The best 3-day Tokyo itinerary options
Tokyo, a dazzling metropolis that seamlessly blends ancient traditions with futuristic innovations, is a dream destination for many travelers. With its sprawling neighborhoods, each offering a unique glimpse into the city’s diverse culture, vibrant nightlife, historic landmarks, and cutting-edge technology, Tokyo promises an unforgettable adventure. However, exploring all that Tokyo has to offer in just 3 days can be daunting. That’s where our guide comes in. This post aims to make exploring Tokyo easier with ready-made itineraries. Whether you’re a first-time visitor eager to see the iconic sights, a foodie looking to savor the best local cuisine, or a traveler seeking hidden gems off the beaten path, we’ve crafted the perfect 3-day Tokyo itinerary to help you make the most of your trip to Tokyo. We have curated four different 3-day Tokyo itinerary options for first-timers, foodies, otakus, and returning hidden-gem enthusiasts.
What is the best 3-day Tokyo itinerary?
Tokyo offers so many things to see and do that it is almost impossible to explore all of them in a single trip. The best 3-day Tokyo itinerary depends on your interests and what you want to experience in this vibrant city. From iconic landmarks and historical sites to hidden gem ramen shops and anime cafes – there are many ways to tailor your visit. This post offers multiple ready-made itinerary options to suit different travel styles, ensuring you get the most out of your stay. There are common elements in these itineraries as there are places in Tokyo such as Shibuya, Shinjuku or Asakusa that you don’t want to miss.
What other themed itinerary would you like us to craft? Leave a comment below.
Every itinerary has Google Maps links added to the main sights, click on them to save them in Google Maps.
Looking for a travel checklist? Not sure what to research and buy before your trip? Read our Japan Travel Checklist here.
#1 Balanced 3-day Tokyo itinerary for first timers
This 3-day Tokyo itinerary is carefully curated to give you a well-rounded experience of Tokyo. It is ideal if you have never been to Tokyo and want a balanced itinerary including the classic, must-see sights. This is a fast-paced itinerary, aiming to cover as much as possible and giving alternatives you can choose from. So, if you find it too crowded, take it slower and skip a few items from the list.
Day 1 - Shibuya, Harajuku & Shinjuku
Morning – Shibuya
- Start your day at Shibuya Station. Use the 1 F gate among the five gates available in Shibuya Station to get to Exit 8 aka the Hachiko Exit. Visit the statue of Hachiko, the most loyal dog in the world and the symbol of Shibuya. Hachiko waited more than 9 years for his owner, an old professor who died on a work trip. Hachiko came to Shibuya Station every day until his death in 1935 to wait for his owner.
- Next, check out the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing. To get a good view you can go up to Shibuya Sky Observatory. Buy your tickets for Shibuya Sky here to save 300 yen with advance tickets. A cheaper alternative is to sit in the Starbucks with direct views of the famous Crossing.
- Wander around in Shibuya and then start walking towards Harajuku and Shinjuku Station. On the way, visit Cat Cafe Mocha Lounge to relax with cute cats and massage chairs or pop into Mirai Sake Kubota Sake Bar for a sake tasting.
Afternoon – Harajuku
- Walk around in Harajuku not missing the famous Takeshita Street. Check out the cool mirrored entrance of the Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokado and the 2D & 3D Latte Art at Cafe Reissue.
- Then head to Meiji Jingu Shrine located next to Harajuku in the greenery. This shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who transformed Japan in the late 19th century.
Evening – Shinjuku
- Explore Shinjuku and enjoy the nightlife. Make sure to visit one of the iconic Don Quijote stores for cheap & cool items. Check out the famous alleyways of Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai full of restaurants and bars. In addition, you can visit the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower which offers a wide range of food, drink, and entertainment options.
Day 2 - Ueno & Asakusa
Morning – Ueno
- Start your day in the beautiful Ueno Park and visit the Tokyo National Museum to see a range of rare historical artifacts including real samurai armor. Buy your tickets here on the official website.
Afternoon – Asakusa
- Walk to Asakusa and visit Tokyo’s oldest temple Senso-ji founded in 628. Donate a small amount of money at the fortune teller station to get your fortune told.
- Check out the food and souvenir shops on the Nakamise-dori shopping street before the temple. Try takoyaki & ningyoyaki.
- It is worth visiting the 8th-floor observatory of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center for a free view of Senso-ji, Nakamise-dori, and Skytree.
