Planning my first time in Tokyo, Japan felt a little unhinged, mostly because the internet acts like you need a spreadsheet to survive this city. I’m not built for that. I wanted a Tokyo travel plan that felt doable, fun, and still had room for “wait, let’s go down this random street.”
So this is my Tokyo itinerary 5 days travel guide, written from the notes of what we actually did. It’s also a solid Japan Tokyo itinerary if you’re building a bigger week Japan itinerary and you want the Tokyo portion to feel organized without feeling like you’re speed-running a city.
For context: I did this trip with friends. It was me, my husband Robin, my bestie Amy, and her partner Kyle. Sometimes we were all together, sometimes we split up, and that flexibility helped a lot. We visited Japan in November and December of 2025 around Thanksgiving.
My 5 Days In Tokyo Itinerary
Quick Tokyo Tips To Know
- Use Google Maps to navigate stations. It will tell you the exit gate for the train station, and that matters because Tokyo metro stations are elaborate (ie A1, B6, etc)
- If you have an iPhone you can download your Suica card to your Apple Wallet. If you have Android you will need to buy a physical Suica card from a machine at a major train station and use cash to top up. If this feels confusing, don’t stress. Buying a physical Suica takes about five minutes.
- Walk on the left side
- Bring your debit card and always carry cash, many restaurants and shops are cash-only
- When visiting in the summer expect very hot days so carry a handheld fan. In the cold months, the train stations and restaurants will have heat blasting so wear layers.
Arrival Day: Narita Airport Or Haneda Airport To Shinjuku
We landed at Narita Airport (NRT) around 4pm local time and took a private cab for the four of us. It was about 1 hour and 45 minutes door to door, and honestly, after a long flight, and considering it was dark out already, that felt worth it. If you’re arriving via Haneda Airport (HND), it’s closer to the city, so you’ll likely have an easier transfer.
We checked into Hotel Granbell Shinjuku. Rooms are small but clean, and being near a 7-Eleven and Lawson made our first night feel instantly easier. Shinjuku is a great base because the station access is excellent, and you’re close to a lot of the nightlife.
I loved the vibe in this area and plan to start all future Tokyo trips in Shinjuku.
We actually split our Tokyo trip into two parts. 5 Days before we headed to Mount Fuji and Kyoto and then 3 days in Tokyo before flying home. On the second half we stayed at the Prince Tower Tokyo which had amazing views of Tokyo Tower and large rooms, but I would recommend a hotel in Shinjuku for your first trip.
First Night In Shinjuku: Easy Dinner Win
We ate at Torikizoku, a yakitori chain that’s underground (you’ll notice a lot of Tokyo restaurants are below street level). Amy made reservations here before we left, so we knew we had a table ready for us. You order on a tablet, which was perfect because we were too tired to try to speak broken Japanese.
Everything is a set price around $3 USD, and we ate like queens. Make a reservation before you leave for your trip if you can, especially with a group of four.
Day 1 Tokyo Itinerary: Shinjuku In The Morning, Shibuya At Night
If you’re building a day Tokyo itinerary for your first full day Tokyo, this is a really good flow.
Morning: Shinjuku, Konbini Breakfast, And A Park Picnic
We started at 7-Eleven for canned coffees (always felt easier than asking the shopkeeper for a cup for the hot coffee machine but that’s also an option). Boss Coffee Farm Black was our favorite. Then we walked around Shinjuku while it was still quiet in the morning. Tokyo is a night city, so at 9am things can feel oddly calm.
We went to Hanazono Shrine, which was beautiful with paper lanterns, locals praying, and ringing bells. We swung by Family Mart and 711 to grab egg sandwiches to do a taste test for lunch, which was so fun.
Then we went to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Entry was 500 yen. We ate sandwiches on a bench because it’s not polite to walk and eat, and the fall colors were unreal. It genuinely reminded me of New York in the way Central Park feels like a breath in the middle of the city.
If you’re visiting during cherry blossom season, Shinjuku Gyoen has a whole cherry tree area, and I already know I want to see that one day.
Lunch: Quick Ramen Near The Hotel
We grabbed ramen at Ramen Zundou-ya near our hotel. Easy kiosk ordering, they take card, and the karaage was so good.
Night: Shibuya (And The Famous Shibuya Scramble)
In the afternoon we rested because Tokyo nights run late, and I’m not trying to pretend I have endless energy.
Then we took the train to Shibuya. Shinjuku Station didn’t have a machine to buy a new Suica card at the time we went, and I’m the only one with Apple, so my friends bought single tickets and then got a pass in Shibuya. It was cash only.
We walked around, saw the famous Shibuya scramble, saw the famous Hachiko Statue, and grabbed cocktails at Lost bar by Abroad in Japan. Great drinks, secret entrance, very fun.
