TOKYO, Japan: 5-day DIY Itinerary for First timers
If you only have 5 days to travel to Tokyo, Japan for the first time, here's what you can do and where you can go:
DAY 1 - Arrival + Ueno + Akihabara
DAY 2 - Asakusa + Tokyo Sky Tree
DAY 3 - Theme Park Day
DAY 4 - Shibuya
DAY 5 - Shinjuku or Odaiba + Departure
Japan Ultimate Travel Guide
First time to visit Japan? Here's a FREE travel guide for you!
Travel Essentials
Before you start your trip in Tokyo, Japan, make sure to have these travel essentials. Book them via Klook and get up to 5% off when you use the discount code: 𝗞𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗞𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗞
UNLIMITED DATA SIM CARD ONLY
POCKET WIFI
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JAPAN 4G eSIM
AIRALO
You may also opt to download the Airalo app and get $3 OFF your first purchase when you use the code: KOREAF9362
OPTIONAL: Tokyo Subway Pass
Offers unlimited travel on Tokyo’s metro and Toei subway lines. A great option if you plan to explore Tokyo extensively. Available for 24, 48, or 72 hours.
DAY 1 - Arrival + Ueno + Akihabara
MORNING - FROM THE AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER
If you will be traveling to Tokyo for the first time, you will either land at Narita Airport or Haneda Airport (closest to the city center). Either way, you have the following options to get to the city center:
1️⃣ TRAIN - You can purchase your train tickets at the airport or book them in advance via Klook and use the discount code: KOREAFILESKLOOK to save on your travel fund. Then pick up your physical tickets as soon as you arrived. Here are some of your options:
Narita Express (N'EX): Connects Narita Airport to major Tokyo stations like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, and Shibuya in about 60-90 minutes. Offers comfortable seating and free Wi-Fi.
2️⃣ PRIVATE TRANSFER
For a more personalized experience, you can book a private transfer from the airport to your accommodation.
4️⃣ LIMOUSINE BUS
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5️⃣ TAXIS
Taxis are available 24/7 at airports. They offer door-to-door service and can be convenient if you have a lot of luggage or arrive late at night. Fares can be high, especially from Narita Airport, so it's good to check the estimated fare before traveling. You can also use your Uber app.
AFTERNOON - HOTEL CHECK-IN
If you will arrive earlier than your check-in time, ask your hotel if they are willing to hold your luggage before check-in. This is a great option if your accommodation is near your first sightseeing stop. Most hotels in Tokyo allow this but always confirm this service with your hotel in advance.
AFTERNOON - UENO
If your accommodation is near Ueno (which I highly suggest), you can start your sightseeing by visiting Ueno Park.
Alternatively, you can start by giving in to your appetite and have your first meal in Japan by heading straight to the nearby Ameyoko Shopping Street. Aside from restaurants and street food, you can also find various clothing stores and souvenir shops here. You might want to start eyeing the things that you'd like to buy before leaving Tokyo.
EVENING - AKIHABARA
Just a few minutes away from Ueno is the Akihabara. This place is known as the center of Japanese otaku culture and a major shopping district in Tokyo for electronics, anime, manga, and video games.
If you are an Anime fan, make sure to drop by Animate Akihabara, a known specialty store for anime, comics, and games.
For electronic gadgets such as camera, tablets, phones and accessories, you can visit Yodobashi Akiba.
For dinner, there are restaurants around Akihabara that you can try but if you are staying near Ueno station, you can also grab your dinner there as there are more choices. If you are craving for yakiniku or grilled meat (BBQ), you can get discounted vouchers from these restaurants when you use the discount code: KOREAFILESKLOOK
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Another option is to check out the konbini (convenience store) near your hotel before checking in for a quick bite. Japan konbini stores are known for their quality and variety of items; they are not just your typical convenience stores. They offer an impressive range of easy-to-eat and freshly made meals like onigiri, bento boxes, salads, sandwiches, and desserts like the mounth-watering souffle pudding.
Moreover, if your hotel doesn't include breakfast, I highly recommend to buy them from konbini so you can have a quick breakfast in your hotel before starting your day 2 in Tokyo.
DAY 2 - Asakusa + Tokyo Sky Tree
MORNING - Sensoji Temple + Asakusa Shrine + Nakamise-dori Street
If you want to maximize your time and learn more about Asakusa, you can book this 2-hour guided tour here ↓↓↓↓
When in the area, you might want to try the famous Tokyo Curry Pan, a round curry bun covered in panko breadcrumbs and typically served with a Japanese curry filling. Food taste is subjective but there's no harm in trying it for yourself and see what the hype is all about.
To have a best view of Asakusa, you can visit the Asakusa Culture Tourist Center Observation Terrace.
AFTERNOON - Orange Street + Stars Plaza + Tanuki Street
If ever you want to have a proper meal after exploring Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine, you can explore the nearby Orange Street, Stars Plaza and Tanuki Street for dining options.
EVENING - TOKYO SKYTREE
You can book your ticket in advance here ↓↓↓↓
DAY 3 - Theme Park Day
You can designate your Day 3 in Tokyo as your theme park day. You can either visit Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea or the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour.
