Philadelphia to Tokyo and Mount Fuji Japan Travel Itinerary

Overnight Flight and Arrival

Leave Philadelphia International Airport in the evening, allowing at least three hours for an international departure, especially if checking bags. A nonstop flight to Tokyo is usually about 14–16 hours; confirm whether you are landing at Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport, since the transfer is quite different. From Narita, take the Narita Express to Shibuya—roughly 1–1½ hours—or from Haneda, use the Keikyu Line toward central Tokyo, generally 30–45 minutes. If your hotel cannot accept early luggage drop-off, airport luggage delivery is worth considering; same-day delivery is convenient but may not be available for every address. Keep your passport handy for immigration, and use an IC card such as Suica or PASMO for local trains.

Late Afternoon in Shibuya

Once settled, head to Shibuya Crossing and watch the scramble from street level before joining it yourself. The area is especially atmospheric after the office rush, when the surrounding signs and shopfronts begin glowing. Allow about 30 minutes, but leave extra time to wander the nearby pedestrian streets and recover from the flight. For the smoothest transition, stay around Shibuya Station rather than returning to your hotel before the evening.

Evening Views and Dinner

Use your reserved timed entry at Shibuya Sky, ideally around sunset or shortly afterward; the open-air rooftop can be windy, and access may close temporarily in poor weather. Tickets are commonly around ¥2,000–¥2,500, with popular sunset slots often selling out well in advance. Afterward, walk through Dogenzaka to Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka, where sushi arrives on individual high-speed trays rather than a traditional circulating belt. Expect roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person and a possible queue at dinner, though it usually moves quickly. Keep the first night easy: Tokyo’s late-night energy is tempting, but an early finish will make tomorrow much more enjoyable.

Morning

Start at Sensō-ji around 8:30–9:00 a.m., before the approach becomes crowded. Enter through the Kaminarimon Gate, then take your time in the main hall and around the quieter side paths; the temple grounds are free, while the paid fortune slips and incense offerings are inexpensive. Follow with an hour on Nakamise-dori, the traditional shopping lane between the gate and temple. It is generally open from about 10:00 a.m., though individual shops vary, so this is a good place for ningyō-yaki cakes, rice crackers, and small souvenirs rather than a full breakfast. Keep purchases compact—many shops have limited space and the street gets busy quickly.

Midday

Walk roughly 15 minutes west to Kappabashi Dougu Street, Tokyo’s kitchenware district. Allow about 90 minutes to browse knife shops, ceramic stores, restaurant signs, and the wonderfully realistic food-sample displays. Most businesses open around 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. and close by early evening; carry cash and check airline rules before buying knives or bulky cookware. For lunch, use one of the small noodle or curry counters around the street, budgeting about ¥800–¥1,500. From Kappabashi, walk back toward Tawaramachi Station or take the Ginza Line from Tawaramachi to Ueno—about 10 minutes on the train, plus walking.

Afternoon and Evening

Spend the afternoon strolling through Ueno Park, where the broad paths and ponds make a welcome change from Asakusa’s dense streets. In late April, the main cherry blossom peak may have passed, but the park is still atmospheric and leafy; allow 90 minutes without trying to force in another museum. Continue to Ameyoko Shopping Street for an hour of lively market browsing beneath the elevated railway. Shops and food stalls usually run into the evening, and this is ideal for a casual snack—seafood, fruit, or grilled items—while you explore. Finish at Tonkatsu Yamabe Ueno, a popular counter-style restaurant near Ueno-hirokoji, where expect about ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person. Queues are common at dinner, so arrive before 6:00 p.m. or be prepared to wait; the set meals typically include rice, cabbage, and miso soup, with cash payment safest.

Morning

Begin at Meiji Jingu around 8:00 a.m., entering from the Harajuku side near JR Harajuku Station. The broad gravel paths pass through a remarkably quiet evergreen forest, even though the surrounding streets are among Tokyo’s busiest. Allow about 90 minutes, including time at the main shrine buildings and the inner garden if open. The shrine grounds are free; the inner garden generally charges a small admission fee, and opening hours vary seasonally. Wear comfortable shoes—the walk from the entrance to the shrine is longer than it first appears.

