Per week may not appear lengthy sufficient to see a metropolis as fascinating, various and distinctive as Tokyo, however you’ll be able to truly match so much in. That’s why I’ve designed the final 7-day Tokyo itinerary that will help you take advantage of town in only one week.
Tokyo, the dazzling capital metropolis of Japan, guarantees an unforgettable expertise. It’s actually a metropolis that’s in contrast to wherever else you’ll have travelled to. It’s recognized for enormous temples, palaces and theatres, in addition to skyscrapers, wonderful meals, nice nightlife and a lot extra.
So whereas there’s a lot to see and do in Tokyo, having a tough plan will help make sure you see all of the necessary components – particularly if you happen to’re solely there for per week. This 7-day Tokyo itinerary helps you squeeze in as a lot of the must-sees and dos as doable, but in addition supplying you with time to behave spontaneously too.
Even if you happen to don’t comply with the Tokyo week itinerary fully, it could assist provide you with some concepts and inspiration for a enjoyable and full journey. Discover a mixture of distinctive actions and sights in addition to some standard ones which might be vacationer favourites for a motive. Collectively they supply the right mix for the final 7-day itinerary in Tokyo.
spend per week in Tokyo
From visiting spectacular shrines and temples to wandering round iconic neighbourhoods, this 7-day Tokyo itinerary has all of it.
Day 1: Arrival and go to a neighborhood shrine or temple
The massive day has arrived, your goals of flying into the land of the rising solar is right here and it’s all taking place so quick. After you make it by safety and acquire your baggage the very first thing to do is head to the lodge.
When you’ve settled in (and perhaps slept if you happen to’ve arrived late at evening), the very first thing to do is head out to see a neighborhood shrine or temple.
There are such a lot of shrines and temples to see in Tokyo, however a number of the hottest ones are Sengakuji Temple, that includes a zen faculty and well-known graveyard, Kanda Myojin Shrine, which is the locations to hope for good luck, marriage and wealth, and Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, the biggest Hachimangu shrine within the metropolis the place the samurai prayed.
Locations of worship, the Shinto and the Buddhist faith is intertwined so deeply within the vines of Japanese tradition {that a} journey to this nation will really feel incomplete with out testing a minimum of one. And on your first day, you would take it simple and simply head to a neighborhood one (there are heaps dotted round all through Tokyo).
Shrines are related to the Shinto faith and might normally be recognized with its iconic Torii gates. Then again, temples are sometimes related to Buddhism and infrequently function Buddha statues. You’ll discover this if you happen to head to Senso-ji in Tokyo, however that can seem additional on down the road on this 7-day Tokyo itinerary because it’s a must-see!
Day 2: Get your sport on at Akihabara
In a rustic that’s residence to main items of popular culture similar to anime and video video games, Akihabara is the epicentre of all this stuff and extra. As quickly as you enter this district you’ll be met with hovering buildings, exhibiting banners and ads for all issues otaku. Flashing lights and wacky noises will assault your senses from each path as arcades and sport shops line the streets. There are numerous shops right here that promote all of your favorite anime figures, so whether or not it’s a present for a pal or your self, that is the place to be. This can be a excellent spot to select up these Japanese souvenirs to take residence.
And if you happen to actually love old-school anime, then take a look at The Tremendous Potato retailer. It’s a retro sport retailer that carry not solely older video games for consoles just like the Nintendo Leisure System and the Atari, however they’ve the precise consoles too.
The wonderful thing about the tradition in Japan the place folks typically take care of their belongings even after so a few years, is that these consoles are principally in superb situation. With how good a few of them might be it’s going to nearly really feel as if they’re nonetheless being manufactured right this moment.
You’ll find yourself spending hours popping out and in of shops, meandering between the streets and making robust choices on what to purchase that you would simply spend a full day right here.
It’s additionally necessary on this 7-day Tokyo itinerary to get some downtime. So right here you would go to the close by Ueno Park the place you’ll be able to calm down (and probably admire all of the stuff you simply bought).
READ MORE: The Finest 3-Week Itinerary for Japan
Day 3: Go to Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo
After a day full of popular culture, it’s time to take issues again once more and head in the direction of the historic Senso-ji Temple in . As talked about earlier, that is the temple to go to in Tokyo. Over 1350 years previous, Senso-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo and is without doubt one of the most necessary too.
It’s devoted to Kannon Bosatsu, the benevolent deity of compassion. Legend has it that two brothers retrieved a statue of Kannon from the Sumida River in 628. Regardless of a number of makes an attempt to return it to the river, the statue mysteriously saved reappearing to them. Recognising the importance of this divine occasion, a shrine was constructed within the close by space to enshrine this statue and facilitate worship.
Whenever you get to Senso-ji, stroll up the trail slowly making your manner in the direction of the principle constructing the place you may be surprised with beautiful particulars and structure. It may be fairly crowded, provided that 30 million of individuals flock right here yearly making it one of the standard religious locations on the earth, it’s undoubtedly nonetheless price a go to a minimum of as soon as in your lifetime.
