Exploring Tokyo: A complete 3 day itinerary

Three days in Tokyo might only offer you a glimpse of what this extraordinary city has to offer, but its enough time to fall in love with the city. From the hustle of Shibuya Crossing to the serenity of Meiji Jingu Shrine and Ueno park, Tokyo offers a blend of rich history and futuristic art.

This dynamic contrast can be experienced at the Tokyo National Museum and at teamLab Borderless which offer disparate yet equally fascinating experiences that demonstrate what Tokyo is all about. Indulge in the city’s eclectic food scene, ranging from fresh seafood at the Tsukiji Outer Market to hidden izakaya and ramen noodle spots in Yanaka and Shinjuku. 

In just three days, Tokyo’s unique clash of culture, energy and beauty will leave you eager to experience more. Get a taste of both Tokyo’s modern hotspots and traditional highlights with our complete 3 Day Itinerary. 

Pay an early morning visit to Senso-Ji Temple in the Asakusa neighbourhood. It’s advisable to get there early so as to avoid the crowds. This is Tokyo’s most popular Buddhist temple and it attracts thousands of visitors. The main entrance to the temple complex is accessed via the red Kaminari-mon with statues Fujin (god of wind) and Raijin (god of thunder) standing sentry on either side of the entrance gate. A giant red lantern hangs from the centre of the gate with a beautiful carved dragon underneath.   

Before reaching the entrance gate, you will walk along a bustling shopping street named Nakamise-dori with stores selling souvenirs, trinkets, Edo-style crafts and street food. It’s a great place to pick up souvenirs and to sample local food. To the left of Nakamise-dori is a 55 metre high five story pagoda. A huge incense cauldron is positioned at the front of the temple and you will see Buddhist’s trying to immerse themselves in the fragrant smoke, as it is believed to bestow good health.

In the afternoon head to Ueno Park, which is similar in spirit to New York’s Central Park. It’s located next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo. If you are visiting during spring time (from late March to early April) you will be charmed by the cherry blossoms. The park is home to the Tokyo Zoo and many museums including the National Museum for Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the National Science Museum and the Tokyo National Museum, which houses an impressive collection of Japanese art and artifacts. 

The neighbouring area of Yanaka is a quaint part of Tokyo steeped in retro mid-century style. The main pedestrian street, Yanaka Ginza is lined with fruit and vegetable shops, butchers and Izakaya’s. It's popular with residents from all over Tokyo who come to soak up the vintage ambiance. Many of the Izakaya bars are long-standing family run establishments where ownership has have been passed down through the generations. These old-style bars not only serve drinks but also food and otoshi – small appetiser dishes. Enjoy Kobe beef, oden stew and homemade lemon sours at Tachi Nomi Sharaku.

Yanaka Toriyoshi has been serving up chicken and fish dishes since 1953. The fish is procured every morning from the Toyosu Market and you can enjoy freshly cut sashimi and eel. Their signature Ankou Nabe hot pot (monkfish) consists of a sweet miso-based soup with monkfish liver. Reservations are essential at Yanaka Toriyoshi, although there are also many other izakaya bars that welcome drop-in diners. Take a stroll down Yanaka Ginza  and see what you fancy.

Spend the morning in the Shibuya neighbourhood. Most famous for the Shibuya Crossing, which is widely acknowledged as the busiest intersection in the world. Nowhere else says welcome to Tokyo quite like this junction.  Hundreds of pedestrians and even thousands during peak times cross Shibuya Crossing, appearing to come from all directions at once.  You can get scenic photos of the crossing from Magnet By Shibuya 109. Take in the bronze Hachiko statue in front of the Shibuya Station which was erected in honour of a faithful Akita dog, called Hachiko. He used to await his owners homecoming every evening and continued to do so even after his owner had died. The statue is a landmark in Shibuya and the surrounding plaza. 

