5 days in Tokyo

Day by day

1. Day 1: Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Jingu Shrine

   Senso-ji Temple, Meiji Jingu Shrine and Shibuya Crossing, then Tokyo Skytree in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Senso-ji Temple

      Come at dawn or after dark, when the buildings are lit and the crowds have gone; the temple grounds stay accessible after the stalls close. (1–2 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Meiji Jingu Shrine

      Enter from the Harajuku side and leave through the quieter Yoyogi side, or continue into Yoyogi Park next door. (1–1.5 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sushi

      Conveyor-belt chains for value, Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast, and reservation-only counters in Ginza for omakase.

   4. Afternoon

      Shibuya Crossing

      Watch from above at Shibuya Sky or from the station's upper walkways, then cross it yourself at dusk when the screens light up. (30 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Tokyo Skytree

      Pay for the upper deck only if the sky is clear; on hazy days the lower deck is enough.

2. Day 2: Tokyo Tower and Shibuya Sky

   Tokyo Tower, Shibuya Sky and Tsukiji Outer Market, then Akihabara in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tokyo Tower

      Photograph it from the grounds of Zojo-ji temple, or from the Shiba Park lawns at dusk. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Shibuya Sky

      Book the sunset slot weeks ahead; clear winter days give the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji. (1 hour, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ramen

      Ramen shops near every major station, often ordered by ticket machine; Tokyo Station has a dedicated Ramen Street.

   4. Afternoon

      Tsukiji Outer Market

      Arrive by mid-morning, as many stalls wind down by early afternoon, and eat standing beside the stall rather than walking through the crowded lanes. (1.5–2 hours, free).

   5. Evening

      Akihabara

      Explore the side streets west of Chuo-dori for second-hand games and figures; on some Sunday afternoons the main street is closed to traffic.

3. Day 3: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Golden Gai

   Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Golden Gai and Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatories, then Odaiba in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

      Visit from late March to mid-April for cherry blossom, or from mid-November to early December for autumn leaves. (1.5–2 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Golden Gai

      Go after 9pm, check the cover charge posted by the door, and ask before taking photos inside a bar. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tsukemen

      Specialist tsukemen shops around Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Tokyo Station.

   4. Afternoon

      Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatories

      Go on a clear winter morning for the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji, and check which tower's observatory is open that day. (45 minutes, free).

   5. Evening

      Odaiba

      Sit at the front of the Yurikamome for the view as it loops onto the Rainbow Bridge, and stay for the illuminated skyline at dusk.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Kamakura

   About 1 hour by train each way. Getting there: JR Yokosuka line from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Kamakura

      About 1 hour by train (JR Yokosuka line from Tokyo Station or Shinagawa); about 50 km.

   2. Day

      Kamakura

      The seaside former capital has the 13-metre bronze Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu shrine and dozens of Zen temples in wooded hills. Best for culture, beach and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Tokyo

      Dinner: try Tempura.

5. Day 5: Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Park

   Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park and teamLab Planets, then Shinjuku in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tokyo National Museum

      Start in the main Honkan building for an overview of Japanese art, then save the dimly lit Horyuji gallery for a quiet finish. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Ueno Park

      Arrive early in blossom season to see the trees before groups claim every patch of ground. (2–3 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tempura

      Tempura counters in Ginza and Asakusa, and tendon (tempura rice bowl) chains for a cheaper lunch.

   4. Afternoon

      teamLab Planets

      Wear shorts or trousers that roll above the knee, as you will wade through water, and avoid skirts in the mirrored rooms. (1.5–2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Shinjuku

      Golden Gai's tiny themed bars, the yakitori alleys of Omoide Yokocho and the neon of Kabukicho; Shinjuku Ni-chome is the centre of LGBTQ+ nightlife.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Sky and teamLab Planets before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 nights, Shinjuku keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Ginza and Marunouchi ($$$$) suits luxury, families, shopping and first-timers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 21–30 hours of visiting over 5 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.8 hours in December to 14.6 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Tokyo
• 2 days in Tokyo
• 3 days in Tokyo
• 4 days in Tokyo
• 7 days in Tokyo

Questions travellers ask