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Tokyo

Tokyo Tower in the evening

Hit Up All of Tokyo's Biggest and Best Sights

Ultimate 4 Day Downtown Tokyo Itinerary

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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 or upper-class neighborhoods during the Edo-era. Today, its’ headlined by the (渋谷), (原宿), and (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.
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Itinerary Details

Kick off the day at Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Recommended Time:

10:30

渋谷駅

Shibuya Station

DT

01

田園都市線

Den-en-Toshi Line

TY

01

東横線

Toyoko Line

JY

20

JR山手線

JR Yamanote Line

JA

10

埼京線

JR Saikyo Line

JS

19

湘南新宿ライン

JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line

Z

01

半蔵門線

Hanzomon Line

G

01

銀座線

Ginza Line

F

16

副都心線

Fukutoshin Line

IN

01

井の頭線

Inokashira Line

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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
7 mins
550m

Shibuya Station

to

Katsudonya Zuicho

Katsudon from Zuicho in Shibuya, Tokyo

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 is, despite its simple nature. The 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.
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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 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 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

to

Meiji Jingu

Sake barrels outside Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku, Tokyo

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 , located within a lush jungle that spans 70 hectares. The shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of , the first Emperor of modern Japan after the , 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
15 mins
1.1km

Takeshita Dori

to

Monmouth Tea

Milk tea from Monmouth Tea at Kita-Sando, Tokyo

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
8 mins
650m

Monmouth Tea

to

Shinjuku Gyoen

Sakura trees in Shinjuku Gyoen in Shinjuku, Tokyo

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 in 1879, and the current garden configuration was completed in 1906. The garden became a national garden in 1949, and is a favorite 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 may be very well-known internationally, in Japan, 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

OH

01

小田原線

Odawara Line

JY

17

JR山手線

JR Yamanote Line

JA

11

埼京線

JR Saikyo Line

M

08

丸の内線

Marunouchi Line

JS

20

湘南新宿ライン

JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line

S

01

都営地下鉄新宿線

Toei Shinjuku Line

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