Tokyo guide for first-time travellers
Those who've been to Tokyo will know - you'll never run out of things to see and do in Japan's vibrant metropolis. You can visit magical theme parks and ancient temples in the same day, soar to the top of majestic skyscrapers, soak in an onsen, or catch a bullet train out to the countryside - it's really up to you.
If it's your first time planning a trip to Tokyo, you've come to the right place. Here's a 5D4N travel itinerary guide for an epic trip to Tokyo, inclusive of some must-visit sights, recommended food, and travel tips! Keep reading to be inspired. 🇯🇵
💡 Exploring more than just Tokyo? Get a JR Pass for your adventures across Japan!
Complete 5D4N itinerary guide for Tokyo, Japan
So you've finally landed in Tokyo, either at Narita Airport or Haneda Airport. But how do you get to Tokyo city itself? Depending on your budget and the size of the traveling group, we've put together two easy guides that will help you decide the best fit for you to travel between the airport and Tokyo!
🍣 Japan Essentials🍣
🚅Trains & Airport Transfers
📌Mobile Data & Metro Passes
Day 1: Explore the city
We always encourage taking it easy on day one, as you'll likely be pretty tired from the flight in. Start your Tokyo adventure slow by casually exploring the city! One of our favourite neighbourhoods in the city is Shimokitazawa, a hip, laid-back part of Tokyo lined with vintage shops, craft cafes, bakeries, live houses, galleries, bookstores, and izakaya bars. Fun fact: did you know that Shimokitazawa is known as Japan's "Curry District"? They even host an annual Curry Festival every October. Dine at one of the curry restaurants if you're here during lunchtime - there's even a restaurant that serves curry alongside gelato infused with spices!
Next up, pop by Harajuku - Tokyo's youthful, vibrant, and fun neighbourhood that's just a 15-minute train ride away from Shimokitazawa. From fashion boutiques to kawaii gift shops, cute cafes, specialty stores, and unique restaurants, there's much to eat, see, and do in the area. Pssst, you can explore the best parts of Harajuku by booking a walking tour on Klook!
If you have a sweet tooth, grab the opportunity to sink your teeth into desserts and street snacks that Harajuku is known for, especially its popular crepes, quirky ice cream, and larger-than-life cotton candy. After snacking, walk off those calories with a stroll at Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo's largest city park located in the Harajuku area.
Not a fan of shopping? Venture slightly out of the city for a change of scenery instead! A spot you can consider is Inagi City, located just half an hour from Tokyo city centre. Inagi is a lesser-known area that's perfect for a fun adventure. Upon reaching Inagi, head to Yomiuriland Amusement Park, an exciting theme park with over 40 attractions ranging from thrilling roller coasters to child-friendly rides. Yomiuriland Amusement Park is especially beautiful in the winter time as the park lights up with a colourful display of illuminations upon nightfall!
Another attraction in the area is the "HANA・BIYORI" Flower Park, a new space that only opened its doors in 2020. Home to a wide variety of flowers, you can enjoy a multi-ending show of digital art and stroll through a flower chandelier made up of over 300 pots of flowers! 🌸 It's also known for its lush, botanical garden Starbucks that's drenched in natural sunlight and filled with flowers and greens.
Try an authentic Japanese onsen spa
A Japan trip wouldn't be complete without experiencing an authentic Japanese onsen! Look no further than in Senkyaku Banrai Toyosu Manyo Club Onsen Experience which is set to open on February 1, 2024 for a luxury indoor-outdoor onsen spa that's open 24-hours! This onsen facility in the heart of Tokyo where you can enjoy the duality between old and modern Japan culture. Plus points, it's easily accessible via train or car especially if you're coming from Shibuya or Shinjuku!
Klook Tip: Schedule your visit nearing sunset for the best view of the Tokyo cityscape!
Here you can expect a foot bath with a 360 panoramic view of the Tokyo skyline. Those who are looking for the ultimate relaxation experience can look forward to a "Yudokoro" where you can enjoy the famous hot springs of Hakone and Yugawara Onsen in open-air. So what are you waiting for? Enjoy the early bird rate and unbeatable packages before January 31!
