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If you’re heading to Tokyo for the first time, then lucky you! You’re in for a fantastic time. I wrote a bumper Japan Bucket List blog post for those looking for quintessential and quirky experiences. But if you only have 4 days in Tokyo and are searching for some itinerary inspiration, then read on.
4 days in Tokyo: An Itinerary for First Timers
Of course it’s impossible to see and do everything in this incredible city in 4 days alone. So I will share with you my itinerary so you can see what is achievable. Although this 4 day itinerary is based on my second visit to Japan’s capital, I have used a little creative licensing and included a couple of must-dos from my first visit to Tokyo. This itinerary is written to complement my other Japan posts.
Getting around Tokyo
Hands down the best way to get around Tokyo is by train. The train system is efficient and can be quite perplexing to the first time visitor so I will start by saying that the JR Yamanote Line is your best friend. It is a circular line that stops at Tokyo’s most famous and central stations. If you’ve purchased a JR Pass (particularly if you’re planning on travelling out of the city via bullet train at some point) then travelling on the JR train lines doesn’t cost you any extra.
Where to stay in Tokyo
Where you choose to stay in the city will largely depend on your budget and what you are hoping to get out of your visit.
My personal recommendations are the Shiba Park Hotel which is a 15 minute walk from Tokyo Tower and therefore relatively central in Tokyo. It is approximately an 8 minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station which is on the JR Yamanote Line.
I would also recommend the Hotel Niwa Tokyo which is a 10 minute walk from Tokyo Dome entertainment complex. The closest train station here is Suidobashi which is on the Chuo-Sobu line. Tokyo Dome is an excellent place to go for a bite to eat if you don’t want to wander too far from the hotel after a long day sightseeing. We enjoyed a large bowl of ramen here on the day we arrived. And there was a robot going around the complex!
Related Post: 10 foods to try in Japan
How to spend 4 days in Tokyo
Day 1
Catch the train to Naka-Meguro, known for being one of Tokyo’s most laid back and artsy neighbourhoods. You can spend some time browsing the boutiques or chilling in a cafe. But my recommendation, particularly if you’re visiting during cherry blossom season, would be to take a stroll along the canal and admire the pretty pink trees.
After a brief wander (in the rain I might add!) around Naka-Meguro, we caught the train to Ikebukuro. Ikebukuro has a different pace to Naka-Meguro and much more by way of indoor entertainment such as Sunshine City entertainment complex. We spent some time getting cosy with cats at a cat cafe and enjoyed exploring the department stores. We visited the KitKat store within Seibu department store but it wasn’t really worth it. I would recommend stopping by Ikebukuro especially if the weather isn’t being too kind.
Shopping is a fun thing to do in Tokyo because there’s so much weird Japanese stuff to discover (and buy). Hands (formerly Tokyu Hands) is recommended. Although the store in Ikebukuro is no longer there, there are stores in Shinjuku, Shibuya and other districts of the city.
In the evening, experience one of Tokyo’s many themed restaurants. As we were visiting just after my birthday, I asked our hotel to make us reservations for one of the Alice in Wonderland themed restaurants. We dined at the Ginza restaurant, however there are others in the chain. If Alice in Wonderland isn’t your thing, then there are many other quirky restaurants to discover.
Day 2
Catch the train to Ueno. If it’s cherry blossom season, then you can experience cherry blossom viewing in Ueno Park. We also visited Ueno Zoo while we were in the area. However unless you are travelling with antsy children, I would skip the zoo and head straight to nearby Asakusa.
Asakusa is a taste of ‘old Tokyo’. If you’re short on time in the country then it is definitely worth a visit to experience a more traditional side of Japanese culture. Wander down Nakamise – a shopping street selling traditional souvenirs and snacks. Then admire the star attraction, the Sensoji Temple. The temple was opened in 645 AD and is the oldest temple in Tokyo.
In the evening, soak up the bright lights of Shinjuku. Have a pre-dinner drink and your own Lost in Translation experience at the New York Bar in the Park Hyatt Hotel.
Day 3
Get up early and head to Hamacho to watch the sumo wrestlers training. Even if you’re not interested in sumo wrestling itself, it is a huge part of Japanese culture and to watch a training session is free. Practice takes place between 7.30am and 10am, although check in advance that it is happening before travelling there. You can find a more detailed blog post of where to see sumo wrestling in Tokyo here.
If the weather is pleasant, catch the train to Kichijoji. From central Tokyo take the Keio-Inokashira Line (a 30 minute ride from Shibuya Station) to Kichijoji Station. Head to Inokashira Park and hire a boat or, season dependent, admire the beautiful blossoms. The Ghibli museum is also close by, so if you are a fan, then time your visit with this. I didn’t visit the Ghibli museum but I wish I had.
If you’re on a quest for Japanese KitKats then swing by Tokyo Station on your journey back from Kichijoji. I found a shop there selling a variety of flavours. We also picked up a bento box in the station to enjoy later on.
In the late afternoon or early evening, make your way to Akihabara aka Electric Town to experience ‘geek’ culture. This is where you will find the electronics stores and such like. Spend an hour at a Maid Cafe (or longer if you love it!). It is a truly bizarre experience but well worth it if you’re curious. Just consider it as a place to be entertained rather than somewhere to eat a decent meal.
Day 4
Head to Harajuku and take a walk down the main street, Takeshita Dori. This is where you will find all the quirky clothing, vintage and cosplay shops. This area of Tokyo is the birthplace of kawaii so expect lots of cute, pink and fluffy things (think Hello Kitty) and if you’re lucky you might see some of the famous Harajuku girls (although you are more likely to just see other tourists). Browsing the shops is fun and even if you’re travelling without kids in tow, stop by Kiddyland to look at all the random gifts and toys for sale – F Cup cookies, anyone?
Another thing Takeshita Dori is famous for is its crepe shops. Indulge in a Harajuku crepe – some of them are like a dessert within a dessert and even have slices of cheesecake inside! Once you are all pop cultured out, wander over to Meiji Jingu.
Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine in the middle of the busy districts of Shibuya and Shinjuku. The shrine itself is like an oasis of calm in the midst of an urban jungle. This was somewhere I visited on my first trip to Tokyo so I can’t remember too much about it but check out the rows of sake barrels at the entrance to the shrine!
Once you’re ready to head back into the chaos of city life, head for Shibuya where you will find the famous scramble crossing. Cross the road in the throngs of people and, although it is super touristy, stop in the Starbucks right by the crossing for a coffee and to get a birds eye view of the thousands of people crossing at one time.
While in Shibuya, browse the shops and find the Hachiko dog statue, the story behind it is a real tearjerker.
A great way to end 4 days in Tokyo would be to visit Tokyo Tower at night. While it’s perhaps not the most famous tower in the world, it is a Tokyo landmark. Plus it’s always fun to take in the view from up high when exploring a new city.
Is 4 days in Tokyo enough?
4 days in Tokyo is a great amount of time to get a good feel of the city, especially if you’re planning on exploring other parts of Japan. If you’re a first time visitor then you might find the following blog posts helpful: