Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Tokyo?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Tokyo?
Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Tokyo during their visit. After all, the high tech city has plenty to explore such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the restaurant scene.
Tokyo is the high tech, ultramodern capital city of Japan. It's filled with neon lights and high reaching skyscrapers, but there are also many hidden temples and historic neighborhoods tucked away. You can spend your days wandering through green parks and your nights singing karaoke in one of the many bars around town.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Tokyo? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Tokyo?
The popular city of Tokyo has many activities and attractions for visitors. So with three days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the high tech city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the city. If you have three days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
How to spend 3 days in Tokyo
Tokyo is home to renowned museums and iconic landmarks, so dive into the city's famous attractions. The city's historical sites rank among the most awe-inspiring globally. This iconic city is filled with recognizable landmarks and world class museums including the Meiji Shrine, the Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo Skytree.
TeamLab Borderless Museum is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families and couples. Known for its immersive, interactive digital art installations that seamlessly blend technology, creativity, and nature to create a constantly evolving, borderless experience, entry is ¥3,800.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for National Museum of Nature and Science. It's a nice activity for families and is known for its extensive and interactive exhibits covering natural history, biology, geology, and technology, making it a favorite destination for families, students, and science enthusiasts alike. It's costs ¥630 for adults, with discounts for students and children; special exhibitions may incur additional fees..
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Tokyo Tower. It's a nice activity for couples and is known for its iconic red and white lattice structure inspired by the Eiffel Tower, offering panoramic city views from its observation decks, vibrant illumination at night, and housing museums and shops at its base. It's from ¥1,200 for the Main Deck to ¥3,000 for combined access to both observation decks, with discounts for children and other groups; prices may change for special events..
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Imperial Palace. It's a nice activity for couples and is known for its historic significance as the primary residence of Japan's Imperial Family, beautifully landscaped gardens, and its juxtaposition of traditional architecture amidst the modern Tokyo skyline. It's free.
Make sure to set aside around 1 hour for Senso-ji Temple, which is free. It's great for families and is known for its stunning ancient architecture, vibrant red pagoda, and the bustling Nakamise-dori shopping street lined with traditional snacks and souvenirs, making it Tokyo’s oldest and most visited Buddhist temple.
It's worth around 1 hour for Meiji Shrine. Entry is free. It's known for its serene forested grounds, traditional Shinto architecture, and status as a spiritual haven dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, offering visitors a peaceful escape from the bustling city.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Tokyo: Imperial Palace and Shogun Storytelling Walk ($32)
- Imperial Palace Tour: Discover Samurai History with a Local Guide ($23)
- Tokyo Castle & Imperial Palace - Shogun Walking Tour ($15)
The delicious food of Tokyo is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. With an astonishing number of Michelin star restaurants, this is one of the most interesting and impressive food destinations in the world. Not all restaurants are high end though. You'll find plenty of cheap eateries that offer their own rewarding culinary experience. Must try local dishes include okonomiyaki, ramen, and of course, sushi.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ramen Making from Scratch +Akihabara Tour –Tokyo Cooking Class ($119)
- Japanese Home Cooking Class & Nature Walk in Todoroki,Tokyo ($113)
- Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food Tour ($90)
Tokyo is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Many neighborhoods are very easy to explore on foot, so it's fun to just wander without a plan, seeing where you end up.
Given that Tokyo is a large and popular city, give yourself a full day to uncover the diverse neighborhoods, captivating attractions, and engaging activities scattered throughout the area. Be sure to include visits to some of the city's premier landmarks and quintessential neighborhoods, too. This metropolis is known for its high tech energy juxtaposed with old world history.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Harajuku Takeshita Street, which is free. It's great for backpackers and is known for its vibrant youth culture, eclectic street fashion, quirky boutiques, trendy cafes, and bustling atmosphere that draws both locals and tourists seeking the latest in Tokyo’s cutting-edge style.
Make sure to set aside around 4 hours for Odaiba, which is free. It's great for families and couples and is known for its futuristic architecture, waterfront views, shopping and entertainment complexes, including teamLab Borderless digital art museum, and iconic attractions like the Rainbow Bridge and replica of the Statue of Liberty.
