If you have three days to spend in Tokyo or planning to take a weekend trip in Tokyo, you will definitely want to take in as much of the city as possible. While it is important to include historical and cultural sites in your three-day plan, be sure to leave time for shopping and enjoying the nightlife. Here is a 3-day Tokyo Itinerary for you to dive into Tokyo and discover some of the main sights of this beautiful city.

Day 1

8:00-9:30   Tsukiji Fish Market

The Tsukiji Fish market is known as Japan’s ‘Food Town’. The market comprises of a vast variety of different traditional Japanese foods from wholesale to retail. There are also numerous restaurants and eateries lined up around the area, using the freshest fish and ingredients of Japan.

When the market first originated, it was primarily an area for wholesalers and professionals where products were sold in bulk. However in recent years, the area has become popular with consumers and tourists, and you are now able to find small meals and bite size tasters. Tsukiji Outer Market is and will continue to be the best marketplace for customers to buy fresh seafood, vegetables, and Japanese traditional food materials.

If you are unsure how to approach this, take a look at Arigatojapan’s brilliant Tsukiji market tour! https://arigatojapan.co.jp/tours/classic-tsukiji-breakfast-tour/

This way you won’t miss any incredible foods or experiences while visiting Tsukiji!

10:00-11:00         Skytree (Observatory)

The Tokyo Skytree, which is situated in Sumida, the centre of Tokyo, is now acknowledged as the new representation of Japan. built using the most cutting-edge technology and traditional Japanese craftsmanship. At a staggering 634 metres tall, the Tokyo Sky Tree was recognised by Guinness World Records as the tallest skyscraper in the world in November 2011.

You can ascend to the 350-meter-high Tokyo Sky Tree Tembo Deck using the elevator. You may take in the breathtaking city views from here and even see as far away as Mount Fuji! The Tembo Galleria, an incredible tube-shaped hallway that gives you the impression that you are walking, is located 450 metres above ground and another 100 metres up.

11:00-12:00         Solamachi

At the foot of the Tokyo Skytree is a sizable shopping and entertainment centre called Tokyo Solamachi. It is a commercial complex that debuted in May 2012 and has 312 stores with a wide range of offerings.

In addition to serving as a key hub for Tokyo with its busy new downtown ambiance, Tokyo Solamachi seeks to be a gate for the city connecting the city centre with the Tokyo Skytree and the Tobu railway line. Tourists from Japan and other countries frequently visit it.

12:30-1:30pm              Yukata Experience

Given its lighter fabric and looser fit, a traditional Japanese yukata is a style of apparel that is worn throughout the summer. Traditional Japanese performing arts and dances display it. To genuinely experience Japanese culture, take the chance to dress in a traditional yukata and walk Asakusa’s streets.

1:30-3:00pm        Sensoji Temple, Shopping street

When it comes to popular tourist destinations in Tokyo, Senso-ji Temple is the first name that springs to mind. It is not overstated to say that Senso-ji is a well-known tourist destination throughout the world, receiving about 30 million visitors each year from both inside and outside of Japan.Asakusa’s emblem is the enormous red lantern that hangs over the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) at the entrance, and the neighbourhood around the temple is a city that still exudes an air of Edo (old Tokyo).

(Option)   3:30-4:30pm    Ramen Making Experience

Here, you may learn the Japanese-style technique for creating fresh ramen. Make two bowls of fresh ramen while working in an authentic Japanese ramen kitchen. You will be given access to all the necessary Japanese cooking tools and be shown the standard methods used by a skilled ramen chef!

To remove the water from the ramen noodles, first prepare the noodles and then ladle the broth (soup and spice). The noodles will then be added to the soup along with any desired toppings and arrangements.

(Option) Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa, a lively area of western Tokyo only a few stops from Shibuya, is well-known for its profusion of second-hand shops. You may find anything you need for at least 20% off the original sale price, including everything from designer clothing to brand-new phones. Shimokitazawa is sometimes called “Shimokita” for short because it has many theatres, galleries, live houses, cosy cafés, and izakaya pubs. This is a location in Tokyo that is a must-visit for everyone looking for something special!

Since the 1970s, Shimokitazawa has served as the hub of Japan’s counterculture scene. Many of the local galleries and venues support independent artists and creatives from the area.

