Tokyo’s story arcs from Edo-period shoguns to a metropolis of Michelin sushi and manga cafés. War and renewal reshaped the city after 1945, but neighborhood identities remained: Asakusa preserves old-town spirit while Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Roppongi roar with LED energy and late-night eats.

What draws travelers most is contrast. You’ll wash hands at a 7th-century temple, then sip single-origin coffee steps away; savor kaiseki artistry at lunch and slurp yuzu-kissed ramen at midnight. Parks, rivers, and gardens soften the skyline, and on clear days Mt. Fuji crowns the horizon.

Practical notes: Trains are punctual and cashless payments are widely accepted (mobile Suica/PASMO work on most phones). Cherry blossom season (late March–early April) and autumn foliage (Nov) are peak times; reserve hotels early. Many restaurants are small—arrive early or expect short waits.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a city of districts, each with a flavor. Asakusa’s lantern-lit Senso-ji is Tokyo’s most visited temple, while nearby Kappabashi sells chef-grade knives and ceramics. Shibuya’s scramble crossing is a kinetic postcard; minutes away, Daikanyama’s leafy streets slow the pulse.

Food is the city’s heartbeat. Breakfast on melonpan in Asakusa, lunch on tonkotsu near Akihabara, then share skewers in Golden Gai’s snug bars. Seek out ramen styles (shio, shoyu, tonkotsu, and citrusy yuzu ramen), wagyu yakiniku, and counter-seat sushi that’s both art and craft.

• Top sights: Senso-ji, Meiji Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo Skytree views, Odaiba Bay, teamLab art, Imperial Palace gardens.
• Neighborhood strolls: Yanaka’s retro lanes, Omotesando’s architecture, Kichijoji’s Inokashira Park, Ameyoko market’s hustle.
• Dining pockets: Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai (Shinjuku), Nonbei Yokocho (Shibuya), Tsukishima for monjayaki, Ebisu for yakitori and craft beer.

How to get to Tokyo: Compare flights on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: West Coast USA ~11–12h, East Coast ~13–14h (1 stop common), Singapore ~7h, Sydney ~9–10h.

Airport to city: From NRT, the Keisei Skyliner is ~41 min to Ueno (about ¥2,570) or JR Narita Express ~60 min to Tokyo Station (about ¥3,070). From HND, Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho is ~20–25 min, or Keikyu Line to Shinagawa in ~15–20 min. For intercity trains and select rail tickets in Japan, compare on Trip.com Trains.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (Roppongi Hills views, sky-high spa, refined dining)
• The Peninsula Tokyo (Imperial Palace-side elegance, spacious rooms, top-tier service)
• Aman Tokyo (serene design, ryokan-caliber spa, hushed luxury above Otemachi)
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (fun Godzilla-head terrace, steps to nightlife)
• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (value, transit convenience, clean and comfy)
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (spacious rooms, family-friendly, easy access)
• Hilton Tokyo Bay (for Tokyo Disney days, resort-style amenities)
• Browse more stays: VRBO Tokyo | Hotels.com Tokyo

Day 1: Arrival, Imperial Tokyo, and a Ginza Welcome

Afternoon: Land and check in. Stretch your legs around the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens and Nijubashi Bridge; the broad moats and stone ramparts hint at Edo’s long reign. Pop into Marunouchi Brick Square for a coffee at Maruyama Coffee or Streamer Coffee Company to shake off jet lag.

Evening: Glide into Ginza’s polished avenues. For dinner, try Kagari’s silky tori-paitan ramen (light, chicken-based broth), or reserve counter seats at Sushi no Midori for generous nigiri without a blowout bill. Cap the night at Ginza’s rooftop terraces or take the short hop to Shibuya to witness the famous scramble crossing and, if time permits, ride up to an observation deck for city lights.

Day 2: Old Tokyo—Asakusa, Ueno Park, and Yanaka Lanes

Morning: Grab warm melonpan at Asakusa Kagetsudo, then enter Senso-ji through Kaminarimon Gate with its giant lantern. Browse Nakamise-dori for hand fans and rice crackers; slip to the quieter Denboin-dori for Edo-style craft shops. Coffee break at FUGLEN Asakusa for Norwegian-style roasts.

Afternoon: Walk or hop a short train to Ueno Park. Choose a museum (Tokyo National Museum for samurai armor and ukiyo-e, or the National Museum of Nature and Science). Lunch at Innsyoutei in the park for seasonal bento with pond views, or slurp classic soba at Kanda Yabu Soba. Wander Ameyoko market’s bargain arcades, then continue to Yanaka Ginza’s retro shotengai for taiyaki and cat-themed curios.

Evening: Return to Asakusa for dinner at Daikokuya (Tokyo-style tendon—tempura over rice with a sweet-savory glaze). If you like casual, Hoppy Street’s tiny izakaya serve skewers and stews; order nikomi (miso-simmered beef tendon) and a highball. Stroll the Sumida River promenade for Skytree night views.

Day 3: Markets to the Bay—Tsukiji Eats, Gardens, and Roppongi Night

Morning: Join a guided tasting through the storied outer market.

Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

Sample tamagoyaki, tuna cuts, and steaming miso soup while learning how Tsukiji fed the city for decades. Between bites, pick up a Japanese knife or ceramic soy pourer as a practical souvenir.

Afternoon: Walk to Hamarikyu Gardens for tidal ponds framed by skyscrapers. Then head to Odaiba’s waterfront for a breezy bay stroll and futuristic architecture. Coffee at Little Darling Coffee Roasters en route, or seaside gelato once you reach the island.

Evening: Dinner in Roppongi: try Gyukatsu Motomura (beef cutlet you finish on a hot stone) or Tsurutontan for ultra-wide udon bowls. For art, explore the Mori Art Museum’s rotating exhibits, then toast the skyline at a cocktail bar overlooking Tokyo Tower.

Day 4: Meiji Forest, Harajuku Trends, and Shinjuku Izakaya Night

Morning: Enter the hushed gravel paths of Meiji Shrine, a cedar-scented sanctuary dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Coffee at KOFFEE MAMEYA Kakeru (beans explained with sommelier-level care) or grab a buttery croissant at Path nearby.

Afternoon: Contrast Takeshita Street’s pop fashion with Omotesando’s modernist architecture. Lunch at Afuri for yuzu-shio ramen or Harajuku Gyoza-ro for crisp pan-fried dumplings. Continue to Shinjuku Gyoen’s lawns and teahouses—one of the city’s finest garden escapes.

Evening: Tuck into Tokyo’s after-dark heart with a guided food crawl.

Best of Shinjuku: Izakaya Food Tour (4 Stops, 14+ Tastings)

Navigate Omoide Yokocho and backstreet counters with a local, sampling yakitori, karaage, and regional pickles with sake or highballs. After, peek into Golden Gai’s tiny themed bars for a nightcap.

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

Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

Ascend to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station (weather permitting), cruise Lake Ashi, and ride the Hakone Ropeway over volcanic Owakudani. Return to Tokyo by shinkansen—a thrill and a time-saver. Tip: Bring layers—the mountain can be chilly even in summer—and some cash for shrine charms and snacks.

Day 6: Akihabara Gadgets, Kanda Shrines, and Kichijoji Evenings

Morning: Start with a pour-over at GLITCH Coffee & Roasters (Kanda), then dive into Akihabara’s multistory electronics stores and retro game shops. If you’re curious, pop into a themed café for a uniquely Tokyo experience.

Afternoon: Lunch on award-loved tonkatsu at Marugo (juicy, panko-crisped pork cutlets) or try Menya Musashi for a rich ramen. Visit Kanda Myojin Shrine—popular with tech workers and anime fans—then train to Kichijoji for a lakeside paddle at Inokashira Park.

Evening: Dinner at Iseya (old-school yakitori near the park) or Harmonica Yokocho’s micro-bars for sake flights and small plates. If you’ve still got energy, head back toward Shinjuku for live jazz at Pit Inn or a quiet cocktail bar.

Day 7: Sumo Morning, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Witness wrestlers’ discipline up close in Tokyo’s sumo heartland of Ryogoku.

Tokyo Sumo Morning Practice Tour at Stable

Guides explain rituals while you observe training from close range—silent attention is required out of respect. After, nibble chanko-nabe (sumo hot pot) if time allows.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in Shibuya (LOFT for gifts, Mega Don Quijote for snacks and souvenirs) or refined stationery at Ginza Itoya. Quick lunch options: Udon Shin (handmade noodles, Shinjuku), Maisen Aoyama (lean vs. fatty tonkatsu cuts). Depart for the airport—aim to board trains 3–3.5 hours before an international flight.

Evening: If your flight is later, slip in a final treat: matcha parfaits at Kagurazaka Saryo or a quick conveyor-belt sushi fix. Then roll to NRT/HND via your chosen rail line or airport bus. For any last intercity tickets or airport rail comparisons, check Trip.com Trains.

Local dining cheat sheet (save for later):

• Ramen: Afuri (yuzu-shio), Ichiran (solo booths, tonkotsu), Menya Musashi (hearty, modern).
• Sushi: Sushi no Midori (value omakase), Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi, fast and fresh).
• Izakaya: Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku), Nonbei Yokocho (Shibuya), Harmonica Yokocho (Kichijoji).
• Sweets & coffee: FUGLEN, GLITCH, Turret Coffee; melonpan at Kagetsudo; matcha confections at Nanaya.

Getting around: Buy a 24/48/72-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket if you’ll ride often, or load mobile Suica/PASMO on your phone. Most inner-city hops are 10–25 minutes; Google Maps and station signs are bilingual. Taxis are safe and card-friendly; late-night surcharges apply.

Ready to book flights? Compare fares and routes on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. For trains within Japan—including airport expresses and shinkansen day trips—use Trip.com Trains. For stays, check availability at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, The Peninsula Tokyo, or browse Hotels.com Tokyo and VRBO.

In one week, you’ll trace Tokyo’s arc from incense and woodblock prints to LED towers and late-night noodles. With thoughtful pacing and a Fuji-side adventure, this itinerary balances must-sees with delicious detours. Come hungry, travel light, and leave room in your bag for ceramics and green tea.