ITINERARY · 7 DAYS IN TOKYO
Tokyo has a way of making every list feel too short. There are more neighborhoods worth a full day than you will ever have days for, so the hard part honestly isn’t finding things to do. It’s figuring out what goes together so you’re not zigzagging across the city and spending half your trip on the train.
This is the plan I’d hand a friend for their first week. Four city days, each built around one or two neighborhoods that sit close together, then three day trips: Tokyo Disney Resort, Mt. Fuji, and the beach town of Kamakura. Every day has food stops, the stuff worth booking ahead, and my own tips from my time in Tokyo.
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Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya
- Day 2: Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara
- Day 3: Tsukiji, Toyosu, Odaiba and Ginza
- Day 4: Roppongi, Tokyo Tower and Nakameguro
- Day 5: Tokyo Disney Resort
- Day 6: Mt. Fuji Day Trip
- Day 7: Kamakura and Enoshima Day Trip
Where to stay in Tokyo
Check out some of these hotels spread throughout the city! If you book your stay on Klook, you can also use my promo code ANDREXXXKLOOK. You can also try the code HOTELONAPP to get 5% off when booking your stay for the first time on Klook’s app.
- Candeo Hotels Tokyo Shimbashi (Minato-ku Shinbashi 3-6-8). The rooftop SkySpa with views of the skyline is the big perk, and Shimbashi puts you close to Ginza, Tsukiji and Roppongi. Breakfast is included too.
- hotel MONday Premium Ueno Okachimachi (Taito-ku Taito 3-41-7). A modern hotel near Ueno Park, the museums and all the shopping around Ameyoko, with a shared lounge to hang out in.
- Richmond Hotel Premier Tokyo Schole (1-10-3 Oshiage, Sumida-ku). Right by Tokyo Skytree, with a Japanese and Western breakfast and easy train connections around the city.
- Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Kabukicho 1-19-1). Yes, the one with the Godzilla statue! It’s close to Shinjuku Station, some rooms even have Godzilla views, and there’s a 7-Eleven downstairs for late-night snacks.
Things to note before you go
- Book these ahead: Shibuya Sky (sunset slots go first), teamLab Planets (a month or more out), a reservation at Ginza Kyūbey, Bar TRAM, and your Tokyo Disney Resort tickets.
- Passes that can save you money: the Klook Pass Greater Tokyo bundles a bunch of attraction tickets, and the Tokyo City Pass adds unlimited subway rides on top. Whether either one pays off depends on how many paid attractions you actually plan to do, so add it up first.
- Klook code: use ANDREXXXKLOOK for a discount on bookings over USD 50.
- Getting around: add a Suica or PASMO card to your phone’s wallet and tap through every train, subway and convenience store.
- Pace: each city day stays in one part of town. Days 5 to 7 are day trips you can shuffle around the weather, especially the Fuji day.
DAY 1: Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya
Day one throws you right into it: a garden and a free skyline view in the morning, Tokyo’s most famous shrine and shopping street in the afternoon, and Shibuya at night when it’s at its loudest.
• 8 AM – Breakfast in Shinjuku
Skip the hotel buffet for one of these. Komeda’s Coffee does a “morning service” where you get free toast with your coffee before 11 AM, and if you want something sweet, the Shiro Noir is their thing. If you’re craving a proper Western brunch, Sarabeth’s in LUMINE 2 is a minute from Shinjuku Station’s South Exit.
• 9 AM – Shinjuku Gyoen and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Shinjuku Gyoen is a huge, calm garden in the middle of all the chaos, with Japanese, English and French sections to wander. Then head to the Metropolitan Government Building for a view over the whole city, and on a clear day, Mt. Fuji.
My tip: The observation deck here is free! It’s the easiest skyline view you’ll get all week.
• 11:30 AM – Lunch: Omoide Yokocho or Menya Musashi
Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) is a tiny alley packed with smoky little counters. Take your time walking the whole thing, and try Torien if you want skewers. If you’re more of a noodle person, Menya Musashi in Nishi-Shinjuku does a rich dipping-style tsukemen.
My tip: Omoide Yokocho has way more energy after dark, so circle back one night if you can.
• 1 PM – Meiji Jingu
Hop on a quick train (about 20 minutes) to Harajuku. Meiji Jingu sits inside a forest of more than 100,000 trees, and the second you walk under that first torii gate, the city noise just drops off. It’s the perfect reset before the next stop, which is the total opposite.
• Takeshita Street
Right across from the station, Takeshita Street is all quirky fashion, snack stands and crowds. If you’re getting the munchies, grab a crêpe at Marion Crêpes. They’ve been making them here since 1976 and have over 70 flavors, sweet and savory.
• 4:30 PM – Shibuya
Give yourself the late afternoon to just walk around Shibuya, get a little lost, and hit whatever stores you came for. Cross the Scramble Crossing at least once and say hi to the Hachiko statue by the station. Have fun, but stay respectful, since people live and work here too.
