Daily Plan
A 5-Day Plan,Hour by Hour
Sights are grouped by zone to cut down on train time — each day comes with its highlights, rough timings, and where to sleep at the end of it. Adjust to your own energy and tastes.
Day1
East–South Tokyo
Ueno · Odaiba · Akihabara
An easy-does-it first day after landing — a park, museums, a bay island, then a finale in the brightest anime district in the city.
- MorningCheck in, drop your bags, then start at Ueno Park — a sprawling park home to the Tokyo National Museum, a zoo, and the Ameyoko market right beside it, perfect for a cheap-eats stroll.
- AfternoonTake the train to Odaiba, the bayfront island — the life-size Unicorn Gundam outside DiverCity, views of the Rainbow Bridge, and waterfront malls. If you love digital art, swing by teamLab Planets in nearby Toyosu (book tickets ahead).
- EveningAkihabara — the capital of anime, gaming, and electronics. Browse card shops, gachapon machines, and multi-floor arcades; the neon at night is the highlight. Wrap up with ramen at a late-night spot nearby.
Day2
Old + New in One Day
Asakusa · Skytree · Shibuya/Shinjuku
Today captures both poles of Tokyo — an ancient temple and the tallest tower in the morning, the world's busiest crossing and the Shinjuku skyline by night.
- MorningSenso-ji Temple in Asakusa — Tokyo's oldest temple, with the giant red Kaminarimon lantern gate and Nakamise street selling souvenirs and traditional snacks. Go early for thinner crowds and better photos.
- Late AMWalk across the river to Tokyo Skytree, a 634-metre tower — the Tembo Deck (350 m) is around ¥3,100, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Fuji. The Solamachi mall below is a good lunch stop.
- AfternoonTrain over to Shibuya — the legendary scramble crossing, the Hachiko statue, and the Shibuya Sky viewpoint atop Scramble Square (book ahead for the sunset slot).
- EveningShinjuku — the lantern-lit Omoide Yokocho alley with tiny yakitori joints, the Kabukicho district, the giant 3D cat billboard, and malls open late. Have dinner and wander for hours.
Day3
Escape to the Mountains · 1 Night
Kawaguchiko — Fuji Views + Onsen
The highlight of the trip. Leave Tokyo early and head for Lake Kawaguchiko in the shadow of Mt. Fuji. Leave your big bag in Tokyo and take just one overnight bag.
- MorningDepart Shinjuku — the Fuji Excursion limited express runs direct to Kawaguchiko in about 1 hr 50 min (~¥4,130, reserved seat), or take an express bus (~¥2,200–2,500, cheaper but traffic-dependent). On arrival, check in at the ryokan and drop your bag.
- Late AMRide the Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway for an elevated view of the lake + Fuji, then take the Red Line bus to Oishi Park on the lake's northern shore — a prime spot for photos of Fuji over seasonal flower beds (lavender from June to early July).
- AfternoonStop by Chureito Pagoda — the postcard view of Fuji beside the red pagoda, up ~400 steps (about 10–15 min by train from Kawaguchiko). Come in late April to early May and you'll have cherry blossoms framing the mountain too.
- EveningBack to the ryokan to soak in a Fuji-view onsen and enjoy a kaiseki dinner, then step out to see Fuji at dusk — and in the morning, open the curtains before 9 am for another shot at a clear peak.
🌙 Sleep: Kawaguchiko · Fuji-view ryokan (Night 3)
🎫 Tip: Fujikyu Bus Pass ~¥1,500/day for unlimited rides around the lake
🔗 Kawaguchiko Guide →
Day4
Bayside Port City
Yokohama — Minato Mirai + Chinatown
Head back from Fuji into Tokyo in the morning, grab your big bag, then ride out to Yokohama — a port city just half an hour from central Tokyo.
- MorningCheck out of the ryokan and return to Tokyo by Fuji Excursion/bus · pick up or store your bags at the Tokyo hotel, then train to Yokohama (from Shibuya on the Tokyu Toyoko Line ~30 min, or JR from Shinagawa ~20 min).
- AfternoonMinato Mirai 21 — the Landmark Tower observation deck on the 69th floor, the Cosmo World Ferris wheel, the Red Brick Warehouse, and the Cup Noodles Museum, where you can design your own cup of noodles.
- EveningYokohama Chinatown — the largest in Japan. Graze on steamed buns, skewered manju, and dim sum, then stroll Yamashita Park along the bay to watch the Minato Mirai lights shimmer on the water.
🌙 Sleep: Tokyo or Yokohama (Night 4)
🎫 Tip: Minatomirai Line 1-day pass ¥460 for unlimited city rides
🔗 Yokohama Guide →
Day5
Last-Minute Shopping + Airport
Shopping · Souvenirs · Fly Home
Build the last day around your flight time — pick up souvenirs, browse the malls, and leave enough buffer to reach the airport. Narita and Haneda take very different amounts of time.
- MorningCheck out and store your bags · shop for souvenirs in whichever district is convenient — Ginza for luxury stores plus flagship Uniqlo/Muji, Don Quijote for a bit of everything, and drugstores for cosmetics.
- Late AMIf your flight is afternoon/evening, fit in one last stop near your route to the airport — like Tsukiji Outer Market for a farewell sushi/tamagoyaki lunch, or a walk through Hamarikyu Gardens.
- AfternoonGrab your bags and head to the airport — Narita: the Narita Express (N'EX) from Tokyo/Shinjuku ~60–90 min, or Keisei Skyliner from Ueno ~45 min · Haneda: much closer, ~15 min from Shinagawa. Allow 2–3 hours to check in before your flight.
✈️ Trip ends: Fly home from Narita / Haneda
🛍️ Tip: Claim Tax-Free by showing your passport at checkout
🔗 Before You Fly →