- If you want to get even better views, head to the nearby Skytree, the tallest tower in the world. You can buy advance tickets online here to save 400 yen.
Evening – Asakusa
- Walk back to Asakusa and enjoy the illuminated night view of Senso-ji. Enjoy a traditional dance show at the Asakusa Kaguwa Theater.
Day 3 - Ginza, Roppongi & Imperial Palace
Morning – Imperial Palace
- Start your day early at Hie Shrine to beat the crowds and take stunning photos at the torii gate tunnels similar to Fushimi Inari Taisha.
- Then continue your walk to the Imperial Palace which was built on the spot of the old Edo Castle. You can join free tours in English at 10 AM or 1:30 PM every day except Mondays, Sundays, and national holidays.
Afternoon – Ginza
- Walk to Ginza, a gorgeous district of Tokyo full of great shopping and food options. Visit Muji’s flagship store for the coolest stationery and home improvement items and UNIQLO’s Flagship store for the latest Japanese everyday fashion. You can also check out one of the best department stores in Japan, Matsuya Ginza, and the famous GINZA SIX shopping center.
- Head to Roppongi and visit teamLab Borderless: Mori Building, one of the iconic teamLab museums. You can get tickets here.
Evening – Roppongi
- Finish your day walking in Roppongi in the evening.
- If you skipped Tokyo Skytree you can visit Tokyo Tower nearby for a great nightview. The Tower is open until 10:30 PM. You can get combo tickets with teamLab Borderless: Mori Building. Check out different Tokyo Tower Ticket types in our Tokyo Tower vs. Skytree guide.
#2 Anime & manga-themed 3-day Tokyo itinerary for Otakus
This gaming, anime and manga-themed itinerary is designed for Otakus to explore the best that Tokyo offers regarding geek culture. This is itinerary will not cover some of the main sights of Tokyo. So if you are visitng for the first time read the first itinerary above as well. Furthermore, this is also a fast-paced itinerary with various alternatives to fit into your day. If you need more time at the sights or want to go slower feel free to skip a few items. Gambatte!
Day 1 - Odaiba & Akihabara
Morning – Odaiba
- Start your day at teamLab Planets digital art museum in Odaiba, Tokyo’s entertainment district undergoing a massive redevelopment. Get your tickets here. Or if you want to experience VR and arcade gaming a great alternative nearby is Tokyo Joypolis indoor amusement park. You can get tickets here including combo tickets for teamLab Planet & Tokyo Joypolis.
- Stroll at the nearby Odaiba Beach to see Tokyo’s very own Statue of Liberty, the quirky Fuji Television HQ Building at the huge Unicorn Gundam statue. The Gundam Statue transforms and moves at set times during the day (11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM) and it has various evening performances every 30 minutes between 7 PM and 9:30 PM.
Afternoon – Akihabara
- Then head to Akihabara, the center of otaku and gaming culture in Japan. Visit one of the famous Maid Cafes, where waitresses play the role of kawaii Victorian-style maids to serve their master. Maidreamin, a popular maid cafe chain has multiple branches in Akihabara.
- Visit Kanda Shrine in Akihabara, where manga writers pray for success. Many of the charms will have cute manga-style drawings on them and you can buy protection charms for your electronic devices. Furthermore, a cute pony is living in the shrine, so it is an absolute must-see.
Evening – Akihabara
- Walk around Akihabara and explore the arcade games and claw machines at GiGo Akihabara and don’t miss the anime collectible toy shops such as Kotobukiya (open until 8 PM) or Animate (open until 9 PM).
Day 2 - Ikebukuro & Asakusa
Morning – Ikebukuro
- Start your day at Ikebukuro, which is another center of anime culture in Tokyo. Ikebukuro is home to the biggest Pokemon Centre and the One Piece-themed Mugiwara Store. Check out Animate’s Anime-themed Cafe nearby – they always have a different theme going on. The famous Ikebukuro Swallowtail Butler Cafe is a great alternative if you want to be served by handsome butler cosplayers.
- In addition, you can go up to the Sunshine 60 Observatory for a great view. You can buy tickets here.
Afternoon – Asakusa
- In the afternoon, head to Asakusa and visit Tokyo’s oldest temple Senso-ji founded in 628. Donate a small amount of money at the fortune teller station to get your fortune told. Relax a bit in the beautiful Denboin Garden. Check out the food and souvenir shops on the Nakamise-dori shopping street before the temple. Try takoyaki & ningyoyaki.
