5-Day Tokyo City Itinerary

Morning

Start at Tokyo Station Marunouchi Side around 8:30, when the area is pleasantly quiet and the light is good on the red-brick façade. Walk through Marunouchi toward Gyoko-dori and the Imperial Palace-facing avenues; allow 45 minutes for photos and architecture. The station itself is already open, with cafés and convenience stores for a quick coffee, but most department stores and boutiques open closer to 10:00.

From Tokyo Station, take the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line to Ginza and change for the Hibiya Line to Tsukiji—roughly 15–20 minutes—or take a taxi in about 10 minutes outside rush hour. Spend around 1.5 hours at Tsukiji Outer Market, arriving late morning when the lanes are lively but not at their earliest peak. Browse tamagoyaki, grilled seafood, fruit, and kitchenware stalls, then have a casual seafood breakfast or early lunch at places such as Uogashi Kiyomi Sushi or Sushizanmai Honten; budget ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Bring cash as a backup, keep bags close in the narrow lanes, and avoid eating while walking.

Afternoon

Walk approximately 10–15 minutes from Tsukiji Outer Market to Hamarikyu Gardens, entering from the Otemon Gate. The garden is generally open 9:00–17:00, with last entry around 16:30, and admission is about ¥300. Give yourself 1.5 hours to follow the pond paths, admire the seawater inlet, and pause at the teahouse for matcha and a Japanese sweet. From the garden, a taxi to Azabudai Hills is the simplest option—about 10–15 minutes depending on traffic; by subway, walk to Shiodome and take the Oedo Line toward Azabane-juban, allowing roughly 25 minutes door to door.

Continue to teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills for about two hours. This is a timed-entry attraction, so reserve tickets in advance and arrive 10–15 minutes before your slot; admission commonly falls around ¥3,800–5,000 depending on date and availability. Wear comfortable shoes, expect dim rooms and reflective floors, and avoid bringing bulky luggage. Afterward, walk about 15 minutes—or take a short taxi—to Tokyo Tower for the early evening skyline. Plan around 1.5 hours; the Main Deck is usually open into the evening and costs roughly ¥1,500–2,000. Sunset tickets can sell out, so book ahead if you want that specific view, then linger around Zojoji Temple and the tower’s illuminated base before dinner nearby.

Morning

Begin at Senso-ji around 8:30, before the main crowds arrive. Walk through Kaminarimon and along the lantern-lined approach to the temple; the main grounds are free and open throughout the day, while the Main Hall generally opens from 6:00 (6:30 October–March) until 17:00. Allow about 90 minutes, taking time to look beyond the central hall at the quieter side lanes and traditional architecture. From there, continue slowly along Nakamise-dori, where shops usually begin opening around 9:00–10:00. Pick up ningyoyaki cakes, rice crackers, or a small souvenir, but avoid eating while walking—use the shopfront areas or wait until you reach a designated seating spot.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk roughly 15 minutes west to Kappabashi Dougu Street, a wonderfully practical slice of Tokyo filled with knife shops, ceramics, lacquerware, restaurant signs, and remarkably realistic plastic food samples. Most stores open around 9:00–10:00 and close by 17:00–18:00, with some closed on Sundays, so this midday visit is well timed. For lunch, try Asakusa Imahan Kappabashi Honten for sukiyaki, or keep it casual at a local soba shop along the surrounding backstreets; budget about ¥1,000–3,000 per person. In the early afternoon, take the Ginza Line from Tawaramachi Station to Ueno Station—about 5 minutes, ¥180–¥210—then spend around 90 minutes wandering Ueno Park. Follow the tree-lined paths toward Kiyomizu Kannon-do and Ueno Toshogu, allowing time to pause around the ponds rather than trying to cover every museum.

Evening

Finish at Ameyoko Shopping Street, a 5–10-minute walk from the park’s south side. The market is liveliest from late afternoon into the evening, when small restaurants, yakitori counters, seafood stalls, and discount shops fill the narrow strip beneath the railway tracks. Browse without a strict plan and settle somewhere with counter seating; Niku no Oyama is popular for quick croquettes and fried snacks, while Ameyoko Shokudo is a good choice for inexpensive seafood bowls. Allow ¥1,500–3,000 per person for a casual dinner and drinks. Shops vary, but many stay open until around 19:00–20:00; if you want a quieter return, leave before the busiest dinner rush and use Ueno Station, which has frequent JR and Metro connections across Tokyo.

Morning

After arriving in Harajuku, begin at Meiji Jingu around 8:30. The broad gravel paths through the shrine’s old-growth forest feel remarkably calm despite being beside one of Tokyo’s busiest neighborhoods; allow about 90 minutes, including the walk from the station and time at the main shrine buildings. Entry is free, and the precinct is open from sunrise to sunset. Wear comfortable shoes—the approach is longer than it looks, and the gravel can be tiring.

Walk back toward Takeshita Street for a livelier late morning. Spend roughly an hour browsing independent fashion shops, character goods, and the famous oversized crêpes, but expect crowds and narrow sidewalks. Rather than stopping at the first brightly colored snack shop, compare queues and prices; a small sweet or drink is usually ¥500–¥1,000. From Harajuku, take a relaxed 15–20-minute walk south through quieter back streets toward Nezu Museum in Minami-Aoyama.

