5-Day Tokyo Itinerary

A Complete Itinerary for 5 Days in Tokyo, Japan

Welcome to the hustle and the neon lights! 5 days in Tokyo is plenty of time to hit the top places despite the massive size of this city. We first visited Tokyo in 2015 and spent 5 days there. We returned in 2018 and decided to spend 9 days in order to find the best places to visit in Tokyo to better complete this itinerary.

Our 5 days in Tokyo itinerary is completely customizable so feel free to switch around the days or activities to best suit your travel needs and experience!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links from which we may make commission from. As always, we only recommend places and products we love!

The First Thing You Need to Know About This 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary

Tokyo is HUGE. I’m pretty sure that even if you lived here you could never see or do it all. Because it is such a large city, planning your 5 day Tokyo itinerary in a logistical sense is EXTREMELY important.

On our first trip to Japan, Tokyo was our last stop and we didn’t plan as extensively as we did for other cities we visited in Japan. Thus, we wasted A LOT of time on trains, searching for places to eat, and more places to go. After visiting Tokyo for a second time we decided to completely revamp this 5 day Tokyo itinerary to make it easier to manage.

Using IC Cards and Subway Passes in Tokyo

While most people know about the Japan Rail Pass for traveling around to various cities in Japan. But the JR Pass isn’t necessary to activate if you’re planning to spend 5 days in Tokyo or really, regardless of how much time you choose to stay in Tokyo. Instead, consider using a subway pass and IC card for your Tokyo itinerary and activating your JR pass later. However, if you already have an active JR pass you can use that while in Tokyo too!

Subway Passes

If you plan to be in Tokyo for a few days we highly recommend looking into a Subway Pass they are inexpensive and a time saver. The Tokyo Subway Pass works on the Tokyo Metro and the Toei Subway for 24, 48, or 72 hours. You can easily pick them up at many hotels, BIC Camera, or Tokyo Metro Stations. To use the subway pass you’ll simply insert it inside the ticket slot at the automatic ticket gate for the subway. Upon leaving the station you’ll insert it again. Make sure you grab it each time you use it because it’s good for the entire time period you purchased it for!

Subway Pass Rates

• 24-hour Ticket: 800¥ (Adult), 400¥ (Child)
• 48-hour Ticket: 1,200¥ (Adult), 600¥ (Child)
• 72-hour Ticket: 1,500¥ (Adult), 750¥ (Child)

IC Cards

Instead of purchasing tickets each time you ride public transportation, get an IC card to easily swipe in and out of the station. IC cards are prepaid rechargeable cards that can be used all over Japan and even used at some restaurants, stores, and vending machines. The cards that you can buy in Tokyo are the Suica and Pasmo cards. While they can be used in any of the places previously mentioned, they can only be returned for your deposit fee at certain locations in JR East or Tokyo depending on the card.

READ MORE: Important Things to Know Before Traveling to Japan

When is the Best Time to Visit Tokyo?

Really there is no bad time to visit Tokyo because there is something to enjoy in every season. In spring there are the beautiful sakura trees that line the streets and bloom, in summer there are countless festivals, in autumn there is the fall foliage to enjoy, and in winter there are beautiful snowy streets at times mixed with winter activities like ice skating, holiday decor, and more.

Regardless of which time you choose to visit Tokyo, you’ll surely enjoy it. But I would recommend that you avoid visiting during Japan’s Golden Week (held in late April-early May) and keep in mind that visiting during sakura (cherry blossom) season (usually mid-March-early May) will be busy as well.

Convenience Stores in Tokyo

You may notice while going through this itinerary that we don’t have many breakfast spots listed, this is where konbini (convenience stores) come in. During our three months in Japan, we got most of our breakfasts (sometimes even lunch or dinner) at 7Eleven, Lawson, or FamilyMart (three of the most popular convenience store chains in Japan). You can get items like onigiri (rice ball), coffee, fresh fruit, yogurt, pastries, or a number of other items for a quick, inexpensive meal!

Where to Stay for Your Tokyo Itinerary

The Prince Sakura Autograph Collection Marriott Hotel

Tokyo is a vibrant city full of friendly people but it can be intimidating at first, especially when looking for the best places to stay in Tokyo. Now we have stayed in a few hotels in all different areas for each of our Tokyo itineraries. The first being, The Prince Sakura Autograph Collection Marriott Hotel. The rooms were spacious, the hotel was elegant and classy, and the location of the hotel was convenient as it was only a block or two away from Shinagawa Station.

