So, you’re wondering if 5 days is going to be enough time to properly experience Tokyo? Well…it absolutely is! You can fit a lot into a 5 day Tokyo itinerary, and do more than just the tourist sightseeing.
We’ve planned hundreds of Tokyo trips for visitors coming from all over the world, and in this post, we’re sharing our ultimate 5 day Tokyo itinerary to cover what to do, where to go, and everything you need to know to plan an amazing Japan trip. This guide hits the big stops (Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Asakusa), along with some unexpected recommendations, and the best Tokyo day trip options.
Planning a Trip to Tokyo
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Day 1: Shinjuku and Shinjuku Gyoen
Morning: Arrive in Tokyo
Welcome to Tokyo or 東京へようこそ! Your 5 day Tokyo itinerary starts here. Depending on what time you arrive in the city, your first point of order is to get acquainted with Tokyo and reach the area where you’ll be staying.
Working out transportation in Japan can be confusing at first, but all you really need to know for getting around Tokyo is that you use a travel IC card (like Suica or Passmo) to tap in and out of trains. You can download one into your Apple Wallet or pick up a physical card at the train station.
Use Google Maps to navigate to your hotel/Airbnb, and don’t worry, if it’s too early to check in, you can use the handy (and super safe) coin lockers found across Tokyo to store your luggage. Most major stations have lockers, or just search ‘Coin Locker’ (コインロッカー) into your navigation app.
Check out our complete Japan transportation guide
Afternoon: Shinjuku Gyoen
Now it’s time to start exploring. Start by taking the train to Shinjuku Station, then walk eight minutes to the entrance of Shinjuku Gyoen. During the walk, you’ll get your first look at Shinjuku, which (no matter the time of day) is always alive with people, sounds, and lights. To see the famous 3D cat billboard, make sure to leave the station via the East Central Exit.
If you’re hungry, we recommend stopping by Kirimugiya Jinroku for lunch. This udon restaurant serves some of the best noodles in Shinjuku with deliciously crispy tempura and amazingly attentive staff.
Once you arrive at Shinjuku Gyoen, you’ll need to pay the ¥500 entrance fee (you can use cash or tap your IC card). Inside is a haven of peace amongst the easily overwhelming business of Shinjuku. The park is split into different sections, such as the stunning Japanese garden, jungle-like greenhouse, and a small open space for kids to run around in.
Spend the afternoon wandering through the park, sipping matcha at the traditional tea house, or visiting the world-famous Shinjuku Gyoen Starbucks, which is considered one of the most beautiful Starbucks in the world.
Evening: Hit the Arcade
End the day with dinner at a revolving sushi restaurant like Sushiro (just make sure to get in the digital line using the app instead of waiting an hour or more in person), then why not hit the arcade? Shinjuku is covered with claw machines and arcades such as the seven-story Taito Station found near Shinjuku Station’s South Exit.
Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, and Shibuya
Morning: Stroll Through Meiji Jingu
Day 2 of your 5 day Tokyo itinerary is all about Japanese culture (from the historic to the ultra-modern). Begin by hopping on the train to JR Yoyogi station, then walk 6 minutes to the entrance of Meiji Jingu. The shrine is one of Tokyo’s most important and visited Shinto shrines, dedicated to Emperor Meiji (the first modern emperor of Japan) and Empress Shoken.
The shrine grounds cover about 700,000 square meters (70 hectares / 170 acres) of forested land. Though it feels like a natural woodland sanctuary, though it was designed to grow into its current state. The forest itself was deliberately planted with around 100,000 trees donated from across Japan when the shrine was established.
It’s a beautiful area to stroll through, with plenty of amazing photo opportunities of the giant torii gates, shrine, and wall of donated and individually decorated sake barrels.
Afternoon: Explore Harajuku and Shop in Shibuya
If you walk all the way through the Meiji Jingu grounds, you’ll end up at Harajuku Station. Before diving too deep into the wonderland of colour that is Harajuku, make sure to grab some lunch. You could go for brunch at Bills, ramen at Kyushu Jangara (with vegetarian and vegan options), or gyukatsu at Motomura.
No trip to Harajuku would be complete without walking down Takeshita Street and trying the sugar-covered strawberries on a stick. We’ll be honest, this area is a little touristy, but it makes for some amazing photos and even better shopping. If you’re interested in thrifting, then you have to check out Cat Street, and you’ll also find some super kawaii Japan stores in this area, including Sanrio Cute Cube and Kiddy Land.
Walking from Harajuku to Shibuya only takes about 15-20 minutes, or you can take the JR Yamanote line one stop.
Once you arrive, it’s time to explore Shibuya. Start with a quick sightseeing tour of Hachiko and Shibuya Crossing, then it’s time to make your own adventure. Popular attractions include visiting the Pokémon Centre, doing an AI sake tasting, and seeing the Tokyo skyline views from Shibuya Sky.
