Tokyo layers 400 years of Edo history beneath a skyline of glass and light. From the incense-fragrant Senso-ji Temple to the kinetic spectacle of Shibuya Crossing, the city juxtaposes meditative gardens with cutting-edge culture. Food is a way of life here, and even station basements (depachika) are culinary wonderlands.

Fun facts: Hachiko, Shibuya’s faithful dog, waited at the station for nine years for his owner. The Sumida River’s fireworks tradition dates to the 18th century. And in spring, cherry trees turn parks into soft-pink theaters for hanami picnics.

Practical notes: Cash is still useful, but cards and mobile pay are widely accepted. Pick up a Welcome Suica/PASMO for transit. Haneda is the easiest airport for central Tokyo, and rail is often faster than taxis. Expect pristine streets, punctual trains, and an unrivaled safety record—perfect for late-night ramen runs.

Tokyo

Tokyo rewards curiosity. Duck into lantern-lit alleys for yakitori smoke and local chatter, then resurface to a 45th-floor skyline bar. Shop vintage in Shimokitazawa, design-forward in Omotesando, and culinary gadgets along Kappabashi “Kitchen Street.” When you need a breather, stroll the Imperial Palace East Gardens or the cedar-scented paths of Meiji Shrine.

• Top sights: Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Skytree views, teamLab Planets (immersive digital art), Ueno’s museums.
• Hiking & greenery: Mount Takao, Todoroki Valley ravine walk, Shinjuku Gyoen’s manicured calm, Odaiba Seaside Park boardwalk.
• Shopping: Ginza (flagships like Itoya, MUJI, UNIQLO), Omotesando (architecture + boutiques), Akihabara (electronics/anime), Ameyoko market, Nakano Broadway (retro), Shimokitazawa (thrift).

Where to stay (mid-range budget friendly):

• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku — Steps from Shinjuku Station; compact rooms, great value, easy airport access.
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku — The “Godzilla Hotel” with modern rooms and superb nightlife access.
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo — Bigger rooms and amenities; good for families or longer stays.
• Splurge-worthy: The Peninsula Tokyo, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, Aman Tokyo.
• Apartments: Browse vetted options on VRBO Tokyo or deals on Hotels.com Tokyo.

Getting in and around:

• Flights: Compare fares to Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 10–12h from US West Coast, 13–14h East Coast, 12–14h Europe (1 stop common), 7h Singapore, 9–10h Sydney. Economy often ranges $700–$1,300 depending on season.
• Airport to city: Haneda Monorail to Hamamatsucho (~20 min, ~¥500–700). Narita Express to Tokyo/Shinjuku (~60–90 min, ~¥3,070). Keisei Skyliner to Ueno (~41 min, ~¥2,570). Limousine Bus is easy with luggage (~¥3,000+).
• Trains: For intercity ideas beyond this trip, see Trip.com Trains.

Day 1 – Arrival, Shinjuku introduction, and skyline views

Afternoon: Land, check in, and refresh. If you’re in Shinjuku, decompress at Shinjuku Gyoen (formal French, English, and Japanese gardens; ¥500) before the commute rush fades.

Evening: Head up the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory for a dusk panorama. Dinner in Omoide Yokocho’s tiny yakitori joints (try chicken tsukune and shishito peppers). Prefer something roomier? Torikizoku (budget-friendly yakitori chain) or Menya Musashi for rich ramen. Nightcap at Golden Gai’s minuscule bars—ask hosts about cover before entering.

Day 2 – Asakusa roots, Ameyoko market, Akihabara—and a customizable city tour

Morning: Asakusa’s Senso-ji: pass under Kaminarimon’s giant lantern, browse Nakamise-dori for ningyo-yaki (bean-filled cakes) and hand fans. Coffee and melonpan at Asakusa Kagetsudo. Walk the Sumida River promenade for Skytree views.

