If you’re reading this, I couldn’t be more excited for you and your upcoming Japan travels!😍 Tokyo is a mesmerizing destination that will constantly surprise you through out your visit. I always thought I had a decent understanding as to what Tokyo would truly be like, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. After my recent visit, I have learned so much and I am so excited to help you with your 3 days in Tokyo and Japan travels.
Along with this 3 day itinerary for Tokyo, I’ve compiled a list of essential things to know before visiting Japan, and the cultural do’s and don’ts to help you be the local’s favorite tourist.
Traveling to a new country, especially one that is so different from anything you’ve ever seen can be both exciting and overwhelming. My Japan blog posts are here to help you feel more prepared and confident in your upcoming travels, and make everything a bit less overwhelming.
Keep reading to discover YOUR perfect 3 days in Tokyo itinerary!👇
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Is 3 days in Tokyo enough?
One of the craziest realizations was how immense Tokyo is, and that it’s not actually a city. Tokyo is a whole metropolitan prefecture with 26 cities, 23 wards, and more!!🤯😅
With that said, 3 days in Tokyo is not enough to see Tokyo. But, it is enough to see certain icons – including wards like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Roppongi.
If you have the time, I recommend spending 5 days in Tokyo – during which you’ll be able to have a fuller experience and even have the opportunity to go on a day trip.
Here is Your Perfect 3 Day Itinerary for Tokyo
After my personal experiences in Tokyo, I’ve learned that it’s best to plan your days based on the wards and cities you want to visit. In smaller cities, it is normal to follow a simple “things to do list” and head to each spot – but that is NOT the case with Tokyo.
To give an example, my first full day in Tokyo consisted of 6 HOURS on public transportation due to airport issues (luggage), going back home, and then going to teamLab Planets. And yes, teamLab Planets ended up being the only activity of the day. If this doesn’t explain how IMMENSE this “city” is, I don’t know what will.😂
To help you have the smoothest experience, this 3 day in Tokyo itinerary shares the best things to do in each of the most popular, or beloved, wards and cities. This way, you will be able to pick the top 3-5 wards, the activities you want to do, and have the smoothest time in Tokyo!
Without further ado, here is how to spend YOUR perfect 3 day itinerary for tokyo!😍👇
Day 1: Shinjuku
Shinjuku is the district known for it’s vibrant nightlife, immense skyscrapers, bustling city life, and shopping. In the very city center, you’ll find Godzilla, a huge 3D cat animation that naps, Don Quijote store, and even the Red Light District.
This was the first ward I explored, and I couldn’t have loved it more! When you step out of the hot spot, the city quiets down and becomes serene. The houses get smaller and more traditional looking, and you find the smallest streets filled with tiny restaurants and the locals having fun with their friends and colleagues.
Tokyo is a city that doesn’t seem to sleep much, and I strongly recommend experiencing this city at all times of the day – morning and night.
Here are the best things to do and see when in Shinjuku:
1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Now a garden shared between Shinjuku and Shibuya, this was once the residence of the Naitō family, a samurai family. Later, after the Edo period, the Japan Imperial Household Agency turned it into a garden.
To enter, there is a small fee of 500 Yen for adults, 250 for students and seniors over 65, and free entry for kids 15 & under. If you’re a student or a senior over 65, you will need to present an ID when purchasing the entry ticket.
This garden experiences all the four seasons, making it a must whenever you visit Japan! In here you will find everything from historic sites, to a 19th century Greenhouse, tea houses, traditional gardens, and SO much more.
The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is definitely worth visiting, especially if you’re looking for a city oasis to slow down in.
2. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Who would’ve thought a government building would be worth visiting, right? The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, often nicknamed Tocho, is the 5th TALLEST structure in Tokyo. In here, you can enjoy phenomenal panoramic views from their two, and FREE 360 degree view observation decks!😍
Being in such an immense city, the views will mainly consist of the residential areas. However, on good weather days, you can see Mount Fuji in the distance!
If you were unable to get tickets, or don’t want to deal with crowds – this is a perfect alternative to the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower.
3. Golden Gai
This little street is simply a must visit when in Shinjuku, and personally one of my favorites!
Golden Gai is a small special ward filled with even smaller restaurants where locals meet up with friends and colleagues. This small ward is made of 6 narrow alleyways and over 200 food places and bars. This is the perfect place if you want to experience a vibrant nightlife and local-beloved food!
Golden Gai is a safe area to visit, and one definitely worth visiting. My only tip, is to make sure you have cash when you visit – as most places are cash-only.