Evening: Shibuya Nightlife
As the sun begins to set, you can get a taste of Shibuya’s nightlife. There are so many nightlife establishments to try out, with different types suiting a different type of nighttime vibe. Here’s a quick breakdown of what sort of place to look for:
- Casual: Izakayas, Japan’s bar/pub/bistro hybrids, where you can drink and order small plates of food until the early hours
- Unique: Listening bars, speak-easy style bars, which are designed around the experience of listening to hand-picked records that perfectly set the mood
- Fancy: Cocktail clubs, you’ll find some of the world’s best bartenders in Japan who don’t just make good drinks, they serve them with a flourish
- Fun: Karaoke, there’s nothing more fun than badly singing the night away in a private karaoke room with friends
Learn more about Tokyo’s nightlife
Day 3: Local Neighbourhoods
Of course, we know you can’t fit absolutely everything into a 5 day Tokyo itinerary…but there is time to spend a day walking through some of our favourite local areas. Take a look at the options below, and decide which local neighbourhood day sounds the most interesting to you:
Option 1: Yanaka and Ueno
If you’re interested in getting a taste of old Japan during your 5 day Tokyo itinerary, then we recommend a visit to Yanaka. It’s one of the few neighbourhoods in Tokyo that survived World War 2, giving you the chance to experience a rare old-town atmosphere today.
Yanaka is filled with narrow streets, traditional houses, local shops, and temples, and is a great place to wander around aimlessly. You can browse Yanaka Ginza shopping street for street food and souvenirs, and enjoy the nostalgic feel of “shitamachi” (downtown Tokyo of the past).
Just two stops away on the Yamanote line is Ueno Park, where you’ll find a huge pond and shrine, museums, and even a zoo. We love enjoying a few hours strolling through the park or visiting the museums, with plenty of festivals happening in Ueno Park on weekends, with food vendors and traditional performances.
You may have noticed by now, but Tokyo doesn’t have nearly as much street food as other Asian cities. Luckily, this isn’t the case for Ueno. The neighbourhood is filled with street food options for a delicious final dinner.
The best spot is Ameya-Yokocho Market, where you’ll find everything from takoyaki, yakitori, and croquettes to fresh seafood and sweet treats. Along the streets are also plenty of izakayas, offering everything from ramen and sushi to more traditional Japanese dishes.
Option 2: Nakano and Koenji
Nakano is a lively neighbourhood in western Tokyo best known for Nakano Broadway, a multi-story shopping complex packed with anime, manga, and pop culture collectables. It’s a paradise for fans of Japanese subcultures, with rare figurines, vintage toys, and secondhand treasures hidden in tiny speciality shops.
Just outside the station, Nakano Sun Mall offers a covered arcade filled with standing sushi bars, bakeries, and casual restaurants. In the evenings, the backstreets come alive with cosy izakayas and bars, giving the area a warm, local feel.
From Nakano, you can ride one stop on the Chuo Line to Koenji. This is a trendy yet laid-back Tokyo neighbourhood without too many other tourists. It’s known for its vintage clothing shops and indie music scene, with narrow streets that are packed with secondhand boutiques, record stores, and quirky cafes.
Option 3: Ghibli Museum and Kichijoji
If visiting the Ghibli Museum is top of your list, then you first need to know how to secure your tickets as they need to be bought in advance. They are released on the 10th of each month at 10:00 a.m. JST for the following month, and the easiest way for international visitors to buy them is through the official Ghibli Museum website or by using a travel agency like us (get in touch for more information on this).
For lunch, you can either eat at the Ghibli Museum’s Straw Hat Cafe, or we recommend getting a conbini lunch to enjoy as a picnic in Inokashira Park. This beautiful park is right outside of the museum, with the large pond making for the perfect picnic view.
If visiting in Spring, the park is filled with cherry blossoms, in summer you’ll find refreshing kaki gori (shaved ice) stands, but autumn is our favourite time to visit due to the incredible gold and red leaves that fill Inokashira.
After you are done enjoying the park, you can move on to exploring the Kichijoji area itself. Kichijoji is a must-visit for any thrift shopping enthusiasts, whilst also being filled with cute cafes, cool record shops, and lots of one-of-a-kind boutiques.
Day 4: Escape the City
Day 4 of our 5 day Tokyo itinerary is the ideal time for taking an easy Tokyo day trip to see a little of Japan beyond the big city. There are so many great options for where to go, so we wanted to give you some choices. Here are our favourite Tokyo day trip destinations:
Option 1: Kawaguchiko
Kawaguchiko (or Kawaguchi Lake) is one of the Fuji five lakes, known for its picture-perfect views of Mount Fuji, especially from the lake’s northern shores and spots like Oishi Park. Once there, you can ride the Kachi Kachi Ropeway for panoramic mountaintop views of Fuji-san, take a relaxing stroll around the lake, or rent bikes to explore the area.
