Tokyo Itinerary & Travel Guide
Tokyo blends ultramodern skyscrapers with centuries-old temples and shrines. The city's food scene is unmatched — more Michelin stars than any other city — and each neighbourhood has a completely different personality.
Build my personalized Tokyo plan
This 5-day itinerary is a starting point. Planawai's AI trip planner rebuilds it around your dates, budget, pace and who you travel with, with a map and cost estimate for every day. Free to start.
Tokyo itineraries by trip length
About Tokyo
Tokyo is the world's most populous metropolitan area and somehow also one of its most orderly, efficient, and safe — a city of 14 million people where trains run to the second and you can leave your wallet on a café table without worry. The contradiction that defines Tokyo is the coexistence of the hyper-modern (neon-lit Shinjuku, robot restaurants, vending machines selling everything) with the deeply ancient (Senso-ji temple, Meiji Shrine, centuries-old craft workshops). Every neighbourhood has a completely different personality: Harajuku for street fashion, Shimokitazawa for indie music and vintage, Yanaka for a glimpse of old Edo.
Top attractions in Tokyo
- Senso-ji Temple
- Shibuya Crossing
- Shinjuku & Golden Gai
- teamLab Planets
- Tsukiji Outer Market
- Meiji Shrine
- Akihabara
- Harajuku & Omotesando
Tokyo travel tips
- Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card at the airport — it works on all trains, subways, and buses across the country, and you can use it to pay at convenience stores and vending machines.
- Convenience stores (konbini) — 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart — are genuinely excellent for breakfast and lunch: onigiri, sandwiches, and hot foods at the counter, all under ¥500.
- Book popular restaurants weeks in advance, especially ramen spots, sushi counters, and izakayas in Shinjuku or Shibuya — many have English-language online booking via Tableall or Omakase.
- The JR Pass is only worth it if you're doing multiple bullet-train journeys to other cities; for Tokyo alone, a Suica card covers everything you need.
Tokyo FAQ
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Most travelers plan 5 to 10 days in Tokyo. Five days gives you a genuine taste of Tokyo's extraordinary variety — ancient temples, high-tech pop culture, world-class food markets, and the frenetic energy of Shibuya.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
The best time to visit Tokyo is March–May (cherry blossoms) and October–November.
What are the must-see places in Tokyo?
Top sights in Tokyo include Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku & Golden Gai, teamLab Planets, Tsukiji Outer Market. Our 5, 7 and 10-day itineraries group them by day so you are not crossing the city back and forth.
What currency and language are used in Tokyo?
Tokyo uses the Japanese Yen (¥), and the main language is Japanese.
Can I get a personalized Tokyo itinerary?
Yes. Planawai is an AI trip planner: tell it your dates, budget, travel style and who you are traveling with, and it builds a day-by-day Tokyo plan with real places, a map for each day and a cost estimate. It is free to start on the web, iPhone and Android.