What to Do in Tokyo in 5 Days
Later on visiting Japan several years ago, I have wanted to caput back to the state for a while at present. The culture, the food, the nature – you name it and Japan has it. And a trip to Nihon is not complete without a stop in its capital, TOKYO. Tokyo is the largest urban center by population in the world with several distinct neighborhoods, plenty of markets, parks, temples and much more than. What is also peachy well-nigh Tokyo is that it has easily accessible solar day trip options to some nearby cities. This Tokyo 5 days itinerary volition go over a trip that includes three days in the city itself and and so adding in ii days of trips to Kamakura and Hakone. If you are looking for a comprehensive 5 day Tokyo itinerary, y'all accept come up to the right place.
Before getting into the itinerary itself, I wanted to become over a few logistical topics including ship to and within the city, accommodation options and some helpful tips.
ane) Getting Into the Metropolis
If arriving from outside of Nihon into Tokyo you will be coming into either Narita or Haneda airport. Y'all should have no problem getting into the city center from either one equally there are a few dissimilar options to choose from based on price signal.
From Narita
A) Train: there are two chief train options from Narita – the Narita Express and the Keisei Skyliner. (~3,000 JPY and ii,470 JPY respectively). Simply head to the basement level after getting out of luggage claim, buy your tickets, and make your way into the city. Do note though that you may demand to transfer to a local line once closer into Tokyo depending on where you are staying.
Note that the Narita Express is covered under the JR Pass while the Skyliner is not. If yous bought a JR Pass and plan on using it right away, you can commutation your voucher for the pass at the JR service eye in the airport.
B) Limousine Bus: there is also a limousine motorbus that stops at or nearby many hotels in Tokyo. Take a look at their website to get an idea of where the coach goes. Once outside baggage claim you should come across the bus stops right outside (four,500 JPY circular trip or ~3,000 one style)
C) Taxi: the last option here is by taxi, which may exist the most user-friendly selection merely also the most expensive. Getting from Narita into the city middle can easily cost $200-$300 USD
From Haneda
Getting into Tokyo from Haneda is much quicker and much less expensive than from Narita. Below are a few of the main options to cull from:
A) Train: the Tokyo Monorail runs from Haneda to Hamamatsucho Station, where yous can then transfer to a local line to the area you are staying in. The monorail costs 490 JPY and is covered by the JR Pass if you opt to activate it right abroad. A second choice here is to take the Keikyu Railways line into the urban center, where yous can then transfer to a local line. Information technology costs 410 JPY for a one way ticket.
B) Limousine Jitney: similarly to Narita, you lot tin can also accept the limousine bus from Haneda to unlike areas of Tokyo. The cost is effectually ~1,000 JPY one mode depending on where you are going, with a round trip ticket costing about 1.5X that corporeality.
C) Taxi: lastly you tin can opt for an expensive taxi ride – around $75 requite or take depending on time, traffic, etc.
« Don't forget to purchase your 7 Twenty-four hours, fourteen Mean solar day, or 21 24-hour interval JR Laissez passer earlier heading off to Japan»
ii) Getting Effectually Tokyo
No affair where you are staying within the city, you will need to utilize Tokyo's super efficient public transportation organization on a twenty-four hours to mean solar day footing. At that place are 13 subway/railroad train lines and 278(!) stations, that go anywhere and everywhere, making this gigantic metropolis very accessible for all.
My recommendation here is to become yourself a Pasmo or Suica card the offset chance you get and load information technology upward with some money (these are nearly identical so information technology does not matter too much which one you lot cull).
Essentially information technology is a reloadable card that tin can be used for all subway/train lines besides as shops such every bit 711, which I am sure you volition come beyond all the fourth dimension. It is much more convenient than buying a ticket each and every time y'all want to take a train.
Instead just simply tap your card when entering and exiting, and the amount will automatically be deducted from your bill of fare.