The room itself was Westernized and large, it had a comfortable king-sized bed, an excellent bathroom with a large shower and a jetted tub, and many extra amenities are provided.  Our favorites are the mini-refrigerator with mini-bar, fruit basket, and toiletries.

Breakfast was free of charge with platinum status or ¥3500 per person otherwise. For the Western breakfast, they provided eggs served to order, pastries, fruit, salad bar, french toast, waffles, etc. They also had a Japanese-style breakfast which served fish, vegetables, miso soup, etc.

Park Hotel Tokyo

Another place we stayed during our time in Tokyo was the Park Hotel Tokyo. We had heard a lot about this hotel because of its popularity with Western tourists and the modern luxury artistic rooms that you can book as well. Overall our impression was that while this was a nice luxury hotel, it needed some upgrades and we enjoyed our stay at The Price Sakura more considering the price of the two were the same during the times we booked them.

You can easily walk to the subway station by taking the elevator inside the Park Hotel Tokyo to the bottom level, however, you will have to walk a short trek underground in order to get to train or subway station of your choice.

It wasn’t too bad, just a lot more walking than some of the other places we have stayed so that is something to keep in mind should you consider using trains and subway as your main form of transportation in Tokyo. However, you can also call an Uber or Taxi from the hotel to get to your next destination (it’s just significantly more costly).

Mitsui Garden Hotel Gotanda

The last place we want to include in this 5 day Tokyo itinerary that we have stayed is the Mitsui Garden Hotel Gotanda. This hotel was brand new as of spring 2018 and we got an absolute steal on the price per night because of it being a new hotel (I’m sure that prices might jump up after the word is spread).

The location was not a place that most travelers in Japan would go to, but it made it nice to get away from the crowds and it was conveniently located on the Yamanote line. There was also a Lawson (convenience store) in the downstairs of the hotel parking garage which was SUPER handy if you needed a snack or drink. Overall this was our favorite out of the three places we’ve stayed considering the price and location.

Needless to say, there are many places to stay in Tokyo as a first-time visitor. It all depends on what style of hotel you are looking for and the neighborhoods in Tokyo where you plan to spend the most time. Typically, we’ve seen that most visitors prefer to stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya areas of Tokyo, but we have always liked to stay a little further out in order to be in a “less busy” area to head “home” to.

DAY ONE – 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY

What better way to start your time in Tokyo than to visit one of the most iconic neighborhoods? Shibuya! Shibuya has tons of shopping from specialty stores to department stores. There is the infamous pedestrian scramble located right outside the train station. Harajuku is just around the corner with its wild desserts and cosplay outfits. There is also fantastic nightlife here and you can book a shopping tour of Harajuku as well.

Meiji Jingu & Yoyogi Park

Start your day off with a special cultural site in Tokyo. The walk around Yoyogi Park was delightful on a cloudy day we decided to visit Meiji Jingu. We stopped at the welcome gate and the kind gentleman there gave us insect repellent and gave us directions to the Meiji Jingu. During our visit, we were seemingly in a hurry to get to the shrine but we wish that we had taken the time to explore the park further.

When we reached Meiji Jingu Shrine we immediately were impressed by the wooden torii gate and temple buildings. Despite Tokyo being such a big city it also has a lot of Japanese World Heritage Sites close by. If you’re lucky you might also get the chance to witness a wedding here (we did when we went on a Sunday!).

Location: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan // MAP
Hours: 5am-6pm daily
Cost: 500 yen

Now Is Forever Mural

After visiting Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi Park make your way to Takeshita-dori in Harajuku and stop by this large-scale mural. You won’t need more than a few minutes but Now Is Forever is such a fun mural and it’s large enough that everyone can get their IG picture on a part of it. 😉
Address: Harajuku 4-24 Jingumae, Shibuya Ward, Tokyo

Takeshita-dori in Harajuku

If you want to find some unique shops and awesome sweet treats to eat, Takeshita-dori is your place! We ate so much sugar here that we probably gained an instant five pounds, but hey, we wanted to give you lots of options! 😉

If you’re into cotton candy, Totti Candy Factory will blow your mind! The cotton candy they sell was bigger than our heads and you could actually taste the flavors of each kind swirled together into one sticky mess.

