7日間 · One-Week Plan

Tokyo 7-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors: The Complete Plan

A full week in Tokyo without burning out — the iconic sights, real food, calm half-days, and one day trip out

7 daysFirst-TimersItineraryDay trip

Three days in Tokyo gets you the famous photographs. Seven days gets you the city. The difference between these two trips is not what you see — it is the pace. With a full week, you can afford a slow morning, an afternoon nap on a hot day, an evening that goes longer than planned, and a day trip out. You finish the trip with a feel for Tokyo, not a checklist of places visited.

This itinerary is built around real travel rhythms. It assumes you arrive jet-lagged on Day 1, peak around Day 4, and need a calmer Day 6 before flying home. Customise freely — every day stands on its own.

Trip typeFirst-time, balanced

Recommended baseShinjuku, Ginza, or Asakusa

Daily budget$80–$200 per person

Walking10–15 km/day

Before You Arrive

Where to base yourself

Pick one hotel for the full week. Moving mid-trip wastes a day. Three good base options:

• Shinjuku — best transport, busiest, big rooms at major chains. Browse Shinjuku hotels on Booking.com.
• Ginza / Tokyo Station — central, quieter, slightly higher prices. Browse Ginza hotels.
• Asakusa — traditional atmosphere, cheaper, slower mornings. Browse Asakusa hotels.

Transport setup

• Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport on arrival — the universal IC card.
• Tokyo Subway 72-hour Pass if you stack subway-heavy days early. Klook Subway Ticket.
• Skip the JR Pass for a Tokyo-only trip — the math no longer works after the 2023 price hike.

Connectivity

Pre-purchase an eSIM (Airalo, Klook) before flying — cheaper than airport SIMs and ready on arrival.

Day 1 — Arrival & Asakusa

Jet lag day. Keep it outdoors and walkable.

1. Morning: arrive in Tokyo, drop bags at hotel.
2. 14:00: Train to Asakusa. Walk through Kaminarimon and up Nakamise-dori.
3. 15:00: Senso-ji Temple. Pagoda, gardens, omikuji.
4. 16:30: Cross Azumabashi Bridge — Skytree photo with the gold flame.
5. 17:30: Coffee at Asakusa Kagetsudo or a kissaten.
6. 19:00: Dinner at Daikokuya tempura (queue) or Hoppy-dori standing izakaya.
7. 21:00: Back to hotel. Sleep early — fight jet lag.

Day 2 — Modern Tokyo

The day for neon, fashion, skyscrapers, and the most-Instagrammed corners.

1. 09:30: Meiji Shrine — wide forest paths inside the city.
2. 11:00: Walk Takeshita-dori in Harajuku. Crepe stop.
3. 12:00: Lunch on Cat Street or Omotesando.
4. 13:30: Walk Omotesando architecture.
5. 15:00: Train to Shibuya. Cross the Scramble Crossing.
6. 16:00: Shibuya Sky observation deck (book in advance, ¥2,500).
7. 18:00: Sunset at Tocho free observation in Shinjuku.
8. 19:30: Dinner at Omoide Yokocho.
9. 21:00: Walk Kabukicho + one drink in Golden Gai.

Day 3 — Pop Culture & Akihabara

Anime, gaming, and the Imperial Palace as a quiet contrast.

1. 09:30: Imperial Palace East Garden.
2. 11:00: Train to Akihabara. Yodobashi Akiba for orientation.
3. 12:30: Lunch at Kanda curry or Kyushu Jangara Ramen.
4. 14:00: Mandarake Complex (8 floors of vintage anime/manga).
5. 15:30: Super Potato (retro games, free-play floor on top).
6. 16:30: Optional maid cafe at @Home Cafe (~60 min).
7. 18:00: Train to Ueno. Ameyoko Market alleys, dinner.
8. 20:00: Back to hotel.

Day 4 — Day Trip: Hakone or Kamakura

Out of Tokyo for a day. Pick by mood:

Option A: Hakone (90 min from Shinjuku)

• Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto.
• Hakone Free Pass covers ropeway, lake cruise, mountain railway loop.
• Mt. Fuji views from Lake Ashi (clear days).
• Onsen day-use bath before returning.
• Klook Hakone Day Tour if you prefer guided.

Option B: Kamakura (60 min from Tokyo)

• JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura.
• Great Buddha (Daibutsu), Hasedera Temple, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
• Beach walk + lunch at Komachi-dori.
• Klook Kamakura Day Tour.

Option C: Kawaguchiko / Mt. Fuji (90 min from Shinjuku)

• Keio Highway Bus from Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal.
• Lake Kawaguchiko + Chureito Pagoda for the iconic Fuji+pagoda shot.
• Best on clear winter mornings; summer often hazy.

