Tokyo is a city of kaleidoscopic contrasts: centuries-old shrines nestled beside glass towers, hushed tea rooms a short walk from roaring arcades, and seasonal flavors that change with the markets. Once Edo, the shogunate’s seat, it became Japan’s modern capital in 1868 and has reinvented itself many times—most recently as a playground of art, design, and cuisine that never stops evolving.

Across seven days you’ll trace a classic arc: Shinjuku’s izakaya alleys and Shibuya’s famous scramble, Asakusa’s lantern-lit Senso-ji, a deep-dive Tsukiji food tour, and a restorative escape to Mt. Fuji and Hakone. You’ll also set aside a day for Tokyo DisneySea—unique to Japan—and time for contemporary art experiences like teamLab.

Practical notes: Pick up a Suica or PASMO IC card for tap-and-go transit (and payments at convenience stores). Most places accept cards, but small cash is handy. Tipping isn’t customary. Keep an eye on seasonal events—sakura (late Mar–early Apr) and autumn foliage (Nov) are spectacular—and remember many top restaurants require reservations.

Tokyo

From dawn sushi to midnight ramen, Tokyo feeds every curiosity. Wander neighborhood by neighborhood—Meiji Shrine and leafy Omotesando, the anime arcades of Akihabara, Sumida River views from Asakusa, and shopping in Ginza. For sky-high perspectives, visit Shibuya Sky, Tokyo Skytree, or classic Tokyo Tower.

Food is the culture here. Start with buttery uni at Tsukiji Outer Market, slurp yuzu-scented ramen at Afuri, try charcoal-grilled yakitori at Bird Land, then seek small, atmospheric izakaya in Shinjuku’s Omoide Yokocho. For coffee, Onibus (Nakameguro) and Fuglen (Tomigaya) are local favorites; for wagashi (traditional sweets), stop in Ginza.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Search Tokyo stays on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Luxury favorites: The Peninsula Tokyo (Imperial Palace views, refined service), The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (towering Midtown panorama), Aman Tokyo (serene minimalism, standout spa).
• Excellent upscale/midrange: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (Shinjuku convenience, family rooms), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (steps from transit), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (the one with Godzilla on the roof).
• For Disney day: Hilton Tokyo Bay (family-friendly, easy park access).

How to get to Tokyo: Book flights on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. From Haneda, take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho (~18 min) or Keikyu Line to Shinagawa; from Narita, use the Narita Express to Shinjuku/Tokyo (~60 min). You can also compare regional trains on Trip.com (trains).

Day 1: Arrival, Shinjuku Orientation, Neon Nights

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a relaxed walk through Shinjuku Gyoen’s landscaped gardens if time allows. Then ride up to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s free observatory for your first city panorama—on clear days, you can spot Mt. Fuji on the horizon.

Evening: Dive into Shinjuku’s food scene. Start in Omoide Yokocho (“Memory Lane”) for smoky, old-timey yakitori skewers at tiny joints like Tachan or Kabuto. For a sit-down meal, Nabezo Shinjuku serves all-you-can-eat wagyu shabu-shabu with impeccable broths; ramen lovers can try Ichiran Shinjuku (individual booths, tonkotsu broth). Cap the night with a stroll through Kabukicho and, if you like craft cocktails, head to The SG Club (playful, award-winning menu) or Bar BenFiddich (aromatic, herb-forward tipples).

Day 2: The Grand Overview — 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

Let an expert guide connect the dots on a full-day circuit of the city’s headline sights, with admissions included and logistics handled. It’s ideal as your first full day to get bearings, tick off top landmarks, and note places to revisit.

Book: 1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

• Typical stops include Meiji Shrine, Asakusa’s Senso-ji and Nakamise-dori, Tokyo Skytree (admission included), and a Tokyo Bay cruise when operating. Many departures add a matcha experience.
• Expect a full day with light walking. Budget for souvenirs and snacks; the tour often includes time to graze in Asakusa.

Dinner ideas after the tour: In Shibuya, Umegaoka Sushi no Midori is beloved for quality-to-price nigiri (arrive early or take a number). Prefer wagyu? Book Yakiniku Ushigoro in Shibuya or Ebisu for beautifully marbled beef grilled at your table.

Day 3: Asakusa, Sumida River Stroll, Ueno Park Museums

Morning: Coffee and a light breakfast at Suke6 Diner in Asakusa (hearty eggs, pastries, good drip coffee). Walk under the giant red lantern of Kaminarimon to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple; browse Nakamise-dori for taiyaki and rice crackers. Slip into the quieter lanes east of the temple for retro cafés and small craft shops.

