Tokyo, the capital of Japan, counts 39 million inhabitants. That makes it the world’s most populous metropolis. Exploring Tokyo you will find yourself wandering from wide boulevards lined by skyscrapers and screaming billboards to narrow and cozy pedestrian streets. Tokyo has so many faces and its many districts are so surprisingly different that you may ask yourself what to do in Tokyo in 5 days? That’s why we compiled this Tokyo itinerary for 5 days that will show you all the highlights and main attractions of this fantastic city.
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Tokyo travel tips
How many days in Tokyo?
This wouldn’t be a 5-day itinerary if we wouldn’t think that 5 days was the ideal number of days to get a good impression of this fascinating city. But we do understand that not everybody is able to reserve 5 days just for Tokyo.
If 5 days is too much for you we recommend you to stay a minimum of 2 days in Tokyo. This will allow you to see the most important attractions.
3 or 4 days in Tokyo gives you some more freedom to see the major sites and experience the city atmosphere. You will be able to discover the different Tokyo neighborhoods at ease.
5 days in Tokyo will give you the opportunity to discover the city and do one side trip to either Nikko, Mt. Fuji, Hakone or Tokyo Disney Sea.
We have arranged the days around different neighborhoods so you shouldn’t spend too much time getting from one sight to the next. This means that the sights we have included in the first days are not necessarily better than those of the consecutive days. You’re off course free to mix and match the days according to your personal preference and make use of Tokyo’s extensive train and subway network to get around the city.
What is the best time to visit Tokyo
March to May and September to November are the best months to visit Tokyo.
In April everything starts to bloom. Japan is very famous for its cherry blossoms. As it’s peak season, hotel prices are high.
Still, we would advise visiting Tokyo during this time of the year. The Sakura (Japanese for cherry blossoms) creates a special vibe in Tokyo that’s not only enjoyed by the tourists but also by the locals. The parks are full with Japanese that come to picnic under the cherry trees and local fairs and festivals are held to celebrate this annual event.
Summer season is from late June to the end of August.
We would advise when possible to avoid summer as temperatures are hotter and it’s very humid. In late summer you also risk seeing your travel plans (partly) ruined by a typhoon.
In September and October, the autumn colors make the landscapes very photogenic. Autumn ushers in colorful foliage and comfortable temperatures.
This is, with the exception of Spring, the most suitable time to visit Japan.
Winter (December to February) is cold but not too cold to travel. Major tourist locations like Tokio, Kyoto en Osaka hardly get any snow but Japan’s mountainous region turns into a perfect ski destination for several months.
Read also: The best things to do in Kyoto at night.
Japan visa requirements
We didn’t need a visa and you probably won’t either except if you have an African, South American or Asian passport. You can check here if you need a Visa.
How to get from Haneda or Narita airport to Tokyo?
There are 2 international airports in Tokyo, Haneda and Narita airport.
Haneda International Airport
Haneda International Airport is located 14 kilometers south of Tokyo Station.
There are two options to reach central Tokyo from Haneda Airport by train. These are the Keikyu Line and the Tokyo Monorail. Both require a transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to reach major stations in central Tokyo.
Since chances are that you will need to switch trains to reach your hotel you might prefer the comfort of a private or shared transfer to your hotel.
or you can opt for a private transfer here: Private Transfer
Narita Airport
Narita is the smallest of the 2 airports but does serve as the international hub of both major Japanese airlines, Japan Airlines, and ANA. It lies 60 km east of central Tokyo. Although it is located further from central Tokyo than Haneda it is actually better connected. The JR Narita Express and the Keisei Skyliner are 2 excellent options but you could also opt for a bus or taxi.
The JR Narita Express, abbreviated as N’EX, is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. This makes N’EX your best option if you have a JR Pass. To use this train with your Japan Rail Pass you need to exchange your voucher for the actual pass at the airport. Once exchanged you will also need to reserve seats as N’EX is one of the few trains that only has reserved cars.
Read also: Japan Rail Pass is it worth it?
