A Guide to the World’s Largest City: 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary
Tokyo is an absolute must stop when traveling to Japan.
Don’t worry, nostalgic and well-preserved Japanese experiences are yours to have later on in the trip. In Tokyo get ready for fashion (both insanely chic + extremely questionable), crazy crowds, animal cafes, karaoke, toy capsules, skyscrapers and an incredible food scene.
DAY ONE
Take your first day to settle in to this wildy bustling city. We suggest staying in Shinjuku as its central, walkable and the JR train stop gets you to most parts of Tokyo with ease. Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is recommended as it is central, well-priced, has English-speaking staff and clean and modern (albeit tiny) rooms. Alternatively, you can stay in Asakusa at The Wired Hotel, which is super chic and has NYC vibes.
For dinner, try Edomae-style sushi which is traditional in Japan and includes cured or prepared fish and a beautiful presentation by the sushi chef. For a truly authentic experience, head to a sushi joint in Asakusa called 鮨ほまれ (there is no English name, team, but link to directions here).
Sit at the bar to experience the art of sushi-making in it’s true form. A trained sushi chef in Japan has a certain flow and style of movement when they are in the kitchen; how they stand, pivot, assemble sushi and deliver the sushi to guests are all part of ancient rituals and is a truly unique sight to observe. There is no English menu so we recommend sitting at the bar and ordering the omakase to get the freshest fish they have.
DAY TWO
Start by taking the JR to Shibuya Crossing, a quintessential Tokyo experience. It’s worthwhile to pay a few dollars to go to the view deck at Mags Park inside the Magnet by Shibuya 109 building (a department store) to escape the crowd for a bit and get some amazing photos of Shibuya Crossing in action.
Then take the train up to the Harajuku neighborhood followed by the Shinjuku district for wild fashion, vintage and knick knack shopping. Hit Shin Udon for lunch - it only seats to 10-12 guests at a time so line up before they open and know that the line moves fast. You simply must order the udon with parmesan, pepper and a soft-boiled egg. It’s something that you will be dreaming about for years to come.
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Walk off your noodles and head to Yoyogi Park where you can escape the city hustle bustle. Entering the forest, you’ll feel a bit of magic as the air cools under the tall trees and the sicadas create a soothing din. Follow signs to the sacred shrine Meiji Jingu for a taste of old Japan. Inside of the shrine, visitors who donate to the shrine receive an ema, a wooden tablet on which you write your wish and hang it as an offering.
In the early evening, take an Uber to Mori Contemporary Art Museum in Roppongi and see sensational city views from the rooftop observation deck. Head to a late coursed dinner at Shirosaka for a Michelin-rated fine dining experience. Do the wine, beer and sake pairing and be prepared to throw down a pretty penny for this for this meal, it was amazing and so worth it!
DAY THREE
Kick off the day with sushi breakfast (yes, sushi breakfast) at Tsukiji Fish Market where the freshest fish is served earliest in the day. The market has all types of housewares, wild and/or delicious snacks and souvenirs so bring your yen! Japan is famous for it’s gardens so if you need a dose of green head to Hamarikyu Gardens or the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, both relatively close to the fish market.
Wrap up the afternoon in Asakusa to see some of Tokyo’s main sights. Start at the ancient Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple, where you can see the famous giant red lantern and make an offering. It is a very popular sight so bring your zen when you arrive to calmly battle the crowds.
Find your way to Nakamise (Orange) Street and the surrounding shops to sample snacks like ningyo-yaki, small cakes filled with red bean paste, and pick out trinkets to bring home. Optional activities in/around Asakusa include: foot massages, cat, owl or Shibu Inu cafes, and getting loot from the numerous capsule toys vending machines.
In the evening, head back to Shinjuku for some bomb ass ramen at Fuunji. Fuunji is one of the best eats in Tokyo and is famous for their traditional ramen as well as their “dipping noodles”, which are kind of like ramen but not.
Get ready for a long line at the restaurant (there is a theme here, good food = long line) and to pay at a vending machine once inside. After choosing your dishes, the machine will spit out tickets, which you give to the waitress when you sit down. If the ramen chef at Fuunji is not already a local celebrity, he absolutely should be as the hair and ninja-like theatrics must have taken years to craft.
For delightful après dinner cocktails at Ben Fiddich, where you’ll feel like you’ve walked into Lewis Carroll’s study filled with vials of unmarked liqueurs, herbs and rare booze. Wrap up your final Tokyo night with private karaoke to sing as much Mariah Carey as your partner can possibly stand; you’ll find karaoke bars all over Shinjuku.
If you’re looking for a full Japan itinerary, you can find it here: Two-Week Japan Itinerary: The Complete Guide