Most travelers planning their trip to Tokyo feel somewhat overwhelmed by the oh-so-many great options the metropole has to offer. Being the largest city in the world, we completely understand you are not exactly sure where to begin planning. There are endless exciting things to do and see in Tokyo, and you can easily spend a month there without getting bored. But fret not, we’ve got you covered with our suggested 1-day itinerary in Tokyo that covers a wide range of must-visit places!
- 5:30am – An early start at Toyosu Market
- Another Option: 8am – Join the Sumo Morning Practice Tour
- 10am – City views from great heights at Tokyo Skytree
- 11am – Cultural experience in Asakusa
- 2pm – Discover Tokyo’s prestigious business district around Tokyo Station
- 3pm – Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park
- 6pm – People watching in Shibuya
- 8pm – The stunning night views in Roppongi Hills
- 10pm – Izakaya and bar hopping in Shinjuku
- Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Tokyo
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5:30am – An early start at Toyosu Market
Start your day early with a local experience: the famous tuna auction. The location of this auction used to be Tsukiji Market but moved to Toyosu in October 2018. The tuna auction in Toyosu Market starts at 5.30am and finishes around 6.30am. You can watch the tuna auction from the observation deck located on the second floor of the Fisheries Wholesale Market Building. After the auction, you can also have breakfast here. Sushi and sashimi rice bowls are very popular and delicious here, but there are also ramen spots, Japanese curry, and much more. All the restaurants and cafes open at 5am.
Tip: if you want to join a free special tuna auction tour, you can apply for tickets.
Read more about how to apply for these free tickets.
Another Option: 8am – Join the Sumo Morning Practice Tour
There is another option for those interested in experiencing sumo wrestling up close – the sumo morning practice tour. It can be challenging to find a sumo stable that allows tourists to enter, but we provide an exciting tour to enable you to watch the wrestlers practice with the assistance of a guide. The sounds of the wrestlers colliding and the intense atmosphere will create a memorable experience for you. Moreover, your guide will be able to educate you about the strict rules of sumo wrestling. Finally, after the practice, you will have the opportunity to take pictures with the sumo wrestlers!
10am – City views from great heights at Tokyo Skytree
Access to Tokyo Skytree from Toyosu Market
- Take the Yurikamome line from Shijo station to Shinbashi station (¥390, 30 min).
- From Shinbashi station take the Asakusa line to Oshiage station (¥220, 16 min).
Tokyo Skytree, one of Tokyo’s most popular landmarks, was built in 2012 and is the tallest building in Japan (634m). The observatory offers magnificent views of the Tokyo cityscape, and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day. You can see all the other places in Tokyo mentioned in this itinerary from the observatory, so you can enjoy the places that you are going to visit today from a whole different perspective. Tokyo Skytree Observatory is open from 10am. You can avoid the crowds if you visit here early morning.
Tokyo Skytree
10am – 9pm
Combi ticket from ¥3,100
Tembo Galleria from ¥1,000
Tembo Deck from ¥2,100
11am – Cultural experience in Asakusa
Access from Tokyo Skytree to Asakusa
Walk for about 20 minutes (approximately 1.5km).
Located in the center of Tokyo, you can experience both traditional and modern Japanese cultures in Asakusa. The main attraction is Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo built in the 7th century. The Nakamise Dori marks the way from the first front gate Kaminarimon – with its’ iconic big red lantern – to the temple its’ main hall. On this street, you can find numerous small stores, snack vendors, and restaurants. Most of the shops along Nakamise Dori open between 9-10 am, but some of them open at 11.30am. Enjoy some snacks like manjū (Japanese cakes filled with red bean paste), or have lunch in one of many restaurants. Please note that eating and drinking are not allowed on Nakamise Dori itself. You can eat it in front of the shop where you got the food.
2pm – Discover Tokyo’s prestigious business district around Tokyo Station
Access from Asakusa to Tokyo station
- Take the Tokyo Metro Ginza line to Kanda station (¥170, 10 min).
- Take the JR Yamanote line to Tokyo station (¥140, 3 min).
Stop by one of the city’s main transport hubs for many trains including the bullet trains. The Tokyo station’s red-brick façade on the Marunouchi side dates back to 1914 and was renovated in 2012. Marunouchi district, where Tokyo station is located, is one of the most prestigious business districts in Tokyo. Luxury shops, restaurants, and cafes can be found along Marunouchi Naka Dori Avenue. Also, you can see Imperial Palace if you walk along Hibiya Dori Avenue. Unfortunately, you cannot see the palace itself, because it is surrounded by walls, water, and greenery. What you can see is the beautiful Japanese Imperial East Garden. How about taking a short break and enjoying the beautiful nature in central Tokyo?
We recommend you make your way to Nijubashimae station on Hibiya Dori Avenue, a 15-minute walk from Tokyo station. From this station it is very convenient to go to Harajuku and Meiji Jingu shrine, the next locations on the list!
3pm – Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park
Access from Marunouchi district to Meiji Jingu shrine
Take the Chiyoda line from Nijubashimae station to Meiji-jingumae station (¥200,14 min).
