Tokyo is the largest metropolis in the world, home to over 13 million people with more than 37 million in the greater metropolitan area. Despite its image as a modern, fast-paced, and tech-savvy city, Tokyo has a long and complex history.
It began as a small fishing village called Edo, which rose to prominence in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate here. In 1868, the emperor moved the capital from Kyoto to Edo, which was then renamed Tokyo – meaning “Eastern Capital.”
Unfortunately, much of Tokyo’s historic architecture was destroyed during World War II. As a result, the city today feels thoroughly modern, with fewer preserved historical areas than cities like Kyoto. Still, glimpses of its past remain, especially in neighborhoods like Asakusa.
I planned a very packed Tokyo itinerary, as Japan has been long on my bucket list and I didn’t want to miss anything from among my priorities. Of course, no one can truly experience Tokyo in just a few days – but you can get a solid first taste.
I created a 4-day itinerary focused on Tokyo itself (not counting day trips). It’s designed for active travelers who enjoy walking and want to dive into the city’s cultural and historical highlights. If you prefer a slower pace, you might want to pick and choose from the suggestions. Feel free to drop a few stops per day and just soak in one neighborhood at a time.
This guide leans toward cultural experiences and traditional sites. It doesn’t focus on shopping, gaming, or nightlife. Though we did explore some of those too, our priorities were more rooted in seeing the beauty of the city and experiencing its daily rhythms.
Tips for Developing your Tokyo Itinerary
How Many Days to Spend in Tokyo?
I guess any person you ask will tell you something different. The truth is, it depends on your interests and travel style. But generally, 4 days offers a well-rounded introduction. In that time, you can explore Tokyo’s diverse neighborhoods—from the jungle of Shinjuku to the historical charm of Asakusa to the cute streets of Shimokitazawa—and get a solid feel for its vibrant, layered culture.
With less than 4 days you will probably feel like you’ve barely scratched the surface. More than that? You’ll have time to dive deeper, take day trips (like to Nikko or Kawaguchiko), explore interests like anime culture or quirky museums and maybe go on a shopping spree.
Also consider what types of cities you enjoy. Tokyo is a modern metropolis—vast, electrifying, and full of contrasts. It has historical corners and traditional shrines, yes, but it’s not a postcard-perfect town like Kyoto. If you prefer quiet lanes and old-world charm, you might find Tokyo intense. So choose your days wisely, based on how much urban buzz you’re up for.
When to visit Tokyo?
Tokyo is great any time of the year. Here are your main options:
- Spring (late March to early April): The Sakura (cherry blossom) season is iconic. Parks and riverbanks turn pink, and the whole city is entranced with the beauty of spring blossoms. There are a number of festivals and celebrations during this time.
- Autumn (November to early December): The Momiji (autumn foliage) season colours the city’s parks in red and yellow. It’s a less popular time than spring, but you will find beauty at every corner.
- Summer (July–August): Expect heat and humidity, but also festivals and vibrant street celebrations like Obon.
- Winter (December–February): While it can be chilly, skies are usually clear and crowds thinner. Illuminations and New Year traditions offer a unique experience.
Getting around in Tokyo
Tokyo’s public transport system is a huge octopus. Your main mode of transportation will be the metro network, which is efficient, punctual, and clean. If you’re not used to massive metro systems, Tokyo’s might feel overwhelming at first – but you will get used to it in a couple of days and start navigating with more confidence. I can’t say I get confused almost anywhere around the world with public transport, but Tokyo was certainly a challenge even for me. Signs aren’t exactly great, although you learn their style after a while. My advice is – just don’t rush, leave yourself time to figure it out and you will manage easily.
Grab yourself an IC card like Suica or Pasmo as soon as you arrive. Or if you are a lucky Iphone user, just download an app. You can use it on almost all trains, buses, and even at convenience stores. It saves time and effort – you just tap and go.
Google Maps is your friend. It tells you which modes of transportation to take and which exit is closer to your destination.
A quick note: Tokyo’s transport (as in the whole Japan) mainly doesn’t work overnight. Most trains stop around midnight, so plan your late-night outings accordingly unless you’re fine walking or catching a (very expensive) taxi.
Find out detailed tips on how to get around in big cities in Japan in my dedicated post.