Step out onto Takeshita Street late in the morning, when its boutiques, vintage shops, crepe stands, and candy stores are fully open. This narrow pedestrian street is busiest from late morning onward, so keep bags and phones secure and expect a slow-moving crowd. Try a crepe from Marion Crêpes or Santa Monica Crepes, then wander the nearby side streets rather than spending the whole hour on the main strip. From Harajuku, take the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line from Meiji-jingumae to Omote-sando, or walk roughly 15 minutes toward Aoyama.

Afternoon and Late Afternoon

Have lunch around Minami-Aoyama, then spend about two hours at the Nezu Museum. Its collection focuses on Japanese and East Asian art, and the landscaped garden is the real restorative pause after the energy of Takeshita Street. The museum is typically open 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and closed Mondays, with admission usually around ¥1,500–¥2,000 depending on the exhibition; verify the 2027 schedule before going. The museum’s NEZUCAFÉ is a pleasant light-lunch option, but it can fill quickly, so a neighborhood restaurant may be easier.

Finish by walking Omotesando, following the zelkova-lined avenue toward Aoyama and browsing its striking contemporary buildings, boutiques, and cafés. This is a good unhurried stretch rather than a checklist: pause at Tokyu Plaza Omotesando “Omohara” for its mirrored escalator entrance and rooftop view, or stop for coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee Aoyama. Most shops stay open until roughly 8:00 p.m., though individual boutiques vary.

Evening

Take the Hanzōmon or Ginza Line from Omote-sando toward Tsukishima—allow about 25–35 minutes with a transfer, depending on the route—for dinner on Tsukishima Monja Street. Choose a busy neighborhood shop such as Monja Kura or Monja Makoto, where diners cook monjayaki directly on the hot griddle; staff will help if you are unsure how to spread and scrape it. Budget approximately ¥2,500–¥4,500 per person, including a couple of monja varieties and drinks. Reservations are useful on Saturday evening, but arriving around 5:30–6:00 p.m. gives you the best chance of avoiding a long wait.

Morning

Start at the Imperial Palace East Gardens when they open—usually 9:00 a.m.; they are generally closed on Mondays and Fridays, so verify the 2027 calendar before you go. Enter through Otemachi Gate or Hirakawamon Gate, and allow about two hours for the former castle walls, seasonal plantings, tea-house grounds, and the broad lawn around the old Edo Castle keep. Admission is free, but bring water and comfortable shoes; the grounds are larger and hillier than they look on a map. From the gardens, walk about 15 minutes toward Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building, pausing outside for the red-brick station façade and the polished Marunouchi streetscape. The building’s upper floors are useful for a quick city view and restroom stop, though shops generally open around 11:00 a.m.

Lunch and Afternoon

Continue a few minutes to KITTE Marunouchi, the former post-office building beside the station. Its restaurants typically open from 11:00 a.m., with lunch costing roughly ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person; browse the Japanese crafts and design shops afterward, then go up to the rooftop garden for one of the best unobstructed views of Tokyo Station. In the afternoon, walk or take the Marunouchi Line from Tokyo Station to Ginza Station—the walk is around 15–20 minutes and is more pleasant if the weather is good. Spend about 90 minutes at Ginza Six, where the architecture, contemporary installations, Japanese fashion, and rooftop garden offer a calmer alternative to department-store crowds. The complex generally runs roughly 10:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m., while restaurants keep later hours.

Evening

Head to Kabuki-za for an early-evening look at traditional theater. If a performance fits your schedule, a single-act ticket can be a manageable way to experience kabuki without committing to the full program; otherwise, the public galleries and theater spaces provide a worthwhile introduction, and the ticket office can explain same-day options. Performances and opening hours vary, so check the official schedule in advance. Finish in Yurakucho with dinner beneath the railway tracks, where the small izakaya along the under-track lanes are atmospheric and casual. Expect about ¥3,000–¥5,000 per person for food and drinks; arrive before 6:30 p.m. for an easier table, or be prepared to wait. Yurakucho Station is only one stop from Tokyo Station, making it simple to return to your hotel by JR or subway.

