It is the home of manga, of idols, of the sweet dog Hachiko. It is a mix of colours, traditions, eccentricities. We are talking about Tokyo, the varied and very popular Japanese capital that offers itself to the tourist in all its chaos, its contradictions, its unspeakable beauty. Who has not felt an intense emotion watching the cherry trees in blossom lose their petals? Who has not smiled at the wild cosplayers who gather, in their costumes, animating the city's main districts? From temples to the most 'futile' attractions, Tokyo has much to offer to tourists visiting it for the first time, as well as to the 'die-hards' of the Japanese metropolis.
Of course, to enjoy Tokyo you'll need a warm and welcoming place to stay. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler, a Tokyo bed and breakfast could provide a nice balance between comfort and the opportunity to interact more closely with locals.
Visiting it in a single day is impossible, especially given its size and the distance between the different attractions! However, we still want to give you some tips to try and sample as much of the flavours of this unique city as possible. Here is the Tokyo itinerary in one day!
Where to start your one-day journey in Tokyo might depend largely on where you decide to stay. If you're looking for luxury and convenience, consider one of the tophotels.com Tokyo hotels.
Alternatively, if you prefer a more unique, local experience, there are numerous boutique accommodations throughout the city, like the inviting Kyu Kyu Hotel in Tokyo. No matter where you choose to rest your head, you're sure to find an accommodation that fits your personal style and budget, letting you enjoy all that Tokyo has to offer.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Tokyo
One-day itinerary in Tokyo
The itinerary includes some of Tokyo's main stops, excluding museums and attractions that would take too long to visit or travel around.
We start with one of Tokyo's must-sees par excellence: the Asakusa district with the Senso-Ji Temple, a historic district that will take you back in time! The visit will take most of the morning, just before lunchtime reach the Tsukiji Fish Market, the largest in the world!
Immediately after lunch, reach the symbol of the city, Toyko Tower, from the top of which there is a beautiful view of the entire skyline, and by mid-afternoon reach the famous Shibuya district, home to the iconic crossroads, the busiest in the world, and the Hachiko dog statue.
Depending on the time you have available, if you are staying in the city overnight and leaving the next morning, we recommend spending the evening in the Shinjuku district, Tokyo's most iconic district with a rich nightlife!
Morning: Asakusa (free), Senso-Ji Temple (free), Tsukiji Fish Market (free)
Afternoon: Tokyo Tower (from 900.00 Yen/€7.20), Shibuya (free)
Evening: Shinjuku (free)
Distance travelled: 21.6 km
Where to eat: Lunch at Hokkai Banya, 4 Chome-14-16 Tsukiji, Chuo City(Get directions) / Dinner at Robot Restaurant, 1 Chome-7-7 Kabukichō, Shinjuku(Get directions)
1 - Asakusa and Senso-Ji Temple
Taking Tokyo Central Station as a reference point, the first stop of the day is the Asakusa district, the city's historic district, which will take you back in time. It is 4 km from the station and can be reached quickly by the Ginza Line train from Nihombashi Station (a 5-minute walk from Central Station) to Asakusa Station. The journey takes a total of 25 min.
As anticipated, the Asakusa district is the oldest in the whole city and will take you back to the time when the big metropolis was still called Edo. The district's main attraction is the Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo and the most important Buddhist temple (daily 6am-5pm, free admission). To access the temple you have to go through the thousand-year-old Kaminarimon gate, the symbol of the district, and then walk along Nakamise Dori, a street framed by many typical shops, where you can also taste some Japanese street food specialities or buy some souvenirs!
Alternative if you are travelling with children: after visiting the temple, to let the little ones have some fun, a visit to Asakusa Hanayashiki is highly recommended. This is a small amusement park located just behind the temple, with roller coasters, rides and many activities. Get directions
2 - Tsukiji Fish Market
A visit to the Asakusa quarier, between rides and attractions, will take you most of the morning. Around lunchtime, head to Tsukiji Fish Market, the world's largest fish market! From Asakusa, return to Asakusa Station and take the Asakusa Line train, getting off directly at Higashi-ginza Station, just 650m from the market. The whole journey takes an average of 25 min.
