itinerary jepng

Tokyo Itinerary - Five Day - Two examples of 5 Day Tokyo itinerary covering central Tokyo and surrounds including Mt Fuji. These Tokyo itinerary can make the basis of longer trip to Japan. For more examples see our Tokyo itinerary page.

We recommend staying in Shinjuku as it is centrally located, close to most of the highlights of Tokyo and has excellent transport links. There are many hotels in walking distance from Shinjuku Station.

5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY #1

This Tokyo itinerary will suit those with a particular interest in Japanese gardens, history and shopping.

DAY 1 - 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY #1

Tsukiji Fish Market
Retail Fish Market next to the Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market
Do: Explore the retail market, see sea food you have never seen before and eat sushi!
Open: 5:30am - 1:30pm
Allow: 1 to 1.5 hours
Access: Tsukiji Market Station on Tokyo Metro, then 3 minute walk
Hamarikyu Gardens
Do: Walk and enjoy the beauty of this traditional Japanese garden
Open: 9am-5pm
Fee: 300 Yen
Allow: 1 to 1.5 hours
Access: 15 minute walk from Tsukiji Market
Sumida River Cruise
Do: Enjoy the views of Tokyo along the Sumida River
Fee: 740 Yen
Allow: 35 minutes

Sensoji Temple

Sensoji Temple
Historic and most popular temple in Tokyo
Do: Shop along Nakamise-dori and take many pictures including Kaminarimon Gate
Open: 24/7
Fee: Free, but consider a donation
Allow: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Access: 15 minute walk from Asakusa terminal on Sumida River Cruise

Ueno Park including Tokyo National Museum
Park features some of the best cherry blossom when in season. Ueno Park also features temple, shine, art gallery and a zoo.
Tokyo National Museum
Open: 9:30am-5pm close on Mondays
Fee: 620 Yen
Allow: 1 to 2 hours (Museum only) You could easily spend a whole day in this park in cherry blossom season.
Access: 6 minute walk from Sensoji Temple to Asakusa Station then 5 minutes by Tokyo Metro to Ueno Station, which in the corner of the park.

Return to Shinjuku
During cherry blossom season eat dinner for a cafe in or opposite Ueno Station. Otherwise return to Shinjuku to eat dinner from one of the many restaurants and cafes in the area.

DAY 2 - 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY #1

Rikugien Garden
Famous tradition Japanese garden.
Open: 9am-5pm
Fee: 300 Yen
Allow: 1 to 2 hours. Time will be more limited during winter.
Access: Komagome Station (JR) then 7 minutes walk.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Open: 9am-5pm
Fee: 300 Yen
Allow: 1 to 2 hours. Time will be more limited during winter.
Access: Return to Komagome Station 7 minutes walk, then take Tokyo Metro to Iidabashi Station (9 minutes), then walk 3 minutes.

Nijubashi Bridge at the Tokyo Imperial Palace

Nijubashi Bridge - Tokyo Imperial Palace
The most photographed scene in Japan.
Open: Public area is always open
Allow: 15 to 30 minutes
Access: Return to Iidabashi Station 3 minutes walk, then take Tokyo Metro to Nijubashimae Station (10 minutes), then walk 10 minutes.

DAY 3 - 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY #1

Meiji Shrine
Most popular shrine in Tokyo.
Allow: 60 to 120 minutes
Access: 2 minutes walk to the surrounding park land from Harajuku Station (JR)
Takeshita Dori
Famous street for youthful fashion
Allow: 20 to 60 minutes
Access: 2 minutes walk back to Harajuku Station (JR), then just cross the road.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko Statue
The famous scramble crossing outside of Shibuya Station, where the famous Hachiko (dog) statue stands.
Allow: 15 minutes
Access: Return to Harajuku Station (JR), then 3 minutes on the JR line to Shibuya Station.

Shibuya - Shopping
Have lunch and shop at the famous stores in Shibuya including the 109 Building. See Shibuya Shopping Guide.
Allow: 60 to 120 minutes or days if you have time.
Access: Cross the scramble crossing and you are there.

Shinjuku
More shopping, a bit less fashion and a bit more technology/camera stores like Yodobashi Camera. Then have dinner in the area. Choose from many options from pub type meals to formal restaurants.
Allow: 90 to 180 minutes
Access: Return to Shibuya Station then 6 minutes on JR line to Shinjuku Station.

Note: There are many options in this day. If you particularly want to see the Harajuku Fashion or cosplay, then you need to go to the bridge next to Harajuku Station on a Sunday afternoon. Harajuku also offers more shopping options including brand name stores and fashion houses in Omotesando.

DAY 4 - 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY #1

Mt Fuji

Mt Fuji and Hakone Day Tour
Visit and experience this most famous icon of Japan on our most popular organised tour.
Allow: 11 to 12 hours - see above link for full details

DAY 5 - 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY #1

Edo-Tokyo Open Air Archtectural Museum
See what Tokyo of the past looked like.
Open: 9:30am-5:30pm close on Mondays
Fee: 400 Yen
Allow: 60 to 120 minutes
Access: 5 minutes by bus from Musashi-koganei Station

Ryogoku Kokugikan
Japan's main Sumo stadium. Take a tour, see the museum or just enjoy the architecture from the outside.
Open: Sumo Museum 10:00 - 16:30, closed Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, during Grand Sumo Tournaments and when exhibits are being changed. Main venue depending on event schedule.
Fee: Sumo Museum: Free. Main Hall depends on event being held.
Allow: 10 to 120 minutes
Access: Return by bus to Musashi-koganei Station, then 42 minutes by JR to Ryogoku Station, then 3 minutes walk.
Edo-Tokyo Museum
See history of Tokyo
Open: 9:30am-5:30pm close on Mondays
Fee: 600 Yen
Allow: 60 to 120 minutes
Access: Right next to Ryogoku Kokugikan.

5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY #2

This itinerary covers more of the surrounds of Tokyo and would be good in the Cherry Blossom Season (end of March and beginning of April). This itineary includes more shopping and temples.

Day 1: Self Guided Tour of Shibuya

Shibuya is the trendy and fashionable shopping district of Tokyo. Ideally this tour should be on a Sunday as this is when you can see the best of the Harajuku fashion and cosplay, which normally appears in the afternoon. You can continue to explore the shops, restaurants and cafes into the evening.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

In the morning start you exploration of Shibuya from Shibuya Station and work your walk towards Harajuku. There are many major shopping centre buildings and department stores around the Shibuya Station area. Use our Shibuya Map to help plan your walk. Some of the key highlights not to miss are:
Shibuya 109 Building, Omotesando and Takeshita-Dori, Meiji Jingu shrine and the Harajuku fashion (mainly weekends, particularly Sunday afternoon) on the bridge across to Meiji Jingu shrine.