How to Spend THREE DAYS in Tokyo: 3-Day Itinerary
Planning a short trip to Tokyo? Well, you’ve found just the right blog!
Tokyo is a city of contrasts, with ancient cultural gems set alongside futuristic skyscrapers and neon lights. And if you’ve only got three days here, figuring out how to make the most of it all can feel like an overwhelming task! But after spending a lot of time in Tokyo, we’ve put together an itinerary that gives you a taste of everything this enchanting city has to offer.
So strap in, because this itinerary covers everything from historic temples and bustling food markets to iconic neighborhoods, and even a day trip to Mt. Fuji. Let’s go!
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The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE experience was this full day trip to Mt. Fuji and Hakone! Departing from Tokyo makes it easy to visit Mt Fuji and this bucket-list tour took care of all the logistics.
Check out the 14,600+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Day 1
Breakfast – Fuglen Asakusa
Okay, you’ve got two options this morning. You’ll need to take the train to Asakusa for sightseeing, so you can either grab breakfast near your hotel before you head out, or wait until you arrive in Asakusa and go to this sweet little cafe for Norwegian-style waffles. These heart-shaped treats are pretty light, which is perfect because the tour at noon today provides a substantial lunch, so you don’t want to eat too much beforehand.
Morning – Check out the Senso-Ji Temple and Nakamise-dori Street
Senso-ji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, so of course it’s a must see while you’re here! We loved witnessing its striking five-story pagoda for ourselves, and the incense cauldron and intricate wooden eaves inside really took us back in time! The main hall opens at 6 am daily and entry is free, although you can make a small donation to the temple if you wish.
And of course, you can’t overlook Nakamise-dori Street, which leads right up to the temple. We love this bustling shopping arcade because it offers a glimpse into old Tokyo with all of the traditional snacks, souvenirs, and crafts on offer. Vendors first set up shop here during the 17th century, and many stalls have been passed down through multiple generations of the same family. How cool is that?
Lunch – Asakusa Sumo Show with hot pot lunch
Sumo wrestling is world famous, so catching a show is a must while you’re in Tokyo! Book this show for 12 pm, and make sure to do so at least two weeks in advance because it ALWAYS sells out. The show takes place in a wrestling arena in Asakusa, less than 10 minutes’ walk from Nakamise-dori Street.
The experience began with a huge meal that a sumo wrestler would typically eat, and it was so yummy! For starters, we got fried chicken and inari sushi, followed by a bowl of chanko nabe for the main. This is the hot pot that sumo wrestlers famously eat to bulk up! And as if all of that weren’t enough, we got pancakes for dessert, so it’s safe to say that we were stuffed.
But of course, the highlight of the tour was watching sumos take to the ring and wrestle. We loved that there was commentary in English so we learned a lot about the sport! There was a bit of cheeky humor with the commentary and performance, so it was more theatrical than an actual sumo show, which made it even more entertaining!
It finished off with an audience participation session, where some brave members of the public got in the ring to practice some moves with the pros.
After the match, we had the chance to snap some photos alongside the wrestlers, who were so friendly. We also got a cute souvenir set and photos from the experience emailed to us, which was a nice touch. This is a true once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you don’t just have to take our word for it, because you can read hundreds of rave reviews here!
This tour frequently sells out – book it in advance here to secure your spot!
Afternoon – Explore Shibuya
Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and energetic districts, which is filled with so many neon billboards that it makes Times Square look understated. The area is most famous for the iconic Shibuya Crossing, but more on that to come!
Beyond the crossing, there’s plenty to do in Shibuya. It’s a shopping paradise, and we love people-watching in this high-fashion district. The vintage stores here are filled with amazing finds, and don’t forget to visit the Hachikō Memorial Statue, a beloved tribute to Japan’s most loyal dog. Meanwhile, the serene Meiji Jingu shrine is roughly 15 minutes’ walk from the famous crossing, although it feels a whole world away!
Sunset – Shibuya Sky and Shibuya Crossing
At sunset, we highly recommend heading to the Shibuya Sky observation deck to take in the beauty of Tokyo when it’s at its very best. We were so impressed by the views from up here – in fact, we think that they’re the best in Tokyo! However, you MUST pre book tickets well in advance, because this place is incredibly popular. Unless you happen to have a Japanese credit card, the easiest way to do this is online, and the official website has a link to approved ticket vendors.
Then, after the sunset, go and see the Shibuya Crossing after dark. This is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, with around 2,500 people crossing every 80 seconds. That’s around 2.4 million people per day – how crazy is that?
Night time is the best way to see the Scramble Square, because then you get the full effect of the neon lights. So even if you’ve glimpsed it during the daytime, it’s definitely worth heading back for a second look after sunset.
