4 Days In Tokyo - The Best Itinerary

Welcome to Tokyo! Tokyo is the capital and one of the biggest cities in the world. This can make planning your trip to Tokyo a bit overwhelming, especially since Tokyo is the entrance to Japan for many visitors. If you find yourself in this situation, this guide is just the place for you. In this blog, I will share the best itinerary to spend 4 days in Tokyo.

TOKYO

As usual, I always like to begin my blogs with a brief description of the place or a few interesting and less-known facts about the place and there are so many things to say about Tokyo.

Tokyo is the most populated metropolis in the world. In 2024, the population of the Tokyo metropolitan area was 40.8 million residents. There are approximately 6000 inhabitants per square kilometer.
The city is full of vending machines. You can find these machines on almost every street corner and sell nearly anything you can think of. This reflects the high population density and the fast-paced lifestyle in Tokyo.
Shinjuku is the busiest train station in the world. According to studies, approximately 3.6 million passengers use this station daily.
Did you know that Tokyo also has one of the highest life expectancies in the world? This is thanks to their residents’ diet, active lifestyle, and excellent healthcare system.
Tokyo is prepared to resist earthquakes. Japan is located in one of the world’s most seismically active regions so being prepared for earthquakes is an absolute must! Tokyo’s infrastructure (buildings, bridges, etc.) is built with technology that absorbs and dissipates seismic energy.

CAN YOU SEE TOKYO IN 4 DAYS?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. You could stay a whole month in Tokyo and still have plenty of things to do. As I mentioned before, this city is one of the world’s largest metropolises, meaning there is an endless list of things to do and places to visit.

I recommend that you allocate between 3 and 5 days to visit Tokyo. This will allow you to see some of the most famous sites in the city. However, you will still have to make some choices based on your interests. We stayed in Tokyo for 7 days but used 3 on day trips to Nikko, Kamakura, and Hakone.

MUST VISIT PLACES IN TOKYO IN 4 DAYS

If you ask me, these are the places that you can’t miss during your stay in Tokyo.

Tokyo Imperial Palace
Roppongi Hills
Tokyo Tower
Shinjuku
Shibuya
Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park
Takeshita Street
Ueno Park
Akihabara
Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo Skytree
Odaiba Island

Of course, there are many more but these are the most important ones. To make it easier for you to remember, I have compiled them in a small map.

4 DAYS IN TOKYO - THE BEST ITINERARY

Before I start with my itinerary to spend 4 days in Tokyo, I would like to clarify several things:

This itinerary shows everything I did during the 4 full days I spent in Tokyo but this is not everything there is to do. I have specific blogs for each neighborhood in Tokyo where I describe other options and things you can do.
Tokyo is a huge city, even if you use public transport to go from one place to another, be prepared to walk over 20.000 steps each day. Wear comfortable shoes!
Since we were flying to and out of Japan from Tokyo, we split our stay in Tokyo in two. We spent there the first two days and the last two days of our trip.
At the end of this blog, I have compiled all the places that I will mention so that it is easy for you to locate them.

Let’s get started!

Tokyo Day 1: Chiyoda, Minato & Shinjuku

On our first day, we visited the neighborhoods of Chiyoda, Roppongi, and Shinjuku. It was a very long and intense day, packed with plenty of activities.

Chiyoda

Located in the heart of Tokyo, Chiyoda is mostly famous for having the Tokyo Imperial Palace, where the Emperor of Japan lives with his family. In fact, most of the surface of this neighborhood is occupied by the palace, which makes it the least populated area in Tokyo.

Places we visited in Chiyoda

Tokyo Station and its beautiful architecture with its two completely different façades.
Tokyo Imperial Palace. Unfortunately, the palace is not open to the public. The only way to visit it is by joining one of the daily guided tours held in English. In my specific blog about Chiyoda, I explain how to do so.
The beautiful East Gardens of the Imperial Palace- These gardens are a little oasis in the middle of the city.

I have written a specific blog about Chiyoda Ward. In this blog, you’ll find a detailed description of the very best things to do in Chiyoda, including opening hours and prices.

Minato: Roppongi Area

Roppongi is a vibrant district within Minato Ward. It is full of pubs, restaurants, and cafes and is one of the areas in Tokyo with a very active nightlife. Many embassies and offices from international companies are also located in this area.

Things we did in Roppongi

Explore the Roppongi Hills building complex. Here, you will be able to do some shopping and will also get great views of Tokyo Tower.
Go to the Mori Tower’s Tokyo City View observation deck.
Take a photo with the giant spider sculpture by Louis Bourgois.
Visit the Asahi TV building and remember many cartoons I watched during childhood.
Relax in Mohri Garden.

Minato: Tokyo Tower Area

From Roppongi Hills, we walked for approximately 20 minutes to reach Tokyo Tower, also within Minato. In this area, there are also a few places to explore.

