5 Day Itinerary In Tokyo: First-Timer’s Guide On Things To Do

Are you looking to fill your 5-day Tokyo itinerary with the best things to do for first timers? Although I’ve been to Tokyo multiple times over the years, there’s just something about this city that makes you want to come back for more.

Since Tokyo has so much to offer, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when planning a trip here. Hence, I’ve pieced together my favorite 5 days in Tokyo and give you the inside scoop on which places are worth visiting.

In this itinerary, we’ll be eating to our hearts’ content, experiencing the traditional side of Tokyo, and shopping for quirky souvenirs to take home. Here’s the itinerary I wish I had as a first-time visitor to Tokyo.

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Day 1: Asakusa, Ueno, Akihabara

Welcome to Tokyo! Our first day is all about soaking in Tokyo’s cultural and historic atmosphere while indulging in amazing Japanese food.

Getting to Asakusa from Narita Airport

The fastest way to get from Narita Airport to Asakusa is to take the Keisei Narita Sky Access train. Google Maps is quite reliable for getting around in Tokyo, so you can check the timing for the next train there. It takes about 1.5 hours to get to Asakusa station via this direct line, and you’ll even get a glimpse of the Tokyo Skytree as you enter the city.

Where to stay in Asakusa

I love staying in Asakusa because it’s relatively affordable, has good food, and has good connectivity to Narita Airport. If you’re arriving in the morning, you can request the front desk to help you with luggage storage.

Find Asakusa hotel deals here

Budget: Tamayura Hotel Asakusa

If you’re budget-conscious, you’ll find many APA chain hotels around Asakusa that go for less than $100 USD per night. These rooms are usually quite small (9 m²), but they make up for it in their efficiency and tech-enabled service. If you have more than one luggage, I don’t recommend these as the space is really tight and you’ll find it hard to access your stuff.

We learnt our lesson the next time, and booked a larger room at Tamayura Hotel Asakusa. It was still fairly affordable at about $135 USD, and was a short walk from Asakusa Station. Although we had to move some furniture around, we managed to open 3 luggages at the same time in this 15 m² space.

Alternatively, we also considered staying in TOKYO-W-INN Asakusa because of the spacious rooms (21 m²). It’s also priced affordably at about $135, just with shared bathrooms.

Mid-range: The Gate Hotel Asakusa

If you’re looking for something more comfortable, The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon by Hulic is worth checking out. It only costs $230 USD per night, with comfortable rooms (32 m²), a stylish bar and outdoor terrace dining that overlooks the city.

Breakfast in Asakusa

Here are some cafes you can check out in Asakusa for breakfast:

• Suke6 Diner (Pasta and breakfast platters)
• February Cafe
• Pelican Cafe
• Lucent Coffee
• Fuglen Asakusa (Norwegian waffles are their specialty)
• Nui (Cafe located in a vibrant hostel)

If you’re able to make a reservation, Benitsuru is really popular for its savory pancakes.

Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise-dori Street

Now that you’re fuelled up after breakfast, let’s explore the cultural side of Asakusa. The first thing that catches your eye is probably the giant red lantern at the Kaminarimon entrance.

Behind that is Nakamise-dori Street, an outdoor corridor of stores that sell everything from postcards to snacks and souvenirs. Here, you can try local specialties like melon pan, matcha crapes, and other traditional street foods.

At the end of the street you’ll be led to Senso-ji and the Five-Storied Pagoda. Don’t be surprised to see people pulling rickshaws and people (including tourists) dressed in Japanese kimonos here. If you want, you can even rent a kimono in Asakusa to join in the fun.

Ueno

In the afternoon, spend some time to enjoy Ueno Park nearby, and perhaps even do a bit of shopping in Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street. You could also have lunch here, as there are countless restaurants here, such as the Michelin Guide-listed restaurant Ponta Honke which serves amazing pork cutlet.

You can check out this Asakusa and Ueno guide for how to spend an entire day in these two neighborhoods.

Akihabara

Next, head over to Akihabara Electric Town – the hub for anime, manga, and electronics. If you like old-school games like Gameboy and Tamagotchi, you could try to find some collector items here. For a start, check out these shops:

• Mandarake Complex
• Super Potato
• BicCamera

Day 2: Tsukiji Market, Odaiba, Tsukushima

On Day 2, we’ll explore Tokyo’s seafood scene, check out futuristic attractions, and check out a local hidden gem neighborhood for dinner.

Breakfast at Tsukiji Market

Start your day early at the Tsukiji Outer Market, a popular wholesale seafood market that draws crowds of people daily. It’s truly a haven for food lovers especially if you can appreciate sashimi and sushi. You can’t go wrong with any of the stores here, and some even have seating available.