Afternoon and Evening

Plan about two hours at Nezu Museum, whose beautifully composed galleries focus on Japanese and East Asian art. The garden is the highlight after the exhibits, with stepping-stone paths, ponds, and tea houses that make this a welcome pause from the city. It is generally open 10:00–17:00 and closed Mondays; admission is typically around ¥1,300–¥1,500, with special exhibitions sometimes costing more. From here, walk or take a short taxi ride—about 10 minutes—to Koffee Mameya Kakeru in Shibuya, allowing an hour for its tasting-style coffee service. This is not a quick grab-and-go café: expect carefully explained brews and roughly ¥2,000–¥4,000 per person, with reservations or advance checks advisable.

Continue into central Shibuya for Shibuya Crossing, ideally around sunset when the surrounding screens come alive. Then head to Shibuya Sky at Shibuya Scramble Square for the evening panorama; reserve a timed admission in advance, especially for sunset, and allow about two hours including security and elevator queues. Tickets are commonly around ¥2,000–¥2,500. Bring a light layer—the rooftop is exposed—and note that loose hats, umbrellas, and some belongings may need to be stored before entering the open-air deck.

Morning

Take the JR Yamanote Line or Saikyō Line from Shibuya Station to Shinjuku Station—roughly 5–10 minutes and ¥170–¥200 with Suica or PASMO. Leave around 8:30–9:00, then allow another 10–15 minutes to walk to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden via the Shinjuku Gate. Spend about two relaxed hours among the English Landscape Garden, Japanese Garden, and broad lawns; it is one of the rare places in central Tokyo where the morning feels genuinely spacious. The garden is usually open 9:00–18:00 from mid-March through September, closed Mondays, with entry around ¥500; check the calendar because September 22 is a public holiday and opening arrangements can change.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk back toward the station for lunch at Omoide Yokocho, the compact alleyway district beside the west side of Shinjuku Station. Its yakitori counters and small noodle shops are atmospheric rather than polished—expect close seating, quick service, and about ¥2,000–4,000 per person. Afterward, continue west through the skyscraper district to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories, around 15–20 minutes on foot. The observation decks are free and normally open into the evening, though hours can vary; visibility is best before sunset, when the dense city grid stretches toward the mountains. Give yourself about an hour, and use the underground pedestrian passages if it is hot or raining.

Evening

Return toward Kabukicho for Samurai Restaurant Time, a theatrical sword-and-dance show with bright costumes, live percussion, and deliberately over-the-top Tokyo energy. Book ahead and arrive 20–30 minutes before the performance; a typical visit lasts about two hours, with tickets often costing roughly ¥8,000–12,000 depending on seating and package. Afterward, finish in Golden Gai, a few minutes away on foot. Wander the tiny lanes and choose a bar that clearly displays its cover charge—many ask around ¥500–1,500 before drinks, and some have very limited seating or regulars-only policies. One drink and a short visit is enough to enjoy the atmosphere; keep voices low in the narrow residential lanes and expect many places to accept cash only.

Morning

Make an early start for Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, ideally arriving around 8:30–9:00. This newer waterfront complex recreates an Edo-period market street, with seafood stalls, small food counters, and rooftop views across Toyosu; allow about 90 minutes. Come hungry rather than treating it as a formal breakfast—grilled seafood, sushi, tamagoyaki, and small rice bowls are the best way to sample several things, usually costing ¥1,500–3,500 per person. Individual shop hours vary, but the food areas generally open from the morning, so check the official listings if a particular stall is important. From there, it is a short walk to teamLab Planets TOKYO. Your timed ticket matters: arrive 15–20 minutes early, wear shorts or trousers that can be rolled above the knees, and expect bare feet, mirrored rooms, and shallow water. The visit takes roughly two hours; advance reservations are essential, and admission is commonly around ¥3,800–4,800 depending on date and ticket type.

Afternoon and Evening

After teamLab, take the Yurikamome toward Odaiba-kaihinkoen—the elevated line gives you excellent views of the bay—or walk if you want a slower waterfront transition. Have lunch around Aqua City Odaiba or Decks Tokyo Beach before spending about two hours at Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. Its hands-on displays cover robotics, space, climate, and the future of technology; allow extra time for the large globe and scheduled demonstrations. General admission is usually about ¥630, with special exhibitions costing more, and it is typically open 10:00–17:00, closed Tuesdays—though verify the September holiday schedule. Continue to DiverCity Tokyo Plaza for shopping and the life-size Unicorn Gundam statue; the statue’s transformation shows are worth checking on the day, and the mall’s food court is an easy, informal dinner option. Finish at Odaiba Seaside Park, about a 10-minute walk away, where the promenade faces Rainbow Bridge and central Tokyo. Sunset is the prettiest time, but keep a light layer handy: the bay can feel breezy after dark. If returning to Shinjuku, walk to Tokyo Teleport Station for the Rinkai Line toward Shinjuku, or use the Yurikamome back to Shimbashi and transfer to the JR Yamanote Line; allow roughly 45–60 minutes and use Suica or PASMO.