Another option is Eddy’s Ice Cream for one of the most hashtag EXTRA ice cream cones we’ve ever seen. The soft serve is typical flavors like vanilla and strawberry, but it is really refreshing and the cookies and other sweet treats really make it something special.

Of course, you can’t leave Takeshita-dori without trying one of the infamous Harajuku crepes. There are a few different crepe stands on the street or in the alleyways so take your pick and try one out. We’ve enjoyed both Santa Monica Crepes and Angel Crepes.

Location: 1 Chome-17 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan // MAP

READ MORE: Delicious Desserts to Try in Tokyo

Rockabilly Dancers

If you happen to be in Tokyo on a Sunday we recommend going to see the rockabilly dancers of Tokyo. These dancers perform every Sunday on their own schedule outside of the entrance of Meiji Jingu shrine.

Since they don’t have a set “performance schedule” you’ll have to play it by ear, but we arrived around 2:00pm and saw they were getting ready to start dancing. The group has been meeting here for over 30 years and are trying to keep the rebellious rockabilly culture alive.

LUNCH: Gonpachi Nori-Temaki

After eating so much sugar you might need to find some REAL food and we have just the place, Gonpachi Nori-Temaki. Gonpachi Nori-Temaki is a hand roll sushi restaurant. All of the seating is at a circular bar area and you can select off a Japanese/English paper menu which hand rolls you want. You can always order a couple then get a new sheet to order a few more! Each hand roll was less than 800 yen and we had 3-5 each to fill us up.

Pssst, fun fact, the owners of Gonpachi Nori-Temaki also own the restaurant where the infamous fighting scene in Kill Bill was filmed.

Location: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome−35−3 コープオリンピア // MAP
Hours: 11:30am-10pm

Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku

After lunch at Gonpachi Nori-Temaki, you’ll head outside and probably notice that this area of Harajuku has some upscale shopping. The Tokyu Plaza Omotesando is a popular spot to shop and also see the mirrored glass staircase that has been featured in many photos!

If you’re into thrift stores Harajuku is a haven for all things quality vintage. A few of the best upscale thrift store shops in Shibuya include G2, RAGTAG, and Pass The Baton. Pass The Baton is even where many celebrities donate their items to sell!

Shibuya Pedestrian Scramble

This picturesque intersection of Shibuya has been featured in a lot of films in recent years and is a popular area for shopping and dining. Your 5 days in Japan wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this crazy street. Honestly, we stopped and watched the spectacle for quite a while, it’s amazing how synchronized everything was at this busy intersection. We recommend being a part of the scramble at least once (I mean, when in Tokyo right?). But if you want a bird’s eye view you can also look out from Shibuya Station.

Location: 2 Chome-2-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan // MAP

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is just one of two iconic landmark towers in Tokyo, the other being the SkyTree which you will visit later on in this Tokyo itinerary. It is simply stunning to view at night time which is why we saved this for the last attraction of the day.

While you can pay to go to the top of the tower, we opted to view it from below and visit the main level gift shops (we wouldn’t recommend buying souvenirs here as they are more expensive than some of the other places you’ll visit in this Tokyo itinerary).

Location: 4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan // MAP
Hours: 9am-11pm daily
Cost: 900 yen/adults, 350 yen/children

DINNER: Tsurutontan Roppongi

We first went to Tsurutontan when we visited Osaka not knowing that this restaurant was a chain in Japan. We loved it so much we ate there again when we came back in 2018. While we were in Tokyo for a second time I saw Tsurutontan listed as a top-rated restaurant in a few different locations in Tokyo and had to find out if it was the same udon noodle restaurant we loved so much in Osaka – it was!

Although it is somewhat of a chain restaurant, which we tend to avoid, we LOVE this place. The udon noodles are freshly cut, the broth is perfectly flavorful but light, and they have a variety of soup add-ons or options. They also have sushi, steak, and other menu items for those that aren’t in the mood for noodles, but we recommend you go for what they’re known for. If you’re REALLY hungry, no problem… you can order a double or even triple portion of udon noodles for no extra charge!

