Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tokyo?

Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tokyo?

Many travelers spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Tokyo during their visit. After all, the high energy 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 one or two weeks 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 one week enough time in Tokyo?

One week is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Tokyo, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Enjoy the chance to wander through the museums, enjoy the city's energy, sample the delicious cuisine, and take advantage of the local nightlife on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Tokyo as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.

How to spend a week 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 ($38)
Go-kart tour Tokyo tower to Shibuya ( IDP&Passport Required ) ($91)
Imperial Palace Tour: Discover Samurai History with a Local Guide ($23)

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:

Tokyo West-Side Cycling & Food Tour ($104)
Tsukiji Market Culture and Food Tour with 40-Year Resident ($25)
Ramen Making from Scratch +Akihabara Tour –Tokyo Cooking Class ($118)

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:

Daikoku Parking Car Meet and JDM Tokyo Drift Night Cruise Tour ($125)
Tokyo: Sunset Boat Cruise with a Local Guide on Private Boat ($50)
Tokyo: Mt. Fuji Cruise & Hakone Ropeway Day Trip by Bus ($81)

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:

3-Hour Tokyo Pub Crawl Nightlife Welcome Guided Tour in Shibuya ($46)
Private Shinjuku Nightlife Walking Tour & Golden-Gai Bar Crawl ($145)
Authentic Tokyo Nightlife Experience in Gotanda ($32)

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 Local Shopping Streets Tour with Licensed Guide ($148)
Anime Tour in Shibuya: Family Friendly, Food, Shopping & Game Fun ($95)
Mt. Fuji 5th Station, Owakudani Ropeway, Pirate Ship plus Outlet shopping! ($91)

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:

Let's enjoy Japanese Festival Music- Chichibu Yatai Bayashi ($25)
Japanaese tradtional Tsugaru Shamisen music lesson in Tokyo ($75)
Japanese traditional music show created by Koto ($75)

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 Private Customized Walking tours with Local guide ($45)
Tokyo: Shinjuku Bar Hopping & Night Walking Tour ($35)
Tokyo: Meiji Shrine Walking Tour — Shintoism & Imperial System ($15)

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 ($160)
Tokyo: Mt. Fuji Cruise & Hakone Ropeway Day Trip by Bus ($81)
Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide ($192)

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.

Tokyo is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.

As the live music scene is so popular in Tokyo, make sure you spend another evening finding more of the area's best places to take in a show. Often, many of the local venues are near one another, so you can hop from place to place.

Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Tokyo offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.

There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Tokyo.

Is 2 weeks enough time in Tokyo?

Two weeks is more than enough time to see everything that Tokyo has to offer. Many visitors prefer to spend three to seven days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.

Tokyo Fish Market

How to spend 2 weeks in Tokyo

With 2 weeks in Tokyo, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time perusing the musuems, experiencing the city's neighborhoods, dining at local restaurants, hopping around the bars and clubs, hanging at the music venues, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.

A few trip suggestions:

Day Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima: Shrines, Seaside, Temples & Tea ($160)
Tokyo: Mt. Fuji Cruise & Hakone Ropeway Day Trip by Bus ($81)
Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo in 1 Day with Licensed Guide ($192)
Hakone Day Trip from Tokyo: Customized Tour, Licensed Guide ($211)
Kawagoe Half-Day Trip from Tokyo with Licensed Local Guide ($148)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Tokyo, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tokyo?

Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tokyo?

Is one week enough time in Tokyo?

How to spend a week in Tokyo

Is 2 weeks enough time in Tokyo?

How to spend 2 weeks in Tokyo

More Info

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