Tokyo is a city of exhilarating contrasts: lantern-lit alleys and sky-high observatories, centuries-old shrines and boundary-pushing art. Once the modest Edo fishing village, it flourished into the shogunate’s capital, and today it’s a megacity where ritual meets innovation—tea ceremonies near robotics, kabuki posters under LED billboards.

Travelers come for Senso-ji’s crimson gate, Meiji Shrine’s forested calm, and the controlled chaos of Shibuya Crossing. They stay for the food: charcoal-grilled yakitori in pocket-sized bars, bowls of ramen perfected over decades, and sushi so precise it feels like sculpture. Tokyo rewards curiosity at every corner, from neighborhood kissaten cafés to polished galleries.

Practical notes: You can tap in and out of trains with mobile Suica/PASMO on your phone. Most shops take cards, though small eateries may prefer cash. Etiquette matters—queue neatly, speak softly on trains, and mind “cover charges” (otoshi) in some izakaya. Bring comfortable shoes; you’ll happily rack up the steps.

Tokyo

Tokyo’s districts each hum with a distinct rhythm. Asakusa preserves old Edo spirit around Senso-ji; Ueno parks museums and a lively market; Akihabara dazzles with electronics and anime; Harajuku runs on youth culture and street fashion; Omotesando is Tokyo’s design runway; Shibuya and Shinjuku glow late into the night.

Top sights include Meiji Shrine, the Imperial Palace gardens, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, and contemporary art hubs like the Mori Art Museum and teamLab Borderless (now in Azabudai Hills). Food lovers should plan time in Tsukiji’s Outer Market and backstreet alleys such as Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai.

Dining highlights to seek out: tempura (Asakusa), monjayaki (Tsukishima), unagi (Kandasudacho), soba (Nihonbashi), tonkatsu (Akihabara), and kissaten-style coffee (various). For dessert, try taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes), melonpan, and seasonal parfaits.

Where to stay (central, easy transit):

• Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (Roppongi; peerless views, fine dining) • The Peninsula Tokyo (Marunouchi; refined service, near the Imperial Palace) • Aman Tokyo (Otemachi; serene design, world-class spa).
• Upscale/Family: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (Shinjuku; great transit hub) • Hilton Tokyo Bay (for Tokyo Disney).
• Great value: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla-view rooms, lively area) • Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (steps from Shinjuku Station).
• More options: Browse Hotels.com: Tokyo or apartment stays on VRBO: Tokyo.

Getting there & around:

• Flights: Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: West Coast USA 10–11 hrs; East Coast 13–14 hrs; Sydney 9–10 hrs; Singapore ~7 hrs.
• Airports to city: Haneda to central Tokyo by monorail or Keikyu (~20–35 min, ~¥500–¥700). Narita to Tokyo Station by Narita Express (~60 min, ~¥3,070) or Limousine Bus (~70–90 min, ~¥3,600). Taxis are convenient but pricier.
• Trains/Passes: For Tokyo-only trips, pay-as-you-go IC cards (mobile Suica/PASMO) are easiest. If you’ll add other cities by bullet train, check Trip.com trains for schedules and fares.

Day 1: Arrival, First Tastes of Shibuya

Morning: In transit. Grab a light bite before landing—Tokyo will keep you happily grazing.

Afternoon: Check in and refresh. Ease into the city with a stroll through tree-lined Cat Street from Harajuku toward Shibuya—indie boutiques, small galleries, and cool cafés. Coffee break at Omotesando’s “Bread, Espresso &” (buttery shokupan and lattes) or Blue Bottle Aoyama for clean, bright brews.

Evening: Hit Shibuya Crossing at blue hour, then ride up to Shibuya Sky for wide-angle city views. Dinner nearby: try Han no Daidokoro Bettei (wagyu yakiniku you grill at the table), Nabezo Shibuya (all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu with quality broths), or Ichiran Ramen (customizable tonkotsu in private booths). Nightcap at The SG Club (inventive cocktails) or a standing sake bar along Center-Gai.

Day 2: Temples to Towers with a Private Guide

Morning: Start with kissaten-style coffee and thick-cut toast at Café de L’Ambre or a modern pour-over at Fuglen Coffee Shibuya. Then meet your guide for a customizable city overview: Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day.

Afternoon: With your guide, weave classic stops—Senso-ji’s Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise shopping street, Meiji Shrine’s cedar forest, and the architectural sweep of Omotesando. Lunch options en route: Daikokuya Tempura in Asakusa (light, crisp tendons), or Maisen Aoyama (melt-in-mouth tonkatsu).

Evening: Explore Golden Gai in Shinjuku—tiny themed bars tucked into alleys. Expect a small cover charge and friendly conversation. Dinner beforehand in Omoide Yokocho: yakitori at Torien (charcoal-kissed skewers) or motsunabe (beef offal hot pot) at Nabeuchi. If you prefer a view, book a table at New York Grill (Park Hyatt) and watch the city twinkle.

Day 3: Asakusa, Ueno, and a Hands-On Sushi Class

Morning: Arrive early at Asakusa for Senso-ji before crowds. Snack on a warm melonpan at Asakusa Kagetsudo and taiyaki from Nishikiya. Wander to Sumida Park for Tokyo Skytree views along the river.

Afternoon: Head to Ueno Park for the Tokyo National Museum or the National Museum of Nature and Science. For lunch, try Inshotei (seasonal kaiseki in the park) or head to Ameyoko for street snacks like takoyaki and grilled seafood skewers.

