinkansen takes about 2 hours 15 minutes — how to book.
FAQ: Tokyo itinerary
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Four to five days for a first visit; three days covers the highlights.
What should I see in Tokyo in 3 days?
Asakusa and Sensō-ji, Skytree, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky, Tsukiji Outer Market, Ginza and teamLab.
What is the best way to get around Tokyo?
Trains and subways with a Suica or PASMO card, or a Tokyo Subway Ticket for unlimited subway rides.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
Late March to early April for cherry blossoms, or October to November for pleasant weather and autumn colours.
Is Tokyo expensive?
It can be, but many top sights are free, food is excellent value, and a 72-hour subway pass costs only ¥1,500.
Can I do Mount Fuji as a day trip from Tokyo?
Yes — Lake Kawaguchiko is about 1h35 by bus from Shinjuku.
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