How to Get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo: Take the JR Chuo Line from Shinjuku to Otsuki, then transfer to the Fujikyu Railway for Kawaguchiko Station (about 2.5 hours total). Alternatively, direct highway buses from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station take around 2 hours and drop you right at Kawaguchiko Station.
Option 2: Kamakura and Enoshima
A day trip to Kamakura is perfect if you want a mix of history and chill vibes. You can check out the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in, wander the beautiful gardens at Hase-dera Temple, and snack your way down Komachi Street.
You can then ride the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) from Kamakura Station to Enoshima Station. You can cross the bridge to Enoshima Island on foot, where you’ll find food and souvenir stands, an amazing island-top temple, and stunning seaside views. This is even the alleged viewpoint for Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa woodblock print.
How to Get to Kamakura from Tokyo: Take the JR Yokosuka Line directly from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station to Kamakura Station, which takes about 1 hour. Another option is the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) from Fujisawa Station, which takes a bit longer but has more beautiful scenery.
Option 3: Mount Takao
If mountains are your thing, then you have to choose Mount Takao for your day trip. Start by taking the ropeway or chairlift up the bottom part of the mountain, then walk the mountainside paths to the peak. Along the way, you’ll find snack booths, shrines, and endless views, with the noodle restaurant at the top making for the ideal lunch stop.
How to Get to Mount Takao from Tokyo: Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku Station to Takaosanguchi Station (about 50 minutes).
Option 4: Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea
Firstly, Tokyo is home to the only DisneySea park in the world. If you’re a family with kids or a Disney adult (no shame here), then this is a must-visit. And the cool things don’t end there. The tickets and food costs are far more reasonable than other parks, with lots of unique things to do, see, and eat, like Toy Story alien mochi and the Tangled-themed Fantasy Springs area.
How to Get to Tokyo Disney from Tokyo: Take the JR Keiyo Line or JR Musashino Line to Maihama Station, which is just a few minutes’ walk from Tokyo Disneyland. Alternatively, take a direct highway bus from major hubs like Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Tokyo Station that drops you right at the park entrance in about 30 to 45 minutes.
Day 5: Tsukiji, TeamLabs, and Senso-Ji
Morning: Tsukiji Market and TeamLab
It may be your last day in Tokyo, but don’t be too sad, there’s still so much more to do! Get the day started with a visit to Tsukiji Market for breakfast. This is Tokyo’s most famous food destination, known for its fresh seafood. While the inner wholesale fish auctions moved to Toyosu in 2018, at Tsukiji’s outer market, you can still sample everything from grilled scallops and wagyu skewers to tamagoyaki omelettes and matcha desserts.
Just across the water is teamLabs Planets. To get there, you can take a 10-minute taxi or ride the 05-2 bus five stops to Shin-Toyosu station. TeamLab Planets is a super immersive and physically interactive art exhibition where you are invited to wade through water, walk on soft, bouncy surfaces, and engage with large-scale installations.
Afternoon: Senso-Ji, Asakusa
From teamLabs, make your way to Asakusa. This area is best known for Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and most famous temple, with its iconic red Kaminarimon Gate. Surrounding is the bustling shopping street, Nakamise-dori, lined with stalls selling souvenirs, snacks, and crafts.
Beyond the temple, Asakusa has a relaxed, old-town vibe with rickshaw rides, quaint cafes, and riverside views along the Sumida River. It’s the perfect spot to try on a kimono and take photos, eat lots of street food, and visit a retro, Showa-era cafe.
Evening: Dinner in Ginza
End the week with a stop in Ginza. This is your time to make any last-minute purchases (whether it’s from one of the tax-free luxury boutiques or the 12-story Uniqlo), before heading for a grand final dinner.
In Ginza, you have your choice of opulent meals to round off your amazing 5 day Tokyo itinerary, such as omakase sushi at Sushi Ginza Onodera Sohonten, a kaiseki multi-course meal at Ginza Shinohara, or yakiniku at Ginza Cobau.
Get our ultimate foodie guide to Japan:
5 Day Tokyo Itinerary FAQS
Is 5 days enough to see Tokyo?
Yes! Five days gives you enough time to hit the main neighbourhoods, temples, parks, and a day trip or two…although you’ll likely want to come back for more.
Where is the best place to stay in Tokyo for the first time?
Shinjuku or Shibuya are ideal places to stay for first-timers, offering central locations, easy transport links, and plenty of restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.
Is Tokyo a walkable city?
Absolutely! Tokyo’s neighbourhoods are very walkable, especially areas like Shibuya, Asakusa, and Ueno, though using trains and subways is key for longer distances.
What are the best months to visit Tokyo?
Spring (March to May) for cherry blossoms and autumn (September to November) for mild weather and colourful foliage are considered the best times to visit Japan.
What is a good budget for a 5 day Tokyo trip?
This depends on what kind of trip you want, but a mid-range budget of around $150 to $250 per day per person should cover accommodation, meals, transport, and attractions.
