What to Do in Tokyo: Best Things to See, Eat & Explore

Last updated: November 28, 2025

Stepping out of a Tokyo station can feel like changing channels. One moment it’s quiet shrine paths and wooden torii; ten minutes later, neon canyons and ramen counters. For a first-time visitor, the challenge usually isn’t “What is there to do?” but “How do I choose without burning out?”

This guide lays out a calm, 5-day structure that hits the classics, leaves room for personal interests, and keeps logistics realistic rather than heroic.

Quick Answer – A Simple 5-Day Shape

For a first or second trip, 4–5 full days in Tokyo works well: start with big hitters like Shinjuku, Asakusa, Shibuya and Ueno, then use a final “wild card” day for Disney, Ghibli, teamLab or a day trip. Base yourself near a major station, move mostly by IC card, and pre-book the headline attractions.

• Trip length: 4–5 full days in Tokyo, plus travel days.
• Base areas: Start in Shinjuku or Shibuya; consider one night near Tokyo Station or Asakusa if you’re taking onward trains.
• Rhythm: First days on big-name neighborhoods, later days for museums, side streets and one “hero” experience (Disney, Ghibli, teamLab or a day trip).
• Getting around: Tap on and off with a Suica/PASMO IC card on JR and metro; add 24–72-hour subway passes on heavy sightseeing days. JR East+2JR East+2
• Budget feel (mid-range): Roughly ¥18,000–¥22,000 per person per day for food, transport and attractions, excluding flights and big shopping.
• Key bookings: Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Disney Resort, Ghibli Museum and teamLab all work on timed entries or date-based tickets; book before you land. teamlab.art+6tokyo-skytree.jp+6tokyo-skytree.jp+6

Suggested 5-Day Plan

Think of this itinerary as a backbone. It’s deliberately front-loaded with “must-sees”, then opens out into choose-your-own Tokyo.

Day-by-day overview

Day 1 – Shinjuku and night views

• Ease in with Shinjuku: department stores, small alleys in Omoide Yokocho, optional skyscraper viewpoints.
• Good first base if you’re arriving at rush hour; everything you need is within a few blocks.

Day 2 – Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree

• Classic temple morning at Senso-ji, a stroll by the Sumida River, then late-afternoon or evening at Tokyo Skytree. tokyo-skytree.jp+3Go Tokyo+3Japan Guide+3

Day 3 – Shibuya, Harajuku and Meiji Shrine

• One loop on the JR Yamanote Line connects Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Jingu and Takeshita Street; it’s intense, but very “Tokyo”. Japan Travel+1

Day 4 – Ueno Park and nearby old neighborhoods

• Museums and park time in Ueno, plus a late-afternoon walk through older shopping streets such as Yanaka Ginza.

Day 5 – One “hero” day

• Choose Tokyo Disney, Ghibli Museum, teamLab, or a day trip to somewhere like Nikko or Hakone, depending on interests and energy.

Day-by-day table

Accessibility notes:

• Major hubs (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Tokyo Station, Maihama for Disney) have elevators and accessible ticket gates, but getting from platform to street can involve long walks.
• Senso-ji and Ueno Park paths are mostly flat but can get very crowded; wheelchairs and strollers are common.
• Tokyo Skytree, Disney, teamLab and big museums publish accessibility details on their official sites and offer barrier-free routes, accessible restrooms and rental wheelchairs.

When to Go

Tokyo is genuinely a year-round city, but the experience changes dramatically with the season.

• Late March–early April: Cherry blossoms along the Sumida River, in Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen. Crowds and hotel prices rise steeply in that window, so advance reservations are wise if planning a trip in that period in 2026 or later. Go Tokyo+2Go Tokyo+2
• June–August: Hot, humid and occasionally stormy; the payoff is festival season and fireworks. Check event dates on the official Go Tokyo calendar before locking in travel. Go Tokyo
• November (for example, November 1–30, 2025): Often the sweet spot—comfortable days, cool evenings and autumn colors in parks and gardens. Go Tokyo
• December–February: Chillier and darker, but typically dry and clear; good for city views and illuminations, less ideal for long outdoor days with small children.

