Tokyo(東京, Tōkyō) is the largest metropolis in the world — 37 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area. The city combines the futuristic Shibuya with the traditional Asakusa, the Akihabara manga with the exclusive Ginza. Below is a five-day tour.
Day 1: Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku
Shibuya Crossing— the world's most famous intersection, 3,000 people in one green phase. The best view fromStarbucks Tsutaya(1st floor) orShibuya Sky(visible 229 m platform, ticket 2200 JPY).
Harajuku— the capital of youth fashion.Takeshita-dōri(300 m street with cosplay boutiques, crepes, purikura).Meiji Jingū— Shinto temple surrounded by forest 100,000 trees. The entrance is free.
Shinjuku—Metropolitan Government Building(202 m, free-view terrace),Golden Gai(200 microscopic bars of 4-8 seats),Kabukichō(night district).
Day 2: Akihabara, Ueno, Yanaka
Akihabara— Electronics and anime.Yodobashi Camera(9 floors of electronics),Mandarake Complex(8 floors of used anime/manga). Maid cafés from 1500 JPY/hour.
Park Ueno— 5 world-class museums:Tokyo National Museum(1000 JPY, the largest collection of Japanese art),Museum of Western Art(500 JPY, Rodina, Coin), panda zoo.
Yanaka— the district with the atmosphere of pre-war Tokyo, traditional wooden houses, cemetery with 7,000 graves, craft shops.
Day 3: Asakusa, Skytree, Odaiba
Sensō-ji(645) — Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Nakamise-dōri (300 m stalls from dorayaki, ningyō-yaki). The rickshaw will pull youjinrikisha(10 min from 3000 JPY).
Tokyo Skytree— 634 m, tallest tower in the world. Tembo Deck 350 m (bill 2100 JPY), Tembo Galleria 450 m (additional 1000 JPY).
Odaiba— artificial island in Tokyo Bay. Gundam RX-0 Unicorn 19.7 m ( FREE, transforms every hour 11-21).teamLab Planets(Tier 3800 JPY ticket, sensual impressions in water).
Day 4: Ginza, Tsukiji, Roppongi
Ginza— the most expensive street in the world (Chuo-dōri, weekends on foot).Wako Building(clock 1932), Chanel boutiques, Hermès. CaféGinza Kimuraya(since 1874, inventor of anpan — buns with beans).
Tsukiji Outer Market— the former big fish market (the main trade moved to Toyosu in 2018), were sushi bars and street food. Sushi Dai — 5000 JPY, queue 2 hours at dawn.
Roppongi Hills— Mori Tower (2100 JPY, viewing terrace), Mori Art Museum. Nightlife for the expats.
Day 5: Trip to Kamakura and Yokohama
Kamakura(50 mins JR Yokosuka Line, 950 JPY) is the first capital of the Shogunate (1185–1333).Daibutsu— Brown Buddha 13.3 m from 1252 (300 JPY).Hasedera,Zen-arai Benzaiten(The temples in the cave, you wash the money, are to multiply.)
Yokohama(30 mins from Tokyo) — Chinatown (the largest in Japan),Cup Noodles Museum,Landmark Tower(296 m, Japan's fastest elevator — 12.5 m/s).
Practical information
- Suica/Pasmo: prepaid card, charge in the machine, pay in meters, buses, 7-Eleven stores. Deposit 500 JPY
- Tokyo Metro 24h: 800 JPY, all Tokyo metro lines
- JR Yamanote Line: loop around the center (34 km, 60 min), connects all important districts
- Season: March-May (sakura, temperatures 15-22°C), October-November (Koyō, autumn leaves). Avoid tsuyu (rainy June) and typhoons (August-September)
- Currency: 1000 JPY 27 zł. Card accepted everywhere except small izakay
- Wi-Fi: pocket WiFi 500-800 JPY/day or eSIM Ubigi/Airalo from 4 USD/3 days