Tokyo is a city of perpetual motion and deep tradition. Once known as Edo, it grew from a samurai stronghold into the world’s largest metropolis, rebuilding after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and WWII to become a global capital of food, fashion, and technology.

Today, the city balances quiet shrines and lantern-lit alleys with cutting-edge art spaces and sky-high observatories. Expect impeccable hospitality, spotless trains, and a culinary scene so rich you could eat a different bowl of ramen every day for years.

Practical notes: Pick up a Suica or PASMO (physical or on your phone) for tap-and-go transport, carry some cash for small eateries, and learn a few phrases—“arigatou” and “sumimasen” go far. For flights, check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com; trains within Japan (including Narita Express) are easy to check on Trip.com trains.

Tokyo

Tokyo rewards curiosity. Wander from the incense curls at Senso-ji in Asakusa to the sacred forest of Meiji Shrine, then let Shibuya’s neon sweep you into the evening. In between, you’ll find third-wave coffee, knife shops dating to the Edo era, and noodle counters with decades-long queues.

Don’t miss: the hyper-visual teamLab Planets in Toyosu, quiet gardens like Hamarikyu, and sundown at Shibuya Sky or Tokyo City View. Food-wise, build your days around sushi breakfasts, yakitori in smoky alleys, and wagyu kissed by binchotan charcoal.

Where to stay (curated picks):

• Splurge: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (Roppongi views, superb spa), The Peninsula Tokyo (Imperial Palace proximity, polished service), Aman Tokyo (zen minimalism, best-in-class wellness).
• Great value: Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (steps from Shinjuku Station, clean and efficient), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (larger rooms, family-friendly).
• Mid-range/scene: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla-head icon, nightlife at your doorstep).
• For Disney days: Hilton Tokyo Bay (resort-style, quick to DisneySea and Disneyland).
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Tokyo or apartment-style options on VRBO: Tokyo.

Day 1: Arrival, Asakusa Atmosphere, and Skytree Views

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Land at Haneda or Narita. From Narita, take the Narita Express to Tokyo or Shinjuku (~55–70 minutes, about ¥3,000)—compare times/fares on Trip.com trains. From Haneda, ride the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho (~20 minutes) or Keikyu Line to Shinagawa, then JR to your hotel.

Evening: Shake off jet lag in Asakusa. Stroll Nakamise-dori to the vermilion Senso-ji; return after dark when lanterns glow. Dinner near “Hoppy Street”: try Daikokuya for crisp, sesame-fragrant tempura donburi; Asakusa Imahan for silky sukiyaki; or izakaya hop for yakitori, karaage, and highballs. Cap the night with a skyline look at Tokyo Skytree from the Sumida River promenade.

Day 2: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku/Omotesando, and Shibuya Nights

Morning: Coffee at Koffee Mameya Kakeru (precision brews) or Onibus Coffee (Okusawa/Nakameguro roastery vibes). Walk the cedar-lined paths to Meiji Jingu, then dip into Harajuku’s Takeshita Street for pop-color crepes. Brunch at Path in Yoyogi-Uehara (cult-favorite Dutch pancake) or Bread, Espresso & for Japanese-French pastries.

Afternoon: Window-shop Omotesando’s architectural flagships, then lunch on yuzu-shio ramen at Afuri Harajuku or tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama (light, flaky crumb). Continue to Shibuya: scramble the famous crossing, browse Tokyu Hands (now “Hands”) and Loft for design-forward stationery, and consider the Shibuya Sky observation deck for golden-hour cityscapes.

Evening: Choose an izakaya in Shibuya’s backstreets: Uobei for fun conveyor-belt sushi; Toriyoshi for charcoal-grilled yakitori; or Niku Yokocho (multi-vendor meat alley) for casual grazing. Nightcap at The SG Club (inventive cocktails) or a mellow pour-over at Fuglen Tokyo.

Day 3: Tsukiji Food Culture, Gardens, and Toyosu Art

Morning: Join a guided tasting at the historic outer market for insider stalls, etiquette, and specialties like tamagoyaki, tuna, and wagashi:

Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

Post-tour, linger for sushi at Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan (seafood bowls) or standing sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi for quick, pristine nigiri.

Afternoon: Walk to Hamarikyu Gardens for a saltwater-pond landscape and matcha in a teahouse. Ferry up the Sumida River to Asakusa, or head to Toyosu for teamLab Planets—barefoot, immersive digital art that delights kids and grown-ups alike.

Evening: Dinner in Ginza: ramen with silky chicken paitan at Ginza Kagari, tempura omakase at Tempura Kondo (book ahead), or classic yoshoku at Shiseido Parlour. For dessert, hunt down seasonal fruit parfaits at Ginza Sembikiya.