Where to Stay

There is no single “right” neighborhood; each base trades atmosphere against convenience.

• Shinjuku – Excellent for first-timers who want easy train connections (including to western Tokyo and some day-trip lines) and a wide hotel range. Even basic business hotels tend to be close to stations.
• Shibuya – Better if nightlife and dining are the priority; compact, walkable and lively late into the evening.
• Tokyo Station / Ginza – Central and well-connected, with simple shinkansen access and more business hotels and upscale properties.
• Asakusa – Slightly slower-paced in the evenings, convenient for early-morning temple visits, and still well connected by metro.

Families often do well with Shinjuku or Tokyo Station for easier luggage movements; couples or solo travelers who like walking home through busy streets may prefer Shibuya or Ginza.

Getting Around: Cards, Passes, Taxis

IC cards (Suica, PASMO and friends)

For most visitors, a rechargeable IC card is the simplest way to move around Tokyo. Suica, issued by JR East, and PASMO (issued by private railways and buses) can be used interchangeably on almost all trains, subways and buses in the city, as well as in many shops and vending machines. Go Tokyo+3JR East+3JR East+3

Short-term visitors can look for Welcome Suica at Narita and Haneda, which skips the usual refundable deposit and is designed specifically for trips of up to 28 days. JR East+1

Subway passes

If a day is packed with metro hopping—Asakusa to Ueno to Ginza to Shinjuku, for example—a Tokyo Subway Ticket (24, 48 or 72 hours) valid on both Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway can work out cheaper than paying single fares. As of November 28, 2025, adult tickets start around ¥800 for 24 hours and up to around ¥1,500 for 72 hours. Tokyo Metro+1

The simplest rule of thumb: if someone expects to tap through gates three or more times in a single day, it’s worth running the numbers.

JR lines vs subway

The JR Yamanote Line is the city’s green “loop”, linking Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Ueno and Tokyo Station. Metros (Tokyo Metro and Toei) fill in the gaps and often get closer to specific sights. Most visitors mix both without thinking about it; IC cards make that easy.

Taxis

Taxis in Tokyo are metered, clean and generally safe. They’re more expensive than trains, but useful late at night, in heavy rain, or when traveling with small children or mobility challenges. For those who like to know roughly what a ride will cost before committing, a dedicated Japan taxi fare calculator such as Japan taxi fare calculator can help

Luggage, Lockers and Baggage Planning

Big suitcases and rush-hour trains are an unhappy combination. Tokyo’s main stations offer coin lockers in several sizes, and major airports and some rail companies also run luggage delivery services to hotels. Japan Travel+1

A little planning goes a long way—especially if the trip will include regional trains with limited luggage space. A practical way to think through what to bring, and what to leave at home, is to use a structured packing tool such as this Japan trip baggage planner.

What It Costs (Roughly)

USD shown at ≈ 1 USD = ¥156; check live rates. Wise+2Exchange Rates+2

For people who like to see everything in one place, a dedicated Japan trip cost calculator such as https://herdigitaldesk.com/japan-trip-cost-calculator/ can be useful for testing different hotel and sightseeing scenarios.

Swapping Days by Interest

This itinerary is deliberately flexible.

