7 Days In Tokyo – The Ultimate Tokyo Itinerary!

As a first time visitor, Tokyo can quickly become overwhelming. Being a major city within Asia there’s a lot to see and a lot to do, however, there’s also a major difference between Tokyo and the rest of Asia, as well as Tokyo and the rest of the world.

It’s important to go into your first visit to Tokyo with a plan, which is why we suggest loosely following an itinerary. We suggest the following 7 day Tokyo itinerary for first-time visitors;

• Day 1 – Harajuku and Shinjuku
• Day 2 – Odaiba
• Day 3 – Disneyland Tokyo / Disney Sea
• Day 4 – Ueno
• Day 5 – Senso-Ji & Tokyo SkyTree
• Day 6 – Mount Fuji
• Day 7 – Shinkansen Viewing

In this post, we’ll be breaking down the complete itinerary including hints and tips of how long to spend at each location and not-to-miss attractions.

Where To Stay In Tokyo

Staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya ensures you’re right in the heart of the action, minimising the amount of time you’ll need to travel.

This gives you even more time to explore everything Tokyo has to offer. Here’s some of the accommodation we recommend in these areas;

Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu – Best hotel in Tokyo for families.

Mustard Hotel Shibuya – Best hostel in Tokyo

Capsule Hotel Transit Shinjuku – Best capsule hotel that serves both men and women (on separate floors)

Park Hyatt Tokyo  – Best five-star luxury hotel in Tokyo

If nothing on this list takes your fancy then check out these other great accommodation options in the Shinjuku and Shibuya area which are available to book on Booking.com

While there’s no right or wrong time to visit Tokyo, the Cherry Blossom season is certainly the most popular (and the most expensive).

This time is highly regarded in Japanese culture and is incredibly beautiful. If you can visit Tokyo during this time then I highly recommend it.

Pro Tip: During Cherry Blossom, season hotels will sell out at a much quicker rate and you’ll see an increase in prices of around 100% so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

As Japan is an Island you’ll likely be flying to one of the two airports that serve Tokyo (unless travelling domestically from elsewhere in Japan in which case you might come via transport such as the iconic bullet train).

These airports are;

Narita International – Find out how to get from Narita airport to the city.

Haneda Airport – Find out how to get from Haneda airport to the city.

From the airport, you’ll want to drop your bags at your hotel, then you’re ready to start your first day in Tokyo following the best Tokyo itinerary on the web!

Day One – Shibuya & Harajuku

On your first day in Tokyo, you’re going to want to buy two things;

Suica Reloadable Transport Card: Buy this card online in advance, or upon your arrival in Japan from any of the ticket machines at any JR Station.

The card costs 2,000 JPY (This is broken down into a 500 JPY refundable deposit upon the return of the card and 1,500 JPY credit which is available to be spent at any of the participating retailers)

The Suica prepaid e-money card is essential to hassle-free purchases in Tokyo. Use it for paying for transportation, shopping, at vending machines, for parking or even taxis.

Japan Pocket WIFI: Access to WIFI anywhere in Tokyo makes it super easy for you to navigate the city with ease. Honestly, not getting it on our first trip to Japan was our biggest mistake, it cost us in time, money and stress!

Getting pocket WIFI in Japan is super easy, you can pre-order it online before you set off (the more convenient method)

Alternatively, you can rent it from over the counter at either of the airports in Tokyo or from other retailers in the city (Any Fi has pick-up locations in both Shibuya and Shinjuku)

Access to pocket WIFI for 7 days in Tokyo costs around 5,000 JPY. The price depends on the network provider you choose & the internet speed package.

Tsukiji Market

Once you’ve got the essentials it’s time to make the most of that jetlag, by getting up super early for a trip to the Tsukiji Market.

Number one on the list of most tourists visiting Tokyo for the first time, the Tsukiji Market dates back to 1935 in which it replaced a similar market that was destroyed in an earthquake 12 years earlier.

From Shibuya take the Ginza line which runs every 3 minutes to Ginza station. The journey will take around 30 minutes.

From Shinjuku take the Marunouchi Line which runs every 3 minutes to Ginza station. The journey will take around 20 minutes.

