Five days in Tokyo is the right amount of time to cover the essential neighbourhoods, take a day trip, eat well every single meal, and still feel like you have seen only a fraction of the city. Tokyo rewards time. This itinerary covers the main areas without overloading each day.
Quick Answer: 5-day Tokyo itinerary structure: Day 1 arrival and Asakusa, Day 2 Harajuku and Shibuya, Day 3 Shinjuku and Kabukicho, Day 4 day trip to Nikko or Kamakura, Day 5 Akihabara, Ginza, and departure. Suica card for all transit. No JR Pass needed for Tokyo only.
Before You Go
Get a Suica IC card at Narita or Haneda airport immediately on arrival. It covers all Tokyo Metro, JR, and bus fares, as well as convenience store purchases. Load 3,000 to 5,000 yen initially. See the Tokyo neighbourhoods guide for where to stay.
Day 1: Arrive in Asakusa
Take the train from the airport to central Tokyo. See the Narita-to-Tokyo guide or the Haneda-to-Tokyo guide for your airport. Check in and head to Asakusa if energy allows.
Asakusa is Tokyo’s most atmospheric traditional neighbourhood and the right introduction to the city. Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most visited temple, is at the heart of the district. The Nakamise shopping street leading to the temple gate sells traditional snacks and souvenirs. Walk the backstreets behind the temple for craft workshops and old shopfronts—dinner at a local yakitori restaurant under the Asakusa train tracks. See the Asakusa guide.
Day 2: Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shibuya
Start at Meiji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku. Enter from the Harajuku Station side and walk the 700-metre forested approach to the shrine.: Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrine and one of its few genuinely serene spots. Before 9 am, the forest path is practically empty.
Walk from the shrine to Takeshita Street for the spectacle of Harajuku youth fashion, then Omotesando for flagship architecture (the Prada building, Omotesando Hills) and design. Lunch on Omotesando or in the Meiji Jingu Gaien area.
Afternoon in Shibuya. The famous scramble crossing is best photographed from the Starbucks on the second floor of the building across from the station, or from the free observation deck at Mag’s Park. Book Shibuya Sky (the rooftop observation deck) in advance for one of the best city views in Tokyo. See the Shibuya guide.
Day 3: Shinjuku
Shinjuku is Tokyo at its most intense. Morning walk through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of the finest parks in Japan. Afternoon exploring Kabukicho entertainment district and the Golden Gai bar alley. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has a free observation deck with impressive city views on clear days.
Evening in Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane), the narrow alley of tiny yakitori and ramen bars immediately west of Shinjuku Station. The smoke, the lanterns, and the pressed-together tables make it one of the most atmospheric eating experiences in Tokyo. See the Shinjuku guide.
Day 4: Day Trip to Nikko or Kamakura
Option A: Nikko (recommended in autumn)
Two hours from Shinjuku by the Tobu Nikko limited express, Nikko is home to one of Japan’s most ornate shrine and temple complexes, set amid cedar forests and mountain scenery. Toshogu Shrine is heavily decorated with carved animals and gold leaf, unlike anything else in Japan. The surrounding mountains are spectacular in autumn (October to November). See the Nikko guide. Also see: Tokyo to Nikko guide.
Option B: Kamakura (good year-round)
One hour from Shinjuku or Tokyo Station by the JR Yokosuka Line, Kamakura has the famous Kotoku-in Great Buddha, numerous temples set amid wooded hills, and excellent seafood restaurants near the sea. See the Kamakura guide—best in spring and autumn but worth visiting year-round.
Day 5: Akihabara, Ginza, and Departure
Morning in Akihabara for electronics, anime goods, and a different side of Tokyo’s culture. The multi-storey electronics stores and dedicated otaku shops are unlike anywhere else in the city. See the Akihabara guide.
Afternoon in Ginza, Tokyo’s most upscale shopping and dining district. The 6-chome intersection is the heart of it, with flagship department stores (Mitsukoshi, Matsuya) and the famous Itoya stationery store. See the Ginza food guide for where to eat.
Depending on your departure time, head to the airport from Ginza or central Tokyo. See the Narita-to-Tokyo guide or the Haneda-to-Tokyo guide for return options.
Practical Information
Getting around: Suica card covers everything. The Tokyo Metro Day Pass (600 yen) is worth buying if you plan to take more than 4 Metro rides in a day.
Food budget: Tokyo is expensive but very affordable at the right level. Ramen, soba, and teishoku set meals cost 800 to 1,500 yen. Mid-range restaurant meals cost 2,000 to 4,000 yen. Budget 3,000 to 6,000 yen per day for food.
Best neighbourhoods to stay: Shinjuku for transport access. Asakusa for atmosphere. Shibuya for nightlife proximity. See the full Tokyo neighbourhoods guide.
FAQ
Is 5 days enough for Tokyo?
Five days is an excellent length for a Tokyo trip. It covers the main areas without rushing and allows for a one-day trip. Tokyo is inexhaustible, and experienced visitors return many times, but a 5-day first visit gives a thorough introduction to the city’s neighbourhoods, food, and culture.
What should I not miss in Tokyo in 5 days?
Senso-ji at dawn in Asakusa. The Shibuya scramble crossing. A meal in an izakaya or yakitori bar. Shinjuku at night,t including Golden Gai. Meiji Jingu in the early morning. These five experiences collectively give the best sense of what makes Tokyo distinctive.
Should I take a day trip from Tokyo in 5 days?
Yes, a one-day trip makes sense within 5 days. Nikko and Kamakura are both under 2 hours from central Tokyo and offer experiences that Tokyo itself cannot provide (mountain shrine scenery in Nikko, the Great Buddha and the coastal temple circuit in Kamakura). Both are excellent choices depending on the season and interests.