Dinner – Ichiran Shibuya
We can never get enough of Tokyo’s delicious ramen, and Ichiran Shibuya is one of our favorite spots. It serves tonkatsu ramen, and you get a card to customize your order exactly to your liking. This spot is right near the Shibuya Crossing, so it gets busy and you’ll usually have to wait for a seat. We just grabbed a ticket, wrote our names down, and came back a while later so that we didn’t have to queue for long.
Day 2
Breakfast – Grab some snacks
Today we have an early pickup, so instead of going out for breakfast, I highly recommend heading to one of the local convenience stores and grabbing some snacks. I know it souds a little weird – but Lawson, Family Mart, and 7/11 are everywhere in Tokyo. They’re usually open 24/7 and they’re really popular with locals thanks to their fantastic food. I always love the dorayaki pancakes for breakfast, and be sure to try an onigiri!
Full-day tour to Mt Fuji and Hakone
Visiting Japan’s iconic Mt Fuji is an absolute must while you’re in Tokyo, but it can be tricky to organize independently. However, the good news is that you can book this full day tour and make visiting Mt Fuji an absolute breeze!
You can choose to be picked up from either Matsuya Ginza at 7:20 am or the Love Sculpture outside Nishi-Shinjuku Station at 7:50 am. Either way, be sure to book the option with lunch included because it was delicious and we got so much food!
And trust us, once you get going, the itinerary is absolutely first class. We rode on a comfy coach out to Mt Fuji, and our first stop of the day was the 5th line station for views of the snow-capped summit. We also had lunch here, which was an all-you-can-eat buffet that WAY exceeded our expectations.
Things got even better in the afternoon when we headed to Hakone for a ride on the scenic ropeway. We had the most incredible views of Mt Fuji, as well as the sulfur vents and hot springs in the Owakudani Valley. We also got to stop and try one of the famous black eggs that are cooked in the sulfur hot springs!
We then headed to Lake Ashinoko for a relaxing cruise on a huge replica pirate ship, with more gorgeous views of Mt Fuji. Finally, we caught the bullet train back to Tokyo, which was an adventure in itself because these bullet trains are iconic! They’re aptly named because we were back in the city within an hour – how crazy is that?
We honestly loved everything about this tour – it’s really no wonder that it has over 12,000 5-star reviews! Booking it meant we didn’t have to plan anything, and we really couldn’t have done it any cheaper on our own.
Prices for this tour fluctuate slightly with the exchange range (check them here!) but we genuinely couldn’t believe what a steal this tour was given that it included all activities, lunch, and bullet train tickets. You really don’t find this kind of value every day (especially not in Tokyo) so don’t hesitate to book this tour before it sells out!
Grab your spot on this tour here, with FREE cancellation!
Dinner – Tsukiji Sushiko Nagomi
The Mt. Fuji tour should get you back to Tokyo Station between 6 and 6:30 pm, and there are tons of great restaurants in and around the station, so why not grab dinner here? Tsukiji Sushiko Nagomi has some of the best sushi we’ve had in Tokyo, and you can even eat at the standing-only counter if you just want a quick bite. We chose to sit in though, because we were pretty hungry after that full day of exploring!
Day 3
Morning – Visit the Tsukiji Fish Market
The Tsukiji fish market is Tokyo’s most iconic street food haven, so book this tasting tour for 8:30 am and have breakfast like a local! In fact, it lasts for around 3 hours, so you get breakfast AND lunch this way.
This market is big and bustling, and it can be overwhelming at first, so we definitely think it’s worth going with a local guide who knows it well. We loved learning about its history, and we even found out that lots of the city’s most notable chefs come here to find the freshest seafood and ingredients! Our guide, Ash, was so friendly and he definitely got our group excited about exploring this famous market and trying lots of different foods.
Speaking of which, we got to try a fantastic variety of foods. For me, the highlight was definitely the wagyu skewers, which were just out of this world! However, I also really enjoyed trying rolled omelets and fish cakes, and we all got to make our own sushi bowls at the final stop, which was a really fun note to end on.
The tour costs $120 USD, although you can book it at a reduced rate of $95 USD on Wednesdays and Sundays, when the Tsukiji Uogashi wholesale mini mart is closed, since you’ll get a slightly shorter tour.
All in all, we think that this tour is an amazing choice for anyone who wants to sample Tokyo’s best street foods. And we’re clearly not the only ones, since the tour has over 1,300 5-star reviews!
Reserve your spot on this top-rated food tour here!
Afternoon – Imperial Palace and Gardens
Tokyo’s Imperial Palace is one of the city’s most famous attractions, not to mention the seat of the Emperor, so I think it’s safe to say that it’s not to be missed! I highly recommend walking here from the Tsukiji Market, because although it takes around 30 minutes, the route leads you through the upscale Ginza District which is always fun to see. Once you arrive, entry to the Imperial Palace and Gardens is free, and you’ll need between 1 and 1.5 hours to see it all.