The Keisei Skyliner is a good alternative to N’EX if you have no Japan Rail Pass. The prices, the comfort and the train schedule of both trains are comparable. The main difference is that N’EX will take you to Tokyo station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro & Yokohama. The Keisei Skyliner heads to Nippori station and Keisei Ueno (close to Ueno station). Both trains offer easy transfer to the JR Yamanote line, the main loop line in Tokyo.
As with Haneda, you can also book private or shared transfers from Narita to Central Tokyo. After a long flight, a direct transfer from the airport to your hotel will be a lot more comfortable.
or you can opt for a private transfer here: Private Transfer
How to get around Tokyo?
The easiest way to travel around Tokyo is by public transport.
Tokyo has a very extensive public transportation network. The fact that it is operated by 11 different train companies that each sell their own tickets can make it a bit overwhelming at first. Two different companies operate the metro network and here too you cannot use tickets from one company to transfer to trains of the other company.
Read also: In our full guide to Tokyo’s public transport we share a lot of information about the different transportation options in Tokyo. With this information, you will be able to choose the best ticket or pass for your visit.
If you don’t feel at ease using the subway, you can always jump on one of the hop-on-hop-off buses to see the highlights of Tokyo.
Travel around with some cash
Most restaurants accepted credit cards, but the smaller establishments still swear by cash and sometimes credit cards are not accepted for train or subway tickets.
We learned the latter at a very inconvenient moment when we were rushing to the airport for our return flight home and we had spent all of our money. The only ATM that accepted foreign cards in the station had a minimum withdrawal amount of 10,000 yen. Luckily we found a money exchange office in the station that was willing to exchange the 7 euros we needed to buy our tickets.
Except for this we never encountered any problems withdrawing money or paying with credit cards but after this very stressful moment, we swore to never spend all our cash again.
That is why we advise you to always have some cash on you when you travel around Tokyo for the first time. But even if you have been to Tokyo several times it seems like a good idea. You never know, an ATM that you rely on might be out of service or there might be an unexpected problem with your credit card. This stressful moment learned us that having cash is a good backup plan.
We just made it in time for our flight but we don’t want you to experience the same stress we had.
Internet in Japan
Some hotels in Tokyo provide a free “Handy” mobile phone in your hotel room. With this phone comes a local number where you can be reached and you can use it to make free local and international phone calls.
But even more convenient is that it comes with a data plan. The phone has quite a few apps with local information and you can install additional apps. You could also use it as a hotspot. At the end of your stay, all data will be erased or you can reset the phone and erase all data anytime you want.
We used Google Maps on the mobile phone to find our way around the city. We also installed the Tokyo Metro app which helped us to navigate the extensive metro network like a pro.
We used Google Maps a lot in Tokyo and a mobile WiFi device certainly comes in handy here.
Don’t panic if your hotel room doesn’t come with the useful “Handy” mobile phone. It’s very easy to buy a local SIM in Japan. You can install this SIM in your phone but if you rather keep your own number you can use it with a mobile WiFi device. You can buy both the SIM and the mobile WiFi device in local electronics stores like Yodobashi & BIC Camera. You can also order a SIM in advance and it will be waiting for you in your hotel upon arrival. Ordering online is possible on Klook and Bmobile.
The Handy-phone or a local SIM will make traveling to Tokyo for the first time so much easier.
We bought a local SIM card and whenever we didn’t have the Handy-phone we used our own Pocket WIFI device to share the 4G connection but if you don’t have a device of your own you can also rent one online and pick it up at the airport.
Here you can read more tips when you are traveling to Japan for the first time.
5 days in Tokyo
Here we share a complete Tokyo itinerary for 2-5 days.
Tokyo is such a big city that you best discover it one district at a time. It may be tempting to rush to the different highlights on your first days but even with the fantastic train and metro connections, you will still lose a lot of valuable time.
For this reason, we have arranged the days around different neighborhoods so you shouldn’t spend too much time getting from one sight to the next. Shinjuku and Shibuya were our absolute favorites and that’s why we include those two in our first two days.
You don’t need to stick to our itinerary. Feel free to rearrange the days as you prefer. If you cannot spend the full 5 days in Tokyo you can also mix and match sights from the different days. Just try to arrange sights from the same region.
