Tokyo’s story stretches from Edo-era castles to cutting-edge towers, and you’ll feel those layers everywhere—from serene shrines under cedar canopies to the Shibuya scramble’s choreographed chaos. In 13 days, you can savor neighborhood rhythms, culinary treasures, and easy day trips that frame the city against the majesty of Mt. Fuji.

Fun fact: Tokyo’s current skyline is surprisingly recent; the city rebuilt rapidly after the 1923 earthquake and WWII, which is why modern districts like Shinjuku, Roppongi, and Odaiba feel futuristic. Yet the old heart persists in places like Yanaka Ginza and Asakusa, where incense smoke curls past shopfronts that sell the same snacks locals grew up with.

Practical notes: Pick up a Suica/PASMO (or add to Apple/Google Wallet) for trains and convenience stores. Most places take cards now, but small ramen counters still prefer cash. Book high-demand spots—Ghibli Museum, teamLab exhibits, and elite sushi—weeks ahead, and pack for changeable weather in spring and autumn.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a city of “villages”—each with a distinct mood. Harajuku buzzes with youth fashion and crepe stands; Ginza gleams with quiet luxury and impeccable sushi; Shimokitazawa thrums with vinyl shops, indie cafes, and thrifting. Work this itinerary like a playlist: tempo up, tempo down, with time for detours.

Top highlights include Senso-ji Temple’s lantern-lit gate, Meiji Shrine’s tranquil forest, and sky-high views from Shibuya Sky and Tokyo Skytree. Don’t miss an evening in Golden Gai’s tiny bars, a morning at Tsukiji’s outer market, and a river of neon in Akihabara.

Where to stay (curated picks + quick booking):

• Design and splurge: Aman Tokyo (staggering views, serene spa), The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (Roppongi nightlife and art), The Peninsula Tokyo (walkable to the Imperial Palace).
• Great mid-range bases: Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla head and all).
• For Disney days: Hilton Tokyo Bay (quick to DisneySea and Disneyland).
• Browse more stays: VRBO Tokyo and Hotels.com Tokyo.

Getting there & getting around:

• Flights: Search fares to Haneda (closer) or Narita: Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Airport to city: Haneda Monorail to Hamamatsucho (~20 min, ~¥500–700). Keikyu to Shinagawa (~15–20 min, ~¥300–400). Narita Express to Tokyo (~55 min, ~¥3,000–3,500). Skyliner to Ueno (~41 min, ~¥2,570). Limousine Bus is easy with luggage (~¥1,300–3,600).
• Trains in Japan: For intercity or optional day trips, check schedules/fares on Trip.com Trains. Within Tokyo, use Suica/PASMO; no JR Pass needed for a Tokyo-focused stay.

Days 1–3: Old Tokyo, Big Views, and City Orientation

Start in Asakusa at Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, and Nakamise’s snack-lined arcade (fresh ningyo-yaki cakes and hot senbei rice crackers). Walk or ferry along the Sumida River, then rise to Tokyo Skytree for a first sweep of the metropolis.

Akihabara’s arcades and retro game shops are a time capsule for otaku culture. In the evening, trace lantern-lit alleys in Kappabashi (kitchenware street) and sample tempura, soba, or standing sushi (try Uogashi Nihon-Ichi).

• Ease into the city with a guided overview:

  

  1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour covers Meiji Shrine, a matcha moment, Tokyo Skytree admission, and a bay cruise (time permitting)—perfect for orientation.
• Breakfast & coffee: Path (Yoyogi-Uehara) for a famous Dutch baby and laminated pastries; Onibus Coffee (Nakameguro) for light, nuanced roasts; Café de L’Ambre (Ginza) for old-school kissaten vibes and aged beans.
• Lunch ideas: Kaneko Hannosuke (Nihonbashi) for tendon (tempura bowl) with flaky anago; Udon Shin (Shinjuku) for handmade udon with tempura sides.
• Dinner targets: Tempura Kondo (Ginza; reservations advised); Sushi no Midori (multiple branches; generous cuts and fair prices); Bird Land (Ginza) for pristine yakitori.

Days 4–5: Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Omotesando, and Shibuya Nights

Stroll Meiji Shrine’s forest, then thread through Takeshita Street’s crepe stands and upcycled streetwear. Shift to Omotesando’s architectural catwalk (Omotesando Hills, Prada Aoyama) and the indie boutiques of Cat Street.

Shibuya swells with energy at dusk. Watch the Shibuya Crossing from an upstairs window, then ride up to Shibuya Sky for sunset over a sea of towers.

• Unique adrenaline hit:

  

  Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya loops you through the district (license required)—a wildly photogenic way to see the scramble.
• Casual eats: Afuri (yuzu-shio ramen; bright citrus broth), Fuunji (tsukemen with silky chicken-pork soup), Han no Daidokoro Becchan (Shibuya; wagyu yakiniku you grill at your table).
• Drinks: The SG Club (playful, award-winning cocktails), Bar BenFiddich (foraged bitters and apothecary magic), Nonbei Yokocho (“Drunkard’s Alley”) for tiny bars under the tracks.

