Tokyo balances centuries-old tradition with cutting-edge modern life. Edo-period lanes and serene shrines sit quietly behind neon towers and world-class shopping streets, promising a city that can energize or soothe—your choice. Expect meticulously crafted coffee, seasonal cuisine, spotless trains, and an attention to detail that makes even a simple ramen lunch feel special.

Founded as Edo in the 1600s, Tokyo became Japan’s capital in 1868 and has since grown into one of the world’s most visited cities. From the incense-swirled gates of Senso-ji to the reflective calm of Meiji Shrine, spiritual pockets punctuate the urban sprawl. Meanwhile, districts like Ginza, Omotesando, and Daikanyama reward unhurried shopping with elegant boutiques and design-forward bookstores.

Practical notes: pick up a Welcome Suica or PASMO Passport IC card for tap-and-go transit, and carry a small hand towel for spa visits. Many bathhouses require covering tattoos; check policies. Spring and autumn are ideal, but this 7-day Tokyo travel guide works year-round with a flexible, relaxed pace.

Tokyo

Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own tempo. Start in Shinjuku for a skyline of glass, then drift into the tranquil paths of Shinjuku Gyoen. In the east, Asakusa preserves Edo charm with lantern-lit alleys, while the west side’s Daikanyama and Nakameguro invite lingering coffee breaks and leisurely browsing.

• Top sights to savor slowly: Meiji Shrine’s forested approach, Senso-ji’s temple grounds, the landscaped gardens of Hamarikyu and Shinjuku Gyoen, and the riverside strolls of Nakameguro.
• Shopping with style: Ginza Six and Mitsukoshi for refined finds; Omotesando’s tree-lined avenue for Japanese designers; Daikanyama T-Site for magazines, art books, and vinyl; Kappabashi “Kitchen Town” for knives and ceramics.
• Coffee and treats: Onibus Coffee (Nakameguro) for single-origin espresso, The Roastery by Nozy Coffee (Cat Street) for small-batch pours, Blue Bottle Aoyama for cleanly roasted cups, Glitch Coffee (Kanda) for light roasts, and Fuglen (Tomioka/Asakusa area outposts) for Nordic-style brews.
• Spas to decompress: Thermae-Yu (Shinjuku) with silky baths and rotenburo; Spa LaQua (Tokyo Dome City) with mineral-rich pools, saunas, and relaxation lounges.

Where to stay (mid-range focus, with a few splurges):

• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku – Excellent value near Shinjuku Station; compact, comfortable rooms with easy airport and JR access.
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku – Modern rooms and the iconic Godzilla terrace atop Kabukicho; surprisingly quiet interiors.
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo – Larger rooms, multiple restaurants, and good club lounge options in Nishi-Shinjuku.
• The Peninsula Tokyo – Refined luxury opposite the Imperial Palace; superb spa and afternoon tea.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo – Panoramic views from Midtown Tower; elegant bar scene and serene pool.
• Aman Tokyo – Minimalist sanctuary with a sublime spa and soaring lobby; a wellness dream.
• Hilton Tokyo Bay – Practical if you add a Disney day; resort-style rooms and bay views.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Tokyo | VRBO: Tokyo

Getting there and around:

• Flights: Compare fares to Haneda (HND, closer) and Narita (NRT) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Airport to city: From Haneda, Keikyu or Monorail to central Tokyo in ~20–30 minutes (~¥300–500). From Narita, Keisei Skyliner to Ueno in ~41 minutes (~¥2,570) or JR Narita Express to Tokyo/Shinjuku in ~60–90 minutes (~¥3,070–3,250). Taxis: ~30–45 minutes from Haneda, ~60–90 from Narita (traffic-dependent).
• Trains: Use IC cards (Welcome Suica/PASMO Passport) on JR and subways. For regional trains and shinkansen searches in Japan, see Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, Shinjuku Unwind, and Comfort Food

Afternoon: Land, check in, and take a gentle walk through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden—a pocket of quiet lawns, teahouses, and maple-shaded paths. If you prefer a quick caffeine reset, stop at Fuglen Coffee Roasters (Shinjuku area outpost) for a light-roast pour-over or a cardamom bun.

Evening: Keep dinner soothing and satisfying. Try Tonkatsu Maisen (Aoyama Honten) for melt-in-the-mouth kurobuta pork cutlets, or Tsunahachi Shinjuku for crisp, sesame-scented tempura sets. For a low-key nightcap with skyline views, slip into a high-floor hotel bar in Nishi-Shinjuku and watch the city lights ripple.

Day 2: Slow Tokyo Essentials with a Private Guide

Morning: Start at Meiji Shrine, walking the cedar-scented approach to the main hall. Nearby, browse Omotesando’s design stores and dip into The Roastery by Nozy Coffee on Cat Street for single-origin espresso and soft-serve affogato.

Afternoon: See highlights at an easy pace on the Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide—customize stops like Senso-ji, Shibuya Crossing, or the Imperial Palace gardens to your interests. Expect context-rich stories, efficient routing, and photo tips.

Book: Tokyo 6hr Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide

Evening: Ease into the night with a restorative soak at Thermae-Yu in Shinjuku—indoor and outdoor baths, carbonated tubs, and quiet lounges (note tattoo policies and small extra fees for towels). Dinner nearby: Udon Shin for chewy house-made noodles with tempura, or Nabezo (Shinjuku) for shabu-shabu with vegetables at your own pace.

