Tokyo Kanto Japan
5
Day Itinerary •
Japan
Five days in Tokyo and Kanto covers the most extraordinary city on earth, from ancient temples and imperial gardens to the remarkable Nikko UNESCO shrines and the extraordinary Hakone with its Mount Fuji views. This route covers the full experience: Senso-ji and Asakusa, Harajuku and Shibuya, the Shinjuku nightlife district, teamLab digital art, Nikko UNESCO shrines, Hakone with Mount Fuji and the hidden neighbourhoods of Tokyo.
Best Time To Visit
March to May for cherry blossom. Oct to Nov for autumn.
Getting There
Fly to Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND). Train to city centre.
Getting Around
Metro and JR pass. IC Suica card essential.
Budget Per Day
Approx 100 to 200 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , world-class 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, the extraordinary Nakamise shopping street and the ancient main hall giving the finest traditional temple atmosphere in the capital. The remarkable five-storey pagoda and the extraordinary Asakusa neighbourhood of craft shops and rickshaws give the finest old Tokyo. 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 stalls selling the finest fresh sushi, tamagoyaki egg omelettes and grilled seafood skewers giving the finest street food experience in Tokyo. The extraordinary Japanese kitchen knife shops and the remarkable variety of Japanese food products make this the finest market in Asia. Free to explore. Drive: 20 min by metro
AFTERNOON
TEAMLAB BORDERLESS DIGITAL ART
teamLab Borderless is the most extraordinary digital art museum in the world, its remarkable immersive rooms where projections of light and colour flow without boundaries between walls, floors and ceilings giving the most unusual art experience in Japan. The extraordinary interactive installations responding to visitors give the finest contemporary art in Asia. Entry approx 3200 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Yanaka neighbourhood near Ueno is the finest hidden area in Tokyo, its remarkable traditional houses, extraordinary independent shops and the remarkable Yanaka Ginza street giving the finest surviving pre-war Tokyo atmosphere in the city. Free. 15 minutes from Ueno station.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Traditional cafe near Senso-ji Outstanding Japanese breakfast near the extraordinary temple. Matcha, mochi and the finest old Tokyo atmosphere. | Lunch: Tsukiji Outer Market stalls Outstanding fresh sushi, grilled scallops and tamagoyaki in the finest street food market in Japan. | Dinner: Izakaya in Asakusa Outstanding Japanese izakaya dinner with yakitori, edamame and excellent Japanese 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 creating an extraordinary natural sanctuary in the heart of the city. The towering wooden torii gates and remarkable main shrine hall give the finest Shinto heritage in the capital. The extraordinary Yoyogi Park attracts the finest weekend street performers in Tokyo. Entry free. Drive: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
HARAJUKU AND OMOTESANDO
Takeshita Street in Harajuku is the most extraordinary youth fashion street in Japan, its remarkable alley of cosplay boutiques and rainbow crepe shops giving the finest insight into Japanese youth culture. The extraordinary Omotesando boulevard is the finest luxury shopping street in Asia with remarkable architecture by Tadao Ando and Toyo Ito. Free to explore. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
SHIBUYA CROSSING AND SHINJUKU
Shibuya Crossing is the most extraordinary pedestrian intersection in the world, 3000 people crossing simultaneously in every direction. The extraordinary Shinjuku Golden Gai with its 200 tiny bars in six alleys and the remarkable Kabukicho entertainment district give the finest evening atmosphere in Tokyo. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Shimokitazawa neighbourhood is the finest hidden area in Tokyo, its remarkable live music venues, extraordinary vintage shops and independent cafes giving the most authentic bohemian atmosphere in Japan. Free. 10 minutes from Shibuya on the Keio line.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Omotesando Outstanding Japanese cafe breakfast near Meiji Shrine. Third-wave coffee and the finest Japanese pastries. | Lunch: Ramen in Shibuya Outstanding tonkotsu ramen at the finest ramen restaurant in the Shibuya area. | Dinner: Shinjuku Golden Gai tiny bar Outstanding Japanese whisky in the most extraordinary tiny bar in the world.
DAY 3
HAKONE
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. The remarkable Romancecar scenic train from Shinjuku gives the finest approach. Museum entry approx 1600 yen. Drive: Ropeway to Owakudani
MIDDAY
OWAKUDANI VOLCANIC VALLEY
Owakudani is the most extraordinary volcanic landscape near Tokyo, its remarkable sulphur vents and boiling pools giving the finest active volcanic landscape accessible from the capital. The extraordinary black eggs boiled in the sulphur springs and the remarkable views of Mount Fuji through the steam 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 giving the finest views of Mount Fuji reflected in the lake from the torii gate of Hakone Shrine. The extraordinary cedar-lined approach to the shrine and the remarkable lakeside atmosphere give the finest afternoon near Tokyo. Shrine free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hakone Checkpoint museum at Moto-Hakone is the finest Edo period heritage site in the Kanto region, its remarkable recreation of the Tokaido road checkpoint giving the finest insight into feudal Japan near Tokyo. Entry approx 500 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Romancecar Early start for the Hakone Romancecar from Shinjuku. Reserve the scenic seats in advance. | Lunch: Restaurant in Hakone with Fuji view Outstanding Japanese kaiseki lunch with the finest view of Mount Fuji. | Dinner: Ryokan dinner or return to Tokyo Outstanding traditional kaiseki at a Hakone ryokan, or return to Tokyo for the evening.
