Introduction
Three days in Tokyo is tight but achievable. You won't see everything, and that's okay. This itinerary focuses on the essential Tokyo experience: electric neighborhoods, peaceful temples, world-class food, and moments of quiet amid the chaos. We've prioritized first-timer hits with minimal backtracking, factored in realistic timing, and included hidden moments that make Tokyo special.
Note: Times are approximate and flexible. Weather, crowds, and personal pace will vary. Adjust as needed.
Before You Arrive
Practical Prep (Do These Before Landing)
Get a Suica card: Buy at any airport kiosk. ¥2,000 (¥1,500 value + ¥500 deposit). Accepted on all trains, metros, buses, and many shops. Saves time and money.
Download apps:
- Google Maps: Offline maps of Tokyo (essential)
- Google Translate: Point camera at text
- Tabelog: Japanese Yelp. Find restaurants, ratings, menus
- Hyperdia or Navitime: Train schedules and routes
Book accommodation: For 3 days, choose one neighborhood (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, or Harajuku). Don't change hotels—saves moving time.
Make reservation: Blue Note Tokyo (jazz club, see Day 2) or Ghibli Museum. Both popular and require advance booking.
Day 1: East Tokyo & Tradition
Vibe: Ancient temples, local neighborhoods, food culture. Minimal crowds if you time it right.
Morning (7:00–9:00 AM): Asakusa & Senso-ji
Why this early? Senso-ji is "swarmed" by 9 AM. Arriving at 7:30 AM is game-changing.
What to do:
- Arrive at Asakusa Station (Ginza line) at 7:15 AM
- Walk toward Senso-ji Temple. The streets are waking up.
- You'll see locals exercising, shops opening, elderly people praying
- At the temple: Burn incense (free), buy a fortune (¥100), explore the peaceful grounds
- Photography is golden-hour beautiful
Cost: ¥0 (free entry, optional fortune ¥100)
Breakfast: Nakamise street is opening. Grab fresh mochi or dango (¥400–¥800) from early vendors.
Late Morning (9:00–11:30 AM): Yanaka Cemetery & Yanaka Ginza
Travel: Chiyoda line from Asakusa to Nezu Station (15 minutes, ¥180).
What to do:
- Walk up to Yanaka Cemetery (quiet, beautiful, 5 minutes from station)
- Wander the cemetery paths. No crowds. Moss-covered graves. Perfect photography.
- Walk down to Yanaka Ginza shopping street (200 meters of vintage shops, cafes, bookstores)
Cost: ¥0 (free)
Food options:
- Issoan Soba Shop: ¥1,200–¥1,500 for noodles (overlooks cemetery)
- Yanaka cafes: ¥600–¥1,200 for coffee
Afternoon (12:00–4:00 PM): Ueno Park & Museums
Travel: Metro from Nezu to Ueno Station (Chiyoda line, 5 minutes, ¥200).
What to do: You have 4 hours. Pick one of these:
Option A: Tokyo National Museum (3 hours)
- Focus on Japanese Painting & Calligraphy, Samurai Armor, Buddhist Sculpture
- Skip temporary exhibitions (too much)
- Cost: ¥1,000
Option B: Ueno Park Walk + Museums
- Walk through park (free)
- Visit Shitamachi Museum (¥300, 45 minutes)
- Explore Tokyo National Museum entrance (optional)
- More leisurely pace
Lunch: Ueno has ramen shops everywhere. ¥800–¥1,200 for quality bowl. Or picnic in the park with convenience store bento (¥600–¥900).
Evening (5:00–9:00 PM): Asakusa After Dark + Dinner
Travel: Metro back to Asakusa (Ginza line from Ueno, 6 minutes, ¥180).
What to do:
- Senso-ji Temple is beautiful at dusk and evening (different energy than morning)
- Walk around Asakusa neighborhoods. Explore side streets.
- Visit Hoppy Street (old alley with retro bars and sake spots)
Dinner: Choose based on mood:
- Sushi: High-end sushi counter in Asakusa (¥4,000–¥7,000)
- Tempura: Traditional tempura restaurant (¥3,000–¥5,000)
- Ramen: Iconic ramen spot (¥800–¥1,200)
- Izakaya: Casual Japanese pub food (¥2,000–¥3,500)
Return to hotel: Use Suica card. Trains run until midnight.
