4 Days in Tokyo: A Complete Itinerary

Four days covers Tokyo's major districts at a reasonable pace, grouped geographically to minimize backtracking across this large city.

Day 1: Asakusa and Ueno

Start early at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, walking the Nakamise-dori approach street before its shops get busy. In the afternoon, head to Ueno for its park and museums, or Ueno's own market streets (Ameya-Yokocho) for a more local shopping experience. End the day back in Asakusa for dinner along the river.

Day 2: Shibuya and Harajuku

Experience Shibuya Crossing in the morning, then explore Shibuya's shopping streets. In the afternoon, walk to Harajuku for Takeshita Street's youth fashion scene and Meiji Shrine's forested calm nearby — a genuinely sharp contrast within a few minutes' walk of each other.

Day 3: Shinjuku and digital art

Book a morning or afternoon slot at teamLab Planets or a similar installation. Spend the rest of the day in Shinjuku — the free observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for skyline views, and Golden Gai's tiny alleyway bars in the evening.

Day 4: Tsukiji, Ginza, or a day trip

Use the final day flexibly: an early visit to Tsukiji Outer Market for a seafood breakfast, followed by upscale shopping in nearby Ginza, or a day trip to Nikko or Kamakura if you'd rather see something outside the city entirely.

Getting around

A rechargeable IC card (Suica or Pasmo) covers the train and subway network efficiently across all four days; budget real transit time between the more distant districts like Asakusa and Shibuya.

What to pack

Comfortable walking shoes and some cash as a backup to cards — see our Tokyo travel guide for the fuller packing list and more on choosing where to stay.