Last winter, we had the time of our life when we were in Tokyo. I have now been there 3 times: once 10 years ago, and two of these times were last winter with Simone. We first went for three days to Tokyo on our way to Hong Kong. When our plans in Hong Kong fell through, we were happy to go back to Tokyo and spend a week in a Airbnb in Kanagawa, from where we could also explore a bit around the capital.
We both really loved our time in Japan and would recommend anyone to go for at least a week in Tokyo, even more if you can!
Best places to visit when you have a week in Tokyo
Tokyo is a huge city, it extends very far and even though the metro is amazing, we still had a short time-span in the capital. So here are the best places to visit during your week in Tokyo to have an amazing trip!
Modern and busy Tokyo: Harajuka, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara
Harajuku


Shinjuku


Shibuya
Akihabara


Traditional places to visit in Tokyo: Asakusa, Meiji Jingu, Ueno
Your week in Tokyo should include a visit to places in the city that are more traditional, with some temples and shrines, and have kept some of the past’s atmosphere. A few places in the center of Tokyo are absolute musts in that regard.
Asakusa


Meiji Jingū


Ueno Park


Old Tokyo in Yanaka Ginza


Your week in Tokyo is wearing you down? Recharge your batteries by visiting the parks!
Inokashira Park


Showa Memorial Park


Day trips out of Tokyo
Takao-San (Mount Takao)


Kamakura


Where to stay during your week in Tokyo
Harajuku

Close to Narita Airport: Hedistar Hotel Narita
Capsule beds: Oak Cabin Hostel

Airbnb: a great way to make your week in Tokyo cheaper and have an insight on how Japanese apartments are made!
General Tips for the Tokyo First-Timers
Metro Pass

28 comments
I would love to go there for several weeks. I especially would like to see one of the Buddhist temples. Such a fascinating place.
Tokyo is one of my favorite cities!
Wow what an amazing time you had! I love your photos, you have really captured the energy of the city!
Loved reading all about Tokyo in an express way, we were planning to travel Tokyo early next year, hoping to take lots of info from this post and plan a great trip:)
Glad you had a fantastic week in Tokyo. Have you tried the Golden gai?
You should also visit the nearby rural areas for their farms!
Oh wow, I’d absolutely love to visit Tokyo one day. I’d especially want to visit the Showa Memorial Park.
You’ve captured some great shots. I can only imagine the food. Wowwww!
I ma definitely planning for Japan..but don’t know when. You are inspiring me to visit it soon.
Tokyo (and Japan in general) looks like a fascinating destination, I hope one day to make it over there. Asakusa looks like a great place to get immersed in the culture and history there, and then the park looks like a great place to get away from it all for a bit.
Glad you enjoyed your most recent trip to Tokyo. Tokyo is not one of those places I’ve ever wanted to travel to… Maybe the rural areas but I don’t enjoy big cities with tons of people… I do love your pictures though, they seem to really capture the essence of the city.
OMG… this is like the #1 place I want to visit! Super Jealous!~
This guide is awesome! I’m trying to visit my best friend in Tokyo later this year!
Asia is deffo on my radar. Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China and Indonesia – must see countries! Japan is so beautiful and I hear going to toilet is quite an experience too! Such lovely photos.
I love the culture In Japan. I can’t wait to go again. This post is awesome
Glad that you enjoyed your recent trip to Tokyo. Loved your pictures and bookmarked this post as we are planning Tokyo this year. Do visit our blog for any India related destination guides.
Looks like a wonderful trip!!! Great photos too!!! Your post entices me to plan a trip there too!!
I would love to visit Tokyo, but I’m not good around crowds, so it’s great to see there are so many beautiful parks! It looks like they have a great balance. Thanks for sharing!
You really make me want to visit Tokyo! I have never been, but I think I will try now! Wonderful photography!
WOW this looks amazing! I’ve been umming and aahhing over Tokyo because of the crowds but I love the look of the traditional street market and the parks!
That crowd in Harajaku! Looks pretty busy indeed.. I think I’d love to explore less crowded places. 🙂 The views from Takao-San looks amazing! I love your tips too including the airport coin locker (which sounds very convenient) and the metro pass..
Japan and especially Tokyo have been on my list since forever. I simply love how well you explained the different neighborhoods it felt like I am walking through them myself. And the Japanese food sounds delicious. I already love to eat Onigiri here from time to time but it probably tastes million times better in Japan.
Tokyo is one of my Fav place that i would like to visit ASAP.. all your pics are so wonderful and gives great insights of the city. Thanks for sharing.
This is such an awesome guide to Tokyo – I haven’t been but I plan on going at some point and I’ve done a little research and some of these points I’ve found elsewhere! Thanks for sharing.
Tokyo is a place that has always intrigued me. I’ve always wanted to try to cross at the Shibuya crossing, if not just watch everyone else do so. Good thinking about storing extra luggage at the coin lockers. Such a great way to travel light around the city!
Tokyo is an amazing city! I was there for 3 days and I manage see a lot although I wish I had more time for those day trips! I would love to see Mt Fuji from close distance! I loved all those crazy lights, games, outfits! Harajuku was lots of fun to walk on! I hope ill get to go back to Japan one day and explore more!
This is such a timely post, because I’m actually planning on visiting Tokyo in July. You’ve included some great tips and ideas about the city in this guide. So, I’m bookmarking this right now!
Btw, you couldn’t be more right…the onigiri is totally addictive! I loved snacking on them when I visited Kyoto, last year!
This is great guide to Tokyo. I actually wrote something similar in my blog, just because I felt that going there for the first time it was hard to know what area we should stay at. They are all so different. I wish I had had a guide like this back then.
Some really great insight into Tokyo in this post! I love the mix of business of the city lights with the tranquil of the parks and heritage sites. I really should bump this place up my list for this year 🙂
This is the best time to have stumbled upon your article. Since I am planning a trip to Tokyo sometimes this or the next year. Yours is really comprehensive guide that I can use for a lot of things including the details of each day planning.