My tip: If you want to do the street go-kart tour through Shibuya and Harajuku, get here earlier in the afternoon so it doesn’t eat into dinner.
• 7 PM – Dinner: Uobei
Uobei in Dogenzaka is conveyor-belt sushi with a twist: you order on a touchscreen and your plates zip straight to your seat. It’s quick, fun, and a great first sushi stop.
• 8:30 PM – Shibuya Sky
End the day on the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square. The view at night is honestly one of my favorite in the city, and you can see Tokyo Tower from up here too.
My tip: BOOK TICKETS AHEAD OF TIME. Tickets open a couple of weeks before each date and the good slots go fast. Book Shibuya Sky here.
DAY 2: Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara
Today is old Tokyo in the morning, museums and markets in the afternoon, and anime and arcades at night.
• 8 AM – Breakfast in Asakusa
Grab a fresh melon bread from Asakusa Kagetsudō, which has been around since 1945, or a quick sandwich and coffee at Doutor right by the temple.
• 9 AM – Senso-ji and the Asakusa Culture Tourist Center
Senso-ji is Tokyo’s oldest temple, and walking through the giant lantern at Kaminarimon gate and down the snack stalls of Nakamise is a must. Get there early, before the tour groups. Afterward, pop across the street to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Center and take the elevator to the 8th floor terrace for a view straight down onto the temple.
• 11:30 AM – Lunch: Daikokuya Tempura
Daikokuya has been frying tempura in sesame oil since 1887, which gives it that dark color and deeper flavor. Order the ebi tendon: a rice bowl with big shrimp tempura and their sweet-savory sauce.
• 1 PM – Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum
Ueno Park is one of Japan’s first public parks, and it’s packed with museums. If you only do one, make it the Tokyo National Museum for samurai armor, ceramics and ancient scrolls. For an afternoon snack, wander over to Ameyoko, the open-air market running along the train tracks.
• 5 PM – Evening in Akihabara
Akihabara is where you go for electronics, gaming arcades, anime shops and maid cafes. Even if that’s not usually your thing, it’s worth an evening just to see it.
• 7:30 PM – Dinner: Kyushu Jangara
Finish with a bowl of rich, Kyushu-style tonkotsu ramen at Kyushu Jangara in Akihabara.
DAY 3: Tsukiji, Toyosu, Odaiba and Ginza
This one starts early, but it’s the day I’d least want you to skip: a seafood breakfast, a digital art museum, a soak in a hot spring, and a fancy sushi dinner.
• 6:30/7 AM – Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji gets crowded early, so be an early bird if you can. A few stalls to look out for:
- Tsukiji Yamacho for tamagoyaki, the sweet Japanese omelette on a stick. Opens before 7 AM.
- Kitsuneya for horumon-don or gyūdon. Also opens around 6:30 AM, and it’s standing room only.
- Maguroya Kurogin for fresh bluefin tuna, including fatty cuts like o-toro. This one opens a little later, around 8 AM.
• 9 AM – teamLab Planets
teamLab Planets is a walk-through digital art museum where you’ll wade through water, lie under light installations, and wander gardens like this one. Plan the rest of your morning around whatever time slot you can get.
My tip: BOOK TICKETS IN ADVANCE, a month or more if you can.
• 12 PM – Lunch and a soak at Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club
Treat yourself to a midtrip reset. Manyo Club is technically a hotel, but you don’t need to stay there to use the onsen and spa. Just book a day pass for the baths, have lunch inside, and give your legs a break.
My tip: The baths are open 24 hours, so you could also come back here at night instead.
• 3 PM – Toyosu Market and Odaiba
Toyosu Market replaced the old Tsukiji inner market and is a short walk away. Then head to DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba to see the life-sized Unicorn Gundam statue, which lights up and transforms at set times.
• 6 PM – Ginza and dinner at Kyūbey
Spend the evening in Ginza. Even if luxury shopping isn’t your thing, the Uniqlo flagship has 12 floors and some items you won’t find at home. For dinner, Ginza Kyūbey Honten is a classic counter-style sushi experience where the chefs make each piece right in front of you.
My tip: RESERVATIONS REQUIRED. Reserve a seat at Kyūbey here.
DAY 4: Roppongi, Tokyo Tower and Nakameguro
A slower day: skyline views and Tokyo Tower in the morning, a riverside stroll in the afternoon, and a lively alley dinner in Ebisu.
• 8 AM – Breakfast and Roppongi Hills
Start with breakfast at Dean & DeLuca in Tokyo Midtown, then walk over to Roppongi Hills. Go up to Tokyo City View on the 52nd floor of Mori Tower for a view of both Tokyo Tower and Skytree, then come back down and wander around Tokyo Midtown and its gardens.
My tip: If you’re here around Christmas, Keyakizaka Street lights up and lines up perfectly with Tokyo Tower. Come back after dark for this view.
• 12 PM – Lunch: TsuruTonTan
TsuruTonTan serves udon in giant bowls, with classic flavors and fun ones like carbonara udon.
