Tokyo is a city where 17th-century shrines and cutting-edge design coexist without blinking. The old shogun capital, Edo, became modern Tokyo after the Meiji Restoration, and today it’s a metropolis of 37 million where quiet alley shrines hide behind skyscrapers and ramen steam curls under neon.

Expect spotless trains, vending machines for everything, and culinary depth ranging from humble onigiri to sushi temples. Tipping isn’t customary; cash plus a Suica/PASMO card will take you far. Spring brings cherry blossoms, summer festivals pulse late, autumn glows gold, and winter skies are crisp and clear for Mt. Fuji views.

This 7-day Tokyo itinerary blends iconic sights, neighborhood wandering, food markets, and a day trip to Mt. Fuji and Hakone. You’ll balance temple mornings and museum hours with izakaya nights, plus a sumo experience and immersive digital art. Arrive Day 1 afternoon; depart Day 7 afternoon.

Tokyo

Tokyo dazzles with distinct neighborhoods: Asakusa’s lantern-lit Senso-ji, Omotesando’s architecture, Shibuya’s kinetic crossing, and Shinjuku’s skyscrapers and late-night lanes. Food is a highlight—ramen, tempura, yakitori, wagyu, monjayaki—each neighborhood has a signature.

Don’t miss viewpoint horizons at Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Skytree, calm forest paths at Meiji Shrine, and the retro lanes of Yanaka. Reserve digital art tickets early (teamLab Planets Toyosu) and consider a guided day to stitch the city’s vastness into a story.

• Where to stay: Search stays on VRBO Tokyo or Hotels.com Tokyo. Great picks: The Peninsula Tokyo (Imperial Palace views, central for Ginza/Marunouchi), The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo (sky-high Midtown Tower luxury), Aman Tokyo (zen minimalism, stellar spa), Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla-head views, nightlife at your door), Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (value + transit), Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (family rooms, free shuttle to Disney), and Hilton Tokyo Bay (for Disney days).
• How to get there: Compare flights on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From Haneda: 20–30 minutes to central Tokyo via Keikyu or Monorail+JR (~¥500–¥700). From Narita: JR Narita Express to Tokyo Station ~55 minutes (~¥3,000) or Keisei Skyliner to Ueno ~41 minutes (~¥2,600). For intercity trains within Japan, check Trip.com Trains.
• Good to know: Load Suica/PASMO (including on Apple/Google Wallet) for trains and convenience stores. Many eateries are cash-friendly; some small bars have cover charges. Reserve popular restaurants and museums in advance.

Day 1: Arrival, Shibuya Energy, Tokyo Night Views

Afternoon: Land and check in. Shake off jet lag in Shibuya: watch the famous crossing from the second-floor windows of the scramble-side buildings and explore Center Gai’s side streets. Coffee fix at Fuglen Shibuya (Norwegian-style roasts) or citrusy-yuzu style ramen at Afuri Harajuku nearby.

Evening: Grab standing sushi at Uogashi Nihon-Ichi Shibuya (fast, fresh, affordable) or queue for conveyor-belt hits at Katsu Midori in Mark City. Time a sunset slot at Shibuya Sky for 360° panoramas of Tokyo’s lights and, on clear days, Mt. Fuji ghosting the horizon. Nightcap at Nonbei Yokocho, a miniature alley of bars from another era; expect small covers and intimate vibes.

Day 2: Markets, Temples, and Skytree Sparkle

Morning: Start with a guided tasting at Tsukiji’s outer market—the city’s pantry for generations. Join the Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour for insider stalls and seasonal bites.

Afternoon: Head to Asakusa for Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Stroll Nakamise shopping street for ningyo-yaki cakes and fans, then slip into backstreets for okonomiyaki at Sometaro (tatami floors, you griddle your own) or classic tempura at Daikokuya, a local institution since the 19th century.

Evening: Walk the Sumida River promenade and cross to Tokyo Skytree Town for shopping and views. For dinner, try Yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) at Gyukaku Asakusa or refined eel at Asakusa Imahan for sukiyaki. Dessert: matcha parfaits at Suzukien, famous for ultra-rich gelato.

Day 3: Tokyo in One Sweep—Guided Highlights

Let a local expert weave the city together on the Tokyo Customized Private Tour: See Top Attractions in 1 Day. Tailor a route like Meiji Shrine’s forest, Harajuku’s Takeshita Street, Omotesando’s architectural catwalk, Shibuya Crossing, Imperial Palace gardens, and a finale in Shinjuku.

Lunch ideas along the way: buttery chicken paitan ramen at Ginza Kagari (now with multiple branches), Afuri for lighter yuzu broth, or a tempura set at Tsunahachi Shinjuku. End in Omoide Yokocho for smoky yakitori (try Torien)—a taste of Showa-era nightlife.

Day 4: Yanaka Nostalgia, Ueno Culture, Akihabara Arcades, Sumo Night

Morning: Explore Yanaka, one of the few districts that survived wartime bombings. Wander Yanaka Ginza for croquettes and taiyaki, and detour to Nezu Shrine for vermilion torii tunnels and seasonal azaleas.

