The Ultimate 5-Day Tokyo Itinerary

11 July 2024 Updated on Jul 11th, 2024

- This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure.

If you are visiting Tokyo for the first-time, start getting excited! This bustling metropolis is an eclectic mix of new and old, ancient culture and traditions and modern trends and experiences. Tokyo is the largest city in the world by population, with a whopping 37,115,035 people living in its metro area. Visiting a mega city for the first time might feel a little daunting. How on earth do you plan a trip in a city so big and full of people? This Tokyo itinerary will provide you with all the activity information you need for a 3, 5 and 7-day trip to Japan’s capital. Spending five days in Tokyo is the most ideal way to see all the city’s sites because the chances are that you will be going to other destinations in the country too. Check out all these wonderful things to add to your Tokyo itinerary.

Contents

Tokyo Itinerary Options
- Tokyo Itinerary Planning
- 5-day Tokyo Itinerary

Tokyo Itinerary Options

Tokyo Itinerary Planning

Where to Stay?

It’s also a good idea to pick a central destination or a location close to some of the main attractions you want to see.

Tokyo is so large you must remember to carefully check the location of your chosen hotel before booking as you might find yourself very far away.

If you are a first timer in Tokyo it is recommended to stay in Shinjuku.

This is the place with the iconic neon signs, bars, restaurants, and lots of entertainment options.

It’s the modern part of Tokyo often portrayed in movies.

For easy access to other destinations in Japan and around Tokyo consider staying in Chiyoda City and near Tokyo Station.

Book A Hotel

Getting Around Tokyo

When first arriving in Japan, navigating the transportation network can feel a little daunting but you will soon get used to it.

Tokyo is huge but there is a dense network of trains, buses and subways which service the city.

The JR East and subway lines are the most useful for moving around Tokyo.

Owing to the complex network of trains it’s often cheaper to buy single tickets for rides as and when you need them.

Buying a day pass is sometimes less economical as one pass doesn’t cover all the trains and subway lines.

Getting a prepaid IC card is often the most convenient way to travel so you don’t have to pay for each ride you take.

Even though the city is huge, it’s possible to walk between some of these itinerary attractions and you’ll get more of a feel for the city as you wander.

How to Pay?

It’s recommended that you exchange money to Japanese Yen before arriving in Japan.

Cash is still widely used around the country, with many places only accepting cash.

While there are some mobile services and credit card options it’s best not to rely on these methods.

5-day Tokyo Itinerary

Day 1 – Sumo Morning Practice, Tokyo Skytree, Senso-Ji Temple, Kappabashi Street

Sumo Morning Practice

An absolute must activity when visiting Japan is to attend a sumo wrestling event.

While you can attend competitions at certain times of the year an equally good if not more intimate experience is to attend a morning practice.

These intense morning practices by professional sumo wrestlers.

Sumo wrestling practices are held in almost complete silence only adding to the intrigue.

Watching these professionals is an enthralling and authentic experience.

You can book this experience with Get Your Guide here.

Tours usually start at Shin-Koiwa JR station on the Sobu Line or Honko-Azumabashi on the Toei Asakusa Line.

Recommended tours:

Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree has been a part of the city’s skyline since 2008 and is an imposing landmark that stands at 634 metres (2,080 ft).

It is Japan’s tallest structure and there is a large shopping complex and aquarium at its base.

The main highlights of the Tokyo Skytree are the observation decks which stand at 450 metres and 350 metres.

There is also the Skytree Café, Sky Restaurant.

From the observation deck you can enjoy spectacular views of Tokyo.

Tokyo Skytree is at 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045.

Senso-Ji Temple

Senso-Ji is a temple in the old Asakusa district of Tokyo.

It is one of the most beautiful and famous temples in the country.

The temple was completed in 645, meaning it’s the oldest temple in Tokyo.

Behind Hozomon Gate is the temple’s main hall as well as the five-story pagoda and the Asakusa Shrine which was built in 1649.

Senso-Ji is a must visit Tokyo attraction to experience the best of Japanese culture and history.

Senso-Ji is at 2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032.

Kappabashi Street

Kappabashi Street is between Ueno and Asakusa.

This street is lined with an array of stores selling a myriad of products, everything from cooking utensils, lanterns, and those wax food samples that are used by many restaurants in Japan.