Afternoon: Ueno Park museum-hop (Tokyo National Museum or Ueno Zoo), then graze Ameyoko market—dried fruit stalls, street yakitori, discount sneakers. Late-afternoon electronics and retro games in Akihabara; try gyukatsu (breaded beef cutlet) at Gyukatsu Motomura or classic soba at Kanda Yabu Soba.

Evening: Let a pro streamline your first full day with a tailored tour that can connect Asakusa, Ueno, and Akihabara efficiently:

Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day — choose your sights, explore with context, and save transit time.

Post-tour dinner near Akihabara: curry rice at Go! Go! Curry or tempura over rice (tendon) at Tendon Kaneko Hannosuke (hearty, affordable).

Day 3 – Meiji Forest, Harajuku and Omotesando design, Shibuya after dark

Morning: Slip into Meiji Jingu’s cedar paths and shrine rituals (purification fountain, offer a coin and bow). Brunch nearby: bills Omotesando (Aussie-style pancakes) or Harajuku Gyoza-ro (pan-fried dumplings). Coffee at Koffee Mameya or Blue Bottle Omotesando.

Afternoon: Trend-hop: Takeshita Street (crepes at Marion or Santa Monica), Omotesando’s flagship architecture (Prada, Tod’s), Cat Street’s indie boutiques. If you crave noodles, Afuri’s yuzu-shio ramen is bright and refreshing.

Evening: Shibuya. Meet Hachiko, then watch the famous scramble from the magnetically photogenic crossing. For a paid view, Shibuya Sky (from ~¥2,200) times golden hour perfectly. Dinner options: Umegaoka Sushino Midori (value sushi; expect a wait), Nabezo Shabu-Shabu (all-you-can-eat Wagyu and veg), or Uobei for high-speed conveyor fun. Drinks in Nonbei Yokocho’s lantern lanes or at rooftop bars above Shibuya Station.

Day 4 – Day Trip: Mt. Fuji and Hakone (nature, lakes, and hot springs)

Spend a full day tracing the outline of Fuji-san and the volcanic landscapes of Hakone—great for your hiking spirit without complex logistics. This popular, well-paced option includes a bullet-train return.

Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train — Fuji 5th Station (weather permitting), Lake Ashi cruise, Owakudani’s steaming vents, then zip back to Tokyo by shinkansen.

Pack layers (mountain weather swings), bring water, and consider a light trail walk if time allows. Back in town, a late casual dinner near your hotel: 7-Eleven’s surprisingly excellent onigiri and soups, or Isetan Shinjuku’s depachika for take-home bento.

Day 5 – Hike Mount Takao, soak, and an unforgettable sumo evening

Morning: Train from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi on the Keio Line (~50–55 min; ~¥400–470). Choose Trail 1 for shrine gates and viewpoints, or ride the cable car (round-trip ~¥950) and hike the summit loop. Clear days offer a Fuji cameo.

Afternoon: Reward yourself at Keio Takaosan Onsen Gokurakuyu (tattoos policies vary; check on arrival). Lunch on mountain soba with wild vegetables or tororo (grated yam). Return to Shinjuku and browse the Isetan food hall for wagashi sweets and matcha.

Evening: Dive into Japan’s national sport in an intimate, lively setting:

Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show & Experience with Photo — get close to wrestlers, learn rules and rituals, and snap a keepsake photo.

Post-show dinner: Omoide Yokocho round two, or curry at Niigata-style Tsubame Sanjo curry shop near West Exit (thick, comforting).

Day 6 – Toyosu/Tsukiji flavors, Ginza flagships, and a Shinjuku food crawl

Morning: Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market—tamago-yaki skewers, charcoal-grilled oysters, and a counter-sushi set. Espresso at Turret Coffee (rich, roasty). Walk to Hamarikyu Gardens for tidal ponds framed by skyscrapers.

Afternoon: Ginza shopping: Itoya (12 floors of paper and pens), MUJI and UNIQLO global flagships, Dover Street Market for curated fashion. For lunch, tonkatsu at Maisen Ginza or tempura at Tenkuni. If art calls, pop into the small but thoughtful Ginza galleries.

