Tokyo is a marvel of contrasts: thousand-year-old temples nestled beneath glass towers, lantern-lit alleyways near high-fashion avenues, and sushi breakfasts followed by robot cafes. Once a modest Edo village, it swelled into the seat of the shogunate and then the modern capital—reinventing itself after fires, quakes, and war to become a global capital of design, dining, and pop culture.

Expect seamless transit, spotless streets, and a dining scene that spans Michelin-star kaiseki to stand-and-savor sushi bars. Dive into districts with distinct personalities—tranquil Meiji Jingu under whispering cedars, or Shibuya’s scramble, a neon theater of modern life. Tokyo rewards curiosity: peek down an alley, climb to an observation deck, or step into a pocket-sized bar for stories you’ll never forget.

Practical notes: most shops take cards, but many ramen and izakaya use ticket machines—carry some cash. Pick up a Welcome Suica or load Suica/ICOCA onto your phone for tap-and-go transit. Spring and autumn are mild; summer is humid; winter crisp and clear (great for Mt. Fuji views). Reserve popular restaurants and museum tickets in advance.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a constellation of villages—each its own world. Asakusa preserves Edo-era spirit around Senso-ji; Ueno brims with museums; Harajuku shapes street style; Ginza polishes luxury; Shinjuku and Shibuya pulse late into the night. Food here is a devotion: ramen shops with hour-long queues, sushi artisans who perfect the cut, and wagashi confections that look like jewels.

• Top sights: Senso-ji Temple, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Skytree, Shinjuku Gyoen, Imperial Palace East Gardens, teamLab Planets, Odaiba Bayfront, Tokyo National Museum.
• Neighborhood vibes: Golden Gai’s tiny bars, Omotesando’s modernist architecture, Ameyoko’s lively street market, Yanaka’s old-town alleys, Daikanyama’s design-forward boutiques.
• Eat & drink: Slurp tsukemen at Fuunji, yuzu ramen at Afuri, tempura at Daikokuya, tonkatsu at Maisen, and late-night yakitori in Omoide Yokocho. Cocktails at Bar Benfiddich or Bar High Five are world-class.

Where to stay: For convenience and night life choose Shinjuku or Shibuya; for upscale shopping and easy airport access choose Ginza; for family-friendly stays near Disney go bayside. Browse stays on Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, Aman Tokyo, and family-favorite Hilton Tokyo Bay. Or search broadly: Hotels.com: Tokyo | VRBO: Tokyo.

Getting there & around: Compare flights on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: 10–12h from the U.S. West Coast, 13–14h from the East Coast, 7–8h from Southeast Asia, 12h from Australia’s east. From Haneda to central Tokyo: 20–40 minutes (~¥500–¥700) by monorail/JR or Keikyu. From Narita: 50–60 minutes (¥3,200) by Narita Express. For regional trains in Japan, check Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Shinjuku Skyline, and Lantern-Lit Alleys

Afternoon: Land, drop bags, and stretch your legs at the free observatories of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building—clear days reveal Mt. Fuji. Coffee at Fuglen Shinjuku for Nordic roast or grab a matcha soft-serve at Nanaya Shinjuku, famed for intensely rich green tea gelato.

Evening: Dive into Omoide Yokocho (“Memory Lane”) for smoky yakitori and sake. Try Torien for skewers or Kabuto for eel specialists if you can snag a seat. Nightcap in Golden Gai, a maze of ~200 micro-bars—friendly picks include Bar Albatross (vintage chandeliers) and Deathmatch in Hell (rock anthems, no cover).

Where to sleep: Walkable Shinjuku bases: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla-view rooms), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (spacious, good for families), or value-forward Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku.

Day 2: Asakusa’s Old Tokyo and Skytree Heights

Morning: Start at Turret Coffee in Tsukiji for thick “turret latte,” then ride to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Stroll the Nakamise arcade for ningyo-yaki cakes and taiyaki. For brunch, line up at Daikokuya (feather-light tempura) or savor sukiyaki at Asakusa Imahan—a Meiji-era classic.