If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, kaisendon (seafood rice bowl) will be the best choice. Otherwise, look out for tuna sashimi, tamagoyaki (omelet), grilled scallop and more.

Bring your wallet for this one and keep an open mind even if you’ve never tried sashimi. Do also come early to beat the crowd, and also to get the first picks for fresh seafood.

Odaiba for fun and shopping

Afterwards, head over to Odaiba, a futuristic waterfront district with lots of shopping and themed attractions. We stayed in Hilton Tokyo Odaiba the first time we came here – and the seaside location was perfect for exploring this area.

Places to see

One of the must-see places in Tokyo is here in Odaiba – teamLab Planets which is an immersive and interactive digital art experience. Some exhibitions involve walking barefoot into a water-filled room, lots of mirrors and hanging flowers.

To take a break from shopping, head to Odaiba Seaside Park and admire the Tokyo skyline and Rainbow Bridge across the water. I really like the West Promenade as there’s an observation deck and an elevated walkway. You can also see the Tokyo version of the Statue of Liberty here.

Shopping

There’s plenty of shopping malls here and I find that they’re much less crowded than the ones in central Tokyo. Check out AQUA CiTY Odaiba, DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, and DECKS which are close to each other.

Activities

Lastly, if you’re looking for some fun don’t miss the Immersive Fort Tokyo where you get to experience being characters in a famous movies, anime, or games. You can solve a Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery, navigate through Jack the Ripper’s Horror Maze, or escape death like Alice in Borderland.

Dinner in Tsukishima

In the evening, head to Tsukishima – a neighbourhood known for its famous Monja Street that’s lined with monjayaki restaurants.

This Tokyo specialty is a savory pancake that’s similar to okonomiyaki, just that monjayaki is thinner and more liquid. The sauce is mixed into the batter, and it’s really cool that the staff cook it for you at your table.

We went to Tsukishima Monja Koboreya and ordered several flavors to share as a group. The flavors blew me away, and my favorite has got to be the Mentaiko one. We also ended the meal with a red bean pancake. If you decide to come here, do make a reservation as it could get busy during peak periods.

Another underrated place we found here is Bar Arai Tateguten, a Japanese-style bar tucked away in a remodelled old house in the back alley. We were really impressed by the hospitality shown by the owner and mixologist, Arai-san.

He started by offering us warm hand towels, then patiently explained the seasonal cocktails and offered us Japanese snacks to go along with our drinks. I highly recommend coming here for a cozy place to chat over specially-crafted drinks.

Day 3: Shinjuku, Ikebukuro

Day 3 is all about shopping, food, and soaking in the lively atmosphere of Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. This is the best time to move to a hotel near Shinjuku to make things easier for the rest of the trip.

Where to stay in Shinjuku

Shinjuku’s location is most convenient location for day trips and there’s even a direct bus to the airport. While staying in Asakusa may be cheaper, the extra 40-50 minutes of travel each way could be better spent enjoying the city. Here are three great options to consider.

Mid-range: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is known for its iconic Godzilla head towering above Kabukicho. It offers clean rooms, great city views, and a convenient location just 450 m (0.3 miles) from Shinjuku Station.

In addition, the airport limousine bus stop at Kabukicho Tower makes it easy to avoid carrying your shopping haul through crowded trains on your last day. Overall, it’s good value for money with room rates starting around $165 USD per night.

Book your Shinjuku stay here

Luxury: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo is an upscale hotel and more family-friendly as it’s located on the quieter side of Shinjuku (away from Kabukicho’s nightlife). It has spacious rooms (23.5 m²), multiple on-site dining options, and even its pwn airport limousine bus stop. Prices here start at $228 USD per night.

Close to the station: Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku

If you prioritize easy access to Shinjuku Station and don’t mind a smaller room, Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku will be perfect for you. It’s right next to a station exit and a short 300 m (0.2 mile) walk to an airport limousine bus stop. Prices start at $183 USD for an 18 m² room.

Take a cooking class

Why not immerse yourself in local culture with a cooking class? I was invited by airKitchen to join a bento-making class with Sumire, a warm and knowledgeable instructor who shared so many Japanese cooking tips. We also had an English translator, Mai, who did an awesome job of helping me feel comfortable. Their kitchen is located in Shinjuku so it fits in well with our day’s itinerary.

Most of the ingredients were prepared beforehand (portioned out, peeled and marinated), leaving just the fun stuff to be done – slicing and cooking. Sumire also gave me furikake packets to season my rice balls, and even let me take home a few more because I liked it so much.

