How to Plan a Perfect 3-Day Itinerary in Tokyo (2025)

Tokyo is the perfect city to start your Japan trip as it showcases the essence of Japanese history and culture, and it is near to iconic Mount Fuji. While 3 days in Tokyo is a bare minimum, with some planning, it could allow you to explore the main highlights without rushing.

In this article, we'll share our insights and suggestions based on our experience, to help you make the most of a 3-day trip in Tokyo.

What to Do with 3 Days in Tokyo

Tokyo combines tradition and innovation well. Whether you want to explore medieval buildings, modern districts, high-tech attractions, or Mount Fuji, Tokyo has much to offer that never disappoints.

With so many things to do in the city, it could be challenging to choose what to do in a limited time such as 3 days. We've picked these must-do experiences based on our inspection visits and our clients' interests.

1) Explore Japanese History at Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji

Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji are the two best places to explore Japanese history. They would help you to get a basic understanding of historical Japanese beliefs.

Meiji Shrine is ideal for exploring Japanese history and traditional religious culture. Many Japanese believe that Meiji Shrine is blessed and protected by the gods, so it is a popular place for praying for luck or having traditional Japanese weddings. If you're lucky enough, you might witness one of these beautiful wedding ceremonies.

Senso-ji is the most-visited temple in Tokyo. Its giant red lantern at Kaminarimon Gate and the medieval shopping street of Nakamise-dori are well-known landmarks. You could immerse yourself in the Edo-vibe and experience how people used to pray and shop during the Edo period (1603–1868).

If you're not interested in temples and only plan to visit one, Senso-ji is the better choice for a rich cultural experience. We advise visiting at least one to gain a better understanding of Japanese history.

2) Explore Modern Tokyo at Shibuya and Ginza

Tokyo is a highly-modern city, celebrated for its modern architecture and innovative technology.

Two popular modern districts in Tokyo are Shibuya and Ginza. You could stroll through streets filled with a variety of malls and unique Japanese shops, cross the iconic Shibuya Crossing, or enjoy the street night view to experience the flourishing atmosphere.

3) Enjoy a Bird's-Eye View of Tokyo at Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree is Japan's tallest tower, offering a panoramic view of the city. Unlike other tall buildings, such as Tokyo Tower or Shibuya Sky, Tokyo Skytree stands out for its spacious observation decks and expansive views.

4) Indulge in the Exquisite Japanese Garden at Ueno Park

Ueno Park is one of Tokyo's most charming Japanese gardens. Embracing a traditional design style, the well-crafted garden showcases a variety of Japanese trees and bamboo, offering you the true essence of a Japanese garden experience.

As well as enjoying the natural scenery, you could also enrich your trip by visiting the zoo or the famous museums there.

5) Admire Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is the symbol of Japan. Although spending just 3 days in Tokyo may seem too tight to allow a trip out to the nearby countryside, we highly recommend a day trip to visit this iconic mountain.

The best place to view Mount Fuji is Lake Kawaguchi, which is a 2-hour drive from Tokyo. Thanks to its unimpeded visibility and numerous observation decks, you would have a better chance of viewing Mount Fuji.

You would usually see Fuji's snow-covered summit, except from June to September when the snow will have melted. It's particularly charming during the cherry blossom season, from late March to early April.

We know that you may have your own unique preferences. If you have any specific plans or places you would like to visit, do not hesitate to contact us. We would customize your itinerary to meet your requirements.

A Classic 3-Day Itinerary in Tokyo

This itinerary includes Tokyo's must-see attractions, allowing you to explore its history, culture, a Japanese garden, and Mount Fuji — all within 3 days.

To maximize your time and travel experience, you're strongly recommended to visit no more than 3–4 highlights per day. Squeezing in too many attractions in a single day would make you feel rushed, leading to a less enjoyable travel experience and maybe leaving you feeling exhausted.

During your 3-day stay in Tokyo, it's best to divide your time into three different areas for sightseeing. This way, you could save more time at the attractions instead of wasting it on commuting between different areas.