Days 6–7: Shinjuku Greenery, Neon, and a Classic Market Morning

Spend a calm morning in Shinjuku Gyoen’s lawns and tea house, then browse Isetan’s depachika for bento and confections. As night falls, Omoide Yokocho’s smoky grills and Golden Gai’s micro-bars turn the neighborhood into a living movie set.

Combine this with a Tsukiji outer market food walk to learn the city’s fish-forward soul—knife shops, tamagoyaki stands, and buttery tuna belly that melts like snow.

• Market immersion:

  

  Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour weaves history with tastings—from grilled scallops to fresh sashimi.
• Lunch & snacks: Soba at Kanda Yabu Soba (historic technique, elegant broth), katsu at Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama Honten (lean or fatty cuts, perfect crunch), melonpan at Asakusa Kagetsudo (still-warm, crackly top).
• Night bites: Try an izakaya crawl in Ebisu Yokocho; order karaage, yakitori, and highball cocktails. Finish with craft beer at Watering Hole (Shinjuku) or a whisky at Zoetrope (cinema-themed selection).

Days 8–9: Tokyo Bay, Digital Art, and Roppongi/Azabudai Culture

Head to Toyosu for teamLab Planets (multi-sensory rooms where you wade through mirror-like water) and seasonal produce at Toyosu’s weekend markets. Cross the Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba’s waterfront promenades and giant Gundam for playful photos.

In Roppongi and the new Azabudai Hills, pair modern art with skyline drama. The reborn teamLab Borderless dazzles; nearby museums (Mori Art Museum) and the leafy Nezu Museum garden offer calm between galleries.

• Cafes & brunch: Little Darling Coffee Roasters (park-side roastery), Blue Bottle (Roppongi; consistent pour-overs), Aoyama Flower Market Tea House (greenhouse-style sweets).
• Dinner reservations: Ginza Kagari (creamy tori-paitan ramen, delicate toppings), Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi (since 1923, crisp sesame oil aroma), Sushizanmai Honten (Tsukiji; late-night sushi fix).

Day 10: Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko Day Trip

Give the city a breather and chase Fuji views—from lakeside reflections to the iconic pagoda vista at Arakurayama Sengen Park when time permits. Expect seasonal variety: spring blossoms, summer vistas, fiery autumn, and snow-capped winter symmetry.

• Guided and streamlined:

  

  Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko 1-Day Bus Tour hits top viewpoints without the transfer puzzle. DIY travelers can compare trains/buses via Trip.com Trains.

Day 11: Kamakura & Enoshima or Nikko (Choose Your Vibe)

Kamakura/Enoshima: Great Buddha (Kotoku-in), sea breezes, and Komachi-dori’s croquettes and matcha soft-serve. Ride the Enoden tram between temples and beaches; sunset at Enoshima feels like a holiday within a holiday.

Nikko: For baroque Toshogu Shrine carvings, cedared avenues, and waterfalls, Nikko is a feast of nature and craftsmanship. It’s a longer day but rewarding in any season.

• Transport: Compare JR/Private lines and times on Trip.com Trains. Expect ~1–1.5 hours to Kamakura; ~2 hours to Nikko.
• Food breaks: Kamakura’s Cafe Vivmo for sandwiches and coffee; Nikko’s yuba (tofu skin) set meals are a local specialty worth seeking out.

Days 12–13: Ueno, Yanaka, Ginza, and a Last-Night Toast

Wander Ueno Park’s museums and the retro bargains of Ameya-Yokocho. Then slow down in Yanaka: cat motifs, indie galleries, and Himitsu-do’s mountain-like kakigori (shaved ice) in warm months.

In Ginza, dip into department store food halls (Mitsukoshi or Matsuya) for jewel-like bento and sweets. End with city-light views from Tokyo Tower or Shibuya Sky, and toast an extraordinary run.

• Breakfast & coffee: Kimuraya (Ginza; original anpan sweet buns), Koffee Mameya Kakeru (Omotesando; tasting-style coffee flight), Fuglen (Shibuya; Nordic roast and mod-retro lounge).
• Farewell dinner: Ginza Kyubey (classic sushi craft), Tonkatsu Marugo (Akihabara; juicy center, airy crumb), Monja Street (Tsukishima) to try Tokyo-style monjayaki you griddle at the table.

Optional add-ons (slot anywhere): Ghibli Museum in Mitaka (book well ahead), Pokémon Center (multiple locations), baseball at Tokyo Dome in season, a few hours at Spa LaQua (baths, saunas), or a full day at Tokyo DisneySea (unique to Japan).

Another guided option if you prefer private pacing:

Already in the plan above, the 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour is a convenient overview to swap into Day 1 or 2 if you want maximum coverage early. It pairs well with free time in the evenings for izakaya hopping or a craft cocktail crawl.

Recap of featured activities (bookable highlights):

• 

  1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

• 

  Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

• 

  Official Street Go-Kart in Shibuya

• 

  Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko 1-Day Bus Tour

This 13-day Tokyo itinerary balances ancient shrines, neon nights, markets, museums, and a Fuji-framed escape. You’ll taste your way through neighborhoods, learn the stories behind the city, and still have space to linger. Tokyo rewards curiosity—and you’ve got time to follow it.