Tokyo layers centuries of history beneath its skyline: from Edo-period shrines and lantern-lit alleys to mirrored towers and whisper-quiet subway platforms. Samurai once walked the grounds where the Imperial Palace now stands; today, cutting-edge art museums, Michelin ramen, and otaku culture thrive side-by-side.

Expect contrasts at every turn. You’ll watch incense drift through Asakusa, then time your pulse with Shibuya’s famous scramble. Savor melt-in-your-mouth sushi for breakfast at Tsukiji, then wander into an immersive light universe at teamLab Borderless by night.

Practical notes: Tokyo’s trains are punctual and clean—get a Suica or PASMO (mobile versions work on most smartphones). Cash is still useful at markets, but cards are widely accepted. Spring and autumn are mild; summer is humid; winter is crisp and clear—perfect for Mount Fuji views.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods: shrine-dotted Harajuku, smart-and-stylish Ginza, retro Asakusa, and skyscraper-splashed Shinjuku. Its dining scene spans standing sushi bars to wagyu temples, with craft coffee and kissaten (old-school cafes) fueling your mornings.

Top highlights include Meiji Jingu’s forested paths, the kinetic theater of Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji’s crimson gate, and observation decks like Shibuya Sky and Tokyo Skytree. Art lovers should add teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills; it’s an immersive, ever-shifting digital wonderland.

• Where to stay (affiliate): Browse stays on VRBO Tokyo or Hotels.com Tokyo. Favorites: The Peninsula Tokyo (imperial views, stellar service), The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (sky-high Midtown luxury), Aman Tokyo (serene ryokan-meets-modern minimalism), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla-topped, right in the action), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (value near transport), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (family-friendly, pools), and Hilton Tokyo Bay (for Tokyo Disney).
• Getting there (affiliate): Compare flights to Tokyo on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. HND is closer to the center (20–30 minutes to Tokyo Station); NRT is ~60 minutes by train.
• Airport to city: From Haneda: Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho (~20 min) or Keikyu Line to Shinagawa (~15–20 min). From Narita: Keisei Skyliner to Ueno (~41 min) or Narita Express to Tokyo/Shinjuku (~60–70 min). For intercity trains and regional day-trip tickets, see Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Imperial Tokyo, and Ginza Bites

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs in the Imperial Palace Outer Gardens—broad gravel paths, black pine trees, and a postcard view of the Nijubashi Bridge. Step into Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi side to admire its red-brick facade and the KITTE rooftop garden for skyline snaps.

Evening: Wander Ginza, Tokyo’s high-design district. Dinner ideas: Warayakiya Ginza for Kochi-style straw-seared bonito (smoky, theatrical), Tempura Kondo for delicate, seasonal tempura (reserve ahead), or Sushi no Midori Ginza for generous cuts at friendly prices. Nightcap at PETER: The Bar in The Peninsula with views over Hibiya Park.

Day 2: Tokyo’s Greatest Hits by Deluxe Coach (Full-Day Tour)

See the city’s essentials in one curated sweep—great for your first full day. Expect stops such as Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji in Asakusa, a matcha tasting, and entry to Tokyo Skytree or a Tokyo Bay ferry (seasonal). Hotel pickup options and English guidance keep it easy.

1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour (Viator)

Food tips: If lunch isn’t included, try Asakusa Kagetsudo for warm melonpan (sweet bread) or Daikokuya Tempura (since 1887) for a tempura rice bowl. After the tour, stroll Ameyoko market near Ueno for street snacks and izakaya energy.

Day 3: Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shibuya at Sunset

Morning: Start at Meiji Jingu, a cedar-scented sanctuary. Coffee at Fuglen (Norwegian roasts, vintage vibe) or Little Nap Coffee Stand by Yoyogi Park. Browse Takeshita-dori (quirky fashion) and stroll Omotesando’s architect-designed boutiques.

Afternoon: Lunch on Afuri’s yuzu-shio ramen (bright citrus broth) or Luke’s Lobster Omotesando for a quick roll. Walk Cat Street toward Shibuya; pop into Shibuya Parco for art and streetwear. Reserve late-afternoon tickets for Shibuya Sky—a dramatic, open-air rooftop with 360° city views.

Evening: Cross the famous Shibuya Crossing, a neon spectacle that’s been an icon since the 1930s. Dinner options: Han no Daidokoro (A5 wagyu you grill yourself), Nabezo Shibuya (shabu-shabu/sukiyaki sets), or fun conveyor-belt bites at Uobei. Drinks at The SG Club (award-winning cocktails) or in lantern-lit Nonbei Yokocho.

Day 4: Asakusa Traditions, Sumida River Strolls, and Sumo Culture

Morning: Explore Senso-ji—enter through the Kaminarimon Gate and browse Nakamise-dori for crafts and ningyo-yaki (filled sponge cakes). Breakfast at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku (Tokyo’s oldest onigiri shop) or Suke6 Diner for hearty plates and excellent coffee.

Afternoon: Walk the Sumida Park riverfront with views of Tokyo Skytree. Visit the Sumida Hokusai Museum to see Great Wave-era prints. Sweet stop: Asakusa Naniwaya for taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes) baked to an old recipe.

Evening: Dive into sumo heritage in nearby Ryogoku. This interactive show features demonstrations, Q&A, and photos—plus a hearty chicken hot pot, the wrestler’s classic training dish.

Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show Experience with Photo and Drinks (Viator)

Post-show dinner in Ryogoku: try Chanko Tomoegata for chanko-nabe in a sumo-themed setting, or hop back to Asakusa for Hoppy Street yakitori stalls.