From Ginza station, you can walk straight around 600 metres directly to the entrance of the market.

The market is open from 5 am daily (except Sunday’s, National Holidays and some Wednesdays.

These are the new and most current up to date opening times (the indoor sector market relocated in 2018 and is now known as Toyosu Market prior to this the opening times for tourists we’re much later)

Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of seafood or markets in general then you can still visit the new Toyosu Fish Market which is now the largest seafood market in the world.

Doing both in one morning would be pretty tough. Instead, you’ll want to add the early morning to another of your 7 days in Tokyo.

Despite the early start, there’s no need to worry too much about breakfast as you’ll find plenty of food choices here at the market.

The majority of the restaurants are open from 5 am and provide an incredible variety of traditional meals made from some of the freshest seafood in the world.

There’s no longer the traditional fish auctions (they moved to Toyosu Fish Market) however I still think it’s essential to visit Tsukiji Market as it’s simply iconic when it comes to Tokyo’s history.

Statue of Hachiko

From Tsukiji Market, you’ll want to head back to Ginza station and board the Ginza line which runs every 3 minutes to Shibuya station. The journey will take around 30 minutes.

We’re heading to Shibuya Station rather than going directly to Harajuku as are some incredible things to see in the area between Shibuya and Harajuku that you won’t want to miss!

First on that list is the Statue of Hachiko which is located just outside of the Shibuya station.

This small statue just outside of the station is designed to commemorate the Akita dog came to Shibuya Station every day to meet his master, a professor, returning from work back in the 1930s.

Today it’s a popular meeting point for locals, and a popular photo spot for tourists, so expect to queue.

Shibuya Crossing

Less than 100m from Hachiko you’ll find Shibuya Crossing, which is without a doubt one of the most iconic places in Tokyo.

You’ll have no doubt seen photos of this crossing, which is the busiest in the world seeing up to 3,000 people cross from multiple directions in any one time.

If you’re planning on taking photos like the one above, please try and be courteous to those crossing and stand to the side.

If you fancy an ariel shot of Shibuya Crossing then head inside Starbucks and grab a coffee. There’s a viewing/seating area on the second floor which is also home to a pretty cool music store.

Pro Tip: Around Shibuya Crossing you’ll no doubt see people driving around on Mario Kart style go-karts. These super-fun two-hour tours of the city can be booked online- they even comes with costumes!

While I’d suggest waiting to grab lunch at Harajuku (there’s food for all tastebuds – and budgets!) if you do find yourself hungry then consider eating at Katsukura which is located inside the Takashimaya Department store.

Harajuku

It’s around 1km from Shibuya Crossing to the start of the Harajuku crossing. If you can, I recommend walking to take in the atmosphere, this is without a doubt one of the most ‘alive’ areas in all of Tokyo.

However, if you prefer you can get the number 81 or 86 bus from Shibuya Eki Higashiguchi which runs every 12 minutes or go back to Shibuya station and get the JY Yamanote line one-stop to Harajuku station which is located right at the top of the district.

Harajuku is one of my favourite areas in all of Tokyo. Renowned for it’s colourful and quirky fashion, it’s somewhere I’d been excited to visit for a long time – luckily, it lived up to all my expectations, and more!

Start with lunch at the Kawaii Monster Cafe which many believe to be the coolest café in all of Tokyo. Check out the food menu here.

This incredible cafe is the epitome of the Harajuku district with eye-popping colourful decor, and Monster Girl waitresses that serve food decorated to delight!

Well-fed, it’s time to head down past the Owl Garden (you won’t find me in there, owls scare me!) onto Takeshita Street and the main streets of Harajuku.

Here you’ll find trendy bars, dessert shops, bubble tea bars alongside mainstream shops such as Supreme and independent Kawaii inspired boutiques.

You could get lost here in Harajuku for hours, but if you’re interested in contemporary art then consider visiting the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art.

Located 1km from Takeshita Street, walking there takes around 20 to 30 minutes – consider stopping to visit the LINE Friends flagship store on the way.

Fun Fact: We’ve been to the LINE Friends stores in New York and Bangkok, Thailand too.