Day 1 budget: ¥4,000–¥7,000 (including museum, meals, transport)
Day 2: Modern Tokyo & Culture
Vibe: Neon, shopping, art, nightlife. Energy ramping up.
Morning (9:00–11:00 AM): Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park
Travel: JR Yamanote line to Meiji-Jingumae Station from your hotel.
What to do:
- Enter Meiji Shrine through the torii gate
- Walk the peaceful forest path (10 minutes)
- Explore the shrine grounds (meditation here is real)
- Exit to Yoyogi Park
Optional (¥500 extra): Meiji Jingu Inner Garden (most peaceful place in central Tokyo; irises bloom June)
In Yoyogi Park:
- Sit on the grass
- Watch street performers (weekends)
- Breathe. Slow down.
Cost: ¥0 (free) or ¥500 (inner garden)
Food: Park cafes have drinks and light meals. Or nearby Omotesando has upscale cafes (¥1,200–¥2,000).
Late Morning (11:00 AM–1:00 PM): Harajuku Fashion & Takeshita Street
Travel: Walk 10 minutes from Yoyogi Park OR take Yamanote line one stop.
What to do:
- Arrive at Takeshita Street by 11 AM (before crowds)
- Walk slowly. Window shop.
- Crepes from vendors (¥800–¥1,500)
- Omotesando (adjacent): Walk the tree-lined luxury street
Shopping ideas: Fashion items, quirky gifts, character goods (¥1,000–¥5,000).
Photography: Takeshita is beautiful in morning light.
Cost: ¥0–¥5,000 (depending on shopping)
Afternoon (1:00–5:00 PM): Museum Option or Shibuya
Option A: Museum (if booked)
Ghibli Museum (if reserved):
- Takes 30 minutes from Harajuku to reach (bus + train)
- Spend 2 hours here
- Watch exclusive film (15 minutes)
- Return to Shibuya area
Mori Art Museum (Roppongi Hills):
- 52nd floor. World-class contemporary art
- Window views of Tokyo
- ¥2,000 admission
- 1.5–2 hours to explore
Option B: Shibuya Exploration
What to do:
- Explore Shibuya Crossing (the famous one) midday (less crowded than evening)
- Walk Center Gai pedestrian street
- Explore side streets (Dogenzaka, Momiji-zaka)
- Visit MIYASHITA PARK (shopping + rooftop views)
Cost: ¥0–¥2,000 (museum or shopping)
Evening (5:00–9:00 PM): Nightlife & Food
Pick one:
Option A: Jazz Club (Blue Note Tokyo)
- Cover: ¥3,000–¥5,000
- Minimum drink: ¥1,500–¥2,000
- Music: 7 PM or 9 PM set
- Reserve ahead
Option B: Karaoke + Dinner
- Dinner in Shibuya (¥2,000–¥3,500)
- Karaoke 1.5 hours (¥1,000–¥1,500 for room + one drink)
- Late-night ramen (¥1,200)
Option C: Izakaya + Bar
- Dinner in Shibuya Dogenzaka (¥2,500–¥4,000)
- Walk to Roppongi or Shinjuku for drinks (¥1,500–¥2,500)
Return: Trains until midnight. Night buses until 5 AM.
Day 2 budget: ¥6,000–¥10,000 (meals, entertainment, shopping)
Day 3: Hidden Gems & Reflection
Vibe: Slower, more local, less touristy. Time to breathe.
Morning (8:00–10:00 AM): Rikugien Garden
Travel: Chiyoda line to Komagome Station. 7-minute walk.
Why this moment: Rikugien is Tokyo's most beautiful garden, rarely crowded.
What to do:
- Arrive by 8:30 AM
- Walk the 1.3 km path around the pond
- Stop at the tea house midway (¥500 for matcha and sweet)
- Photography (especially the moon-viewing pavilion)
Duration: 90 minutes maximum.
Cost: ¥300 (admission) + ¥500 (tea)
Late Morning (10:00 AM–12:00 PM): Neighborhood Exploration
Pick one based on interest:
Ginza (Luxury & Culture):
- Walk wide streets
- Window shop
- Visit Mitsukoshi Department Store (architectural marvel)
- Optional: Ginza Lion beer hall (¥600 beer, ¥1,200–¥3,500 food)
Shimokitazawa (Artsy & Vintage):
- Vintage shops and boutiques
- Independent cafes
- Local vibe
- Further from central Tokyo but worth it
Shinjuku's Quiet East Side:
- Meiji Shrine backside
- Local shrines
- Neighborhood restaurants
Cost: ¥0–¥3,000 (food, shopping)
Afternoon (12:00–4:00 PM): Final Meal & Shopping
Lunch: Last proper sit-down meal.