- It is worth visiting the 8th-floor observatory of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center for a free view of Senso-ji, Nakamise-dori, and Skytree.
- If you want to get even better views, head to the nearby Skytree, the tallest tower in the world. You can buy advance tickets online here to save 400 yen. Alternatively, head to Ueno Park to find a few of the Pokemon-themed manhole covers. See exact locations here.
Evening – Asakusa/Akihabara
- You can walk back to Asakusa and enjoy the illuminated night view of Senso-ji or head to Akihabara agian & to enjoy the nightlife there. Check out a Dear Stage, where newbie J-POP idols perform and serve as waiters/waitresses (open until 10 PM). Or visit a unique cross-dressing maid cafe, Newtype (open until 11 PM).
Day 3 - Shibuya, Harajuku & Shinjuku
Morning – Shibuya
- Start your day at Shibuya Station. Use the 1 F gate among the five gates available in Shibuya Station to get to Exit 8 aka the Hachiko Exit. Visit the statue of Hachiko, the most loyal dog in the world and the symbol of Shibuya. Hachiko waited more than 9 years for his owner, an old professor who died on a work trip. Hachiko came to Shibuya Station every day until his death in 1935 to wait for his owner.
- Next, check out the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing. To get a good view you can go up to Shibuya Sky Observatory. Buy your tickets for Shibuya Sky here to save 300 yen with advance tickets. A cheaper alternative is to sit in the Starbucks with direct views of the famous Crossing.
- Wander around in Shibuya and then start walking towards Harajuku and Shinjuku Station. On the way, visit Cat Cafe Mocha Lounge to relax with cute cats and massage chairs or pop into Oh My Dot to see a robot making you a custom ramen.
Afternoon – Harajuku
- Head to the famous Takeshita Street. Try the 2D & 3D Latte Art at Cafe Reissue. Then check out the unique Harajuku fashion boutiques such as ACDC Rag and Boutique Takenoko offering cosplay, gothic and lolita outfits.
- Have a break at Anime Store B-Point Harajuku and grab a few more collectibles.
- Then head to relax at Meiji Jingu Shrine located next to Harajuku in the greenery. This shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who transformed Japan in the late 19th century.
Evening – Shinjuku
- Explore Shinjuku and enjoy the nightlife. You can check out the famous alleyways of Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai full of restaurants and bars.
- Make sure to visit one of the iconic Don Quijote stores for cheap & cool items. Another cool place to visit is the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower which offers a wide range of food, drink, and entertainment options.
Are you planning to visit Kyoto as well?
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#3 Best 3-day Tokyo itinerary for Foodies
This itinerary is designed for foodies visiting Tokyo. It is a fast-paced itinerary focusing on unique food options, therefore it is ideal for people who like to get lost in neighborhoods and explore the best restaurants and cafes. Although this is a foodie itinerary it includes the main sights of Tokyo. Tokyo offer so much in terms of food it is impossible to explore in 3 days. Check out this foodie itinerary to get your sashimi, shabu shabu, takoyaki, dango and ramen fix.
Day 1 - Tsukiji, Ginza & Roppongi
Morning – Tsukiji
- Start your day at Tsukiji Market to try incredibly fresh and tasty sushi and sashimi. Famous sushi places in the area are Seagen and Sushidai. Check out Kakigoya seafood-themed izakaya for the freshest grilled oysters and scallops. Pop into Soratsuki to grab traditional Japanese desserts. Check out Matcha Stand Maruni for a refreshing matcha latte.
Afternoon – Ginza
- Head to explore Ginza and grab a snack at the popular local bakery pain maison Ginza. It is famous for their salted bun (shio pan) and melon bun (melon pan).
- Visit a Michelin Star Ramen place in the quieter mid-afternoon hours. Chuka Soba Ginza Hachigo is famous for their light broth which combines the flavour of chicken, duck, scallop and shitake mushroom. In addition, they offer gluten-free ramen as well. Check out Ginza’s Art Aquarium Museum for amazing & colorful displays.
- The Imperial Palace is 20-minute walk from Ginza if you would like to have a walk after a bowl of ramen.
Evening – Roppongi
- Head to Roppongi. Another Michelin Star ramen gem is Iruca located in Roppongi. This shop is famous for its truffle-scented broth. teamLab Borderless: MORI Building, a digital art museum in Roppongi is a good alternative to Art Aquarium Museum. Get your tickets online here.