Even though I’ve no idea the background of the store or the characters, I can’t help but wonder around a store that’s centred around a cute giant teddy bear!

If you’ve some free time before dinner then go have a drink, and hold a hedgehog at Harry – The Hedgehog Café.

Nothing can quite explain my excitement of finding a hedgehog cafe on our first trip to Tokyo, and honestly, it’s still one of my highlights from our trip!

Located inside a building (it’s easy to miss but there’s usually someone out holding a sign) on the main road connecting Harajuku and Shiuyba just 100m from Harajuku Station.

Pro Tip: If you LOVE the Harajuku atmosphere you could choose to stay in this district. Much like Shinjuku or Shibuya, it’s centrally located.

Staying here means you can explore more of what this area has to offer at various times in the day during any free time you might have – not to mention a chance to explore more of the incredible dining options.

Harajuku Hostel – The perfect budget acommodation choice in Harajuku

Hotel Emit Shibuya – The perfect mid-range option, located right on the border between Shibuya and Harajuku.

When hunger strikes for dinner, check out Gonpachi Nori-Temaki. Made famous from its feature in the movie Kill Bill the restaurant recently expanded to include a branch in Harajuku directly opposite Harry (the hedgehog café above).

The restaurant serves a wide range of traditional Japanese dishes, including sushi. The menu is available in English and the ordering process is incredibly easy.

If you’ve chosen to stay in either Shinjuku or Shibuya then getting back to your accommodation from Harajuku should be relatively quick and easy.

Harajuku has a JR Station which has the Yamanote JR line and runs every three minutes. Its first stop is Shibuya where you can then walk directly to your chosen hotel.

Day Two – Odaiba

Grab a sandwich and a coffee from Buy Me Stand on your way to Shibuya Station because today, we’re heading to Odaiba.

Odaiba

Odaiba is an artificial island in Tokyo Bay, that was built in the 1800s as part of a set of fort islands that was built to protect the city of Tokyo from potential sea-based attacks.

It was converted into a tourist and leisure district in the 1990s with high-end hotels and a multitude of shopping malls.

Having seen Odaiba on Youtube in advance of our visit to Tokyo, we knew we had to visit – and it was absolutely everything we’d hoped for!

To get to Odaiba from Shibuya Station, you’ll want to take either;

The Saikyō Line which takes you there directly with 2 stops in 30 minutes.

The Yamanote Line 4 stops to Ōsaki Station where you’ll change onto the Rinkai Line taking you around 40 minutes in total

The Ginza Line to Shimbashi Station where you’ll change onto the Yurikamome line. This journey takes around 50 minutes in total, but you get to go over the famous Rainbow Bridge.

Diver City

Start your Odaiba experience by walking 1km to Diver City a modern shopping mall with a range of high-street stores and local souvenir shops alongside some fantastic places to eat.

Pro Tip: There’s a number of shopping malls in Odaiaba. Each one highly unique with something special to offer. In this Tokyo itinerary I’ve broken down the highlights of each.

However, if you want to experience the Tokyo shopping experience then consider spending your time in Tokyo staying in one of the luxury hotels that are situated on Odiaba island – Hilton Tokyo Odiaba is my personal favourite!

Highlights of Diver City include a restaurant dedicated to cheese (Helen’s dream!), a Hello Kity store and Gundam Megastore & the Unicorn Gundam Statue that stands 18 metres tall.

Seriously, neither of us had ever heard of Gundam prior to our visit to Odaiba, nevertheless, this statue was so impressive we simply had to stop for a photo!

Fuji Television

From Diver City, it’s a 500-metre stroll to the HQ of the Fuji Television. This architectural delight is just one of the many buildings that make Odiaba so unique.

The ground floor is home to a mall with stores dedicated to the TV Networks most popular shows. However, we would recommend visiting the Fuji HQ for the HACHITAMA circular observation deck which is situated on the 24th and 25th floor.

The observation deck is open daily (except Monday’s) from 10 am until 8 pm. Tickets for adults can be purchased at the HQ and cost 700 JPY per person.

