In one quick week you’ll taste two of East Asia’s stars: Japan’s capital of contrasts—Tokyo—and Taiwan’s laid-back, food-obsessed hub—Taipei. Expect a lively blend of historic shrines and futuristic skylines, ramen counters and night markets, tranquil parks and buzzing arcades.

Tokyo’s story stretches from the shoguns of Edo to postwar pop culture and today’s tech-driven megacity. You’ll wander Asakusa’s Senso-ji, glide through the Ginza, and gaze over Shibuya Crossing—iconic since the 1930s—before flying a short hop to Taipei. There, you’ll hike Elephant Mountain for a Taipei 101 sunset, soak in Beitou’s volcanic scenery, and taste pepper buns hot from the tandoor.

Practical notes: IC cards (Suica/PASMO in Tokyo, EasyCard in Taipei) make subways tap-and-go. Both cities are safe and late-night friendly; cash is still handy for small vendors, though contactless is common. For flights to Asia and the Tokyo–Taipei hop, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Tokyo

Tokyo dazzles with a mosaic of neighborhoods: shrine-dotted Asakusa, sleek Omotesando, anime-bright Akihabara, and the kinetic theater of Shibuya. Food here is a sport—stand-up sushi bars, slurpable tonkotsu ramen, charcoal-kissed yakitori, and buttery wagyu.

Don’t miss contrasts: the incense haze at Senso-ji vs. the mirrored canyons of Ginza, the quiet forest of Meiji Shrine vs. the neon carnival of Kabukicho. For views, Shibuya Sky frames the scramble from the clouds; on the art front, teamLab Planets’ immersive “walk-through water” rooms are a modern sensation.

• Where to stay (Tokyo): Browse apartments and homes on VRBO Tokyo or vetted hotels on Hotels.com Tokyo. For a first visit, base in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza for easy rail connections.
• Getting there: Compare long-haul fares to Tokyo on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Haneda to Shibuya is ~30–45 minutes (¥300–¥500) by rail; from Narita, the Narita Express to Shinjuku/Shibuya is ~60–90 minutes (from ~¥3,000).

Day 1: Arrive Tokyo, Asakusa and Sumida River

Afternoon: Land and drop bags. Head to Asakusa’s Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, via Nakamise-dori for rice crackers and ningyo-yaki cakes. Coffee at Sarutahiko Coffee (smooth house roasts) to fend off jet lag.

Evening: Walk the Sumida River promenade with views of Tokyo Skytree lighting up. Dinner in Asakusa: try Tempura Daikokuya for Edo-style tempura over rice, or Namiki Yabusoba for hand-cut soba. Cap the night at Hoppy Street izakaya row—grilled skewers, oden, and a crash course in Tokyo pub culture.

Day 2: Tsukiji Bites, Ginza Design, teamLab Planets, Shinjuku Night

Morning: Breakfast graze at Tsukiji Outer Market: kaisendon at Nakaya, tamagoyaki-on-a-stick, and seared tuna. Espresso stop at Blue Bottle Coffee Kiyosumi if you detour toward Toyosu.

Afternoon: Head to Toyosu for teamLab Planets (book ahead; from ~¥3,200–¥3,800). Late lunch at Daiwa Sushi (Toyosu Market) if you’re hungry for pristine nigiri. Explore Ginza’s flagship architecture; peek into depachika (basement food halls) for immaculate sweets.

Evening: Shinjuku after dark: yakitori on Omoide Yokocho or a sit-down spread at Torikizoku (good-value skewers). Nightcap in Golden Gai—tiny themed bars with decades of stories; try Bar Albatross for an artful, candlelit vibe.

Day 3: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku/Omotesando, Shibuya Views

Morning: Walk the forested paths to Meiji Shrine. Coffee at Fuglen Tokyo (Scandi-Japanese café) or The Roastery by Nozy on Cat Street. Snack on a Harajuku crepe or croissant taiyaki.

Afternoon: Browse Omotesando’s galleries and design stores, then jump to Akihabara for retro arcades and anime shops or to Ueno Park for the Tokyo National Museum (samurai armor highlights). Lunch ideas: Ichiran (solo-booth tonkotsu) or Han no Daidokoro (A5 wagyu yakiniku) in Shibuya.

Evening: Time the sunset at Shibuya Sky (book online; ~¥2,200–¥2,400). Watch the scramble from above, then descend to people-watch at the crossing itself. Dinner at Nabezo (all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu with premium meats) or a stand-up sushi fix at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi.

Taipei

Taipei blends a mountain-ringed setting with a lifestyle measured in meals and night markets. It’s where temple incense meets bubble tea, where a century of migration shaped beef noodle soup and flaky scallion pancakes, and where an evening “xiao chi” crawl is a civic pastime.

Beyond the city core, volcanic landscapes steam in Beitou, tea terraces blanket Pinglin, and the old mining lanes of Jiufen glow at dusk. Hikes are short and view-rich—Elephant Mountain is the classic postcard of Taipei 101 at golden hour.