Take the JY Yamanote Line from the station to Harajuku (3 minute ride). This is Tokyo’s fashion hub and offers excellent retail therapy. Enjoy exploring Takeshita Street and Omotesando. These two neighbourhoods seem to merge into one another, creating one of Tokyo’s best shopping precincts. On Takeshita street you will find a variety of fashion and accessory boutiques, countless food and crepes stalls, photo booths, souvenir shops and toy vending machines. Vintage thrifters will love Furugi-ya JAM, Japan’s leading importer of vintage clothing and antique accessories. Here you might find anything, from a Burberry trench coat, pair of Calvin Klein jeans or Marc Jacobs boots at amazing prices. They have a store in Harajuku and in Meiji dori. 

Omotesando is a fashionista’s dream as it is home to many high end international fashion brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton. Stop off for lunch at one of the many sidewalk cafes or restaurants. Sahsya Kanetanaka is a tranquil spot on the second floor of Oak Omotesando shopping mall. It has a serene Japanese garden designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto where you can sip on Matcha tea and enjoy beautifully created wagashi sweets. If you’re looking for something heartier to eat, work your way through their multi-course kaiseki meals.

Omotesando leads to the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Yoyogi Park, a peaceful escape from the buzz from the shopping district. Pop in after lunch and discover Tokyo’s grandest Shinto shrine built from cypress wood with a copper-coated roof. The shrine is concealed down a long winding path and along the pathway you will pass through several tall wooden entrance gates (torii) and a water font where visitors are encouraged to symbolically pour water over their hands to purify themselves. Nearby are several kiosks selling charms and wooden plaques.

Explore the small bars and late night snack bars that are crammed into the alleyways of Golden Gai. Popular with locals and tourists, here you will find reasonably priced drinks, meals and a lively atmosphere. However a truly must visit neighbourhood just a few minutes’ walk from Shinjuku station, east along Shinjuku-dori Street is Shinjuku San-Chome. It’s not as well-known as Golden Gai, but its popular with locals and here you’ll find karaoke joints, stand-and-drink shops serving grilled snacks, small hot-pots and well-priced beers and some of Tokyo’s best music bars. The San-Chome neighbourhood is home to many music bars ranging from jazz to rock to Cuban to reggae.

Enjoy freshly prepared sushi at Sakaezushi - grab a seat at the counter and watch the chefs in action. The main street is lined with music bars, international restaurants and izakaya bars like Shosuke and Maruko Suisan for inexpensive seafood. Look out for Bar Box, a second floor vinyl bar and Esogie Africa Bar – a Nigerian bar serving ogogoro brews and delicious West African food accompanied by African house music. 

In the morning visit the Tsukiji Outer Market and enjoy sashimi, tempura, sushi, soba noodles and delicious fish burgers. The market’s seafood restaurants and food stalls attract foodies and chefs on the lookout for good food and kitchenware. Home to over 300 shops and restaurants, Tsukiji Market is a labyrinth of lanes and alleyways just south of Tsukiji Station. Some notable eateries include Tsukiji Koromo Sushi, a compact nine-seater restaurant located on the outer rim of the market that serves the best seafood rice bowls. Tsukiji Yakiuo Ishikawa stretches out over two floors and each table is fitted with a gas grill. You’re taught by the staff how to lightly grill your own sashimi grade seafood which ranges from yellowtail tuna to sea bream served with red rice. For a break from seafood, visit Torito Bunten for deep fried chicken, teriyaki chicken and oyakodon – steamed rice topped with chicken pieces and runny egg mixed with sauce. 

Akihabara is the epicentre for anime, manga and otaku (geek) culture. Its streets are lined with electronic retailers and stores dedicated to anime, brimming with the latest gadgets, figurines, retro video games, and collectible items. This is animation land incarnate and Akihabara is also home to manga cafes which are newfangled internet cafes where you can read comics and watch videos while surfing the net. Enjoy lunch in the Kanda neighbourhood, a 15 minute walk from Akihabara. It offers a great selection of yakitori, ramen shops and tempura. Kanda Matsuya is a stalwart soba noodle spot or enjoy ramen three ways - miso, red pepper or Japanese green pepper at Kikanbo. 