A few important notes:
A) Fifty-fifty if you have an activated JR Laissez passer, there is still a hazard yous should be getting a Pasmo or Suica. Many of the trains in Tokyo are not operated past JR so depending on where you are headed around the city (and where yous are headed off to next), a Pasmo/Suica volition be a good addition to have.
B) The carte du jour does require a 500 JPY deposit, which tin can exist refunded if you lot render the card in Tokyo. If headed off to Kyoto after for example, y'all will not be able to return the cards in that location but yous tin employ the cards throughout Japan.
C) You tin too opt to get a 24, 48, or 72 hour unlimited subway ticket (800 JPY, i,200 JPY, 1,500 JPY). To give you an thought, a normal route within the city costs nigh 200 JPY.
iii) Where to Stay in Tokyo
Since Tokyo is such a large city with so many distinct neighborhoods, it can get confusing to understand where the best places to stay are. In my optics in that location are a couple of neighborhoods that stick out to me when it comes to the nigh convenient (and fun!) options.
A) Shinjuku: #1 on my list is the area of Shinjuku. You volition have Shinjuku station nearby when traveling to other parts of Tokyo (and day trips), a ton of nightlife and restaurant options, as well equally many of the activities mentioned in this itinerary not as well far away. At that place is always something going on in Shinjuku and it will definitely non disappoint.
1. Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
2. Citadines Central Shinjuku
iii. ibis Tokyo Shinjuku
4. Hyatt Regency Tokyo
5. Shinjuku Granbell Hotel
B) Shibuya: not also far away from Shinjuku is the Shibuya neighborhood. Famous for the Shibuya Crossing, information technology is also filled with enough of shops and restaurants all around its streets.
ane. Hotel Century Southern Tower
2. Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu
3. Sakura Hotel Hatagaya
4. Shibuya Granbell Hotel
5. Shibuya Tobu Hotel
C) Tokyo Station: moving a bit to the eastward of Shinjuku and Shibuya is the Tokyo Station area. It is centrally located right nearby the chief transport hub making it super like shooting fish in a barrel to go everywhere, and you volition too be in walking distance to some of the city's main attractions.
1. Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi
2. Palace Hotel Tokyo
3. The Tokyo Station Hotel
4. Marunouchi Hotel
five. Super Hotel Premier Tokyo Station
Of grade there are plenty of other neighborhoods to choose from just I think that should exist a cracking starting point to help you lot out.
4) Know Before You Get
A) You can exercise this itinerary in any order you choose. City-Metropolis-Metropolis-Twenty-four hours Trip-24-hour interval Trip, City-Day Trip-City-Day Trip-City, etc., etc. Practice non experience leap to doing it in the same way mentioned below.
B) Going off the first point, you will want to proceed an eye on the Hakone / Mountain Fuji weather. I would recommend heading there on the best weather condition mean solar day that you see around that area since clouds can go far the way of truly enjoying what Hakone has to offer.
C) A JR Pass can be used throughout your time in Tokyo – getting from the airdrome, going effectually the city (to an extent equally non all lines are JR operated), and heading to/from Hakone and Kamakura. The JR Pass volition non be worth information technology if you are but doing the 5 days in Tokyo but tin can stop up saving you lot some money depending on where else you are going throughout Japan.
D) Brand sure you have plenty of greenbacks on hand. Hotels and some restaurants may accept credit cards but for the bulk of my fourth dimension at that place, cash was king.
Eastward) Expect a lot of people everywhere you go. Japan not but is the well-nigh populated city in the world only it is also 1 that brings in the most tourists. Unless y'all wake upwards super early on to visit some sites, at that place ordinarily will be crowds everywhere you go.
