Day 1-2: Shibuya & Shinjuku
Start with Tokyo's energy. Day 1: Shibuya Crossing (best viewed from Starbucks above), Shibuya Sky observation deck, Harajuku's Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine. Day 2: Shinjuku Gyoen garden (morning), explore department stores, Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) for dinner, Golden Gai for drinks. These neighborhoods establish Tokyo's modern, vibrant character.
Pro Tip: Get a Suica or Pasmo card immediately at the airport—tap-and-go for all Tokyo transport.
Day 3: Asakusa & Traditional Tokyo
Senso-ji Temple at 6 AM for photos without crowds. Browse Nakamise shopping street. Explore Asakusa's old-town atmosphere—traditional crafts, tempura restaurants, rickshaw rides. Afternoon: take the water bus to Odaiba for teamLab Borderless (book ahead). Evening: Tokyo Skytree for sunset views, dinner in Asakusa.
Day 4: Akihabara & Ueno
Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market for sushi breakfast (the inner market moved, but outer market remains). Ginza for window shopping. Afternoon: Akihabara's electronics and anime culture—multi-floor arcades, maid cafes, vintage games. Evening: Ueno Park and Ameyoko market. Consider a meal in Akihabara's quirky themed restaurants.
Day 5: Day Trip to Nikko or Kamakura
Nikko (2 hours north): UNESCO World Heritage shrines, stunning mountain scenery, waterfalls. Best in autumn. Kamakura (1 hour south): Giant Buddha, zen temples, hiking trails, beach town atmosphere. Both offer a complete change of pace from Tokyo's intensity. JR Pass covers both trips.
Pro Tip: Buy your JR Pass before arriving in Japan—it's cheaper and more convenient than purchasing domestically.
Day 6: Neighborhoods You'll Love
Pick based on interests. Shimokitazawa: vintage shops, live music, bohemian cafes. Yanaka: traditional neighborhood that survived the war, temples, old shotengai shopping street. Daikanyama: Tokyo's stylish side, architecture, bookstores. Koenji: local izakayas, secondhand stores, punk rock history. These areas reveal Tokyo beyond the tourist highlights.
Day 7: Your Tokyo
Revisit favorite spots. Have a long lunch at a depachika (department store basement food hall). Collect last-minute souvenirs in Shinjuku or Tokyo Station. Consider a cooking class, tea ceremony, or sumo morning practice (free, 7-10 AM at certain stables). Leave time for unexpected discoveries—Tokyo rewards wandering.