Read on to discover which places you absolutely need to visit in Tokyo.
2 days in Tokyo
If you have just 2 days in Tokyo you absolutely don’t want to miss the true Tokyo vibe. That’s why we start this itinerary in Shinjuku, the epic center of Tokyo. Shinjuku does justice to Tokyo with skyscrapers, bright neon-lit streets and massive crowds day and night.
The next day we start at Shibuya crossing, world’s busiest intersection. From there we make our way, along Omotesando, to the Harajuku district. A shopping district that attracts both the young and trendy as well as the rich. We end at the Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi park.
Day 1: Shinjuku
If you already had an image in your mind about Tokyo, chances are that Shinjuku looks exactly like it. Shinjuku is in a certain way a mini version of Tokyo where you can get a glimpse of the crazy nightlife, the lush gardens, the extensive and punctual public transport and the huge crowds that seem to be on their way day and night.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen is a superb zen garden of 58 hectares in the middle of Tokyo. The garden is worth a visit year round but the presence of more than one thousand cherry trees of over a dozen varieties make this park a must visit in the Sakura season. This is one of the few parks in Tokyo that charges an entrance fee.
Many people prefer other parks over Shinjuku Gyoen for this reason making this one of the more peaceful parks. That’s also why we found this garden the best place to enjoy the cherry blossoms.
Shinjuku Gyoen (Shinjuku Entrance)
Naitomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan.
Closed on Monday (except cherry blossom season)
How to get there
Shinjuku-gyoenmae subway station is about 5 minutes away from the Shinjuku entrance. Shinjuku Gyoen garden is also within walking distance of the large central Shinjuku station where both JR lines, as well as the metro (Tokyo Metro and Toei lines), stop.
Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo
Piss Alley (Omoide Yokocho)
Our 2 days Tokyo itinerary brings you also to Piss Alley. Piss Alley consists of 2 narrow alleys next to the Shinjuku train station. In other countries, these narrow and dark alleys would be a place to avoid and the smell of urine would be wafting from the alleys as you pass them. The hair in your neck would stand on end just thinking you had to walk through them. Not so in Tokyo. Locals frequent the small eateries in piss alley for a quick bite and over the years they have become popular with tourists as well. As you stroll through these alleyways, you can taste the charm of this city.
Stroll through piss alley and imagine yourself in a Japanese Mafia movie
These narrow and charming passageways are in stark contrast with the skyscrapers and the neon lights that are just around the corner and are so typical of this city.
On your way to Kabukicho make sure to take a detour through Piss Alley and if you are hungry you can indulge in Yakatori in one of the many tiny restaurants that are here.
How to get there
Piss Alley is really close to the West Exit of Shinjuku train station. The two alleys run parallel to the tracks. You will see the entrance on your right if you face the Shinjuku Dai-Guard train bridge. Shinjuku station is served by several JR lines and both Tokyo Metro and Toei lines.
Kabukicho
Kabukicho is Tokyo’s most popular nightlife district.
According to statistics, this is the most unsafe neighborhood in Tokyo, but we never felt unsafe.
This might be the most unsafe district in Tokyo but compared to similar nightlife districts in other countries around the world Kabukicho is much more entertaining than it is dangerous.
I would advise being alert but don’t let this dodgy reputation, that mainly lives with the locals, stop you from discovering this crazy side of Japan’s capital.
We were regularly approached by touts (remarkably all blacks) who proposed to arrange a fantastic night for us. Fortunately, they didn’t insist and with a polite “no, thanks” we quickly got rid of them.
Besides pubs and restaurants, Kabukicho also houses the red light district. For us, Europeans, this was not like we were used to seeing in, for example, Amsterdam, where the girls try to lure you in from their windows. Here, everything is neatly hidden away, but the pictures outside clearly show what you can expect inside.
Strolling through Kabukicho you will also pass the famous robot restaurant. You cannot miss it. Even in the abundance of neon-commercials that you find in this neighborhood the Robot restaurant still manages to stand out. This already gives you an idea of what to expect inside. No expense has been spared to overwhelm you with large robots and impressive lasers in a dazzling show.
