Tokyo is a city of reinvention. Once known as Edo—the shogunate’s seat—it became Tokyo (“Eastern Capital”) during the Meiji Restoration and has since evolved into a global powerhouse where tradition and technology move in tandem. From incense curling at ancient temples to robots serving ramen, it keeps you spellbound.

Expect contrasts at every turn: serene gardens beside gleaming towers, centuries-old sushi shops near anime arcades, and Michelin-star kaiseki followed by street-side yakitori. The rail network is among the world’s best, neighborhoods all have their own rhythm, and seasonal pleasures—cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, winter illuminations—shape the city’s calendar.

Practical notes: Tipping isn’t customary. IC cards (Mobile Suica/PASMO) make trains and convenience-store buys easy. Summers are humid, typhoon risk peaks Aug–Oct, and the most crowded periods are late March–early April (sakura) and Golden Week (late Apr–early May). Book popular experiences—teamLab, Disney, Ghibli—well in advance.

Tokyo

Tokyo rewards slow exploration. Wander Asakusa’s Senso-ji, then detour into retro Yanaka for mom-and-pop snacks and feline souvenirs. In Harajuku and Omotesando, high fashion collides with crepes and pop culture; nearby Meiji Shrine is a hush of cedar and cypress.

By night, Shibuya’s scramble glows like a circuit board, while Shinjuku’s Golden Gai squeezes dozens of tiny bars into lantern-lit alleys. In Roppongi and Azabudai Hills, world-class art museums and the reborn teamLab Borderless showcase the city’s taste for bold, immersive creativity.

Eat widely: queue for ramen (try yuzu-scented bowls at AFURI), savor tempura in Asakusa, or sample yakitori in Omoide Yokocho. For coffee, try Koffee Mameya Kakeru, Onibus Nakameguro, Glitch in Jinbōchō, or the Blue Bottle roastery in Kiyosumi-Shirakawa.

• Getting there (flights): Search competitive fares to Haneda (closer) or Narita on Kiwi.com or Trip.com. From North America, nonstop flights are typically 10–14 hours; from Australia 9–10 hours; from Southeast Asia 6–7 hours.
• Airport to city: Haneda→central Tokyo: 20–30 min by Monorail/Keikyu (~¥300–500), taxi ~¥6,000–12,000. Narita→Tokyo: 55 min by Narita Express (~¥3,070), 41 min by Skyliner to Ueno (~¥2,570), taxi ~¥20,000–30,000.
• Getting around: Load Mobile Suica/PASMO on your phone. Consider Tokyo Subway Tickets (24/48/72h roughly ¥800/¥1,200/¥1,500). For regional trains and day trips, compare times and fares on Trip.com Trains.

• Where to stay (neighborhoods): Shinjuku for nightlife and rail access; Ginza/Marunouchi for refined dining and shopping; Shibuya for youth culture; Asakusa for old Tokyo ambiance; Tokyo Bay/Maihama for Disney access.

• Hotels (vetted, current as of 2025):
  • Top-tier views and service: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (Roppongi), Aman Tokyo (Otemachi), The Peninsula Tokyo (Hibiya/Ginza).
  • Great locations and value: Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo.
  • For Disney days: Hilton Tokyo Bay (resort-area shuttles, family-friendly rooms).
• Search more stays: Hotels.com — Tokyo | VRBO — Tokyo

Days 1–3: Old Tokyo Foundations — Asakusa, Ueno, Yanaka, and Core Landmarks

Begin in Asakusa at Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Stroll Nakamise-dori for ningyo-yaki cakes and crispy senbei rice crackers. Cross the river for views of the golden Asahi “Flame” and the Skytree’s lattice tower.

In Ueno, explore the Tokyo National Museum and lotus ponds, then slip into Yanaka’s low-rise lanes for taiyaki at Naniwaya (Azabu branch also beloved) and street bites on Yanaka Ginza. Cap the day with sunset at Tokyo Skytree or Shibuya Sky (prebook for golden-hour slots).