4. Kabukicho
Welcome, or not, to the Red Light District of Shinjuku!
Kabukicho, the “city that never sleeps”, is the hot spot of Shinjuku. Here you will find the brightest neon lights, endless restaurants, Godzilla looking over you. As well as, night clubs, love hotels, host and hostess clubs, and more.
Despite being a safe and fun area of Shinjuku, I personally wouldn’t recommend staying late at night in Kabukicho. Later in the night, past midnight, the vibe gets a bit darker.
6. Shinjuku Batting Center
Did you know that baseball is the most popular sport in Japan? If you didn’t, now you do!W
If you love the sport, or simply want to enjoy a local’s favorite activity, you need to visit the Shinjuku Batting Center! Here, one game (28 balls) is 300 Yen, around 1.75 euros and 1.88 dollars.
This place is open every day from 10 to 4 AM, making it a fun and iconic night activity!
7. Tokyo: Shinjuku Local Bar and Izakaya Guided Walking Tour
What better way to spend the night than with a local Tokyo guide that brings you to all the local favorite spots and hidden gems?
In this 3 hour tour, the local guide will bring you to several Shinjuku bars and izakayas that only locals can find. During this time, you will immerse yourself in the special Japanese nightlife and Tokyo’s social scene, along with the locals. Get ready to have lots of fun and sing the night away with the iconic karaoke!
If you want to make the most of your time in Shinjuku, this guided walking tour is perfect for you!👇
8. Tokyo: Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku
What better way to dive deeper into Japanese culture than with a night foodie tour? With this tour you will get to learn more about the food and night culture, and get to savor Japanese delicacies you may not have known about. If this sounds like your kind of night, get your tickets here!👇
Read this curated list to discover the other 7 best Tokyo Street Food tours – there is something for everyone!😍
Day 2: Shibuya
If there is one district that’s all about the fashion, youth culture, and luxury, it is Shibuya. This is one of Tokyo’s most popular and iconic wards, and for several reasons – including the Shibuya Crossing.
If you are celiac or gluten intolerant, this is the district where you will find various gluten free restaurants and cafes. This would be one of the reasons why Shibuya was my overall favorite district.
Here are some of the best things to do and see in Shibuya:
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Welcome to one of the world’s BIGGEST pedestrian scramble crossings! This is a very fun experience, but it also depends on who you are as a person. If you’re okay with being surrounded by hundreds of people and having to navigate through them, this is a must do!
If you have fears that get triggered by being surrounded by so many people, then definitely skip out of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Is this you but you want to see people crossing? Then, you can head into one of the many cafes or shops in the area and look from above!
Mega Don Quijote and Loft
When in Japan, these are two stores you simply have to visit and experience. While shopping is not mandatory, it will be very hard to not want to buy endless souvenirs!
Pro Insider Tip: When in Japan always have your passport with you! One, because its the law. Two, because of the amazing Tax Free!!😍
Shibuya Sky
This is the highest building in the Shibuya District, and one from which you can enjoy spectacular, panoramic 360 degree views. The Shibuya Sky allows you to watch hundreds of people walking the Shibuya Scramble Crossing from above.
This building is open from 10 AM until 10 PM, and you can enter as late as 9:20 PM. There is no limit to how long you can visit, but the average Shibuya Sky visit is 90 minutes. I would personally recommend coming in the later afternoon or at night time. By visiting at a later time, you’ll get the best day light, you could catch a sunset, or simply enjoy the lit up views of Shibuya!
The Shibuya Sky is very popular amongst locals and tourists, meaning you will need to book your tickets asap! If you want an elevated experience, there is a rooftop bar, The Roof Shibuya Sky, in which you can enjoy drinks and snacks from Shibuya Sky’s highest peak. For this experience, you need to be 20 years old and above.
Pro Tip: Book your tickets online for a discount! It’s 300 Yen more expensive when buying in person.
Hachiko Statue
Remember the movie that made us all cry? The one about the dog that kept going back to the train station waiting for his owner who passed away?
Yep… this is THE Hachiko Statue! The real life story is that Hachiko’s “dad”, Ueno, would often go to Shibuya Station to commute to work, and that is where Hachiko would go meet him. After a sudden death, Hachiko kept going Shibuya Station for over 9 years to wait for Ueno.
Tokyo: Shibuya Go Kart Experience
Did you know you can live out your Go Kart dreams in Tokyo? If you ever wanted to feel like Super Mario, this is your time to shine! With the Shibuya Go Kart Experience, you will be able to dress up as your favorite character, and go kart around the beautiful Shibuya.