We heard from visitors that already have seen the show several times that it is regularly updated. It is touristy because inside you barely find Japanese. The food is not good (it would be better to take restaurant out of the name) and it’s expensive but so completely over the top that you will remember it for a long time. You better buy your tickets online in advance because they are much cheaper online. Tickets are sold at the venue for (converted to USD) $100. We decided to partner up with Klook for this activity. Klook is a trustworthy travel company headquartered in Hong Kong that teams up with local operators to offer all kinds of travel experiences. It can be compared to Viator or GetYourGuide. It was established in 2014 and has since grown rapidly through various strategic partnerships such as the one with Shangri-La. Because of the size of its operations, it is often capable of offering tours at significant discounts.
How to get there
Continuing your journey from Piss alley you cross the Shinjuku Dai-Guard train bridge and go straight along the Yasukuni Dori street. The Kabukicho district consists of the first streets on the left side of the street.
Golden Gai
Just a little passed Kabukicho is Golden Gai, a nightlife district with narrow streets where it seems like time has stood still. This is the only place in Japan where you can witness a nightlife district that has been preserved exactly like it was post-war. The streets are lined with small charming pubs, most can hardly fit 10 customers and most only accept the regular customers.
A few are open to foreigners and those can be recognized by the English menus outside.
How to get there
As you walk towards the East (keeping Yasukuni Dori on your right) you will automatically arrive in Golden Gai. This district is bordered by Kabukicho on the West and the Hanazono Shrine on the East.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is a landmark building in Shinjuku. Both towers of this building house an observation platform on the 45th floor, at a height of 202 meters. There are several observation platforms in Tokyo and one can argue about which one has the best views on Tokyo’s impressive skyline but one thing is for sure, the Metropolitan Government Building are the cheapest because they can be visited for free.
On a clear day, you will be able to spot famous landmarks such as Mt. Fuji, the Tokyo Tower, and the Tokyo Skytree. At night the views over the city are just as spectacular.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
2 Chome-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 163-8001.
Closed: December 29 to December 31 and January 2-3
How to get there
It’s easy to reach the Metropolitan Government Building with the metro or the train.
The Tochomae stop of the Oedo Subway Line (Toei) is located directly underneath the building.
From Tokyo’s central Shinjuku station, it is a 10-minute walk to the Metropolitan Government Building. Shinjuku station is served by several JR lines and both Tokyo Metro and Toei lines. To get to the building take the West exit of the station.
Day 2: Shibuya
Shibuya crossing
We start the day at Shibuya crossing. This is the world’s busiest intersection. Take the metro to Shibuya station and follow the arrows for the Hachiko exit. This exit leads directly to the intersection.
Everywhere around are neon advertisements and giant talking video screens. The mass of pedestrians that cross the intersection each time the light turns green has made this intersection famous and it is often featured in movies.
The best views on the crossing are from above. To get a bird’s eye view you could consider getting a coffee at the Starbucks located above the Tsutaya bookshop. Thanks to its location it’s now the world’s busiest Starbucks and pretty crowded at all times. For this reason, they don’t allow people in just to take pictures, you have to buy drinks if you want to get a bird’s eye view.
The crazy vibe of the intersection draws the attention away of Tokyo’s most famous dog, Hachiko. The statue of Hachiko stands at the exit of the train station where, each day, he loyally waited for his master to return home. Every day the dog came to the station to meet his master and he continued to do so for 9 years after his master had died, until his own death. A bit of a sad story that was filmed in Hachiko, a dog’s tale.
How to get there
Shibuya station is right underneath this crossing. Take the Hachiko exit.
Omotesando
From Shibuya, we make our way to Omotesando. Omotesando is a shopping street where you will find stores from Dior, Prada and Louis Vuitton. Not surprisingly it mainly attracts a high-heeled clientele. Walking down Omotesando street towards Yoyogi park you can do some (window) shopping.
The designer pieces in the shop windows may draw your attention but don’t forget to look up once in a while. The unique architectural designs of some of the buildings ensure that just walking alone this tree-lined avenue is a treat. Some of the eye-catching buildings include the ones of Dior, Boss, Tod’s Prada and Dior.