You possibly can then benefit from the number of outlets on the 200-metre road in entrance. It’s an excellent place to purchase something from souvenirs to conventional meals. Or head to the close by Asakusa Shrine for extra in your 7 days itinerary in Tokyo.
Day 4: Go to the fashionable neighbourhood of Shibuya
Very a lot a distinction to the day gone by, Shibuya is the epitome of the modernisation that Tokyo is so well-known for internationally. As you stroll by this space you will note high-end model shops like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada boasting giant actual property and really a lot presenting precisely what kind of space that is.
Proper within the coronary heart of all of it you’ll discover the lovable little statue of the canine Hachiko, that tragically waited by the station for its proprietor to return residence on daily basis. Proper beside it’s the insane Shibuya Crossing too the place you’ll be able to witness hundreds of individuals stroll on the busiest pedestrian crossing on the earth. It’s also possible to watch the crossing from above at Starbucks.
For those who like artwork, Shibuya is a superb place to go to. For modern artwork, head to the Diesel Artwork Gallery or the museum/theatre/cinema advanced Bunkamura. Alternatively, go to the eighth flooring of the buying advanced Shibuya Hikarie, which additionally options a number of gallery and occasion areas devoted to modern Japanese artwork.
In Shibuya, the crowds of individuals listed below are insane so lets hope you aren’t too claustrophobic. It’s one of many many issues to anticipate on the streets of Tokyo. It’s such a drastic change to historic temples, however it’s necessary to incorporate trendy areas in your 7-day Tokyo itinerary if you happen to actually wish to see every little thing town is about.
Day 5: Calm down at Tokyo’s Rikugien Gardens
Whereas shrines and temples are synonymous with Japan’s tradition, one facet that will get ignored as a rule are the attractive gardens. Greenery and being in contact with nature is a crucial a part of Japanese life and even in a concrete metropolis like Tokyo, you’ll nonetheless discover many parks and gardens the place there are sometimes fairly giant.
An instance of certainly one of these is Rikugien Gardens. Discovered within the Bunkyo Ward, this peaceable backyard is a superb place to go to all yr spherical. Magnificent in spring with its weeping cherry blossom bushes in full power, there’s even an illumination occasion at evening that accentuates its magnificence additional in the dead of night. One other standard time to go to is in autumn, the place the bushes develop into naturally colored in fiery tones the place this additionally has an illumination occasion at evening.
For anybody visiting Tokyo in autumn, a bonus place to take a look at is the Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue. Because the identify already suggests, this can be a avenue lined with enormous Ginkgo bushes on both facet which might be a magical yellow and orange hue in autumn.
Ginkgo leaves play a function in Japanese tradition the place they’re admired for his or her pretty fan-like form and seem in artworks of all kinds and varieties. It’s used as a logo of longevity as a result of hundreds of years a Ginkgo tree can final till, so this place turns into the right place for probably the most Japanese autumn you’ll be able to think about.
Day 6: Embrace calmness on the Meiji Jingu
One other day, one other shrine. Winding all the way down to the ultimate full day of the 7-day Tokyo itinerary, a visit to the Meiji Jingu shrine to peacefully look again at your journey with fond reminiscences is a perfect solution to put together for the potential heartbreak when stepping on the airplane departing the nation.
Whenever you first enter the grounds there’s fairly an extended path as much as the principle space of the shrine. Surrounded by lofty thick bushes that cover the daylight from time to time, birds chirp within the distance as you actually begin to really feel one with nature. There may be simply one thing particular concerning the calmness of the air right here as you stroll alongside this path, gazing on the greenery, permitting your thoughts and soul to calm down that brings pure serenity.
When you attain the principle sq. you’ll discover the balanced mixture of conventional architectural designs with that of the fashionable. It’s apparent to see that renovations right here weren’t achieved to maintain the unique historic look intact however to provide it the mandatory enhancements that It requires. This makes Meiji Jingu barely distinctive as it’s as in case you are on this unusual limbo zone the place the previous and current meet.
Day 7: Store for souvenirs at Don Quijote
Despite the fact that the cruel actuality has hit that it’s going to now be time to say goodbye to Japan, you’ll be able to’t depart with out getting some important souvenirs on your associates, family members and your self after all! For those who’re unsure what to purchase – listed below are one of the best souvenirs from Japan to take residence.
Don Quijote is a retailer you most likely have seen a number of instances throughout your travels round Tokyo as it’s characterised with a blue penguin that may be seen all around the shops indicators and partitions. This can be a low cost retailer that sells virtually every little thing. And it means every little thing.
From snacks, garments, suitcases, footwear, toys, make-up and extra, it is possible for you to to do all of your memento buying in a single place proper right here. The standout part has obtained to be the snack aisles the place yow will discover a number of the most unusual and fascinating ones that you’ll not normally be capable of discover in any common shops. They even promote giant bulk packs of a number of the extra standard snacks, so it is possible for you to to deliver an entire provide of it residence so long as you may have the trunk area.