Morning

Start at teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills, ideally for a timed entry around 9:00 or 9:30 a.m. Allow roughly two hours: the installations are spread through dark, maze-like rooms, and there is no fixed route, so comfortable shoes and a phone with battery are genuinely useful. Tickets are date-specific and commonly cost around ¥4,000–¥5,000 for adults; book as soon as your April 2027 dates open because morning slots often sell out. From central Tokyo, take the Tokyo Metro to Kamiyacho Station and follow the signs into Azabudai Hills. Afterward, walk about 15 minutes to Tokyo Tower via Azabudai Crossing and Sakurada-dori—a pleasant transition from new architecture to one of the city’s classic landmarks.

Around late morning, visit Tokyo Tower and allow about 90 minutes for the Main Deck; the lower deck is usually enough for excellent views, while the Top Deck requires an additional reservation and fee. Standard admission is roughly ¥1,200–¥1,500, with higher prices for the upper observatory. For lunch, eat before leaving the area at Tenshiba or one of the casual restaurants around Azabudai Hills, rather than waiting until Odaiba. Then take the Toei Subway from Akabanebashi Station toward Shiodome, or use a short taxi ride if you want to save time—allow about 20–30 minutes door to door.

Afternoon and Evening

Spend the afternoon at Hamarikyu Gardens, entering from the Otemon Gate near Shiodome. The historic garden is at its best as a slower-paced stop after the tower: stroll around the ponds, former duck-hunting grounds, and teahouse area, allowing about 90 minutes. Admission is typically ¥300, and the gardens generally close in the late afternoon, so check the 2027 hours before setting out. From the garden’s nearby pier, you can take a Tokyo Water Bus toward Odaiba if a suitable service is running; otherwise, walk to Shiodome Station and take the Yurikamome, allowing roughly 30–40 minutes including the transfer. Sit toward the front or right side for the best elevated views of the waterfront.

Arrive at Odaiba Seaside Park in the late afternoon for an easy hour beside the bay, with Rainbow Bridge and the Tokyo skyline across the water. Continue to DiverCity Tokyo Plaza for the life-size Unicorn Gundam and dinner in the food court, budgeting about ¥1,500–¥3,000 per person. The Gundam is especially fun around its scheduled transformation and lighting displays, so check the current showtimes on the day. Most shops and restaurants at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza close around 9–10 p.m.; return to central Tokyo on the Yurikamome from Daiba Station or Tokyo Teleport Station, allowing 30–45 minutes depending on your hotel.

Morning

Take the JR Chūō Line from central Tokyo to Mitaka—roughly 20–30 minutes from Shinjuku—then follow the clearly marked route or use the museum’s seasonal shuttle bus to the Ghibli Museum. Your timed ticket is essential: reservations are released in advance through the official ticketing system, and entry is not normally sold at the door. Plan about 2½ hours for the galleries, short animated film, rooftop garden, and gift shop; photography is restricted inside, so enjoy the beautifully staged details rather than trying to document everything. Afterward, walk or take a short bus ride toward Inokashira Park for a slower change of pace.

Afternoon and Late Afternoon

Spend about 90 minutes wandering Inokashira Park, especially the wooded paths around the pond and the quieter western side. Late April is a pleasant time for a park break, though cherry-blossom crowds may still linger on weekends; grab a drink or simple picnic item near Kichijoji Station before settling on a bench. Then head into Kichijoji Harmonica Yokocho, the narrow postwar-style lanes just north of the station, where tiny counters and standing bars make the neighborhood feel much more local than central Tokyo. Stop at Kichijoji Satou for its famous menchi-katsu—usually under ¥1,000, though queues can be longest around lunch and the late afternoon rush. Eat it hot and carefully; the filling is juicy.