Evening: Learn to craft beautiful sushi at a small studio in historic Asakusa: Sushi Making Tokyo Roll and Authentic Japanese Sushi Class.

After class, stroll to Kappabashi (Kitchen Town) for Japanese knives, ceramics, and coffee gear. Late bite in Akihabara: Tonkatsu Marugo (famed thick-cut pork cutlets) or Kanda Yabu Soba (traditional buckwheat noodles).

Day 4: Harajuku Style, Omotesando Design, and Odaiba Lights

Morning: Visit Meiji Shrine at opening for a tranquil walk through towering cedars. Breakfast nearby at The Roastery by Nozy Coffee (single-origin espressos) or Good Town Doughnuts for a sweet start. Wander Takeshita Street for quirky shops, then detour to Omotesando’s flagship architecture.

Afternoon: Make your way to Azabudai Hills for teamLab Borderless—immersive, ever-shifting digital art rooms. Pre-book tickets, and plan 1.5–2 hours to wander. Late lunch at Omotesando Ukaitei (teppanyaki excellence) or Afuri Harajuku (yuzu-scented ramen, lighter and aromatic).

Evening: Head to Odaiba for bay views. Explore DiverCity’s shops, then dine with a view at bills Odaiba (Aussie-Japanese comfort fare) or Kura Sushi DiverCity (conveyor-belt fun with tablet ordering). End with a ride on the Daikanransha Ferris Wheel or a night photo stop at Rainbow Bridge.

Day 5: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Tour

Join a classic countryside escape: Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train. Expect Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather permitting), Lake Ashi cruise, and Hakone ropeway vistas, then a swift shinkansen return to Tokyo. Typical duration: full day, departing morning and returning early evening.

Pack a light jacket even in summer (mountain weather shifts fast). Back in Tokyo, celebrate with dinner near Shinagawa or Shinjuku: Menya Musashi (rich ramen), Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (stand-up sushi, fast and fresh), or an izakaya like Tsubakiya for otsumami small plates and highballs.

Day 6: Shinjuku Views, Gardens, and a Night of Eating

Morning: Coffee at Blue Bottle Shinjuku (NEWoMan) or Verve Coffee Roasters. Stroll Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden—three garden styles in one, idyllic for photos. If you prefer indoor thrills, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s free observatory offers sweeping vistas.

Afternoon: Browse Isetan’s depachika food hall for edible souvenirs: wagashi sweets, bento, and tea. Pause for lunch at Fuunji (tsukemen dipping ramen) or Ningyocho Imahan (sukiyaki—silky beef with raw egg dip).

Evening: Dive into backstreets with a guided tasting: Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)—a flavorful parade of yakitori, seasonal obanzai, regional noodles, and dessert, with stops you’d likely miss alone.

After, meander through Golden Gai’s bar cluster. Intimate spots like Bar Albatross sparkle with chandeliers and vinyl soundtracks—ask for a house recommendation.

Day 7: Tsukiji Breakfast, Ginza Elegance, and Farewell

Morning: Arrive early to Tsukiji Outer Market for a seafood breakfast: kaisendon (sashimi rice bowls) at Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan, tamagoyaki sticks at Yamacho, and espresso from Turret Coffee. If you’re an early riser on other days, consider a Toyosu Market visit to see the modern wholesale hub.

Afternoon: Stroll the Imperial Palace East Gardens (closed Mondays/Fridays) before heading to Ginza for last-minute shopping. Lunch ideas: Kyubey (classic sushi; reserve), Ginza Kagari (refined tori paitan ramen), or Tonkatsu Aoki. Pick up beautifully packaged sweets at Depachika in Mitsukoshi or Matsuya.

Evening: Departure day—aim to leave central Tokyo 3 hours before an international flight. If time allows, savor one final coffee at About Life Coffee Brewers in Shibuya or Onibus Coffee in Nakameguro, then ride the train to Haneda or Narita with plenty of buffer.

Optional Add-Ons (if you swap a segment):

• Anime and retro gaming deep-dive in Akihabara: themed cafés, Super Potato for retro consoles, and custom keyboard shops.
• Day spa unwind at Spa LaQua (Tokyo Dome City): warm pools, saunas, and a rooftop soak; check tattoo policies.
• Art afternoon in Roppongi: Mori Art Museum plus Tokyo City View for sunset.

Why this 7-day Tokyo itinerary works: It balances classic landmarks, modern culture, hands-on experiences, and neighborhood wandering. You’ll taste widely—from street snacks to teppanyaki—and see broadly, from temple lanterns to skyline decks, with a timeless Mt. Fuji day trip as the scenic centerpiece.

Quick Booking Links: Flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; trains on Trip.com; stays on Hotels.com or VRBO.

At-a-glance food & coffee favorites by area: Asakusa (Daikokuya Tempura, Asakusa Kagetsudo), Ueno (Inshotei), Harajuku (Afuri, Good Town Doughnuts), Omotesando (The Roastery by Nozy Coffee), Shibuya (Han no Daidokoro, Ichiran), Shinjuku (Fuunji, Ningyocho Imahan), Ginza (Kyubey, Kagari), Tsukiji (Itadori, Turret Coffee).

In a week you’ll touch the capital’s full spectrum—shrines and skylines, ramen counters and refined sushi, digital art and riverside strolls—plus the serene slopes of Mt. Fuji. Keep this plan handy; Tokyo rewards a second visit, and you’ll already know how to stitch its neighborhoods into a city you can call your own.