Location: Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 3 Chome−14−12 六本木三丁目ビル 1F // MAP
Hours: Sunday 11am-11pm, Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm

DAY TWO – 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY

Imperial Palace

Since the Imperial Palace is somewhat out of the way from other main attractions, we felt it was best to visit here in the morning then head over to another area of Tokyo for the rest of our day. But it’s also a really pretty viewing spot for fall foliage or sakura in the spring. While you aren’t able to visit inside the palace you can go towards the Nijubashi Bridge in front of the main entrance for a nice photo spot and viewing location.

Location: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan // MAP
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-11:15am, 1:30pm-2:45pm, Closed Sunday & Monday

Toyosu Fish Market

The Tsukiji Fish Market was one of the most iconic places in Tokyo and is one of the largest fish markets in the world. We visited the Tsukiji Market when it was still at the original location and scouted for some fresh sushi around 10:00AM. Though we didn’t visit the market in time for the auctions (we heard you have to arrive around 2am to get a spot), it was still worth a visit to see this infamous place.

As of October 2018, the Tsukiji Market moved to its new location at the Toyosu Market. While we haven’t visited the new location, we found a fun tour of the market you could consider.

Location: 6 Chome-6-1 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061, Japan // MAP
Hours: 5am-5pm daily, closed Sunday & Wednesday

Nakagin Capsule Tower

The Nakagin Capsule Tower is a fascinating piece of architecture with an even more interesting story. It was completed in just 30 days in 1972 and was designed to be a residential housing and office building. The building has 140 capsules measuring 8ft x 13ft! Prior to 2022, there were only 30 that are still occupied due to disrepair and cramped living quarters.

Though there was talk about taking the building down, the residents originally vetoed that decision and have decided to raise funds to restore the building to preserve its architectural history. Sadly in 2022 the decision was overturned and this iconic building is now set to be demolished.

Location: 8 Chome-16-10 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan // MAP

Shopping in Ginza

If you’re looking for upscale, luxury shopping then Ginza has it all. Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, and more – it’s definitely for the big spenders out there! We enjoyed window shopping for a short while at all the fun places and seeing the glitzy architecture of the buildings.

Location: MAP

LUNCH: Kanda Matsuya

Kanda Matsuya has been around for over 100 years and their tried and true soba entrees will definitely entice you. We decided to try a soba set that came with tempura shrimp and squid. The dipping broth was unique and had a light citrus flavor which was refreshing on the hot summer day that it was.

Location: 1 Chome-1-13 Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0041, Japan // MAP
Hours: Monday-Friday 11am-8pm, Saturday 11am-7pm, Closed Sundays

Shopping in Akihabara

No trip to Tokyo would be complete without seeing the kooky electric town Akihabara. Yes, there are tons of used and new electronics like cameras, computers, gaming systems, and televisions. But there are also tons of manga and anime too! There are movies, television series, keychains, T-shirts, and other memorabilia. This is also a great place to look for some souvenirs too!

STORES TO VISIT: Animate Akihabara, Akky, Yodobashi Camera, Suruga-ya Akihabara Shop Anime Hobby Pavilion

Location: MAP

DAY THREE – 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY

Ameyayoko Shopping Street

We’ll admit, on our first trip to Tokyo we weren’t impressed with Ameyayoko Shopping Street. But on our second trip, we wanted to visit some of the shrines and temples in Ueno so we decided to give this shopping street a second chance and we’re really glad we did.

Although it still felt a little older and crowded, we really enjoyed shopping at some of the stores here and getting some items from the market. I even got a really cool Sukajan (Japanese bomber jacket)!

Location: 4 Chome-9-14 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan // MAP
Hours: 10am-8pm daily

Kiyomizu Kannon-do

Next, we ventured over to some of the temples in shrines in Ueno. Although most of these are popular, they often go unvisited by tourists unless you have more time in Tokyo.

Kiyomizu Kannon-do is tucked away inside Ueno Park to where you may even forget that you’re in this expansive city. It is the oldest temple in Tokyo dating back to 1632. If the break from the city isn’t enough to draw you in, be sure to check out the interesting pine tree that has formed a circle with its branches. Thus, this pine tree is known as tsuki no matsu, or “pine tree of the moon.”