Day 2 

(Option) 9:00-10:30pm   Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Skyscraper, the tallest steel tower in the world at 333 metres high and 3 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower, is located in the heart of Tokyo. Tokyo Tower, a representation of Japan’s post-war re-emergence as a significant economic force, stood as the highest building in the nation from its construction in 1958 until it was overtaken by the Tokyo Skytree in 2012. Tokyo Tower is a well-known tourist destination and a broadcast antenna.

The tower’s main deck is accessible by elevator or a 600-step stairway and is located at 150 metres (both paid). Despite only being at a relatively moderate height, the observatory provides an interesting perspective of the city because of the tower’s strategic placement. A gift shop, a cafe, and various “lookdown windows” on the floor are also present.

11:00-1:00pm     Shibuya- Crossing, Shopping

Shibuya is also known for the world-famous Scramble Crossing, one of the world’s busiest traffic intersections, with as many as 3,000 people passing through it at a single green light.

Shibuya Scramble Square features a total of 212 ‘world’s most fashionable’ shops, including those that have arrived for the first time and new business models. You can also visit the Shibuya Sky, the highest point in Shibuya, at approximately 230 m and 47 storeys above ground.

1:00-2:00 Yoyogi Park 

Yoyogi Park is a huge park in Tokyo city center. It is only a 3-minute walk from Harajuku Station, a 3-minute walk from Yoyogi-koen Station and a 3-minute walk from Meiji-jingumae Station. Once you step into the park, you are a world away from the bustle of the city. The park is filled with nature, creating a calming atmosphere as if you have entered a forest. Besides the greenery, there are regular events being held here in Yoyogi Park, especially over the weekends. These events usually involve food trucks, drinks, performances and more. It is also one of the most popular parks, if not the most popular park, for people to visit and have picnics in. 

2:00-3:00 Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine located in Shibuya, Tokyo. It is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, the 122nd emperor, and Empress Shoken. The 700,000-square-meter Chinju-no-Mori is an artificial forest created with the aim of becoming an “eternal forest” by planting about 100,000 trees that were donated from all over Japan when the Meiji Jingu was founded.

It has the highest number of worshipers in Japan every year for New Year’s visits.

3:00-5:00pm        Harajuku

Harajuku is the heart of kawaii culture and fashion. Take a walk down Takeshita street, a street that has long been known for its take-out shops, including crepes, which are really tasty. The number of unique cafés is also increasing. Beside Takeshita street, wander off to the side streets to find interesting cafes. Some of these caes include animal cafes, where you can interact and play with all kinds of animals, from cats, hedgehogs, owls to micropigs. 

If you wander further down the street, you will arrive to the Omotesando area, where you wil findn highend fashion stores and unique restaurants and shops. During winter season, this area is lit up with beautiful illumination.

(Option) Nakano

A few stops from Shinjuku and sometimes referred to as “Western Tokyo’s Akihabara,” Nakano is deserving of the moniker “otaku nirvana.” However, given Nakano Ward’s vastness and diversity, even people who aren’t huge manga fans are likely to discover something they like there.

The neighbourhood has mostly withstood Tokyo’s relentless modernization drive: walk slightly northeast from the station and you’ll discover an old-school, partially pre-war street packed with izakaya, bars, and more; farther north, you’ll find Edo-era temples and peaceful parks. The population is a diverse mix of office employees, college students, and families, and most residents are warm, laid-back, and open for a conversation.

5:30-8:00              Shinjuku- Omoide yokochu, Kabukicho, Golden Gai

There are many things you can do in Shinjuku, the hub of entertainment. From business buildings to restaurants, schools to enteratinemnt establoshemnts, shops to hotels, there is something for everyone. 

“Omoide Yokocho” is another name for the Shinjuku West Exit shopping street , which is located just outside the Shinjuku West Exit, and is also known as “ Yakitori Yokocho” or “ Shonben Yokocho”. It has its roots in the black market that was created around 1946, and with the post-war reconstruction, there used to be about 300 shops.

Today, it is gaining popularity as a drinking district with many small shops selling various dishes such as yakitori, offal stew, and sashimi. It’s a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku station, so it’s easy to access, and it’s a perfect place for office workers on their way home from work or for a drink before or after the night. 

Shinjuku Golden Gai (新宿ゴールデン街) is a restaurant district in Kabukichō 1-chō, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. It is lined with nearly 300 bars, including snack bars, in barracks tenements and is known to be frequented by writers and people in the film and theatre industry.