• Families with younger children:
  Swap some museum time for Tokyo Disney Resort, an aquarium or Ueno Zoo. Expect long walks and plenty of standing; strollers are widely used and accepted. Tokyo Disney Resort+1
• Food-focused travelers:
  Replace one observation deck with a food tour or a self-guided ramen and izakaya night. Neighborhoods like Ebisu, Kichijoji and Shimokitazawa reward slower, food-oriented wandering.
• Pop culture and anime fans:
  Add Akihabara, Nakano Broadway or character cafés. These areas can be visually and sonically intense, so it’s worth building in some quiet park time the same day.
• Architecture and contemporary art:
  Consider more time in Roppongi (for the big museums), Azabudai Hills (for teamLab Borderless) and Toyosu (teamLab Planets). Go Tokyo+3teamlab.art+3teamlab.art+3
• Side-trip lovers:
  On Day 5, swap the city for Nikko, Hakone or Kamakura/Enoshima using JR and private rail from Tokyo and Ueno. Official JR East and local tourism sites list route options and passes. JR East+1

Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Be a Good Guest)

A few common pain points are easy to sidestep:

• Trying to fit three big-ticket sights (for example, Skytree, Ghibli and Disney) into one day. Travel, queues and security checks all take time.
• Underestimating the walk between platforms, especially at Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo Station. Leave margin for transfers. Japan Travel+1
• Ignoring last train times and ending up stranded far from the hotel; late-night taxis are fine, but not cheap.
• Dragging huge suitcases through rush hour instead of using lockers or delivery.
• Forgetting that many parks and museums close one fixed weekday (often Monday). Shinjuku Gyoen and Tokyo National Museum both list closures clearly on their official pages. culture.city.taito.lg.jp+3fng.or.jp+3Go Tokyo+3

On etiquette, Tokyo is forgiving, but a little awareness helps:

• Keep voices low on trains and avoid taking voice calls.
• Don’t eat while walking in crowded streets; look for a bench or stand by the shop where food was bought.
• At shrines, follow any arrows and signs, use the purification fountain if comfortable doing so, and avoid photographing people deep in prayer. JNTO and Go Tokyo both publish short, visual etiquette guides. Japan Travel+1

Key Takeaways

• A 5-day structure balances headline sights with room for personal interests and rest.
• Staying near a major station (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station or Asakusa) keeps both city travel and day trips simple.
• IC cards plus occasional subway passes cover most transport needs without complex planning.
• Timed tickets for Skytree, Ghibli, Disney and teamLab are now the norm—checking official calendars early pays off.
• Small etiquette choices—quiet trains, neat queues, respectful behavior at shrines—go a long way toward a smoother experience.

Sources used

• Go Tokyo – Official Tokyo Travel Guide: https://www.gotokyo.org/en/ Go Tokyo+3Go Tokyo+3Go Tokyo+3
• Japan National Tourism Organization – Official Japan Guide: https://www.japan.travel/en/ Japan Travel+1
• Tokyo Metro – Tokyo Subway Ticket: https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/travel/index.html and Tokyo Subway Ticket top page: https://www.tokyometro.jp/tst/en/index.html Tokyo Metro+1
• JR East – Suica & IC cards: https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/pass/suica.html and multi-language travel info: https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/ Go Tokyo+3JR East+3JR East+3
• Tokyo Skytree – Official site and ticket info: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/ and https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/ticket/ tokyo-skytree.jp+1
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden – Official info: https://fng.or.jp/shinjuku/en/ fng.or.jp+1
• Tokyo National Museum – Official site: https://www.tnm.jp/?lang=en and Taito City cultural listing: https://www.culture.city.taito.lg.jp/en/facilities/00001c00000000000002000000540041 tnm.jp+2tnm.jp+2
• Ghibli Museum, Mitaka – Hours and tickets: https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/hours-and-directions/ and ticket info: https://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/tickets/ ghibli-museum.jp+2ghibli-museum.jp+2
• teamLab Planets & teamLab Borderless – Official exhibition pages: https://www.teamlab.art/e/planets/ and https://www.teamlab.art/e/tokyo/ teamlab.art+4teamlab.art+4teamlab.art+4
• Tokyo Disney Resort – Official site and tickets: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/index.html and https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/ticket/index.html Tokyo Disney Resort+2Tokyo Disney Resort+2
• Narita Airport rail access: https://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/train/ and Haneda access guidance: https://tokyo-haneda.com/en/access/narita/index.html narita-airport.jp+1