Tokyo began as Edo, a castle town that grew into one of the world’s great megacities—yet it still hides quiet shrines, centuries-old gardens, and alleys perfumed with yakitori smoke. Today, sleek towers share the skyline with lantern-lit side streets, and you can stroll from a tranquil shrine forest into a kaleidoscope of neon in a single afternoon.

Food is a daily festival here. From standing sushi bars and steamy ramen counters to elegant depachika food halls, eating well on a budget is delightfully easy. Coffee culture runs deep, anchored by meticulous roasters who treat brewing like a ceremony.

Practical notes: Tap-to-pay IC cards (Suica/PASMO) work on almost all trains and buses; cash is still handy for mom-and-pop spots. Tipping isn’t customary. Tokyo is exceptionally safe and clean, and trains run with clockwork precision—great for leisurely, low-stress exploring.

Tokyo

Give yourself permission to slow down. Tokyo rewards unhurried wanderers: linger in gardens, browse thrift racks in bohemian neighborhoods, sip pour-overs, and graze through markets and izakaya. With 14 days, you’ll see marquee sights and savor local routines.

Getting there and around: Compare flights to Tokyo (HND/NRT) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. From Haneda, budget ~30–40 minutes to central Tokyo; from Narita, ~45–70 minutes by train. For intercity trains and airport lines (Keisei Skyliner, JR Narita Express), see Trip.com Trains.

Where to stay (budget-first, with options):

• Search apartments and budget-friendly stays across neighborhoods on VRBO Tokyo and hotel deals on Hotels.com Tokyo. For lower rates, look in Asakusa, Kinshicho, Ueno, or Nippori.
• Well-located, good value: Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (compact rooms, excellent transport).
• Fun midrange: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla head and lively Kabukicho at your doorstep).
• Families/Disney: Hilton Tokyo Bay (resort vibe, easy park access).
• Splurge-worthy icons: The Peninsula Tokyo, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, or Aman Tokyo.
• Also solid: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (Shinjuku, larger rooms).

Money-saving tips: Aim for hearty lunch sets (teishoku) under $10–15, convenience-store breakfasts, and depachika picnics. Ride off-peak when possible, and cluster sights by neighborhood.

Days 1–3: Shinjuku, Shibuya, and a Soft Landing

Ease in with big parks and bright neighborhoods. In Shinjuku, wander Shinjuku Gyoen’s lawns and ponds, then climb to the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory for skyline views.

Cross to Meiji Jingu’s forested pathways and Yoyogi Park’s weekend buskers. In Shibuya, watch the famous scramble from a quiet perch, then slip into backstreets like Cat Street for indie boutiques.

• Foodie focus (budget-forward): Slurp yuzu-scented ramen at Afuri (Shibuya), smoky niboshi ramen at Nagi (Golden Gai), tendon bowls at Tenya (~$5–7), or standing sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (~$12–20 for a satisfying set).
• Coffee breaks: Little Nap Coffee Stand (near Yoyogi Park, tiny and friendly), Onibus Coffee Nakameguro (roastery terrace by the tracks), and Fuglen Shibuya (vintage Norway-in-Tokyo vibes).
• Shopping: Thrift hunts in Shimokitazawa (a few minutes by train), Don Quijote (late-night bargains), and Tokyu Food Show for picnic-worthy sweets and bento.

Optional small-group tour for food lovers:

Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)

Led by a local, you’ll duck into tiny, tasty spots most visitors miss—perfect early in the trip to decode menus and favorite dishes.

Days 4–6: Asakusa, Ueno, and Old Tokyo (Plus Kitchen Street)

Step into Asakusa’s timeless lanes. Visit Senso-ji Temple, pass under the thunder gate, and sample ningyo-yaki cakes along Nakamise-dori. Stroll Sumida Park for river views and seasonal blossoms.

Walk or hop to Kappabashi “Kitchen Street” for knives, donburi bowls, and chef gear at fair prices—ideal souvenirs for foodies. In Ueno, roam the park, lotus ponds, and museums, then bargain-hunt along the lively Ameyoko market strip.

• Eat here: Tempura over rice at Tempura Tendon Tenya (cheap and cheerful); Edo-style soba at Kanda Yabu Soba (historic); monjayaki you cook at the table in Tsukishima—try Iroha, the local classic.
• Coffee trail: Turret Coffee Tsukiji (thick “turret latte”), % Arabica Asakusa (clean, bright roasts), and Leaves Coffee Roasters (Kuramae; meticulous pour-overs).

Guided stroll to get oriented:

Asakusa Senso-ji Temple & Old Tokyo Walking Tour

This light-on-the-feet tour is an easy way to learn the stories behind Tokyo’s oldest temple and nearby artisan streets.

Hands-on food experience:

Sushi Making Tokyo Roll and Authentic Japanese Sushi Class

Learn rice seasoning, knife basics, and classic rolls in Asakusa—a fun, budget-friendly skill you’ll bring home.

