Hit Tokyo's top temples, neighborhoods, and food spots without wasting time. Covers Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Akihabara, Harajuku, the best street food, and worthwhile day trips with transit tips.
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Temples & Shrines
Visit Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
Tokyo's oldest temple, founded in 645 AD. Walk through the massive Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) and browse Nakamise-dori shopping street on the way in. Visit before 9 AM or after 5 PM to avoid tour groups — the temple grounds are open 24/7.
Photo at Kaminarimon gate with its giant red lantern
Try street snacks on Nakamise-dori
Walk through Meiji Shrine
A massive Shinto shrine surrounded by 170 acres of forest — it feels like leaving the city entirely. The 12-meter-tall torii gate at the entrance is made from a 1,500-year-old cypress tree. Weekends often have traditional wedding processions.
Pass through the towering torii gate
Write a wish on an ema (wooden prayer plaque)
Explore Nezu Shrine
A hidden gem in the Bunkyo ward with a tunnel of vermillion torii gates similar to Kyoto's Fushimi Inari but without the crowds. Free entry. The azalea garden blooms in mid-April and is spectacular.
Neighborhoods & Districts
Cross the Shibuya Scramble
Up to 3,000 people cross this intersection per light change. Stand at street level for the chaos or watch from the second-floor windows of the surrounding buildings for an aerial view. Go at night when the neon signs are fully lit.
See the Hachiko statue at the station exit
Visit the Shibuya Sky observation deck (230 meters)
Explore Shinjuku district
The busiest train station in the world handles 3.5 million passengers daily. Golden Gai is a maze of 200+ tiny bars, each seating 6-8 people — some charge a cover (300-500 yen), others don't. Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) has yakitori stalls under the train tracks.
Bar-hop through Golden Gai
Eat yakitori at Omoide Yokocho
Walk Takeshita Street in Harajuku
The birthplace of Japanese street fashion. This narrow pedestrian street is packed with kawaii shops, crepe stands, and wild fashion. Weekday mornings are manageable; weekends are shoulder-to-shoulder.
Browse Akihabara Electric Town
The epicenter of anime, manga, and gaming culture. Multi-story arcades have retro games, crane machines, and rhythm games. Themed cafés (maid, cat, robot) are an experience even if you're not into anime.
Wander old-town Yanaka
One of the few Tokyo neighborhoods that survived WWII bombing. Narrow streets, traditional wooden houses, and an old cemetery with cherry trees. Yanaka Ginza shopping street has 60+ small local shops and street food stalls.
Food Experiences
Eat ramen at a local shop
Most ramen shops use a vending machine (券売機) at the entrance — insert coins, press the button for your order, and hand the ticket to the cook. A bowl runs 800-1,200 yen. Tonkotsu (pork broth), shoyu (soy), and miso are the main styles.
Try conveyor belt sushi (kaiten-zushi)
Plates are color-coded by price, usually 100-500 yen each. Grab what looks good off the belt or order from a tablet at your seat. High-end sushi is a different experience, but kaiten-zushi is the fun, affordable version.
Eat breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market
The inner wholesale market moved to Toyosu, but the outer market's 400+ food stalls remain. Try tamago (sweet egg omelet), fresh uni (sea urchin), and grilled seafood skewers. Arrive by 8 AM for the best selection — stalls close by early afternoon.
Try a tamago (Japanese omelet) on a stick
Eat fresh seafood from the grill stalls
Spend an evening at an izakaya
Japanese pub-restaurants serving small plates meant for sharing over drinks. Order edamame, karaage (fried chicken), and yakitori to start. The 'all-you-can-drink' plans (飲み放題, nomihodai) usually run 1,500-2,500 yen for 2 hours.
Browse a department store basement food hall (depachika)
Every major department store has an underground food floor with beautifully packaged sweets, bento boxes, and free samples. Isetan in Shinjuku and Takashimaya in Nihonbashi are two of the best. Go after 6 PM for discounted items.
Culture & Unique Experiences
Visit a digital art museum
Immersive installations with projected art that responds to your movement. Tickets sell out days in advance — book online as early as possible. Wear light-colored clothing so the projections show on you. Allow 2-3 hours.
Watch a sumo tournament or morning practice
Grand tournaments happen 3 times a year in Tokyo (January, May, September) at Ryogoku Kokugikan. Outside tournament season, some training stables allow spectators at morning practice — arrive by 7 AM and sit silently.
Soak in a public bath (sento) or hot spring (onsen)
You must be fully naked — no swimsuits. Wash thoroughly at the shower stations before entering the bath. Tattoos are banned at most traditional bathhouses; look for 'tattoo-friendly' locations in advance.
Day Trips from Tokyo
Day trip to Kamakura
1 hour south of Tokyo by train. The Great Buddha (Daibutsu) is a 13-meter bronze statue you can step inside. The Bamboo Temple (Hokoku-ji) has a bamboo grove with a tea house. Combine 3-4 temples in a single day.
See the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in
Walk through Hokoku-ji's bamboo grove
Day trip to Hakone for hot springs and Mt. Fuji views
90 minutes from Shinjuku by express train. The Hakone Free Pass covers the loop route: train, cable car, ropeway, and pirate ship across Lake Ashi. Mt. Fuji is only visible on clear days — check the forecast before going.
Complete the Hakone Loop (cable car, ropeway, boat)
Soak in an onsen with a mountain view
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Three to four full days covers the highlights including temples & shrines, neighborhoods & districts, food experiences at a relaxed pace. Five or more days lets you dig into local neighborhoods and take day trips. Most first-time visitors find four days strikes the right balance between seeing enough and not feeling exhausted.
What is the best time of year to visit Tokyo?
Spring and early autumn typically offer the best weather with manageable crowds. Summer brings peak tourism pricing and longer queues at popular spots. Shoulder season travel saves 20-30% on accommodation and gives you shorter lines at top attractions.
How much should I budget per day in Tokyo?
A mid-range daily budget of $100-180 per person covers a comfortable hotel, two restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. Street food and local markets cut food costs significantly. Pre-booking tickets for popular sites online often saves 10-15% and lets you skip long queues.
What is the best way to get around Tokyo?
Public transit handles most tourist routes efficiently and cheaply. Walking between central attractions is often faster than waiting for buses or trains during peak hours. Multi-day transit passes pay for themselves after 3-4 rides per day and remove the hassle of buying individual tickets.
Do I need to book attractions in advance in Tokyo?
Top-tier attractions and museums frequently sell out during peak season so book 2-4 weeks ahead for guaranteed entry. Lesser-known sites and neighborhoods rarely require advance tickets. Morning time slots (before 10:00) are the most popular; afternoon slots after 14:00 often have shorter waits.