For dinner, we'd highly recommend making your way to Shinjuku. The streets of Shinjuku come to life at night, and it's home to thousands of food spots where you can get anything from sushi to hearty bowls of ramen, tonkatsu, shabu-shabu, Japanese BBQ, and more. You can find establishments with a wide price range here - so there'll definitely be something yummy for you whether you're on a budget or don't mind splurge on a good meal.
Here are some popular restaurants in Shinjuku to add to your consideration list:
- Ichiran Ramen
- Himawari Sushi
- Tempura Tsunahachi
- Tsukemen Gonokami Seisakusho
- Nabezo Shinjuku Meiji Dori
- Tonkatsu Hamakutsu
- Kyourakutei (one-star Michelin soba restaurant)
- Nakajima (known as one of the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurants in Tokyo)
If you're up for a drink to wind-down after a long first day, make your way to Golden Gai, a buzzing back alley kinda district tucked away in Shinjuku. Home to a myriad of small bars and restaurants, Golden Gai is the perfect spot to have an authentic experience of Tokyo's nightlife.
Lastly, end your night with some sky-high views from the top of the Shibuya Sky Observation Deck! The 360-degree panoramic night views from this observatory will take your breath away. Some iconic sights to spot while you're standing at the edge include Tokyo Skytree, the Shibuya scramble crossing, Roppongi Hills, and more. You can also pop by the Sky Gallery section for a glimpse of some dazzling digital art displays. ✨
Day 2: Art and culture day
Explore the two sides of Tokyo in a day - from the city's well-preserved tradition and culture, to its futuristic and trendy side. Whether you're a fan of historical sites or modern art, Tokyo is a vibrant metropolis where the best of both worlds co-exist. Here are some suggestions on sights you can add to your itinerary for day 2:
- Visit the Meiji Shrine: dedicated to the first emperor of modern Japan, Tokyo's Meiji Shrine is a must-visit when in the city. This hot tourist attraction consists of spacious shrine grounds with tranquil walking paths, a forested area made up of 100,000 trees, ancient shrine buildings, and a newly-opened Meiji Jingu Museum.
- Stroll through the traditional district of Asakusa: to enjoy the atmosphere and vibes of old Tokyo, make your way to Asakusa. Known for its popular Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street (a vibrant street lined with stalls selling local snacks and tourist souvenirs), Asakusa is easily accessible and lots of fun to explore. The district is also a hub of traditional Japanese cultural festivities and events - you may be lucky enough to encounter one while you're there. To level-up your photo game, rent a kimono for your sightseeing day at Asakusa!
- Enjoy some fresh air at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: the Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's largest and most popular parks. People head here for relaxing strolls, fun picnics under the trees, or to just spend some time away from the busy city streets. If you're travelling during spring or autumn, bring along your own mat and snacks so you can have a picnic under the cherry blossom trees or surrounded by autumn foliage.
- Explore some digital art at teamLab Planets: if the concept of digital art interests you, you'll have a fun time at teamLab Planets! This ultra-modern digital art museum is filled with Insta-worthy immersive installations spread over four large-scale digital art spaces and two gardens – one even has over 10,000 real orchids! Be surrounded by mesmerizing art that will swirl, interact, and shape-shift around you. ✨
- Marvel at Tokyo's cityscape from the top of Tokyo Tower: if you love seeing sights from up above, the iconic Tokyo Tower is a must-visit while in the city. Standing at 333 metres tall in the heart of Tokyo, the Tokyo Tower observatory offers a bird's eye view of Tokyo - you'll even get to catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in the distance on a clear day! Alternatively, enjoy equally picturesque city views from the Roppongi Hills Observation Deck or the Tokyo Skytree.
- Explore the funky streets of Akihabara: if you're a fan of anime, manga, or Japanese games, Tokyo's 'Electric Town' will be heaven-on-earth for you! Akihabara had made a name for itself for being filled with electronic shops, arcades, maid cafes, and all sorts of themed restaurants. The area is popular for being a shopping spot for discounted electronics, video games, manga and anime merch. Want to do something fun and memorable? Whizz down the streets of Akihabara on a go-kart!