Overall I found Shibuya to be more modern and bustling with tons of luxury shopping. Felt like New World Tokyo while Shinjuku felt more Old Tokyo.
Dinner was hot pot at Momo Paradise Shibuya Koendori Ten. We did wagyu and veggies and it was one of my favorite meals, especially since Wagyu is so pricey in America. Wear layers because the restaurant was blazing hot next to the pot. It was more expensive than other meals but still a deal compared to the US.
Day 2 Tokyo Itinerary: Tsukiji Fish Market And Tokyo Dome City
This was our food-forward day itinerary, and if you’re a snacky person, you’ll love it.
Morning: Tsukiji Fish Market
We went to the Tsukiji fish market (Tsukiji Outer Market). We arrived around 11am, but I’d recommend 10am next time because it was already busy.
It’s basically a giant market area with 300+ food stalls. Most only take cash, so bring cash.
Things we ate and loved:
- Tuna nigiri flight (4 pieces for 1500 yen)
- Tamago on a stick (sweet egg, kind of like a McGriddle vibe)
- Crab cream croquette
- Strawberry mochi
There’s a lot of sushi stalls and one very famous one, but they’re all amazing so don’t feel like you need to wait in that long line if you don’t want to.
Quick note: Toyosu fish market is where the big wholesale auctions moved, but Tsukiji is still the market experience most travelers want for food and wandering.
Afternoon: Team Labs and Tokyo Dome City
After Tsukiji, Robin and I took a small break while Amy and Kyle went to Team Labs. It’s basically like the Ice Cream Museum but 1000% better. They took about 3 hours to explore it, and loved their time. I think this would be a great activity to do if it’s raining in Tokyo or very hot out.
Robin and I instead had an evening of wrestling planned! Went to Tokyo Dome City for happy hour and bites, they serve up great craft beer here.
There’s a baseball stadium, an amusement park, and a food hall all in once place. Also, we live in San Francisco and got a kick out of the Tokyo Giants uniforms, which literally look just like the San Francisco Giants’ uniform.
Then we went to a New Japan Pro Wrestling match and it was SO much fun. Buy tickets ahead of time online and print them out. This was such a cool time to rub shoulders with locals and spend a night watching a great show.
If pro-wrestiling isn’t your thing, I suggest you do a Sumo Wrestling match instead! This Sumo show comes with dinner included.
Day 3 Tokyo Itinerary: Sunshine City, Akihabara, And Golden Gai
Morning: Ikebukuro And Sunshine City
We did Sunshine City and the Pokémon Center for our morning activity since we love Pokémon (90’s kids here!) I stocked up on tons of gifts for myself and for others, like Pokémon cards and limited-edition Evee items.
We also wandered Bandai Namco and some anime stores nearby, where Robin bought some books. Sunshine City is huge and you will get overwhelmed easily, so take your time and don’t try to do everything at once.
Lunch was at Yellow, an omurice spot, since omurice was one of the bucketlist foods we wanted to eat while in Japan. The curry and pork tenderloin omurice was the best out of the 4 we ordered, so I recommend those. The line can get long when they first open to plan on a small wait.
Evening: Akihabara
Akihabara was pure chaos in the best way. Video games, anime, arcades, and multi-floor stores full of merch. We stopped at Super Potato and I loved the top floor with old school arcade games and a candy shop.
We also did the Akihabara Sake Market, which is all-you-can-drink sake for 30/60/90 minutes, and you can bring your own food. We did 30 minutes as happy hour and tried a bunch of sakes, my favorite was the Matcha sake! So tasty.
Dinner was Sushiro, a conveyor belt sushi chain. Walk-in is possible, but a reservation is better. There’s a 60-minute time limit and it’s easy to order from a screen so you don’t have to try and speak Japanese.
Late Night: Golden Gai
Robin and I ended the night in Golden Gai, which is a tiny alley full of tiny bars that can seat maybe 6 people max. Many are cash only and you end up meeting people from all over the world. Always a fun time, we actually went back again for a second night.
Day 4 Tokyo Itinerary: Meiji Shrine And Harajuku (Plus Christmas Markets)
Morning: Yoyogi Park & Meiji Shrine
We visited Meiji Shrine, which sits inside a huge park area. Fall colors were starting to pop off during our visit since we were there in late November. The shrine is massive and felt dramatic in a way I didn’t expect.
We visited on a busy Saturday but I wish we came on a weekday for less crowds. Bring a coin to make a wish as an offering, and use the water station to cleanse before entering.
Midday: Harajuku
Yoyogi Park and Meiji Shrine are next door to Harajuku so we walked over there for lunch. It’s a trendy and packed area, and Takeshita Street was overwhelming but still fun to walk through. Amy got a crepe which she loved.
