First time in Tokyo? The biggest mistake first-timers make is packing too much in. After more than a dozen visits, our editors converged on this rhythm: two focus zones per day, plus breathing room for the unplanned magic. Everything here has been tested. Affiliate links take you to partners we actually use.
Itinerary at a glance
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive NRT/HND | Shinjuku check-in | Kabukicho neon |
| 2 | Asakusa · Skytree | Ueno · Ameyoko | Akihabara anime run |
| 3 | Meiji Shrine · Harajuku | Shibuya Scramble | Ebisu beer garden |
| 4 | Tokyo DisneySea | Fantasy Springs | Maihama fireworks |
| 5 | Tsukiji breakfast | Ginza shopping | Fly home |
Before you go: flights, hotels, Wi-Fi
Start tracking flight prices at least 8 weeks out. Sakura (late March–early April) and koyo (mid-November) command 40%+ premiums.
Live flight comparison to Tokyo
200+ airlines and OTAs in one search. Flexible-dates view alone can save you 20–40%.
Find flights →For a first trip, stay in Shinjuku. JR lines, the Metro and airport buses all converge here. APA and Mitsui Garden sit in the middle tier; UNIZO and Toyoko Inn save cash.
Shinjuku hotels, live prices
Free cancellation on most, map view shows which are 3 minutes from a station.
Search Shinjuku hotels →Japan unlimited eSIM
QR code to your inbox in minutes. Activate when you land — no line at the airport.
Get eSIM →Day 1｜Don't over-schedule the arrival
After immigration, luggage and the airport transfer, you have maybe three usable hours of daylight. Drop bags at the hotel, wander Shinjuku, end with the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory for a skyline reset. The renovated deck reopened late 2025 with much shorter queues.
Day 2｜Old Tokyo deep dive
Start at Senso-ji and the Nakamise snack alley. Walk or water-bus to Skytree. Afternoon: Ueno and Ameyoko for ¥500 sushi and drugstores. Evening: Akihabara — electronics, anime, and the mecca of gachapon at GachaPon Hall.
Tokyo Metro 24/48/72-hour pass
Covers Tokyo Metro and Toei. Perfect if you base in Shinjuku, Asakusa or Ueno.
Buy pass →Day 3｜Trend loop: Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya
Meiji Shrine is the most peaceful forest inside a mega-city. Walk Takeshita-dori for crepes, Omotesando for architecture. Afternoon: Shibuya Scramble and Shibuya Sky (reserve two weeks ahead; ¥2,500).
Shibuya Sky skip-the-line
Sunset slots book out fastest. QR-code entry, no line at the window.
Reserve →Day 4｜Disney: Land or Sea?
If it's your first visit, pick DisneySea. The new Fantasy Springs area (Frozen + Peter Pan + Tangled) opened 2024 and remains the headline. Download the official app before you enter to snag Priority Passes.
Tokyo Disney 1-day e-ticket
Flexible dates, soft cancellation, scan the QR at the gate.
Buy ticket →Day 5｜Tsukiji, Ginza, go home
Leave bags at the hotel. Seafood breakfast at Tsukiji outer market (try Tsukiji Sushi Sei). Last-mile shopping at Ginza — Uniqlo's 6-storey flagship is the efficient choice. Head to the airport 4–5 hours before departure.
5-day budget estimate (per person)
| Item | USD | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | $400–$700 | High/low season |
| Hotels (4 nights) | $350–$600 | Cheaper per head as a pair |
| Transit | $50 | Metro pass + airport transfer |
| Food | $150 | ~$10/meal average |
| Tickets & tours | $180 | Disney + Sky |
| Shopping buffer | $200+ | Highly personal |
| Total | $1,300–$1,900 |
Pre-flight checklist
- Passport valid 6+ months
- Fill out Visit Japan Web (faster immigration)
- Travel + trip-delay insurance
- Download Google Maps offline + Navitime Transit
- Carry ¥10–20k cash for shrines, ramen shops, vending machines