Headed to Japan and looking to spend 4 days in Tokyo?! You’re in luck, my sushi-loving, tech-obsessed, matcha-enthusiast friend. In this Tokyo travel guide, I share my insider tips on what to do, where to stay, and a ton of alternative options for every type of traveler!
Tokyo is one of the most captivating cities in the world, and in many ways, this is the city that needs no introduction. Tokyo is a thriving metropolis full of juxtapositions both cultural and historical. From its mouth-watering food to its beautiful architecture and parks, the Japanese capital city truly has something for all types of traveler. While there are a handful of iconic attractions like the Tsukiji Fish Market, the alluring Senso-J temple, and the kawaii Harajuku neighborhood, it’s the city’s many charismatic neighborhoods that will impress you the most.
Eternally abuzz, Tokyo will offer each wanderer a unique, highly memorable experience. Tokyo begs to be explored. But, its seemingly endless destinations also beg one to come prepared with a game plan. If not, overwhelm is sure to ensue. Going into your trip with a clear vision will save you a lot of confusion and can also help you save a lot of money! Yes, Tokyo can be quite expensive for the unprepared.
Whatever you’re looking for in Tokyo, you’ll find it. If you do plan your visit carefully, you’ll be able to accomplish a lot in 4 days, and I’ll try to help you do that with the travel tips I’ve put together in this 2024 Tokyo travel guide.
Alright, let’s dive in.
Where to Stay in Tokyo, Japan
Finding accommodations in Tokyo can be a little challenging due to its endless options. Indeed there are many, but hotels are typically small, sometimes cramped, and relatively expensive, especially if you wait until the last minute to book. Very basic hotels start around 100$~125$, but anything decent is going to cost you 175$~200$ and up.
If you’ve got limited time in Tokyo, then location is also going to be incredibly important. I usually opt for a central location that’s within walking distance to major metros. And for me, the no-brainer recommendation is to stay in the Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Akasaka neighborhoods.
Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa
Enjoy 5-star luxury at an affordable price! I found some rooms with a king bed, decent views, and a balcony for under 200€ per night at Grand Prince Hotel Shin Takanawa! It’s centrally located and only a few minutes walk from the metro and the seaside.
9hr Nine Hours Akasaka Sleep Lab
For a unique sleep experience, try Tokyo’s myriad quirky capsule hotels where you can spend the night in a bookcase, encounter a reception desk run by robot dinosaurs, or sleep in a futuristic pod that tracks your sleep! During my trip, I stayed at the centrally located Nine Hours Akasaka, a futuristic hotel featuring “sleeping pods.” Make your Tokyo trip super memorable by staying in one of these unforgettable hotels!
Day 1: Central Tokyo (Shibuya & Harajuku)
What comes to mind when you think of “Tokyo”? Neon lights, chaotic intersections, adults in costumes, vending machines? Ding ding ding! That’s exactly what you’re getting today. For day one, I suggest ripping off the bandaid and throwing yourself right into the chaos that makes Tokyo so special: Shibuya!
Getting there is easy by subway, just get off at Shibuya Station and follow the crowd to “Shibuya Scramble Crossing.” Amidst flashing LED signs and huge billboard ads, Shibuya’s pedestrian crossing is the busiest in the world at peak times, when a sea of pedestrians use this crosswalk. This place is perfect for people-watching and some fun photography. One way to get a bird’s eye view is at the Starbucks. There’s no better way to start your day than with a cup of coffee, complimentary wifi, and a view you’ll never forget!
💡 PRO TIP: If you’re spending a few days in Tokyo, you might want to consider getting a Tokyo 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour Subway Ticket. At the time of writing (2023), a 72-hour pass will cost you about 8.86€. Again, Tokyo isn’t cheap, so here you’ll certainly want to exercise your inner Scrooge. What’s important to note is that Tokyo doesn’t have to be an expensive city.
