Tokyo, Japan 3 Day Itinerary

Tokyo 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Explore Central Tokyo

• Morning:

  • Stay at a convenient hotel in the Shinjuku or Shibuya area for easy access to major attractions. Hotel Granbell Shibuya is a popular choice.
  • Start your day with a traditional Japanese breakfast at Café Katsukura in Shibuya.
  • Visit the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko statue.

• Afternoon:

  • Head to Meiji Shrine, a tranquil oasis in the heart of Tokyo. It’s a short walk from Harajuku station.
  • Explore Takeshita Street in Harajuku for unique fashion and sweets.
  • Take the Yamanote Line to Akihabara, the hub for anime, manga, and electronics. Visit Yodobashi Camera or Mandarake stores.
  • For dinner, try a Ramen Street in Ikebukuro or Yakiniku Jumbo Hanare Sugamo for yakiniku (Japanese BBQ).

• Night:

  • Return to Shibuya or Shinjuku for a bustling nightlife experience. Visit Robot Restaurant for an unforgettable cabaret show, or enjoy a beer at Golden Gai—a network of tiny bars in Shinjuku.

Day 2: Discover Asakusa and Odaiba

• Morning:

  • Head to Asakusa by train (Ginza Line or Asakusa Line) for a taste of old Tokyo. Visit Senso-ji Temple and browse the shops along Nakamise-dori street.
  • Have lunch at a local eatery offering temple food or try tonkatsu at Ace Cooking Asakusa.

• Afternoon:

  • Take a River Cruise from Asakusa to Odaiba (Tokyo Waterfront Area) to see modern Tokyo’s skyline and enjoy the river breeze.
  • Explore TeamLab Borderless—a digital art museum, Mori Art Museum or spend some time at Odaiba Seaside Park.
  • For dinner, visit Daimaru Food Hall in Daimaru department store for a variety of Japanese and international cuisines.

• Night:

  • In Odaiba, you can enjoy a romantic view of the Rainbow Bridge at Venue Odaiba or Aqua City Odaiba’s rooftop observatory.

Day 3: Explore Tsukiji Fish Market and Aoyama

• Morning:

  • Start your day early at Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh sushi breakfast at Sushidokoro Daiwa or Sushizanmai.
  • Take a stroll along the Sumida River and visit Rainbow Bridge.

• Afternoon:

  • Head to Aoyama for high-end shopping and dining. Visit Omotesando Hills or Aoyama Flower Market.
  • Have lunch at Sarabeth’s Kyobashi for American brunch or Gyumon for soba noodles.

• Night:

  • Visit Roppongi Hills for a panoramic view of the city at Mori Tower’s Sky Deck.
  • Enjoy dinner at Roppongi Ramen Alley or try Italian cuisine at Ristorante Ferris by famous chef Ferran Adrià.

Things to Know:

• Transportation: Use the extensive JR East and Tokyo Metro networks (Tokyo Metro website) for smooth navigation around the city.
• Cash is King: Japan’s cash-centric economy means you may struggle to pay with a credit card outside major department stores and tourist spots. Carry enough cash, especially small bills (1,000 yen notes).
• Respect local customs: Remove your shoes before entering homes or tatami rooms, and avoid pointing at people or objects with your index finger.
• WiFi: Look for free WiFi hotspots or purchase a Pocket WiFi to stay connected during your trip.
• Language: While English is becoming more common, it’s still helpful to learn basic Japanese phrases or use translation apps like Google Translate.