It is one of those places where you probably will not buy anything but it’s sure interesting to have a look around.

Kappabashi Street is at 3 Chome-18-2 Matsugaya, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0036.

Day 2 – Yayoi Kusama Museum, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden & Omoide Yokocho

Yayoi Kusama Museum

The Yayoi Kusama Museum showcases the work of avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama.

The museum itself is striking with Kusama’s art showing from the windows.

There’s an “infinity room” installation and the iconic polka dot paintings and sculptures.

There’s a wonderful sparkling pumpkin and most of the pieces are vibrant and psychedelic.

Yayoi Kusama Museum is at 107 Bentencho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 162-0851.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, Tokyo, Japan — Shinjuku Gyoen Garden is a serene spot to escape from the hustle and bustle while on a Tokyo itinerary.

This is one of the city’s largest and most popular parks.

Shinjuku Gyoen is close to Shinjuku Station.

Wander around the park and you can see spacious lawns, plenty of walking paths and beautiful trees and ponds.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a wonderful place to discover peace and quiet amidst the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Tokyo’s cherry blossom season is between late March and early April.

It’s an excellent idea to visit Shinjuku Gyoen during this time.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is at 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014.

Omoide Yokocho

Omoide Yokocho is a narrow alleyway that is tucked away near Shinjuku Station’s west exit.

Visiting Omoide Yokocho feels like stepping back in time as its vastly different to the neon lights seen all around Tokyo.

The alley is filled with restaurants, food stalls and people moving around.

This place has a lively atmosphere with people eating, drinking, and conversing.

If you are eager to try some interesting foods then this is the place to go for grilled salamander, pig testicles, lizard and frog sashimi.

Omoide Yokocho is at 1 Chome-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023.

Day 3 – Yoyogi Park, Shimokitazawa, Shibuya Crossing, Imperial Palace

Yoyogi Park

A must-visit park on your Tokyo itinerary has got to be Yoyogi Park in Shibuya City.

Yoyogi Park is one of the biggest parks in the city.

It has lawns, ponds, and many trees (which come into full bloom in cherry blossom season).

As well as cherry blossom trees the park is also known for its ginkgo tree forest, which turns a vibrant gold in autumn.

For the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Yoyogi Park was the site of the Olympic Village.

It is a wonderful park to explore, particularly in the spring and autumn.

Yoyogi Park is at 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0052.

Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa, also known as Shimokita is a laid-back district filled with vintage clothes shops, bookstores, and artsy cafes and bars.

The best time of day to visit Shimokitazawa is at lunch time when people head there to eat.

Shibuya Crossing

Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing is an iconic sight.

It is estimated that at the busiest time, between 1,000 and 2,500 people scuttle across the intersection every two minutes.

The crossing is a complete juxtaposition and despite the myriad of people, they seem to somehow glide in perfect synchronization.

Make sure you visit at peak pedestrian rush-hour times to get the full effect of Shibuya.

Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace has got to be on your Tokyo bucket list.

The palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle in a large park.

There’s a massive stone wall surrounded by a moat.

It is the residence of Japan’s imperial family.

Be sure to check out Nijubashi, two bridges at the entrance of the grounds.

While you can explore the outer grounds of the palace the inner grounds are usually only open on January 2nd for new year’s greetings and February 23rd for the Emperor’s birthday.

You can take a guided tour of the palace grounds to learn more about the history of Japanese royalty.

The Imperial Palace is at 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111.

Day 4 – Sakurai Tea Experience, Tokyo National Museum, Harajuku

Sakurai Tea Experience

Tea plays an important part in Japanese culture and attending a Sakurai tea experience is an enriching and authentic activity.

There are an array of tea experiences in Tokyo but the Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience allows you to try a variety of teas and learn more about the flavours, fusion of tea and sake and the traditional tea practices.

They also offer day and evening tea experiences so it’s flexible according to your schedule.

The Sakurai Tea Experience is at 5F, 5 Chome-6-23 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062.

Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum houses one of the largest and oldest collections of archaeological artifacts and art in Japan.

There are more than 100,000 items at the museum with 4,000 on permanent display.

This museum is large, with six separate buildings.

You can expect to see artifacts from the Taisho Emperor’s wedding, items from China, Korea, Southeast Asia, India, Egypt and more.

The Tokyo National Museum is at 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8712.

