4-Day Tokyo Itinerary: A Practical Day-by-Day Guide

Tokyo was the city we were most curious about before our trip to Japan — and the one that surprised us the most once we arrived. It’s massive, intense, and constantly moving, yet at the same time incredibly orderly and calm in ways we didn’t expect.

One moment you’re surrounded by neon lights and crowds, the next you’re walking through a quiet shrine or a peaceful park that feels worlds away from the city.

What makes Tokyo special isn’t a single attraction, but how different each neighbourhood feels. Every area has its own rhythm, personality, and atmosphere.

This itinerary is based on how we experienced Tokyo ourselves and focuses on balance — mixing iconic sights with calmer spaces, busy districts with slower moments, and a pace to make the city manageable without overplanning.

If you want a deeper dive into individual spots, our full things to do in Tokyo guide covers the highlights and a few lesser-known places we genuinely enjoyed. And if accommodation is still on your mind, we’ve also put together a detailed where to stay in Tokyo guide to help you choose the right base for your trip.

Below, we’ll show you how to spend four days in Tokyo in a way that feels exciting, realistic, and enjoyable — especially if it’s your first time in the city.

How many days to spend in Tokyo

Tokyo is a city that demands time, and we learned that the hard way. We only had three full days here, and it quickly became clear that it wasn’t enough.

Not because we were trying to see too much, but because Tokyo is made up of so many distinct neighbourhoods that simply moving between them takes time — and each one deserves more than a quick visit.

With three days, you can cover the highlights, but everything feels slightly rushed. We were constantly making choices between areas instead of lingering, and there was very little space for spontaneous wandering, which is often when Tokyo is at its best.

From our experience, four days is the minimum we’d recommend for a first visit. That extra day makes a big difference: the pace slows down, the city feels more manageable, and you’re not hopping on trains all day just to keep up.

Five days or more would be ideal, especially if you want to explore deeper or add a short day trip.

4-day itinerary for Tokyo

Day 1: Imperial Palace & Shinjuku

• Imperial Palace
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
• Metropolitan Government Building
• Godzilla Head
• Omoide Yokocho
• Golden Gai

Morning

We’d start the day near the Imperial Palace, even though we personally skipped it because we were short on time. If you’re not rushing, this is actually a really nice way to ease into Tokyo. The area around the palace feels calm and spacious, with wide paths, moats, and greenery that contrast sharply with the surrounding business district.

You don’t need to go inside to appreciate it. Simply walking around the outer grounds already gives you a sense of Tokyo’s historic heart and offers a slower, quieter start before heading into much busier neighbourhoods later in the day. If your schedule is tight, this is the easiest stop to shorten or skip — but for a relaxed first morning, it makes sense.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, we’d head straight to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, which quickly became our favourite park in Tokyo. Once inside, the city noise disappears almost instantly. The park is huge, with a mix of traditional Japanese gardens, open lawns, calm ponds, and long walking paths that encourage you to slow down.

We loved wandering without a strict plan, taking in seasonal flowers and just enjoying the space. It never felt hectic, even when it was busy, and it’s an ideal place to reset before the intensity of Shinjuku later in the day.

If you have time, the greenhouse is worth adding.

Sunset

For sunset, we made our way to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. We visited this viewpoint more than once, and the experience really depends on timing. On a clear day, the views stretch far across the city, and if you’re lucky, you can even spot Mount Fuji in the distance.

Sunset is the most dramatic time to visit. Watching Tokyo transition from daylight to full neon is something photos don’t fully capture. It does get busier in the evening, and short queues are common, but the view is well worth it.

The South Observatory works especially well for sunset and night views, while the North side is better earlier in the day or when visibility is excellent.

Evening

Once it’s dark, we’d stay in Shinjuku and explore the area on foot. A quick stop at the Godzilla Head is an easy addition — it’s more of a fun photo spot rather than a real attraction, but it fits perfectly with the neon chaos of Kabukicho at night.

For dinner, Omoide Yokocho is one of the most atmospheric options in the area. The narrow alleys are packed with tiny eateries serving yakitori and noodles. The lantern-lit setting adds magic. Seating is tight, prices are a bit higher, and many places are cash-only, but even stopping for one dish is worth it for the atmosphere alone.

If you still have energy, a walk through Golden Gai is a great way to end the night. We didn’t stop for drinks ourselves — the bars are extremely small and often smoky — but it’s a great place to end the day.

Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street & Shibuya

• Meiji Jingu
• Takeshita Street
• Shibuya Scramble Crossing
• Shibuya 3D billboards
• Hachiko Statue
• Go-karts
• Shibuya Viewpoints & Shibuya Sky
• Nonbei Yokocho

Morning

We’d start the day at Meiji Jingu, one of the calmest places you can visit in Tokyo. Walking through the long, forested approach feels like stepping out of the city entirely, even though you’re right next to Harajuku.