Location: 1-29 Uenokoen, 台東区 Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan // MAP
Hours: 9am-5pm daily, closed Saturdays
Cost: Free to visit grounds

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

About a 7 minute walk away from Kiyomizu Kannon-do is Toshogu Shrine. Toshogu Shrine was founded in 1627 and has survived through wars and a number of natural disasters. While visiting make sure you pay attention to the beautiful golden elements and intricate architecture with carvings of birds and dragons.

Location: 9-88 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan // MAP
Hours: 9am-4:30pm daily
Cost: Free to visit grounds, 700 yen for the peony garden

Nezu Shrine

Settled in lush greenery, Nezu Shrine is a short distance away from Ueno Toshogu Shrine and was built in the mid-17th century. In the springtime, you can see thousands of pink and white azalea bushes which makes it incredibly popular to visit during that time. Though it’s not Fushimi Inari located in Kyoto, there is a path of vermillion tori gates surrounded by pretty trees at this shrine as well.

Location: 1 Chome-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0031, Japan // MAP
Hours: 6am-4:30pm daily
Cost: Free to visit

LUNCH: Asakusa Tsurujirou

Before you dive into the beautiful corners of Asakusa, the entertainment district of Tokyo, pop on over to Asakusa Tsurujirou for some lunch! Asakusa Tsurujirou is a restaurant that serves up delicious okonomiyaki and other menu items.

Okonomiyaki is basically a Japanese savory pancake made up of cabbage, vegetables, meat and/or seafood and occasionally noodles. It is topped with a sweet and savory sauce with a few other toppings depending on the style of okonomiyaki you get! We ordered a vegetarian option and the traditional style with pork.

Location: 1 Chome-20-8 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan // MAP
Hours: Sunday 11:30am-9pm, Monday-Friday 11:30am-3pm, 5pm-10pm, Saturday 11:30am-10pm

Nakamise Shopping Street

Although Nakamise Shopping Street gets EXTREMELY busy it’s well worth the hype! There are tons of souvenir stores, cafes, restaurants, and not to mention the alluring smell of incense on every corner. If you’re pressed for time during your 5 days in Tokyo or if you have a shorter time to visit Tokyo one place we feel you cannot miss is Asakusa.

While in the area make sure you stop by Amezaiku Ameshin, a store that sells pretty sugar candy lollipops that would make a great gift. They also have workshops you can take to make your own! Another favorite is Kagetsudo a melon pan shop that serves up fresh melon pan filled with ice cream.

Location: 1 Chome-36-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan // MAP

Senso-ji Temple

Perhaps the most iconic temple in Tokyo is Senso-ji and the oldest. Legend says that in 628 two brothers found a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy while fishing in the Sumida River. After finding the statue, they put it back in the river only to continue to find it again and again. Because of this, Sensoji was erected nearby in 645 for Kannon.

We’ve visited Senso-ji at different hours of the day on our visits to Tokyo and both have their own charm. During the day you’ll get to see all the action – crowds of people, burning incense, the noise from the nearby shops. But at night, it is rather peaceful.

All the shops have shut down for the day and very few people are visiting. The glow from the lights makes for a beautiful setting and each time we’ve visited at night we feel a sense of nostalgia. No matter what time of day you decide to visit Sensoji Temple you’re sure to enjoy it. 🙂

Location: 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan // MAP

Hanayashiki Amusement Park

You may have noticed that the Asakusa district of Tokyo has some of the oldest buildings, temples, and other structures. Hanayashiki Amusement Park is one of these and is the oldest amusement park in Japan dating back to 1853. While you might think that it’s only for touring, it is actually still in operation!

There are a number of rides including a space shot, swan boats, and a haunted house. You can even rent a motorized panda car to drive around the park. Don’t worry about those amusement park prices because it only cost 1,000 yen to go!

Location: 2 Chome-28-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan // MAP
Hours: 11am-5pm daily
Cost: 1,000 yen

Kappabashi (Kitchen Town)

It seems like most major cities in Japan have a kitchen town and Kappabashi happens to be Tokyo. Kappabashi offers a unique insight into Tokyo’s restaurant business but also can be a neat place to find souvenirs and honestly just look around. There is a variety of cookware, tableware, and cutlery. But the most prized of all is the Japanese knives, cast iron teapots, and the fun fake food samples that you see in many storefront windows.

