Tokyo is too big to “see” in 3 days, so this splits the city into three simple zones — west, east, and a flexible day — instead of crisscrossing back and forth.
Day 1 — West Tokyo (modern & fashion): Start at Meiji Shrine for a quiet forest walk right in the middle of the city, then walk through Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for people-watching and crepes, and finish in Shibuya at dusk to see the famous scramble crossing lit up.
Day 2 — East Tokyo (old town & tech): Asakusa and Senso-ji in the morning while it’s less crowded, then Akihabara for electronics and anime culture in the afternoon, and Tokyo Skytree at sunset for the best photos of the whole city glowing below you.
Day 3 — Flexible day: Pick one based on your interest — teamLab’s digital art museum (book tickets in advance, it sells out), Tsukiji Outer Market for a seafood breakfast, or Ginza for upscale shopping. Save the evening for whatever neighborhood you didn’t get enough of on day 1 or 2.
Practical notes:
- Get an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) before Day 1 — Tokyo’s train network is genuinely the fastest way between all of these areas.
- teamLab and some other popular attractions require advance online booking, not walk-in tickets.
- Tokyo’s accommodation tax (¥100–¥200 per person per night) is now charged separately from your room rate, so expect a slightly higher total at checkout.
FAQ
- Can I fit in a day trip too? Not really in just 3 days — save Kamakura, Nikko, or Hakone for a longer trip.
- Which day should I do first if I’m jet-lagged? Day 1 (West Tokyo) — it has the most flexible pacing if you need to slow down.
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