Tokyo 7-Day Itinerary: A Data-Driven Guide to Actually Enjoying Tokyo (Not Just Surviving It)

I've lived in Tokyo for 6 months and hosted 12 first-time visitors. Everyone makes the same mistakes: too much Shibuya, not enough downtime, and zero understanding of Tokyo's geography.

This isn't a "see 47 temples" itinerary. This is optimized for first-timers who want to experience Tokyo without burnout. I tracked travel times, crowd patterns, and costs. Let's fix your trip.

Before You Go: Tokyo Logistics

Money:

• Get a Wise card or withdraw ¥30,000 ($200) at 7-Eleven ATMs (best rates)
• Credit cards work at 60% of places (still bring cash)
• IC card (Suica/Pasmo): ¥2,000 minimum, works everywhere

Transport:

• Buy a 72-hour Tokyo Metro Pass: $15 (¥2,200) if staying central
• Or just use Suica/Pasmo pay-as-you-go (usually cheaper)
• Google Maps transit directions are 98% accurate

Pocket WiFi vs eSIM:

• eSIM: $15-25 for 7 days unlimited (Airalo, Ubigi)
• Pocket WiFi: $45-60 for 7 days (hotel pickup)
• I use eSIM. Easier.

Day 1: Arrival + Shinjuku

Morning: Land & Settle

• Narita → Tokyo: Narita Express $30 (¥4,400), 60 min OR Keisei Skyliner $25 (¥3,600), 45 min
• Haneda → Tokyo: Tokyo Monorail $5 (¥700), 20 min
• Drop bags, shower, don't nap (you'll destroy your sleep schedule)

Afternoon: Shinjuku Exploration (3-6 PM)

• Start at Shinjuku Gyoen Garden: $3 (¥500) - 90 min
• Walk to Kabukicho - Just look around, skip the touts
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building - Free observation deck, sunset views

Evening: Omoide Yokocho (6-8 PM)

• Tiny alley with yakitori stalls
• $20-30 (¥3,000-4,500) for food + drinks
• Cash only, expect smoke and tight quarters

Where to Stay:

• Budget: Book and Bed Shinjuku ($35/night)
• Mid: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku ($120/night)
• Splurge: Park Hyatt ($450/night - the Lost in Translation hotel)

Pro tip: Don't stay in Shinjuku if you hate crowds. Ueno or Asakusa are quieter bases with better prices.

Day 1 Cost: $60-90 (¥9,000-13,000)

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Day 2: Tsukiji, Ginza, Roppongi

Early Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market (7-10 AM)

• Tsukiji Inner Market moved to Toyosu, but outer market is still there
• Breakfast: Fresh sashimi bowl $15-25 (¥2,200-3,700)
• Walk around, try samples, buy knives if you're into that
• Station: Tsukiji Station (Hibiya Line)

Late Morning: Hamarikyu Gardens (10 AM-12 PM)

• $4 (¥600) entry
• Traditional garden with tea house in the middle
• Crowds are light until noon

Afternoon: Ginza Window Shopping (1-4 PM)

• Walk from Hamarikyu to Ginza (20 min)
• Look at luxury stores you can't afford (or can, I don't know your life)
• Stop at Itoya (stationery store) - actually worth buying stuff
• Free browsing, coffee $6-8

Evening: Roppongi Hills + Mori Tower (5-8 PM)

• Mori Art Museum + Sky Deck: $20 (¥3,000)
• Best night view in Tokyo (better than Skytree, fight me)
• Stay for sunset, leave after dark

Dinner: Roppongi Izakaya

• $35-50 per person (¥5,000-7,500)
• Try Gonpachi (Kill Bill restaurant) or any izakaya on side streets

Day 2 Cost: $85-120 (¥12,500-18,000)

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Day 3: Asakusa + Skytree + Akihabara

Morning: Senso-ji Temple (8-10 AM)

• Go EARLY. By 10 AM it's a zoo.
• Free entry, but you'll spend $10-20 on Nakamise Street snacks
• Station: Asakusa (Ginza/Asakusa Lines)

