5-Day Tokyo, Mount Fuji, and Nikko Itinerary

Morning

Start at Meiji Jingu in Harajuku, ideally around 8:00–8:30 AM, before the shrine approaches become busy. From Harajuku Station, walk through the tall, shaded torii gates and forest paths; allow about 1½ hours for the main shrine, a quiet stroll, and perhaps a visit to the inner garden if it is open. Entry to the shrine grounds is free, though the garden has a small admission fee. Keep voices low around the worship area, and remember that photography may be restricted in parts of the shrine.

Walk from the shrine toward Takeshita Street, arriving around 10:30 AM. This narrow pedestrian street is lively rather than serene, with colorful fashion shops, cosmetics stores, purikura photo booths, and snack stands. Try a crepe from Marion Crepes or a rainbow-colored treat, but expect queues and crowded sidewalks. Most shops open around 10:00–11:00 AM, so this timing works well; allow about an hour, then take the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line from Meiji-jingumae to Tsukishima and change for Tsukijishijo, or use a taxi if you prefer a simpler 20–30-minute transfer.

Lunch and Afternoon

Spend midday at Tsukiji Outer Market, arriving around 12:30 PM. Wander the covered lanes and outer streets, sampling sushi, grilled seafood, tamagoyaki, and seasonal fruit; Tsukiji Shouro is a reliable stop for rolled omelet, while Sushi Marutoku is a practical choice for a casual sushi lunch. Budget roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person, and carry cash because some small vendors do not accept cards. The market is most active earlier in the day, and individual businesses usually close by mid-afternoon, so focus on eating and browsing rather than arriving too late.

From Tsukiji, take the Toei Oedo Line from Tsukijishijo to Akabanebashi, then walk about 10 minutes to Tokyo Tower. Allow roughly 1½ hours for the Main Deck and, if weather is clear, the higher Top Deck. Tickets vary by deck but generally cost around ¥1,200–3,500; booking online is worthwhile on busy days. Afterward, walk down toward Zojo-ji Temple, where the contrast between the temple’s wooden architecture and Tokyo Tower is especially striking. Spend about 45 minutes exploring the main hall and cemetery area; the grounds are generally open until evening, while interior areas have shorter hours. Finish nearby with a relaxed drink or dinner around Azabudai or Shibakoen, rather than adding another major sight.

Morning

Begin at teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills, aiming for an early entry slot around 9:00 or 9:30 AM. Allow roughly two hours to wander through the shifting digital rooms; the experience is intentionally maze-like, so comfortable shoes are useful and you may want to keep your schedule flexible. Tickets are timed and commonly cost around ¥4,000–5,000, so reserve ahead through the official website. From Azabudai Hills, walk or take the Tokyo Metro to Roppongi Hills—the two areas are close enough for a pleasant 15–20-minute walk if the weather is comfortable.

Continue to Roppongi Hills Mori Tower for Tokyo City View, ideally late morning before the clearest sightlines become crowded. The indoor observation deck offers a superb sweep across central Tokyo, with admission generally around ¥2,000–2,500; check whether the rooftop Sky Deck is open, as weather and operating conditions can affect access. Afterward, take the Hibiya Line from Roppongi to Ningyocho, changing at Kasumigaseki or Hatchobori depending on the service, for a journey of about 20–25 minutes.

Afternoon and Evening

Spend the afternoon in Ningyocho, where the atmosphere shifts from skyscrapers to old Nihonbashi streets, small shrines, and traditional confectionery shops. Allow about an hour to stroll casually and try local sweets such as ningyoyaki or dorayaki; many independent shops close once their daily batches sell out, so an earlier afternoon visit is best. Then head toward Kanda Matsuya for handmade soba. From Ningyocho, the Hibiya Line to Akihabara followed by a short walk is straightforward, or you can walk west for roughly 20 minutes. This venerable restaurant is popular with locals and visitors, and lunch costs about ¥1,000–2,500 per person; expect a queue at peak times, and note that soba shops often serve quickly rather than encouraging a long, leisurely meal.

Finish in Akihabara Electric Town, just a few minutes from Kanda Matsuya, spending the late afternoon and evening browsing the arcades, electronics shops, and anime stores along Chuo-dori and the side streets around Akihabara Station. Radio Kaikan is convenient for figures and collectibles, while the larger arcades are lively after school and work hours. Most shops run approximately 10:00 AM–8:00 or 9:00 PM, though arcades often stay open later. When you are ready to return, Akihabara Station has JR Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku, and Chuo-Sobu services, as well as the Hibiya Line—an easy finish from almost anywhere in Tokyo.

Morning

Take the reserved JR Chuo Line and Fujikyu Railway connection to Kawaguchiko Station, leaving Tokyo around 7:00 AM; the journey takes roughly 2–2½ hours. From the station, use the Red Line sightseeing bus toward Oishi Park—allow about 30 minutes, and check the day’s timetable because buses are less frequent outside peak season. At Oishi Park, spend about an hour along the lakeside promenade and flower gardens, with your best chance of seeing Mount Fuji usually earlier in the day before cloud builds. The park is free, though cafés and small shops are limited, so pick up water at the station.