Things we did in the Tokyo Tower area

Admire Tokyo Tower and take many, many photos with it. On top of the Tokyo Tower, there is an observation deck with amazing views of the city.
Visit Zojo-ji Temple.
Relax in Shiba Park and watch the Tokyo Tower light up as the sun sets.

Looking for a more detailed description of everything to do in Minato? Then you can check out the specific blog I’ve written about this neighborhood with all the best things to do, the opening hours of the main sites, prices, etc. You can find it here.

Shinjuku

To finish the day, we visited the super-famous Shinjuku, another of the most visited areas in Tokyo and famous for its nightlife. In my opinion, early evening is the best moment to visit Shinjuku since all the neons light up and you’ll get to experience the true Shinjuku.

Things we did in Shinjuku

Explore its many streets and be impressed by its many neon lights.
Watch the performance of the super famous 3D neon cat.
Visit Godzilla Road and find its head popping out between the buildings.
Have dinner in one of the many izakayas in Omoide Yokocho Alley.
Visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and see the city at night from its observation platform.

I have written a specific blog about Shinjuku. In this blog, you’ll find a detailed description of the very best things to do in Shinjuku, including practical information such as opening hours and prices.

Tokyo Day 2: Asakusa, Ueno & Akihabara

On our second day, it was time to get up early again and start visiting the neighborhoods of Asakusa, Ueno, and Akihabara.

Asakusa

Asakusa is the best place in Tokyo where tradition meets modernity. Walking through its streets you will get a mixed feeling of traditional and modern Japan. This is the best neighborhood in Tokyo to wander freely and be surprised by all it has to offer. If there is a place in Tokyo that you can’t miss, it is Asakusa.

Places we visited in Asakusa

Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo.
Nakamise-dori, where we were tempted by its many stalls offering souvenirs and delicious food treats.
Asakusa Cultural Tourist Center for the best aerial views of this neighborhood.
Asakusa Pier, where we got the most impressive views of Tokyo Skytree.
Kappabashi Dori, the place to buy all the kitchen-related things you never knew you needed.

I have written a specific blog about Asakusa. In this blog, you’ll find a detailed description of the 9 best things to do in Asakusa, including practical information such as opening hours and prices.

Ueno

After Asakusa, we walked toward Ueno district which took us approximately 30 minutes. If walking is not your thing, you can also do this with public transport.

In Ueno, the most important thing is to visit Ueno Park, the biggest park in Tokyo and a must-visit during your stay in Japan’s capital. Ueno Park is more than just a regular park. Within its grounds, you will find several museums, temples, and shrines!

Things we did in Ueno

Relax in the beautiful Ueno Park.
Feel at peace in the small Kanei-ji Temple.
Visit Toshogu Shrine and its 5-storied pagoda.
Explore the many temples and shrines in Ueno Park such as the Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple, Gojoten Shrine, or our favorite Shinobazunoike Bentendo Temple, located in the middle of a pond.
Explore Ameyoko Market, a market under the train rails.

Akihabara

We finished our day visiting Akihabara, also known as Electric Town. Full of neons and shops with anime comic books, figurines, technology shops, and themed cafes. In Akihabara, you´ll also find many buildings full of Arcade games, karaoke, and claw machines.

To be honest, this is not our thing so Akihabara didn’t live up to its hype for us. However, I know many people enjoy this kind of entertainment. Nevertheless, traveling. is all about exploring and learning about other cultures and interests. If you’ve never been to Akihabara, you have to give it a try.

Things we did in Akihabara

Walk along Chou Dori, Akihabara’s main street to see all the neons and lights.
Spend some time in one of the many arcades and try to win a prize in the claw machines.

Tokyo Day 3: Ginza & Shibuya

On our third full day in Tokyo, we decided to take it a bit slower. Our trip was coming to an end and we were a bit tired after 17 days in Japan. During this day, we explored Ginza and Shibuya neighborhoods.

Ginza

Ginza is the most expensive and exclusive area in Tokyo. Walking along Ginza made me think a lot about New York’s 5th Avenue. In this neighborhood, you will find the most exclusive shops and restaurants. If you’re looking to splurge a little bit during your trip to Japan, then Ginza is the right place to be. In our case, we just explored its main streets and did some window shopping.

A good thing to know is that during the weekends (Saturday and Sunday), the main street in Ginza is closed to traffic between 12:00 and 17:00 so it is the perfect moment to explore this area.

Photo by Pema Lama in Unsplash

Shibuya

After lunch, it was time to visit one of the most famous spots in Tokyo, Shibuya. Shibuya neighborhood is renowned for having one of the busiest crossings in the world, Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Approximately 2.4 million people cross it daily.

Things we did in Shibuya

Cross the famous Shibuya Crossing a few times. It is impressive how many people cross simultaneously from all directions, yet nobody bumps into each other.
Watch Shibuya Crossing from above from Shibuya Sky, one of the coolest rooftops in Tokyo.
Find and take a photo of Hachiko, the dog. If you want to know everything about his story, read my blog about Shibuya.
Have a delicious Shabu Shabu (Hot pot) dinner in one of the many restaurants in the area.