We all went to Capy Neko Cafe, which is an animal cafe with cats and two capybaras, for an hour of playtime. I met wild capybaras in Guyana earlier this year, so I wanted my friends to experience them too. They’re docile, slow, and weirdly cute.
Lunch was Spontini Pizza by the slice. We were at the point on our trip when we were starting to miss comfort food and pizza hit the spot.
Night: Christmas Markets
We went to the Meiji Jingū Gaien Tokyo Christmas Market, which was the biggest one we saw. It’s cash to enter (1000 yen per person) but most vendors took card. The food wasn’t amazing at Japanese Christmas markets, but the mulled wine was good and the vibes were festive.
If you aren’t visiting in the holidays, use this evening for a sunset on the Roppongi Hills observation deck and then dinner nearby.
Day 5 Tokyo Itinerary: Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Don Quijote
This day tokyo had some of my favorite “Tokyo feels like Tokyo” moments.
Morning: Don Quijote Shopping Haul
Don Quijote, lovingly called Donki, is one of the most iconic shopping chains in Japan. Think multi-level stores packed wall-to-wall with everything from Japanese skincare and beauty products to luggage, snacks, souvenirs, and wild novelty items you didn’t know you needed until you saw them.
If you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time, this is a must-stop, especially if you plan on bringing gifts home or doing a Japan shopping haul.
That said, Donki can be a lot. The stores get crowded fast, and each section blasts its own music or audio loop, which can feel overwhelming. I strongly recommend going in the morning when it’s calmer and easier to browse without sensory overload.
We went to the Don Quijote location in Ginza, though there are plenty all over Tokyo, and having a plan made a huge difference. I picked up a Vitamin C serum for a friend who fell in love with it on her first Japan trip in 2024, plus matcha Kit Kats to bring home. We also grabbed acne treatments, Pokémon goodies, Super Mario Bros playing cards, and a maneki-neko statue for Robin’s desk.
I’m already locked into my skincare routine, so I didn’t go too wild, but if TikTok has taught me anything, it’s that most first-time visitors leave Japan with an entire suitcase dedicated to Japanese skincare from Donki.
One more practical tip: if you realize you need another carry-on or checked bag for all your Tokyo shopping, Don Quijote is one of the best places to buy a cheap, functional suitcase before heading to the airport.
@whimsysoul Tips for Don Quijote Tokyo ⬇️ Doing a massive shopping trip to Don Quijote is a must while in Tokyo. I recommend you pick a weekday morning at a Donki in a less crowded area (like Ginza) so you aren’t as overwhelmed. Don’t forget to bring your passport for duty free shopping! I know most girlies are stocking up on skincare at Don Quijote but I’m pretty set in my products so I only picked up a few skincare things and focused more on items I felt like I couldn’t easily find at home (like matcha Kit Kats!) In total we spent about $100 USD Have you been to Don Quijote? What did you buy and would add to this list? #DonQuijote #tokyo #japan #vlog #tokyotips ♬ original sound – Kara | whimsy soul
What To Buy At Don Quijote (First-Timer Favorites)
If you’re short on time or easily overwhelmed, these are the best Don Quijote buys that consistently come home with first-time visitors to Tokyo:
- Japanese Skincare: Vitamin C serums, sheet masks, acne treatments, sunscreen, and hydrating lotions. Many brands here are hard to find outside Japan and significantly cheaper than in the US.
- Exclusive Japanese Snacks: Special-flavor Kit Kats (matcha, strawberry, regional flavors), gummies, candy, and seasonal treats that make easy souvenirs.
- Beauty Tools & Toiletries: Face razors, lash curlers, cotton pads, hair masks, and travel-size toiletries that are actually good quality.
- Anime, Pokémon, And Nintendo Merch: Pokémon cards, plushies, keychains, and small collectibles. Donki is a fun, affordable alternative to specialty stores.
- Souvenirs And Lucky Charms: Maneki-neko statues, chopsticks, socks, stationery, and novelty gifts that don’t feel too touristy.
- Luggage And Travel Gear: Affordable carry-on suitcases, duffels, compression bags, and packing supplies if you underestimate how much you’ll shop.
Pro tip: Bring your passport. Many Don Quijote locations offer tax-free shopping, which adds up fast if you’re buying skincare or gifts.
Afternoon And Night: Senso-ji, Shopping Street, And Tokyo Skytree
We went to Sensō-ji (Senso-ji), the largest and most important temple in Tokyo. It’s always crowded, but it’s stunning. The lantern out front is huge. Bring a few 100-yen coins to buy your fortune via the sticks. I got bad luck and tied it to the rack to leave it there. Robin got good luck, which tracks, lucky stinker.