Day 4: Old Tokyo, Crafts, and Sumo Culture

Morning: Return to Asakusa to see Senso-ji by daylight, then browse Kappabashi “Kitchen Town” for knives, chopsticks, and artisan tableware. Coffee break at Suke6 Diner (industrial-chic brunch) or Bridge Coffee & Ice Cream along the Sumida.

Afternoon: Dive into sumo culture in Asakusa with a lively, interactive show built around a real dohyo (ring)—you’ll learn rules, history, and enjoy chanko nabe (the wrestlers’ hotpot):

Tokyo Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot and Photo

After, wander Ueno Park’s museums: Tokyo National Museum for samurai armor and ceramics, or the National Museum of Nature and Science for family-friendly exhibits.

Evening: Choose your neighborhood vibe: Yanaka’s old lanes for craft beer at Yanaka Beer Hall and homey izakaya, or Akihabara for retro arcades and anime shops. For dinner, try Kanda Yabu Soba (heritage soba house) or Gyukatsu Motomura (beef cutlet you finish on a hot stone).

Day 5: Full-Day Mount Fuji and Kawaguchiko (Private Car Tour)

Make the most of a day beyond Tokyo with a customizable door-to-door excursion—no train transfers, just scenic stops like Arakurayama Sengen Park’s five-tier pagoda, Oishi Park’s lakeside views, and Oshino Hakkai’s spring-fed ponds. Lunch on hearty hoto noodles (Yamanashi specialty) and, if time permits, soak in a view-on-the-mountain onsen.

Private Mount Fuji Tours with Car Pickup from Tokyo

Expect 9–11 hours round-trip (traffic dependent). If you prefer trains, you can also compare JR or Fujikyu routes to Kawaguchiko on Trip.com trains.

Day 6: Toyosu, Odaiba, Roppongi Art, and a Shinjuku Night Food Tour

Morning: Early birds can visit Toyosu Market (new home of the tuna auction; observation decks open to the public). Coffee and a pastry at Bricolage bread & co. (Roppongi) or Single O Hamacho (specialty roasts) before crossing to Odaiba for seaside promenades and the futuristic Miraikan science museum.

Afternoon: Head to Roppongi Hills for the Mori Art Museum and Tokyo City View. If you’re a design buff, 21_21 Design Sight (near Tokyo Midtown) is a gem for thoughtful exhibitions.

Evening: Eat your way through backstreets with a local host—expect seasonal sushi, wagyu bites, skewers, and sweet endings, plus tips on Golden Gai etiquette after the tour:

Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku - Seasonal Sushi, Wagyu Beef

After, slip into Golden Gai’s tiny bars—each with its own theme—or head to Park Hyatt’s New York Bar for jazz and night views.

Day 7: Daikanyama Strolls, Last-Minute Shopping, and Departure

Morning: Brunch in leafy Daikanyama at Ivy Place (terrace seating) or Daikanyama T-Site’s Anjin Lounge (coffee among books). Browse indie boutiques and lifestyle shops, then swing through Nakameguro’s canal for calm city scenery.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping: Itoya (Ginza) for stationery, Loft for clever home goods, Don Quijote for souvenirs, and Akomeya for premium rice and pantry gifts. Retrieve luggage and depart: allow ~60–75 minutes to Narita (Narita Express) or ~30–45 minutes to Haneda (Monorail/Keikyu + JR). Check schedules and reserve seats on Trip.com trains.

Evening: In transit.

Practical Planning: Getting In, Getting Around, Booking

• Flights: Compare prices and routes (to Haneda for convenience, Narita for more long-hauls) on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Trains: Use Trip.com trains for Narita Express, Shinkansen side-trips, and seat reservations.
• Transit tips: Load Suica/PASMO to your phone (Apple/Google Wallet). Most metros run 5:00–24:00; last trains vary by line.
• Seasonal notes: Cherry blossoms typically late March–early April; autumn foliage mid-November–early December. Book popular dining and experiences several weeks ahead.

Optional Add-Ons (Swap into Any Afternoon/Evening)

• Knifemaking or chopsticks workshops (Asakusa/Shinjuku) for take-home crafts.
• Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs (opened 2024) for a full themed day; pair with Hilton Tokyo Bay.
• Sumo tournament (three times annually in Tokyo). If your dates align, consider upgrading to a tournament viewing tour.

Featured Viator experiences in this itinerary:

• Tsukiji Food & Culture Tour (Day 3)
• Sumo Entertainment Show with Chanko Hot Pot (Day 4)
• Private Mount Fuji Day Tour by Car (Day 5)
• Shinjuku Night Foodie Tour (Day 6)

Seven days in Tokyo will leave you both satisfied and hungry for more—just as the city intends. From shrine stillness to midnight ramen, you’ve sampled the capital’s many layers and carved out your own favorites. Keep this guide handy for your next return; Tokyo always has a new corner to explore.