In any case that’s achieved and you’ve got comfortably boarded the airplane, there shall be nothing else to do however to take a seat and reminisce all of the enjoyable you may have had on this journey. You’ll already begin planning your subsequent journey again to Japan in your head, however hopefully with an extended keep and visits exterior of Tokyo subsequent time!
For those who want extra inspiration on your journey, I’ve obtained a listing of 52 coolest issues to do in Tokyo.
Tips about how one can take advantage of your week in Tokyo
Though per week is an effective period of time, a little bit of planning will make it easier to get probably the most out of the 7 days in Tokyo. Another suggestions embrace buying the Tokyo Go, which might prevent cash on numerous sights, and the Suica Card or Pasmo card, that are pay as you go playing cards used for buses, trains, and even some retailer purchases. They’re accessible at subway stations and airports.
You must also look into getting a rail go for Japan to save cash if you happen to’re travelling round so much.
If doable, go for flights to Haneda Airport (HND) over Narita (NRT). Haneda is nearer to town and might prevent each money and time on transportation in your 7 days itinerary in Tokyo.
Different suggestions associated to cultural etiquette embrace familiarising your self with Japanese customs like eradicating footwear earlier than getting into sure areas, bowing as a greeting, and understanding that tipping isn’t customary.
And at last, obtain Tokyo Google Maps for simpler navigation. Additionally, apps like Tokyo Metro and Tokyo Subway will help in navigating town’s metro system.
A 7-day Tokyo itinerary at a look
- Day 1 – Arrival and visiting a neighborhood shrine or temple
- Day 2 – Get your sport on at Akihabara
- Day 3 – Go to Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo
- Day 4 – Go to the fashionable neighbourhood of Shibuya
- Day 5 – Calm down at Tokyo’s Rikugien Gardens
- Day 6 – Embrace calmness on the Meiji Jingu
- Day 7 – Store for souvenirs at Don Quijote
Extra issues to do in Tokyo in 7 days
For those who’ve nonetheless obtained time for extra actions in Tokyo in 7 days, listed below are a number of extra issues you would add into your week’s itinerary:
Tokyo Disneyland
A day journey to Tokyo Disneyland is a superb concept. It’s solely a couple of 15-minute journey from Tokyo Station on public transportation. I cherished, cherished my day journey at Tokyo Disneyland – you must undoubtedly attempt to embrace a visit in your Tokyo week itinerary.
Tokyo Skytree
Think about hovering 634 meters excessive, taking in breathtaking views of Tokyo’s vibrant cityscape. You possibly can get pleasure from panoramic scenes, futuristic structure, and a metropolis buzzing with life. It’s not simply an statement deck; it’s an entire enjoyable expertise.
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is the icon of Tokyo, and one I’ve sadly not but climbed. It’s simple to see on the Tokyo skyline although! You probably have time, and vitality, you’ll be able to be part of a tour to climb as much as the highest in your 7 day Japan itinerary.
Tsukiji fish market
If you wish to know the place a lot of the sushi throughout Tokyo comes from, then go to the Tsukiji fish market. You’ll must get right here early to see all of the motion, however it’ll be nicely price a visit. Simply be certain it’s open for the season you’re there.
Meals in Tokyo
Clearly the meals in Japan is without doubt one of the most important attracts, proper? Nevertheless it may additionally work out to be one of the costly issues too. I’d suggest you take advantage of the comfort shops in Japan – you’ll be able to decide up every kind of tasty meals, very low-cost. I actually appreciated their tuna sandwiches with the crusts minimize off, they have been fairly particular.
Is 7 days sufficient in Tokyo?
Seven days in Tokyo can give you a very good period of time to go to many of the metropolis’s most important sights. For those who plan it nicely, you’ll additionally be capable of slot in instances to calm down in parks and gardens in addition to discover totally different neighbourhoods.
Is Tokyo an costly metropolis to go to?
Tokyo is commonly thought of one of many world’s dearer cities. Nevertheless, prices can fluctuate relying on components similar to your journey plans, finances dimension, and meant actions. One solution to minimize prices is to go for the Tokyo Go – if you happen to’re planning to go to plenty of sights a minimum of. Moreover, when contemplating flight fares and lodging, prices are sometimes at their most reasonably priced between December and early March, excluding the New 12 months interval when many companies shut down.
What’s the greatest month to go to Tokyo Japan?
Tokyo experiences 4 distinct seasons, every providing a distinct expertise for travellers. Spring (March to Might) is without doubt one of the hottest instances to go to as a result of cherry blossom season, which normally begins within the final week of March and lasts till the primary week of April. Summer time might be scorching and humid, making it probably uncomfortable for some guests, however it stays a preferred time for tourism, particularly attributable to faculty holidays overseas. Then again, winter provides a colder local weather with sunny days and is the most affordable time for tourism, excluding the New 12 months interval. Town additionally has an autumn season, which makes the gardens and parks notably stunning.