Days 7–9: Trendy West Side—Nakameguro, Daikanyama, Harajuku, Shimokitazawa, Koenji

Slow-walk the Meguro River, especially peaceful on weekday mornings. Browse Daikanyama’s design-forward boutiques and spend a quiet hour leafing through photobooks at the T-Site complex.

In Harajuku, slip past the crowds on Takeshita Street to Omotesando’s tree-lined avenues and independent Japanese labels on Cat Street. For treasure-hunting, ride a few stops to Shimokitazawa and Koenji—thrift shops, vinyl, and tiny cafés abound.

• Coffee to savor: Koffee Mameya Kakeru (reservation-friendly tasting-style coffee bar), Glitch Coffee & Roasters (Kanda/Nagatacho; light roasts and single origins), and Switch Coffee (Meguro or Yoyogi-Hachiman; small, serious, friendly).
• Evenings: Yakitori alleys like Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku) or Nonbei Yokocho (Shibuya) for skewers and highball sips; Torikizoku is a wallet-friendly chain with consistent grilled chicken.
• Soak and reset: Thermae‑Yu (Shinjuku) or Saya no Yu Dokoro (Itabashi; garden setting) for an affordable spa session—bring small towels or rent on site.

Days 10–11: Day Trips for Fresh Air—Mt. Fuji/Kawaguchiko or Hakone

Mt. Fuji & Kawaguchiko (relaxing and scenic): Easiest on a guided bus day trip with photo stops and lake views:

Tokyo: Mt.Fuji & Lake Kawaguchiko 1-Day Bus Tour w/Optional Lunch

Prefer DIY? Highway buses run from Shinjuku (~1h45; about $15–20 one-way). Trains via Otsuki take ~2–2.5 hours. Check schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains.

Hakone (hot springs and mountain views): Take the Odakyu line from Shinjuku (Romancecar ~85–90 minutes; local ~2 hours). Do the classic loop: pirate boat on Lake Ashi, ropeway over Owakudani’s sulfur vents, and onsen soak. Expect ~$30–50 round-trip transport depending on passes.

Alternative day trip: Nikko’s Toshogu Shrine and waterfalls make a serene escape (from Asakusa via Tobu line ~2 hours). For rail comparisons, see Trip.com Trains.

Days 12–14: Tokyo Bay, Modern Marvels, and Gentle Goodbyes

Visit Toyosu Market at dawn for seafood breakfasts, then browse Tsukiji Outer Market’s tamagoyaki stands and knife shops. In Odaiba and Toyosu, unwind by the water and immerse yourself in digital art at teamLab Planets (Toyosu).

Back in the center, stroll the Imperial Palace East Gardens, then window-shop in Ginza: MUJI Ginza’s multi-floor flagship, Itoya for stationery, and affordable gifts at Daiso or Loft. Save a final evening for Golden Gai’s pocket-sized bars or a mellow izakaya with seasonal small plates.

• Final foodie hits: Kagari (Ginza; silky chicken paitan ramen), Sushizanmai (reliable, chain, fair prices), or a katsu curry plate at CoCo Ichibanya (custom heat levels).
• Optional night on the water: A yakatabune dinner cruise for skyline views and tempura—romantic and relaxed if you want one special splurge.

Breakfast and coffee favorites (sprinkled across the 2 weeks):

• On busy mornings, grab onigiri and drip coffee at 7‑Eleven or Lawson (surprisingly excellent beans and bakeries).
• Bakeries to love: Viron (Shibuya) for baguettes, Kimuraya (Ginza) for anpan, and Le Pain Quotidien (Shiba Park) for a leafy terrace near Tokyo Tower.
• Quiet coffee nooks: Onibus (Nakameguro), Glitch (Kanda), Switch Coffee (Meguro), Koffee Mameya Kakeru (Harajuku/Omotesando).

Transit pointers for a calm trip:

• Use an IC card (Suica/PASMO); it works on trains, subways, buses, and many shops.
• Cluster neighborhoods to cut back on transfers; Tokyo is walkable within zones like Asakusa–Ueno–Akihabara or Meiji Jingu–Harajuku–Omotesando–Shibuya.
• For airport trains and occasional intercity rides, price-check on Trip.com Trains.

Optional cultural add-ons (if your dates align): Tea ceremony in kimono, morning sumo practice in Ryogoku (tournament months in Tokyo are Jan, May, Sep), and seasonal festivals in neighborhood shrines. These enrich a slow itinerary without adding stress.

Need a custom half-day with a local? Consider a private, softly paced overview early in the trip:

Tokyo Customized Private Walking Tour With Local Guide

For flights and any last-minute changes, keep an eye on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com, and for stays, browse Hotels.com Tokyo and VRBO Tokyo.

Summary: Over two unhurried weeks, you’ll see historic Asakusa, electric Shibuya, and peaceful gardens, while eating memorably on a budget and discovering standout coffee. A scenic Mt. Fuji day trip and neighborhood thrift adventures round out a restorative, deeply flavorful Tokyo stay.