Late Morning: Tokyo Skytree (10:30 AM-12:30 PM)

• Tembo Deck: $20 (¥3,000)
• Tembo Galleria (higher): +$15 (¥2,200)
• I did Tembo Deck only. Galleria is a tourist trap.
• 15 min walk or 1 station from Asakusa

Lunch: Skytree Town

• Food court: $12-18 (¥1,800-2,600)
• Ramen, curry, whatever

Afternoon: Akihabara (2-6 PM)

• Walk around, hit the arcades
• Super Potato - Retro game store (4th floor has arcade)
• Mandarake - Anime/manga stuff
• Don Quijote - Weird products and souvenirs
• Free unless you buy things

Evening: Dinner in Akihabara

• Maid cafes: $25-40 (¥3,700-6,000) - Do it once for the story or skip entirely
• Regular restaurants: $15-25 (¥2,200-3,700)

Day 3 Cost: $70-110 (¥10,500-16,500)

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Day 4: Harajuku, Shibuya, Shimokitazawa

Morning: Meiji Shrine (8-10 AM)

• Free entry
• Peaceful forest in the middle of Tokyo
• 30-40 min to walk through properly
• Station: Harajuku

Late Morning: Harajuku + Takeshita Street (10 AM-1 PM)

• Tourist trap but kind of fun
• Crepes: $6-8 (¥900-1,200)
• Photo at the entrance, walk through once, move on

Lunch: Omotesando

• Upscale street parallel to Takeshita
• $15-30 lunch (¥2,200-4,500)

Afternoon: Shibuya (2-5 PM)

• Shibuya Crossing - See it once, take video, done
• Shibuya Sky: $20 (¥3,000) - Rooftop observation deck (good but not essential)
• Mega Don Quijote - 5 floors of chaos
• Walk around, shop, people-watch

Evening: Shimokitazawa (6-9 PM)

• 2 stops from Shibuya on Keio Inokashira Line
• Hipster neighborhood with vintage shops and bars
• Dinner: $20-35 (¥3,000-5,200)
• Much better vibe than Shibuya after dark

Day 4 Cost: $70-110 (¥10,500-16,500)

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Day 5: Day Trip to Nikko or Kamakura

Option A: Nikko (Nature + Temples)

• 2 hours from Tokyo
• JR Pass covers it OR ¥5,000 ($34) round trip
• Toshogu Shrine: $8 (¥1,200) - Ornate and famous
• Lake Chuzenji: Free - Beautiful mountain lake
• Pack lunch or eat near the station ($12-18)
• Total cost: $55-75 (¥8,000-11,000)

Option B: Kamakura (Beach + Big Buddha)

• 1 hour from Tokyo
• $10 (¥1,500) round trip (Enoden day pass)
• Great Buddha: $3 (¥400)
• Hasedera Temple: $5 (¥700)
• Walk to the beach, get shaved ice
• Total cost: $35-55 (¥5,200-8,200)

I prefer Kamakura for first-timers. It's easier and you're back by evening.

Evening: Back in Tokyo

• Rest or explore your hotel neighborhood
• Konbini dinner is acceptable after a long day trip

Day 5 Cost: $40-80 (¥6,000-12,000)

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Day 6: Ueno, Yanaka, Tokyo Station

Morning: Ueno Park + Museums (9 AM-1 PM)

• Ueno Park: Free
• Tokyo National Museum: $8 (¥1,200) - Best museum in Tokyo
• OR Ueno Zoo: $8 (¥1,200) - Has pandas
• 3-4 hours here

Lunch: Ameya Yokocho

• Street market under train tracks
• $8-15 (¥1,200-2,200)

Afternoon: Yanaka District (2-5 PM)

• Old Tokyo neighborhood that survived WWII bombs
• Yanaka Cemetery - Peaceful walk
• Yanaka Ginza - Traditional shopping street
• Coffee and sweets: $8-12 (¥1,200-1,800)

Evening: Tokyo Station Area (6-9 PM)

• Tokyo Station itself is beautiful (red brick building)
• Ramen Street (B1 floor) - $10-15 (¥1,500-2,200)
• KITTE Building rooftop - Free Tokyo Station view

