Planning one week in Tokyo gives you enough time to experience both the iconic landmarks and Tokyo’s hidden corners. This 7-day itinerary blends culture, fun, food, and local secrets—perfect for first-timers who want more than just tourist checkboxes.
🏙️ Day 1: Shibuya + Harajuku + Omotesando
Start your Tokyo journey in the city’s youth and fashion hub.
- ✅ Shibuya Crossing – World’s busiest intersection
- ✅ Shibuya Sky – Stunning panoramic views
- ✅ Harajuku Takeshita Street – Colorful crepes & kawaii culture
- ✅ Omotesando – Tokyo’s “Champs-Élysées,” lined with designer stores and stunning architecture
💡 Hidden Gem:
Togo Shrine – A peaceful hideaway behind the chaos of Harajuku.
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🏯 Day 2: Asakusa + Sumida + Ueno
- ✅ Senso-ji Temple – Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple
- ✅ Nakamise Shopping Street – Traditional snacks & souvenirs
- ✅ Sumida River Walk – Scenic path with SkyTree views
- ✅ Ueno Park – Museums, a zoo, and peaceful ponds
💡 Hidden Gem:
Yanaka Ginza – An old-town shopping street with retro charm and local cats.
🎌 Day 3: Ginza + Tsukiji + Hamarikyu Gardens
- ✅ Tsukiji Outer Market – Sample sushi, tamagoyaki, and street food
- ✅ Ginza – Tokyo’s luxury district with art galleries and cocktail bars
- ✅ Hamarikyu Gardens – Edo-style landscape garden with tea house
💡 Hidden Gem:
Kabuki-za Gallery – A mini-museum above the famous Kabuki theater, perfect for a cultural pitstop.
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🎮 Day 4: Akihabara + Kanda + Ochanomizu
- ✅ Akihabara – Paradise for gamers, anime lovers, and techies
- ✅ Maid Cafés & retro arcades
- ✅ Kanda Shrine – Known for blessing tech gear and gamers
- ✅ Ochanomizu – Tokyo’s guitar street and home to jazz cafés
💡 Hidden Gem:
2k540 Aki-Oka Artisan – An under-rail shopping street for handcrafted goods.
🦄 Day 5: Nakameguro + Daikanyama + Ebisu
- ✅ Nakameguro – Canal-side boutiques, perfect for slow travel
- ✅ Daikanyama – Fashionable, upscale yet cozy
- ✅ Ebisu Yokocho – Night alley food stalls with local vibes
💡 Hidden Gem:
Daikanyama T-Site – A lifestyle complex blending books, design, and cafés.
🧁 Day 6: Ikebukuro + Sugamo + Theme Café Day
- ✅ Ikebukuro Sunshine City – Aquarium, shopping & Pokémon Center
- ✅ Sugamo – Nicknamed “Harajuku for grandmas,” but full of nostalgic charm
- ✅ Themed Cafés – Try a hedgehog café, robot restaurant, or Ghibli-themed dessert shop
🔗 Related: Best Theme Cafes in Tokyo: Animal, Anime & Unique Café Experiences
🌸 Day 7: Day Trip or Chill in Tokyo
Option A:
- 🚄 Day trip to Nikko, Kamakura, or Lake Kawaguchi for nature and culture
Option B: - 🧘 Chill at Odaiba, visit teamLab Planets, or book a relaxing onsen stay at Thermae-Yu in Shinjuku
💡 Hidden Gem:
Gotokuji Temple – The “maneki-neko” (lucky cat) temple in Setagaya.
✨ Final Tip: Mix Iconic With Local
Tokyo rewards curiosity. Pair your must-sees with quiet gardens, residential alleys, and independent shops. This balance turns a good trip into a memorable one.