F) Regarding logistics in and around Tokyo – when searching for train routes you can take a expect at the HyperDia website. You can hands search for different options and see prices and schedules for each road. You tin can also utilize Google Maps when you are on the get. I institute information technology super efficient and authentic during my time in the city.
five) 5 Days in Tokyo Map
Below is a map highlighting each allure mentioned throughout the itinerary color coded by solar day. I did not add in the two day trip attractions just you tin come across those maps in the specific guides I linked down below. A quick overview of the activities before jumping into the itinerary:
Day 1
Ueno Park
Ameyayokocho Street
Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo Skytree
Akihabara
Twenty-four hours 2
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya
Omotesando
Harajuku / Takeshita Dori
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo Metropolitan Edifice
Shinjuku
Solar day three
Tsukiji Market
Imperial Palace
East Gardens
Remaining Attractions
Mean solar day 4 – Kamakura
Day 5 – Hakone
Tokyo 5 Days Itinerary
All right then, time to get into the itinerary itself. I volition lay it out with the first three days in the city itself then go into the two day trips. As just mentioned, do not experience like y'all need to do the trip in that particular order – feel free to move days effectually based on your preferences.
6) Day ane – Tokyo
Your first twenty-four hour period in Tokyo will focus in on a few different areas closer to the eastern part of the urban center. Make your mode to the Ueno neighborhood, where you volition beginning your day in the i of a kind Ueno Park.
A) Ueno Park
Ueno Park was a late addition to my itinerary just I could not have been happier calculation it in. It is much more than than just a elementary park – there are temples, ponds, gardens, museums, greenery and much more than spread throughout the complex. If yous are lucky plenty to be there during carmine bloom flavour, it is 1 of the all-time places in the country to view them.
During my morning time exploring the park I headed to the Shinobazu Pond, Toshogo Shrine, Five Storied Pagoda, Hanazono Inari Shrine, Gojo Shrine, amongst a few other places along the way.
You volition as well notice such places as the Ueno Zoo, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo National Museum, and National Museum of Nature and Science if you are interested in heading to a couple of those too.
B) Ameyayokocho Street
After plenty time exploring the park, brand the brusk walk to Ameyayokocho Street. If you are looking for food stalls, restaurants, and a variety of different shopping options and so Ameyayokocho is for yous.
It is a classic Japanese street filled to the brim with all sorts of stores and hundreds of people making their way through. If you have not experienced what a Japanese market street is similar then you are in for a treat.
Lunch Tip – feel similar to grab food around Ameyayokocho Street or find another restaurant along the way to your next stop – the Senso-ji Temple. I came across a place called Kikko, which not only had a delicious bento style fixed tiffin but also came forth with a beautiful traditional musical operation past its staff.
C) Senso-ji Temple
One of Tokyo'due south most famous temples is that of Senso-ji. The temple itself is non merely impressive merely so are the two gates (Kaminarimon and Hozomon) leading up to it with a market lined street (Nakamise) in betwixt.
As you walk this path aslope hundreds (if non thousands) of other people, you lot will laissez passer by small shops, food stalls, and more than to explore. You will then slowly arroyo the gate and onto the temple and five storied pagoda area, which you can walk around and take in.
D) Tokyo Skytree
Opening Hours: 8:00AM – 10:00PM
Access Cost: 2,060 JPY (1st observatory); +1,030 JPY for 2nd observatory
Official Website
Although I did not head up the Tokyo Skytree itself, if you are interested in seeing the city from above, you can brand your manner to the height of the Skytree. At 634 meters, it is the tallest tower in the world and y'all will be able to take in some vast views of the city downward beneath.
E) Akihabara
Terminal up on the day is Akihabara, the electronic capital of Tokyo (and perhaps the world!). The whole area effectually Akihabara is crazy to say the least. You lot tin detect electronic stores, arcades, anime stores, maid cafes, pachinko games, amidst plenty of others.
Walking around the area and heading into these places will have your head spinning! A few popular places to head to are the Mandrake Store, Gachapon Kaikan, and the Sega Arcade. But literally any place yous walk into, you lot are certain to bask.
7) Day 2 – Tokyo
Your second solar day in Tokyo will focus in on the Shinjuku and Shibuya neighborhoods. As mentioned earlier on in the guide, I find these places some of the all-time to situate yourself in for a trip to Tokyo. If y'all are staying here, you should easily exist able to walk effectually without needing to take any sort of public transportation. You can exercise this day in either direction – the below is going from south to north (Shibuya to Shinjuku) just you can do it in the reverse direction likewise.