During this hour-long experience, you will get to drive through the city, including Shibuya Crossing, along with your guide and a small group of people. You must be 18+, have an international driver’s permit. Somethings this experience includes are pictures and insurance.
This iconic experience sells out quickly – book it today to save your spot!👇
Tokyo: Shibuya Highlights Walking Tour
If you want to learn more about Shibuya and walk around worry free, the Shibuya Highlights Walking Tour is perfect for you!
During this highly-rated tour, you will visit Shibuya “from top to bottom” with a local expert who will show you everything from the must-sees to the hidden gems. This experience is for a total of 6 people maximum, making this a more intimate and fun guided tour.
Save your spot before the tickets sell out!👇
Tokyo: Best of Shibuya Food Tour
Get the best food in Shibuya with a food tour that guides you through the local’s favorite restaurants!
This highly-rated Shibuya food tour, you will eat at 5 different eateries, and enjoy one drink and dessert. This is the perfect opportunity to focus on only two things: eating traditional food, and having a good time.
Book your tickets here before they sell out!👇
Tokyo: Be a member Daikoku GT-R Car club R35 Liberty Walk
*Queues Tokyo Drift by Teriyaki Boyz*…😂 Are you ready to live out your Fast & Furious dreams in Tokyo?😍🏎️
This highly-rated experience allows you to fully immerse yourself in the iconic Japanese car culture. In other words, get ready to experience the real life Fast and Furious as you ride in a Liberty Walk GT-R R35.
If you could care less about cars, but are traveling with someone who LOVES them and Fast and Furious – this will be a phenomenal surprise for them!😍 Book your tickets here before they sell out.👇
Indulge in Gluten Free Eats!
IF you’re celiac or gluten intolerant, Shibuya will be your favorite ward! In all of Tokyo, most of the gluten free friendly restaurants and cafes are all concentrated here. Discover all the best 9 gluten free restaurants in Tokyo here!
Day 3: Finally, Pick the District That’s Perfect for YOU!👇
As mentioned earlier, with Tokyo being so immense, there are simply too many wards and cities to be able to craft a 3 day itinerary that works for everyone. Because of that, here are 4 different beloved must-visit districts and wards. These four will suit different people, so read through them and pick the one/s that are perfect for YOUR 3 day itinerary for Tokyo!🫶
Asakusa District in Taito City – For the Traditional Lovers
Welcome to one of Tokyo’s most traditional districts! If you are a history lover, or someone who enjoys a more relaxed ambiance, this is the perfect district for you.
In Asakusa, you’ll find endless temples and shrines, including the historic Senso-ji temple, along with shopping streets full of markets. One of the most famous shopping streets is Nakamise. By visiting this district, you will be able to dive deeper into a rich cultural heritage and an “older” Tokyo.
Asakusa is famous for it’s beautiful blend between traditional and modern cultures – making it a must visit. This is a district that you can easily spend a full day in, but also as little as 3 hours.
Here are some of the best things to do in Asakusa:
- Walk around Nakamise, Asakusa’s most famous shopping street.
- Visit the Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo. Not only is it the oldest, but it is one of the most colorful and popular temples of Tokyo.
- Shop at Ekimise, an elegant mall full of goodies – from craft stores to restaurants, and more.
- Visit and walk under the Kaminarimon, a beautiful entrance gate that leads to Senso-ji Temple.
- Go to Japan’s first amusement park, Asakusa Hanayashiki
- Go to a Sumo show and enjoy a delicious chicken hot pot. Book this experience now before it sells out!
- Go on a guided walking tour to enjoy Asakusa to the fullest!
Ginza District in Chuo City – For the Luxury Lovers
Welcome to one of Tokyo’s boujiest districts! Ginza is famous for it’s luxurious ambiance, fine dining, nightclubs, and the Ginza Wako clock tower, which is a tribute to Ginza’s watchmaking tradition. If you are looking for a luxurious experience in Tokyo, you simply must visit the Ginza district!
Here are some of the best things to do in GINZA:
- teamLab Planets – here are 10 essential visit tips! If you want to visit, you NEED to book well in advance!
- Go on a guided tour throughout Tsukiji Market, the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world.
- Visit the Kabuki-za, Tokyo’s principal theater for the traditional kabuki drama. During this experience you’ll get to enjoy a traditional Kabuki performance.
- Visit the Nissan Crossing, a landmark and fancy Nissan cars showroom.