Location: 3 Chome-18-2 Matsugaya, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0036, Japan // MAP
Hours: 9am-5pm daily

DINNER: Isen Hontan

Isen Hontan is a tonkatsu place that specializes in fried pork cutlets, shrimp, and even crab croquettes! They even have pork cutlet sandwiches. We each ordered entrees only which came with cabbage but you can also get a set if you would like soup and rice too.

Location: 3 Chome-40-3 Yushima, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0034, Japan // MAP
Hours: 11:30am-8:50pm daily, Closed Wednesdays

Tokyo SkyTree

Honestly, if you only had one day in Tokyo, the Tokyo Skytree would show you a taste of everything. It has shopping, foods from all over Japan, souvenirs and gifts, and an excellent view. We spent a few hours here shopping at the retail stores, sampling the various confections and food gifts, and eating a few “street food” items such as the aburi mochi pictured below.

Location: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-8634, Japan // MAP
Hours: 9am-9pm daily

DAY FOUR – 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY

teamLab Borderless

teamLab Borderless is a new exhibit as of 2018 and it’s unlike any other art museum you’ll ever visit. It’s interactive, highly intriguing, and beautiful. We recommend booking your tickets ahead of time if you can because you are not guaranteed a ticket at the door if they are booked.

The nice thing is when you do book your ticket you can go at any time during that day. We arrived 30 minutes prior to their opening only to be let inside early so you could go that route. We also heard that things tend to die down a bit around 3pm so you could also schedule your visit around then. We recommend planning anywhere from 2-3 hours at this exhibit.

Each of the 10 teamLab Borderless exhibits varies in music, colors, and design but they are equally intriguing. I highly recommend visiting the EN Tea House where you can enjoy a cup of seasonal tea while watching digital art flowers bloom in your cup.

Location: Japan, 〒135-0064 Tokyo, Koto City, Aomi, 1 Chome−3−8 お台場パレットタウン // MAP
Hours: 11am-7pm daily

BRUNCH: Eggs ‘n Things

While Eggs ‘n Things was founded in Hawaii, there are no other locations in the United States but there are multiple in Japan! One of them being in Odaiba. Start your morning off with some of their fluffy, scrumptious pancakes that are topped with a MOUNTAIN of whipped cream. We loved Eggs ‘n Things so much we went to two different locations while in Japan for three months.

Location: Japan, 〒135-0091 Tokyo, Minato City, Daiba, 1 Chome−7−1 アクアシティお台場 3F // MAP
Hours: 9am-11pm daily

DiverCity Plaza

DiverCity Plaza is one of our favorite places in Odaiba. Outside of the plaza is the huge Gundam statue and each hour you can see it come to life! Inside DiverCity Plaza are a huge assortment of restaurants (from casual food court dining to fine dining), specialty shops, and gaming centers. There is even a store completely dedicated to Gundam.

Location: 1 Chome-1-10 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan // MAP
Hours: 10am-8pm daily

VenusFort Mall

VenusFort is another shopping area in Odaiba that is more like an outlet mall but still offers local goods too. One of the most fascinating things about VenusFort is the architecture inside that is inspired by European cities. One of our favorites was the large fountain that is located in the center of the mall.

Location: 1 Chome-3-15 Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan // MAP
Hours: 11am-9pm daily

The Rainbow Bridge

Before heading back into the city make sure you get a glance of the Rainbow Bridge at night when it’s lit up. The Rainbow Bridge was started in 1987 and completed in 1993 as a suspension bridge from northern Tokyo Bay and Odaiba. You can easily view the bridge from a number of places in Odaiba like DiverCity Plaza or you can even walk across on the pedestrian area of the bridge.

Robot Restaurant

First things first, the Robot Restaurant is not technically a restaurant but more of a show. They do have snacks for sale but you must purchase meal tickets before the show otherwise you will not be able to eat there. We recommend eating before or after the show (see our recommendation for fantastic sushi in a moment).

While this is definitely a tourist trap, we really enjoyed it. It’s all the neon you imagine when you think of Tokyo! If you think you want to marvel at this event, then go ahead and book your tickets to the evening Robot Restaurant show. It usually sells out ahead of time!

Location: Japan, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−7−7 新宿ロボットビル B2F // MAP

DINNER: Katsumidori Kaiten Zushi

Katsumidori Kaitenzushi is one of our favorite sushi places in Tokyo! The quality is always fresh and it is inexpensive. The wait is usually long but it moves quickly and we promise it’s worth it! A kaitenzushi restaurant is also known as conveyor belt sushi.

