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Tokyo

Ultimate 5 Day Tokyo and Day Trips Itinerary

The Best Combination of Downtown Tokyo, Traditional Streets, and Views of Mt Fuji

Nature
Culture
Gourmet
Volume
This 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary is designed to take you through the best of Tokyo's tourist hotspots, off-the-beaten-path local neighborhoods, nostalgic streets of traditional Japan, and even to views of .
Downtown Tokyo itself can often feel like just another large city, and so we've dedicated two days to covering all the major highlights so you can get them checked off your bucket list.
We'll be spending one day in some of Tokyo's most popular neighborhoods for youths and families, while getting all the good eats along the way.
Lastly, we'll also be making two short day trips out, that let you experience traditional Japan in (川越), and stunning views of the in (江ノ島), rounding off the itinerary with a good dose of nature and culture.
Pagoda outside Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo

Concept

Pagoda outside Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo

The Best of Tokyo's Must-See Sights, Delectable Eats, Natural Wonders, and Off-The-Beaten-Road Suburbs

Ultimate Tokyo Itinerary

Our Ultimate Tokyo Itinerary combines the , with some short day trips out to get a taste of traditional Japanese townscapes as well as stunning sights of beauty, including a view of .
(東京都, Tōkyō-to) is often at the top of every visitor's first visit to Japan. This legendary sprawling urban metropolis has loads to offer, but might leave some visitors wanting of a bit more of the traditional sights or sights of natural beauty that people have come to expect of Japan. Our itinerary caters to all of that without having to make a trip to (箱根), Lake Kawaguchiko or (京都, Kyōto).

Highlights on this 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary with Day Trips

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渋谷

Shibuya

Top Places to Eat, Shop, and Explore

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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.

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Pagoda outside Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo

浅草

Asakusa

Bustling Shopping Street & Tokyo's Oldest Temple

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Asakusa is centered on the Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple that was built in 645.

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Sunset view from Chigogafuchi Abyss in Enoshima, Kanagawa Prefecture

稚児ヶ淵

Chigogafuchi Abyss

Beautiful Sunset Views near Tokyo

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A beautiful area that overlooks the , this rocky outcrop provides one of the best sunset views in the with the sun setting against the backdrop of (on a clear day)

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Traditional streets alongside the Toki no Kane in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture

蔵造りの町並み

Kawagoe Warehouse District

Discover the best historical charms of Kawagoe's Little Edo

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The Kawagoe Warehouse District is a beautifully preserved stretch of that has been repurposed to house modern shops and food stalls. Kawagoe is famous for its products, and so you can find everything from imo chips, imo desserts, and even imo steamed buns. The combination of the area's vibes, and the vibrancy of make it a popular spot for locals on the weekend.

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Streets of Jiyugaoka in Tokyo

自由が丘

Jiyugaoka

Tokyo's Walkable & Lively Family-friendly Suburb

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The neighborhood is highly pedestrianized and is heavily European-inspired, from its benches to streetlights and even facades. It is also extremely family- and pet-friendly, so don’t be surprised to see many furry friends running around or families pushing their kids in strollers.
Shops lining up the alleys of Tsukiji Market

築地市場

Tsukiji Market

Tokyo's World Famous Seafood Market

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Tsukiji Fish Market was the world’s largest wholesale and seafood market until 2018, when the wholesale inner market shifted to a new location at Toyosu Market (including the famed tuna auction). The outer market, which consisted of food stands and restaurants where most tourists visited still remains untouched today.

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5 Day Tokyo Itinerary with Day Trips

Discover Tsukiji Market, Akihabara, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, and Tsukishima

Day 1: East Tokyo

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East Tokyo is home to some of Tokyo’s most famous attractions, and housed many of the neighborhoods during the . Today, popular attractions like the (築地市場, Tsukiji-shijō), the (秋葉原, Akihabara), (浅草), and Tokyo Skytree are located there.
Tsukiji Market garnered worldwide fame for being the heart of Japan’s seafood and culture. While the inner market where tuna auctions were held has been shifted to the Toyosu Market, the outer market where the street food was sold remains. Today, it’s still a great place to get some snacks, fresh seafood, and take in the bustling atmosphere.
Akihabara is well-known as the capital of Japan’s and subculture, with many anime related merchandise shops in the area. As you walk through the neighborhood, you’ll also find an abundance of arcades, as well as maid cafes lining the streets, with ladies wearing maid outfits trying to promote their cafe.
Asakusa is yet another popular sight in Tokyo with Sensoji Temple and the Nakamise Dori shopping street, as well as the large lanterns hanging on the Kaminarimon making the area a popular photo spot.
The Tokyo Skytree is Tokyo’s tallest structure at 634m and also houses a major shopping complex, as well as an aquarium at the base of the tower. There are also two observatories at 350m and 450m that visitors can go up to visit.
Pagoda outside Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo

For 4 Nights

Stay along the Western Belt in Tokyo

For accommodation, we recommend staying somewhere within walking distance of a Tokyo Metro station. (See: Getting Around Tokyo)
If possible, try to stay somewhere along the Shibuya-Shinjuku-Ikebukuro side of Tokyo, which makes it easy to get to day trip destinations.

