Settle in and fuel up after arrival — pick a nearby bakery (eg. Vie de France or local konbini breakfast) for a quick sandwich or pastry; good way to adjust to the time zone.
Free panoramic views of Tokyo and (on clear days) Mt Fuji from the observation deck; opens 9:30am and usually runs until late evening — an easy, low-cost first stop to orient yourself.
Try Ichiran/Shinjuku ramen or a popular tonkatsu restaurant for a hearty first lunch; ramen shops open from mid-morning through night in most locations.
If open (check winter opening times; typically 9:00–16:30 with occasional closures), the park offers a peaceful contrast to the city bustle and is great for an easy walk.
Historic temple complex and Nakamise shopping street — the temple grounds are typically accessible early (often 6:00–17:00 for main areas), great for photos before crowds build.
Ueno Park hosts museums and open spaces; the Tokyo National Museum (usually open 9:30–17:00) is excellent for Japanese art and history — check museum seasonal hours and closures.
Try a speciality curry shop for a hearty lunch, or if curious, book a short visit to a maid café (expect extra ordering costs) — cafes typically operate from late morning through evening.
Historic Tokyo Station and the Marunouchi area are great for architecture and shopping; take time to explore underground shopping and character boutiques.
Start early at Tsukiji's outer market for fresh sushi, tamagoyaki and seafood stalls — shops generally open from early morning (around 7:00) and some close by mid-afternoon.
A peaceful riverside garden near Tsukiji with a teahouse; generally open 9:00–17:00 in winter but check seasonal times — a classic contrast to Tokyo's modern skyline.
The East Gardens are a calm place to explore palace ruins, gates and lawns; usually open 9:00–16:30 but closed on Mondays and Fridays in some seasons so confirm ahead.
Return to Ginza for galleries and department store food halls (depachika) to sample treats; food halls typically close around 20:00, so plan accordingly.
Harajuku is famous for crepes and trendy cafés — a colourful, youthful start to the day with places opening from around 9:00, though some bakeries open earlier.
Head to Shibuya for a bustling lunchtime scene — try tonkatsu, family restaurants or standing sushi; Shibuya restaurants are busy at lunchtime so expect queues.
Immersive digital art experience; teamLab Planets typically requires advance tickets and runs general hours like 10:00–19:00 (confirm times and availability before you go).
Catch an early Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (reserve seats in advance) to maximise sightseeing time; Romancecar departure times vary, check the timetable.
Buy a Hakone Free Pass for flexible travel on local transport and discounts (usually around JPY4,000 for 2 days from Shinjuku) — useful for cable cars, boats and buses.
Take the ropeway for valley and, on clear days, Mt Fuji views; operations can be suspended in volcanic-alert conditions, so confirm operation before you go.
If your departure is later in the day, enjoy one last sushi breakfast or coffee at Tsukiji outer market — vendors open early but many close by early afternoon.
Pick up souvenirs, snacks, and duty-free items at a major department-store food hall or Don Quijote; these are great for last-minute gifts and open early to late evening.
Allow sufficient time for airport transfer (Narita 60–90+ minutes, Haneda 30–60 minutes depending on traffic and mode of transport); aim to leave extra margin in winter for weather-related delays.