Evening

Take the JR Chūō Line from Kichijoji to Ogikubo, about 10 minutes, and walk to the Suginami Animation Museum. Admission is generally free, and the compact exhibits—often including production materials, animation demonstrations, and historical displays—take around 1½ hours; check the current closing time because it is typically an early-evening museum and may close on a weekday. Finish near Ogikubo Station at a neighborhood yakitori restaurant, where counter seating, grilled chicken skewers, and small plates make an easy final meal. Budget about ¥3,000–¥5,000 per person, bring cash as a precaution, and expect some restaurants to have a one-drink minimum or smoking/non-smoking seating rules.

Morning

Make Odaiba Seaside Park your relaxed final morning rather than rushing into another packed sightseeing district. From central Tokyo, take the Yurikamome to Odaiba-kaihinkōen Station—about 25–35 minutes from Shimbashi, depending on your starting point—and walk toward the waterfront. Allow roughly 90 minutes for the promenade, views across Tokyo Bay, and photographs of Rainbow Bridge; mornings are especially pleasant before the open waterfront gets windy and busy. The park itself is free, though the beach is for strolling rather than swimming. Continue on foot to Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, about 15 minutes away. Plan around two hours for its robotics, space, and future-technology galleries; general admission is typically around ¥630, with special exhibitions extra, and opening hours are usually 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (closed Tuesdays, subject to change), so check the 2027 calendar and reserve any timed exhibits if offered.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk or take the Yurikamome one stop to DiverCity Tokyo Plaza for lunch and an easy final-day break. The giant Gundam outside is the landmark to look for, and the mall’s food court and casual Japanese restaurants make it simple to eat without a long reservation—budget about ¥1,200–¥2,500 per person. Afterward, ride the Yurikamome from Daiba toward Toyosu, generally 20–25 minutes, and spend about 90 minutes at Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai. This Edo-inspired complex is best treated as a browsing-and-snacking stop: look for seafood bowls, grilled specialties, sweets, and packaged gifts rather than expecting the atmosphere of an old neighborhood. Shops and restaurants commonly run from late morning into the evening, but individual hours vary.

Evening

From Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, walk approximately 10–15 minutes to Toyosu Park for a quieter waterfront hour. The broad paths and bay views are a useful reset after the shopping complex, and sunset can be lovely if the weather is clear. Then take the Tokyo Metro Yūrakuchō Line from Toyosu to Oshiage, usually about 25 minutes with a transfer or walk depending on the route, for your final stop at Tokyo Skytree. Reserve an evening admission slot in advance—combined Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria tickets are commonly around ¥3,000–¥4,000 for adults—and allow two hours for the observatories and Tokyo Solamachi dining. Have dinner there rather than commuting again; restaurant choices range from soba and sushi to Western-style cafés, and arriving before the dinner rush gives you more flexibility. Check the last admission time carefully and keep your return route simple, as the final train connections vary by destination.

Departure Morning

Keep this morning deliberately simple: check out, confirm which airport your ticket uses, and leave central Tokyo about three hours before your international departure. Haneda Airport is the easier option from the city—roughly 30–45 minutes by train from areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Tokyo Station, using the Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail depending on your starting point. Narita International Airport usually takes 60–90 minutes by Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner, so build in extra time for the longer ride and check-in.

Keep your passport, boarding confirmation, and any tax-free shopping paperwork accessible rather than packed away. Airport trains are straightforward with an IC card, though reserved airport services require a separate ticket or reservation; taxis are convenient with heavy luggage but can be very expensive. If your flight leaves later in the day, use the hotel’s luggage storage and enjoy a slow breakfast nearby rather than attempting another major attraction—airport shops are useful for last-minute snacks and gifts, but prices are generally higher than in the city.

Return Journey

At Haneda, allow time for check-in, baggage drop, security, and departure procedures; at Narita, arrive even earlier if you need to return a Wi-Fi router, exchange currency, or complete tax-free shopping. The flight back to Philadelphia International Airport typically takes about 13–16 hours, often with a connection, and crossing the International Date Line means you will generally arrive on the same calendar day in Philadelphia. Keep a layer, water bottle, and basic medication in your carry-on—the cabin is often cool, and the long westbound journey can feel especially tiring.