Researched guide · Checked on Nov 2, 2026
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Three days is enough to see Tokyo’s classic sights at a comfortable pace, and five days lets you add a day trip and a free day. With only one day you can still see the highlights; with a week you can add Mt. Fuji and Nikko. Here is what each trip length covers, so you can choose the plan that fits your time.
Quick answer
1 day: the highlights in one loop: Asakusa, Meiji Jingu and Harajuku, Shibuya at sunset, and Shinjuku at night.
2 days: east Tokyo one day (Asakusa, Skytree, Ueno, Akihabara), west Tokyo the next.
3 days: the classic first trip, adding Tsukiji, Ginza and the Imperial Palace East Gardens.
4–5 days: add a day trip to Hakone, Kamakura or Mt. Fuji, and a free day.
7 days: two day trips (Mt. Fuji or Hakone, and Nikko or Kamakura) plus more of Tokyo.
Trip lengths at a glance
| Days | What you can see | Subway pass | Our plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asakusa, Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku | 24-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket (¥1,000) | 1-day plan |
| 2 | Day 1 east (Asakusa, Skytree, Ueno, Akihabara); Day 2 west (Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku) | 48-hour ticket (¥1,500) | 2-day plan |
| 3 | The 2-day plan plus Tsukiji, Ginza, the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Toyosu | 72-hour ticket (¥2,000) | 3-day plan |
| 4 | The 3-day plan plus a day trip (Kamakura, Hakone or Mt. Fuji) or a free day | 72-hour ticket plus day-trip tickets | 4-day plan |
| 5 | The 3-day plan, a day trip to Hakone or Kamakura, and a free day | 72-hour ticket plus day-trip tickets | 5-day plan |
| 7 | The 3-day plan, Mt. Fuji or Hakone, Roppongi and teamLab, Nikko or Kamakura, and a last day for shopping | 72-hour ticket plus day-trip tickets | 7-day plan |
Subway ticket prices are for adults, from Tokyo Metro’s official site (checked November 2, 2026).
1 day: the highlights
Start early at Senso-ji in Asakusa, then go to Meiji Jingu and Harajuku at midday, Shibuya Crossing and SHIBUYA SKY at sunset, and finish in Shinjuku with a free night view and dinner. Book SHIBUYA SKY for sunset: web tickets go on sale two weeks ahead. See the 1-day plan.
2 or 3 days: the classic first trip
Split Tokyo into east and west. Day 1 covers Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Ueno and Akihabara; Day 2 covers Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku. A third day adds Tsukiji, Ginza, the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Toyosu. Almost every stop is on the subway, so a 72-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket (¥2,000 for adults) covers it. See the 2-day plan and the 3-day plan.
Is 3 days enough for Tokyo? For the classic sights at a comfortable pace, yes. If you also want a day trip, plan four or five days.
4 or 5 days: add a day trip and a free day
With four days, follow the 3-day plan and add a day trip to Kamakura, Hakone or Mt. Fuji, or keep the day for Tokyo. With five, do both: a day trip to Hakone or Kamakura, and a free day for Odaiba, Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji, or Roppongi and teamLab Borderless. See the 4-day plan, the 5-day plan and day trips from Tokyo.
7 days: two day trips and more of Tokyo
A week lets you follow the 3-day plan, then go to Mt. Fuji or Hakone, spend a day in Roppongi, Azabudai and teamLab, take a second day trip to Nikko or Kamakura, and end with Shimokitazawa, Kichijoji and last-minute shopping. See the 7-day plan.
Getting around
The Tokyo Subway Ticket gives unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for 24, 48 or 72 hours (¥1,000, ¥1,500 or ¥2,000 for adults). It is for visitors from overseas and for Japanese visitors who live outside the Tokyo area, and it does not cover JR lines. See trains in Tokyo and Tokyo transport passes.
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How to choose
| If you have… | Do this |
|---|---|
| One day on a layover or side trip | The 1-day highlights loop |
| A weekend | The 2-day east and west plan |
| Your first proper trip | The 3-day plan |
| Time for nature or Mt. Fuji | 4 or 5 days with a day trip |
| A full week | The 7-day plan with two day trips |
Still choosing where to stay? See where to stay in Tokyo.
Planning how long to stay? Check how many days you can stay without a visa in Japan visa requirements.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Three days covers the classic sights at a comfortable pace. Plan four or five days if you also want a day trip to Hakone, Kamakura or Mt. Fuji.
Is one day in Tokyo enough?
You can see the highlights in one day: Asakusa in the morning, Meiji Jingu and Harajuku at midday, Shibuya at sunset and Shinjuku at night.
What should I add with a week in Tokyo?
Two day trips, such as Mt. Fuji or Hakone and Nikko or Kamakura, plus Roppongi and teamLab, and a relaxed last day for shopping.
Which subway pass should I get?
The Tokyo Subway Ticket covers all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for 24, 48 or 72 hours (¥1,000, ¥1,500 or ¥2,000 for adults). Choose the length that matches your Tokyo days.
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Sources
The plans are our own itineraries; ticket rules come from the official sources below (checked November 2, 2026). Please check opening days and ticket sales before you go.