• Guided orientation (highly recommended): Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide — customize Senso-ji, Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace, Shibuya Crossing, or Tsukiji with an expert.

  

• Lunch ideas: Asakusa Imahan Honten for sukiyaki; Daikokuya for Edo-style tempura; Sometaro for rustic okonomiyaki cooked at your table.
• Coffee & sweets: Glitch Coffee (Jinbōchō) for light roasts; Kayaba Coffee (Yanaka) for a retro kissaten vibe and egg sandwiches.
• Dinner & drinks: Ueno’s Ameyoko for casual izakaya hopping (try seafood at Uoshin); craft beer at Baird Beer Taproom (near Harajuku) later in the trip.

Days 4–5: Modern Icons — Shibuya, Harajuku, Omotesando, Shinjuku

Trace youth culture from Takeshita Street’s fashion crush to Omotesando’s architectural catwalk. Visit Meiji Shrine’s forested precincts, then loop to Shibuya Crossing—organized chaos since the 1930s, now framed by observation decks and mega-screens.

In Shinjuku, decompress in Shinjuku Gyoen’s landscaped gardens, then graze through Omoide Yokocho’s smoky yakitori stalls before a snug Golden Gai bar (many have tiny cover charges; be respectful and order a drink).

• Morning food immersion: Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour — sample tamagoyaki, tuna skewers, grilled scallops, and matcha in the historic outer market.

  

• Casual eats to bookmark: AFURI (Harajuku) for yuzu-shio ramen; Ichiran (Shibuya) for focused tonkotsu; Katsumidori (Shibuya) for great-value sushi; Tonkatsu Maisen (Aoyama) for melt-in-mouth pork cutlets.
• Evening options: Jazz at Blue Note Tokyo (Aoyama) if you plan ahead; cocktails at Bar BenFiddich (Shinjuku) or High Five (Ginza) for world-class mixology.

Days 6–7: Art, Bay Views, Sumo Culture — Roppongi, Azabudai Hills, Odaiba/Toyosu, Ryogoku

Spend a half day with contemporary art around Roppongi Hills and Azabudai Hills, where teamLab Borderless dazzles with interactive, ever-shifting light. Head toward the bay for skyline views, the life-size Gundam in Odaiba, or a ferry ride under Rainbow Bridge.

Dedicate an afternoon to Ryogoku, home of sumo stables and hearty chanko-nabe hot pot. Tournaments run in January, May, and September; outside those months, consider an entertainment show for an insider look at the sport’s rituals.

• Sumo experience (evenings most days): Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show Experience with Photo and Drinks — watch demonstrations, learn techniques, and enjoy drinks while you snap photos with wrestlers.

  

• Relax & refresh: Thermae-Yu (Shinjuku) for late-night spa, or Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club near Toyosu for footbaths with skyline views (family-friendly).
• Meals: Yakiniku at Han no Daidokoro Bettei (Shibuya) for A5 wagyu; Bird Land (Ginza) for refined yakitori; tempura at Tempura Kondo (Ginza) if you secure reservations.
• Coffee breaks: Fuglen (Shibuya) for Nordic roasts by day and cocktails by night; Onibus (Nakameguro) beside the tracks for a perfect flat white.

Days 8–10: Day Trips — Mt. Fuji/Hakone, Kamakura & Enoshima (Optional: Nikko)

Mt. Fuji & Hakone (full day): Let someone else handle the logistics so you can focus on views. This route pairs Fuji’s 5th Station or Lake Kawaguchi scenery with Hakone’s ropeway and Ashinoko panoramas; some options return by bullet train for a thrill ride back to Tokyo.

• Featured tour: Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train — efficient, scenic, and photo-forward; expect a 10–11 hour day.

  

• What to eat: Try hoto noodle stew around Kawaguchiko and black eggs boiled in Owakudani’s volcanic springs (a Hakone tradition).

Kamakura & Enoshima (full day): Ride the JR Yokosuka or Shōnan-Shinjuku Line to Kamakura (55–65 minutes, ~¥940 one-way), then the Enoden tram to the sea. See the Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in, tranquil Hase-dera, and surfers along Shichirigahama.