Next, you’ll want to head over to the Harajuku District; Takeshita Street, to be specific. Even if it’s not the highlight of your trip, Takeshita Street offers a glimpse into the eclectic side of Tokyo life. Plus, it’s a great spot for people-watching or picking up a unique souvenir. Give it a quick wander, soak up the chaos, and then move on. Grab some rainbow-colored cotton candy at Totti Candy Factory and make sure to visit the cosmetic retail store Cosme Tokyo to load up on affordable Japanese skincare.
If adventure is your thing, Tokyo’s Go Kart Tour on Get Your Guide is an absolute must! Pick an outfit of your choice (You can pick funky outfits like Pikachu, unicorn, or dinosaur) and drive your own go-kart through the Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, and Tokyo Tower! Just make sure you have a copy of your international driver’s license on hand.
If at any point planning a trip to Shibuya becomes overwhelming, I can recommend a local tour guide that offers bespoke itineraries, as well as info about the areas of interest and their history. Make sure to check that out here.
Lastly, one way to wrap up the day and meet some really cool people, is to try out a Shibuya Night Bar Hopping Walking Tour!
Day 2: Exploring Shinjuku
Shinjuku is one of the most popular and busiest districts in Tokyo after Shibuya. It’s a great place for shopping, eating, sightseeing and grabbing drinks in the evening. The area is also famous for one dish in particular: Ramen. Even with hundreds of ramen restaurants available, you still might have to deal with up to 30 mins for the popular shops at lunchtime. So make sure to come early. Two restaurants that I highly recommend are Ramen Nagi – Shinjuku Golden-gai Honkan and Soba House Konjiki-Hototogisu.
Getting to Shinjuku is fairly easy, just get off at Shinjuku station. Take the station’s east exit in order to catch a glimpse of something really interesting: a super realistic 3D cat billboard that’ll blow your mind.
If you’re into sneakers, definitely check out White Atelier by Converse, where you can customize a pair of Chuck Taylor’s to immemorialize your trip.
Japan has a really rich and fascinating history that I highly recommend exploring! Another great option to add to your Tokyo itinerary is a visit to any one of Tokyo’s temples. Some notable ones are Gotokuji Temple, Zolo-ji Temple, The Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) & Yoyogi Park. Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and the good news is that entrance is free!
Lastly, you’ll want to experience dinner & drinks in one of the famous Izakaya (Japanese-style pub) alleys, Golden Gai and Piss Alley. These two tiny precincts within the Shinjuku neighborhood are so different from the surrounding skyscrapers and bright lights. Along these alleys, you’ll find a series of ramshackle bars and drinking dens that date back to the 1940s post-war Japan. Generally, you’ll find Piss Alley and bars (Golden Gai), although in Golden Gai many bars are “locals only” – you’ll figure out pretty quickly whether tourists are welcome. The bars and eateries usually only seat 4-10 people at a time, so don’t be afraid to chat with strangers. Japanese people are very friendly and interested in tourists, even if there is a language barrier.
Day 3: Akihabra, Senso-J, & Making Sushi
Start the day off with a sushi course taught by a renowned chef! Generally, these courses can run up to $300-$600 per class, but I did some digging and found a great one with amazing reviews and a lot of sushi fare for just $85 at the time of writing! I had a great time learning (and eating) my way through this class and I left sensually sated. Make sure to book in advance through this link on Viator.
After lunch, get ready to head down to Akihabara, and experience sensory overload in Tokyo’s Geek Central. This is an extremely eccentric part of Tokyo (at least for us Westerners) where you can find really fun arcades, tech gadgets, anime culture, and maid cafes. “What is a maid cafe?” you may ask. Well, pretty simply, it’s a cafe where girls cosplay maids and treat customers like their beloved master (or other role depending on the theme of the cafe). It’s weird, it’s funny, and it’s only something you’d experience in Japan.
Akihabara is the mecca for otaku culture. Otaku is a somewhat derogatory term used to refer to someone who likes nerdy things like anime and manga. Nowadays, the Japanese and foreign communities alike have come to embrace their otaku status and wear it proudly. I found an affordable private guide to show me the ins and outs of Akihabara, which made this day in Tokyo my favorite overall. Learn more about this tour and what to expect by getting in contact with the tour guide here.