- Shabuzen Roppongi is a super high quality all you can eat shabu-shabu restaurant, where skilled chefs slice your Kobe beef. Although it’s pricey, it is an unforgettable culinary experience.
- Enjoy the beautiful night view of Tokyo from the 52nd floor of Mori Tower for free or visit Tokyo Tower. Buy Tokyo Tower online advance tickets here.
Day 2 - Shibuya, Harajuku & Shinjuku
Morning – Shibuya
- Start your day at Shibuya Station. Use the 1 F gate among the five gates available in Shibuya Station to get to Exit 8 aka the Hachiko Exit. Visit the statue of Hachiko, the most loyal dog in the world and the symbol of Shibuya. Hachiko waited more than 9 years for his owner, an old professor who died on a work trip. Hachiko came to Shibuya Station every day until his death in 1935 to wait for his owner.
- Next, check out the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing. To get a good view you can go up to Shibuya Sky Observatory. Buy your tickets for Shibuya Sky here to save 300 yen with advance tickets. A cheaper alternative is to sit in the Starbucks with direct views of the famous Crossing.
- Wander around in Shibuya and then start walking towards Harajuku and Shinjuku Station. On the way, visit Mirai Sake Kubota Sake Bar for a sake tasting and Jikasei Mensho next door for truffle-scented ramen with wagyu beef.
Afternoon – Harajuku
- Walk around in Harajuku not missing the famous Takeshita Street. Check out the cool mirrored entrance of the Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokado and the 2D & 3D Latte Art at Cafe Reissue. Get a yummy bubble waffle at Sweet Box 2, tanghulu candy at Strawberry Fetish or bingsu (Korean shaved ice desserts) at Sulbing Cafe.
- Then head to relax at Meiji Jingu Shrine located next to Harajuku in the greenery. This shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, who transformed Japan in the late 19th century.
Evening – Shinjuku
- Explore Shinjuku and enjoy the nightlife. Check out the famous alleyways of Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai full of restaurants and bars.
- Join a pub crawl to discover hidden izakayas and learn more about the local food and drink culture.
Day 3 - Ueno & Asakusa
Morning – Ueno
- Start your day with a stroll at Ueno Park and walk towards Asakusa. Stop on the way to shop at Kappabashi Street which is famous for kitchen supplies including knives made with the same technique used for samurai swords.
- Join a ramen cooking class nearby and take the authentic recipes home with you.
Afternoon – Asakusa
- Walk further towards Asakusa and enter the famous Nakamise-dori shopping street through Kaminarimon gate. Explore the wide range of streetfood sold on Nakamise-dori and the surrounding area: sweet potato ice cream at Imo Pippi, fried eel at Asakusa Unana, and curry bun at Tokyo Curry Pan. Try takoyaki, ningyoyaki, and taiyaki at the small street food vendors nearby.
- Walk to Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji founded in 628. Donate a small amount of money at the fortune teller station to get your fortune told.
- It is worth visiting the 8th-floor observatory of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center for a free view of Senso-ji, Nakamise-dori, and Skytree.
- If you want to get even better views, head to the nearby Skytree, the tallest tower in the world. You can buy advance tickets online here to save 400 yen.
Evening – Asakusa
- Close your day at the Asakusa shop of a famous restaurant chain Gyukatsu and enjoy fried steak with various sauces.
#4 Best 3-day Tokyo itinerary off-the beaten path
But what if you have already visited Senso-ji, Tokyo Tower, Takeshita Street, Shinjuku Golden Gai, and Shibuya Scamble Crossing? This itinerary is designed for travelers who have already been to Tokyo and are keen to explore the hidden gems and less crowded sights. So, if you want a closer second or third look at this amazing city read further to check out our ready-made off-the-beaten-path itinerary.
Day 1 - Ueno, Yanaka & Shinjuku
Morning – Ueno & Yanaka
- Take a walk in Ueno Park and find the two Pokemon-themed manhole covers located in the Park. See their exact locations here at the official website. If you want to see beautiful historical artifacts such as original samurai armors, visit the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park. You can buy entry tickets here.
- Walk to Kanei-ji temple, where you can find one of the mausoleums of Tokugawa shogun family housing the tombs of several former rulers of Japan.