Aqua City

For lunch head to Aqua City, located just next to the Fuji Television HQ. Here you’ll find a range of Japanese, Chinese, Western and Italian restaurants. So you can be sure there’s something for all tastes and all budgets.

Of course, this too is a giant mall however it’s two main features aren’t shops and instead are;

A Replica Statue of Liberty: Situated just outside the shopping centre this replica statue on a 1:7 scale of the original was erected temporarily in 1998 however, it’s maintained its position on the waterfront due to its popularity.

Blue Hall: This aquarium area is located on the top floor of the shopping area and is a great place to visit, especially if you’re visiting Tokyo with kids.

Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari Springs

After dinner consider taking some time out to relax at Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari springs.

Located at the far side of Odaiba 2km from Aqua City, you’ll find Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari springs. This is one of the most popular hot springs in all of Tokyo and is modelled on onsen town.

Oedo-Onsen-Monogatari springs has both an indoor and outdoor pool. There’s also food and beverage available to purchase.

Entry into the springs is 2,300 JPY per person and includes towels and a yukata.

You will not be permitted to enter the hot springs if you have tattoos.

Decks & Joypolis

If spending the afternoon relaxing doesn’t sound like your kind of thing (it wasn’t mine, plus I have tattoos) then head over to Decks and Joypolis.

Located just next door to Aqua City, this is personally, my favourite mall in Odaiba.

Inside you’ll find a museum dedicated to takoyaki and ‘Daiba 1-chome Shoutengai‘ which is a whole floor dedicated to the 1960’s era of Japan. It includes 1960’s style souvenirs, sweets, and arcades – I must have spent over an hour here!

If all that wasn’t enough, head to the ground floor of Decks where you’ll find Joypolis.

Pro Tip: Be sure to bring a copy of your passport to Joypolis as you can get a discount if it’s your birthday month or if you’re an international tourist.

A mega indoor theme park – one of the largest in all Japan. Features both indoor rollercoasters and rides as well as VR based attractions. If you’re visiting Tokyo with kids or teens, then this is the place to come!

Day Three – Disneyland Tokyo / Disney Sea

There are two Disney parks in Tokyo. They are situated next to each other, and in our opinion, each requires a day to see.

With only 7 days in Tokyo, you’ll probably only have time for one of the two Disney parks in Tokyo (unless you’re a huge Disney fan in which case you’ll no doubt make room for both!)

We recommend that DisneySea while less ‘iconic’ in the terms of a castle, is a far better choice of the two simply due to how fascinatingly unique it is compared to the more traditional Tokyo Disneyland.

There’s a number of ways to get to DisneySea from Shibuya using public transport in Tokyo. It takes around one hour and requires one or two changes.

If you’re coming from Tokyo Station you’ll take the Keiyo Line directly to Maihama Station which takes around 16 minutes.

If you’re considering visiting both Disney parks over two days then get a hotel near Maihama Station.

This is the closes station to the Disney Resort Gateway that leads onto both Disneyland Tokyo & DisneySea.

We’ve been to almost all of the Disney parks around the world, and without a doubt, DisneySea stands out as the most unique, individual, I can’t even begin to explain…

There’s simply so much to experience at the Disney parks in Tokyo from the super tasty food and drink, to the out-of-this-world rides, to the incredible Kawaii style merchandise.

Even the character meet and greets are unique, with special Disney characters only being found at the Disney parks in Tokyo.

Tickets for DisneySea can be purchased in advance online, or at the gate upon arrival.

We recommend buying them online in advance so you can skip the ‘purchasing’ queue and head straight for the entrance of the park maximising your day.

Day Four – Ueno

After a highly adventurous third day in Tokyo, you’ll be pleased to know that day four has a slightly slower and more relaxed feel.

Ueno Park

If you’re visiting Tokyo during the Cherry Blossom season, then Ueno park is likely to already be on your ‘places to visit’.

At this time of year, it’s even more beautiful. Not to mention it’s free to enter and easy to navigate.

However, even outside of Cherry Blossom season, Ueno Park is well worth a visit.