Further down the street is Tokyu Plaza, a small shopping plaza with a unique mirrored entrance.
You can take a break at the rooftop garden on the 6th floor.
How to get there
You can either take the Ginza or Hanzomon line for one stop to Omote-Sando station.
By foot, it would take you 15 minutes along Aoyama Dori.
Yoyogi Park
Omotesando street leads right to the Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi park. The park is a 170-acre oasis of green and consists of approximately 100,000 evergreen trees. The entrance of the Shrine is marked with a huge 12 meter high wooden Torii gate. The Shrine buildings themselves are located well inside the forest and have an air of tranquility. Both the shrine and the park are a very peaceful location and ideal to relax and do some people watching.
You might be lucky enough to spot a traditional Shinto wedding as this Shrine is a popular wedding venue.
How to get there
Omotesando leads straight to Yoyogi park.
To get here by train you would take the Yamanote line to Harajuku station.
The nearest metro stop is Meiji-jingumae served by the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines.
Harajuku
Harajuku is the center of Japanese youth culture. Teens flock to this district for their shopping needs but clearly, they avoid Omotesando street. Instead, they frequent the smaller side streets like Cat street, Meiji street & Takeshita-Dori. Takeshita-Dori is the most popular street amongst the tourists. This has attracted tourist-oriented shops and cool and hipster brands have moved out to cat street. Nevertheless, these 3 streets, and in general the entire neighborhoods left and right of Omotesando is well worth a visit.
Over the weekends the streets can get crowded with shoppers but other times of the week it doesn’t feel at all like you’re walking in a metropolis, rather like a small hip city.
How to get there
Omotesando street more or less splits the Harajuku district in half.
To get here by train you would take the Yamanote line to Harajuku station.
The nearest metro stop is Meiji-jingumae served by the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines.
3 days in Tokyo
Day 3: Akihabara
Akihabara
Akihabara, nicknamed “Electric City“, is Tokyo’s go-to place for all your electronics. Hundreds of electronics stores are dotted across the district. You can buy everything from computers, mobile phones and home appliances to heated toilet seats and cheap second-hand goods that come with no guarantee at all.
Don’t just buy everything. Because of the voltage difference, not all electronics will work in your home country. Luckily several shops offer a selection of international models and even better, offer tax-free shopping to foreign tourists.
Even if you’re not looking for the newest smartphone or computer it is still fun to browse around the shops. You will be amazed by the wide selection of gadgets that is for sale. I’m pretty sure some of these will be new to you. Yodobashi is the nearest store to Akihabara station. It is their biggest store and a good start of your discovery of Japan’s electric city.
Over the years many anime and manga stores have popped up in this region to the extent that Akihabara is now recognized as the center of Japan’s anime culture. The arrival of the shops caused an influx of maid cafés as well. It’s a fun, although expensive, place to have a drink. In exchange for the hefty price, you will be served by waitresses that dress up like French maids or anime characters. For the best, or should I say least awkward, maid café experience you should pick one where the waitresses speak English like the @home café.
But you don’t even need to visit such a café to see the maids as many of them are standing at the street corners to attract customers.
The manga stores are, just like the electronics stores, fun to snoop around. The stores are stuffed with comic books, video games, posters, DVD and action figures. Even to such an extent that you can hardly move around. That was at least our experience in the Mandarake store which specializes in second-hand and rare manga related goods.
How to get there
Take the JR train to Akihabara station.
This station is also served by the Hibiya metro line.
Imperial Palace
Depending on how much time you have spent snooping around the anime and electronics stores you may want to hop on the JR Yamanote train and head 2 stops south to Tokyo Station. Upon exiting the station you can’t but notice the Manhattan-like modern skyscrapers that are just north-west of the station. Just behind these office building is the Imperial Palace. The Palace is located in a lovely green area.
The hike around the park grants you nice views on the moats, bridges and massive stone walls that used to protect the Edo castle that was located here until1888 when the current palace was completed.
