Tokyo in 3 days: our day-by-day itinerary

In short: Day 1, traditional Tokyo: Asakusa, Ueno Park and Akihabara; day 2, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, the Shibuya crossing and the lights of Shinjuku; day 3, Tsukiji market, Ginza and the bay area. A rechargeable transport card makes everything easy.

Before you go: what to book

• Popular museums and immersive exhibitions (such as teamLab): timed online tickets.
• Well-known restaurants: booking often required.
• Visit Japan Web: register before departure to speed up formalities.

Always check opening days and hours on the official websites: they can change.

Day 1: Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara

Morning: Asakusa. Start early at Senso-ji temple in Asakusa and its Nakamise shopping street.

Midday: Ueno. Head to Ueno Park, its temples and museums, including the Tokyo National Museum.

Afternoon: Akihabara. Dive into Akihabara, the district of electronics, manga and video games.

Evening: the Sumida. Dine by the Sumida River, with views of the illuminated Tokyo Skytree.

Day 2: Meiji, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku

Morning: Meiji Shrine. Stroll through the forest of Meiji Shrine.

Midday: Harajuku. Walk through Harajuku and Takeshita Street, then Omotesando Avenue.

Afternoon: Shibuya. Experience the famous Shibuya crossing and head up to a viewpoint over the district.

Evening: Shinjuku. Enjoy the lights of Shinjuku: a free view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, then the lanes of Omoide Yokocho.

Day 3: Tsukiji, Ginza and the bay

Morning: Tsukiji. Try sushi and skewers at Tsukiji Outer Market.

Midday: Ginza. Wander through Ginza, its department stores and galleries.

Afternoon: the bay. Head to the bay area and its immersive exhibitions, or the Hama-rikyu gardens.

Evening: an izakaya. A last evening in an izakaya, a Japanese pub.

A fourth day? Day trips

• Nikko, with its temples in the forest, as a day trip.
• Kamakura, the Great Buddha and seaside temples.
• Hakone, hot springs and, on clear days, views of Mount Fuji.

Our tips for these 3 days

1. Start early: the big sights are far more pleasant at opening time.
2. Group your visits by area to cut down on travel.
3. Get a rechargeable transport card (such as Suica or Pasmo) for metro and trains.
4. Keep some cash: some small restaurants and temples don’t take cards.
5. No tipping in Japan, and keep your voice down on public transport.

Where to stay for these 3 days?

All the areas are covered in our guide Where to stay in Tokyo. To go further, see Things to do in Tokyo.