Recommended tour: Tokyo National Museum Private Tour.

Harajuku

Harajuku is an area in Shibuya that is popular with Japanese youth.

The area is known for its vibrant street art, fashion brands, and vintage stores.

Many of the youth from Japan and those visiting from abroad will head to Takeshita Street where there is an array of cosplay shops.

Harajuku is an all-round excellent area to explore, you can shop, eat, and even check out the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art.

Day 5 – Chidorigafuchi Moat & teamLab Borderless, Tokyo Tower

Chidorigafuchi Moat

Chidorigafuchi Park During The Spring Season — Chidorigafuchi Park is another lovely spot to visit on a 7-day Tokyo itinerary.

Heading into day 5 of your Tokyo itinerary, you should check out Chidorigafuchi Moat, which is a super-scenic spot (especially in cherry blossom season).

The moat is northwest of the imperial palace.

The walkways in this park and along the moat are pink in early spring.

There are also festivals like the Chiyoda Sakura Festival held at this time.

People enjoy walking around the park and taking canoe trips along the river.

Chidorigafuchi Moat is at 1-2 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

teamLab Borderless

teamLab Borderless is an immersive digital art museum.

Though you can now have similar experiences in other places around the world.

teamLab is an art collective formed in 2001 in Tokyo and is epic.

Two warnings before going.

You might get wet and it’s probably best not to wear a dress owing to the nature of some of the exhibits.

There are two teamLab Exhibits, Borderless is in Odaiba and teamLab Planets in Toyosu.

From indoor rivers to light shows and flower projections.

This place is epic, and it will be a highlight of your trip!

teamLab Borderless is at 〒106-0041 Tokyo, Minato City, Azabudai, 1 Chome−2−4.

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is an iconic Tokyo landmark.

The red steel tower is 333 metres high, which is three metres taller than the Eiffel Tower which it’s based on.

The tower’s main deck is situated at 150 metres and is reached by an elevator, or you can climb the 600 stairs.

Though it’s not very tall, the towers’ location provides interesting views of the city.

The Tokyo Tower is at 4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0011.

Recommended tour: Tokyo Tower: Admission Ticket.

Day 6 – Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum & Kichijoji

Open-Air Folk House Museum

The Open-Air Folk House Museum, also known as Nihon Minkaen, is home to 25 preserved buildings from the Edo Period (1603 – 1868).

These buildings were taken from all over Japan and carefully placed at Kawasaki.

At the site you can see farmhouses, samurai houses, fishing village houses, a shrine and more.

There are often events and workshops onsite.

There’s a traditional indigo dyeing workshop as well as storytelling, carpentry demonstrations and rice cake pounding.

The Japan Open-Air Folk House Museum is at 7 Chome-1-1 Masugata, Tama Ward, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-0032.

Kichijoji

Next, head to the trendy neighbourhood of Kichijoji.

So often Kichijoji is voted the best place to live in Tokyo.

There’s Inokashira Park just a stone’s throw away from Kichijoji Station and you can access other parts of the city with apparent ease.

You can spend time relaxing out on the boats in the park and then head to Harmonica Yokocho Alley for food and drink.

There are places to shop for clothes as well as several gourmet stores.

Day 7 – Disneyland, DisneySea or one of the city’s amusement parks

Wonderful Magic Castle Princess At Disneyland — Disneyland is fun for the family on a 3-day itinerary Tokyo.

Having done most of the popular Tokyo attractions, day seven can see you have some childhood fun.

If you are travelling with kids, you will want to add one of these stops to your itinerary.

Tokyo Disney Resort was the first Disney theme park to open outside of the United States.

This resort is technically in Urayasu in Chiba Prefecture, but it can be accessed via JR Keiyo Line train.

There are seven main areas at Tokyo Disneyland: Adventureland, Westernland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Critter Country, Mickey’s Toontown, and World Bazaar which is unique to the Tokyo location.

Then there’s also Disney Sea, a theme park at Disney Resort.

The park features a Mediterranean Harbor with six nautically themed ports.

If Disney is not your thing, then how about heading to one of Japan’s amusement parks.

Asakusa Hanayashiki is in the heart of Tokyo you can enjoy wonderful views of the Tokyo Sky Tower from many of the rides.

There’s also Tokyo Dome City, Joypolis and Arakawa Amusement Park.