This Shinto shrine is dedicated to emperor and empress Meiji and was completed in 1920. At the entrance of the shrine ground stands a huge Torii gate. Once you enter the shrine ground you will forget you are in the center of one of the busiest cities in the world. The gravel path that leads you to the main building of the shrine is surrounded by a total of 170,000 trees donated from all over Japan, creating a quiet and sacred atmosphere. If you are lucky, you may be able to see a bride and a groom dressed in Japanese wedding kimono, walking in front of the shrine. Meiji Jingu Shrine is the most-visited shrine in Japan for hatsumode, more than 3 million people visit the shrine during the first few days of the new year. The gates of the shrine open at sunrise and close between 4pm in December and 6.30pm in June.
Yoyogi Park is located just across the street from the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It is one of the city’s largest parks with ponds, fountains, lawns, and trees, which make this park a great place for outdoor activities and picnics. You can stroll through this park and continue your way to the world-famous Shibuya Crossing.
6pm – People watching in Shibuya
Access from Meiji Jingu shrine / Yoyogi Park to Shibuya station
- Walk through Yoyogi Park and continue south for about 10 minutes.
- Take the JR Yamanote line from Harajuku station (¥140, 2 min).
Shibuya is the famous entertainment district in central Tokyo, known worldwide for its pedestrian scramble crossing. This crossing, where at peak time 2,500 people cross the street in one go, is surrounded by neon signs and large commercial screens. It has also been featured in many movies such as The Fast and the Furious and Resident Evil. The crossing is also famous for the Hachiko statue, prominently located in front of the station. It is one of the most famous meeting places in Japan. Hachiko was the name of a loyal dog who waited for his master at Shibuya station every day for many years, even after its’ master had passed away. This is a true story from the early 1920s.
Shibuya is also a great place to go for dinner, here you can find Japanese local food as well as all sorts of international food. And if you are up for it, there are plenty of karaoke places too.
8pm – The stunning night views in Roppongi Hills
Access from Shibuya station to Roppongi Hills
Take Toei Bus RH01 bound for Roppongi Hills (¥210, 15 min).
One of the most impressive things in Tokyo is its night scenery. The observatory in Roppongi Hills Mori Tower offers one of the most beautiful night views in Tokyo. Especially the sight of Tokyo Tower, one of the most famous and popular landmarks of Tokyo, is amazing. You can also see the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Skytree, and skyscrapers in Shinjuku. If the weather permits, we recommend you to go up to the Rooftop Sky Deck where you can enjoy the Tokyo’s night view out in the open air.
Tokyo City View
10am – 11pm
Observatory access ¥1,800 (including entrance to the Mori Art Museum)
Sky Deck access additional ¥500
Roppongi is also known for its nightlife. If you want to go dancing in the club or go to fancy bars, we would recommend you stay in Roppongi for most of the night.
10pm – Izakaya and bar hopping in Shinjuku
Access from Roppongi Station
Take the Oedo Line from Roppongi Station to Shinjuku Station
After checking out the amazing views that Tokyo has to offer, head over to the Shinjuku area to finish off the night with some of the best nightlife in all of Japan. Shinjuku is a major food hub that has pretty much everything you can dream of. It’s a lot of fun to check out a number of different izakaya and bars that serve various kinds of food, as well as meet locals and travelers in the process. Even if you don’t have much of an appetite, it’s still entertaining just walking through the area as it is known as a place that never sleeps and has endless picturesque spots.
If you are hoping to get the most out of your day in Tokyo and want to truly experience the real Shinjuku, it is best to book a bar hopping tour to hit all the best spots in the most time-efficient way!
What do you think about this 1-day itinerary in Tokyo? You can experience both traditional and modern sides of the city as well as beautiful nature and scenery. This may seem like a lot to do in one day. If you have several days in Tokyo, we suggest spreading this itinerary over two or three days! When you are interested in learning more about the history, culture, and fun facts of Tokyo, consider joining a guided tour. We offer many different tours and can also customize your trip to enjoy both modern cityscape and nature in Tokyo in one day.
Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Tokyo
Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.
From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, we can help organize the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and backstories of each area you are traveling in, our knowledgeable and friendly guides will happily take you to the best spots!
In addition, we can provide you with any assistance you may need for your upcoming trip to Japan, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need some help!
▶Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Tour
Explore the most lively and popular fish market in Tokyo, where you will have the chance to try some of the local’s favorite street foods and sake along with your friendly English-speaking guide!
▶Tokyo 1–Day Highlights Private Walking Tour (8 Hours)
There’s no better way to explore an area than taking a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. You will have the chance to learn about the history and interesting background stories of Tokyo, as well as discover some hidden gems which can be hard to do without a guide.
▶Shinjuku Bar Hopping Tour: Experience Tokyo’s Nightlife in Izakaya
Check out the best spots in Shinjuku while bar hopping through the lively and vibrant area. Try some delicious local food and drink as you explore the narrow yet photogenic alleys that the town has to offer. Experience Japanese izakaya culture and drink in Shinjuku like the locals!
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Happy traveling!
Stay informed of the best travel tips to Japan, the most exciting things to do and see, and the top experiences to have with the Japan Wonder Travel Newsletter. Once every two weeks we will introduce you to our latest content.
Stay informed of the best travel tips to Japan, the most exciting things to do and see, and the top experiences to have with the Japan Wonder Travel Newsletter. Once every two weeks we will introduce you to our latest content.