Day 3: Spend a magical day at one of Tokyo's theme parks or attractions
Photo Credit: @jessicachaw
If you're a fan of Disney or theme parks in general, please don't leave Tokyo without spending a magical day at Tokyo Disneyland. In fact, Tokyo is home to two Disney Parks - Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Both parks have their own charm and are made up of unique attractions and rides suited for people of all ages.
For the classic Disney theme park experience, Disneyland is for you. However, if you'd like to visit a one-of-a-kind Disney park with attractions geared more towards adults, you'll love the equally magical DisneySea. If you can, visit both of them! 🏰
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter
Alternatively, if you're an avid Harry Potter fan, why not take a walking tour of the wizarding world? Step into iconic sets such as the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾ at the new Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter!
Discover behind-the-scenes secrets of the Wizarding World and enjoy lots of fun activities including becoming a Hogwarts portrait and stepping into the crowd of a Quidditch match. To complete the experience, visitors can stop for a refreshing Butterbeer in the world’s biggest Butterbeer bar or even enjoy a Professor Umbridge-inspired Afternoon Tea. Building on the success of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - the Making of Harry Potter, the new Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo will also feature exclusive sets only available in this location. This will be the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world and you can expect to spend around four hours exploring the only Warner Bros. Studio Tour to open in Asia.
Klook Tip: Make sure to pre-book your tickets before visiting Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo. Tickets won’t be sold at the location.
Day 4: Day trip to Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is one of Japan's most iconic symbols, and is on the bucket list of many. If you're planning a trip to Tokyo, going on a Mount Fuji Day Trip is definitely something you should consider if you'd like to catch a glimpse of the majestic mountain up-close. Get to Mount Fuji by booking a hassle-free day trip, or if you're more adventurous and prefer taking charge of your own adventure, you can also easily get here yourself by train, bus, or car! Most of these modes of transport will take you only between 2 to 3 hours to get there.
For a worry-free experience, book a Klook-exclusive day tour to Mount Fuji and Hakone on Klook! This tour comes inclusive of stops at the Mount Fuji 5th Station, Gotemba Premium Outlets, the town of Hakone, as well as a ride on the Hakone Ropeway cable car and cruise journey aboard the Hakone Pirate Ship.
💡 Explore the mountainous town of Hakone on your own and enjoy unlimited travels on eight types of transportation with a Hakone Freepass! Not only does the pass cover rides on the trains, buses, cable car, and sightseeing cruise in Hakone, you'll also be able to take advantage of discounts to 70+ attractions and establishments across Hakone.
Day 5: Shopping & sightseeing
Start your last day bright and early at the Toyosu Fish Market (a replacement of the iconic Tsukiji Fish Market), a huge wholesale market with buildings dedicated to the sale of seafood, fruits, and vegetables. The fish market is most known for its morning tuna auctions, which you can observe if you're an early riser!
Daily tuna auctions take place between 530AM - 630AM every morning and can be watched from observation windows lined along a corridor facing the auction area. If you love seafood, you'll get to enjoy it from the many restaurants in the market that serve everything from fresh sushi to ramen. Be sure to head over early as most of these restaurants close by 2PM.
After exploring the fish market, catch a 20-minute train ride to Odaiba, a fun hotspot located on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. This breezy seaside district offers an array of entertainment activities for people of all ages.
Some popular attractions here include:
- The iconic Rainbow Bridge that links Odaiba to the rest of Tokyo (it's especially pretty when it lights up at night!)
- A relaxing water bus cruise between Asakusa and Odaiba
- teamLab Planets Tokyo Toyosu, immersive digital art museums
- A giant ferris wheel that stands at 115m tall
- Miraikan, Japan's National Museum of Science and Innovation
- The majestic Gundam Unicorn statue
- Tokyo Joypolis, and indoor amusement park that specialises in rides with virtual reality experiences
- Aqua City Odaiba, a large complex with 100+ shops and entertainment facilities
If you haven't had much time to shop in the previous few days, you can do so on your last day in Tokyo. There are plenty of popular shopping streets in Tokyo with a plethora of huge department stores, quaint boutiques, vintage shops, and upscale retail outlets, depending on what you're looking for. Do some research on where the stores you hope to visit are, and plan your shopping spree accordingly! If you're unsure and just want to walk around, you won't go wrong with Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Ikebukuro, and Ginza.
