12-Day Tokyo Itinerary

  • Day 1: Sumida River Cruise
    20 minutes (7.4 km) from the airport

    Start your trip by taking a scenic boat ride along the Sumida River. You'll be able to see Tokyo's famous landmarks like the Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, and the Rainbow Bridge. The ride takes an hour, and you can enjoy food and drinks on board.

  • Day 2: Tsukiji Fish Market
    35 minutes (9.7 km) from Sumida River

    Visit the world's largest fish market for a unique cultural experience. You can watch the fish auction, try fresh sushi for breakfast, and shop for Japanese cooking equipment and souvenirs. Arrive early as the market starts at 5 am.

  • Day 3: Meiji Shrine
    40 minutes (15.1 km) from Tsukiji Fish Market

    Explore Meiji Shrine, one of the most famous shrines in Tokyo. It's a tranquil oasis located in the middle of the city, surrounded by a forest of over 100,000 trees. You can take part in traditional Japanese activities like writing wishes on ema boards.

  • Day 4: Harajuku Shopping
    15 minutes (5.3 km) from Meiji Shrine

    Head to Harajuku, a trendy neighbourhood known for its fashion and shopping. Take a stroll down Takeshita Street, a crowded pedestrian street lined with quirky fashion boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. You can also visit the Kawaii Monster Cafe, a colourful and bizarre themed cafe.

  • Day 5: Shibuya Crossing
    10 minutes (4.3 km) from Harajuku Shopping

    Visit the famous Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in the world. Watch the crowds of people cross the street from the Shibuya Station Hachiko exit. You can also visit the nearby Shibuya 109, a department store famous for its trendy fashion and cosmetics.

  • Day 6: Imperial Palace
    15 minutes (7.0 km) from Shibuya Crossing

    Explore the magnificent Imperial Palace, the residence of the Japanese emperor. You can stroll around the palace gardens and see the ruins of Edo Castle. You can also visit the East Gardens and the Imperial Palace Museum.

  • Day 7: Asakusa Temple
    25 minutes (11.1 km) from Imperial Palace

    Visit the grand Asakusa Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan. You can explore the Nakamise shopping street, where you can find traditional souvenirs like kimonos and fans. You can also take a rickshaw ride around the temple grounds.

  • Day 8: Ueno Park
    15 minutes (5.6 km) from Asakusa Temple

    Relax in Ueno Park, a spacious public park that features museums, temples, a zoo, and a pond. You can visit the Tokyo National Museum, which has the largest collection of Japanese art in the world. You can also see the famous cherry blossoms during the spring.

  • Day 9: Odaiba Beach
    35 minutes (9.2 km) from Ueno Park

    Escape the city and head to Odaiba Beach, a popular artificial beach located on a man-made island. Enjoy the sun, sand, and sea, as well as various activities like cycling, shopping, and eating. You can also visit the Odaiba Statue of Liberty and the Gundam Statue.

  • Day 10: Shinjuku Nightlife
    35 minutes (11.4 km) from Odaiba Beach

    Experience Tokyo's vibrant nightlife in Shinjuku, a bustling neighbourhood that's the center of entertainment and dining. You can visit the Golden Gai, a small alley filled with tiny bars, the Robot Restaurant, a futuristic themed performance, and the Kabukicho District, Tokyo's red-light district.

  • Day 11: Mount Fuji Day Trip
    2 hours (132.5 km) from Shinjuku Nightlife

    Take a day trip to Mount Fuji, Japan's most iconic mountain, located about 100 km southwest of Tokyo. You can take the Shinkansen bullet train to the nearby city of Hakone, where you can take a cable car, boat, and bus to see the mountain and its surrounding scenic views.

  • Day 12: Akihabara
    30 minutes (17.5 km) from Mount Fuji Day Trip

    End your trip by visiting Akihabara, the electronic mecca of Tokyo. The district is famous for its numerous shops selling electronics, anime, manga, and gaming. You can also visit the maid cafes, where waitresses dressed in maid costumes entertain customers.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Sumida River Cruise (1 hour, JPY 1,500)
  • Tsukiji Fish Market (2 hours, free entry)
  • Meiji Shrine (2 hours, free entry)
  • Harajuku Shopping (3 hours, JPY 5,000)
  • Shibuya Crossing (1 hour, free entry)
  • Imperial Palace (2 hours, free entry)
  • Asakusa Temple (2 hours, free entry)
  • Ueno Park (3 hours, free entry)
  • Odaiba Beach (4 hours, JPY 3,000)
  • Shinjuku Nightlife (4 hours, JPY 10,000)
  • Mount Fuji Day Trip (10 hours, JPY 15,000)
  • Akihabara (3 hours, JPY 7,000)

  • Total Estimated Costs: JPY 49,500

Transportation

To travel around Tokyo, you can use the efficient and extensive public transportation network, including trains, subway, and buses. Buy a Suica or Pasmo IC card for convenience and cost-saving. Taxis and rental cars are also available, but they are more expensive.
From Tokyo Narita Airport to central Tokyo, you can take the Narita Express train (JPY 3,000) or the Limousine bus (JPY 3,100) that takes about an hour. From Haneda Airport to central Tokyo, you can take the Tokyo Monorail (JPY 660) or the Keikyu Line (JPY 410-630) that takes about 30 minutes.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can visit other popular attractions like Disneyland, DisneySea, Universal Studios, and Sanrio Puroland. You can also take a day trip to nearby cities like Yokohama, Kamakura, and Nikko. If you have less time, you can skip some attractions or combine them if they are located nearby. Make sure to check the opening and closing times of the places you want to visit to maximize your time and avoid crowds.

Airports

Tokyo has two major airports: Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND). Narita Airport is located about 70 km east of central Tokyo, and you can take the Narita Express or the Limousine bus to reach the city. Haneda Airport is located about 20 km south of central Tokyo, and you can take the Tokyo Monorail or the Keikyu Line to reach the city. Both airports are well-equipped with amenities and services for travelers, including shops, restaurants, and lounges.

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