A) Shibuya Crossing
Commencement off the day at the famous Shibuya Crossing. A multi laned intersection with cars and people coming in from every which direction, the Shibuya Crossing is one crazy place to experience.
During peak times there are over 2,500 people making their mode across the crossing per calorie-free! After walking through the intersection yourself, yous tin make your way to a viewpoint to accept it in from above.
1 of the all-time costless options is the 2nd floor Starbucks overlooking the crossing. If y'all desire to run into it all the way from the tiptop, head to the top floor of Mags Park, where for a modest fee you can meet the crossing in action from to a higher place.
B) Shibuya
Later the Shibuya Crossing, it is fourth dimension to explore the neighborhood of Shibuya itself. With many shops and restaurants filling its streets and alleyways, Shibuya makes for a great place to get lost in and savor.
C) Omotesando
After exiting the Shibuya area, you will before long come by Omotesando Street. While I am non so into the whole shopping scene, there are enough of higher end stores to visit if interested. What I found great about the street was its unique and distinct architecture from other parts of Tokyo.
D) Takeshita Dori / Harajuku
Next upwards on the day is 1 of the more crazier streets you will ever experience – Takeshita Dori. The street is located in the heart of Harajuku and is packed to the brim with people walking forth the narrow pathway.
On either side there will exist plenty of different food and snack options to choose from and you can head further effectually the area to catch some lunch for the twenty-four hours.
East) Meiji Jingu Shrine
Later taking in some of Tokyo's best neighborhoods, caput on off to the Meiji Jingu Shrine located inside Yoyogi Park. The path within the park is surrounded past copse as yous slowly make your fashion through to the master temple circuitous. Equally you approach the shrine, you volition encounter the famous sake barrels off to the side that were donated by breweries all over the country.
You will and then laissez passer through the massive wooden torii gate and onto the shrine itself. In that location are places to write down some prayers/wishes and wash your hands before approaching Meiji Jingu. The shrine itself is open from sunrise to sunset and so information technology gives yous plenty of time to visit at whatsoever time of day.
F) Metropolitan Government Edifice
Opening Hours: 9:30AM – xi:00PM (closed 1st and third Tuesday each month)
Admission Cost: Gratuitous!
Note: North Observatory closed until Jan 2020
While a government building seems like an odd add on for an itinerary, it does offer some of the best viewpoints of the city of Tokyo. The best part? It'south free! The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has two different indoor observation decks to relish – the North and South.
I headed up to both but would give the slight edge to the South ane as the Northward one did have a restaurant within blocking some of the views of the city.
G) Shinjuku
End your 24-hour interval in Shinjuku. Whether you are staying there or non, exist sure to spend at to the lowest degree a night or two walking its hectic streets with plenty of bright lights, restaurants, and confined. Believe me yous will find no shortage of any of those are you make your way around Shinjuku.
I will mention this here merely you lot tin really add together these to whatever night of your fourth dimension in Tokyo. There are a few nightlife options I think are unique and worthwhile to add to whatever trip.
ane. Golden Gai & Piss Aisle
Located right near the main Shinjuku neighborhood are 2 distinct areas – Gilded Gai and Piss Alley. Both are made up of extremely narrow alleyways lined up with restaurants and confined. Having dinner or some drinks at one of these places is a great authentic feel to have.
ii. Robot Restaurant
Now this feel is probably not for everyone but many consider it a must practice during a trip to Tokyo. In the heart of Shinjuku lays the Robot Restaurant. It is not a eating place per se (although you tin can go dinner there), but rather a xc minute performance of crazy lights, robots, dancers, music and more.
If you want to feel the craziness for yourself be sure to book in advance as the nighttime shows regularly sell out. Tip: salve some $ by booking through Voyagin.
