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Looking for the best Tokyo 5 day itinerary as a first-timer? You’ve come to the right place.
In Japan’s vibrant and sprawling metropolis, you’ll find yourself immersed in a whirlwind of sights and experiences. As your eyes and ears fill with sensations, it can definitely be overwhelming to conduct a thorough trip in just a few days.
Not to fear though! To ensure you experience all the must-see attractions without exhausting yourself – and leaving some room for spontaneity – we’re sharing this 5-day itinerary with insights from a Tokyo resident of four months so you know you’re really getting the best recommendations!
Tokyo 5 Day Itinerary Day 1 – Asakusa
Senso-ji Temple is an iconic landmark of Asakusa, Tokyo’s historic district. With its rich history and identity as one of Japan’s most cherished Buddhist temples, it is definitely a must-see even if it can get crowded at certain times of the year. Pass through the Kaminarimon Gate (‘Thunder Gate’) and find excitement in the majestic architecture and lively stalls within.
Shopping at the Stalls
We recommend moving slowly down Nakamise Shopping Street to see what there is on offer. These stalls are perfect for you if you are shopping for local specialties with a variety of products from jewelry to bags and souvenirs. There are also fresh snacks including delicious strawberry melon pans which you definitely want to try.
Getting your Fortune
One of the greatest things about Senso-ji Temple is that they have their fortunes (otherwise known as ‘omikuji’) written in English as well as Japanese! You may need to take a moment to figure out how to do it but the process is quite straightforward. After you shake the canister, you simply take out a stick and pick a fortune out from the correspondingly numbered drawer.
Here is the fortune I received:
If you are unlucky enough to receive a bad fortune, there is an area where you can tie them with all the others in the same boat. By leaving them there, you are making sure the bad luck does not follow you from the temple.
Street Food
Asakusa is the land of amazing street food. Wander down nearby streets and alleys, taking your time to soak in all the different options before you decide what to eat. For dessert, we recommend trying some of the iconic matcha ice-cream Japan is so famous for. There are many good spots but the one we visited was named Sawawa Asakusa.
Tokyo Skytree
As it approaches late afternoon and you’re tired of exploring, you might think about observing Tokyo’s beautiful city line from a much higher vantage point. You can reach Tokyo Skytree from Senso-ji by a 19-minute walk. Choose whether you want to visit the 350m observation deck, the 450m observation deck or even both! Get a stunning panoramic view of Tokyo from every angle and if you choose to stay until late, you can even see the gorgeous nightscape. Book tickets here.
Tokyo Skytree also has the classic Kura Sushi’s flagship store i.e. the largest conveyor belt sushi store in the world, so we think it is definitely worth a visit!
Tokyo 5 Day Itinerary Day 2 – Ginza
Although known as a rich-person district, there are still plenty of things to do in Ginza no matter what your spending budget is.
Of course, if you love high-end shopping, then Ginza is your place to go wild! Visit Ginza Six if you want to shop at luxury stores, where there is even a delightful Dior Cafe. I also visited but the prices stopped me from ordering anything other than their tea which I still found quite enjoyable.
Ginza Six also has diverse food stalls in their lower levels where you can buy delicious snacks and desserts if you’re not a shopper.
Fashion Central
Ginza really is Tokyo’s shopping and fashion central. Hop into any of the stores on the side of the street and you can easily stay there for hours. Our personal favorite was Ginza’s 12-storey Uniqlo. From the unique exhibition you’re greeted with when you first walk in to their cafe on the top floor, we can guarantee you will have an experience here like no other Uniqlo you’ve ever been.
GU is another great store owned by the same company as Uniqlo offering fashionable, high-quality clothes at cheaper prices. It’s only a few minutes walk from the Uniqlo store and we reckon it is definitely worth a visit.
Ginza Art Aquarium
This beautiful art aquarium combines aesthetic design and marine life to deliver one of the most unforgettable exhibitions in the world. With its use of colors, lighting and infrastructure, it provides a truly unique experience and is a must-visit for anyone coming to Japan for the first time. You can buy tickets on the day from machines at the venue.
There are many cafes and hidden restaurants on the side of the road so keep an eye out! We tried tonkatsu at the highly rated Ginza Bairin and loved it but just be mindful that there may be a queue. We recommend visiting a bit earlier than dinner time or a bit later than lunch time to get in fast.
Tokyo 5 Day Itinerary Day 3 – Odaiba
Odaiba is a massively underrated part of Tokyo offering unparalleled attractions and entertainment. If you want a day of fun and craziness, you should definitely make a stop. From indoor amusement parks (Joypolis) to haunted houses to giant Gundam statues, they have everything you’re looking for and more.