Featuring an indoor wholesale area, the market is world famous for its tuna auction. Outside, however, is the part where the fish is processed and sold at retail. But most importantly, the best sushi restaurants in Tokyo are located here, so if you want to taste authentic sushi this is the place to be!
Take asushi lesson: If you are interested in the art of sushi, we recommend taking a tour of the market with a lesson included. The experience takes 3 hours, however, so you will then have to consider how to organise the rest of the itinerary. Start at 12.30 pm.
3 - Tokyo Tower
After having lunch and visiting the fish market, it's time to reach one of Tokyo's symbols par excellence: Tokyo Tower! It is located just 3 km away and, to reach it, we suggest you go to Tsukijishijo Station, 500 m from the market, and then take the Oedo Line train and get off at Akabanebashi Station, 650 m from the tower. The journey, including all transfers, takes about 30 minutes.
Inside the tower there are two viewing terraces, one at 150 m and one at 250 m, from which you can enjoy a wonderful 360° panoramic view of the city! But that's not all: inside you will also find FootTown, a four-storey shop. And if you visit the destination in summer, from 1 June to 31 August, you must not miss the'Milky Way Illumination' event: the 600 steps of the outdoor ramps are lit up in blue, while the ceiling is dotted with a luminous trail of stars. This image is reminiscent of the Milky Way, which gives the event its name.
Visiting info: open daily 9am-11pm. Admission for the 150 m observatory 900.00 Yen (€7.20), for the 250 m observatory 2,800.00 Yen (€22.50).
Buy theticket online: the online ticket allows entry to the viewing platform at 150 m, while the ticket for the platform at 250 m can only be bought on site. Given the short time available, the best solution is to buy the ticket online and avoid the queues.
4 - Shibuya
To round off the afternoon, we recommend a trip to Shibuya, the district of young people and new trends. To get there from Tokyo Tower, you will first have to take the Hibiya Line from the Kamiyachō stop to Ebisu Station, and then change and take the Saikyō Line to Shibuya Station. In total, the average journey time is 27 min.
The Shibuya district is best known for its famous intersection, the busiest in the world, which has become a true symbol of Tokyo. It is the district of shopping, entertainment and modernity: here you can stroll through the streets full of shops or stop for a drink in one of the many extravagant themed cafés!
Take aphoto with Hachiko: taking a selfie with the Hachiko statue is a must! Right outside the station stands the statue of this dog, who has become famous for his great loyalty. But you probably already know him - the film made about his story was a real success!
5 - Shinjuku
If after visiting the Shibuya district you need to head back to Tokyo station as you have a train to catch to spend the night, getting there is very easy: just take the Yamanote Line train and get off directly at Tokyo Central Station (25 min).
If, on the other hand, you are staying in the city in the evening and leaving the next morning, then we recommend spending the evening in the Shinjuku district, the most representative district of modern Tokyo! It is the district that never sleeps, a bit like Times Square in New York! At any hour of the night the district is illuminated by neon lights and signs, and here you will find all kinds of clubs! It is also the best area to stay in as it is very well connected to every district and the central station!
Dinner with robots: Tokyo is a truly avant-garde and futuristic city and this restaurant proves it. At the Robot Restaurant you can dine amidst bright colours and neon, with waiters dressed in special outfits and watching light and sound shows with robots! A truly incredible experience!
Activities and ideas for alternative itineraries
Tokyo is a really big city, there are so many things to do and not a month is enough! If you visit during the cherry blossom season, you certainly can't miss the famous Ueno Park (free), quieter and less crowded Kinuta Park (free).