DAY 4
NIKKO
MORNING
NIKKO TOSHO-GU SHRINE COMPLEX
Tosho-gu is the most extraordinary Shinto shrine complex in Japan, its remarkable UNESCO-listed ensemble of gilded mausoleums, the famous Sleeping Cat carving and the Three Wise Monkeys giving the finest decorative shrine architecture in the country. The extraordinary Yomeimon Gate, the finest carved gate in Japan, gives the most opulent Shinto heritage in Kanto. Entry approx 1300 yen. Drive: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
NIKKO RINNO-JI TEMPLE AND SHINKYO BRIDGE
Rinno-ji Temple is the most extraordinary Buddhist temple in Nikko, its remarkable three giant gilded Buddha statues, the finest in the Kanto region, and the extraordinary Shoyoen strolling garden giving the finest combined Buddhist and garden heritage in the UNESCO complex. The remarkable Shinkyo sacred red lacquer bridge over the Daiya river is the finest heritage bridge in the region. Entry approx 900 yen. Drive: 30 min walk
AFTERNOON
KEGON WATERFALL AND LAKE CHUZENJI
Kegon Falls is the most extraordinary waterfall in the Kanto region, its remarkable 97-metre drop into the extraordinary gorge below Lake Chuzenji giving the finest waterfall experience near Tokyo. The remarkable Lake Chuzenji itself, the highest lake in Japan at 1269 metres, and the extraordinary Irohazaka switchback road give the finest natural landscape in the Nikko mountains. Entry approx 570 yen.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Taiyuinbyo mausoleum in the Nikko complex is the most atmospheric building in Japan, its remarkable setting deeper in the forest than Tosho-gu and the extraordinary gilded interior giving the finest hidden heritage in the UNESCO complex. Far fewer visitors than Tosho-gu. Entry included with complex ticket.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before Nikko train Early start from Asakusa on the Tobu Nikko Limited Express. Reserve seats for the finest 2-hour scenic journey. | Lunch: Yuba tofu restaurant in Nikko Outstanding Nikko yuba (tofu skin) cuisine, the finest local speciality in the UNESCO shrine town. | Dinner: Return to Tokyo izakaya dinner Outstanding Japanese izakaya dinner in Tokyo after the extraordinary Nikko day.
DAY 5
HIDDEN TOKYO
MORNING
YANAKA HIDDEN NEIGHBOURHOOD
Yanaka is the most extraordinary surviving pre-war neighbourhood in Tokyo, its remarkable traditional wooden houses, the extraordinary Yanaka Cemetery with the tomb of the last Tokugawa shogun, and the remarkable Yanaka Ginza shopping street of traditional craft and food shops giving the finest old Tokyo atmosphere in the city. The extraordinary density of small temples and shrines in the neighbourhood is remarkable. Free. Drive: 30 min by train
MIDDAY
SHIMOKITAZAWA AND KOENJI
Shimokitazawa is the most extraordinary bohemian neighbourhood in Tokyo, its remarkable live music clubs, extraordinary vintage clothing market and the finest independent cafe culture in the city giving the most authentic alternative neighbourhood experience in Japan. Koenji nearby gives the finest second-hand vinyl record shops and extraordinary street food in west Tokyo. Free to explore. Drive: 30 min by train
AFTERNOON
NAKAMEGURO CANAL AND DAIKANYAMA
Nakameguro is the most extraordinary canal neighbourhood in Tokyo, its remarkable kilometre of cherry tree-lined canal walk and the extraordinary Tsutaya Books in Daikanyama, the finest bookshop in Japan, giving the finest upscale neighbourhood experience in the city. The remarkable independent restaurants and the extraordinary canal at sunset give the finest farewell afternoon in Tokyo. Free to walk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Koenji pure sake bar scene is the finest hidden drinking culture in Tokyo, its remarkable collection of specialist nihonshu sake bars serving the most extraordinary regional sake varieties from across Japan in the most authentic neighbourhood bar atmosphere in the city. Free to walk in. Drinks from approx 600 yen.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Third-wave coffee in Yanaka Outstanding specialty coffee in the extraordinary traditional neighbourhood. The finest coffee shop in old Tokyo. | Lunch: Cafe in Shimokitazawa Outstanding light Japanese lunch in the finest bohemian neighbourhood in Tokyo. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Nakameguro Outstanding farewell Japanese dinner in the most stylish neighbourhood in Tokyo. Excellent sushi or wagyu beef.
Where To Stay
Shinjuku, Nights 1 to 4 Best central base. Hotels from 100 to 300 euros. Direct Romancecar to Hakone and Tobu line to Nikko. Hakone ryokan, Night 3 The finest experience in Japan. Traditional ryokan with onsen and kaiseki from 150 to 400 euros per person. Budget option Capsule hotels and hostels in Shinjuku from 30 to 60 euros per person. Book ahead for spring cherry blossom.
Top Tips
1. Senso-ji at 6am: the most extraordinary early morning temple experience in Japan. The dawn incense, empty Nakamise street and first light on the pagoda is unmissable.
2. Hakone ryokan: book months ahead for peak seasons. The finest ryokans include outdoor onsen baths with Mount Fuji views. A single night transforms the trip.
3. Nikko Tosho-gu is extraordinary but the Taiyuinbyo mausoleum deeper in the forest is better. Go there first before the tour groups descend on Tosho-gu.
4. teamLab Borderless: buy tickets online weeks ahead. The extraordinary digital art fills multiple floors and the interactive rooms require several hours.
5. Tokyo ramen pilgrimage: Fuunji in Shinjuku for tsukemen, Ichiran for solo booth tonkotsu, Afuri in Ebisu for yuzu shio. Queue at all three , it is worth it.
6. Yanaka on a Sunday morning: the Yanaka Ginza shopping street is extraordinary before 10am when the traditional shops open and the neighbourhood feels entirely Japanese.
Total Budget
100 to 200 euros/day