Visit Tokyo: Top Attractions, 3 & 5 Day Itineraries, Restaurants & Tips

Planning a trip to Tokyo, Japan? This is a one-stop guide — top attractions, 3- and 5-day itineraries, restaurants, neighbourhoods, history, safety, Google Maps links, and YouTube videos — plus live flights into NRT on Global Flight Map. You should not need another tab for the basics.

Fly into NRT

Use our interactive map to explore all destinations and airlines serving Tokyo:

→ Open NRT hub on Global Flight Map

Also see the destination hub guide: Visit Tokyo flights, hotels & maps

Popular flight corridors connected to Tokyo:

• CDG → NRT (Paris to Tokyo) · flight guide
• FRA → NRT (Frankfurt to Tokyo) · flight guide
• SIN → NRT (Singapore to Tokyo) · flight guide
• NRT → LAX (Tokyo to Los Angeles) · flight guide
• NRT → SFO (Tokyo to San Francisco) · flight guide
• NRT → SIN (Tokyo to Singapore) · flight guide

Quick facts & history

• Tokyo (Edo) became Japan’s political centre under the Tokugawa shoguns and the modern capital after the Meiji Restoration.
• It is a dense constellation of cities-within-a-city: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ginza each have distinct roles.
• World-class transit, seasonal festivals, and obsessive food craft make it uniquely navigable despite scale.
• Temples and gardens preserve quieter layers beside neon districts.

Top attractions & must-sees

Everything below opens in Google Maps so you can save places, check hours, and get directions.

• Senso-ji — open in Google Maps
• Meiji Shrine — open in Google Maps
• Shibuya Crossing — open in Google Maps
• teamLab — open in Google Maps

More attractions & experiences

• Akihabara — open in Google Maps
• Tsukiji Outer Market — open in Google Maps
• Imperial Palace gardens — open in Google Maps

Best neighbourhoods & areas

• Asakusa / Ueno — Senso-ji temple, parks, classic first-day Tokyo.
• Shibuya / Harajuku — Crossing, youth fashion, Yoyogi Park.
• Shinjuku — Transit megahub, nightlife, views from towers.
• Ginza / Tokyo Station — Department stores, high-end dining, kitte.
• Shimokitazawa / Nakameguro — Indie cafés and canal walks.

Top restaurants & where to eat

Named restaurants and food searches open in Google Maps (ratings and hours are live on Google).

• Ichiran or local ramen counters — open in Google Maps
• Sukiyabashi Jiro (legendary difficulty)%2C%20Tokyo%2C%20Japan) — open in Google Maps
• Conveyor sushi chains (Sushiro)%2C%20Tokyo%2C%20Japan) — open in Google Maps
• Tempura Kondo — open in Google Maps
• Depachika food floors — open in Google Maps
• Omoide Yokocho yakitori — open in Google Maps
• Tsuta or local soba — open in Google Maps
• Nakiryu — open in Google Maps

Signature foods to try

• Ramen
• Sushi
• Tempura
• Konbini gems

Cafés worth a stop

• % Arabica — open in Google Maps
• Fuglen Tokyo — open in Google Maps
• Onibus Coffee — open in Google Maps

What to do in 3 days

• Day 1: Senso-ji morning, Skytree views optional, Ueno park.
• Day 2: Meiji Shrine + Harajuku + Shibuya Crossing evening.
• Day 3: teamLab Borderless/Planets (book) or day-trip to Kamakura/Nikko start.

What to do in 5 days

• Day 1: Traditional Asakusa.
• Day 2: Harajuku–Shibuya youth culture.
• Day 3: Shinjuku towers and nightlife alleys.
• Day 4: Day trip Hakone, Nikko, or Kamakura.
• Day 5: Ginza/Tsukiji outer market food and shopping.

Watch out / practical tips

• Get a Suica/Pasmo (or mobile equivalent) on day one.
• NRT vs HND airports: transfer times differ hugely.
• Cash still useful at small restaurants; cards improving fast.
• Never eat while walking in crowded areas; follow local norms on trains (quiet).

Extra local tips

• Narita Express
• IC cards
• Some cash useful

Google Maps: hotels, food & things to do

One-tap searches centred on Tokyo / NRT:

• Restaurants near city centre — Google Maps
• Hotels & places to stay — Google Maps
• Cafés & coffee — Google Maps
• Top attractions — Google Maps
• Things to do — Google Maps
• Museums — Google Maps
• Directions to NRT — Google Maps

YouTube: watch before you fly

Hand-picked search links for highly rated travel videos (opens YouTube):

• Tokyo travel guide (overview) — Full city walkthroughs and first-timer orientation videos.
• Top attractions in Tokyo — Must-see landmarks and photo spots.
• 3 days in Tokyo — Ready-made short itineraries from creators on the ground.
• 5 days in Tokyo — Longer itineraries including neighbourhoods and day trips.
• Best restaurants in Tokyo — Food tours, local favourites, and where to eat.
• Where to stay in Tokyo — Hotel and neighbourhood advice for first visits.
• Tokyo walking tour — Virtual walks so you recognise streets before you land.
• Tokyo history explained — Documentaries and explainers on the city’s story.

Plan the flights first

1. Search from your home airport to NRT on the route map.
2. Compare direct vs 1-stop options, loyalty XP/miles, and CO₂ estimates.
3. Explore every outbound city from NRT if you are multi-city hopping.
4. When you land, use the Maps and YouTube links above — no extra Googling required for the core plan.

*Editorial suggestions only — always verify opening hours, tickets, visas, and local guidance before you go. Google Maps and YouTube show live third-party data.*