The East Gardens of the palace are open to the public all year round. There are some cherry trees, a wide open lawn and some remains of the former fortifications that needed to protect the castle. A small section of the park has been transformed into a nice Japanese style garden.
The inner grounds are only open to the public during the Sakura season, on December 23rd and select other occasions. Those dates can be found on the website of the Imperial Household agency. The rest of the year they can be visited with a guided tour. Daily two tours are conducted in both Japanese and English. You can subscribe to these tours online.
How to get there
Take the JR train to Tokyo station.
This station is also served by the Marunouchi metro line.
4 days in Tokyo
Day 4: Asakusa
Asakusa is located north-east of central Tokyo. For centuries up until world war 2, it used to be the prime entertainment district of Tokyo. It was severely bombed and completely rebuilt afterward but it has never regained the same popularity it used to have.
The Sensoji temple is very famous with tourists, the nearby entertainment district is again gaining in popularity after the completion of the Tokyo Skytree in 2012.
Sensoji temple
The Sensoji temple is Tokyo’s most colorful and probably also most crowded temple. It was completed in 645 and that makes it also the oldest temple of the capital. Most visitors approach the temple through the Nakamise shopping street. The street is lined with shops that sell traditional souvenirs and snacks. To the left of the temple is an impressive five-storied pagoda and to the right is a much more recent shrine.
You can climb the stairs to the roof in the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center for a good view on the Nakamise street with the temple and the pagoda majestically in the background. The center is almost exactly opposite the impressive Kaminarimon or Thunder gate that marks the entrance of the shopping street. This gate is decorated with a huge paper lantern weighing 670 kilograms and 4 colorful statues of Buddhist gods.
How to get there
Take the Ginza or Asakusa metro line to Askusa station. It’s a short 2-minute walk from the station to the entrance gate of the Nakamise shopping street.
Denboin garden
The Denboin garden is the private garden of the temple’s abbot. For 2 months every year, usually March and April, everybody gets to enjoy this magnificent and serene place.
Be sure to pay this garden a visit if you’re here during this period. It is a place where you can take a rest and escape from the crowds in the temple. A visit to a small art exhibition of sculptures and ema paintings is included in the entrance fee for the
garden.
Denboin Garden
2-3-1 Asakusa Asakusa, Taito.
How to get there
Halfway Nakamise Shopping street you will cross a pedestrian street that borders the temple’s grounds on the South. Following this street Eastwards (take a left turn facing the temple) will lead you to the entrance of the Denboin garden. The entrance is the gate on your right just before the side street on your right.
Tokyo Skytree
It’s easy to get to Tokyo Skytree from Asakusa. It’s only a 20-minute walk but you could also opt for the Tobu Isesaki Line that directly connects the Skytree with Asakusa station. The line is operated by Tobu so your Japan Railways pass is not accepted.
The complete rebuilt area is called Tokyo Skytree Town and the tower is situated more or less in the middle of the town. At the bottom of the tower is a large shopping and entertainment complex.
The complex features several terraces that offer a good view of the tower or you can have lunch or dinner in the restaurant on the top floor in the Sky Tree East Building.
The entrance of the tower is situated on the 4th floor of the shopping mall. The tower has two observation platforms, the first is situated at a height of 350 meters and contains a café and restaurant. The second platform is an additional 100 meters higher. You can buy a ticket to visit only the first observation platform or both.
The lines are often very long so we recommend you to book skip the line tickets. These are currently cheaper when bought in advance than on-site.
Tokyo Skytree
1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida, Tokyo 131-0045.
Skip the line on-site: First observatory only: 3000 yen, both: 4000 yen
How to get there
The Tobu Isesaki Line directly connects the Skytree with Asakusa station.
Just as easy is the Asakusa Metro line that connects Asakusa station with Oshiage station (this station is right outside the shopping mall)
Ueno Park
To the west of the temple is Ueno Park, a large park surrounded by several museums and the Tokyo zoo.
The garden is a hotspot to see the cherry blossoms. Although we preferred the placid experience in Gyoen this park shows the true vibe that awakens the city as soon as the blossoms start to open in the trees.
Everywhere you saw people picnic with their friends and the fairly wide paths in the park were jam-packed.