If sumo wrestling sounds interesting, Japan is its origin and Tokyo offers a myriad ways to enjoy the sport. There’s the intimate Tokyo Sumo Practice Show, seeing a professional sumo tournament, or even an event where you can dress up and compete against a sumo wrestler yourself!
Since Japan is known not only for strange cafes and cosplay but also for its temples and shrines, it would be a sin not to visit some of those in Tokyo as well. So I went to another Tokyo precinct called Asakasa to visit Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, built in 645.
It’s definitely one of the top things to add to your Tokyo travel guide, and more than 30 million visit each year. It’s a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Buddhist goddess Kannon, so it creates an interesting contrast to the Shinto Meiji Shrine slated on the first day of the itinerary. Buddhism and Shinto are Japan’s two major religions, and the two co-exist harmoniously.
Lastly, for my matcha lovers, you have to try a matcha dessert delivered to you in a cone from Chacha Futatsume.
For dinner, I suggest sampling an Amasake course by a renowned chef. Because you haven’t really ever eaten sushi until you’ve eaten a course by the pros. Sushi Tokyo ten shibuya is the best Amasake you can afford with over 20 courses of the highest quality fish you can find for 75$ per person. Mantensushi Marunouchi and Sushi Umi Tokyo ($$$, 2 Michelin-starred) are also really great dinner options. If you prefer meat over fish, definitely see if you can get a reservation at Gyukatsu Motomura, one of the most popular restaurants in Japan that features A5 steak strips grilled to perfection! Make sure to book these restaurants well in advance!
Day 4: Hie Shrine, Tsukiji fish Market, & Breathtaking Views of Tokyo!
Now before you ask why I’m recommending you to head straight to a fish market first thing in the morning – let me explain… The Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo is the most famous seafood market in the world and the epicenter of Japan’s thriving seafood industry. Rub shoulders with Michelin-starred chefs while roaming through the countless stalls serving fresh seafood (you’ll find giant oysters, sea urchins, & crab legs 🤤) and other traditional snacks and candies. The only problem is these stalls not only close early (sometimes before noon), but they also have a limited supply of food. So get there early to get dibs on all the great food like A5 waggu steak with sea urchin.
How to get to the Tsukiji market: The Tsukiji market is on the Hibiya subway line, which is reachable via a transfer from the JR Yamonote line at Yurakucho Station. Looking for a walking tour to show you the very best of Tsukiji? Try this highly-reviewed Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour.
Time to walk off all that food in Roppongi, another well-known district of Tokyo that’s home to many world-renowned art museums. Mori Art Museum, the National Art Center, and Suntori Museum are notable ones. While I was in the city, I had the opportunity to see the Yves Saint Laurent design exhibition which was beyond fascinating.
You can’t leave Tokyo without seeing the city from above. The very last evening should definitely be spent admiring the breathtaking views of the city skyline! You have two options for this: a free option or a paid one.
The Tokyo Skytree dominates Tokyo’s skyline not just for its height, but for being the tallest tower in the world at a staggering 634 m (2,080 ft). Entrance to the Skytree should set you back $12 and make sure you book in advance!Now, for my penny pinchers, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation room offers free entrance to the (second) best view of Tokyo. On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji.
Optional Day-Trips Around Tokyo:
Kyoto! Peep my Kyoto travel guide where I share all my tips to experience Kyoto in 3 dayS
Mt Fuji, Hakone Lake Ashi Cruise Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo
Mt. Fuji Private Tour by Car with Pick-up from Tokyo
Scenic Spots of Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi 1 Day Bus Tour
PS — Are You Booking a trip Soon? Here’s my travel checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support my travel journalism at no extra cost to you.
Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
If you prefer backpacking, Hostelworld is your one-stop shop for affordable accommodations and hostel reviews.
Book Your Tours & Experiences
Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
Transfer Money
With Wise, you can transfer money to most international bank accounts. They offer some of the best conversion rates and can be used to fund Gojek and Grab accounts.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. My favorite company that offers the best all-around coverage is World Nomads. They offer a good travel insurance plan that covers things like lost luggage, theft, illnesses before your trip, emergency medical care, and shady travel agencies. Don’t travel without it!