Mid-afternoon – Explore Shinjuku
Shinjuku is a buzzing entertainment district and the beating heart of Tokyo. Shinjuku Station is actually the busiest in the world! This area is commonly visited at night, but there’s so much to see in the daytime too.
We had a lot of fun simply wandering around the district, seeing the neon signs, massive malls, and unique speciality stores. If you’re a shopper, this is the place to be – there’s a plethora of department stores selling pretty much everything you can imagine. You can also find ninja or anime stores all around Shinjuku!
For a more laid back experience, we stopped by the Hanazono-jinja Shrine, which is just a 10 minute walk from the station. Another famous and serene part of Shinjuku is the Shinjuku Gyo-en National Garden. As much as we love the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku Station, we were happy to spend time in this stunning and calm garden to take a little mental break!
Shinjuku is famous for it’s Red Light District and lively bars that come out after dark. Luckily, our last activity is a bar hopping tour in Shinjuku, so when you finish up, you can explore any parts of this district that you missed!
Dinner – Food tour or Street food
Option 1: Food and bar tour
We absolutely LOVED this bar-hopping tour in Shinjuku. It was so much fun, and it makes it super easy to explore Omoide Yokocho Alley and Golden Gai, both of which can be pretty intimidating for a first-timer. We really appreciated having a guide to show us all the best spots!
There are a flexible range of start times between 5 and 7 pm. This gives you plenty of time to explore Shinjuku after checking out the Imperial Palace, so book whichever slot you’d prefer. We went for an earlier time slot so that we could carry on bar hopping afterward once we’d gotten the lay of the land!
Our guide, Fuji, was lovely and made the evening enjoyable for everyone! He took us to different izakayas, which were true local hotspots, not tourist traps. We started off at an old-timey bar in the nostalgic Omoide Yokocho alley, which we absolutely loved. The second bar we visited was all-you-can-drink, and naturally, we took full advantage.
Fortunately, we soaked up some of the booze with a bunch of different small plates and bar snacks, which definitely amounted to a full dinner over the course of the evening. The final bar of the night was in Golden Gai – a spot famous for its tiny, old-school bars. This place is a real hub for celebrities and it’s basically THE place to be on a night out in Tokyo!
Check out over 2,600 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Option 2: Find street food in Omoide Yokocho
Omoide Yokocho is a maze of old-school alleyways in Shinjuku, and it’s filled with street food and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. We love spending nights izakaya-hopping here, and there are tons of them, so you won’t struggle to find a great spot. Many of these informal restaurants have their own specialties, such as yakitori skewers, ramen, or sashimi, alongside local beers and sake, of course. So just pick one that looks good, and settle in!
After, you are free to explore Shinjuku on your own! This is definitely a late-night scene and such a fun way to end your time in Tokyo.
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Accommodation in Tokyo can be expensive – there’s no simple way to put it! However, there are a lot of great options in terms of quality, location, and amenities. To help narrow down your choices, I’ve picked out three fantastic stays for those looking for a luxury, mid-range, or budget place to stay.
Luxury – $$$
Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier is a luxury stay featuring rooms with balconies and city views. It’s conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo, so you’re close to the trains and top sights, but it’s still a relaxing and quiet stay. The rooms are modern and spacious, and you can enjoy the onsite restaurant and gorgeous garden area.
Prices start around $250 USD per night and can be booked online here.
Mid-range – $$
OMO3 Tokyo Akasaka has a fabulous location in the Minato area, and close to the trains so you can get anywhere in the city easily. The hotel itself is very comfortable for a moderate price point, offering double or twin rooms with cozy sitting nooks in each room. There are plenty of restaurants and convenience stores around the hotel, and you can walk to some of Tokyo’s top sights.
Rooms start around $150 USD on average. You can check prices and reserve this stay online in advance.
Budget – $
If you’re looking for a budget friendly stay, the Plat Hostel Keikyu Asakusa Karin is your best bet. Located in the Asakusa area of Tokyo, you’ll be near top temples and activities and a short walk to the train station. The rooms are basic, but clean and provide a comfortable place to rest and you can get a private room or a dorm room. Private rooms start around $50 USD and a dorm is about $20 USD – not bad for Tokyo!
Check availability and book this budget stay on Booking.com.
For more options, check out all of the hotels in Tokyo here!
Thanks for reading!
While Tokyo is a massive city with so much going on, we think three days is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights! We had so much fun visiting historic shrines, iconic bustling neighborhoods, and eating our way through the city – seriously, I’m convinced eating is the best thing to do in Tokyo!
Before you take off, check out our other Tokyo blogs here! We list our favorite tours and extra activites to add to this itinerary, as well as other areas in Japan that you can visit next.
The 4 BEST Night Tours in Tokyo, Japan