After you’ve had some excitement, you can stay at Daiba 1-Chome Shopping street, where there are countless arcade-style attractions and activities as well as the Tokyo Trick Art Museum! You can definitely spend a whole day there if you wanted to.
Or if you wanted to take a break, you can also find somewhere to sit and sip on a drink or munch on some crepes.
As it gets late, you can exit the shopping center and revel in the sunset as it sets over the Rainbow Bridge.
There’s even a smaller version of the Statue of Liberty here that you can take pictures with! Post it on your instagrama and that’s sure to confuse everyone.
Tokyo 5 Day Itinerary Day 4 – Shinjuku
Housing the busiest train station in the world, Shinjuku is definitely one of Tokyo’s most energetic districts with looming skyscrapers, vibrant streets and tireless entertainment. If you want your pick of shopping, dining or Japanese cultural experiences, Shinjuku has it all. With how massive it is, it’s impossible to see everything in merely one day so we recommend you focus on a few key attractions you’re truly interested in.
3D Cat
One of the most iconic landmarks in Tokyo’s Shinjuku, many tourists come out of Shinjuku’s JR East Exit just to see the renowned 3D cat. Hopefully, after 3 days, you’ve gotten better at navigating the confusing train exits and platforms although Shinjuku’s station is a monster of its own.
If you see a lot of tourists crowded on one side of the street, their phone all pointing in the same direction, then you’ll know you’ve arrived at the right place.
Godzilla
Another iconic monument of Shinjuku, the giant Godzilla statue which spews fire every hour from midnight to 8pm emerges over the top of the buildings from Kabukicho the red light-district, intimidating all passerbys.
Omoide Yokocho
Omoide Yokocho, meaning Memory Lane is a great place to visit if you love food and immersing yourself in the true midst of Japanese locals. Their narrow alleyways are home to countless izakayas (Japanese pubs serving snack and drink) and mouthwatering yakitori stalls. Just pick a store and slide right in to enter a cozy space for you to order and chat with Japanese locals. Keep in mind that the alleyways can be quite smokey at times.
You may also want to visit the nearby Golden Gai which are winding alleyways home to many small bars and taverns.
Shopping, nightlife, culture
Depending on what you’re most interested in, Shinjuku truly has the best of everything. If you want a more structured exploration journey or you want a local to show you the best haunts, we recommend joining this izakaya crawl. If izakayas are not your thing, but you’re interested in viewing more local attractions and learning about Japanese culture, here is a nighttime guided walking tour of Shinjuku.
Tokyo 5 Day Itinerary Day 5 – Shibuya and Harajuku
We couldn’t have made an itinerary without including Shibuya and Harajuku. We’ve included both of these at the end, anticipating your shopping adventures and suitcase reorganisation.
Again, there are so many things to see and do here so we urge you to be realistic and focus on just a few key places you really want to go.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Take part in the scramble or sip on your drink while watching millions of people cross the street in Shibuya every day. Personally, the view from L’Occitane Cafe was one of the highlights.
Don Quijote
Don Quijote or Donki is a must-visit for all travelers to Japan. It has everything from beauty products to electronics to household items to everything that’s weird and wacky. Shibuya’s MEGA Don Quijote is a multi-level treasure trove where you can find anything your heart desires.
You can also try their cheesy 10-yen bread here on the street level!
For Anime Fans…
If you’re an anime fan, Shibuya has the Shonen Jump Store, Pokemon Center and the Mugiwara Store! You’ll feel like you’re in heaven as you wander around looking at the copious selection of merch you can’t get back home.
Takeshita Street
As you head over to Harajuku either by train or by foot, you’ll get swept in the throng of people heading to Takeshita Street known for its tasty dessert and quirky fashion boutiques. The diverse range of unique snacks will be sure to pique your interest and your tastebuds. Here are some of the snacks we tried and would recommend:
These are all snacks that are easily found by walking up and down Takeshita Street so keep an eye out!
We also had a meal and a souffle pancake from Hoshino Coffee on a rainy day which we thoroughly enjoyed.
Food recommendation
We won’t get too into the food options but there is a delicious yakiniku restaurant in Shibuya where you can grill your own meat in a personal booth. The food comes in sets with rice, soup and other side dishes and the prices are very reasonable. The restaurant is called Yakiniku Like and it can get busy at nighttime so we recommend going during the late afternoon.
We hope this Tokyo 5 day Itinerary helped all of the first-time travelers in their planning! By following this schedule, you’ll have a good grasp of what Japan has to offer despite only a brief stay.
If you’re interested in more posts about travel in Japan or learning Japanese, make sure you check out our other posts here and stay updated with our blog.