7 days in Tokyo

Day by day

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

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

   1. Morning

      Senso-ji Temple

      Asakusa · 1–2 hours · free.

   2. Late morning

      Meiji Jingu Shrine

      Harajuku · 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. Evening

      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.

2. Day 2: Harajuku and Takeshita Street and Shibuya Sky

   Harajuku and Takeshita Street and Shibuya Sky, then Tokyo Skytree in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Harajuku and Takeshita Street

      Harajuku · 1–2 hours · free.

   2. Late morning

      Shibuya Sky

      Shibuya · 1 hour · mid-priced. Sunset time slots sell out well in advance; book online.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Ramen

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

   4. Evening

      Tokyo Skytree

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

3. Day 3: Tokyo Tower and Tsukiji Outer Market

   Tokyo Tower and Tsukiji Outer Market, then Golden Gai in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tokyo Tower

      Shiba · 1 hour · mid-priced.

   2. Late morning

      Tsukiji Outer Market

      Tsukiji · 1.5–2 hours · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tsukemen

      Specialist tsukemen shops around Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Tokyo Station.

   4. Evening

      Golden Gai

      Go after 9pm, check the cover charge posted by the door, and ask before taking photos inside a bar.

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

      In summer Yuigahama beach is a short walk from town, and the Enoden railway continues along the coast to Enoshima island.

   3. Evening

      Back in Tokyo

      Dinner: try Tempura.

5. Day 5: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatories

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

   1. Morning

      Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

      Shinjuku · 1.5–2 hours · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatories

      Shinjuku · 45 minutes · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tempura

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

   4. 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.

6. Day 6: Day trip to Hakone

   About 1 hour 30 minutes by train each way. Getting there: Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Hakone

      About 1 hour 30 minutes by train (Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto); about 90 km.

   2. Day

      Hakone

      A loop by mountain railway, cable car, ropeway over the volcanic Owakudani valley (when volcanic activity allows) and sightseeing boat across Lake Ashi fills a day, though an overnight ryokan stay is better.

   3. Evening

      Back in Tokyo

      Dinner: try Monjayaki.

7. Day 7: Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Park

   Tokyo National Museum and Ueno Park, then Odaiba in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Tokyo National Museum

      Ueno · 2–3 hours · low cost.

   2. Late morning

      Ueno Park

      Ueno · 2–3 hours · free.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Monjayaki

      Monja Street in Tsukishima, near Tsukishima Station, lined with monjayaki restaurants.

   4. 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.

Before you go

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

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 7 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 7 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
• 5 days in Tokyo

Questions travellers ask