OPTION 1: DISNEYLAND/SEA
Make sure to book your tickets in advance as they sell out fast! ↓↓↓↓
OPTION 2: HARRY POTTER STUDIO TOUR
I highly suggest that you book your ticket at least one to months in advance. You can get it here↓↓↓↓
DAY 4 - Shibuya
Spend your day 4 in Tokyo by visiting Shibuya, famous for its busy and energetic shopping, dining and nightlife scene. Here are some of the places that you can explore in Shibuya.
MORNING - MEIJI JINGU + YOYOGI PARK
For lunch, there are various restaurants in the area but you can also checkout dining options at Shibuya Parco, a large shopping mall with the first official Nintendo store in Japan.
AFTERNOON - SHIBUYA CROSSING + HACHIKO + SHIBUYA SKY
Of course, visiting Shibuya wouldn't be complete without seeing the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing, famous for being considered the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, where thousands of people cross simultaneously from all directions.
If you can drive, you might want to try this unique experience of driving a Go Kart in Shibuya.
Or you can go straight to famous statue of the loyal dog, Hachiko. Actually, if you are taking the subway and will exit at Shibuya Station, Hachiko Memorial Statue is right outside the Hachiko Exit.
So if you will pass by Hachiko's statue, you can just go straight to Shibuya Sky, famous for its 360-degree views of the city.
If you want to catch the sunset while on the observatory deck, I highly suggest that you take the 2:30 PM (onwards) entry ticket and just stay until evening. Just make sure to book your ticket at least one to two months in advance. You can get it here↓↓↓↓
EVENING - SHOPPING
Since this will be your last night in Tokyo, what a better way to spend it than shopping? On top of the shopping places in all over Japan is the store Don Quijote, the country's largest discount store. You can find this store all around Tokyo but in select areas, like Shibuya, there is a MEGA Don Quijote building.
DAY 5 - Shinjuku or Odaiba + Departure
If your flight on your day 5 in Tokyo is at night, you can still spend some time in Shinjuku or Odaiba. Otherwise, you can squeeze in Shinjuku in your day 4 when visiting Shibuya area since there are just nearby each other.
OPTION 1: SHINJUKU MUSEUMS + PARK + OMOIDE YOKOCHO
Here are some places to visit in Shinjuku area:
For dining, you can check out Omoide Yokocho.
OPTION 2: TEAMLAB PLANETS + ODAIBA MARINE PARK + GUNDAM STATUE
You can book your ticket in advance here ↓↓↓↓
It will only take about an hour to finish exploring the teamLab Planets unless, you decide to stay longer. From there, you can go to Odaiba and visit these attractions:
If you are a fan of Gundam, make sure to also drop by the Unicorn Gundam statue in Odaiba which transforms a few times a day at 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM. The statue also has evening light shows every half hour from 7 PM to 9:30 PM. This is just a walking distance from AQUA City Odaiba.
Shopping Places in Tokyo
If you want to shop 'til you drop, here are some of the shopping places to visit in Tokyo.
Best Day Tours from Tokyo
If you have extra day to spare in your stay in Tokyo, consider joining these best day tours! Make sure to use the discount code: KOREAFILESKLOOK to get 5% off!
KAWAGUCHIKO + HAKONE (MT. FUJI VIEW)
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KAMAKURA (Slam Dunk Train Station) + ENOSHIMA
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NIKKO
KARUIZAWA
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*DIY ITINERARIES*
DIY itineraries to Mt. Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura & Enoshima will be published soon so make sure to subscribe to my Thatch account to be updated! Creating a Thatch account is free!
Discounted Activities & Experiences
You can try these various activities and authentic Japanese experiences in Tokyo. Make sure to use the discount code: KOREAFILESKLOOK to get 5% off!
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Accommodations
If you are a first time traveler to Tokyo, Japan, you can book your accommodation near Ueno, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Ginza and Shibuya for practical reasons especially if you want to visit many toursist spots during your stay. To save time searching, I listed some of the highly-rated (8+) accommodations that you can book in Tokyo:
Less than $100 per night
$100 to $200 per night
Notes:
✅ This is a packed itinerary which aims to see many Tokyo tourist spots in a day. But feel free to customize this and remove/add destination based on your preference. You can also change the day/time arrangement based on your schedule; just make sure to check the closing day/time of each location.
✅ This itinerary includes an interactive map which you can use while traveling.
✅ All information are updated as of January 2025 and I will try to update this as needed. But you may still verify some information from official Japan tourism websites.
✅ This detailed 5-day itinerary for first-time travelers to Tokyo, Japan will always be for FREE! But you can support me and my work by:
1️⃣ Booking through my affiliate links: Hotels via Booking.com and Travel Essentials via Klook. You can also use my Klook discount code: KOREAFILESKLOOK to get up to 5% off (5x use)!
This promo code can also be used for Klook activities in other countries. I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you book through these links.
2️⃣ Leaving a tip (scroll down).
3️⃣ Availing any of paid services that I offer:
4️⃣ Subscribing to my Thatch account, sharing my travel itineraries and guides here in Thatch or your social media/travel group chats. You can also message, tag or or mention @koreafiles on Instagram if you get to use any of my contents here.
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