The PERFECT 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary That Will Make You Love Japan
This post is all about The PERFECT 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary That Will Make You Love Japan
Tokyo is truly one of the best places to visit but there are so many things to do here! So here is my perfect 5 day itinerary including hidden gems, amazing restaurants, local favorites, and really cool museums and cafes. Here is my Tokyo itinerary for five days:
This post is about the perfect 5 day Tokyo itinerary
Check out my other post here for the 3 Best Places To Stay in Tokyo, Japan
Day 1: Shinjuku
Uogashi Nihon-ichi (Standing Sushi Bar)
This is my favorite casual sushi store in all of Tokyo! I think we ate here once a day for 14 days straight. It’s super quick, you walk in, order, eat while standing, and then when you’re finished, grab your receipt and pay.
2. Play some capsule games at Gigo Shinjuku or Round 1
Capsule games are such a cute and fun tradition in Tokyo! You can find so many fun games and lots of locals coming in to grab some cute toys.
3. Do some shopping at the department stores nearby (trendy spots: WEGO, Uniqlo)
There are so many amazing fashion shops from all over the world here and some of my favorites include Lumine Shinjuku, NEWoMan Shinjuku, Muji Shinjuku, and Keio Department Store Shinjuku. Some of my favorite stores include Wego, Uniqlo, and BEAMS.
the best udon in the world at Udon Shin
4. Head to Omoide Yokochu:
One of the coolest hidden alleys full of traditional food stalls selling beer, yakitori, and other amazing barbecue foods. Its a beautiful place to people watch and almost all the salls have English menus available.
5. Kabukicho The Red Light District
Behind the red gates is Kabukicho, the red light district which is a really cool place to visit full of unique bars, love hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. Be careful here though, don’t talk to any strangers or get lured into any bars. There are alot of scams going on here but its a super cool place to visit!
Day 2: Tokyo Team Lab & Tsukiji Fish Market
Tsukiji Fish Market
The early bird catches the worm! Most of these sushi places close by 11AM so make sure to get here as early as you can for some of the freshest fish in the world. I recommend these restaurants:
Unitora Nakadori (to try 5 different types of uni)
Tsukiji Koromo Sushi (delicious omakase)
You can book a tour here to sample a range of foods and get picked up
2. Tokyo Team Lab Planets
You’ve seen this place ALL over instagram and it is well worth a visit. Book in advance, on a weekday, and at the earliest slot possible. There are parts of the exhibit where you'll have to roll up your pants so avoid wearing jeans! If you wear a dress/skirt, make sure to wear a cover up underneath.
Both of these are close by so you can go before or after the other.
Check out my post here for the 15 Things You NEED To Know Before Going To Japan
Day 3: Spend The Day In Shibuya
1. Shibuya Crossing
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing, with as many as 3,000 people crossing at a time, is such a cool and crazy thing to experience! PRO TIP: the BEST secret view is at the Starbucks upstairs! Grab a drink and people watch.
2. Don Quijote
If theres anywhere to get souvenirs in Japan, its at Don Quijote! Here you can find a huge range of skincare, different kitkats, accessories, toys, magnets, and anything else you could possibly think of. Don't forget your passport to get it tax free!
3. Shibuya Sky
Shibuya Sky is one of the best things to do in Tokyo, with breathtaking panoramic views of the Tokyo Tower, Skytree, and Mount Fuji on an amazing day. It can get very windy up there so bring a jacket!
Day 4: Dolls in Harajuku & Owls
Takeshita Street
One of the coolest streets in Harajuku filled with quirky cafes, bold fashion boutiques, and fluffy crepes. This is the place to experience real "kawaii" culture! Get here earlier in the day as some of the shops tend to close early but you can spend the entire day here eating, shopping, and seeing some quirky animal cafes.
For more hipster styles and cool trainers, Ura Harajuku is the place to shop.
For fast-fashion retailers and trendy brands, you should visit Meiji Street including Laforet Harajuku and Wego.
High-end shops are also available in Harajuku, especially around Omotesando area.
2. Visit an Owl Cafe
There are several owl cafes to visit in Akihabara. You can tell that the owls are treated really kindly with jazz music playing in the background and plenty of break times for the owls. Book in advance because this place SELLS OUT. It’s an adorable little place and one of the best places to visit in Tokyo.
Day 5. Visiting The Temples & Tokyo Sky Tree
Senso Ji Temple
If there’s one temple to visit in Tokyo, it’s this one! Arrive early as it gets pretty crowded, there’s also a fortune telling aspect where you can try your luck! If you get a bad fortune, tie it to the temple so that it will stay there. You'll notice people tend to cover their heads with the incense smoke, it's a belief that by healing your head you'll become smarter.
2. Nakamise Street
Right next to Sensoji temple, you can find more than 90 stores line up offering traditional local souvenirs and street food. It’s a great place to find souvenirs, snacks, and sweets.
3. Tokyo Skytree
Come here to catch an epic sunset at the tallest tower in Japan! It has 2 observation decks as well and is located in a really fun huge shopping center called Tokyo Solamachi Shopping Center. You can spend all day walking around here but buy tickets in advance!
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And there you have it! The perfect 5-day Tokyo itinerary. You really can’t go wrong in this amazing city and soon you’ll find 5 days really isn’t enough! What are you putting on your itinerary?
This post is all about the PERFECT 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary That Will Make You Love Japan
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