To get to Ueno Park from Shibuya Station you’ll want to take;

the Ginza Line 15 stops

the Yamanote Line 15 stops

To Ueno Station, from there it’s around a 500-metre walk to the entrance of the park (signposted). The journey takes around 40 minutes in total.

Both nearby and inside the park, there’s a small number of cafés and coffee shops which are perfect for breakfast (or brunch depending on the time you get up after all that walking at Disney yesterday).

There’s a whole host of things to do at Ueno Park including multiple museums, a zoo, shrines and temples.

Then again, you could easily just stroll around looking at the beautiful landscape for hours.

Kappabashi Street

Also known as kitchen street, Kappabashi Street is street between Ueno and Asakusa which is entirely populated by shops supplying the restaurants of Tokyo and beyond.

While it’s something I’d read about while planning our trip to Tokyo. It wasn’t something that made it into our Tokyo itinerary.

I was, therefore, incredibly pleased when we stumbled upon it accidentally walking back to our hotel after spending the morning at Ueno Park ourselves.

With nothing else planned we took around an hour to stroll the stores, and I’m so glad we did! I’m no cook (far from it!) nevertheless, I was fascinated by these shops.

All of them we’re available to the general public. With many local housewives also shopping for essential equipment and bargains for their kitchens at home.

With the stores being designed for trade customers the prices were incredibly reasonable. So if you are into cooking and want to bring back some Japanese items for your own kitchen at home, then this is the place you should spend your money

Akihabara

From Kappabashi Street we’re heading to Akihabara, where you’ll spend the remainder of the afternoon and the evening, exploring the shops, playing on the famous arcade games and dining.

Getting from Kappabashi Street to Akihabara takes around 30 minutes. Walking 1 KM to Iriya Station where you’ll board the Hibiya Line two stops to Naka-Okachimachi Station.

Pro Tip: If you fancy walking between the two locations it’s around 2 km in total back past Ueno Park.

Naka-Okachimachi Station is located just to the edge of the area, with around a 200m walk to the ‘main strip’ of shops.

Even here you’ll find similar electronic and hobby shops on a smaller scale, often from local independents who can’t afford the rent on the main street.

Made famous due to the number of electronic shops within close proximity Akihabara gets its name from Akiba a former local shrine.

Pro Tip:While the vast majority of technology is manufactured in Japan we found the prices in retail stores to be similar to that in the UK.

Even if you’re not planning on making a purchase, these shops are worth a peek inside.

Many spanning over five or more floors there’s every electronic item you can imagine, alongside repair shops, testing and demo areas and more.

Of course, no trip to Akihabara is complete without a trip to the arcades. Japanese people have a passion for arcades, gaming and anime and this is all combined in these highly fluorescent stores filled with plushie grabbers, dance mats and more.

For more inspiration on what to do in Akihabara check out this guide.

There’s a whole host of different restaurants for all tastes, and budgets in Akihabara so there’s no need to leave hungry.

If you’re fascinated by the concept of the Maid Cafés then be sure to check out Maidreamin. The most popular franchise of the cafe’s there’s 7 to choose from in Akihabara alone.

If you enjoy Ramen then be sure to visit Aoshima Shokudo. This is one of the most popular restaurants in the district, and with only nine counter seats, be prepared to wait.

Finally, the Gundam Cafe. If you’re a fan of the hit TV show then you’ve already enjoyed the experience in Odaiba (above) and are now ready to take things to the next level with this incredible dining experience.

Located in the heart of Akihabara this restaurant serves a range of foods all shaped to look like characters from the show.

Day Five – Senso-Ji & Tokyo SkyTree

Today we’re heading back to the Asakusa area of Tokyo, to visit more of the incredible tourist spots here, starting with Senso-Ji.

Senso-Ji

Don’t worry if you’ve not had time to grab breakfast, upon arrival at Asakusa station (the station closest to the temple) you’ll find a number of mainstream coffee and breakfast locations such as Tulleys.

There’s also a number of independent market stalls selling traditional Japanese food as you walk from the 200 metres from the station to the shrine.

Senso-Ji is the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo, completed in 645 this temple was built to honour the goddess of mercy, Kannon.