Akihabara is worth visiting for around 3 hours, which is great for backpackers. Known for its vibrant electronics shops, anime and manga culture, themed cafes, and a bustling atmosphere that attracts both tech enthusiasts and pop culture fans from around the world, entry is free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- JDM Experience with Fast&Furious RX-7 (English speaking Driver) ($150)
- Tokyo: Scenic Bay Cruise with Local Guide on Private Boat ($51)
- Tokyo: Mt. Fuji Cruise & Hakone Ropeway Day Trip by Bus ($89)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The professional urgency that you feel during the day morphs into a vibrant, laid back city at night. The neon lights turn on and locals head out to destress. There are karaoke bars, casual pubs, high energy nightclubs, and more. Popular areas for nightlife include Roppongi, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl ($146)
- Authentic Tokyo Nightlife Experience in Gotanda ($32)
- Tokyo Shinjuku Nightlife and Izakaya Walking Tour ($43)
Public transit in Tokyo is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. Trains, subways, and buses make up the complex transportation system and, while it may seem overwhelming at first, the system is actually very clean, efficient, and reliable.
Shopping in Tokyo is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city is known for its electronics, anime products, and trendy fashion brands. Many neighborhoods are also shopping districts with malls or markets throughout. Prices can be steep, but products are generally high quality. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Tsukiji Outer Market, which is free. It's great for backpackers and is known for its vibrant atmosphere filled with fresh seafood stalls, sushi restaurants, and traditional Japanese street food vendors, offering visitors an authentic taste of Tokyo’s culinary culture.
It's worth around 3 hours for Ginza Shopping District. Entry is free. It's known for its upscale boutiques, luxury brand flagship stores, fine dining establishments, and vibrant nightlife, making it a premier destination for fashion enthusiasts and gourmets alike.
It's worth around 2 hours for Roppongi Hills. Entry is typically ¥2,000 per adult for entry to the Tokyo City View observation deck; access to shops, restaurants, and public areas is free, while the Mori Art Museum and Sky Deck may require separate tickets.. It's known for its iconic blend of modern architecture, upscale shopping, vibrant nightlife, and cultural attractions such as the Mori Art Museum and Tokyo City View observation deck.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Tokyo Shopping Street Hopping Private Tour with Government Licensed Guide ($149)
- Real Anime Culture Tour in Shibuya: Food, Shopping & Game Fun ($85)
- Tokyo Anime and Game Shopping Tour in Ikebukuro ($70)
Live music is very popular in Tokyo, so make sure you spend the evening exploring some of the more popular venues. The music scene features both national and international artists and the music style is as eclectic as the city itself. You'll find many underground venues, vintage record stores, and local bars that have each created their own niche.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Traditional Japanese Music ZAKURO SHOW in Tokyo ($38)
- Let's enjoy Japanese Festival Music- Chichibu Yatai Bayashi ($25)
- Japanaese tradtional Tsugaru Shamisen music lesson in Tokyo ($75)
Is 4 days enough time in Tokyo?
Four days is generally not enough time to experience everything in Tokyo. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, sample the delicious cuisine, and take advantage of the local nightlife. To genuinely appreciate the highlights, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days to immerse themselves fully in the charms of the area. After all, As a popular city, Tokyo offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
Tokyo Fish Market
How to spend 4 days in Tokyo
With 4 days in Tokyo, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
Don't miss the Sensō-ji Temple during your trip to Tokyo, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Tokyo is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's colorful skyscrapers and historic temples make this a truly one-of-a-kind place to explore.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Tokyo: Asakusa & Sensoji ー Oldest Temple Walking Tour (2hrs) ($13)
- Tokyo: Meiji Shrine Walking Tour — Shintoism & Imperial System ($15)
- Tokyo: Asakusa Senso-ji Temple & Old Town Walking Tour ($27)
Is 5 days enough time in Tokyo?
Tokyo is a large city that is quite popular with tourists. Five days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in Tokyo. Most visitors prefer to spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Tokyo is popular with families, couples, and students which enjoy visiting because the city offers activities specifically for them.
How to spend 5 days in Tokyo
If you have more than 5 days in Tokyo, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
After you've explored most of Tokyo, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Day Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima: Shrines, Seaside, Temples & Tea ($161)
- Tokyo: Mt. Fuji Cruise & Hakone Ropeway Day Trip by Bus ($89)
- Tokyo Private Day Trip - Enjoy Your First-Time Visit to Tokyo! ($95)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Tokyo, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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