• 2 PM – Tokyo Tower and Zojo-ji
Tokyo Tower and Zojo-ji Temple sit right next to each other, and the classic photo is the temple’s main hall with the bright orange tower rising behind it.
My tip: teamLab Borderless is now at Azabudai Hills, a short walk from here. If you’re a teamLab fan, this is the easiest day to squeeze it in.
• 4:30 PM – Nakameguro
Late afternoon, head to Nakameguro and stroll along the Meguro River, popping into the little shops and cafes. It’s the go-to cherry blossom spot in spring, but it’s lovely any time of year.
• 6:30 PM – Dinner at Ebisu Yokocho and drinks at Bar TRAM
Ebisu Yokocho is an indoor alley of tiny bars and food stalls under red lanterns, and it gets loud in the best way. Look for Koi Sakaba or Nikuzushi to start. After dinner, walk to Bar TRAM, a dimly lit speakeasy-style bar known for absinthe cocktails. They also have a non-alcoholic menu.
My tip: Make a reservation for Bar TRAM, and heads up that smoking is allowed inside.
DAY 5: Tokyo Disney Resort
I’ve been to every Disney park in the world, and Tokyo’s are some of my favorites. If you have the time, I’d honestly do two full days: one for Disneyland and one for DisneySea. But if you only have one day, go to DisneySea. It’s the only park of its kind and has so many rides you can’t find anywhere else.
Can you do both parks in one day? You can, but whether you’ll enjoy it is up to you. Tokyo Disneyland is very similar to the one in California, so if you’ve been there, you’ll miss less by rushing it. If this is your first Disney park ever, pick one. If you do try both:
- Decide which rides you want before you go, and use Disney Premier Access (DPA) for the ones that matter most.
- Mobile order your food in the Tokyo Disney Resort app. Even snack stands can have half-hour lines.
- If you’re in a group, have everyone download the app so you can plan passes and food orders together.
- Buy your park tickets ahead of time and scan them into the app so you can walk straight in.
I’ve got a whole TikTok playlist on Tokyo Disney too, and if you’re planning more than one Asia Disney park, check out my two-week guide to all three Asia Disney resorts.
Where to stay for Disney
If you’re doing two park days, stay nearby. The official Disney hotels can be pricey, so these are great alternatives that are still close to the parks:
DAY 6: Mt. Fuji Day Trip
The easiest way to see Fuji without dealing with buses and transfers is a day tour. This one leaves from Tokyo or Shinjuku Station and hits the most popular photo spots in one go: Ladder Town, Oshino Hakkai, Lake Kawaguchi, and the famous Lawson.
Before you book, check out my review of the tour on Instagram so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Oshino Hakkai was one of my favorite stops: a little village of spring-fed ponds so clear you can see right to the bottom, with thatched roofs and Fuji in the background.
My tip: Fuji loves to hide behind clouds. Check the forecast and keep this day flexible so you can swap it with Day 5 or Day 7 if the weather looks bad.
My tip: At the Lawson, people live and work right there. Stay on the sidewalk, don’t block the road for a photo, and be quick about it.
DAY 7: Kamakura and Enoshima Day Trip
As someone who loves both ocean and mountain views, I absolutely love Kamakura. It’s such a quaint little seaside town, about an hour south of Tokyo by train, and it’s the perfect nature escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The Great Buddha and Hase-dera
Start at Kotoku-in to see the Great Buddha, a giant bronze statue that’s been sitting outdoors for centuries. Hase-dera is a short walk away, with gardens and a lookout over the bay.
Komachi-dori and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
Walk up Komachi-dori, Kamakura’s main snack street, toward Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the town’s biggest shrine.
The Enoden line, Shichirigahama and Enoshima
Ride the little Enoden train along the coast and hop off at Shichirigahama. On a clear day you get Enoshima island and Mt. Fuji across the water, just like this. End the day on Enoshima itself, exploring the shrines and watching the sunset.
My tip: Fuji is easiest to spot from the beach on clear, cold mornings, so the earlier you go, the better your chances.
Alternatives and swaps
Got an extra day, or want to switch something out? These are what I’d look at next. Book tickets ahead for all of these.
- Nikko day trip: a little further out, but beautiful, especially in the fall. This tour covers Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: the Making of Harry Potter, with the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and a Ministry of Magic set you can only see in Tokyo.
- teamLab Borderless: teamLab’s other museum, now at Azabudai Hills (pairs well with Day 4).
- Asakusa Sumo Stable: chanko nabe, the hot pot sumo wrestlers eat, in a dining room set up like a training ring. Pairs well with Day 2.
- Sanrio Puroland: an indoor Hello Kitty theme park out in Tama. A great rainy-day pick.
Planning Tokyo and Tokyo Disney?
This itinerary is a great starting point, but every trip is different. I’ve spent eight years living in and traveling around Asia and I’ve been to every Disney park in the world. Book a one-on-one consultation and I’ll help you plan your Tokyo + Tokyo Disney trip around your dates, your pace, and the rides and spots you can’t miss.
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