Afternoon: In Ueno Park, choose a museum—Tokyo National Museum (samurai armor, ukiyo-e), the National Museum of Nature and Science, or Ueno Zoo if visiting with kids. Coffee at GLITCH Coffee & Roasters in nearby Jimbocho is a treat for pour-over purists.

Evening: Dive into Akihabara for retro game shops, multi-story arcades, and electronics. Then head to Shinjuku for a culture hit: the Tokyo Shinjuku Sumo Show Experience—up-close bouts, photos, and drinks without needing a tournament day.

Post-show dinner: Fuunji for rich tsukemen, or Nabezo Shinjuku 3-chome for all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu with seasonal vegetables. Whisky fans can slip into Zoetrope (hundreds of Japanese bottles) or secure seats at cocktail temple Bar BenFiddich (book ahead).

Day 5: Toyosu to the Bay—Digital Art and Waterfront Views

Morning: If you’re an early bird, peek at Toyosu Market’s visitor areas and enjoy a sushi breakfast at on-site restaurants. For coffee, swing by Turret Coffee Tsukiji—a local favorite with espresso muscle.

Afternoon: Immerse yourself at teamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu—barefoot, water, and kaleidoscopic installations—reserve timed tickets in advance. Then hop to Odaiba for shopping at DiverCity (don’t miss the life-size Unicorn Gundam) and a stroll along Odaiba Seaside Park with Rainbow Bridge views.

Evening: Try Tokyo’s comfort-food cousin to okonomiyaki on Tsukishima Monja Street; ask staff to guide the griddling of monjayaki. If you prefer a soak, the new Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club offers footbaths and spa facilities with skyline peeks.

Day 6: Day Trip—Mt. Fuji and Hakone Scenery

Trade neon for nature on the Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour (return by Bullet Train). Expect views from Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station (weather-dependent), a Lake Ashi cruise, Owakudani volcanic valley, and a swift Shinkansen back to Tokyo.

Tip: Bring layers (mountain weather changes quickly) and cash for snacks at rest stops. If you prefer a private vehicle, ask your hotel concierge about car-charter options.

Day 7: Palace Mornings, Ginza Lunch, Departure

Morning: Stroll the Imperial Palace East Gardens—moats, stone walls, and seasonal blooms on the former Edo Castle grounds. Walk to Nihonbashi, Tokyo’s historic merchant hub, for refined sweets and stationery shops.

Afternoon: Squeeze in last-minute shopping in Ginza. Lunch on a tendon bowl at Tendon Tenya for speed, or go elegant with hitsumabushi-style eel at Bincho. Depart for the airport: from central Tokyo, allow ~1 hour to Haneda and ~1.5 hours to Narita including check-in buffers.

Evening: Fly out with a full belly and a camera roll of cityscapes. If extending, consider adding a night in Shimokitazawa for vintage shops and indie coffee (Onibus Coffee, Frankie) or a bullet-train hop to Kyoto.

Food & Coffee Shortlist (use across the week)

• Ramen: Fuunji (tsukemen, Shinjuku), Ichiran (individual booths; multiple branches), Afuri (yuzu shio, Harajuku).
• Sushi: Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (standing sushi), Sushi Zanmai (reliable Tsukiji stalwart), Kyubey (reserve ahead).
• Izakaya: Omoide Yokocho’s Torien (yakitori), Kinka (seafood small plates), Torikizoku (budget-friendly yakitori).
• Sweet breaks: A Happy Pancake (fluffy pancakes), Press Butter Sand (butter-caramel cookies), Henri Charpentier (financiers).
• Cafés: Fuglen Shibuya (Scandi vibes), GLITCH Coffee (pour-over), Onibus Coffee Nakameguro (canal-adjacent roastery).

Practical Tips

• Transit: Peak hours are crowded; stay right on escalators in Tokyo. Station exits matter—check the map for the closest gate to your spot.
• Cash/cards: Cards widely accepted, but small eateries may prefer cash. Many ATMs at 7-Eleven and Japan Post support international cards.
• Etiquette: Don’t eat while walking on busy streets; quiet talking on trains; queue markers are everywhere—use them.

Optional/Seasonal Add-ons

• Sumo tournament (Jan/May/Sep in Tokyo): If your dates align, the Sumo Tournament Experience offers live arena action.

  

• Digital art: teamLab Borderless reopened in central Tokyo—book early. Planets in Toyosu continues through 2027.
• Cherry blossoms: Late March–early April: Ueno Park, Meguro River, and Chidorigafuchi are iconic hanami spots.

Booking Hub: Flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; trains in Asia on Trip.com Trains; stays via Hotels.com Tokyo and VRBO Tokyo.

Summary: In seven days you’ll trace Tokyo’s timeline—from incense at Senso-ji to ultramodern art, from ramen counters to a sumo ring—then breathe mountain air beneath Mt. Fuji. The balance of guided days, neighborhood wandering, and memorable meals keeps the pace lively yet comfortable—exactly how Tokyo locals do it.