Ah, Tokyo. A city that easily captivated my senses and a bit of my heart. A place where I could endlessly return to and never get bored. Tokyo was unlike any other city I’ve ever visited, from the food to the sensory overload of the bustling neighborhoods of Shinjuku and Shibuya to the organized and efficient transportation system. It’s an absolute must visit, even if you’re not normally a huge fan of cities. Planning an itinerary for Tokyo can be overwhelming given the sheer amount of things to do in the city. Don’t worry, this 5 day Tokyo itinerary will take you through a blend of foodie experiences, captivating neighborhoods, and world renowned cocktail bars and is truly a perfect itinerary for a first visit to Tokyo.
Be sure to check out my post on essential things to know before traveling Japan to help make your trip seamless.
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Where to Stay in Tokyo
Tokyo is a very well connected city so no matter where you stay, you’ll be able to easily get around using the subway or the buses. That being said, I recommend staying in Shibuya or Shinjuku, especially for first time visitors. There’s plenty to do in both of these neighborhoods and they are the perfect central location for where to stay in Tokyo for the first time.
If it’s a popular time like cherry blossom season or your budget is a bit lower, stay somewhere that’s an easy metro ride away from one of these two areas.
How to Get Around Tokyo
The best way to get around Tokyo is by using public transport. It’s so efficient and affordable that you really won’t need to consider any other forms of transportation.
One option is to get the Japan Rail Pass. However, recent price increases means that this pass may not make financial sense for every traveler. I encourage you to use the pass calculator to see if it’s worth investing in. We personally did not purchase the Japan Rail Pass.
Instead, we used a Suica card to get around Tokyo. If you have an iPhone, your best option is to get a digital card. It’s easy to get and you can top it off with just a few clicks.
To get your digital Suica card, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Wallet app on your iPhone
- Click the plus button
- Click on “Transit Card”
- Search for “Suica”
- Follow the prompts to add it to your wallet
It’s important to know that if you are using a non-Japanese credit card, you have to use a MasterCard or AmEx in order to add money to the virtual card.
If you don’t want to use public transportation, Uber is also available in Tokyo and you can call either a traditional Uber car or a taxi via the app. This is also a great option if you are out late and the Tokyo metro is already closed.
Tokyo 5 Day Itinerary
In order to get the most out of this itinerary, be sure to make reservations in advance when noted. If you don’t speak much Japanese, have your hotel make your reservations for you.
Want to switch out the coffee spots? Check out my post on the best coffee shops in Tokyo.
Day 0: Get into Tokyo
Land in Tokyo at either Haneda Airport (located closer to the city) or Narita Airport (located further out but still very accessible via transportation)
Take the train to your hotel and get settled in. Depending on what time your flight lands and how far you’ve traveled from, you may not be able to do too much on your first day in Tokyo.
In order to beat jet lag, try and avoid being in your hotel room until it’s actually time for you to sleep. Otherwise, you will get seduced by your bed and find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, unable to fall back asleep and thoroughly confused. Yes, I speak from personal experience.
Day 1: Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, + Cocktails
Morning
Head to Little Nap Cafe for some tasty coffee and a pastry to start your day. I tried their caramel and fig bread and was in heaven. Like most of Tokyo’s coffee shops and restaurants, this place is tiny. They have some sitting space or you can stand at the bar near the window. If the weather is pleasant, there are a couple of tables outside as well. You could also take your coffee to go but I personally am a fan of drinking out of a real mug and just taking the time to enjoy my morning coffee.
After you are fueled up, your next stop is the Meiji Shrine, unarguably the most famous shrine in all of Tokyo. This shinto shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.
While the shrine is impressive and definitely worth a visit, for me, the standout was the surrounding area with a large park and the serene forest. Be sure to take your time walking around and taking in the peaceful ambiance. It’ll blow your mind a little that such a sanctuary exists in the midst of a bustling city.
You also want to ensure that you see the wall of consecrated sake barrels just outside the entrance to the shrine. The barrels were donated to this Shinto shrine by local brewers to be used for ceremonies. If you have trouble finding it, as there are multiple entrances to the Shrine, just type “Meiji Jingu Consecrated Sake Barrels” into Google Maps.
Afternoon
It’s time for some lunch. If you’re a regular reader of Champagne Flight then you know I am a vegetarian so all of the recommendations in this itinerary are veggie friendly (actually, they all happen to be vegan). If you’re not plant-based, while I highly recommend every spot I have listed in this Tokyo itinerary, it won’t hurt my feelings if you replace my recommendations with another spot nearby.
Enjoy your lunch at Vegan Bistro Jangara. This was easily our favorite vegan ramen spot in all of Tokyo (a lot of people say the best one is T’s Tantan in Tokyo Station but we felt that it was second to this one) and you can’t beat the location, right in Shibuya city and a short walk away from the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It definitely makes our list of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo.
