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Tokyo, Japan

3 Days in Tokyo: A First-Timer's Itinerary by Area

A 3-day Tokyo itinerary that groups the city by area: Asakusa and Ueno, Harajuku to Shinjuku, then Tsukiji, Ginza and the Imperial Palace gardens.

By Navly EditorialPublished 2 min read

Open the Tokyo guide
A cyclist passing a building in Asakusa, Tokyo

Ryunosuke Kikuno / Unsplash

The plan at a glance

  1. Day 1

    Traditional east Tokyo

    Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara

    • Sensō-ji
    • Nakamise-dōri
    • Sumida River
    • Ueno Park
    • Ameyoko
    • Akihabara in the evening

  2. Day 2

    West Tokyo

    Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku

    • Meiji Jingu
    • Takeshita Street
    • Omotesandō
    • Shibuya Crossing
    • Shinjuku at night

  3. Day 3

    Central Tokyo

    Tsukiji, Ginza and the Imperial Palace

    • Tsukiji Outer Market
    • Ginza
    • Imperial Palace East Gardens
    • Tokyo Station

Tokyo is enormous, but a first visit is easier than it looks once you think of the city in sides: traditional east Tokyo, busy and fashionable west Tokyo, and the polished center between them. Give each side a day and you spend your time in neighborhoods rather than on trains.

If you have not booked a hotel yet, read where to stay in Tokyo first; your base decides which day is easiest to start.

Day 1: Traditional east Tokyo

Start early at Sensō-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo's oldest temple, before the crowds. Walk through Nakamise-dōri, the shopping street leading to it, then down to the Sumida River for a view of Tokyo Skytree.

In the afternoon, head to Ueno Park, with its museums, temples and ponds, and the Ameyoko market street next to Ueno Station. End the day in Akihabara, a short ride away, for electronics, anime shops and arcades.

Day 2: West Tokyo

Begin at Meiji Jingu, a shrine set in a large forest next to Harajuku Station. From there, step into the crowds of Takeshita Street, then walk down Omotesandō, a tree-lined avenue of flagship stores and architecture.

Continue to Shibuya to see the famous crossing, ideally from above. Finish in Shinjuku for the evening: neon streets, tiny bars in Golden Gai and food alleys near the station.

Day 3: Central Tokyo

Have breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market, still full of food stalls even though the wholesale market moved to Toyosu. Walk to Ginza for department stores and galleries.

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Check opening days before you go. End at Tokyo Station, whose restored red-brick building faces the palace.

Tips for your first trip

  • Get an IC card: Suica or PASMO works on trains, subways and buses, and in many shops.
  • Start early: popular places are calmer in the morning.
  • Mind the rush hour: trains are most crowded on weekday mornings and early evenings.
  • Carry some cash: many places take cards, but smaller restaurants may not.

Adapt it

With four days, add a day trip to Nikkō or Kamakura. With two, combine days one and three. Whatever the length, keep one side of the city per day.

Questions travelers ask

Is 3 days enough for Tokyo?

Three days covers the main areas if you group each day by side of the city. With more time, add a day trip to Nikkō or Kamakura, or slower days in neighborhoods like Yanaka and Shimokitazawa.

How do you get around Tokyo?

Trains and the subway reach almost everywhere. A rechargeable IC card such as Suica or PASMO makes paying for rides simple.

Sources to check before you go

GO TOKYO (official Tokyo travel guide)Japan National Tourism Organization

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