Other ingredients in our bento included teriyaki chicken, tamagoyaki (rolled omelet), broccoli, and kinpira (lotus root). I also didn’t worry about taking notes, because they provided a recipe with cooking tips included from the class.

If you love Japanese food, this is a great way to bring a little piece of Japan home with you. You can browse various types of cooking classes on airKitchen, including sushi, ramen, omurice, and more.

Find the nearest Tokyo cooking class near you

Shopping in Shinjuku

There’s plenty of shopping in Shinjuku – whether you’re looking for clothes, home goods, or outdoor gear. The best part is tax free shopping if you spend more than 5,000 yen! Here are some of our favorites.

Outdoor shops

One of the outdoor shops that blew my mind here was Alpen Tokyo. This flagship store in Shinjuku spans 8 floors, and has a huge range of outdoor gear. I even saw a really good deal for a Snow Peak starter camping set, which would have cost way more in the US.

Another shop we like is A&F Country which carries a wide variety of international brands, like KAVU, Chaco, Hilleberg, and more.

Lastly, we’ve also fallen in love with Mont-bell after seeing so many Japanese people using their gear in Kamikochi. Now we can’t resist going into their stores whenever we see one.

Home goods

Who doesn’t like one-of-a-kind pieces to bring home as souvenirs? We bought several small dishes, ceramic cups, and chopstick holders which we now get to enjoy everyday.

• Hands Shinjuku
• Nitori
• Muji
• Daiso
• Shinjuku LOFT

Ikebukuro Sunshine City

Ikebukuro is slightly north of Shinjuku, and Sunshine City is one of the popular shopping malls worth checking out. Did you know that there’s an aquarium, a planetarium, as well as a museum here? We got to spend lots of time here when we stayed in Sunshine City Prince Hotel Ikebukuro which is connected directly to the mall.

If you haven’t had the chance to see the city view from a high floor, the Sunshine 60 Observatory Tenbou-Park offers a great view for less than $5 USD.

Studio Ghibli lovers – you’ve got to check out the official Ghibli store, Donguri Kyowakoku. There’s also a Disney store, Pokemon Center, and Sanrio cafe all in the same mall.

Dining and drinks in Shinjuku

Coming back to Shinjuku, I recommend trying Japanese-style fried pork cutlet at Tonkatsu Niimura. If you’re craving for gyudon, Tatsuya Shinjuku will probably be a real treat.

Afterwards head to Omoide Yokocho, a small but well-known alley in Tokyo with several yakitori stores. As the sun begins to set, store lights and lanterns turn on, giving this place its charm. The yakitori shops have limited space, only seating 4 to 7 customers each time. Even if you don’t plan to eat or drink here, it’s worth checking out the atmosphere of this traditional alley.

There are also plenty of cocktail bars in Shinjuku, and you can even sign up for a bar hopping tour. We enjoyed our time in Bar Composition where we tried cocktails made with a Japanese twist.

Day 4: Kawaguchiko day trip to see Mount Fuji

The nice things about Tokyo is that there are many easy day trips you can take. Japan’s transport system is really efficient so you don’t even need to rent a car to get out of the city.

If you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time, Mount Fuji is a must-see. Kawaguchiko is an amazing destination for day trips because it’s just 2 hours away from Tokyo and you’ll get to enjoy Mount Fuji along with a lake view.

Getting to Kawaguchiko

The most cost efficient and direct way of getting to Kawaguchiko is via highway bus. You can reserve your tickets online up to one month in advance to secure your spot on the bus. It costs 2,200 yen each way if you’re departing from Shinjuku Bus Terminal.

Once you arrive at Kawaguchiko Station, you’ll need to take the omnibus (sightseeing bus) to get to various parts of the lake. You can pay per ride using your IC card.

Things to do in Kawaguchiko

One of the best viewpoints of Mount Fuji around Kawaguchiko is Nagasaki Park and Oishi Park. If you like flowers, check out Oishi Park where you’ll find seasonal flowers and lavender fields that frame Mount Fuji in the distance. To get here, take the red line omnibus to Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center which is the end of the route.

For lunch, you can buy food at Oishi Park Cafe which has an upper deck for dining with a view. Alternatively, there are several restaurants nearby serving Hoto noodles – a local dish in the Fuji area.

Afterwards, visiting the Forest Music Museum, a charming European-style garden and museum featuring musical instruments with views of Mount Fuji. If you still have time, you can transfer to the green line omnibus at Kawaguchiko Station to get to Fuji Omuro-Sengen Shrine. To learn more about the natural formation of Mt Fuji and the lakes surrounding it, check out Fujisan World Heritage Center.