Afternoon: Follow the riverside path in Sumida Park for skyline views, then ride to Ueno Park. Choose your museum: Tokyo National Museum (samurai armor, Hokusai prints) or the National Museum of Nature and Science. For lunch, try Tempura Daikokuya back in Asakusa (historic, sesame-scented batter) or head to Inshotei in Ueno Park for a refined seasonal set.

Evening: Wander Ameya-Yokocho market street for casual snacks—grilled seafood skewers, gyoza, and izakaya bites. For dinner, Namiki Yabusoba (Asakusa) serves classic soba in a century-old setting; if you crave ramen, try Afuri in Azabu-Juban or Harajuku for bright yuzu-shio bowls. Nightcap at Hoppy Street’s open-air izakaya strip if you’re staying near Asakusa.

Day 4: Tsukiji Market Food Tour, Ginza, and Digital Art

Morning (guided food crawl): Explore the flavors and history of Tokyo’s most famous market district with a local expert.

Book: Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour

• Taste fresh sashimi, tamagoyaki, grilled eel, and matcha; learn market etiquette and vendor lore. Great for understanding seasonal seafood and how locals shop.

Afternoon: Stroll Ginza’s flagship boutiques and design-forward depato food halls. Art lovers: book teamLab Planets in Toyosu (immersive, barefoot digital installations) or visit teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills; both are wildly photogenic and popular—reserve timed slots in advance.

Evening: Dine in Ginza. Bird Land (under Yurakucho) elevates yakitori with precise grilling and sake pairings; for tempura artistry, Tempura Kondo is a benchmark. Sweet finish: seasonal daifuku or dorayaki from a Ginza wagashi shop.

Day 5: Full-Day Mt. Fuji and Hakone Adventure

Trade the city’s pulse for mountain air and volcanic scenery on a guided day trip that hits classic viewpoints and returns to Tokyo by evening.

Book: Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

• Typical highlights: Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather permitting), Owakudani volcanic valley, a Lake Ashi cruise, and a ropeway ride, with a Shinkansen return.
• Bring layers—temperatures around Fuji can be significantly cooler. Clear winter days often yield the sharpest views; spring and autumn add color.

Day 6: Tokyo DisneySea (All Day)

Spend a day at the only DisneySea in the world, a park beloved by locals for its theming, snacks, and seasonal entertainment. It’s a treat for adults and families alike—think Venetian canals, Jules Verne adventure, and dazzling nighttime shows.

Book: Tokyo DisneySea 1-Day Passport

• Arrive at opening; mobile tickets streamline entry. Prioritize headline rides like Journey to the Center of the Earth and Soaring. The new Fantasy Springs area is spectacular—arrive early for access.
• Eat around the park: uni cream croquette buns, gyoza-dog, and popcorn in seasonal flavors. After the park, grab dinner in Ikspiari (shopping/dining complex by Maihama Station) before heading back to the city.

Day 7: Nakameguro and Daikanyama Ease, Departure

Morning: Ease into the day along the Meguro River in Nakameguro—especially lovely with cherry blossoms in spring. Coffee at Onibus (by the tracks) or Switch Coffee; brunch at Ivy Place in Daikanyama (inside T-Site) for airy pancakes or a light Japanese set.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping at Daikanyama T-Site’s curated bookstores and design shops. Pick up train tickets or airport transfers if needed on Trip.com (trains), and check flight details on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Aim for Haneda Monorail or Narita Express with buffer time for security.

Evening: Departure day; if you have a spare hour, swing by a depachika (department store food hall) for beautifully boxed bento and confectionery to take on your journey.

Optional Extras if You Have More Time

• Akihabara for retro game shops and arcades; Kanda for old-school curry houses and bookshops.
• Odaiba’s waterfront promenade and night views; ride the Yurikamome driverless train for skyline photos.
• Observation decks: Shibuya Sky’s open-air platform is thrilling at sunset; Tokyo Tower is nostalgic and glowing at night.

Budget tips: Breakfast from convenience stores (onigiri, yogurt, coffee) is delicious and fast. Lunch sets (teishoku) run ¥1,000–¥1,800; ramen ¥900–¥1,400; midrange dinners ¥3,000–¥6,000. Observation decks vary: Shibuya Sky ~¥2,200; Skytree ~¥1,800–¥3,100 depending on levels. Suica/PASMO daily metro spend averages ¥700–¥1,000 for active sightseeing.

In seven days, you’ve sampled Tokyo’s full spectrum—from incense and lanterns in Asakusa to the glitter of Ginza, from fishmongers’ shouts in Tsukiji to the hush of Meiji’s forest, with Mt. Fuji etched into memory. Consider this your foundation; Tokyo rewards every return with a new neighborhood to love and another bowl of ramen to chase.