After lunch, your next stop is for some more coffee at Cafe Reissue to both help you beat that jet lag and also because this coffee shop has 3D latte art.
When I first found this coffee shop through my research, I was worried it would be overly touristy and not worth the stop. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the coffee was delicious and the latte art was pretty incredible. When you get to the cafe and order your latte, you can either tell them what kind of design you want or show them a picture and they’ll do custom art for you!
It is on the pricier side and cash only but well worth it in my opinion and a great place if you are into latte art. Plus, it makes for cute photos and that’s always a win.
After your coffee, it’s time to explore Shibuya. The best thing to do is walk in whatever direction piques your interest and stop into the various stores and massive buildings with public gardens on the top. If that type of exploratory wandering has you hyperventilating (hey, it’s okay I like plans too!) here are some options for you:
Things to do in Shibuya:
- Walk down Cat St. for some shopping and a more relaxed vibe than the rest of Shibuya
- If you’re a fan of Nintendo and want some nostalgia, head to the Nintendo store
- Into craft beer? Check out Ushitora Stand. This tiny spot tucked away inside the massive Miyashita Park shopping complex has a wide selection of local craft beers and has a video feed of Shibuya scramble crossing so you can witness the chaos without having to walk the crossing yourself
No matter where you are in Shibuya, at 3:00 PM sharp, you need to call Bar Benfiddich, one of the World’s 50 Best Bars. We were at the Nintendo store and walked upstairs to the rooftop park to make the call.
You are going to ask for a reservation for the following day. The reservation blocks are for two hours. I personally love cocktails before dinner so we made the reservation for 5:00 PM which is when they open. It’s nearly impossible to get into here without a reservation and you can only make one the day before so don’t forget to do this!
Evening
Now it’s time for some cocktails and you are going to head to Bar Trench, our favorite cocktail spot in all of Tokyo and the only cocktail spot we went back to twice because it was that good.
Bar Trench truly excels in all aspects from the moment you walk in. The spot itself is cozy and is what I’d want my own neighborhood cocktail bar to be like. The staff is extremely attentive and the cocktails are fantastic.
My fiance and I are pretty picky about our cocktails and we ended up tasting half the cocktails on the menu (oops…maybe we went a little overboard) because we liked them all so much.
After your cocktails, it’s time for some incredible wood-fired pizza at Pizza Marumo. Yes, I know you’re in Japan but don’t worry this is the only non Japanese meal on this itinerary. It’s only a 6 minute walk away from Bar Trench. We didn’t need reservations and just walked in but if you are able to make reservations, I’d highly recommend doing so just to be on the safe side.
Post dinner, you’re likely going to want to crash from jet lag. If you somehow still have the energy, there are plenty of other bars you can check out in the area.
Day 2: Shinjuku + Nightlife
Morning & Afternoon
Your second day in Tokyo is all about exploring Shinjuku. While there is so much to see and do here, a lot of the area really comes alive at night. Plenty of people decide to head here early in the afternoon and stay until late night when the neon lights are bright and inviting.
Shinjuku, much like Shibuya, is all about wandering and heading in any direction that grabs your attention.
Be sure to check out the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. While it’s a great stop year round, it’s one of the best places to see the cherry blossoms in the spring. It has 144 acres of botanical gardens so you can easily spend a couple of hours strolling around.
As a heads up, Shinjuku station is pretty massive (we got lost a couple of times) and it can get very crowded during rush hour and at the end of the night so just plan accordingly for transit to and from this train station.
Evening
Time for your cocktails at Bar Benfiddich. You’ll take the elevator up and when you step out you’ll already see a line forming of individuals desperate to get in. When the bartender steps out to ask for reservations, you’ll shoot your hand into the air and see the sadness in the eyes of the others. Try not to feel too smug. They all didn’t have the pro tip I gave you to make the reservation at 3:00 PM the day before.
This cocktail bar says it’s a no menu bar meaning you describe what you are looking for and the bartender, Mr. Hiroyasu Kayama will concoct it for you. I don’t think that it’s a true no menu bar as it seems like he has a list of cocktails he makes and tweaks. Nevertheless, the cocktails are delicious and well balanced and the experience overall is enjoyable.
If you get a seat at the bar you’ll be able to watch the artistic way he makes the cocktails – with every movement fluid and practiced. All the other employees at the bar have specific tasks to support Kayama making the drinks. It’s like a beautiful dance. The entire two hours we were there he did not stop making drinks.
After you probably have one too many cocktails (don’t worry I’m not judging), it’s time for dinner and the option to continue your evening in Shinjuku. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from. You can take a stroll down Omoide Yokocho, a historic alleway with street food and small eateries, and grab a seat wherever you see one. If you’re looking for some nightlife, Golden Gai is a popular alley with many tiny bars you can grab a drink at.