Getting back to Tokyo

Do expect some delay in the omnibus schedule especially when there are many people taking the buses. Do plan your time well and try to get back to Kawaguchiko Station one hour before your highway bus ride back to Tokyo. Alternatively, you can book the return bus after you’re back at Kawaguchiko Station.

Day 5: Harajuku and Shibuya

Even though it’s our last day in Tokyo, we’re ending on a high note with some of the east shopping and views in the city.

Harajuku

Start your day in Harajuku, a district known for quirky fashion and boutique shops. Since most of the shops open in the later part of the morning, grab some espresso coffee at Cafe Luigi first.

If you like outdoorsy fashion, you should check out the 5 consecutive North Face shops all on the same street. Each store has a different theme, with pieces that are highly influenced by the fashion scene in Japan.

You could get a “Purple Label” North Face, a Japan-only exclusive, or even a North Face x Harajuku t-shirt as a souvenir. Here’s a quick look at what each North Face store is about:

• Sphere: Climbing, running, yoga, training
• Mountain: Technical gear for camping, climbing, hiking, snow
• Alter: Camping, training, street wear
• Standard: Men’s camping, hiking, street wear
• 3(march): Women’s camping, hiking, street wear, snow

Shibuya

You can continue walking down the shopping street all the way until you reach Shibuya. For more shopping, Shibuya Parco is an upscale mall that’s popular for its futuristic Pokemon Center, Nintendo store, and overall artsy vibe.

Tired from all that walking? For lunch, treat yourself to yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) at Gyukaku where you can grill your own meat. It’s fun, delicious, and super satisfying – definitely worth a visit for foodies.

Another cool thing to see here is the Shibuya Scramble Crossing right outside Shibuya Station. It’s one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world where everyone crosses the road together from all sides (diagonally too). Nearby, visit the Hachiko Statue, a heartwarming tribute to Japan’s most loyal dog. It’s also a popular meeting spot outside Shibuya Station.

If time permits, stroll over to Daikanyama, a quieter, trendy neighborhood with Brooklyn-like charm. You’ll find small cafes and boutique shops that offer a relaxing contrast to Shibuya’s energy. Check out some vintage clothing stores, breweries, and maybe grab a cup of coffee.

Lastly, wrap up your 5-day Tokyo itinerary with sunset views from Shibuya Sky. Tickets cost 2,500 yen for a visit to the rooftop observation deck with 360-degree views of Tokyo. Try to get there during golden hour for the best lighting, though it can be busy since it’s the best time of day to be here. Make sure to reserve your tickets in advance too.

Can’t get enough of Tokyo? Find more activities here

Local etiquette tips

Japan is known for its considerate and law-abiding culture, and Tokyo is no exception. While these customs might not be obvious, understanding and respecting local etiquette definitely helps with blending in and avoid offending people.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Eat responsibly in markets: Eat near the store you bought it from as it makes disposing of trash easier and prevents blocking other businesses.
• Avoid eating while walking: This can create a mess, especially in crowded areas.
• Tipping isn’t the norm: Unlike in some countries, tipping is not expected and may even cause confusion.
• Keep your voice down: Public spaces, particularly trains and quiet areas, are expected to remain peaceful.
• No food and drinks in stores: Bringing them into shops is frowned upon and may lead to being asked to leave.
• Get in line: Whether for trains, restaurants, or restrooms, queuing is an important part of Japanese culture.
• Dress modestly: Stick to more conservative outfits to avoid drawing unnecessary attention or stares.
• Remember your eSIM: This way you don’t need to purchase a physical SIM card. We’ve been using Airalo together with their mobile app.

Following these tips will help you to not only enjoy your trip to Tokyo but also show respect for the local customs that make Japan such an ideal destination.

Wrapping up 5 days in Tokyo

Through this 5-day Tokyo itinerary, you’ll get to experience a little bit of everything. My favorite highlights include the delicious seafood at Tsukiji Market, the stunning views of Mount Fuji, and the late-night convenient store snack runs.

Don’t forget to grab some Japan souvenirs like matcha snacks or stationery, and enjoy one last bowl of ramen or sushi before saying goodbye. Everyone loves the food in Tokyo, so keep an open mind while trying all kinds of food here.

Tokyo has a way of leaving a lasting impression, and I hope this trip is just the beginning of your adventures in Japan! Next time you could even explore a Japan hiking trip to experience the countryside’s natural beauty.