Afternoon: Walk the Sumida River promenade to Tokyo Skytree. Shop Japanese lifestyle brands at Solamachi and sample seasonal wagashi. Pause at Kappabashi “Kitchen Town” for knives and beautiful ceramics.

Evening: Eat chanko-nabe (sumo stew) in nearby Ryogoku at Tomoegata or Chanko Kirishima. If you’re curious about sumo culture, consider a future day for a practice-viewing or themed show (book ahead during tournament months). End with craft beer at Sumida Brewing.

Day 3: Imperial Gardens, Ginza Style, and a Cocktail Masterclass

Morning: Breakfast at Tamagoya in Tsukiji Outer Market (pillowy tamagoyaki) or queue for a sushi set at Sushi Zanmai Tsukiji Main. Wander the Imperial Palace East Gardens, where stone ramparts hide quiet ponds and irises.

Afternoon: Window-shop Ginza: flagship boutiques, Muji global store, and the Ginza Six rooftop garden. Slurp silky chicken-paitan ramen at Ginza Kagari or opt for tendon bowls at Kaneko Hannosuke in nearby Nihonbashi.

Evening: Dine on teppan at Misono Ginza (inventors of teppanyaki steak) or try Uogashi Nihon-Ichi standing sushi for fast, top-quality nigiri. Finish with world-class cocktails at Bar High Five—bartenders tailor drinks to your palate.

Day 4: Harajuku, Omotesando, and the Shibuya Scramble

Morning: Find calm at Meiji Jingu, then graze Harajuku: a crepe from Santa Monica Crepes or a pastry at Dominique Ansel Bakery. Coffee pilgrims should not miss Koffee Mameya (barista-guided tasting) or Onibus Coffee in nearby Nakameguro.

Afternoon: Admire Omotesando’s architecture, from Tadao Ando’s Omotesando Hills to Prada’s crystalline facade. Lunch on crispy tonkatsu at Maisen Aoyama Honten, then roll into Shibuya for the famed Scramble Crossing and the Shibuya Sky observatory for panoramic photos.

Evening: Explore Nonbei Yokocho’s lantern-lit bars or head to Uobei (conveyor sushi fun) with kids. For ramen, try Ichiran (customizable bowls) or smoky niboshi broth at Nagi Golden Gai. Late-night vinyl vibes await at DJ Bar Bridge overlooking the scramble.

Day 5: teamLab Planets, Toyosu Fish Market, and Odaiba Bay

Morning: Arrive early to Toyosu Market (peek at the tuna auction from viewing windows) and breakfast on pristine nigiri at Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi (expect queues). Then immerse yourself in interactive art at teamLab Planets TOKYO—wade through water and digital lilies; book timed tickets in advance.

Afternoon: Head to Odaiba for the life-size Unicorn Gundam statue at DiverCity, the seaside promenade, and science fun at Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation). Coffee with Rainbow Bridge views at Bills Odaiba or sweets at Gram Cafe.

Evening: Try Tokyo’s comfort-food pancake cousin, monjayaki, on Tsukishima Monja Street—order mixed seafood or mentaiko-cheese and cook it at the table. Cap the night with a bay cruise view or a stroll over the illuminated Rainbow Bridge.

Day 6: Ueno Museums, Ameyoko Eats, Yanaka Old Town, and Akihabara

Morning: Wander Ueno Park, visiting the Tokyo National Museum (samurai armor, ukiyo-e) and the serene Shinobazu Pond. Coffee at Park Side Café or beans-to-cup at Glitch Coffee & Roasters nearby.

Afternoon: Snack along Ameyoko Market—try takoyaki stands, Niku no Oyama menchi-katsu, and fresh fruit skewers. Then slip into timeworn Yanaka Ginza for cat-themed souvenirs and croquettes from Niku no Suzuki.