Street foods, wooden warehouses, and an onsen

Day 2: A Day in Kawagoe

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While well-known amongst the Japanese locals, Kawagoe is still relatively off-the-beaten-path for foreign tourists. Located just 30 minutes out of Tokyo, Kawagoe has beautiful streets lines with old wooden warehouses on both sides of the road that have been retro-fitted into modern shops.
Here's an easy 1 Day Kawagoe Day Trip Itinerary from Tokyo to make sure you check out all the great places and food spots in Kawagoe. Plus, a chance to relax at an at the end of the day, without having that make that long trip to (箱根).
Traditional streets alongside the Toki no Kane in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture

Futako-Tamagawa, Jiyugaoka & Gakugei-Daigaku

Day 3: Tokyo's Southwest Suburbs

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Much of Tokyo's southwestern suburbs are served by Tokyu Corporation, and many of the areas along the lines are residential or lifestyle districts that have been developed by the company. As such, many of the neighborhoods embody certain values of youthfulness and family friendly design that can be felt as you explore them.
(二子玉川, Futako Tamagawa) was envisioned as a fusion between a modern working and lifestyle district. The station is surrounded by shopping malls with office towers above them, and just beside is a beautiful riverside park area.
(等々力渓谷公園, Todoriki Keikoku Kōen) is a small neighborhood that features a ravine park, a dense forested area that feels like a natural respite in an urban jungle.
(自由が丘, Jiyūgaoka) takes inspiration from the streets of European cities, and you can see this inspiration from the road tiling, the benches and the streetlamps.
(学芸大学) feels more like the typical Tokyo suburb, but features a high concentration of cafes in the area.
Going through these areas, will make for a relaxing itinerary for the day, to rest and unwind.
Kishin-en Garden at Futako-tamagawa, Tokyo

Beaches, Seafood, and Sunsets

Day 4: A Day in Enoshima

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Our day trip from (東京, Tōkyō) to (江ノ島) takes you through all the major sights of Enoshima, while also recommending you the best eats in the area that are not to be missed.
It starts off by taking the Odakyu Odawara Line from Shinjuku Station, and arriving at Katase-Enoshima Station. Then we'll go through the (新江ノ島水族館, Shin-Enoshima Suizokukan), the (江の島岩屋, Enoshima Iwaya), the (江の島サムエル・コッキング苑, Enoshima Samueru Kokkingu En), and most stunningly, the sunset at (稚児ヶ淵, Chigogafuchi). You'll also get some great seafood at (江ノ島小屋, Enoshima Kōya), and (とびっちょ), with great desserts along the way at (江の島プリン, Enoshima Purin) and Loncafe.
Do note that the sunset in Japan varies between 4pm and 6pm depending on the season, with winter being the earliest and summer being the latest. Tweak the itinerary and the start times based on the sunset timing when you visit.
Sunset view from Chigogafuchi Abyss in Enoshima, Kanagawa Prefecture

Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku

Day 5: West Tokyo

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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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Go Deep or Go Farther

Our 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary with Day Trips is a great way to get a broad taster of what Japan has to offer. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene sunsets of Enoshima, there's really an endless variety of things to discover in Japan.
Based on this taster, you can really get a sense of what appeals more to you: nature, culture, or big cities.
If you're into nature, we highly recommend that you check out the Chichibu Hiking Day Trip if you're still going to spending a few more days in Tokyo. If you have more time, and you are visiting between April and November, we highly recommend that you go up the and check out the (立山黒部アルペンルート, Tateyama Kurobe Arupen Rūto).
If you're into culture, then you can consider taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen to (金沢), or take the Tokaido Shinkansen to (京都, Kyōto), or even travel a little bit further to (姫路) or (倉敷).
If you love the big city vibes of Tokyo, then you should really head down to visit (大阪, Ōsaka) or fly down to (九州, Kyūshū) and check out Fukuoka.
Tokyo is a great launchpad for you to figure out which areas of Japan that you want to dive deeper into. Of course, there's still plenty more to discover in this big city if you want to, and you can also check out our Downtown Tokyo Itinerary or go for the laidback suburbs in our Tokyo Suburbs Itinerary.

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