Tokyo
The world’s largest metropolis.
Japan’s stunning capital, Tokyo mixes the ultramodern and the traditional: From neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples, Tokyo thrives in a careful balance between constant reinvention and remaining mindful of the past.
Must-see spots in Tokyo.
Shinjuku
The neon heart of Tokyo, Shinjuku features many of the capital’s best parks, restaurants and bars.
Meiji Shrine
Located in the middle of a forested park near Harajuku, Meiji Shrine is a peaceful break from the chaos of the city.
Shinbashi
A business district during the day, at night Shinbashi becomes a crowded maze of izakayas and bars.
Shibuya
Epicenter of Japan’s youth culture, the busiest crosswalk in the world, and Nonbei yokocho (full of restaurants and bars).
Asakusa & Senso-ji
A glimpse of old Edo-era Tokyo and one of the city’s oldest, grandest temples.
Azabudai Hills
Tokyo’s newest skyscrapers, featuring TeamLab Borderless and commanding views of Tokyo Tower.
Akihabara Electric Town
Mecca for Japan’s anime fandom, arcade fanatics and electronics aficionados.
Ueno Park & Museums
One of Japan’s largest urban parks is also home to many of the country’s best museums.
The best day trips from Tokyo.
Kamakura
A small seaside city an hour from Tokyo with a famous bronze Buddha, temples and shopping streets. Pretty and relaxing!
Nikko
Home to one of Japan’s best temple complexes, nestled within an old-growth forest.
Hakone
A famed onsen (hot springs) town with a picturesque lake and views of Mount Fuji.
Mount Takao
Popularly known as Tokyo’s favorite nature getaway, Mount Takao offers an easy 400 meter hike perfect for families.
Tokyo activities for kids (& the young at heart).
Sample Tokyo daily itineraries.
Tokyo itinerary # 1. (Western Tokyo)
9:00 AM: Le Pain de Joël Robuchon, Shinjuku Station
Start your day with French pastries and coffee at a bakery by famous French pastry chef Joël Robuchon, near Shinjuku Station.
9:45 AM: Harajuku Takeshita Street
Next, grab the Yamanote subway line to Harajuku, one of the centers of Japan’s youth culture. Known for its unusual fashion stores and young Japanese dressed in outlandish costumes.
10:30 AM: Meiji Shrine
A quick walk from Harajuku, take a peaceful walk through the forested grounds of Meiji Shrine for a breather from the hectic pace of Tokyo. On weekends you may catch a glimpse of a traditional Shinto wedding in the shrine complex.
12:30 PM: Lunch in Shibuya at Sushi Tokyo Ten
Grab the Yamanote from Harajuku Station down to Shibuya for a sushi lunch.
2:00 PM: Shibuya Crossing & Center Gai
Shibuya boasts the busiest crosswalk in the world and is the capital of Japanese youth culture. Full of trendy shops, cafes, karaoke spots and bars.
3:00 PM: MOCHA Cat Cafe
Japan is known for its unusual animal cafes, especially those featuring cats. Rest your feet and have a cup of coffee while cats try to ignore you.
3:45 PM: Shibuya Sky Observatory
One of Tokyo’s newest and tallest skyscrapers, Shibuya Sky offers amazing panoramic views of the city. Getting here shortly before 4:00 will afford you views during the day, at sunset (around 4:30) and at night.
5:00 PM: Night in Shibuya Crossing
No trip to Shibuya Crossing would be complete without seeing it lit up at night!
6:00 PM: Dinner at Torimoto, Nishi-Shinjuku
Grab the Yamanote Line back to Shinjuku Station and head to Torimoto, a yakitori restaurant in West Shinjuku also serving soba and other Japanese dishes.
7:30 PM: Wander Kabukicho
A quick walk from West Shinjuku. As Japan’s largest entertainment district, Kabukicho is packed with neon-tinged back alleys and amazing bars. One of our favorite spots for atmosphere! Just be sure to ignore the touts pushing scam bars.
8:30 PM: Drinks in Golden Gai
A warren of over 200 tiny bars (often only seating up to six people!), many offering a specific theme - a library, heavy metal culture, a luxury passenger ship. Touristy but fun to try once!
Tokyo itinerary # 2. (Eastern Tokyo)
9:00 AM: Tea & Pastries at the Imperial Hotel
Grab a train to Tokyo Station and head to one of the first Western-style hotels in Japan, which has hosted many foreign dignitaries and celebrities in its long and storied history. Their tea room offers good views of the Imperial Palace.
9:45 AM: Imperial Palace East Gardens
The only portion of the Imperial Palace grounds regularly able to be accessed by the general public, the East Gardens are nestled among the walls of the old Edo Castle, once home to the Shogun. A good spot for koyo (fall maple tree) viewing.
11:00 AM: Tokyo National Museum, Ueno
From the Imperial Palace, take the Ueno-Tokyo subway line from nearby Tokyo Station to Ueno Station. Located in the large Ueno Park, the National Museum complex contains what is considered the best anthropological, natural history and art museums in Japan.
12:30 PM: Lunch at Nabezo Asakusa Kaminarimon
From Ueno, take the Ginza Line to Asakusa Station and walk to lunch at Nabezo Asakusa, a shabu shabu and sukiyaki restaurant near Senso-ji Temple.
1:30 PM: Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo’s oldest, and possibly biggest and most colorful, temple features a long shopping street featuring traditional snacks, candies and souvenirs. Nearby streets have the facades of old Edo-era buildings, allowing you to imagine the area as it would’ve looked in the early 19th century.
4:00 PM: Akihabara Electric Town
Take the Ginza Line from Asakusa Station to Akihabara Station. Particularly dynamic in the evening, many arcades and shops devoted to anime and manga are dispersed among the electronic stores.
6:30 PM: Dinner at Ginza Onodera Tempura Namikidori
Take the Yamanote Line to Shimbashi Station and splurge on a high-end tempura dinner in Ginza, Tokyo’s luxury shopping district.
8:00 PM: Drinks in Shinbashi Yurakucho Gado-shita
A quick walk from the tempura restaurant, this nightlife district is located under and around the railroad tracks near Shimbashi Station and features incredible ambiance with its izakayas and bars.