7 Days in Tokyo: The Perfect Itinerary

Seven days in Tokyo allows you to slow down and go deeper into each neighbourhood — an afternoon in Yanaka's old streets, a sunset from the Sky Tree, and time to find the tiny ramen shop or jazz bar that becomes your personal Tokyo. This is the ideal length for a first visit.

Your 7-day Tokyo itinerary, day by day

1. Day1

   Senso-ji and Asakusa

   Arrive at Senso-ji at dawn for the atmospheric pre-crowd calm. Explore the Nakamise shopping street for traditional sweets and crafts, then the quieter backstreets of Asakusa for rickshaw rides and artisan workshops. Evening on the Sumida River waterfront with views of the illuminated Sky Tree.

2. Day2

   Shibuya, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine

   Meiji Shrine early morning for the peaceful forested approach. Walk through Harajuku's Takeshita Street for street fashion, then down Omotesando for architecture (every building designed by a different Pritzker Prize winner). Shibuya Crossing at rush hour, then explore the neighbourhood's department stores and side streets.

3. Day3

   Shinjuku

   Full day in Shinjuku — the Metropolitan Government Building free observation deck in the morning, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for a slow afternoon (especially during cherry blossom season), then Kabukicho and Golden Gai in the evening. Golden Gai's bar crawl is essential; most bars welcome tourists if you knock and ask.

4. Day4

   teamLab Planets

   teamLab Planets in Toyosu is the must-book experience in Tokyo — you walk barefoot through knee-deep water and rooms of infinite mirrors and digital flowers. Allow 90 minutes. Spend the afternoon in nearby Toyosu or cross to Odaiba for the waterfront and Rainbow Bridge views at sunset.

5. Day5

   Akihabara and Ueno

   Akihabara is sensory overload in the best way — multi-floor arcades, anime merchandise, retro video games, and maid cafés. Walk north to Ueno Park for an afternoon of world-class free museums (Tokyo National Museum is the country's largest), then Ameyoko Market for street food.

6. Day6

   Nikko or Kamakura Day Trip

   Nikko (2 hours by train) contains three UNESCO-listed shrines and temples in a forested mountain setting — the Tosho-gu shrine is a riot of colour and craftsmanship unlike anything in Tokyo. Or choose Kamakura (1 hour) for the Great Buddha and seaside Zen temples in a more relaxed coastal town atmosphere.

7. Day7

   Tsukiji, Ginza, Sky Tree

   Tsukiji outer market for the ultimate sushi breakfast — join the queue at Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi before 8am. Walk to Ginza for the morning, then Tokyo Sky Tree in the afternoon for the highest observation deck in Japan (450m). Final dinner in Roppongi Hills or the Nishi-Azabu backstreets.

Tips for your Tokyo trip

• 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.

Other Tokyo trip lengths

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More 7-day itineraries