Most tourists complain that even with an excellent public transport they had to do a lot of walking. That is true. Stations are big, the sights are fascinating, so you continue walking before you remember that your feet hurt, and there’s always something else interesting just around the corner. I doubt you can avoid this, so be prepared with the shoes you trust,
Booking in Advance
Most locations on this itinerary don’t have to be prebooked, however, if you specifically want to see and do some popular attractions, like Shibuya Sky, you probably better book in advance.
Attraction Passes
Most historical locations in Tokyo are free or cheap, unlike in Kyoto. Because of this I don’t advice buying any attraction passes during your first visit. However, you might still be interested in the following passes, depending on how many expensive sights you plan to visit:
- Tokyo Grutto Pass – a new pass introduced in 2025 offers free or discounted to over 100 Tokyo museums. It works for 2 months, so if you have a long time in Tokyo and are planning to visit many museums and gardens, it might be useful for you. I won’t recommend this to most short-term travellers.
- The Tokyo Pass – This is a more expensive pass, and in most cases, I don’t think it offers great value, unless running around the city all day. However, if you plan to visit several expensive sites that are close together, like Ueno museums, you might still consider it.
Finding Accommodation in Tokyo
The best area for finding accommodation varies depending on your budget and priorities. While there are several areas people usually suggest to first time visitors (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Akihabara, Ginza, Asakusa), I advise to look elsewhere to find more budget options. Orient yourself according to the best transport links. You will be using trains every day anyway, as Tokyo is a huge city and the sites aren’t close to each other. We stayed at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tamachi (which is not a touristy area, hence was cheaper) and Henn na Hotel Akasaka.
Another important note – you don’t necessarily need to be staying along Yamanote line, as many people suggest. Practically any other metro stop nearby will do the job.
Here’s my detailed guide to finding accommodation while travelling to Japan.
Short summary of the itinerary
Arrival day
I am not counting this day in the itinerary. If you arrive early in the morning and aren’t exhausted from the red eye flight, you may be able to follow this itinerary from first day. Otherwise, just get your Suica card and, maybe the JR Pass, arrange the sim card and head to a café near your hotel.
Here are all the tips about money matters in Japan
Here is the guide to cute cafes in Tokyo for you to choose cafes near your hotel
Day 1 highlights – Asakusa with Sensoji, Ueno park with museums, Akihabara (or possibly, Shinjuku and Shibuya areas)
This post has detailed information on what to see on day 1.
If you have only one day in Tokyo, you can either follow this itinerary, or skip Akiba and include Shibuya crossing and visit Shinjuku in the evening (see below). You can technically walk without taking public transport, although if you prefer to take transport, connections between all these places are easy, you would need one or two stops on metro.
Day 2 highlights – Rikugien gardens, Sugamo district, Ikebukuro area, Shinjuku area – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Park Gyoen, Golden Gai, Kabukicho
This post has detailed information on what to see on day 2.
If you have only two days in Tokyo follow this itinerary, just add Shibuya in the evening of day 1. On this day, you will definitely need to rely on the excellent metro network of the city. Getting around between the locations listed is easy enough, with no metro changes required.
Day 3 highlights – Gotokuji temple, Shimokitazawa district, Harajuku – Yoyogi park, Meiji shrine, cafes, Shibuya
This post has detailed information on what to see on day 3.
If you have only three days in Tokyo, closely follow this itinerary. On this day you will need to rely on Tokyo’s metro network to get around.
Day 4 highlights – Akasaka with Hie shrine, Roppongi with National Art Center and Mori tower, Zojo-ji, Hamarikyu gardens, Ginza with Miyazaki clock and Careta Shiodome
This post has detailed information on what to see on day 4.
On day 4 you can easily walk between the locations listed, but if you would prefer, you can hop on metro.
Additional days
If you have more days in Tokyo, there are a number of excellent day trip possibilities:
- Day trip to Nikko
- Day trip to Kawaguchiko (or Hakone)
- Day trip to Kamakura
Hello I am Ket,
A traveler, planner, and sweet tooth behind Hit the Road Ket.
Travel isn’t just my passion – it’s a lifeline for my mental health. Having lived in three cities and explored 60 countries (and counting!), I created this blog to share my experiences, smart tips, and itinerary advice with fellow travel lovers. I’m all about making the most of limited time, finding scenic routes, and turning every trip into something memorable – coffee in hand, of course.