Hi everyone,
My girlfriend and I are visiting Japan for the first time in April/May 2027. We’ll be spending around 16 days in Japan, split between Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka, followed by a few days in Seoul on the way home.
We’re currently trying to plan the Tokyo part of the trip. We’ll have 6 nights in Tokyo and will likely stay around Ebisu / Daikanyama / Naka-meguro, or somewhere nearby.
Rather than packing each day with loads of fixed attractions, we’re trying to plan around neighbourhoods. We usually prefer wandering, eating, shopping, stopping for coffee/drinks, and getting a feel for different areas rather than rushing around a checklist.
Our main interests are:
- shopping, streetwear, independent shops
- vintage / thrifting
- record shops
- nightlife, bars and live music
- good food and coffee
- temples, gardens and some history
- neighbourhoods with a bit of character rather than overly touristy areas
Friends who visit Japan regularly have recommended Shimokitazawa and Koenji as must-do areas for us, so those are definitely on the list. We’d love to hear from Tokyo locals or regular visitors about any other areas that would suit us.
At the moment our rough Tokyo itinerary looks like this:
Day 1 — Arrival / easy local evening
We land around lunchtime, so we’re planning to keep this very relaxed. Check in, explore near the hotel, get some food, and try not to overdo it on the first night.
Day 2 — Harajuku / Omotesando / Shibuya / Shinjuku
A first proper Tokyo day for shopping, streetwear, people-watching and taking in the big-city energy. We know some of this will be busy/touristy, but we don’t want to visit Tokyo for the first time and completely avoid Shibuya or Shinjuku. We’d probably focus more on Cat Street, Omotesando, backstreets, record/clothes shops, then do Shibuya/Shinjuku later in the day or evening.
Day 3 — Naka-meguro / Daikanyama / Ebisu
A slower day around the areas we’re most likely to stay near. Coffee, food, shops, wandering along the river, and maybe dinner/drinks in Ebisu.
Day 4 — Shimokitazawa / Koenji
Vintage, thrifting, record shops, live music, small bars, and more alternative/local-feeling areas. We’re thinking Shimokitazawa in the afternoon, then Koenji later in the day/evening.
Day 5 — Asakusa / Yanaka / Ueno
A day for older Tokyo, temples, gardens, museums/arts and a bit more history. We’d like to see some traditional/historic areas without making the whole trip feel like sightseeing for the sake of it.
Day 6 — Flexible day + Shinjuku night
This is currently a spare/flexible day. We’re open to suggestions. We could revisit favourite areas, do more shopping, explore somewhere completely different, or possibly do a day trip if the weather is right. We’re also thinking this could be a good night to properly experience Shinjuku for food, bars and nightlife.
Final day — Travel to Kanazawa by train
Does this structure make sense for a first Tokyo visit, based on our interests? Are there any neighbourhoods we’re missing that would fit what we’re into?
We’d also love recommendations for specific places to add to our list – especially vintage shops, record shops, independent clothing stores, casual food spots, coffee shops, bars, live music venues, izakayas, gardens, temples, galleries, or anything that feels a bit less obvious.
We’re not trying to avoid all tourist spots, but we’d rather the trip feel neighbourhood-led and natural than like a packed itinerary of must-see attractions.
Thanks people.
by Aggravating_Dust_717