The nice thing about conveyor belt sushi is you can try many different things for lower prices. Katsumidori has an iPad with an English that you can order from and also has optioned for cooked or seared sushi items and non-sushi menu items as well.

Location: Japan, 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 21−1 A 館8階 レストラン街ダイニング プラザ // MAP – 8F of the Seibu Shibuya building (close to the Shibuya Pedestrian Scramble)
Hours: 11am-10pm daily

DAY FIVE – 5 DAY TOKYO ITINERARY

On your last day in Tokyo, you should consider visiting Tokyo Disney or taking a day trip to a nearby city or town such as Yokohama, Nikko, or Kamakura which are some places to visit outside of Tokyo. For this Tokyo itinerary, we’re going to cover Tokyo DisneySea!

Tokyo DisneySea

We didn’t plan it this way, but it’s become somewhat of a tradition to visit Disney for the day on our last day in Tokyo. There are two Disney parks to choose from, Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. We chose the iconic Tokyo DisneySea because it is unique to Japan and more suitable for adults. Everything from the admission to the food, snacks, and beverages was surprisingly inexpensive here.

Not to mention, if you ever wanted Disney souvenirs this is the place for it! We bought Minnie Mouse ears for 1400¥ and they also had some for less. This park was geared more toward teenagers and adults. However, it also had a nice variety of rides for children as well.

Something else we loved about Tokyo DisneySea is the fact that you do not have to pay extra for a Fast Pass. This gives you time to return to the ride and skip the line. We recommend doing the fast pass for the top rides since you can only get one fast pass every hour.

Dining at Tokyo DisneySea

While we haven’t eaten at all of the restaurants in Tokyo DisneySea, here are the ones we have been to as well as the snack stands we visited.

Inexpensive Dining Options

Zambini Brothers’ Ristorante: This is one of our best restaurants in Tokyo DisneySea and decently inexpensive. We recommend getting the Marguerita pizza which is a decent portion for lunch or dinner. You can also get a side salad or a bowl of minestrone soup.

Mid-Range Dining Options

Yucatan Base Camp Grill:  Wasn’t our favorite place to dine at in Tokyo DisneySea, but it did have some options that other restaurants didn’t have. We had the smoked chicken accompanied by rice and vegetables which we felt lacked flavor. If we could choose again we would have eaten at another restaurant in the park.

Finer Dining Options

Sailing Day Buffet: The Sailing Day Buffet is a more expensive meal at Tokyo DisneySea but there was a great variety of food choices of many different cuisines, it is even moderately vegetarian-friendly.
Update: We have now heard that Sailing Day Buffet has permanently closed as of March 2018. Although we haven’t visited it, Magellan’s is another lavish Tokyo DisneySea restaurant that has great reviews.

Snacks Around The Park

Mamma Biscotti’s Bakery: Mamma Biscotti’s is the perfect place to enjoy a late-night snack or dessert before leaving the park. The items change seasonally but we got a chocolate orange cake and latte.

Sultan’s Oasis: Definitely get the soft-serve ice cream with shaved ice topped with coconut milk. It’s creamy, refreshing, and so yummy!

Popcorn Stands: Even if you’re extremely full, another must-try snack at Tokyo DisneySea is the popcorn flavors. You can get a decent size basket for 310¥. We like white chocolate, cheddar jalapeño, strawberry, curry, and black pepper.

Other Things to Do in Tokyo

In case you aren’t interested in visiting Disney on your last day in Tokyo or you’re looking for a few other things to try. Here are some places we have gone to that are worth a visit!

Namjatown

Namjatown is an indoor theme park with food amusement as well such as a gyoza stadium and dessert bar. It’s the perfect activity for kids in Tokyo or adults too!

Location: Japan, 〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 3 Chome−1−3 サンシャインシティ ワールドインポートマートビル 2F // MAP
Hours: 10am-10pm daily
Cost: 3,500 yen/adult, 2,800 yen/child

Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory

The Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory is an observation deck with a beautiful skyline view but it also has an amusement park inside with seven thrilling and interactive activities using virtual reality.

