How many days · Tokyo · Japan
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Akonnchiroll, CC0
Quick answer
6 days is the sweet spot for Tokyo, and 3 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Three days covers Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Harajuku at a fast pace. Five or six days adds Ueno's museums, Akihabara, teamLab and slower neighbourhoods such as Yanaka; with a week or more, add day trips to Kamakura, Hakone or Nikko.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 6 days
- Minimum
- 3 days
- Day trips available
- 7
- Daylight
- 9.8 h (Dec) to 14.6 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Senso-ji Temple, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Skytree |
| 2 days | Rushed | Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower and Shibuya Sky |
| 3 days | Good | Tsukiji Outer Market, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and Tokyo National Museum |
| 5 days | Good | The highlights plus a day trip to Kamakura |
| 7 days | Relaxed | A slow trip with day trips such as Kamakura and Hakone |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Tokyo add up to roughly 16–22 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Tokyo National Museum (2–3 hours), Ueno Park (2–3 hours) and Senso-ji Temple (1–2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Senso-ji Temple | 1–2 hours | Asakusa |
| Meiji Jingu Shrine | 1–1.5 hours | Harajuku |
| Shibuya Crossing | 30 minutes | Shibuya |
| Tokyo Skytree | 1.5–2 hours | Oshiage |
| Tokyo Tower | 1 hour | Shiba |
| Shibuya Sky | 1 hour | Shibuya |
| Tsukiji Outer Market | 1.5–2 hours | Tsukiji |
| Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden | 1.5–2 hours | Shinjuku |
| Tokyo National Museum | 2–3 hours | Ueno |
| Ueno Park | 2–3 hours | Ueno |
| teamLab Planets | 1.5–2 hours | Toyosu |
| Imperial Palace East Gardens | 1–1.5 hours | Marunouchi |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 6 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 3 days | Focus on Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Jingu Shrine |
| With children | 7 days | Slower days and time for Ghibli Museum |
| With day trips | 8 days | Add Kamakura and Hakone |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.8 hours of daylight) than in June (about 14.6 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Tokyo with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 3 days enough in Tokyo?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 6 days is more comfortable. Three days covers Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Harajuku at a fast pace. Five or six days adds Ueno's museums, Akihabara, teamLab and slower neighbourhoods such as Yanaka; with a week or more, add day trips to Kamakura, Hakone or Nikko.
+Is a week too long in Tokyo?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Kamakura and Hakone.