Evening: Eat like a local through alleyways and izakaya counters on a small-group tasting run in Shinjuku:

Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries) — an efficient way to try regional specialties you might not order solo.

After, cap the night at a standing sake bar around Kabukicho’s calmer edges, or a jazz kissaten in Golden Gai.

Day 7 – Imperial Gardens, last-minute gifts, and departure

Morning: Stroll the Imperial Palace East Gardens (free; closed Mon/Fri) for stone ramparts and koi ponds. Then raid Tokyo Station’s Character Street and Ramen Street—giftable snacks at Daimaru’s depachika above the platforms. Coffee at GLITCH Kanda if time allows.

Afternoon (departure): Retrieve bags and head to the airport. Narita Express from Tokyo Station (~60 min) or Haneda Monorail via Hamamatsucho (~20–30 min). Grab on-the-go ekiben (station bento) for one last taste of Tokyo on the ride out.

Dining short list by area (save for later)

• Asakusa: Sometaro (showa-era okonomiyaki you cook at the table), Asakusa Kagetsudo (giant melonpan), Namiki Yabusoba (classic Edo soba).
• Shinjuku: Menya Musashi (ramen), Nabezo (shabu-shabu), Isetan depachika (bento, wagashi, fruit sandwiches).
• Shibuya/Harajuku: Afuri (yuzu ramen), Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi), Harajuku Gyoza-ro (gyoza).
• Ginza: Kyubey (sushi, book far ahead), Tenkuni (tempura), Maisen (tonkatsu), Itoya café for a quiet break.

Shopping cheat sheet

• Ginza: High-end fashion, design, and the marvelous Itoya stationery tower.
• Omotesando/Cat Street: Designer flagships and indie labels amid striking architecture.
• Shimokitazawa: Tokyo’s thrifting heart; vintage denim, records, cozy cafés.
• Akihabara & Nakano Broadway: Anime, figures, retro games, camera gear.
• Kappabashi “Kitchen Street”: Knives, ceramic tableware, and those photogenic fake-food samples.

Budget tips for a mid-range (50/100) spend

• Mix quick lunches (¥800–1,200) with one splurge dinner (¥6,000–12,000). Department-store food halls are quality and cost-effective.
• Get a transit IC card and aim for 2–4 neighborhood clusters per day to cut backtracking.
• Observatories: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is free; pay for one premium view (e.g., Shibuya Sky) instead of several.

Optional add-ons (time permitting): teamLab Planets (Toyosu; ~¥3,800–4,500), Ghibli Museum (advance tickets mandatory), Todoroki Valley mini-hike in Setagaya, Odaiba’s seaside sunset.

Alternate/extra tour ideas that fit your interests:

• Prefer a private driver rather than walking? Consider a customizable car tour for a mobility-easy day: Private and Customisable Tokyo Tour with English Driver-guide (alternative to Day 2’s walking tour).

As of March 2025: venues and prices are current; hours may adjust seasonally or on holidays—check day-of.

Booking shortcuts

• Hotels: Hotels.com Tokyo | VRBO Tokyo
• Flights: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com
• Trains (Asia): Trip.com Trains

For another hands-on culinary experience, schedule a sushi-making class on a free afternoon:

Sushi Making Tokyo Roll and Authentic Japanese Sushi Class — a fun souvenir of skills you’ll bring home.

Note: If you add the sushi class above, swap it into Day 3 afternoon in place of Cat Street, or Day 6 morning instead of Tsukiji.

Seven days in Tokyo gives you time to savor contrasts: shrine stillness and street-food bustle, designer flagships and flea racks, mountain air and neon nights. With this route, you’ll hit the classics, hike a summit, eat widely, and shop smart—at a comfortable, mid-range pace. Bookmark this guide; it’s designed to be your on-the-ground companion.