Quick answer: Tokyo is best explored by neighbourhood: Asakusa for tradition, Shibuya and Harajuku for youth culture, Shinjuku for nightlife and Ginza for shopping. Three days covers the highlights. Get an eSIM and a Suica card before you land, book popular tickets ahead, and check official sites for current prices and opening times.
Last updated: 20 Oct 2026, by Spiddy Ng
Summary box - First trip, 3 days: Asakusa + Skytree → Shibuya/Harajuku/Meiji Jingu → Shinjuku, with one evening in Ginza or Tokyo Tower. - Best views: Tokyo Skytree (634 m) for height, Tokyo Tower (333 m) for the classic night look. - Unique experiences: a sumo tournament (January, May, September at Ryogoku Kokugikan), street-kart driving, a geisha performance, themed cafés. - Stay: Shinjuku or Shibuya for nightlife, Ginza/Tokyo Station for convenience, Asakusa for budget and atmosphere; capsule hotels and hostels for solo travellers. - Before you land: buy an eSIM, set up Suica on your phone, and pre-book airport transfers and popular tickets.
Table of contents
- Which Tokyo neighbourhoods should you know?
- What are the top things to do in Tokyo?
- Which shrines, temples and museums are worth visiting?
- Should you visit Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower?
- How do you get sumo, Disney and experience tickets?
- Where can you find nature, beaches and day trips near Tokyo?
- Where should you shop in Tokyo?
- What and where should you eat in Tokyo?
- Where should you stay in Tokyo?
- How do you get around Tokyo and from the airport?
- What is Tokyo like for kids, couples and solo travellers?
- What is a good 3-day Tokyo itinerary?
- Frequently asked questions
1. Which Tokyo neighbourhoods should you know?
| Area | Vibe | Go for |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | Neon, nightlife, transport hub | Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, observation decks |
| Shibuya | Youth, fashion | Scramble crossing, Shibuya Sky |
| Harajuku / Omotesando | Street fashion, cafés | Takeshita Street, Meiji Jingu |
| Asakusa | Old Tokyo | Senso-ji, rickshaws, Skytree nearby |
| Akihabara | Anime, games, electronics | Shops, maid cafés, Kanda Myojin shrine |
| Ginza | Luxury | Department stores, flagships |
| Shimokitazawa | Vintage, indie | Thrift shops, live music |
| Kichijoji | Relaxed | Inokashira Park |
| Jiyugaoka | "Little Europe" | Marie Claire street, sweets shops, cafés |
| Yanaka | Retro | Quiet old streets, cemetery walk |
Verdict: Base yourself in Shinjuku or Shibuya on a first trip; add Jiyugaoka or Yanaka for something calmer.
2. What are the top things to do in Tokyo?
- Watch the Shibuya Scramble from above, then walk it.
- Visit Senso-ji early in the morning before the crowds.
- Drive a street kart in costume. You need an International Driving Permit; book ahead.
- See a geisha performance. Tokyo still has six hanamachi (geisha districts), and venues such as Omotenashi Nihonbashi offer performances.
- Animal and themed cafés: see our otter café guide and robot restaurants and cafés.
- Sanrio fans: some Tokyo hotels offer character-themed rooms; check current availability with the hotel.
- Join an English-friendly yoga class. Tokyo has many; search for current studios.
Verdict: Pick one big "only in Tokyo" experience (karts, sumo or geisha) and book it before you fly.
3. Which shrines, temples and museums are worth visiting?
Meiji Jingu (Harajuku) is Tokyo's most famous shrine, set in a forest. Senso-ji (Asakusa) is the oldest temple. Kanda Myojin, a shrine with roughly 400 years at its current site, sits next to Akihabara and blends tradition with pop culture: it once let robot vacuums join its year-end cleaning ritual. For museums, the Tokyo National Museum (Ueno), teamLab, the Ghibli Museum (book far ahead) and Miraikan are popular picks (check teamLab's site for current venues).
Verdict: Meiji Jingu + Senso-ji for culture, the Tokyo National Museum on a rainy day.
4. Should you visit Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower?
| Tokyo Skytree | Tokyo Tower | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 634 m | 333 m |
| Opened | 2012 | 1958 |
| Best for | Highest views, Mt Fuji on clear days | Retro icon, best seen from outside |
| Nearby | Asakusa, Solamachi mall | Zojo-ji temple, Roppongi |
| Tickets | Varies – see official site | Varies – see official site |
Tip from our old guide: you can eat with a Tokyo Tower view without paying luxury prices, as some restaurants nearby serve reasonably priced meals.
Verdict: Go up Skytree; photograph Tokyo Tower at night.