• Where to stay (Taipei): Find central stays near Ximending, Zhongshan, or Da’an on VRBO Taipei or compare hotels on Hotels.com Taipei.
• Getting there from Tokyo (Day 4 morning): Fly HND/NRT → TPE (~3–4 hours; door-to-door ~6–7 hours with transfers). One-way fares often range ~$120–$250 on full-service and low-cost carriers. Search options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Fly to Taipei, 101 Views and Night Market Tasting

Morning: Depart Tokyo for Taipei. On arrival, pick up an EasyCard for MRT and buses; Taoyuan Airport MRT reaches Taipei Main Station in ~35–40 minutes (~NT$150).

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Taipei 101 and the Xinyi district. Coffee at Simple Kaffa (World Barista Champion roots; delicate pour-overs) and a quick bite of pineapple cake from a local bakery.

Evening: Join a guided food dive to avoid the tourist traps and hit true local stalls: Taipei Street Food & Night Market Tour with a Local: Private & Custom. Expect pepper buns, oyster omelets, herbal pork rib soup, and mochi-like desserts while learning how to order like a pro.

Day 5: Bike, Palaces, and Beef Noodles

Morning: See the city wake up on two wheels with the 4-Hour Morning Cycling City Tour (incl. breakfast). You’ll stop for a Taiwanese breakfast (think hot soy milk and youtiao) and pedal through historic lanes, markets, and riverside paths.

Afternoon: Visit the National Palace Museum (Ming/Qing treasures; plan 2–3 hours). Tea time at smith&hsu or a traditional brew at a local tea house; try high-mountain oolong and pineapple cakes.

Evening: Dinner at Yongkang Beef Noodle (rich broth, springy noodles) or James Kitchen (homey Taiwanese dishes—wok-fried greens, three-cup chicken). Later, snack through Ningxia Night Market—don’t miss taro fritters stuffed with salted egg yolk.

Day 6: Beitou & Yangmingshan Day Tour

Get out into nature and hot-spring country on the Small-Group: Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei. Expect fumaroles, flower farms in season, and steamy valleys, plus time to soak if conditions permit. It’s a full-day nature reset within easy reach of the city.

Post-tour dinner back in town: try Shin Yeh (refined Taiwanese classics) or head to Raohe Night Market for Fuzhou-style pepper buns baked in a tandoor by the gate, black pepper beef cubes, and medicinal pork ribs soup.

Day 7: Jiufen & Shifen Highlights, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: For a greatest-hits sampler north of Taipei, take the Yehliu & Jiufen & Shifen Day Tour (Departure from Ximending) if your flight is later in the afternoon/evening. You’ll see wind-carved hoodoos at Yehliu, lantern-lit lanes in Jiufen, and the Shifen rail town and waterfall—an unforgettable send-off.

Alternative (if you need to stay central): Coffee at Fika Fika, then souvenir-hop along Dihua Street (tea, dried fruits, artisanal goods). Brunch at Jin Feng for braised pork rice (luroufan) and blanched greens.

Afternoon: Head to Taoyuan Airport via MRT (~35–40 minutes). If you have time before boarding, relax at a paid lounge or shop for sun cakes and nougat candies to bring home.

Food & Coffee Cheat Sheet (Tokyo & Taipei)

• Tokyo coffee: Fuglen Tokyo (Scandi roasts), The Roastery by Nozy (single-origin), Sarutahiko Coffee (balanced blends).
• Tokyo eats: Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (stand-up sushi), Nabezo (shabu-shabu), Ichiran (tonkotsu), Han no Daidokoro (wagyu).
• Taipei coffee/tea: Simple Kaffa (award-winning), Fika Fika (Nordic-style), traditional oolong at local tea houses.
• Taipei eats: Yongkang Beef Noodle, Jin Feng braised pork rice, Shin Yeh for refined Taiwanese, Raohe/Ningxia night markets for street bites.

Logistics & Money Savers

• Transit cards: Suica/PASMO (Tokyo) and EasyCard (Taipei) for subways and convenience stores.
• Data: Airport SIMs/eSIMs are affordable; Wi‑Fi is widespread.
• Tickets: Reserve teamLab Planets and Shibuya Sky in advance; consider weekday slots to avoid crowds.
• Flights: Check multi-city fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; Tokyo → Taipei is commonly ~$120–$250 one-way.

Optional Taipei Tours You Can Swap In

• Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup for a flexible Jiufen/Yehliu/Pingxi combo.

In seven days, you’ll sample Japan’s precision and Taiwan’s warmth—temples, towers, alleyway snacks, and skyline views stitched together by fast, reliable transit. Keep this itinerary handy; it balances must-sees with local flavor and leaves room to personalize with tours and food detours. East Asia will call you back before you’ve even left the airport.