Day 3: Old Tokyo Calm—Asakusa, Kappabashi, and Yanaka

Morning: Begin in Asakusa before crowds, strolling through the lanterned Kaminarimon gate to Senso-ji. Grab breakfast at Suke6 Diner (hearty eggs, pancake stacks) or a strong flat white at TURRET COFFEE, known for rich espresso and industrial-chic vibes.

Afternoon: Walk or hop a short train to Kappabashi “Kitchen Town” to browse Japanese knives, donabe pots, and beautiful ceramics—perfect, packable souvenirs. Continue to Yanaka Ginza, one of the few areas to survive the war, for retro-cute shopping streets, taiyaki snacks, and a slow ramble around Yanaka Cemetery’s tranquil paths.

Evening: Dine in Ueno or Asakusa. Consider Tempura Daikokuya for tendon bowls lacquered with sweet sauce or Innsyoutei inside Ueno Park for seasonal kaiseki in a wooden pavilion. Cap the day with a gentle stroll around the Shinobazu Pond boardwalks.

Day 4: Full-Day Mt. Fuji & Hakone—Scenery and Soothing Vistas

Trade the city buzz for mountain air on the Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train. Typical itineraries include Mt. Fuji 5th Station (weather-permitting), Lake Ashi views, and Owakudani’s volcanic valley, with a sleek shinkansen ride back to Tokyo in the evening. It’s a stress-free way to witness Japan’s most iconic peak without managing transfers.

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

Budget tip: lunch is often optional—pack onigiri and fruit from a Tokyo convenience store for a light, picnic-style meal. Expect ~11–12 hours door-to-door; wear layers and comfortable shoes.

Day 5: Omotesando, Aoyama, and Shibuya + Dinner Cruise

Morning: Sip a delicate pour-over at Blue Bottle Aoyama or sample flight tastings at GLITCH Coffee (Kanda) if you’d like a flavor-nerd deep dive. Stroll Omotesando’s zelkova-lined boulevard, ducking into Omotesando Hills for design-forward boutiques and Japanese labels.

Afternoon: Wander Cat Street toward Shibuya, browsing indie shops and stationery stores. For lunch, consider AFURI’s yuzu-shio ramen (bright, citrusy broth) or Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi) for a quick, affordable nigiri set. If you’d like a perch above the scramble, time an observation-deck visit before sunset.

Evening: Drift along illuminated waterways on a Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner Cruise, a tradition dating back to the Heian era. You’ll enjoy a multi-course meal, free-flow drinks, and views of Rainbow Bridge and the skyline—an effortlessly calming night.

Book: Tokyo Bay Yakatabune Dinner Cruise

Day 6: Daikanyama & Nakameguro—Design, Bookstores, and a Spa Night

Morning: Take it slow in Daikanyama. Start with a flat white at Ivy Place (breakfast until late morning) or a cappuccino at Onibus Coffee across the canal in Nakameguro. Linger at Daikanyama T-Site, a magazine, photobook, and vinyl wonderland that feels more like a cultural salon than a store.

Afternoon: Stroll the Meguro River promenade and browse minimalist homeware shops and tiny galleries. Lunch options: Ume no Hana for delicate tofu kaiseki, or Pizzeria e Trattoria da ISA (if you crave a break from Japanese food) for award-winning Neapolitan pies.

Evening: Restore at Spa LaQua near Tokyo Dome City—natural hot spring baths, aroma saunas, stone relaxation zones, and quiet reading corners. Dine nearby or return to Shinjuku for a comforting bowl at Menya Shichisai (handmade noodles, shoyu broth) before turning in early.

Day 7: Tsukiji Tastes, Ginza Finds, and Departure

Morning: Join the Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour to taste grilled tuna skewers, sweet egg omelets, and market-fresh snacks while learning culinary lore from a local guide. Pair with a cortado at TURRET COFFEE or a matcha latte at a nearby tea stand.

Book: Tsukiji Food and Culture Walking Tour

Afternoon: Make final purchases in Ginza: artisanal wagashi sweets, incense, or a well-balanced petty knife. Lunch suggestions: Sushi no Midori (value omakase; go early for a number) or a refined teishoku at a basement-level shokudo. Transfer to the airport: ~20–30 minutes from central Tokyo to Haneda; ~60–90 minutes to Narita. Check fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com if continuing your journey.

Evening: Flight day—keep it light. If time allows, unwind with a matcha parfait in Ginza before heading to your gate.

Optional Swap: A Guided Taste of Shinjuku at Night

If you’d like one more guided experience centered on food, consider swapping in this evening tour for Day 2 or Day 5:

Optional: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)

Budget & pacing tips (50/100 budget, relaxing vibe): Lean on set lunches at quality restaurants for value, and try standing sushi or depachika (department-store food halls) for excellent, affordable meals. Use IC cards for transit, and cluster sights by neighborhood to minimize transfers. For spas, bring your own small towel and toiletries if you like; it can shave small rental fees.

This itinerary pairs Tokyo’s soothing side—gardens, coffee, and onsen—with light, purposeful sightseeing. From Asakusa’s temple bells to Daikanyama’s design corners and a cathartic Fuji day, you’ll leave rested, well-fed, and inspired to return.