Options:
- Ramen (¥800–¥1,200)
- Sushi (¥2,000–¥5,000)
- Tempura (¥2,500–¥4,000)
- Tonkatsu (breaded pork, ¥1,500–¥2,500)
Shopping: If time remains, revisit your favorite neighborhood or hit missed spots.
Tax-free shopping: If you haven't done this, do it now (see shopping guide).
Late Afternoon (4:00–6:00 PM): Airport Preparation
Recommended: Leave by 5 PM if evening flight. Leave by 6 PM if early morning flight.
Travel to airport:
- Narita Express (N'EX): 60 minutes from Tokyo/Shinjuku. ¥3,070 one-way. Reserve at station kiosk.
- Keisei Express: Cheaper (¥2,500) but slower (90 min). From Asakusa.
- Haneda: Closer. 30 minutes from central Tokyo via train (¥500). Check which airport.
At airport: Check in 2 hours before international flight. 1 hour domestic.
Final thoughts: Buy snacks for the flight (airport shops expensive but excellent).
Day-by-Day Budget Summary
Category · Day 1 · Day 2 · Day 3 · Total
Accommodation · (¥15,000+) · (¥15,000+) · (partial) · ¥45,000+
Transport · ¥500 · ¥500 · ¥500 · ¥1,500
Meals · ¥3,500 · ¥4,000 · ¥2,000 · ¥9,500
Attractions · ¥1,000 · ¥2,000 · ¥300 · ¥3,300
Shopping · ¥0–¥5,000 · ¥0–¥5,000 · ¥0–¥3,000 · ¥0–¥13,000
Daily Total · ¥5,000–¥9,500 · ¥6,500–¥11,500 · ¥2,800–¥5,800 · ¥14,300–¥26,800
Note: Accommodation is separate and typically ¥5,000–¥25,000 per night depending on quality.
Pro Tips for a Smooth 3 Days
Pacing
- Don't try to do everything. You'll regret rushing.
- "Miss something" is the goal. It gives you a reason to return.
- Slow down. Sit. Observe.
Crowds
- Arrive at popular spots early (before 8 AM)
- Visit at dusk (5–7 PM) for different energy
- Weekdays are quieter than weekends
Language
- Learn these phrases:
- "Eigo dekimasu ka?" (Do you speak English?)
- "Sumimasen" (Excuse me)
- "Arigatou gozaimasu" (Thank you very much)
- "Oishii" (Delicious)
Money
- Bring cash (ATMs are safe and plentiful)
- Budget ¥15,000–¥20,000 for daily spending (meals + activities, minus accommodation)
- Tipping is not expected or appropriate (except some upscale restaurants)
Photography
- Golden hour (sunrise/sunset) is stunning in Tokyo
- Temples and gardens are best before 9 AM
- Night photography in Shibuya/Shinjuku is spectacular but crowded
Flexibility
- Weather happens. Adjust plans if needed.
- If you miss something, there's always tomorrow (or another trip)
- Tokyo reveals itself to people who linger
Alternative 3-Day Plans (Pick Based on Interests)
Art & Culture Focused
- Day 1: Tokyo National Museum (full day) + Asakusa evening
- Day 2: Mori Art Museum + Ginza shopping
- Day 3: Rikugien Garden + Shimokitazawa
Food & Market Focused
- Day 1: Tsukiji Market + Asakusa + ramen tour
- Day 2: Kuromon Market day trip OR cooking class
- Day 3: Final food tour + shopping in food neighborhoods
Nature & Quiet Focused
- Day 1: Meiji Shrine + Yoyogi Park + Rikugien
- Day 2: Day trip to Nikko (waterfalls, shrines, nature)
- Day 3: Parks and gardens + quiet neighborhoods
Conclusion
Three days in Tokyo is a beginning, not a goodbye. This itinerary gives you the essentials while leaving room for serendipity. You'll see enough to fall in love. You'll miss enough to want to return. That's the point.
Go slow. Eat well. Say "arigatou gozaimasu." See you in Tokyo.
