Three Days in Tokyo

TL;DR

Three days in Tokyo is enough to hit the city’s essential neighborhoods: Shibuya and Harajuku for modern culture, Asakusa and Ueno for old Tokyo, and Tsukiji and Ginza for food and shopping. The city is extremely walkable once you have a train card, and most major sights are reachable within 30 minutes by subway.

Who This Guide Is For

First-time visitors who want a structured but flexible itinerary without a tour group. This plan assumes you are comfortable using public transit and walking 10,000+ steps per day.

Quick Facts

Question	Answer
Best time to visit	March-May (cherry blossoms) or October-November (cool, clear)
Typical duration	3 days
Difficulty	Easy
Typical daily budget	¥12,000-22,000 ($80-150 USD)
Transport	Suica / Pasmo card for all trains and buses
Cash needed	Many smaller restaurants are cash-only

Before You Go

Checklist

Documents & Money

Passport (carry at all times; police can request ID)
Cash: withdraw ¥50,000+ ($350+) at airport 7-Eleven ATM
Suica or Pasmo card purchased and loaded
Pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM activated

Apps to Download

Google Maps (offline maps for subway lines)
Google Translate (camera mode for menus)
Suica / Pasmo app for balance checks
Tabelog or Gurunavi for restaurant reservations

Gear

Comfortable walking shoes (you will hit 15,000+ steps)
Compact daypack
Portable charger
Reusable water bottle (vending machines everywhere)

Getting There

Most international visitors arrive at Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND). Haneda is 30 minutes from central Tokyo; Narita is 1-1.5 hours. Both airports have clear English signage for trains, buses, and taxis.

From	To	Time	Cost
Haneda → Shibuya	Keikyu + JR Yamanote	~30 min	¥450 ($3)
Narita → Shibuya	Narita Express + JR Yamanote	~75 min	¥3,000 ($20)
Airport taxi	Central Tokyo	30-90 min	¥15,000-25,000 ($100-170)

Where to Stay

Pick a neighborhood based on your priorities. Shibuya is central and great for nightlife. Shinjuku has the best train connections and budget hotels. Asakusa feels more traditional and is quieter. For this itinerary, Shibuya or Shinjuku are the most convenient.

Neighborhood	Best For	Price Range per Night
Shibuya	Nightlife, shopping, central location	¥20,000-40,000 ($130-270)
Shinjuku	Transport hub, budget hotels, food	¥12,000-30,000 ($80-200)
Asakusa	Traditional atmosphere, temples	¥10,000-25,000 ($70-170)

Budget hotels and hostels in Shinjuku start around ¥8,000-12,000/night ($55-80). Mid-range business hotels in Shibuya run ¥18,000-35,000/night ($120-235). As of 2025, prices have stabilized post-pandemic but popular areas still book out weeks ahead during cherry blossom season.

Where to Eat

Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city, but the best meals are often cheap. Eat at conveyor-belt sushi counters in Harajuku, yakitori stalls in Omoide Yokocho, and ramen shops near every major station. Tsukiji Outer Market is the place for tamagoyaki and fresh uni bowls at breakfast.

Meal	Recommendation	Location	Approx. Cost
Breakfast	Tamagoyaki and uni at Tsukiji Outer Market	Tsukiji	¥2,000-4,000 ($13-27)
Lunch	Conveyor-belt sushi	Harajuku	¥1,500-3,000 ($10-20)
Dinner	Yakitori and beer	Omoide Yokocho, Shinjuku	¥3,000-6,000 ($20-40)
Late night	Ramen near your hotel	Most neighborhoods	¥900-1,500 ($6-10)

Reservation tip: Many popular ramen shops and sushi counters accept no reservations — arrive before 11:30 a.m. or after 2 p.m. to skip the queue. Conveyor-belt sushi usually has a short turnover, so a 15-minute wait is normal.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku

Start at Shibuya Crossing, then walk north through Harajuku. Visit Meiji Shrine around 9 a.m. before the crowds arrive. Lunch on Takeshita Street. Spend the afternoon on Omotesando and in the smaller side streets of Shibuya. Evening in Shinjuku at Omoide Yokocho for yakitori.

Time	Activity	Location	Notes/Tips
8:00 a.m.	Shibuya Crossing	Shibuya	Go early before the crowds
9:30 a.m.	Meiji Shrine	Harajuku	Forest setting, quiet in the morning
12:00 p.m.	Conveyor-belt sushi lunch	Harajuku	Try the tamago and salmon roe
2:00 p.m.	Omotesando shopping	Harajuku	Window shopping and side streets
5:00 p.m.	Explore Shibuya backstreets	Shibuya	Nonbei Yokocho for a quick drink
7:00 p.m.	Yakitori dinner	Shinjuku	Omoide Yokocho, arrive by 7:30 p.m.

Plan B: If it rains, swap the afternoon walk for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (free observation deck) or the nearby Tokyu Hands for souvenirs.

Day 2: Asakusa, Akihabara, and Ueno

Explore Asakusa and Senso-ji before 8 a.m. to beat tour groups. Walk or take the subway to Akihabara for electronics and anime culture, or switch to Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum if electronics are not your interest. Return to Asakusa for a riverside dinner.