Evening: In Akihabara, browse retro game shops and model stores. Dinner at Tonkatsu Marugo (juicy, perfectly fried) or slurp shoyu ramen at Ramen Jiro Akihabara for a cult-level experience. Consider a themed cafe for a lighthearted dessert and photos.

Day 7: Mt. Fuji & Hakone Day Trip

Morning: Trade city lights for mountain air on a guided day trip that covers the Fuji 5th Station and Hakone highlights—transport and logistics handled, so you just enjoy the views.

Suggested tour: Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train. Typical inclusions: Lake Ashi cruise, Owakudani volcanic valley, and a Shinkansen ride back to Tokyo. Expect 10–11 hours door to door.

Afternoon: Warm up with black-egg snacks (boiled in sulfur springs) in Owakudani and sip onsen-steamed sweets. Snap Fuji reflections on clear days at Lake Ashi.

Evening: Return by bullet train. Back in Tokyo, celebrate with tsukemen at Fuunji (Shinjuku)—their fish-meal-tinged broth is deeply savory. For a quieter option, enjoy seasonal kaiseki at Ginza Kojyu if you’ve reserved.

Day 8: Tokyo DisneySea or Disneyland—A Day of Imagineering

Morning: Ride JR Keiyo Line to Maihama Station (about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station). Disney fans rave about Tokyo DisneySea—unique to Japan—with Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, and high-theater shows. Eat a Japanese-style breakfast bun at Mamma Biscotti’s Bakery.

Afternoon: Don’t miss Journey to the Center of the Earth, Toy Story Mania, and Soaring. Snack on alien mochi and black pepper popcorn. For lunch, try Magellan’s (grand dining room) or casual Japanese curry at Casbah Food Court.

Evening: Stay for the lagoon show and twinkling harbor views. If you prefer to be nearby, overnight at Hilton Tokyo Bay. Otherwise, return to the city for an izakaya spread at Izakaya Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu (grilled skewers, tempura, and soba in a lively setting).

Day 9: Daikanyama, Nakameguro, and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Ivy Place (pancakes and airy terrace) by Daikanyama T-Site, a design-forward bookstore complex worth a wander. Coffee aficionados can add Onibus Nakameguro or Blue Bottle Nakameguro along the Meguro River.

Afternoon (departing): Pick up last-minute artisanal gifts at Okura (indigo-dyed clothing) or ceramics in CLASKA Gallery & Shop “DO”. Head to the airport with buffer time: Haneda is ~30–45 minutes, Narita ~50–60 minutes by rail. If you’re traveling elsewhere in Japan next, browse schedules on Trip.com Trains and compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Upgrades & Book-Ahead Experiences

Food lovers (Shinjuku):

• Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)—a guided hop through hidden izakaya and noodle shops; come hungry.

Hands-on culture (Asakusa):

• Sushi Making Tokyo Roll and Authentic Japanese Sushi Class—master rice seasoning, knife basics, and roll beautiful temari.

See more in less time (city highlights):

• Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide—customize a route to match your interests, from temples to towers.

Hotel picks at a glance: splurge on skyline serenity at Aman Tokyo or The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo; classic luxury by the gardens at The Peninsula Tokyo; stylish midrange at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku; family-friendly near Disney at Hilton Tokyo Bay. Broaden your search on Hotels.com or VRBO.

This 9-day Tokyo itinerary threads together the city’s greatest hits—Senso-ji, Shibuya Crossing, teamLab, and Ginza—with deep-cut food finds, neighborhood wanders, and a Fuji-side escape. Expect vivid memories: lantern glow on old lanes, the hush of shrine forests, and that first perfect bite of tuna at breakfast.

Come for the bucket-list icons; leave with a pocketful of small moments—steam rising from a ramen bowl, a bartender crafting a drink just for you, and the city skyline blinking like a constellation as your plane lifts away.