Day 6 Cost: $50-75 (¥7,500-11,000)

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Day 7: Last Day + Departure

Morning: Depends on Flight Time

If your flight is evening:

• Revisit favorite neighborhood
• teamLab Borderless/Planets: $30-35 (¥4,500-5,200) - Digital art museum (book ahead)
• Last-minute shopping in Shibuya/Shinjuku

If your flight is morning/afternoon:

• Pack night before
• Leave 3 hours before international flights
• Narita Express/Skyliner don't run before 6 AM (take taxi if needed: $200+)

Day 7 Cost: $30-100 depending on activities

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7-Day Tokyo Budget Summary

Add flights: $800-1,400 from US West Coast, $1,100-1,800 from US East Coast

What I Wish Someone Told Me Before Tokyo

1. Tokyo is HUGE. You cannot "see Tokyo" in 7 days. Pick 2-3 neighborhoods per day max.

2. Trains stop at midnight. Last train is 12:30 AM most lines. Miss it? Taxi is $40-80 to your hotel.

3. Restaurants close early. Kitchen closes 9-10 PM many places. Don't plan dinner at 10 PM.

4. Smoking is still a thing. Many restaurants have smoking sections. It sucks.

5. Trash cans don't exist. Carry your trash until you find one (konbini, train stations).

6. September = typhoon season. Check weather. I got trapped inside for 2 days once.

7. Solo travel is EASY here. Tons of solo dining options, low crime, English signage on trains.

Getting Around Tokyo: The Real Guide

Train Lines You'll Actually Use:

• Yamanote Line (green circle) - Connects major stations
• Tokyo Metro (subway) - 9 lines, covers everything
• Avoid changing lines if possible (wastes 10-15 min per transfer)

Google Maps vs Hyperdia:

• Google Maps: Better interface, works 95% of the time
• Hyperdia: More accurate for complex routes

IC Card Strategy:

• Load ¥3,000 ($20) at start
• Reload at any machine when it beeps red
• Never calculate fares, just tap in/out

Where to Eat: Neighborhood Guide

Best Ramen by Area:

• Shinjuku: Ichiran (solo booths, tourist-friendly)
• Tokyo Station: Rokurinsha (tsukemen - dipping noodles)
• Shinagawa: Afuri (yuzu ramen, lighter broth)

Best Cheap Eats:

• Yoshinoya, Matsuya, Sukiya (beef bowl chains): $5 (¥700)
• Hanamaru Udon: $4-7 (¥600-1,000)
• Tenya: Tempura bowls $6-9 (¥900-1,300)

Sit-Down Dinner ($30-50 range):

• Izakaya: Small plates + drinks (order 3-4 dishes per person)
• Yakiniku: Grill your own meat
• Conveyor belt sushi: Not amazing quality but fun experience

Pro tip: Look for places with lines of Japanese people at lunch. That's your signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to speak Japanese?

No. I learned 20 phrases and managed fine. Tokyo has English signs everywhere. Google Translate camera feature is magic for menus.

Q: Is 7 days enough for Tokyo?

Yes, for a first trip. You'll want to come back, but 7 days gives you a solid overview without burnout.

Q: Should I book tours or go solo?

Solo is easy in Tokyo. Save your money. Exception: Food tours are actually good (worth $80-120).

Q: Best area to stay for first-timers?

Shinjuku (central, lots of transport), Asakusa (traditional, quieter), or Shibuya (nightlife). Avoid: Roppongi (expensive and touristy).

Q: When is the best time to visit Tokyo?

March-May (spring/cherry blossoms) or October-November (fall colors). Avoid July-August (humid hellscape) and Golden Week (late April/early May - everything is packed).

You Might Also Like

• Japan Cherry Blossom Guide - If visiting in spring, read this first
• Most Beautiful Places in Japan - Beyond Tokyo: where to go next
• Osaka to Kyoto Guide - Perfect add-on to Tokyo trip
• Top Cities in Japan - Planning a longer Japan journey

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Tokyo itinerary last tested: January 2026. Prices updated quarterly.