- Try tasty hand-cut udon noodles at Nezu Kamachiku. The dining area overlooks a beautiful Japanese Garden so you can chew on artisanal udon in a calm and beautiful environment.
Afternoon – Yanaka
- Walk towards the famous Yanaka cemetery which is home to the grave of many famous historical figures including are more Tokugawa family tombs. Then you will get to Tenno-ji Temple, a quiet and beautiful temple with a large Buddha statue. Alternatively you can visit the quiet Nezu Shrine, which is the perfect hidden gem with its pretty red torii gate tunnel.
- Then walk to Yanaka Ginza Shopping street. This street is the heart of Yanaka, a neighbourhood with an old town charm. Yanaka has this old town vibe as it is one of the few parts of Tokyo that survived the WWII bombing.
- Grab a few Imagawayaki (a type of pancake filled with red bean paste or vanilla custard) at Imagawayaki Sendagi traditional sweets shop.
Evening – Shinjuku
- Head to Shinjuku to explore the izakayas hidden in the narrow alleyways of Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho.
- Join a pub crawl to discover hidden izakayas with a guide and learn more about the local food and drink culture.
- Alternatively visit the 2D Cafe, which gives you the feeling of stepping into a black-and-white drawing. It is open until 10 PM.
Day 2 - Shimokitazawa, Minato & Shimbashi
Morning- Gotokuji & Shimokitazawa
- Start your day at Gotokuji, a cute temple full of cute Manekineko figures (Lucky cat). The story behind the manekineko figures is that an influential lord was led to this temple by a cat. The lord avoided a huge thunderstorm and had a great conversation with the temple master thanks to the lucky cat. As a sign of his gratitude the lord financed the renovation of Gotokuji in 1633.
- Head to the nearby Shimokitazawa, a neighbourhood known for its great shopping and cafe scene. This is an area full of cool vintage shops, amazing bakeries and trendy cafes. A few cafes worth visiting are Sidewalk Coffee Roasters known for their affordable bagels and chai latte, Brooklyn Roasting Company with a cool outdoor seating area, and Ballon D’Essai famous for their cute latte art a delicious coffee.
- Find great vintage & secondhand clothing items at Toyo Department Store. Or grab the latest local fashion items at small boutiques such as Marble Sud.
- Get a bowl of ramen at a local shop such as Junteuchi Man to Mirai or at a well-known chain such as Oreryu Shio Ramen.
Afternoon – Minato
- Then head to Hamarikyu Gardens in Minato for a beautiful walk. In the Gardens you can find the Shogun’s Landing Place at the bank of the Sumida River. This spot was used as a landing place for multiple shoguns in the Edo Period (1603-1868) including the last shogun Tokugawa Yoshinobu who landed here after losing the famous Battle of Toba-Fushimi. In that battle Emperor Meiji defeated the shogun’s forces and restored the power of the Imperial Household after the two and a half centuries long rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
- Head to Zojo-ji temple located in Shiba Park. After visiting the temple, relax and enjoy the view of Tokyo Tower at Tera Cafe Shien Zojo-ji.
Evening – Shimbashi
- In the evening, head to Shimbashi for shopping and bars.
- Tottori Okayama Shimbashikan is a great place to buy souvenirs.
Day 3 - Akiruno
Morning – Akiruno
- Head to Akiruno, a small picturesque town at the Western edge of Tokyo. Try traditional Japanese snacks and enjoy beautiful views at Tea Room Mube.
- Walk to Minamisawa Ajisai Mountain for a beautiful scenery. If you go in June you will see the hydrangeas in full bloom.
Afternoon – Akiruno
- Walk further and stop for a break at the Fukazawa Tiny Museum. The museum shows the works of a contemporary artist Tomonaga Akimitsu who designed puppets for animes and TV commercials. The museum has a cafe with beautiful ponds full of colorful fish (koi).
- Then continue your hike to the breath-taking Akigawa Valley and try the free foot onsen designed to refresh your tired feet after a long walk.
Evening – Akiruno
- Return to Akiruno and indulge in authentic Japanese cuisine at a local kaiseki restaurant, Kurochaya. Keep in mind that this restaurant is closed on Tuesdays and closes early on Mondays.
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Very descriptive itinerary! Excited to see these places in Tokyo.
The itineraries are very descriptive. I would like to see the places described when we go to Tokyo in the Autumn season.
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That is a good tip particularly too those new to the blogosphere.
Shor but very precise information… Many thanks
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