• Logistics: Check schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains. Enoden rides are short (10–20 minutes between sights, ~¥200–300).
• Eat local: Shirasu-don (whitebait rice bowl) near Enoshima; sweet potato soft serve and dorayaki along Komachi-dori in central Kamakura.

Optional Nikko (full day): For baroque shrine architecture and cedar-lined avenues, take the Tobu Limited Express from Asakusa (about 1h50m, ~¥2,900–3,200) or JR via Utsunomiya (1h50m–2h, ~¥4,000+). Don’t miss Toshogu’s gilded carvings and the vermilion Shinkyo Bridge. Local specialty: yuba (tofu skin) in soups and set meals.

Day 11: Free Day for Disney, Shopping, or Neighborhood Hopping — Departure

Spend your last full day at Tokyo DisneySea (new Fantasy Springs is dazzling) or shop Daikanyama’s T-Site, Omotesando’s flagship boutiques, or Shimokitazawa’s vintage racks. Food-hall graze at depachika in Ginza Mitsukoshi or Shinjuku Isetan for edible souvenirs.

Airport transfers: from Shinjuku to Haneda in ~35–45 minutes (Keikyu/Monorail connections); to Narita in ~55–75 minutes (Narita Express). Confirm last-train times if you’re out late.

Dining & Drink Shortlist by Theme

• Sushi: Kyubey (Ginza, classic), Sushizanmai (multiple branches, late hours), Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi, quick and fresh).
• Ramen: Rokurinsha (rich tsukemen at Tokyo Station’s Ramen Street), AFURI (citrusy and clean), Ichiran (solo-booth tonkotsu).
• Beef & grills: Han no Daidokoro Bettei (A5 wagyu), Yakiniku Like (solo grills, fast-casual), Nabezo (all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu with good broth choices).
• Old-Tokyo eats: Asakusa Daikokuya (tempura), Asakusa Imahan (sukiyaki), Tsukishima’s monjayaki street for sizzling batter dishes.
• Cafés & coffee: Koffee Mameya Kakeru (tasting bar), Onibus (Nakameguro), Blue Bottle (Kiyosumi-Shirakawa), Fuglen (Shibuya), Sarutahiko (Ebisu).
• Nightlife: Golden Gai (tiny themed bars), The SG Club (inventive cocktails), Bar High Five (precision classics), Baird Beer or DevilCraft (craft beer + pizza).

Optional Add-Ons If You Have Extra Energy

• Ghibli Museum (Mitaka): Whimsical architecture and film memorabilia; tickets must be booked in advance.
• Tokyo City Views: Shibuya Sky for the crossing from above; Tokyo Tower for nostalgic glow; Skytree for the highest deck.
• Cultural streets: Kagurazaka’s French-Japanese alleyways; Kappabashi’s kitchenware district for knives and plastic food models.

One More Delicious Tour to Consider

If you’re a dedicated foodie, add an evening tasting crawl in Shinjuku for a deeper dive into local joints, smoky grills, and regional specialties without the guesswork.

• Small-group feast: Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)

  

Suggested 11-Day Flow at a Glance

• Days 1–3: Senso-ji and Asakusa, Ueno Park and museums, Yanaka; orientation with a private guide; classic tempura and sukiyaki.
• Days 4–5: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku Gyoen; Tsukiji food tour; ramen and yakitori nights.
• Days 6–7: Roppongi/Azabudai art, teamLab Borderless; Odaiba/Toyosu bay views; sumo show; spa evening.
• Days 8–10: Day trips — Fuji/Hakone tour; Kamakura/Enoshima by train; optional Nikko; try hoto noodles and seaside shirasu.
• Day 11: DisneySea or shopping districts; farewell sushi; airport transfer.

Wrap-up: This 11-day Tokyo itinerary balances history, food, and modern spectacle, with two classic day trips to frame the city’s mountain-and-sea context. With smart transport, targeted tours, and great eats in every neighborhood, you’ll leave with a deeper sense of Tokyo’s spirit—and plenty of reasons to return.