The grounds are spacious and quiet, and the atmosphere is noticeably slower — a great counterbalance to what comes later in the day. We’d allow around 1 hour here to wander, watch small rituals, and enjoy the calm before the crowds.

Afternoon

From the shrine, we walked straight to Takeshita Street, which feels like a complete shift in energy. It’s loud, colourful, and packed with fashion stores, crepe stands, and nonstop people-watching — chaotic, but fun in small doses.

From there, we continued into Shibuya to experience the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Between the massive 3D billboards, constant movement, and sheer scale of the area, Shibuya feels like Tokyo turned up to full volume.

We also stopped briefly at the Hachiko Statue — crowded and quick, but still one of those landmarks you see once and move on. Around the area, you’ll likely notice go-kart tours driving through the streets, which are hard to miss even if you don’t plan to join one.

To see the crossing from above, Shibuya Sky is the best option, especially on a clear day. If tickets are sold out, the Starbucks overlooking the crossing works as an easy, low-effort alternative.

Evening

To wind down, we’d leave the main streets and head to Nonbei Yokocho, a small alleyway lined with tiny bars and eateries. It feels intimate and old-fashioned, especially compared to the chaos just a few minutes away.

Even if you only stop for one drink, it’s a great way to experience a quieter, more local side of Shibuya and end the day on a calmer note.

Day 3: Asakusa, Ueno Park, Nezu Shrine

• Kaminarimon Gate
• Nakamise Street
• Senso-Ji Temple
• Tokyo Skytree
• Ueno Park
• Nezu Shrine

Morning

We began the day in Asakusa, one of the liveliest and most visited parts of Tokyo. Walking through Kaminarimon Gate immediately sets the tone, with the iconic lantern marking the entrance to the area. From there, we continued straight along Nakamise Street, stopping along the way for snacks and small souvenirs while soaking in the busy, old-school atmosphere.

Once past the main shopping street, the space opens up around Senso-ji Temple. The wider grounds feel slightly calmer. While walking around the area, Tokyo Skytree keeps appearing in the background, creating a nice contrast between historic Tokyo and the modern skyline.

Afternoon

After the energy of Asakusa, Ueno Park was a welcome change of pace. We spent time wandering the wide paths, sitting for a while, and enjoying how relaxed and local the park feels. It’s a great place to pause, reset, and enjoy a quieter side of the city before continuing on.

Late afternoon

We wrapped up the day at Nezu Shrine, which felt like a hidden pocket of calm compared to the rest of the day. The shrine grounds are compact, peaceful, and easy to explore, with torii gates and traditional architecture giving it a very different feel from central Tokyo.

Day 4: Tsukiji Fish Market, Yurikamome Line & Tokyo Tower

• Tsukiji Outer Fish Market
• Ride the Yurikamome Line
• Tokyo Tower
• Seasonal: Christmas Illuminations
• Optional: teamLAB or Onsen visit

Morning

We started the day at Tsukiji Outer Market, which immediately felt lively and full of energy. Narrow lanes, busy stalls, and the constant sound of cooking set the tone right away.

Instead of sitting down for a full meal, we treated it as a snack spot — stopping wherever something looked good. Fresh tuna sushi stood out the most, but half the fun was trying small bites and watching vendors work right in front of us. Arrive hungry.

Late Morning

From there, we hopped on the Yurikamome Line, starting from Shimbashi and heading toward the waterfront. Sitting at the very front felt like a mini sightseeing ride, with elevated views over bridges, highways, and the bay.

Afternoon

We spent the afternoon around Tokyo Tower, but instead of going up, we enjoyed it from a distance. Seeing the tower rise above the city from different angles felt more rewarding than standing directly underneath it.

One of our favourite views was from Roppongi during the winter season, where Tokyo Tower lights up beautifully against the skyline. If you want to go inside, there are exhibitions, cafés, and shops that make it more than just an observation deck.

Evening

If you’re visiting in winter, this is the perfect evening to seek out Tokyo’s seasonal illuminations. Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown were highlights for us — elegant, atmospheric, and easy to combine with dinner. The city feels completely different once the lights come on, and this was one of our favourite ways to experience Tokyo after dark.

Final Thoughts

Would we go back? Without hesitation. Tokyo left us feeling like we’d only scratched the surface. Even with a packed few days, it never felt repetitive — every neighbourhood had its own rhythm, atmosphere, and surprises around the corner.

What made it especially memorable was the contrast: calm gardens in the middle of the city, hyper-modern districts just a few train stops away, and everyday moments that felt just as special as the big sights.

If we had to narrow it down to two can’t-miss experiences, it would be Shinjuku at sunset into night — from the skyline views to the energy on the streets — and Asakusa in the morning, where the mix of tradition, street life, and food gives you a real sense of old Tokyo.

Those two moments alone capture why Tokyo feels so layered and endlessly interesting.