8) Day iii – Tokyo
For the final day within Tokyo itself, you can spend the twenty-four hour period exploring the famous Tsukiji Fish Market and the Imperial Palace and Gardens. If y'all have any boosted activities you would like to add together or did not have time to complete some places from day 1/two, feel free to add them in hither every bit well.
A) Tsukiji Market
Opening Hours: ~5:00AM – 2:00PM; Closed on Sundays
Although the famous fish sale got moved abroad from Tsukiji, you can still experience the hectic fish market for yourself one morning. There are hundreds of stalls and small restaurants lined upward through alleyways and yous volition find no shortage of fish and other seafood to try for yourself.
Whenever I head to markets like this one, I effort to have a little bit of nutrient from several different vendors. That manner I get a good sense of the different food options the market has instead of buying my entire meal at ane place.
Annotation: if you do desire to experience the tuna auction, head to Toyosu market very early in the morning. The auction starts around 5:30AM but you lot volition desire to go far much before to get a spot. This guide goes into much more than detail about the specifics.
B) Imperial Palace and East Gardens
East Garden Opening Hours: 9:00AM – iv:30PM (5:00PM Apr-Aug; 4:00PM Nov-Feb); Closed Mondays & Fridays
Admission Cost: Gratuitous
During the afternoon of mean solar day 3, head on over to the Imperial Palace and E Gardens. An admittedly massive complex located in the middle of the city, you can spend a couple hours here exploring all around. The outer surface area is open up all the time, where you can view the famous moat and outer structures. You tin can and then head within the Due east Gardens, where there are lakes, flowers, fauna and more than to enjoy.
Notation: if you want to caput into the Imperial Palace yourself, yous tin do so by signing upward in advance online through their official website. At that place did seem to be a starting time come first serve line also for a select number of tickets.
9) Day 4 – Kamakura
After 3 days exploring the city, information technology is time to feel Kamakura. Located just an hour away from Tokyo, Kamakura is full of temples, hikes, beaches and of course the famous Great Buddha.
It is the perfect chance to get a bit more than of a nature feel and a bit less of that big metropolis vibe. Some of the highlights of a day trip include the Daibutsu Hiking Trail, the Great Buddha, Hase-dera Temple, and Yuigahama Beach among others.
I put together A Complete Guide to a Tokyo to Kamakura Mean solar day Trip that goes into step by step details of everything yous need to know about the twenty-four hour period including logistics, costs, and what to expect along the way.
10) Mean solar day 5 – Hakone
To stop upward your Tokyo 5 days itinerary, information technology is time to head to the city of Hakone. If you lot want to feel Mount Fuji, geothermal activeness, and some ropeways, boats and cable cars then Hakone is for you lot. The journey from Tokyo will have closer to 90 minutes or then just it is sure worth it.
The most popular option here is to take function of the Hakone Round Course Circuit Loop – a series of dissimilar transportation options that take you all effectually the area. Throughout the day y'all volition come across some incredible views of Mountain Fuji from all different angles and locations.
You lot will desire to buy the Hakone Freepass to save some money throughout the 24-hour interval and it will certainly have any inconvenience out of the experience. For more than information about the Freepass and the Hakone surface area, take a look at the Tokyo to Hakone Guide I have up on the site.
As mentioned earlier, you exercise not need to exercise the itinerary in this detail gild – especially when it comes to your day in Hakone. Yous volition want to choose which of the v days has the best weather in the Hakone/Fuji area so you will have no clouds or pelting in the way of those incredible views.
Afterwards exploring all around the city, making your way through Kamakura, and taking in those views of Mountain Fuji in Hakone, information technology is time to end the 5 days Tokyo itinerary and caput on off to your next terminate.
Whether these five days in Tokyo are part of a longer Japan trip or just on their ain, you are sure to take an incredible time exploring the ins and outs of what the urban center and its surroundings accept to offer.
Be sure to check out some more Japan itineraries and guides for any other trip planning and feel complimentary to add in any questions down beneath!
Source: https://triptins.com/tokyo-5-days-itinerary/
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