Day 5: Tsukiji Market, Stylish Ginza, and teamLab Borderless

Morning: Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market: queue for Sushi Zanmai Honjin or nibble your way through tamagoyaki skewers, fresh oysters, and tuna katsu sandwiches. Coffee at Turret Coffee—a tribute to the market’s iconic carts.

Afternoon: Wander Ginza’s flagship stores and architecture (Ginza Six rooftop garden is a quiet perch). Drop by the Kabukiza Gallery for costumes and stage sets if you’re curious about kabuki theater.

Evening: Head to Azabudai Hills for teamLab Borderless, the city’s dazzling digital art maze of color, light, and sound. Dinner after at Toritama (yakitori parts menu for enthusiasts) or Ishikawa in Kagurazaka (sublime kaiseki; book early). Late drink at Bar Benfiddich in Shinjuku—herbal, apothecary-style cocktails.

Day 6: Shinjuku Parks, Skyscrapers, and a Night of Tokyo Eats

Morning: Stroll Shinjuku Gyoen, a blend of Japanese, English, and French gardens—magnificent in cherry blossom and autumn foliage. Coffee at Blue Bottle Shinjuku or Paul Bassett (Australian barista legend).

Afternoon: Browse Don Quijote for quirky souvenirs and explore the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for a free observation deck. If rain hits, duck into Omoide Yokocho’s covered alleys for skewers and atmosphere.

Evening (tour): Taste Tokyo on a guided small-group crawl—13 dishes across four local eateries, from yakitori to regional specialties—perfect for decoding the city’s menus and customs.

Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries) – Viator

After the tour, wander Golden Gai, a warren of tiny bars each with a distinct theme; many welcome visitors with a small cover charge.

Day 7: Mount Fuji and Hakone Adventure (Full-Day Tour with Shinkansen Return)

Trade neon for nature: visit Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station (weather permitting), cruise or ropeway around Hakone, and return to Tokyo on the bullet train. It’s a crowd-pleasing, worry-free day with logistics handled.

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

Food tip: Try black eggs boiled in Owakudani’s sulfur springs (said to add seven years to your life), and in Hakone-Yumoto, grab onsen manju (sweet buns) for the train home.

Day 8: Kamakura & Enoshima Day Trip (Temples, Sea Breezes, and Surf Cafes)

Morning: Take JR from Shinjuku/Shibuya to Kamakura (about 60–75 minutes; ~¥1,000–1,200 one way—check Trip.com Trains). Visit Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and the bamboo grove at Hokokuji (quiet tea hut for matcha).

Afternoon: See the bronze Great Buddha (Daibutsu) at Kotoku-in and stroll to Hase-dera for ocean views. Lunch near the beach: Bills Shichirigahama (ricotta hotcakes, seaside terrace) or Good Mellows (juicy burgers, surfer vibe).

Evening: Detour to Enoshima for sunset from the Sea Candle lighthouse, then ride back to Tokyo. Late ramen near your hotel: Ichiran (custom spice charts) or Rokurinsha at Tokyo Station for thick, umami-rich tsukemen.

Day 9: Daikanyama, Nakameguro, and Departure

Morning: Luggage with hotel concierge. Coffee crawl through Daikanyama and Nakameguro: Onibus Coffee (single-origin pour-overs), Blue Bottle Nakameguro along the canal, and boutique browsing at Tsutaya T-Site (a cathedral for book lovers).

Afternoon: Last-minute souvenirs on Kappabashi Kitchen Street (artisan knives, chopsticks, beautiful ceramics). Quick lunch options: TsuruTonTan (bowls of silky udon), Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama (lean rosu or fatty hire cuts), or Uoriki Kaisen Sushi in Shibuya for a final sushi fix.

Evening: Depart for your airport: budget ~45–75 minutes depending on airport and line. If Haneda, aim for the Monorail or Keikyu; for Narita, consider the Skyliner or Narita Express. Pick up ekiben (station bento) for the ride—teriyaki salmon or wagyu over rice travels well.

Optional Add-Ons and Swaps

• Prefer a private, customizable city day? Try a licensed guide to tailor neighborhoods and hidden gems to your interests: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour (Viator) (alternate to Day 2).

  

• Theme parks: Tokyo Disney Resort near Hilton Tokyo Bay is a straightforward train ride.
• Art & design: Nezu Museum (traditional garden), Mori Art Museum (contemporary shows), and boutique galleries in Roppongi/Daikanyama.

Bookings and Practicalities

• Hotels (affiliate): Check live deals at Hotels.com Tokyo or VRBO Tokyo. Consider The Peninsula Tokyo, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, Aman Tokyo, Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo, and Hilton Tokyo Bay.
• Flights (affiliate): Compare prices on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. Consider flying into HND for shorter transfers.
• Trains (affiliate): For shinkansen, regional trains, and day-trip fares, see Trip.com Trains.

Another Can’t-Miss Experience (Optional Swap): Shibuya Street Photography

Capture your Tokyo moment at the world’s busiest crossing. Short, pro-led shoots nail timing and angles—perfect if you’d like a frame-worthy souvenir.

Private Photoshoot at Shibuya Crossing Tokyo (Viator)

Trip Summary: In nine days, you’ll taste Tokyo from every angle—historic temples, sky-high observatories, alleyway izakaya, and avant-garde art—plus a dramatic day with Mount Fuji. With smart bases, easy rail links, and a few curated tours, you’ll cover more than most travelers while still savoring the details that make Tokyo unforgettable.