Here are the itinerary details for your inspiration:

• Day 1: West Tokyo (Meiji Shrine, teamLab Borderless, and Shibuya)
• Day 2: East Tokyo (Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree, and Ueno Park)
• Day 3: Mount Fuji day trip

Day 1: West Tokyo

You would start by visiting Meiji Shrine. After that, explore interactive teamLab Borderless and Shibuya.

Stop 1: Meiji Shrine

Begin your day at Meiji Shrine in the downtown area. It's a wooden shrine surrounded by towering trees. Once you enter, you would feel like you're in a natural forest park rather than the bustling city center.

We suggest visiting for about 2 hours. It takes about 30 minutes to walk along the tree-lined pathway from the gate to the shrine.

Admiring Meiji Shrine in the morning is better as it has a more serene atmosphere with fewer visitors. What's more, you would have a better chance of witnessing a Japanese wedding in the morning.

The shrine is very crowded during the New Year period (January 1–3) and Golden Week (April 29 to May 5). During these times, millions of visitors flock to the shrine for blessing ceremonies. If you happen to travel during these times, we would arrange an later visit to escape the large crowds.

Take a 10–20-minute walk from the gate of Meiji Shrine, and you would arrive at the modern districts of Harajuku and Omotesando. Enjoy some lunch and shopping in these areas.

Stop 2: teamLab Borderless

Next, head to teamLab Borderless. This amazing digital art museum features exhibitions like light shows and interactive natural elements. It's worthwhile to spend 2–3 hours fully immersing yourself in them.

One of the biggest highlights is the Tea House. You could see magic flowers bloom in your ice cream cup for as long as there is ice cream inside it.

To capture better photos, wearing light-colored clothes is helpful. Avoid wearing a dress or skirt as the exhibition floor is made of glass.

Stop 3: Shibuya

End your first day in lively Shibuya. Being one of the most famous intersections globally, many travelers want to experience walking across this bustling crossing. To see a panoramic view of the crossing, the Starbucks located on the second floor is the perfect spot.

Shibuya boasts abundant restaurants, shops, and unique Japanese stores. You could have dinner and explore on your own for the rest of your time there.

Day 2: East Tokyo

On day 2, explore Tokyo's most-visited temple — Senso-ji, enjoy a panoramic city view at Tokyo Skytree, and appreciate a Japanese garden at Ueno Park.

Stop 1: Senso-ji

Senso-ji is Tokyo's iconic landmarks. Appreciate the famous large red lantern at the gate and wander through medieval Nakamise-dori shopping street. Spend about 2 hours exploring Senso-ji and its surroundings.

Senso-ji is typically filled with large crowds from 9am to 5pm year-round, especially on weekends and public holidays. You're highly recommended to arrive as early as possible to avoid the crowds. If you are not interested in shopping for pricier souvenirs at Nakamise-dori, you could visit from 7 to 8am.

Stop 2: Tokyo Skytree

Driving for about 10 minutes, you would arrive at Japan's tallest tower, Tokyo Skytree. Spend about 2–3 hours at the tower to get a full view of Tokyo and explore other interesting experiences at the tower.

It has two observation decks: Tembo Deck at 350 meters (1,150 feet) and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters (1,480 feet). You're advised to visit Tembo Deck. Although it's lower, it offers a similar view to the higher one and excellent photo opportunities. In contrast, Tembo Galleria's poor lighting makes it a challenge to take good photos. It also has longer elevator wait times.

Tokyo Skytree also offers exciting activities that could enrich your trip. For example, visit the gallery to view historical photos taken during the tower's construction, visit the indoor aquarium, or explore Pokémon Center.

Stop 3: Ueno Park

Lastly, explore Ueno Park. This popular Japanese garden is beautiful all year round, especially from late March to early April due to the cherry blossom. You could spend a leisurely 2–3 hours or more there, immersing yourself in this park's natural beauty.

You could also visit some famous museums there. For example, Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, and the National Museum of Nature and Science.

The entire park is spacious and brimming with gems waiting to be explored. If you wish to admire the museum exhibits at a leisurely pace, we recommend visiting the museums before 4pm, as most of the museums at Ueno Park close at 5pm.