- Visit the beautiful Imperial Palace
- Walk around the beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens
Akihabara Electric Town – For the Anime, Manga, Retro Game Lovers
Get ready to discover one of the coolest and most unique areas in Tokyo!😍
If you’re an Anime, Manga and, or retro game fan – Akihabara will be your heaven. This district is full of electronic stores, game stores, anime-related shops, and more – which explains the name, “Electric Town”.
Here are some of the best things to do in Akihabara electric town:
- Visit and walk around Chuo Dori Street, the main shopping street.
- Visit the Mandarake Akihabara, an 8-floor complex dedicated to anime, manga, collectible toys, and so much more!
- Go to an arcade or two!😍
- Visit mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi, a busy train station now turned into a shopping and dining complex.
- Admire intricate figurines at Volks Akihabara Hobby Paradise
Minato City
Welcome to one of Tokyo’s most wealthiest residential areas and wards!
This is the perfect ward to visit if you want to immerse yourself in vibrant nightlife, immense skyscrapers, and experience a mix of tradition and avant-garde urban culture. Here you will find everything from Michelin-starred restaurants, endless luxury shopping, world-class art museums, and so much more.
Here are some of the best things to do in Minato city:
- Roppongi Hills, one of Tokyo’s most opulent districts!
- Tokyo Tower, the second tallest tower in Japan!
- Visit the National Art Center Tokyo, to appreciate the works of both Japanese and international artists.
- If you’re visiting Japan in the fall, you MUST visit Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, famous for it’s fall colors.
- Toyokawa Inari Betsuin, also known as the Temple of Foxes. Here you will see hundreds of Shinto fox god/goddesses.
- Go on a Tokyo Pub Crawl to enjoy Tokyo’s nightlife to the fullest and make new friendships!
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Going back to how immense Tokyo is – if there is an area you’re most excited to visit, stay there or as close as possible. I personally stayed in Shibuya for the majority of my stay due to the gluten free restaurants and cafes. By doing so, I saved many hours and you will too!
With that said, if there are specific things you want to have easy access to, book your stay near them or within the same district. This will save you A LOT of time!
Having stayed in both Shibuya and Shinjuku, both are amazing areas to stay in! The overall differences are the prices and the nightlife. Shinjuku is more affordable, and Shibuya has an even-more vibrant nightlife.
Besides Shibuya and Shinjuku, here are other amazing areas to stay in Tokyo! Discover their popular attractions, their best hotels, amenities, and more.
Pasmo Passport / Suica Card
When traveling, especially in a new country, there can be many uncertainties. So let this be your ONE CERTAINTY, you WILL use the subway or buses on a daily basis, likely multiple times in a day.
Due to this, it will be crucial that you get a Pasmo Passport or Suica Card! These are prepaid cards that you use for all public transportation, and even shopping. I personally opted for the physical Pasmo Passport, but many people also use the Suica app on their phone.
With my itinerary, I did my best to minimize your daily usage of public transportation. Not because it’s not great, but because an unorganized day can result in HOURS being spent on public transportation. From personal experience, you want to avoid that at all costs.🫠
Tokyo FAQs
Is Tokyo a cheap city to visit?
Tokyo is what you make it! You can easily plan for a cheaper, or a more expensive adventure.
How many days do you really need in Tokyo?
The amount of days you need in Tokyo really depends on what you want to see, and get out of your adventure!
How to split 3 days in Tokyo?
As mentioned earlier, the best way to split your days in Tokyo is by wards and the cities, and focusing on one or two per day. Do this by first figuring out what you want to see and do in Tokyo, and then group them by district or ward.
Your three day Tokyo itinerary cannot be based only on the activities you want to do. This is because, with no research on where the activities are, you will likely spend hours on public transportation or miss bookings.
Is 4 days in Tokyo too much?
Absolutely not! Tokyo is so immense that it would take months to see all of it. With four days, you will see a lot, but never enough.
Need help preparing for your trip? Use my FREE e-Checklist!
This is your one-stop-shop in understanding everything you need – something I wish I had for my own travels. Here you’ll find what you need to do to prepare for your Japan travels, things to know, essentials like Travel Medical Insurance, eSims, and more. Enjoy!✨
Read more on Japan
- 23 ESSENTIAL Tips + Things to Know Before Visiting Japan
- Is Tokyo Friendly to Tourists? Answering Your Burning Questions
- Do’s and Don’ts in Japan: Etiquette Guide for New Visitors
- The Ultimate 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
- Discover the Best Area to Stay in Tokyo Japan
- The 8 Best Tokyo Street Food Tours
- 10 teamLab Planets Visit Tips You Need to Know Of
- 9 Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Tokyo | A Celiac’s Guide
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