After, we walked Nakamise Shopping Street, which is full of souvenirs and snacks if you want to stock up on gifts, there’s literally everything you can need here.
Then we went to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Center Observation Terrace. It’s a free observation deck style viewpoint, and the views of the area and Skytree are great.
The famous Tokyo Skytree is a quick 15 minute walk from the temple, so we meandered over there after. It was lit up at night and really pretty. The Skytree boasts being the tallest tower in the world can you can see Mount Fuji from the top on a clear day (though we visited at night so that wasn’t an option).
We also went to the Pokémon Center at the Skytree because Robin wanted morecard packs. Pro tip: bring your passport for duty-free when it applies.
Dinner was Kirby Cafe at the Skytree. The food was just okay, but the experience was adorable and we wanted to do at least one themed cafe. When in Rome, I mean Japan!
Optional Stops Or Alternatives For Your Tokyo Itinerary
Since we actually visited Tokyo 9 days in total between the start of our Japan trip and the end, we did a few other things that are worth noting so you can mix and match your Tokyo travel itinerary!
Ueno Park
Another day we spent time at Ueno Park, which is a huge park that’s especially pretty in autumn. I loved Shinobazu Pond and I’d love to see it again in spring when it’s green.
This area is also great for museums, like the National Museum of Western Art, Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and the zoo if that’s your thing.
We grabbed a drink at the Ueno Christmas Market, then went to a board game cocktail bar (TCG / BOARD GAME Cafe & Bar FUN). If you bring a playing card, they make a cocktail inspired by it. Very expensive, very fun once. Robin brought a holographic Dragonite and they used cocktail glitter in his drink, how fun!
Tokyo Tower Ginkgo Photoshoot
We did a morning photoshoot around Tokyo Tower to snap pics of the ginkgo trees all yellow. There were so many people later in the day but since we did this while staying in the Prince Park Tower, it was easy to pop down.
There’s also a popular photo spot near the corner of the park and the train station where people line up for the “tower behind me” shot.
Bonus: Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace, And Aoyama Flower Market
I didn’t do these stops on this trip, so I’m not going to pretend I did. But I’m including them here because they’re classic, nearby, and make sense for a Tokyo itinerary if you have more days Tokyo than we did.
If you want an easy half-day add-on:
- Tokyo Station for food halls and shopping
- The Imperial Palace East Gardens for a calm, central walk
- Aoyama Flower Market if you want something pretty and very Tokyo without being chaotic
I’d personally tack these onto a morning when you want something slower.
Luggage Forwarding From Kyoto To Tokyo: Don’t Do What I Did
We forwarded our luggage from Kyoto to Tokyo using Sagawa, and it was a mess. They delayed our luggage delivery by two days and were awful to communicate with. Wouldn’t answer the phone, took 24 hours to answer emails, and gave no real updates. We got our suitcases back barely a day before we left.
I wouldn’t recommend using them.
Honestly, having large luggage on the bullet train would not be hard. There’s space for luggage on the Shinkansen in dedicated areas. I know people love luggage forwarding, but on the Kyoto to Tokyo route, I don’t think you need it.
FAQ: Tokyo Travel Questions People Actually Ask
How many days in Tokyo is enough?
For a first-time Tokyo trip, I think 5 days is the sweet spot. This Tokyo itinerary 5 days plan gave us enough time to explore different neighborhoods without feeling like we were sprinting. If you’re building a week in Japan itinerary, five days Tokyo plus Kyoto is a great combo.
What’s the best itinerary Tokyo plan for a first time visitor?
Tokyo itinerary for first-time visitors will want a good itinerary Tokyo plan that groups sights by neighborhood so you’re not wasting time crossing the city. Tokyo is huge, and the “do one thing in each area” approach is how you end up exhausted.
Should I visit Tsukiji fish market or Toyosu fish market?
If you want to eat and wander, go to tsukiji fish market. If you care specifically about auctions and wholesale operations, toyosu fish market is the one.
What are the best places to visit in Tokyo for food?
Tsukiji Outer Market, ramen shops in Shinjuku, conveyor belt sushi in Akihabara, and honestly, konbini runs. Tokyo food is one of the best parts of the trip.
Is Tokyo easy to navigate for first timers?
Tokyo itinerary for first-time visitors. Yes, once you trust the system. Google Maps was accurate for train routes, platforms, and station exits. The train stations feel intense at first, but you get used to it fast.
Is Tokyo a good city for travel in winter or fall?
Yes. We went in November. Mornings and nights were cold, daytime was warmer, and the inside of restaurants and the metro were often hot. Dress in layers.
I hope this helps you plan a great 5 days in Tokyo! You’re going to have so much fun. If you have any tips to add to help other travelers, please drop those below in the comments so everyone can see!