Day 3: A Day Trip to View Mount Fuji at Lake Kawaguchi

Admiring iconic Mount Fuji is a must-do for many travelers. It's definitely worth including in your tight 3-day Tokyo schedule as a day tour.

Lake Kawaguchi is the best place to appreciate Mount Fuji from. It offers unencumbered visibility, better chances to view the mountain, more observation decks, and quite convenient access (approximately 2 hours by car from Tokyo).

We recommend having a private car with a driver at Lake Kawaguchi. Public transportation in Kawaguchiko is not very convenient, so if you don't have a private car, you may end up wasting a lot of time waiting for buses.

There are four main ways to visit Mount Fuji: boating, taking a cable car, hiking, and biking. We suggest choosing one or two ways to admire the mountain.

• Boating on the lake is most recommended among the options. You could enjoy the unbroken scenery of Mount Fuji in an interesting and relaxing way. A boat ride takes 2 hours.
• Riding in a ropway is an effortless way to enjoy the views. You could admire Mount Fuji from a high observation deck at the top, but there isn't much to experience there. The queue and the ropeway ride up the mountain take about 20–30 minutes.
• Hiking and biking require moderate physical exertion. You could enjoy the view from various angles at your own pace. If you get tired, there are cafés along the way where you could take a break. Hiking or biking usually takes about 2 hours.

If you have any preferences or places you're interested in, our Japan travel advisors will tailor your itinerary to fit your ideas

Where to Stay in Tokyo

You're advised to stay at the same hotel for your 3 days in Tokyo. Tokyo has convenient transportation, so there's no need to switch to a hotel in a specific area just to be close to its attractions. Plus, it would be unnecessarily tiring to switch hotels — repacking, carrying, and re-unpacking your luggage.

We recommend staying in the Shinjuku downtown area. It's convenient for most attractions, train stations, and the airport, with plenty of restaurants nearby, and it is easy for you to explore on your own from there.

Here are two well-selected 4-star hotels in Shinjuku according to our inspection visits. Both of them are easy to find and offer triple/quadruple rooms.

• The Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

Almost all star-rated hotels in Tokyo offer high-quality service, very clean rooms, and a well-equipped environment. In Tokyo, as well as in Japan, check-in is usually after 2pm and check-out before 10am.

Since land in Tokyo is valuable, rooms in 3–4 star hotels are typically small, ranging from 18 to 25 square meters (194–269 square feet). However, they might seem larger in photos, so be sure to pay attention to the actual size.

How to Get Around in Tokyo

Tokyo has a highly-acclaimed public transportation system, providing easy access to attractions by subway. However, it could be a challenge for most first-timers. Some train stations are large and Google Maps may lose its ability to navigate underground at times.

You may end up spending more time at the station trying to locate the right subway or accidentally boarding the wrong one, as multiple subways pass through a single platform.

To make the most of your 3-day stay in Tokyo, you're highly recommended to have a private car. In this way, you would save time and energy by going directly to the attractions and minimizing the hassle of getting there.

How Much Does 3 Days in Tokyo Cost?

Traveling in Tokyo could be 30% to 50% more expensive than other Japanese cities, due to its popularity and capital status.

Hotel prices typically account for the largest portion of your travel expenses. These prices vary depending on the season. A standard room in Tokyo's 4-star hotel costs from US$250–320 per room, but the price may double during the cherry blossom season from late March to early April.

A private tour in Tokyo usually costs US$350 per day per person, based on two people. These prices include a handpicked 4-star hotel, private guide, private car, and tickets for attractions. With a private tour, the total price for 3 days in Tokyo is about US$1,050.

To secure your favorite hotels and have a wider selection of rooms, we recommend making your reservation at least 3 months in advance. Our Japan travel advisors would personally select the most suitable hotels based on your preferences.

Let Us Help You Plan Your Trip to Tokyo

You could take the above 3-day itinerary as a starting point, and we would customize your Tokyo itinerary from there or we could start from your trip ideas. Our Japan travel advisors would love to create a wonderful trip based on your needs and interests!

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