Pacing tip: Day 4 is the right day for the day trip — by day 7, you would be too tired. Day 4 also has the best chance of clear weather mid-trip.

Day 5 — Old Tokyo & Slow Pace

Reset day. Slower pace, more cafes, less running between trains.

1. 10:00: Yanaka Cemetery (Yamanote Line to Nippori, 5-min walk).
2. 11:00: Walk Yanaka Ginza street — old shops, cats, snacks.
3. 12:30: Lunch at Hagi Cafe or Yanaka Coffee.
4. 14:00: Walk to Nezu Shrine — torii tunnel.
5. 15:00: Train to Nakameguro. Walk along the Meguro River canal.
6. 16:00: Onibus Coffee + Starbucks Reserve Roastery (Kengo Kuma architecture).
7. 18:00: Dinner in Ebisu — Yokocho or a casual sushi counter.

Day 6 — Tokyo Bay (Family / Photography)

The bay-area day. Modern Tokyo, lots of indoor options for hot or rainy weather.

1. 09:00: Toyosu Market sushi breakfast (Yurikamome Line).
2. 10:30: teamLab Planets — book in advance (~¥3,800). 90 min.
3. 12:30: Train one stop to Odaiba. Lunch at Aqua City.
4. 14:00: Miraikan science museum OR Statue of Liberty + Rainbow Bridge walk.
5. 16:00: Gundam statue at DiverCity.
6. 17:30: Sunset at Odaiba Beach. Rainbow Bridge lights up.
7. 19:00: Dinner — Tokyo Ramen Kokugikan Mai (food court of regional ramen).
8. 20:30: Hotaluna water bus back to Asakusa, or train to hotel.

Day 7 — Ginza & Final Shopping

Last day. Calmer pace, eating well, picking up gifts.

1. 10:00: Tsukiji Outer Market — sushi, tamagoyaki, knife shopping.
2. 12:30: Walk to Ginza (10 minutes).
3. 13:00: Lunch in a Ginza depachika (basement food hall) — Mitsukoshi or Wako.
4. 14:30: Stationery and gift shopping — Itoya, Ginza Six.
5. 16:00: Tea or coffee at Cafe de l'Ambre or Tricolore (Ginza kissaten).
6. 17:30: Imperial Palace exterior walk for the final Tokyo skyline.
7. 19:00: Final dinner — pick somewhere you actually want to return to.
8. 21:00: Pack. Early flight tomorrow.

Optional Day 8 (If You Have It)

If you have an extra day, the strongest swap-in is one of these:

• Yokohama half-day + Tokyo evening dinner.
• Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea (full day with kids).
• Ghibli Museum + Inokashira Park (book a month ahead via Lawson).
• Roppongi art day — Mori Art Museum + 21_21 Design Sight + Tokyo Tower views.

Realistic Daily Budget

Hotel (mid-range)$120–$200 / night for 2

Food$30–$60 / day per person

Transport¥1,000–¥2,000 / day with IC card

Attractions¥5,000–¥10,000 / day if going paid

For two people, a 7-day Tokyo trip excluding flights typically lands around $1,800–$3,500 total at mid-range comfort. Hostel + konbini meals can drop this to $1,000.

Pacing Reality Check

• Day 4 day trip + Day 5 slow day is the rhythm that prevents burnout. Don't put two big sightseeing days back-to-back.
• Tokyo is enormous. Ten-kilometre walking days are normal. Comfortable shoes are essential.
• Train fatigue is a real thing. Accept that some hours will be on trains and use them to rest.
• Restaurant queues can be long for famous spots. Either go early (11:00 lunch) or pick the second-most-famous shop.
• Cash: ¥10,000 in hand, mostly for small izakayas, kissaten, and Akihabara shops. Otherwise card / IC works.

Practical Tips

• Hotel breakfast: usually skippable — the konbini and chain bakeries are better.
• Reservations needed for: Shibuya Sky, teamLab Planets, Ghibli Museum, Pokemon Cafe.
• Day trips need an early start. Aim to leave Tokyo by 09:00 to make a full day.
• Last trains: ~00:30 in central Tokyo. Plan dinners and Golden Gai accordingly.
• Rain days: Tokyo's metro system covers nearly everything indoors. teamLab, Disney, Skytree, all the malls — solid rain backup.

Start Planning the Details

The two strongest companion guides: our Best Areas to Stay in Tokyo for the hotel decision, and our 3-Day Itinerary if you have less time and want a tighter plan.