The best spot to see the cherry blossoms is along the path that divides the Shinobazu lake.
How to get there
Ueno station is a major hub of JR and is also served by the Ginza and Hibiya metro lines.
Departing from Tokyo Skytree you take the Asakusa line to Asakusa station where you change for the Ginza line.
5 days in Tokyo
Day 5: Day trips from Tokyo
Now that you have seen the major highlights of the capital city it is time to explore some of the other sights of Japan. Those looking for cultural highlights will love Nikko, one of the best Shrines in Japan. The almost perfectly shaped Fuji Volcano is on nearly everybody’s list who comes to Japan for the first time. Note though that a clear sight is very rare in high season, your best chances are November to February. Lastly, we included Tokyo Disney. An ideal day trip with children or for those who just want to enjoy a day of ultimate entertainment.
Nikko
Most tourists are drawn to Nikko by the popular Toshogu Shrine. This Shrine started as a relatively plain mausoleum for Tokugawa Leyasu until its grandson enlarged it and transformed it into the richly decorated complex that it still is today. The Shrine gained its popularity because it is the only Shrine in Japan that is so extravagantly decorated.
Another reason to visit Nikko is the Nikko National Park, a huge forested mountainous park. The parks idyllic lakes, gorges, and waterfalls attract many hikers all year round but are particularly visited in late October to early November when it is a prime location to see the colorful autumn leaves.
How to get there
The JR Tohoku Shinkansen is the fastest option to reach Nikko. The train departs in Tokyo station or Ueno station and takes you to Utsunomiya where you change to the JR Nikko line. The journey takes about one hour and a half and is fully covered by the JR Pass.
A cheaper option are the limited express trains that leave from Shinjuku station.
These trains take two hours to reach Nikko, they are NOT fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass but are free to those who own a JR Tokyo Wide Pass or one of the JR East Passes.
Mt. Fuji
Day trips from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji will probably take you to Lake Kawaguchiko, the largest of the five lakes of the Fuji Five lakes resort area. A hike along the Northern shore of the lake will grant you several splendid views on the lake with the volcano in the background.
Several cherry trees that grow by the lakeside provide that extra bit of magic during the Sakura season.
After a day of hiking, you can relax in the many onsens located throughout the five lakes resort area or you can do a boat tour on one of the lakes.
How to get there
You could take a direct bus that leaves from Shinjuku station or Tokyo station. The bus will take you in just under 2 hours to Lake Kawaguchiko.
If you want to get by train you need to take the JR Chuo line to Otsuki first where you need to change to the Fujikyu Line to Kawaguchiko.
Holders of a JR Tokyo Wide Pass can use this pass for the entire journey but the segment from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko is NOT covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The train journey will take approximately 2,5 hours.
If you are looking for an easy hassle-free way to visit Mount Fuji then an organized day trip might be something for you. You will travel by coach to enjoy Mount Fuji and the Fuji Five Lakes. Enjoy a Japanese lunch and see Mount Fuji in all seasons at the 4D Fuji Airways flight simulator. This is an amazing tour with lots of activities.
Hakone
Hakone, famous for its hot springs, is another popular day trip to see Mount Fuji. Hakone is situated in a green environment and nearby Lake Ashi offers dramatic views on Mt. Fuji. Unlike lake Kawaguchiko the shores of Lake Ashi are largely undeveloped.
The best views on the mountain can be seen from the sightseeing pier in Moto-Hakone or during one of the boat trips on the lake.
How to get there
Direct buses leave from Shinjuku station for Hakone approximately every half an hour. The bus journey takes 2 hours. JR has no trains to Hakone, only Odakyu Railway operates trains between Tokyo and Hakone. The limited express train makes the journey in 85 minutes, the slower express train in 2 hours.
The Hakone Free Pass is a discount pass you need to consider when you would plan on staying overnight in Hakone.
Note that it is very rare to get good open views on Mt. Fuji. On most days the top of the mountain is hidden by clouds. The cooler months offer the best chance of seeing the volcanic mountain. The biggest chance to see the mountain in all its glory is from November to February. Visibility is also better in the early hours of the day or the late afternoon when temperatures aren’t too high.