In the afternoon take in teamLab Borderless in Azabudai Hills. TeamLab has created an art world without boundaries – one continuous, multi-sensory digital art installation set over 10 000 square metres of space across five floors and featuring more than fifty artworks. Borderless consists of installations that feature constantly shape shifting patterns and designs that appear to flow seamlessly from room to room. 

The Shinbashi neighbourhood is a nightlife hot spot in Tokyo. Centrally located, it is a popular entertainment hub with many izakaya bars and hole-in-the-wall eateries. The restaurants and bars on the 46th and 47th floor of the Caretta Shiodome offer lofty cocktails, delicious food ranging from fast food to a Japanese culinary experience at Hibiki and panoramic views of Tokyo Bay. The food rivals the views at Hibiki – dishes range from deep fried Yamauchi taro with salted dried shiitake mushrooms to Hinai chicken and burdock rice cooked in a stone pot. It's quite pricey, but definitely worth it.

In Winter, the Caretta Shiodome complex stages a beautiful light and sound show that illuminates the bay in rainbow colours. 

When planning your trip to Tokyo, choose a Mercure hotel for comfort, convenience, and prime locations. If you only have 3 days in which to enjoy Tokyo it may be a good idea to stay near the airport as it cuts down on your commute time. The Mercure Tokyo Haneda Airport is ideally located to maximise your time in the city. The hotel offers a variety of rooms ranging from standard rooms, spacious family rooms and executive suites which offer more space and modern amenities. The hotel also provides complimentary shuttle services to the airport.

The midtown Mercure Tokyo Hibiya is located in a quiet part of Ginza and is within easy walking distance of the Ginza shopping district and Hibiya Station. Inspired by the arts and culture district of Hibiya, the hotel’s décor features atmospheric lighting, artwork, and stage-inspired designs throughout the guest rooms, lobby, restaurant, bar and executive lounge.

Tokyo has one of the best public transport networks in the world, but it can feel overwhelming if you’re visiting for the first time. The easiest way to get around Tokyo is either by train or subway. Here are a few simple tips to help you get around the city like a local:

• Subway Lines cover central Tokyo and its outlying suburbs. Lines are color-coded and are usually named with a letter (e.g. Ginza Line is G, Marunouchi Line is M). 

• There are several railway lines with the most prominent being the JR Yamanote Line which is a loop line that connects major city areas such as Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ueno. 

• We suggest purchasing an IC card like Suica or Pasmo for convenience even if you’re only in Tokyo for a few days. These rechargeable smart cards are accepted on almost all trains, subways, and buses in Tokyo. You can purchase a Suica or Pasmo card at a vending machine or ticket counter at the airport or major train stations. You will need to pay a deposit which is refundable when you return the card. You can also top up your card at train station machines or online. Download the App here. 

• Pick up a free subway or train map at any station and pay attention to station signage. Station platforms usually indicate where each train is headed. You can also use Google maps which provides detailed route information, train times, platform numbers and fare prices. 

• Plan your route beforehand and try to find out which exit you need to take as many stations have multiple exits. 

Japan has social customs and forms of showing respect. Here is a guide to some basic etiquette and Japanese phrases:

• Take your shoes off indoors

• Instead of shaking hands, or just saying hello when entering an restaurant or shop, Japanese people are more inclined to bow

• Useful phrases include “sumimasen” which can be used if you wish to excuse yourself. “Arigato gozaimasu” to say thank you and “yoroshiku onegaishimasu” when greeting someone. “Itadakimasu” is said before eating and “Gochisosama-deshita” is said after a meal

• Leaving left over food is frowned upon and asking to take home leftovers is generally not acceptable

• Only start eating when everyone has been served

• On public transport its polite to queue on one side while passengers disembark before boarding public transport

• Don’t speak on your phone whilst travelling on public transport or when you’re in the company of others. Its polite to turn your phone on silent mode