Here’s a local guide-recommended travel itinerary for your 3-day trip to Tokyo, with the must-visit stops that include a skyline view, a museum, and a historical landmark:
Accommodations: Tokyo has a wide range of hotels, from budget hostels to luxury accommodations. If you’re looking for a hotel with stunning views of the Tokyo skyline, I recommend the Tokyo EDITION Toranomon or the Park Hyatt Tokyo.
Dining: Tokyo is home to an incredible variety of restaurants, serving everything from Japanese cuisine to international fare. For a truly authentic Japanese dining experience, try visiting a sushi restaurant in Ginza or a ramen shop in Shinjuku.
Transportation: Tokyo has an excellent public transportation system, making it easy to get around the city. The Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway systems are both extensive and efficient. You can also purchase a Tokyo Subway Ticket, which gives you unlimited access to both subway systems for a set period of time.
Itinerary:
Day 1:
Morning: Start your day with a visit to the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan and one of the tallest towers in the world. From the observation deck, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and surrounding area.
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Tokyo Skytree
Afternoon: Take a walk through Meiji Shrine, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. The shrine is located in a beautiful forest in the heart of Tokyo and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.
Evening: Have dinner at one of the many restaurants in Ginza, Tokyo’s upscale shopping district. Ginza is known for its high-end boutiques and department stores, but it also has a wide variety of restaurants, serving everything from traditional Japanese cuisine to international fare.
Day 2:
Morning: Visit the Tokyo National Museum, the largest museum in Japan and one of the largest art museums in the world. The museum houses a vast collection of Japanese art and artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and textiles.
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Tokyo National Museum
Afternoon: Visit the Asakusa district, Tokyo’s oldest district. Asakusa is home to the Sensōji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most famous temple. The temple is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy.
Evening: Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner at a restaurant in Asakusa. After dinner, take a walk along the Nakamise Shopping Street, a narrow street lined with shops selling souvenirs, snacks, and traditional Japanese crafts.
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Sensōji Temple
Day 3:
Morning: Visit the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. The palace is located in the heart of Tokyo and is surrounded by a moat and gardens. Visitors can take a guided tour of the East Gardens, which are open to the public.
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Tokyo Imperial Palace
Afternoon: Visit the Akihabara district, Tokyo’s electronics district. Akihabara is known for its many electronics stores, anime and manga shops, and maid cafes.
Evening: Have dinner at one of the many restaurants in Roppongi, Tokyo’s nightlife district. Roppongi is known for its many bars, clubs, and restaurants.
This is just a suggested itinerary, and you can customize it to fit your interests and budget. For example, if you’re interested in Japanese history, you could spend more time visiting historical landmarks like the Tokyo Imperial Palace and the Edo-Tokyo Museum. If you’re interested in Japanese pop culture, you could spend more time visiting Akihabara and Harajuku. And if you’re on a tight budget, there are many free and low-cost things to do in Tokyo, such as visiting Meiji Shrine, Sensō-ji Temple, and the Tokyo National Museum.
Tokyo Skytree
The Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower located in Sumida City, Tokyo, Japan. It is the tallest tower in Japan and one of the tallest towers in the world, standing at an impressive height of 634 meters (2,080 feet). The Tokyo Skytree has two observation decks, the Tembo Deck and the Tembo Galleria, which offer panoramic views of the city and surrounding area.
Meiji Shrine
Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. The shrine is located in a beautiful forest in the heart of Tokyo and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Visitors to Meiji Shrine can take a walk through the forest, visit the shrine’s inner and outer gardens, and pray at the main shrine building.
Tokyo National Museum
The Tokyo National Museum is the largest museum in Japan and one of the largest art museums in the world. The museum houses a vast collection of Japanese art and artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and textiles. The Tokyo National Museum is a great place to learn about Japanese history and culture.
Asakusa
Asakusa is Tokyo’s oldest district and is home to many traditional Japanese shops and temples. The most famous temple in Asakusa is Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Visitors to Asakusa can also take a walk along the Nakamise Shopping Street, a narrow street lined with shops selling souvenirs, snacks, and traditional Japanese crafts.
Tokyo Imperial Palace
The Tokyo Imperial Palace is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan. The palace is located in the heart of Tokyo and is surrounded by a moat and gardens. Visitors can take a guided tour of the East Gardens, which are open to the public.
Akihabara
Akihabara is Tokyo’s electronics district and is known for its many electronics stores, anime and manga shops, and maid cafes. Akihabara is a great place to find the latest electronics and Japanese pop culture merchandise.
Roppongi
Roppongi is Tokyo’s nightlife district and is known for its many bars, clubs, and restaurants. Roppongi is a great place to go for a night out on the town.
Additional suggestions:
- Shibuya Crossing: Shibuya Crossing is the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing and is a popular tourist destination. Visitors to Shibuya Crossing can experience the hustle and bustle of Tokyo firsthand.
- Odaiba: Odaiba is a man-made island in Tokyo Bay and is home to many shopping malls, amusement parks, and museums. Odaiba is a great place to go for a day of fun and entertainment.
- Ginza: Ginza is Tokyo’s upscale shopping district and is known for its high-end boutiques and department stores. Ginza is also a great place to find traditional Japanese restaurants and shops.
- Harajuku: Harajuku is Tokyo’s center of youth culture and is known for its trendy fashion and unique cafes. Harajuku is a great place to people-watch and experience the latest Japanese fashion trends.