Pro Tip: This is the most popular area for renting and wearing a Kimono by both locals coming to pray and tourists.

Entering the temple area will require you to walk through to the Kaminarimon Gate.

The gate was originally built elsewhere but was both re-constructed and moved in 1960’s thanks to donations from the founder of Panasonic, Konosuke Matsushita.

Pro Tip: This entire area will be brimming with tourists, tour guides and their parties alongside those looking to worship during the day so consider coming back in the evening.

The crowds are significantly less, and while the temple isn’t open the Kaminarimon Gate will be illuminated making for a fantastic photo and providing much more of an appreciation as to the beauty of the Senso Ji temple.

Various events are held throughout the year in the Sensoji Temple area, which will see higher crowds.

The biggest of them all is the Sanja Matsuri, the annual festival of the Asakusa Shrine, which is held in May.

Tokyo SkyTree

After Senso-Ji we’re heading to the Tokyo SkyTree the tallest structure in Japan standing at 634 metres the building was opened in May 2012.

Located across the Sumida River, it’s a 1.7 km walk. Alternatively, multiple lines directly from Asakusa Station to Tokyo Skytree Station.

This broadcasting tower is one of the largest and most commercial shopping centres in central Tokyo.

Featuring multiple mainstream brands such as; Gap, Starbucks and Uniqlo alongside stores such as the Pokemon Centre and Hello Kitty.

However, we’re going to start our experience at the Tokyo SkyTree with lunch. With more than fifty restaurants to choose from over two dedicated floors, there’s something to eat here for everyone.

After lunch, it’s time to head to the viewing platform. The viewing areas are split into two;

The first is on floors 340 to 350 (there’s actually just three floors but they go up in increments of five at this point) and is known as the Tembo Deck.

There are three different dining experiences at this level however, they are at a much higher price point than you’ll find downstairs on the ground floors / shopping mall area.

The second is at floors 445 to 450 and is known as the Tembo Galleria. Sadly, there are no dining options available at this level of the Tokyo Skytree, instead only photo points.

Tickets are available for one of the two-floor areas, or you can purchase a combo ticket to visit both areas.

On a clear day, you should be able to see the 70 miles to Mount Fuji, where we’ll be visiting tomorrow.

Day Six – Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is an active volcano which is located 100km south-west of Tokyo city.

Without a doubt, the easiest way to get there when only visiting for one day is on an organised tour.

With it being such a popular attraction in Tokyo there’s multiple to choose from depending on your budget and requirements.

If you’re looking for a basic transport package then we recommend this tour which collects you from your hotel or a selected pick-up location and transports you to and from the foothills.

It includes a stop at Lake Kawaguchi, with Mt. Fuji in the background, along with an exploration of the 5th station of Mt Fuji.

You’ll also get to stop at Oshino Ninja Village, visit Oshino Hakkai’s Eight Ponds and even experience the 4D ride at the Fuji-Q Highland amusement park.

Alternatively, if you have a JR Rail pass consider travelling to Shin-Fuji Station (around 1.5 hours on the train) and picking up either a six or eight hour guided tour of the region at the foothills of Mount Fuji from there.

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a JR Rail Pass then the journey from Shibuya to Shin-Fuji Station will cost around 6,000 JPY per person, each way.

12,000 JPY per person for a round-trip. Which makes this bus tour which includes the transport from Tokyo tour much more affordable.

Sadly, with only a seven day Tokyo itinerary you’ll be unable to do any of the hiking tours available. The minimum duration for these tours is two days.

Of course, if hiking Mount Fuji is high on your list then you can easily replace one of the days of this itinerary with an extra day at Mount Fuji.

Day Seven – Viewing The Shinkansen

It’s your final day in Tokyo!

Shinkansen Viewing Platform

If you’re flying to another destination after your trip to Tokyo then start your 7th and final day in Tokyo with a trip to either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station to see the Shinkansen from the viewing platform.

Side Note: If you’re travelling elsewhere in Japan then you may well have chosen to travel on the Shinkansen.

In which case your morning trip to visiting the viewing platform of the Shinkansen isn’t going to be necessary – you’ll get a much better view when you board and travel on the train itself.