Looking for a more detailed description of everything to do in Shibuya? Then you can check out the specific blog I’ve written about this neighborhood with all the best things to do, the opening hours of the main sites, prices, etc.

Tokyo Day 4: Harajuku & Odaiba

On our fourth and last day in Tokyo, we visited the districts of Harajuku and Odaiba. It was our last day in Japan, and it was the perfect way to end our trip.

Harajuku

Harajuku is part of the Shibuya ward but due to lack of time, we had to split it into two days. If you want to shop, Harajuku is just the place for you. There is something for all budgets, from exclusive shops on Omotesando Avenue to the pop culture and kawaii shops on Takeshita Street.

Things we did in Harajuku

Explored Yoyogi Park.
Visited Meiji Shrine and bought some lucky charms for protection.
Walked through Takeshita Dori and checked out the many kawaii shops.
Window shopped and admired the architecture on Omotesando Avenue.

I have written a specific blog about Shibuya in which you can find all there is to do in the Harajuku area. In this blog, you’ll find a detailed description of the 9 best things to do in Asakusa, including practical information such as opening hours and prices.

Odaiba

We finished our stay in Tokyo (and Japan) by visiting Odaiba Island, an artificial island on the Tokyo Bay. Odaiba was originally built as a fortress to protect Tokyo from boat attacks and in the 20th century it was converted to a commercial and residential area.

Things we did in Odaiba

Admire the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo skyline. The shore of Odaiba Island is also the perfect place to watch a beautiful sunset.
Visit the Statue of Liberty replica.
Watch the performance of Gundam Unicorn.
Admire the architectural design of Fuji TV building.

Looking for a more detailed description of everything to do in Odaiba? Then you can check out the specific blog I’ve written about this neighborhood with all the best things to do, the opening hours of the main sites, prices, etc.

DAY TRIPS FROM TOKYO

If you have a few extra days in Tokyo, you can include a few day trips outside of Tokyo. There are many amazing destinations easily reachable in under 2 hours by train. Here are some examples of the day trips you can do from Tokyo.

Nikko

Looking for a mix of nature and spirituality? Then Nikko is the perfect day trip destination for you. Here you can visit some of the prettiest temples and shrines you can imagine in the Nikko National Park. It is particularly special in autumn when the trees turn red and yellow.

Kamakura

Another possible day trip from Tokyo is to go south towards the coastal city of Kamakura. Kamakura is home to one of the biggest outdoor Buddha statues in Japan and some of the most peaceful and beautiful zen Buddhist temples in Japan.

Hakone

A trip to Japan, and Tokyo, is not complete without a short day trip to see Japan’s most famous volcano, Mt Fuji. Most people visit the 5 lakes regions where you can get amazing views of Fujisan. However, we chose to visit Hakone, where not only can you see Fuji, but you also get to enjoy a fantastic day exploring the nature of this area.

EATING IN TOKYO

The eating options in Tokyo are endless. No matter what kind of food you’re craving, you’ll find many options. It will just depend on how much time you want to wait to get seated.

Some restaurants are more popular or exclusive than others so whenever possible, I recommend you book in advance. When this is not possible, you will have to write your name on a waiting list and wait.

Here are the places we tried during our stay, but like I said there are thousands of places. All the places I mention here are pinned on the map at the end of this blog.

Harajuku Gyozaro. This place is not fancy. In fact, I have to say, the cleanliness of this restaurant was not very promising. However, if you’re willing to put up with this, you’re in for some of the best gyozas we had during our trip.
Kumachan Onsen. This restaurant not only offers delicious hot pot dishes (sabu sabu) but also brings the concept of Kawaii to the next level. You’ll be so sad to heat your pot and watch the bear melt away.
Sushiro: Conveyor belt sushi (kaiten sushi) is certainly another experience in Japan. It is so much fun being able to see all the plates pass in front of you and choosing the pieces that look the most appealing to you.
Kyushu Jangara Akihabara. This is another delicious ramen place to try during your stay in Tokyo.

ACCOMMODATION IN TOKYO

Accommodation is also endless in Tokyo. You will be able to find hotels for all tastes and budgets. From hostels and capsule hotels to traditional Japanese hotels or business hotels. All you will have to do is choose your budget and the area of Tokyo in which you want to stay.

In our case, we decided to book a hotel close to Tokyo Station since we were planning on going for a few day trips as well as visiting the city. We stayed at Daiwa Roynet Ginza Premier and we were really happy with our choice. The hotel was really good and equipped with everything you might need. The only downside was that the room was not very spacious but this is quite common with hotels in Tokyo.

MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS

And that’s it for this week’s blog. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments!

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4 Days In Tokyo – The Best Itinerary

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