Tokyo Kanto Japan
3
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Three days in Tokyo reveals the most extraordinary city in the world, its remarkable contrast of ancient shrines and futuristic skyscrapers, finest food culture on earth and extraordinary neighbourhood diversity. This route covers the essential Tokyo: the extraordinary Senso-ji at Asakusa, the remarkable Tsukiji market, Meiji Shrine, the Shibuya crossing and the iconic Mount Fuji views from the extraordinary Hakone day trip.
Best Time To Visit
March to May (cherry blossom) or October to November
Getting There
Fly to Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND). Train 30 to 60 min.
Getting Around
Tokyo Metro and JR lines. IC card (Suica or Pasmo) essential.
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 200 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , excellent public transport throughout
DAY 1
EAST TOKYO
MORNING
SENSO-JI TEMPLE AND ASAKUSA
Senso-ji is the most extraordinary Buddhist temple in Tokyo, its remarkable Kaminarimon Thunder Gate with the famous giant red lantern and the extraordinary Nakamise shopping street leading to the ancient main hall giving the finest traditional temple atmosphere in the capital. The remarkable five-storey pagoda and the extraordinary Asakusa neighbourhood of traditional craft shops and rickshaws give the finest old Tokyo experience. Entry free. Drive: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
TSUKIJI OUTER MARKET
The Tsukiji Outer Market is the most extraordinary food market in Japan, its remarkable labyrinth of tiny stalls selling the finest fresh sushi, tamagoyaki egg omelettes and grilled seafood skewers giving the finest street food in Tokyo. The remarkable Japanese kitchen knife shops and the extraordinary variety of food products make this the finest market experience in Asia. Free to explore. Drive: 20 min by metro
AFTERNOON
TEAMLAB BORDERLESS DIGITAL ART MUSEUM
teamLab Borderless is the most extraordinary digital art museum in the world, its remarkable immersive rooms where extraordinary projections of light, colour and movement flow without boundaries between walls, floors and ceilings giving the most unusual art experience in Japan. The extraordinary interactive elements that respond to visitors and the remarkable scale of the installations give the finest contemporary art experience in Asia. Entry approx 3200 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Yanaka Cemetery neighbourhood near Ueno is the finest hidden area in Tokyo, its remarkable traditional houses, extraordinary independent shops and the Yanaka Ginza street giving the finest surviving pre-war Tokyo atmosphere in the city. Free. 15 minutes from Ueno station.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Asakusa traditional cafe Outstanding Japanese breakfast near Senso-ji. Matcha, mochi and the finest morning atmosphere in old Tokyo. | Lunch: Tsukiji Outer Market stalls Outstanding fresh sushi, grilled scallops and tamagoyaki egg in the finest street food market in Japan. | Dinner: Izakaya in Asakusa or Odaiba Outstanding Japanese izakaya dinner with yakitori, edamame and excellent Japanese beer or sake.
DAY 2
WEST TOKYO
MORNING
MEIJI SHRINE AND YOYOGI PARK
Meiji Shrine is the most extraordinary Shinto shrine in Tokyo, its remarkable forest of 120,000 trees planted in 1920 creating an extraordinary natural sanctuary in the heart of the city, the towering wooden torii gates and the remarkable main shrine hall giving the finest Shinto heritage in the capital. The extraordinary Yoyogi Park adjacent attracts the finest weekend street performers and cosplay gatherings in Tokyo. Entry free. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
HARAJUKU AND TAKESHITA STREET
Takeshita Street in Harajuku is the most extraordinary youth fashion street in Japan, its remarkable 350-metre pedestrian alley of extraordinary cosplay boutiques, crepe shops serving the finest rainbow crepes in Tokyo and remarkable vintage clothing stores giving the finest insight into Japanese youth culture in the city. The extraordinary Omotesando boulevard nearby is the finest luxury shopping street in Asia. Free to explore. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
SHIBUYA CROSSING AND SHINJUKU
Shibuya Crossing is the most extraordinary pedestrian intersection in the world, its remarkable simultaneous crossing of up to 3000 people in every direction at once giving the finest urban spectacle in Japan. The extraordinary Shinjuku Golden Gai, 200 tiny bars in six extraordinary alleys, and the remarkable Kabukicho entertainment district give the finest evening atmosphere in Tokyo. Free to experience.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Shimokitazawa neighbourhood is the finest hidden area in Tokyo, its remarkable live music venues, extraordinary vintage clothing shops and the finest independent cafe culture in Tokyo giving the most authentic bohemian neighbourhood atmosphere in Japan. Free. 10 min from Shibuya on the Keio line.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Harajuku or Omotesando Outstanding Japanese cafe breakfast near Meiji Shrine. Third-wave coffee and the finest Japanese bakery pastries. | Lunch: Ramen in Shibuya Outstanding tonkotsu or shoyu ramen at the finest ramen restaurant in the Shibuya area. | Dinner: Shinjuku Golden Gai tiny bar Outstanding Japanese whisky or sake in the most extraordinary tiny bar in the world. Each seats 6 to 8 people.