Tokyo Disney
Tokyo Disney consists of two parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Disneyland is similar to other Disneyland parks around the world. DisneySea is the bigger of the two and has more attractions aimed at an adult audience. DisneySea is built around a unique concept unseen in other Disney parks around the world. The park was awarded the Thea award for the great decor of this park.
We loved our visit to Tokyo DisneySea. The park has some really good attractions and the design is one of the best we have ever experienced in a theme park. It was also fun to see how some Japanese completely dress-up in the Disney-magic.
How to get there
Take the JR Keiyo or JR Musashino lines to Maihama Station.
This is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. In Maihama station you can change to the Monorail that will take you to the entrance of Disneyland or DisneySea.
Note that the Monorail is not included in the price of your entrance ticket and is only free for overnight guests to the park. You can also walk from the JR station to the entrance of the parks. For Disneyland, this would be the best option as the entrance is really close by and only a 5-minute hike. DisneySea would approximately be a 15-minute hike.
The best place to stay in Tokyo
Last but not least, we share the best place to stay in Tokyo based on our own experience. When we decided where we wanted to stay in Tokyo during our 3 weeks in Japan, we looked at nightlife and restaurant options, the main tourist attractions and the proximity to main public transportation hubs. Most notably the JR Yamanote line, the circular line that takes you to most tourist attractions.
This led us to the Shinjuku district in our personal opinion the best district to stay in Tokyo for first-timers as it offers many of Tokyo’s highlights, has many shops and restaurants and offers access to Shinjuku station and the JR Yamanote line. Staying in Shinjuku is also a great choice for side-trips as well as you’ve many direct connections from Shinjuku station
But other districts have their advantages as well.
That’s why we wrote a complete post about the best place to stay in Tokyo for tourists and first-timers. You will find our detailed where to stay in Tokyo guide here.
Luxury Hotel
Park Hyatt Tokyo
The Park Hyatt was featured in the famous movie ‘Lost in Translation’. If you fancy yourself sipping cocktails in the elegant rooftop bar you might as well treat yourself to a luxury stay in their posh rooms. The hotel is located almost right next to the Tokyo Government building. You might skip a visit to their observation platforms after you’ve enjoyed that cocktail at the bar. The rooftop bar of the hotel is located higher than the observation platforms in the government building… So you will have a fantastic view of the city.
A perfect choice if you are looking for a 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of Shinjuku.
Premium Comfortabel Hotel
Hilton Tokyo
The Tokyo Hilton is situated about a 15-minutes walk to Shinjuku train station but the hotel offers a free shuttle service that runs every 20 minutes to the train station. The airport limousine bus has a stop at this hotel. There’re multiple restaurants and supermarkets in this area. Last but not least, after a busy day exploring this vibrant city you can relax in the indoor pool or sauna.
Highly recommended hotel if you are looking for a good hotel in the vicinity of public transport.
Comfortable Hotel
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is right in the heart of the bustling Kabukicho district with plenty of restaurants and bars. The rooms are rather small, as most hotel rooms in Tokyo are, but they’re very well-equipped. The hotel offers an excellent breakfast. The Shinjuku station is only about a 5-minutes walk but still, the hotel offers a paying shuttle as an alternative.
This is the perfect place for you if you are looking for a centrally located hotel for good price value.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to see and experience in Tokyo. You will need at least 2 days just to cover the major highlights. 3 days in Tokyo give you a good amount of time to see the major sites and experience the city atmosphere. When you have 4 days in Tokyo you have more time to discover the different Tokyo neighborhoods at ease.
Ideally, you have 5 days. This will allow you to explore the most fascinating districts of the capital and do a side trip to see some more of Japan like Nikko, Mt. Fuji, Hakone or Tokyo Disney Sea.
Other Japan travel tips
If you are traveling through Japan, our Japan travel guide will help you plan your trip.
Wondering what to wear in Tokyo? Take a look at our complete Japan packing list.
If you are planning a 3 week Japan itinerary, you will find a lot of information here. if you have 2 weeks to spend in Japan, take a look here.
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