Day 3: TeamLab + More Vegan Ramen
Morning
Start your morning off with breakfast and coffee at whatever option is the most convenient based on where your hotel is. If Get Better Coffee & Sandwich is near where you’re staying, head there for some of their amazing breakfast sandwiches and a cup of coffee. There are only three seats in this tiny spot and we were lucky to grab two of them. My favorite sandwich was a mix of cheese melted with honey and black pepper on toasted bread.
One of the best things to do in Tokyo is a visit to TeamLab Planets. This popular spot is 100% worth visiting, trust me. After breakfast, you’ll take the train to head there. Depending on where you’re going from, this can take about an hour. Be sure that you purchase your ticket in advance because it’s based on time slots and they do sell out. I think the best time to go is somewhere around mid morning so that you have enough time to enjoy this magical place.
You’ll spend the next few hours utterly mesmerized at TeamLab. Each exhibit challenges your senses and redefines art. It’s truly a masterpiece and a unique experience from start to finish. Take your time going through the exhibits.
Few tips:
- Be sure to download the TeamLab app beforehand (you’ll see signs when you’re waiting in line) because some of the exhibits are interactive through the app
- Get there a little earlier than your scheduled time because you will have to wait in line anyways
- Either wear shorts or be prepared to borrow a pair (they have plenty readily available) because a couple of the exhibits have you walk through water. Depending on your height, the water level is mid calf or higher
- Refrain from wearing a dress since some of the exhibits have mirrors on the ground
Afternoon
At this point you’re probably pretty hungry. Luckily you don’t have to go very far for lunch. Right inside the TeamLabs complex is a vegan ramen spot. They only have one option for ramen but it’s delicious. If you’re craving something sweet after, they also have vegan ice cream.
You can either grab your food from the window and sit at one of the outside tables or do as we did, and sit inside the dining room which is a bit of an experience in itself. You will pay a little extra for the dining room compared to sitting outside.
Day 4: Day Trip + Tasting Menu
Now it’s time to do a day trip from Tokyo. You have plenty of options for how you want to spend this day so I highly recommend doing a bit of research and seeing what appeals to you.
If you are willing to go very off the beaten path and are interested in learning more about Japanese wine, you are going to do a day trip to the Koshu Valley. That is what we did and we had such a great day.
Most Tokyo itineraries will recommend doing your day trip on your last day in Tokyo. I personally don’t like to do day trips on the last day in a city because I’m usually also traveling the following day either back home or onward in my itinerary so I find it exhausting to do those days back to back. Of course, it’s completely up to you!
After you get back to Tokyo, dinner this evening will be at Polyphony for a truly unique and elevated dining experience. This is a reservation only restaurant and the staff doesn’t speak very much English at all. Either have your hotel make a reservation here or send them a DM through Instagram, which is what we did. This restaurant is fully plant-based and the chef is doing some incredible things. Be sure you at least get the sake pairing and, if you’re into wine, get the sake and wine pairing which gives you the best of both worlds. Trust me, you’re in for a treat!
Day 5: Traditional Buddhist Cuisine with a Twist + Ueno Park
Morning
Enjoy a lazy morning and then grab coffee. If Cafe Murma is near you, this is a good spot as the owner roasts his own beans in house. We also tried a rum and sour cream bread which was surprisingly good.
Afternoon
Take the train to Bon for a Shojin Ryori culinary journey. The cuisine is based on traditional Buddhist food with a modern twist. This is a restaurant that you MUST make reservations ahead of time. We were lucky enough to snag the only reservation they had left.
If you prefer eating here for dinner, you can switch the dinner spot recommended for this day and eat there for lunch instead and still follow this itinerary.
We did the 11 course menu and they had two extra courses so it ended up being 13 dishes – all so flavorful and interesting. This was another one of the highlights of our entire trip to Japan. Even if you aren’t a vegetarian, this is 100% worth a visit.
After an amazing lunch, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring Ueno Park. If you enjoy museums, you’ll have plenty of options here, like the Tokyo National Museum. If not, just enjoy walking around.
Evening
You’re in for another treat. Dinner is at Vegan Gyoza Yu and it is going to be hands down the best vegetarian/vegan gyozas you’ve ever had in your life. There are eleven different flavors and you can order a set to try them all. You don’t need reservations for this casual spot and it’s also a great option for lunch if you prefer to try Bon for dinner. Either way, enjoy your gyozas and some craft beer and thank me later.
It’s up to you how you want to spend your last evening saying farewell to Tokyo. Perhaps shed some tears over some sake or revisit some of your favorite spots on this itinerary and then proclaim you’re never leaving.
Bottom Line
There is so much to see and do in Tokyo that you could easily spend weeks here. This 5 day Tokyo itinerary is a great way to get a glimpse of what the city has to offer without being too packed. It gives you plenty of time to wander around and just enjoy being in this magical city.
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