JJapan Trips

Need advice on my week itinerary in Tokyo (I have a spare day)

  • October 9, 2023

So I’ll be travelling to Japan for 3 weeks. I have a week in Tokyo, this is my itinerary so far, I need some advice/suggestions on it, do I have enough for each of my days? I welcome suggestions and additions. I also have a spare last day but not sure what to do in that day.

**Friday 3rd November (First full day in Tokyo, so will be jetlagged) – Explore Ikebukuro**

Gokokuji Temple

Pokémon Center (Sunshine City)

Gashapon store

Is there anything else to do around Ikebukuro (don’t want to see shrines as I will see that later? )

**Saturday 4th November – Asakusa**

Senso-ji

Kaminarimon

Nadkamisa-dori Street

Sumida Park

Tokyo Skytree

**Sunday 5th November – Akihabara**

Super Potato

Animate Akihabara

(Generally take in Akihabara)

**Monday 6th November – Mount Fuji Day trip by Coach**

Booked online on Klook and will take the whole day

**Tuesday 7th November – Shinjuku**

Meiji Jingu

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Omoide Yokocho

Shinjuku Toho building to see GOJIRRA (godzilla)

Kabukicho

Golden Gai

**Wednesday 8th November – Shibuya**

Yoyogi Park

Takeshita Street

Shibuya Scramble

(Hired a guy from Airbnb Experiences to take some Tokyo thirst traps)

**Thursday 9th November – Need Suggestions for the last day**

Don’t want to do anything too strenuous as its my last day before I head to Kyoto.

????

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11 comments

  1. I personally don’t think you need to do Tokyo skytree if you’re doing the Metro Building which is free and had beautiful sights.

    Your feet will be KILLING you. At least I was struggling but I’m also prone to plantar facilitis. Point is I wish I had as many days in Tokyo to have a day to use as a rest period. Go to a spa, get a foot massage, rest your body before Kyoto which is more walking madness.

  2. I’d personally consider switching your Asakusa day out to a weekday as it gets very busy at the weekend. Also Akihabara isn’t a full day of activities, stores don’t open until late morning but if you’re planning on staying out late one evening a good candidate for the next day?

  3. Maybe not the advise you were looking for but: Visiting Asakusa in the evening is really nice. It’s way less crowded and it’s very calming to walk around. In Asakusa make sure to visit Fuji Ramen. It’s my favorite spot for Ramen in Tokyo. (1 Chome-24-5 Asakusa)

  4. Shopping in Shibuya/Harajuku/ Omotesando takes an entire day for me lol
    Or maybe you are not into shopping
    Then maybe add a cat/ dog cafe? i like mocha in Harajuku and mameshiba in Asakusa
    Or stroll down meguro river and enjoy Starbucks reserve
    If you are into some autumn leaves viewing at icho namiki (gingko avenue)-> probably not till late nov tho
    Where would your base in Tokyo be? Maybe plan around going through the neighbourhood to explore lightly.For example if you are in Ueno, you can always visit the ameyoko market and ueno parks.
    Just some ideas but I guess you could also reserve it as a day you would want to just go back to the place you didnt get to explore the past 6 days (because some days transits/ opening times/ weather poops on your plans..yes, this happened to me).

  5. I would scrap Tokyo sky tree, it’s not really worth it imo. Stick to Tokyo metropolitan building or visit Tokyo tower.

  6. Be open to adapting your itinerary as you go. For me, Tokyo is an endless adventure, full of interesting details you’d never expect.

    Shopping is so interesting, even if you buy nothing. The food is amazing and worth some attention in planning.

    For an additional activity, check out Shimokitazawa neighborhood. Full of restaurants, thrift shops, interesting people, art, music, etc. it’s a younger crowd and one of my fav parts of Tokyo.

  7. Hard to recommend stuff without knowing your interests.

    There’s the Tokyu Hands and Takashimaya in Shinjuku. Also the Kinokuniya that’s a few blocks north of that building.

    Ameyoko Shopping District that’s between Akiba and Asakusa. And the nearby museums and parks in Ueno.

    Yokohama is also an option, but its 1hr south.

  8. Have you considered going to Odaiba? There’s a beach, shopping mall, Rainbow Bridge, giant Mobile Suit Gundam… Ended up being one of our favourite spots in Tokyo.

    It’s also near TeamLab Planets which is well worth experiencing.

  10. To answer your two questions:

    There’s a lot to do in Ikebukuro. I really like that area and it sometimes gets overlooked in favor of other neighborhoods. There’s an Animate store, arcades, one of the “Off” stores that’s pretty good sized, lots of Pokemon cards shops, amazing food in unexpected shops. If you’re into it, you can head to the mall to see the Pokemon cafe and One Piece store and just wander around.

    A rest day can also be a “catch up” day. Sometimes, you’ll want to hit a restaurant or store that’s unexpectedly closed. Other times, you might get a recommendation from a local. And then sometimes, you’ll like a place so much you want to hit it twice. Point is, I highly recommend leaving your “open day” open.

  11. If you’re into art, you can check out the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi. The Nezu Art Museum is also supposed to be nice.

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