Time	Activity	Location	Notes/Tips
7:30 a.m.	Senso-ji Temple	Asakusa	Arrive early, Kaminarimon Gate is quieter
9:00 a.m.	Snack the side streets	Asakusa	Melon pan and matcha near the temple
11:00 a.m.	Electronics / anime district	Akihabara	Multi-floor shops and maid cafes
2:00 p.m.	Tokyo National Museum	Ueno Park	Allow 2-3 hours minimum
6:00 p.m.	Tempura dinner	Asakusa	Restaurants near Kaminarimon Gate

Plan B: If the museum is closed or you prefer nature, walk through Ueno Park to Shinobazu Pond and rent a rowboat (¥2,000/$13 for 30 minutes).

Day 3: Tsukiji, Ginza, and Roppongi

Visit Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast. Walk to Ginza for window shopping and the Sony Park exhibits. End the trip at Roppongi Hills or Tokyo Tower for final skyline views.

Time	Activity	Location	Notes/Tips
8:00 a.m.	Tsukiji Outer Market	Tsukiji	Arrive before 9 a.m., try uni bowls
10:30 a.m.	Walk to Ginza	Ginza	20-minute walk or one subway stop
12:00 p.m.	Lunch and shopping	Ginza	Uniqlo flagship or Apple Store
3:00 p.m.	Sony Park or free galleries	Ginza	Check current exhibitions
6:00 p.m.	Final views	Roppongi / Tokyo Tower	Roppongi Hills observation deck

Plan B: If Roppongi feels too commercial, take the subway to Shibuya Sky for a more modern observation deck with open-air sections (¥2,500/$17, book online).

Practical Tips

Train card: Buy a Suica or Pasmo card at the airport (deposit ¥500/$3.50 + load amount). You will use it for every train, bus, and vending machine.
Cash: Many small restaurants, ticket machines, and shrines are cash-only. Withdraw yen at 7-Eleven ATMs, which reliably accept foreign cards. As of 2025, most ATMs charge ¥110-220 ($0.75-1.50) per foreign withdrawal.
Tipping: Do not tip. It is not expected and can cause confusion.
Rush hour: Avoid the subway between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. if possible. Trains are extremely crowded. If you must travel then, wait for the last car, which is slightly less packed.
Shoes: You will walk a lot. Wear broken-in sneakers or comfortable walking shoes. Many traditional restaurants require shoe removal.
Trash bins: Rare on the street. Carry a small bag for trash and dispose of it at your hotel or convenience store.

Before You Go: Last-Minute Checks

Suica balance: Check your card balance before each day. Top up at any station if below ¥1,000 ($7).
Weather: March can still be cool (8-15°C / 46-59°F). Pack a light jacket. Check the 10-day forecast before flying.
Museum closures: Many museums close Mondays. Check opening days if you plan to visit the Tokyo National Museum or Mori Art Museum.
Restaurant reservations: For high-end sushi or kaiseki, book 2-4 weeks ahead via your hotel concierge or Tabelog.

Insider Tips

Buy a 24-hour subway pass only if you plan more than 6 rides in a single day; otherwise, tap your Suica card each time and the fares will be cheaper. If you want a quiet moment away from the crowds, visit the Nezu Museum in Aoyama — its garden is one of the most peaceful spots in central Tokyo. The museum’s café serves excellent matcha.

Local tip: Eat breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market before 9 a.m. After 10 a.m., the crowds become overwhelming and some stalls close. The best tamagoyaki stands are the ones with the longest lines of locals.

Etiquette & Culture

Temples: Bow slightly at the gate before entering. Wash your hands and mouth at the temizuya (water pavilion) before approaching the main hall.
Trains: Keep conversations low. Phone calls are frowned for. Stand to the right on escalators in Tokyo; stand to the left in Osaka.
Onsen (hot springs): If you visit one, wash and rinse thoroughly before entering the bath. No swimsuits. Tattoos may be banned at traditional onsen.
Gifts: If visiting someone’s home, bring a small gift like fruit or snacks. Present it with both hands.

Useful Phrases (Japanese)

Phrase	Romaji	Use
すみません	Sumimasen	Excuse me / Thank you
ありがとうございます	Arigatou gozaimasu	Thank you
これください	Kore kudasai	This, please
お会計お願いします	O-kaikei onegaishimasu	Check, please
トイレはどこですか	Toire wa doko desu ka	Where is the bathroom?
英語が話せますか	Eigo ga hanasemasu ka	Do you speak English?

FAQs

Is 3 days enough for Tokyo? Yes, if you focus on a few neighborhoods and accept that you will miss most of the city. Tokyo is enormous; use this itinerary as a starting point and return for specific interests like anime, art, or day trips.

Do I need to speak Japanese? Not for this itinerary. Major stations have English signage, and Google Translate’s camera mode handles menus. Learning a few phrases — arigato, sumimasen, kore kudasai — is appreciated but not required.

How do I get from the airport to the city? Haneda is 30 minutes by train (¥450/$3). Narita is 1-1.5 hours (¥3,000/$20). Both airports have clear English signage for trains, buses, and taxis.

What should I pack? Comfortable walking shoes, a compact daypack, a portable charger, and a reusable water bottle. If you are visiting in spring or autumn, bring a light jacket for cooler evenings.

Are credit cards widely accepted? Major hotels and department stores accept cards, but many restaurants, shrines, and markets are cash-only. Always carry yen.

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