Few cities reinvent themselves like Tokyo. Once called Edo, the shogunate’s powerhouse blossomed into a megacity where centuries-old shrines and lantern-lit alleys sit comfortably alongside LED-lit avenues and avant-garde architecture. The 1964 and 2020 (held in 2021) Olympics accelerated its bold transformation without erasing the rituals that shape daily life.

Expect contrasts at every turn: a quiet bow at Meiji Shrine, a kaleidoscope of crossings in Shibuya, and a bowl of ramen so focused it feels like a ceremony. Food is a national sport here—sushi before sunrise, tempura at lunch, yakitori smoke curling through a tiny backstreet at night.

Practical notes: Cashless is widespread, but a little yen helps at mom-and-pop spots. No tipping. For trains, load a Suica/PASMO (physical card or on Apple/Google Wallet). Cherry blossoms (late Mar–early Apr) and autumn foliage (Nov) are peak seasons—book early.

Tokyo

Tokyo rewards curiosity. Start with the spiritual calm of Meiji Jingu, weave through Harajuku’s fashion streets, and watch the city exhale at sunset from a high-rise observatory. In Asakusa, incense curls around Senso-ji’s scarlet gates; in Ginza, craftsmanship and calm rule the boutiques and cocktail bars. At night, Shinjuku’s neon canopy hums with izakayas pouring highballs and grilling skewers.

• Iconic sights: Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo National Museum, Roppongi Hills Observatory, Odaiba’s bayfront skyline.
• Neighborhoods to savor: Shinjuku’s nightlife corridors, Daikanyama’s boutiques, Nakameguro’s canals, Yanaka’s “old Tokyo” lanes, Akihabara’s electric arcades.
• Dining highlights: Tsukiji outer market bites, tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama Honten, ramen at Fuunji (tsukemen), yakitori in Omoide Yokocho, sushi at Kyubey or Sushino Midori.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (Roppongi): Sky-high views from Tokyo Midtown Tower; refined rooms and a stellar bar for sunsets.
• Aman Tokyo (Otemachi): Zen minimalism, onsen-style baths, and a hushed, ultra-private feel near the Imperial Palace.
• The Peninsula Tokyo (Hibiya/Ginza): Classic service, direct Ginza access, and a superb afternoon tea.
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Kabukicho): Fun Godzilla theme touches and easy nightlife access.
• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku: Reliable, efficient base steps from Shinjuku Station.
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (Nishi-Shinjuku): Big rooms by Tokyo standards and family-friendly amenities.
• Hilton Tokyo Bay (Tokyo Disney Resort): Ideal for a DisneySea day, large rooms and resort pool.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Tokyo or apartments on VRBO Tokyo.

Getting to/around Tokyo:

• Search flights to HND/NRT on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Airport to city: From Haneda, Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho (~13 min, ~¥500) or Keikyu to Shinagawa, then JR to your stop. From Narita, Narita Express to Tokyo/Shinjuku (~55–70 min, ~¥3,070) or Keisei Skyliner to Ueno (~41 min, ~¥2,570). Check schedules on Trip.com Trains.
• Prefer a private ride (great with luggage or kids): Narita Airport(NRT) Private Transfer To/From Tokyo (up to 5 people; typical one-way price around ¥23,800).

Food and coffee short list:

• Coffee: Glitch Coffee (Kanda) for light roasts; Fuglen (Tomigaya) for Nordic-style brews; Verve (Shinjuku) inside the station complex; Onibus (Nakameguro) by the tracks.
• Breakfast: bills (Omotesando) for ricotta hotcakes; Boul’ange (Ginza) for buttery viennoiserie; Asakusa Kagetsudo for warm melonpan.
• Lunch: Maisen Aoyama Honten (tonkatsu), Tendon Makino (tempura bowls), Udon Shin (Shinjuku) for silky udon, Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi) for quick, fresh bites.
• Dinner: Fuunji (tsukemen) or Kagari (tori paitan) for ramen; Kyubey (Ginza) or Sushino Midori (Ginza/Shibuya) for sushi; Teyandei (Nishi-Azabu) for creative izakaya; Nabezo (Shinjuku) for shabu-shabu.

Day 1: Arrival, Hibiya to Ginza Glow

Afternoon: Arrive and check into your hotel. If you’re near Hibiya/Ginza, stroll Hibiya Park’s ponds, then window-shop along Chuo-dori. Pop into Itoya for elegant stationery and Uniqlo Ginza’s multi-floor fashion maze.

Evening: Ease into Japan with an izakaya dinner—think shared plates, skewers, and highballs. Try Teyandei (Nishi-Azabu) for refined small plates or Uoshin (Aoyama) for seasonal sashimi and sake. Cap the night with a classic cocktail at Bar High Five (Ginza)—precision and hospitality in a glass.

Day 2: Shinjuku, Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, and Shibuya

Morning: Coffee at Verve Shinjuku, then wander Shinjuku Gyoen’s manicured lawns and teahouse paths. Ride up to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory (free) for Mt. Fuji views on clear days.

