How Many Days Do You Need for Tokyo?

Even though I’ve generously spent months in Tokyo, no amount of time there feels like enough for me—I could live there!

But as a first-time (or repeat) visitor, how many days should you spend in Tokyo?

Depending on your itinerary, I recommend spending at least three full days in Tokyo.

Because there is an infinite amount to discover in this wonderful city, here’s a brief overview of how you could organize your time:

• One Week+ (Recommended): This is an ideal time to explore Tokyo a bit deeper, including 1-2 day trips to places like Nikko, Hakone, Fujikawaguchiko, Yokohama, Kamakura, and Kawagoe.
• Short Stay (1–3 Days): This option is best for stopovers or quick city breaks, and it allows time for must-sees like Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Tower, and more. Read my Tokyo 2-day itinerary for more advice!
• Long Weekend (4–5 Days): Four to five days will give you balance to explore Tokyo’s popular sights and activities while exploring underrated neighborhoods, local izakayas, and vintage markets. Yanaka/Nezu, Akihabara, Asakusa, Koenji, Daikanyama, and Ebisu are a few of my favorite places to wander!

My Favorite Things to Do in Tokyo

If I haven’t said it enough already (🙈), Tokyo has it all, and you could hardly grow bored here.

From teahouses and temples, robot cafes and art museums, Pokémon and anime, leafy avenues and riverside parks, lantern-lit alleys and luxurious shopping malls, and more… I could go on and on!

Here are some of my favorite things to do in Tokyo, including hidden gems and unmissable attractions.

Unique experiences and personal recommendations:

• Thrift and sip coffee along Cat Street in Harajuku/Jingumae
• Go on a yakatabune evening dinner cruise in Tokyo Bay or along the Sumida River
• Enjoy matcha in a teahouse at Hamirikyu Gardens
• Take a guided food tour in Asakusa
• Tour the Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter (This was EPIC!) ⚡️
• Watch the official Sumo Tournament in May
• Get tailormade clothes in Nippori, Tokyo’s ‘Fabric Town’
• Take a sunset cruise along the Sumida River
• Enjoy specialty coffee in ‘Coffee Town,’ Kiyosumi-Shirakawa
• Explore Tokyo by bicycle!
• See plum and cherry blossoms in spring (Chidorigafuchi is a top spot)
• Celebrate the summer festivals, Bon Odori

Most popular tourist spots and attractions in Tokyo:

These are all the places where crowds are guaranteed.

• Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, Hachiko Statue
• Meiji Jingu Shrine and Takeshita Street (Harajuku area)
• Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa)
• Tokyo Tower (Minato)
• Omoide Yokocho for yakitori (Shinjuku)
• teamLab Planets & teamLab Borderless
• Golden Gai (Shinjuku / Kabukicho “Red Light District”)
• Tokyo Skytree (Sumida)
• Imperial Palace (Chiyoda)
• Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea
• Shopping in Ginza and Omotesando
• Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh sashimi
• Ghibli Museum (Inokashira Park, Mitaka)

And a few of Tokyo’s hidden gems:

• Jinbocho neighborhood, aka ‘Book Town’
• Ebisu Yokocho (the local version of the touristy Omoide Yokocho)
• Kaneiji Temple 寛永寺 and the five-story pagoda in Ueno Park
• Gōtokuji, the ‘Lucky Cat’ Temple (Setagaya)
• Koenji for rock bars and vintage shopping
• Yanaka and Yanesen area’s temples and shrines
• Kagurazaka, the ‘Little Paris’ of Tokyo!
• Retro bathhouses (sento) and ‘cat-town’ in Yanaka

Tokyo’s Underrated Neighborhoods & Hidden Gems

SHIBUYA is usually the first place people want to visit in Tokyo, thanks to the famous Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, and Hachiko Statue. While those are iconic for a reason, there’s so much more to Shibuya City (like entire neighborhoods).

Again, don’t fall victim to the mindset that you “need” to visit (or stay in!) only Shibuya and Shinjuku City to make your Tokyo trip count.

On the contrary, Tokyo is so much more than Shibuya or Shinjuku! Each time I visit, I explore another off-beat neighborhood and ward, which becomes my next favorite place to hang out.

Here are a few of Tokyo’s must-visit, underrated areas! (In no particular order.)

• Shimokitazawa: Come here for thrifting, vintage markets, indie shops, live music, and bohemian vibes!
• Yanaka (‘Cat Town’ or ‘Little Kyoto’): A slice of old Tokyo with charming streets and local shops. This is where I first stayed in Tokyo, and I loved it!
• Daikanyama: Stylish cafes, boutique shopping, and an effortlessly cool atmosphere. Don’t miss Blue Bottle café and the Tsutaya Bookstore!
• Ebisu: A chic yet laid-back corner of Tokyo! I love eating in Ebisu, which has walkable streets, hidden izakayas, and trendy cafes and boutiques. I often couple it with Daikanyama, as they’re neighbors.
• Jimbōchō: Aka ‘Book Town’ and one of the cutest neighborhoods of central Tokyo.
• Kiyosumi Shirakawa: Home to over two dozen “third-wave” coffee shops! This area is a must-visit for coffee lovers seeking a true Tokyo hidden gem. Blue Bottle and Arise are my new favorite go-to’s in this area.
• Koenji: Known as Tokyo’s punk capital! Think tiny rock bars, indie music, and second-hand stores, all within a stone’s throw from Shinjuku.

Must-Try in Tokyo: Food & Dining Recommendations

Tokyo’s food scene is unlike anywhere else. With over 200+ Michelin-starred restaurants, thousands of noodle shops, and sushi conveyor belts, this city has a flavor for every taste bud.

I highly recommend signing up for a food tour in Tokyo to get acquainted with must-try dishes. It’s a great way to meet travelers and avoid a language barrier when ordering food!

Street Food:

• Ameya-Yokocho Food Street in Ueno
• Ebisu Yokocho Alley (I recently went here with friends and LOVED it!)
• Melonpan from Asakusa Nakamise Street
• Takoyaki (or rainbow grilled cheese!) in Harajuku

Renowned Ramen Spots:

• The underground “Tokyo Ramen Street” ft. eight noodle shops at Tokyo Station
• Nakiryu for Michelin-starred ‘spicy’ dandanden ramen

Local Must-Eats:

• Monjayaki, Tokyo’s ‘soul food’ (similar to Osaka’s okonomiyaki), find it on Tsukishima Monja Street or near Ryogoku inside the Sumida Tourist Center!
• Sashimi at Tsukiji Outer Market (try the A5 Wagyu skewers, too!)
• Oden (fishcakes and veggie hot pot) at Asakusa Oden Otafuku (est. 1915)

How to Get Around Tokyo: Travel Tips & Transport

Despite being the largest metropolis in the world, getting around Tokyo is relatively easy by using the metro, tram, and subway lines.

Most attractions and wards are accessible on the green Yamanote JR line, which encircles the heart of Tokyo.

Getting around Tokyo via metro/subway: Use an IC card (like Suica, ICOCA, or Pasmo) for seamless travel! All you have to do is tap in and out rather than buy individual tickets. You can download a digital IC card on your Apple Wallet or Apple Watch. Tokyo Metro and Toei lines can get you almost anywhere!

Apps to download: Google Maps and Japan Travel by NAVITIME for train schedules. Download and purchase a cheap Japan eSIM to get data abroad for real-time train updates and navigation.

Bikes and walking: Get familiar with Tokyo via a bike tour or rent one yourself for spacious areas like Ueno. On weekends, take advantage of pedestrian-friendly areas like Ginza.