Continue by the Red Line bus toward the Kubota Itchiku Kimono Museum, allowing approximately 15–20 minutes. The museum generally opens around 9:30 AM and admission is roughly ¥1,300–1,500; set aside 1–1½ hours for the intricate kimono galleries, traditional buildings, and beautifully arranged garden. The museum is a particularly peaceful stop, and the dramatic mountain-shaped gate and garden views are worth taking slowly rather than rushing through the exhibits.

Lunch and Afternoon

Return by bus to Hoto Fudo Kawaguchiko Ekimae, beside Kawaguchiko Station, for lunch. Order the local specialty hoto: wide flat noodles simmered with pumpkin and vegetables in a hearty miso broth. A bowl usually costs around ¥1,500–2,500, and this popular restaurant can develop a queue around noon, so arriving slightly before or after the main lunch rush helps. Afterward, walk about 10 minutes toward the lakeshore to the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway; allow extra time if the queue is long. The ropeway typically operates from around 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with return tickets costing approximately ¥1,000–1,200. At the summit of Tenjozan, follow the short viewpoints and forest paths for wide views over Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji. If the mountain is hidden, the lake and surrounding foothills still make the ride worthwhile; visibility can change quickly, so do not postpone it too late.

Evening

Walk or take a short local bus ride back to Kawaguchiko Station in the late afternoon. Leave a buffer of at least 30–45 minutes if you are catching an onward train or highway bus, since queues and weather-related delays are common. The station has lockers, a small food court, convenience stores, and useful last-minute snacks; it is also a good place to confirm the return platform before departure. If staying overnight, return to your accommodation before dinner rather than trying to add another attraction—this area is quieter after sunset, and many restaurants close relatively early.

Morning

Because the transfer from Fujikawaguchiko makes a 7:00 AM start unrealistic, treat the morning as a travel-and-arrival window rather than trying to force every sight into the original timetable. Aim to reach Tobu-Nikko Station around late morning, then take a local bus toward the temple district; the World Heritage bus stop is convenient for Shinkyo Bridge, and a Nikko Pass can be worthwhile if you will also continue to Lake Chuzenji. Walk across the short vermilion bridge—best viewed from the riverbank—and allow about 30 minutes. From there, continue uphill to Nikko Toshogu, open roughly 8:00 AM–5:00 PM in September, with admission around ¥1,600; give the richly decorated shrine complex about two hours, including the famous carved animals and ornate gates. Expect some steep steps, so comfortable shoes are essential.

Afternoon

Walk a few minutes to Rinno-ji Temple, whose main halls and quiet garden make a calmer follow-up to Toshogu; allow about an hour, with admission generally around ¥500–1,000 depending on the areas open. For lunch, try a small restaurant in the temple district serving yuba cuisine, Nikko’s delicate tofu-skin specialty—set meals typically cost ¥1,500–3,000, and places may close between lunch and dinner, so eat as soon as you finish at Rinno-ji rather than waiting too late. Afterward, catch a Tobu bus from the temple area toward Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. The mountain road takes roughly 45–50 minutes each way and includes dramatic switchbacks; allow about three hours for the return trip, the waterfall elevator or viewing platforms, and a lakeside look before buses become less frequent in the evening. In September, take a light jacket: Oku-Nikko is noticeably cooler, and afternoon clouds can gather around the lake.

Morning

Take the early Tobu Railway SPACIA X from Tobu-Nikko to Asakusa, ideally departing around 6:30–7:00 AM; you should arrive in roughly 1 hour 50 minutes. Reserve a seat in advance through Tobu Railway, especially for the observation-style seats. From Asakusa Station, walk about 10 minutes to Senso-ji and arrive around 9:00 AM, when the temple grounds are still relatively calm. Enter through Kaminarimon, stroll along Nakamise-dori, and allow about 1½ hours for the main hall and surrounding lanes. The temple grounds are free and open at all times, though the main hall generally opens from around 6:00 AM.

Walk west for about 15 minutes to Kappabashi Dougu Street, a long stretch of shops between Asakusa and Ueno selling knives, lacquerware, cooking tools, restaurant signs, and remarkably realistic plastic food. Most stores open around 10:00 AM, so this is a good late-morning stop; allow an hour, and remember that some knife shops may ask for passport details for engraving or export paperwork. For lunch, eat casually around Asakusa or pick up a snack before continuing toward Yanaka.

Afternoon and Evening

Take the Ginza Line from Tawaramachi Station to Ueno, then change to the JR Yamanote Line for Nippori—about 25–30 minutes total. From there, walk down Yanaka Ginza, a nostalgic shopping street of small food stalls, sweets shops, and neighborhood stores. Try a freshly fried snack or grilled rice cracker as you wander, but keep the pace unhurried; the street is best enjoyed as a living local shopping area rather than a checklist of shops. Continue south for about 15 minutes to Kayaba Coffee, a much-loved traditional kissaten in an old wooden house. A coffee, egg sandwich, or light meal usually costs ¥1,000–2,000; expect a short wait at peak lunchtime and early afternoon.

Finish with a 10-minute walk to Nezu Shrine, one of Tokyo’s most atmospheric Shinto shrines. Its grounds are free and usually open from early morning until early evening; allow about an hour to see the main buildings, pond, and vermilion torii gates. Visit before dusk, when the grounds become quieter and the colors soften. From nearby Nezu Station, the Chiyoda Line provides an easy connection back toward central Tokyo; if you still have energy, linger for dinner in Yanaka or Ueno rather than rushing back immediately.