Location: Japan, 〒170-8630 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 3 Chome−1, サンシャインシティ サンシャイン60ビル 60F // MAP
Hours: 10am-10pm daily
Cost: 1,200 yen/ticket

Konica Minolta Planetarium

The Konica Minolta Planetarium is one place we haven’t visited yet but have heard awesome things about. It has a large room with comfortable sofa beds to sit on while watching the faux stars and light show.

Location: Japan, 〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 3 Chome−1−3 サンシャインシティ ワールドインポートマートビル 屋上 // MAP
Hours: 11am-8pm daily
Cost: 1,500 yen/ticket

Edo-Tokyo Museum

The Edo-Tokyo Museum is a unique cultural experience that grasped what life was like in Japan over many centuries. You could easily spend three hours here and be intrigued by the fascinating history of Japan by viewing artifacts and models between 1590 and 1964.

Location: 1 Chome-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015, Japan // MAP
Hours: 9:30am-5:30pm daily, closed Mondays
Cost: 600 yen/adult, 480 yen/college student, 300 yen/high school & junior high, free for elementary students.

Ghibli Museum

The Ghibli Museum is dedicated to showcasing the animated works of Studio Ghibli – mostly focusing on Hayao Miyazaki’s works. There is no map and no photos allowed (except a few designated areas) in order to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Inside the museum, there is a bookstore, cafe, rooftop garden, and a small theater for short films.

During our first trip to Japan, we were unable to get tickets to visit the Ghibli Museum. They sell out VERY quickly and you are not able to buy them at the entrance. If you are planning to visit you’ll need to book your tickets three months in advance either at a Lawson Loppi Machine in Japan or on the Lawson Ticket website. There are other places you can purchase Ghibli Museum tickets as well, but they are far more costly and not always legitimate.

Location: 1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-0013, Japan // MAP
Cost: 1,000 yen/adult, 700 yen/ages 13-18, 400 yen/ages 7-12, 100 yen/ages 4-6

Other Places to Eat in Tokyo

Afuri Shinjuku

Afuri Ramen has a few locations in Tokyo (we visited the one in Shinjuku Station). We loved Afuri because it had a variety of ramen choices such as the traditional pork ramen, halal-friendly chicken ramen, and even a vegetarian option as well.

Location: Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−1−5 ルミネ1 B2F // MAP
Hours: 11am-9pm daily

Kipposhi

If you think you’ve tried every kind of ramen, think again! The blue ramen from Kipposhi is definitely different. Kipposhi also has other colors of ramen and a squid ink version too. If we’re being honest we didn’t think that the ramen here was anything to write home about. It was more like chicken noodle soup than ramen. But if you’re looking for something unique to try this is a good choice!

Location: Japan, 〒150-0041 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jinnan, 1 Chome−11−5 ダイネス壱番館渋谷102 // MAP
Hours: 11:30am-3pm, 6pm-9:30pm daily, closed Wednesdays

Alfred Tea

Alfred Tea is popping up all over Instagram for their boba teas! Instead of following that trend, we decided to get a hojicha bubble tea which was really delicious (yet overpriced) but hey, the teas and the store are definitely a cute place to visit if you want a coffee or tea as a quick pick-me-up.

Location: Japan, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−38−1 1F ルミネエスト // MAP
Hours: 10am-10pm daily

Floresta Koenji 

On our first trip to Tokyo we searched for these cute donuts from Floresta Koenji EVERYWHERE and every time they were sold out or we couldn’t find them. On our way back from the Studio Ghibli Museum we stopped here to get a few. They’re definitely more for their look than their taste, but we’re glad we tried them.

Location: 3 Chome-34-14 Koenjikita, Suginami City, Tokyo 166-0002, Japan // MAP
Hours: 11am-5pm daily

Daily Chico

On a quest to find unique ice cream flavors in Japan we found Daily Chico. Daily Chico is home to the 8 layer ice cream cone that has all of their changing flavors piled high on a cone.

Location: Japan, 〒164-0001 Tokyo, Nakano City, Nakano, 5 Chome−52−15, ブロードウェイ, B1F // MAP – It can be a bit tricky to find, located in the Nakano Broadway building basement floor (B1).
Hours: 12pm-7pm daily
Cost: 550 yen, CASH ONLY

Being such a big city we obviously didn’t get the chance to see everything. What would be your recommendations for dining and attractions for our next trip to Tokyo? What would you add to your Tokyo itinerary?