Day 3

7:00-8:30 Sumo Morning Practice w/ Ex Sumo Wrestlers

The national sport of Japan, sumo, has its origins in the neighbourhood of Yokoami in Sumida-ku, Tokyo.

With the Ryogoku Kokugikan, numerous sumo stables housing wrestlers in various places, and numerous sumo fans still frequenting the area now, the region has a long history of being connected to sumo.

Furthermore, a monument has been built to commemorate the birthplace of Yohei Sushi, who created the nigiri-zushi utilising wasabi and is credited with creating sushi, a dish today enjoyed by people all over the world in addition to the Japanese. Sumo, otekebori, sushi, and other staples of Japanese culture may all be found in Ryogoku.

9:00-11:00 Ueno 

Ueno is a place where you can enjoy culture and art can be enjoyed. Ueno Park, which is adjacent to the station, has art galleries, museums, Shinobazuno Pond, a temple with a five-storey pagoda and the Ueno Zoo. Ueno Onshi Koen is also a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. Along the railway line is the Ueno Ameyoko shopping street, with its lively shops selling all kinds of unique street foods, fresh produces, clothing and more. If you come here, definitely check out one or more of the restaurants to satisfy your stomach.

11:30-13:30 Akihabara 

The central Tokyo neighbourhood of Akihabara, also known as Akiba after a previous local temple, is well known for its abundance of electronics stores and has come to be known as the hub of the otaku (die-hard fan) culture in Japan. 

The district’s electronic stores are home to a wide variety of stores and institutions that specialise in anime and manga. Akihabara has developed into a hub of Japanese otaku and anime culture in recent years, and dozens of shops specialising in collectibles including figurines, card games, anime, manga, and old video games have occupied the spaces between the electronics stores. Along with stores, a number of other businesses associated with animation have gained popularity in the region, most notably maid cafes (manga kissa), where waitresses dress up and perform as maids or anime characters, and internet cafes where patrons can read comics and watch videos in addition to using the internet.

14:00-15:00 Tokyo Station 

Tokyo Station is a JR station located in Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and serves as the main entrance to the capital city of Tokyo. It is one of the busiest stations, not just in Japan but also the world. 

Major construction of Tokyo Station proceeded after the end of the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars and was completed in 1914. The red-brick Marunouchi Exit Station Building, located in front of the Imperial Palace, was designated a National Important Cultural Property in 2003 and is also recognised as one of the 100 best stations in the Kanto region.

Surrounding Tokyo station, you will find all kinds of shops, restaurants, shopping malls and galleries. It is a great spot to understand more about Tokyo and see the busy daily lives of Japanese residents. 

15:00-17:00 Imperial Palace 

The Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Emperor and the symbol of Japan. The Imperial Palace attracts visitors from all over the world. The Palace itself has over 400 years of historic architecture, beautifully maintained flowers throughout the year and a wide range of natural attractions. All of this can be enjoyed free of charge, making it a great place to drop in.

The Imperial Palace area is divided into three main areas: the East Gardens and the Outer Gardens of the Imperial Palace, which can be explored without a reservation, and the Imperial Palace grounds, which can be visited with an advance reservation. 

The total area is approximately 2.3 million square metres. It is a true urban oasis, a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station, with vast expanses of nature in the midst of huge buildings. The Imperial Palace Garden, with its beautiful black pine forests, has many benches where you can take a rest and enjoy a leisurely stroll.

(Option) Ginza

Ginza is a district of Chūō, Tokyo. It is a well-known premium shopping district in Tokyo, home to a number of internationally renowned department stores, boutiques, eateries, and coffee shops. It is regarded as one of the most costly, stylish, and opulent urban areas in the entire globe.

Ginza seems to have upscale clothing outlets on every corner. Additionally, you’ll find a number of Michelin-starred establishments, the peak of Tokyo fine dining. Go a bit further. The nicest spots to visit in Ginza are on the other side, tucked away in dimly lit little passageways. Everything is available, from little gift shops to typical izakaya (Japanese bars).

Final Thoughts

It is extremely difficult to cover all of Tokyo’s highlights in a single trip. However, with a little research, you can make a 3-day plan that covers all the essentials. As one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Tokyo is full of fun things to do. Hopefully this Tokyo 3-day itinerary course helps as a guide for you to choose the most exciting and interesting places to visit during your trip!