I’d therefore reccomend you skip straight ahead to our next activity – or revisit some of the place(s) you have enjoyed most during your last 7 days in Tokyo and exploring them further before visiting Chiyoda Park, the Impersial Palace and the karaoke bar.

Tokyo Station – To get from Shibuya to Tokyo Station you’ll want to take the Yamanote Line to Yoyogi Station from there you can take the Chūō Line to Tokyo Station. The total journey time is around 30 minutes.

Pro Tip: Out of the two stations, I do prefer Tokyo Station.

It’s a little harder to get to, however it has so much more to it in the terms of attractions and experience.

Inlcuding an underground mall filled with independent and mainstream stores such as Hello Kitty & Pokemon. Alongside a number of cheap and high-end resturants for breakfast / lunch.

Shinagawa Station – To get from Shibuya to Shinagawa Station you’ll want to take the Yamanote Line 5 stops. The total journey time is around 15 minutes.

Pro Tip: If you’re anything like us, then you’ll probably pass through Shinagawa Station a few times. It’s a major hub with multiple lines connnecting there.

In which case you might want to add viewing the Shinkansen into your journey elsewhere in your 7 days in Tokyo if you have the time.

This again leaves this morning free for you to revisit some of your favourite places from your time in Tokyo.

The directions to the viewing platform are shown overhead in both Japanese and English. – The number of signs in English has significantly increased in Tokyo with it being the host of the 2020 Olympics.

Tickets at either viewing platform can be purchased from the ticket booths (either in person or using one of the machines) and costs 200JPY per person.

Imperial Palace

After spending some time appreciating the marvel that is the Japanese bullet train it’s onto the Imperial Palace which is located within Chiyoda park on the former site of Edo Castle.

From Shinagawa Station, you’ll want to take the Keihin-Tōhoku Line to Tokyo Station. Exit Tokyo Station and follow the signs for Chiyoda Park and the Imperial Palace.

Grab some food from the local 7/11 or Lawsons and head to the park for a picnic.

If you have some spare time, there are loads of other things to do in Chiyoda park but for now, we’ve only time for a picnic before heading off to the parks main attraction the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace is the residence of Japan’s imperial family. Free guided tours of the grounds are available in English and Japanese daily (except Sunday’s and Monday’s).

Old Tokyo has a fantastic guide based on their experience, along with the link to book in advance.

Finish your day with a trip to a Karaoke bar, there are a number of mainstream Karaoke bars in Tokyo. We recommend visiting Studio Himawari or Karaoke Kan.

Alongside singing mainstream western and Japanese hit songs you can eat and drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are both available).

The word Karaoke was founded in Japan, with the activity as a whole being incredibly popular across the entire country – the capital of Tokyo especially.

Personally, we loved the novelty, despite the language barrier, getting to grips with the equipment was super easy.

I simply can’t think of a better way to finish your 7 day trip to Tokyo!

Frequently Asked Questions

A lot! Our 7 day Tokyo itinerary includes visiting all the major attractions including some off-beat locations we found during our visit.

These include; DisneySea / Tokyo Disney, the Shinkansen viewing platform, Harajuku, Tsukiji Market, Odaiba and Mt Fuji.

7 days is a great amount of time to spend in Tokyo. It allows you to see all the major attractions and some off-beat less known places.

If you only have 3 to 5 days to spend in Tokyo then you could cut out parts of this itinerary, however, seeing all the major attractions is likely to require 18 hour days.

Including accommodation, local transport, food and attractions I’d estimate anything around 15,000 JPY a day.

However, this can go up and down depending on the level of luxury you are looking for and the type (and number) of attractions you would like to experience during your visit to Tokyo.

Japan is one of the more expensive countries to visit. I’d say it’s on par with visiting London and Los Angeles. However, there are a number of ways you can significantly cut costs.

These include; staying in sleeping pods and hostels instead of hotels, walking instead of taking the metro and eating at local places rather than high-end mainstream restaurants.

You can view Mt Fuji from a number of selected locations in Tokyo. My personal favourite is the Tokyo Skytree which stands at 634m tall making it Japan’s highest structure.