Afternoon: Walk to Meiji Shrine through the cedar forest, a quiet counterpoint to nearby fashion. Peek down Takeshita-dori for teen trends, then cruise Omotesando’s flagship architecture. Lunch at Maisen Aoyama Honten (juicy tonkatsu on fluffy rice) or Afuri (yuzu-scented ramen).

Evening: Cross into Shibuya at blue hour. Meet Hachiko, then take on the choreographed chaos of Shibuya Crossing. Book a short, pro Private Photoshoot at Shibuya Crossing Tokyo—you’ll get swoon-worthy travel portraits in minutes.

After, graze Nonbei Yokocho’s snug bars or dine at Umegaoka Sushino Midori (generous cuts at friendly prices).

Day 3: Asakusa, Ueno Park, and Sumo Night in Ryogoku

Morning: Start with melonpan from Asakusa Kagetsudo and stroll Nakamise-dori’s traditional snack stalls toward Senso-ji’s Thunder Gate. Light incense, draw an omikuji fortune, and photograph the five-story pagoda. Coffee break at Glitch (Kanda) before heading north.

Afternoon: Explore Ueno Park: Tokyo National Museum for samurai armor and Buddhist sculpture; or Ameya-Yokocho market for street snacks. If skies are clear, ride to Tokyo Skytree for vast Kanto views.

Evening: Head to Ryogoku, the heart of sumo. Book the immersive Tokyo Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot and Photo, where former wrestlers demonstrate techniques and serve hearty chanko-nabe—sumo stew traditionally eaten in training stables.

After, amble the Sumida River promenade back toward Asakusa’s glowing temple.

Day 4: Tsukiji Market Bites, Kappabashi Tools, and Ginza Evenings

Morning: Meet your guide for the Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour, sampling market classics—tamagoyaki omelets, grilled scallops, and pristine sashimi—while learning about Japan’s seafood traditions.

Swing by Kappabashi “Kitchen Street” afterward for hand-forged knives and photogenic plastic food models.

Afternoon: In Ginza, browse Muji’s flagship and Dover Street Market’s curated fashion floors. If you prefer contemporary art, head to Roppongi’s Mori Art Museum and rooftop for skyline shots.

Evening: Dine at Kyubey (elegant sushi) or Kagari (silky chicken paitan ramen) just off Ginza’s main drag. Nightcap at tender-lit Bar Orchard (Shibuya) or the masterful stir of Bar TENDER (Ginza). Keep it unhurried—bartending here is performance art.

Day 5: Full-Day Mt. Fuji & Hakone Adventure

Trade neon for nature on the Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train. A deluxe coach runs to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station for close-up views (weather permitting), followed by Hakone’s volcanic landscapes, Lake Ashi, and often a ropeway ride over steaming vents. Return to Tokyo in sleek style on the Shinkansen. It’s the classic day trip: efficient, scenic, and story-packed.

Day 6: Odaiba Bay Views, Akihabara Arcades, and Shinjuku Nightlife

Morning: Head to Odaiba for sweeping Rainbow Bridge views and futuristic malls. teamLab Planets (Toyosu) is an immersive digital art experience—barefoot rooms, mirrored water, and sensor-lit flowers. Book timed tickets in advance.

Afternoon: Dive into Akihabara’s retro game shops, maid cafés, and multi-floor arcades. For a calmer slice of “old Tokyo,” detour to Yanaka for wooden houses, shrines, and kissaten coffee at Kayaba Coffee.

Evening: Back in Shinjuku, explore Omoide Yokocho’s smoky yakitori lanes or Golden Gai’s micro-bars (some charge a small cover). Dinner ideas: Nabezo for shabu-shabu, Fuunji for rich dipping noodles, or Udon Shin for creamy carbonara-style udon. End at Park Hyatt’s New York Bar for live jazz and city lights.

Day 7: Daikanyama, Nakameguro, and Departure

Morning: Brunch in Daikanyama—bills for pancakes or a bakery run at Ivy Place’s T-Site complex. Stroll the leafy lanes to Nakameguro, tracing the canal and peeking into indie boutiques.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in Shibuya’s Hikarie or Parco, then pick up wagashi sweets or beautifully boxed snacks at depachika food halls (Tokyu Food Show is a favorite). Depart for the airport—Monorail/Keikyu for Haneda; Narita Express or Skyliner for Narita; or book the private transfer if you prefer door-to-door ease.

Optional Swap: Sumo Tournament or Extra Food Tour

If you’re visiting during a Grand Sumo Tournament (Jan, May, Sep in Tokyo), consider ticketed viewing for a riveting cultural spectacle. Food lovers can also add an evening crawl—think yakitori, oden, and sake—instead of a museum session.

Another excellent add-on (choose one during your week): If you’re keen on guided tastings after dark, swap an evening for this foodie favorite: Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day—tailored to your tastes, from hidden bars to historic backstreets.

Good to know: For character go-karting through Shibuya, ensure you have a valid home-country license plus an International Driving Permit and follow all local regulations.

Summary: In one week, you’ll bow at ancient gates, taste Tokyo’s markets and Michelin-worthy counters, and ride a bullet train back from the shadow of Mt. Fuji. This itinerary balances neighborhoods and nuance so you leave with both the headline sights and the little moments that make Tokyo unforgettable.