The day-by-day plan
Day 1 — Arrival & Shibuya Immersion
Land at Narita or Haneda, take the Keisei Skyliner (Narita) or Tokyo Monorail (Haneda) to Shinagawa, then switch to the JR Yamanote Line to Shibuya. Drop bags at your hotel or a coin locker at Shibuya Station, then dive into the scramble crossing and Hachiko statue before climbing Shibuya Sky for sunset views over the city. After dark, head to Nonbei Yokocho’s tiny alleys for yakitori and cheap beer, then finish with cocktails at Bar Martha or Bar BenFiddich.
- Shibuya Sky observation deck – ¥2,200
- Nonbei Yokocho (Drunkard’s Alley) for yakitori and beer
- Bar Martha or Bar BenFiddich for craft cocktails
Day 2 — Shinjuku Deep Dive
Start with breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market (grab a bus from Shinjuku Station or take the Oedo Line to Tsukijishijo). Return to Shinjuku and explore the free observation deck at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, then wander Golden Gai’s narrow alleys at dusk. For dinner, book a seat at Omoide Yokocho’s yakitori stalls or splurge at Ichiran Ramen. End the night in Kabukicho—stick to the main streets or a seated bar like Bar High Five for world-class whisky.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (free)
- Golden Gai (small bars, cover charges ¥500–¥1,000)
- Omoide Yokocho or Ichiran Ramen
Day 3 — Asakusa & Old Tokyo
Take the Ginza Line to Asakusa and visit Senso-ji Temple early to avoid crowds. Walk to Sumida River and hop on the Tokyo Cruise to Odaiba for lunch, then spend the afternoon at teamLab Planets or DiverCity Tokyo Plaza’s Gundam statue. Return to Asakusa for dinner at Kagetsu’s tempura or Asakusa Imahan’s sukiyaki. End with a stroll along Sumida Park at night.
- Senso-ji Temple (free, donations welcome)
- Tokyo Cruise to Odaiba – ¥1,100
- teamLab Planets – ¥3,800
Day 4 — Day Trip to Hakone
Take the Romancecar train from Shinjuku to Hakone (Â¥2,320 one-way, 85 minutes). Ride the Hakone Loop: pirate ship cruise on Ashi Lake, Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani for black eggs, and the Open-Air Museum. Stay overnight in a ryokan with onsen or return to Tokyo by evening. If you prefer Fuji views, swap Hakone for Kawaguchiko via Fuji Excursion train (Â¥4,130 round-trip).
- Romancecar train to Hakone – ¥2,320
- Hakone Loop pass – ¥5,000 (includes transport and attractions)
- Optional ryokan stay (from ¥15,000 per person with dinner)
Day 5 — Akihabara & Ueno
Morning in Akihabara: Super Potato for retro games, Radio Kaikan for figures, and a quick visit to the Gachapon Hall. After lunch, head to Ueno Park for temples and street food, then explore Ueno Toshogu Shrine and Ameya-Yokocho market. End with a sunset at Yanaka Ginza’s retro shopping street or a jazz set at Pit Inn.
- Super Potato (Akihabara) for retro games
- Ueno Park & Ameya-Yokocho market
- Pit Inn (jazz bar) or Yanaka Ginza
Day 6 — Harajuku & Omotesando
Start at Meiji Shrine, then walk through Takeshita Street for crepes and quirky fashion. After lunch, explore Omotesando’s high-end boutiques and Kiddy Land for toys. For dinner, book a counter seat at Uobei Sushi (conveyor belt) or splurge at Florilege in Omotesando Hills. End the night in Roppongi at Mori Art Museum or a rooftop bar like New York Bar.
- Meiji Shrine (free)
- Takeshita Street & Kiddy Land
- Florilege (set lunch ¥3,500) or Uobei Sushi
Day 7 — Odaiba & Departure
Spend the morning at Odaiba’s futuristic attractions: Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science) or Joypolis arcade. For lunch, try the giant gyoza at Gyoza Stadium or ramen at Ramen Jiro. Afternoon at Odaiba Seaside Park or the life-size Unicorn Gundam statue. Return to central Tokyo for a final meal in Ginza (tempura at Tenko Honten) before heading to the airport via Narita Express or Keikyu Line.
- Miraikan – ¥630
- Gyoza Stadium or Ramen Jiro
- Tenko Honten (tempura lunch set ¥3,000)
Where to stay
Shinjuku: Budget hostels like Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki (¥3,500–¥4,500/night), mid-range hotels like Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (¥12,000–¥18,000), or premium options like Park Hyatt Tokyo (¥50,000+/night).
Shibuya: Budget hostels like UNPLAN Shinjuku (¥4,000–¥5,000), mid-range hotels like Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu (¥15,000–¥22,000), or premium options like The Millennials Shibuya (¥35,000–¥50,000).
Asakusa: Budget hostels like Khaosan Tokyo Asakusa (¥3,000–¥4,000), mid-range hotels like Richmond Hotel Asakusa (¥9,000–¥14,000), or premium options like The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon (¥25,000–¥40,000).
Budget
| Category | Budget (USD) | Mid-range (USD) | Premium (USD) |
| Accommodation (per night) | $30–$50 | $100–$180 | $450+ |
| Food (per day) | $30–$50 | $70–$120 | $150+ |
| Transit (per day) | $10–$15 | $15–$20 | $20+ |
| Attractions (per day) | $10–$20 | $20–$40 | $50+ |
| Total (7 days) | $560–$910 | $1,330–$2,100 | $3,500+ |
Practical tips
- Get a Suica or Pasmo IC card for seamless transit; load it via Apple Pay/Google Pay or at station kiosks.
- Carry ¥10,000–¥20,000 cash daily—many small bars, temples, and street vendors only accept cash.
- Book popular restaurants (e.g., Florilege, Ichiran) via Trip.com or the restaurant’s website 2–4 weeks ahead.
- Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the best weather; avoid Golden Week (late April–early May) for cheaper stays.
- Skip the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku—it’s a tourist trap with long lines and high entry fees for a short show.
Tokyo rewards curiosity and pace. Seven days lets you balance neon chaos with temple quiet, day-trip vistas with izakaya nights, and conveyor-belt sushi with Michelin-starred tempura—if you plan transit smartly and budget for both cash and card. The city’s efficiency and safety make it ideal for first-timers, while its depth rewards repeat visitors. Just don’t expect to sleep much; the energy is contagious.