5. How do you get sumo, Disney and experience tickets?
Sumo. There are six 15-day grand tournaments a year. Tokyo hosts January, May and September at Ryogoku Kokugikan; Osaka hosts March, Nagoya July and Fukuoka November. Buy online via the official Ticket Oosumo site, at Ticket Pia, or queue early for limited same-day seats.
Tokyo Disney Resort. One-day ticket prices vary by date, with weekends and holidays costing more. Check the official Tokyo Disney Resort site for the price on your date (adult 1-Day Passports start from ¥8,900). A 1-day ticket covers either Disneyland or DisneySea, not both.
Verdict: Book Disney and sumo as soon as dates open.
6. Where can you find nature, beaches and day trips near Tokyo?
- Green Tokyo: Shinjuku Gyoen, Inokashira Park, Todoroki Valley, Mt Takao and the Okutama area are easy nature escapes.
- Quieter beaches: Onjuku Chuo Beach and Ichinomiya (surfing) in Chiba are less crowded than Kamakura or Enoshima.
- Scuba diving: the Izu Peninsula and Izu islands are the closest dive spots.
- Mt Fuji: go by highway bus or train to Kawaguchiko, or hire a private driver for a stress-free day. See hikes near Tokyo.
Verdict: Mt Takao for an easy half day, Kawaguchiko for the Fuji view.
7. Where should you shop in Tokyo?
Ginza and Omotesando for luxury, Shibuya and Harajuku for fashion, Akihabara and Nakano Broadway for anime and games, and Shimokitazawa for vintage. Department stores offer tax-free counters (see department stores in Japan), and swimwear shoppers should see best places to shop for swimwear in Tokyo. Wondering what's cheaper here? Read Is it cheaper in Japan?
8. What and where should you eat in Tokyo?
Konbini (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) are perfect for cheap breakfasts; see best Japanese convenience store food. For a taste of home, Tokyo's international supermarkets and import-food chains stock goods from abroad. Also see burgers in Tokyo and the KFC buffet.
9. Where should you stay in Tokyo?
| Type | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capsule hotels | Solo, budget | Many are men-only or have women-only floors |
| Hostels | Solo, social | Asakusa, Ueno and Kuramae have many |
| Business hotels | Value, couples | Small rooms, great locations |
| Ryokan | Families, culture | Affordable options exist in Asakusa and Ueno |
| Themed rooms | Fans | Sanrio/Pokémon collab rooms |
Living in Tokyo rather than visiting? Popular upscale residential areas include Minato, Shibuya and Meguro.
10. How do you get around Tokyo and from the airport?
Set up Suica or PASMO on your phone, as it works on trains, buses and in shops (see Suica card guide). From the airport, the options are train (Narita Express, Keisei Skyliner, Tokyo Monorail/Keikyu from Haneda), limousine bus, taxi or pre-booked private transfer. The trip takes roughly 30–70 minutes depending on airport and area. Taxis are expensive, and Uber exists but works mostly as a taxi-hailing app; see does Japan have Uber?.
eSIM: most recent phones support eSIM. Buy before you fly, install it via QR code, and activate on arrival.
Verdict: eSIM + Suica on your phone + train from the airport covers 90% of trips.
11. What is Tokyo like for kids, couples and solo travellers?
- Kids: Disney, Ueno Zoo, Legoland Discovery Center (Odaiba), Pokémon Center, Miraikan, Kidzania (check opening details before visiting).
- Couples / proposals: Tokyo Tower at night, Shinjuku Gyoen in spring, Odaiba's Rainbow Bridge, sky lounges in Roppongi.
- Solo: capsule hotels, ramen counters (see Ichiran), museums, and female-friendly tattoo studios for those who want one (remember many onsen and gyms still restrict tattoos).
12. What is a good 3-day Tokyo itinerary?
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senso-ji, Asakusa | Skytree, Solamachi | Akihabara |
| 2 | Meiji Jingu | Harajuku, Omotesando | Shibuya Sky, Scramble |
| 3 | Tsukiji outer market | Ginza shopping | Shinjuku: Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai |
13. Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Tokyo? Three days for highlights, five or more to add day trips.
Is Tokyo expensive? Hotels and taxis are, but food, trains and konbini meals are good value.
Do I need cash? Cards and IC cards work almost everywhere, but carry some yen for small shops and shrines.
What's the best month to visit? Late March to early April for cherry blossoms, or October–November for mild weather and autumn leaves.
Can I see Mt Fuji from Tokyo? On clear winter days, from Skytree and other high observation decks.
About the author – Spiddy Ng, Japan Truly.