DAY 3
HAKONE DAY TRIP
MORNING
HAKONE AND MOUNT FUJI VIEWS
Hakone is the most extraordinary mountain resort near Tokyo, its remarkable position offering the finest views of Mount Fuji from Lake Ashi and the extraordinary Hakone Open Air Museum, the finest sculpture park in Japan with extraordinary works by Picasso, Moore and Rodin against a backdrop of mountains. The remarkable Hakone Shinkansen and ropeway combination gives the finest day trip from Tokyo. Museum entry approx 1600 yen. Drive: Continue by ropeway
MIDDAY
OWAKUDANI VOLCANIC VALLEY
Owakudani is the most extraordinary volcanic landscape near Tokyo, its remarkable sulphur vents and boiling pools on the flanks of Mount Hakone giving the finest active volcanic landscape accessible from the capital. The extraordinary black eggs boiled in the sulphur springs, said to add seven years to your life, and the remarkable views of Mount Fuji through the steam vents give the finest volcanic experience in the Kanto region. Entry approx 1000 yen. Drive: Cable car to Lake Ashi
AFTERNOON
LAKE ASHI AND HAKONE SHRINE
Lake Ashi is the most extraordinary caldera lake in the Kanto region, its remarkable pirate ship ferry crossing giving the finest views of Mount Fuji reflected in the extraordinary lake from the torii gate of Hakone Shrine standing in the water. The extraordinary cedar-lined approach to Hakone Shrine and the remarkable lakeside atmosphere give the finest afternoon near Tokyo. Shrine entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hakone Checkpoint museum at Moto-Hakone on Lake Ashi is the finest Edo period heritage site in the Kanto region, its remarkable recreation of the Tokaido road checkpoint where travellers were inspected giving the finest insight into feudal Japan near Tokyo. Entry approx 500 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Hakone Romancecar Early start for the Hakone Romancecar scenic train from Shinjuku. Reserve seats in advance. | Lunch: Restaurant in Hakone with Mount Fuji view Outstanding Japanese kaiseki lunch with the finest view of Mount Fuji across Lake Ashi. | Dinner: Ryokan dinner back in Tokyo or overnight Outstanding traditional kaiseki dinner at a Hakone ryokan or return to Tokyo for evening.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Shinjuku, Nights 1 to 2 The finest central base. Hotels from 100 to 300 euros. Direct Romancecar to Hakone and excellent metro connections. Asakusa, alternative The most atmospheric neighbourhood base. Hotels from 80 to 250 euros. Walking distance from Senso-ji. Budget option Capsule hotels and hostels in Shinjuku or Asakusa from 30 to 60 euros. The finest budget option in Japan.
Top Tips
1. Buy an IC card (Suica or Pasmo) at the airport on arrival. Load 3000 yen and top up as needed. It works on every train, bus and at most convenience stores.
2. Senso-ji is extraordinary before 7am. The temple at dawn with incense smoke and almost no other visitors is the finest experience in Tokyo.
3. Shibuya Crossing: watch from the Starbucks second floor window overlooking the crossing for the finest elevated view. Go at rush hour for the most extraordinary scramble.
4. Book Hakone Romancecar seats in advance on the Odakyu website. The window seats on the right side going from Shinjuku give the finest Mount Fuji views.
5. Tokyo ramen: the finest shops have queues. Join them. A bowl costs 800 to 1200 yen and takes 8 minutes to eat. The extraordinary quality is unlike anywhere else.
6. Convenience stores (konbini) in Japan are extraordinary. Onigiri, sushi, hot food and excellent coffee from 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart are the finest fast food.
Total Budget
100 to 200 euros/day