If you are interested in the art of Japan, you can't miss the National Museum (520,00 Yen/€4,20), but the visit requires a minimum of 3 hours as it is the richest collection of Japanese art in the world. If, on the other hand, you want to visit a temple, we absolutely recommend a visit to the Meiji Shrine (free of charge), but again the visit takes at least 3 hours and the gardens are only open until 3.30 pm. To learn about the Japanese dynasty, we recommend the Imperial Palace area. However, the latter is not open to the public except on two days a year: 2 January and 23 December. You can walk around the palace gardens instead!
We only managed to include a handful of districts in our itinerary, but there are many more in Tokyo! Like the Ginza district, the most elegant and luxurious, or Odaiba, an artificial island to which at least half a day should be devoted. Also very interesting: Roppongi, popular for its nightlife; Akihabara, the techno-nerd district; and Harajuku, the heart of youth culture and new trends, animated by the presence of the famous cosplayers.
Finally, if you are travelling with your family, surely one of the most popular attractions is Tokyo Disneyland (8,200.00 Yen/€65.00), Disney's world-famous amusement park!
SEE ALSO: What to see in Tokyo: the 20 best attractions and things to do
Itinerary through Japanese pop culture: morning visit to the Ghibli Museum. Afternoon stop at Nakano Broadway (favourite haunt of otaku), then Harajuku district. Alternatively, try the experience of touring the city in a go-cart like Supermario Bros.
Family city tour: Morning Asakusa with Asakusa Hanayashiki amusement park. Afternoon Odaiba Island, with activities of your choice (e.g. Miraikan science museum or TeamLab Borderless). Alternatively, full day at Tokyo Disneyland
Unknown places itinerary: morning at the Kanda district, an academic centre off the beaten track. Afternoon visit to the small SOMPO Museum of Art and visit to Sengakuji Temple. Evening district of your choice
Free attractions itinerary: morning visit to Asakusa district with Senso-ji temple and Ueno Park. Afternoon visit to Shinjuku district and late afternoon and evening visit to Shibuya district
Day in the most peculiar districts: morning in Akihabara. Around lunchtime and early afternoon Harajuku. Second half of the afternoon devoted to discovering Shibuya. Evening Roppongi
Itinerary during the cherry blossom period: morning visit to Ueno Park. Early afternoon visit to Asakuda and Senso-ji Temple, then on to Meiji Shrine. Evening Shibuya district
Itinerary between art and shrines: morning visit to the National Museum of Tokyo. Afternoon Meiji Shrine and gardens, then to Odaiba Island with the Borderless TeamLab. Evening Shinjuku
Before you go: useful tips
Get around bytransport: Tokyo is really big, the only way to get around is by using transport, especially trains and the metro. This will allow you to get around easily and avoid the traffic. We recommend the 24-hour Pass (from 800.00 Yen/€6.60) - find out more
Organise your itinerary: the absolute must is to organise an itinerary, thus avoiding arriving unprepared and wasting precious time. It is essential to be able to organise your movements as well as possible
Buy Pocket Wi-Fi: having an internet connection in such a big city, even for getting acclimatised and seeing the sights, is essential! That's why it is recommended to buy Pocket WiFi, to carry with you at all times.
Whenever possible, buyqueue-jumpers: due to time constraints, whenever possible the best thing to do is to buy queue-jumpers or tours with priority entry, to save precious time
Consider the sightseeing bus: if the idea is to enjoy a panoramic tour of the city, seeing a bit of everything, the solution is the sightseeing bus, which passes the main attractions and districts.
Avoid cars and taxis: the traffic in Tokyo is really out of control, risking getting stuck in traffic and losing precious time
Treat yourself to a quick lunch: it is recommended to eat something quick for lunch, without sitting down at the table, there will be time in the evening for that. Tokyo is full of street food stalls, a great opportunity to immerse yourself in culinary tradition as well
Choose the right time of year: in Tokyo it is predominantly humid sub-tropical, with a rainy season from March to October. It is therefore important to choose the right months - find out more
