Hit Up All of Tokyo's Biggest and Best Sights

Ultimate 4 Day Downtown Tokyo Itinerary

This 4 Day Tokyo Itinerary covers almost every bucket-list travel destination you might have in Tokyo.

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West Tokyo

Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku

Nature

Culture

Gourmet

Volume

West Tokyo is home to the modern, youthful, and bustling side of Tokyo, and has traditionally housed many of its Yamanote (山手, High Town) or upper-class neighborhoods during the Edo-era. Today, its’ headlined by the Shibuya (渋谷), Harajuku (原宿), and Shinjuku (新宿) areas that have become the modern heart of the city.

Shibuya is known as the center of youth culture in Tokyo, and has grown famous internationally for the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing. The neighborhood is filled with malls, shops, and youths hanging out after school or on weekends.

Harajuku is seen as the capital of young women’s fashion in Tokyo, with Takeshita-dori being filled with clothing stores and crepe shops. Further east is the Omotesando district, filled with cafes and high-end shopping malls.

Shinjuku is Tokyo’s second city center, a major business, nightlife, and shopping district. By day, its home to many skyscraper office towers, and by night, it’s home to many bustling (and also seedy) drinking joints, and the area is also representative of the cyberpunk-style impression that people have of Japan.

Itinerary Details

Starting Time

Kick off the day at Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Recommended Time:

10:30

渋谷駅

Shibuya Station

田園都市線

Den-en-Toshi Line

東横線

Toyoko Line

JR山手線

JR Yamanote Line

埼京線

JR Saikyo Line

湘南新宿ライン

JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line

半蔵門線

Hanzomon Line

銀座線

Ginza Line

副都心線

Fukutoshin Line

井の頭線

Inokashira Line

Est.

10:30

30 mins

Shibuya Scramble Crossing (渋谷スクランブル交差点)

Heading through the Crossing

The Shibuya Scramble Crossing has become one of Tokyo’s most iconic sights in recent years, appearing in numerous Hollywood films as well as television series. While it might appear like just another large junction at first, when the lights turns red, and everyone walks from every direction, towards whichever direction they want, there’s a sheer sense of chaos, and also orderliness at the same time. During busy hours, almost 2,500 people could be crossing the street at a single time within the span of 2 minutes.

Walk over to Zuicho

Est.

11:00

7 mins

550m

Shibuya Station

Katsudonya Zuicho

Est.

11:05

45 mins

Closed on Sun-Fri

Katsudonya Zuicho (かつどん屋瑞兆)

Grab an early lunch at Zuicho

What sets Zuicho apart is how umami-packed the donburi (丼, Rice Bowl) is, despite its simple nature. The tonkatsu (とんかつ, Pork Cutlet) is fried to a delicious crisp, and topped with the ultimate savory umami sauce that goes perfectly well with the egg and the rice. You just can’t help but want more! We recommend getting the large portion of rice, otherwise you might find yourself out of rice before finishing the toppings on the dish – it's just that good.

Est.

11:50

1.5 hours

Shibuya (渋谷)

Explore Shibuya

Shibuya is known as the center of youth culture in Tokyo, a favorite hangout amongst youngsters after school or on weekends. The Shibuya Scramble Crossing outside the station is one of Tokyo’s most iconic sights, and the Hachiko (ハチ公, Hachikō) statue near the crossing is also a popular photo spot.

Fluffy pancake with Shine Muscat at Flipper's in Shibuya, Tokyo

Est.

13:20

1 hour

Flipper's Shibuya (フリッパーズ渋谷)

Get some of those fluffy pancakes

Unlike your American flat pancakes, Japan’s fluffy pancakes (パンケーキ, Pankēki) have gone viral on social media for their wobbly appearance and eye-catching toppings. Flipper’s is one of the most popular shops for getting some of these pancakes, with an ever-changing rotation of seasonal pancakes.

Walk through Yoyogi Park to Harajuku

Est.

14:20

15 mins

Just a ten minute walk away, you can walk northwards through Yoyogi Park before making a right at the road to head towards Harajuku. It’s a relatively pleasant stroll, and you will also pass by the Yoyogi National Gymnasium that hosted the swimming and diving events of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

15 mins

1km

Flipper's Shibuya

Meiji Jingu

Credit: David Ng (Unsplash)

Est.

14:45

1 hour

Meiji Jingu Shrine (明治神宮)

Enter the tranquil grounds of Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Jingu Shrine is one of Tokyo’s most popular shrines (神社, Jinja), located within a lush jungle that spans 70 hectares. The shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji (明治天皇, Meiji-tennō), the first Emperor of modern Japan after the Edo Period (1603-1867, 江戸時代, Edo-jidai), and his wife, Empress Shōken.

Crowded street of Takeshita Dori in Harajuku, Tokyo

Est.

15:45

1 hour

Harajuku (原宿)

Walk down the famous Takeshita Dori in Harajuku

Harajuku is considered to be one of centers of youth fashion in Tokyo, with Takeshita-dori being at the forefront of it. This small pedestrianized street sees large crowds flocking to the various fashion shops or crepe shops that line the street.

Walk northwards to Kita-Sando

Est.

16:45

15 mins

1.1km

Takeshita Dori

Monmouth Tea

Est.

17:10

30 mins

Monmouth Tea (モンマスティー)

Have a tea break at Monmouth Tea

Monmouth Tea serves a really amazing cup of milk tea. Their classic Monmouth Tea is a cold sweetened milk tea, with just the right balance of tea aroma, sweetness, and richness from the milk. A cup that keeps making you want more and more. Their selection of bakes, muffins, tarts, and quiches, also make for a good mid-day snack or supper.

Walk to Shinjuku Gyoen

Est.

17:40

8 mins

650m

Monmouth Tea

Shinjuku Gyoen

Est.

18:00

1 hour

Closed on Mon

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (新宿御苑)

Leisurely stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen was formerly a garden run by the Imperial household (宮内庁, Kunai-chō) in 1879, and the current garden configuration was completed in 1906. The garden became a national garden in 1949, and is a favorite hanami (花見, Sakura Viewing) spotamong the Japanese locals.

Street crossing outside Kabukicho at Shinjuku, Tokyo

Credit: Jezael Melgoza (Unsplash)

Est.

19:00

1.5 hours

Shinjuku (新宿)

Wander the nightscape of Shinjuku

Shinjuku is widely thought to be Tokyo’s second city center, with its business district and skyscrapers on the west side in the day, and its bustling nightlife district on the east side at night. That being said, there aren’t exactly major tourist sights in the area, and much of it is really just exploring the neighborhood on foot.

Tsukemen at Tatsunoya in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Est.

20:30

1 hour

Ramen Tatsunoya (ラーメン龍の家)

Dip some noodles

While ramen (ラーメン, Rāmen) may be very well-known internationally, in Japan, tsukemen (つけ麺, Dipping noodles) are a popular variant often also sold at ramen shops. Rather than getting a one bowl of noodle soup, tsukemen usually comes as two parts: noodles and a dipping broth. The noodles usually come dry on a plate (served either hot or cold), with a piping hot (or cold) bowl of rich dipping broth at the side. You dip the noodles into the broth and slurp it down directly.

End off at Shinjuku Station

Est.

21:30

新宿駅

Shinjuku Station

小田原線

Odawara Line

JR山手線

JR Yamanote Line

埼京線

JR Saikyo Line

丸の内線