To be honest, 1 day in Tokyo is short, but not impossible! Just, the less time you have got, the more important it is to plan ahead. So in this 1 Day Tokyo itinerary, we keep it short and sweet to make sure you get a great introduction to this incredible city.
How to spend one day in Tokyo
If you have only 1 Day in Tokyo we suggest staying central. And with that, we mean on the Yamanote Line, as this train will connect you nicely with many attractions and interesting places.
We think Harajuku is a great place to start. The other must-see Areas in Tokyo being Shibuya and Asakusa, especially if you only have one day. So let’s have a look at what a basic 1 Day Tokyo Itinerary could look like.
1-Day Tokyo itinerary in details
- 9 am: Start your day early and arrive at Harajuku Station. When you exit turn right and cross the bridge, in front of you is Yoyogi Park with the breathtaking grounds of Meiji-Jingu Shrine. If you need a coffee there is a great Cafe right in front of it. We recommend to spend less than an hour here and then move back to the station to explore Harajuku.
- 10 am: Back at Harajuku station you will find the famous Takeshita-Dori, take a stroll and see some crazy fashion, although it is not as unique as it used to be. This street can get crazy busy on Weekends, so it as a great activity to do in the morning.
- 10.30 am: Once you reach the bottom of Takeshita Street, you are already in Omotesando, a fashionable district, so if you feel like some shopping this is the area for you before we heading to Shibuya.
- 11.30 am: Lunch. Many Restaurants in Tokyo offer special lunch deals between 11 am and 2 pm. For around 1000Yen you will be able to get a set often including a drink, soup or salad. So although it might be a bit busier, we suggest trying one of these lunch sets. Check out our best lunch deals in Shibuya, as it includes Harajuku as well as Omotesando.
- 1.30 pm. From your lunch spot, find your way to Shibuya, which should be within walking distance. If taking the train. From Harajuku Station (Yamanote line), or from Omotesando Station (Ginza or Hanzomon line) it is just one stop.
- 2 pm: Once you get to Shibuya Station, exit via the Hachiko exit and yes here you will find the famous little dog, still waiting for its owner. Right in front is the Shibuya Scramble, probably the most famous pedestrian crossing in the world! There is great shopping here too, with Shibuya 109, Tokyu Hands and the newly opened Shibuya Parco featuring a Pokemon center and the first official Nintendo Store. Spend a bit more time here or move straight on.
- 3 pm: The fastest way to our next stop “Asakusa” is via the Ginza subway line. It takes about 30minutes and should not be too crowded at this time.
- 3.30 pm. Once you arrive in Asakusa you get a chance to experience Tokyo’s, spiritual heart. Here you can visit Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa-jinja Shrine. With its almost market-like stalls, you can grab a snack or pick up some souvenirs here too. And for Design lovers, we recommend taking a quick stroll to see the Asahi Brewery building with its giant Golden Poop.
- 5 pm: Walk along the Sumida river to Kuramae Station (about 10min) and take the Hibiya Line to Roppongi.
- 5:30 pm: Once you arrive in Roppongi, you will find the Roppongi Hills with its Giant Spiders and a bookshop turned Starbucks, just in case you like to have a quick break. If you are still ok continue to the Mori Tower observation deck for a beautiful view of the Tokyo Skyline.
- 6:30 pm: Grab something to eat here or call it a day. If you are still up for it, head to Tokyo Tower which is about a 20min walk. A great place to get that last perfect shot of an iconic Tokyo sight. Or head out and enjoy the Roppongi Nightlife with its many clubs and Bars.
Things to keep in mind
As you can see, the 1 Day Tokyo Itinerary is pretty packed. Don’t feel like you must do all if you find one place especially interesting stay and enjoy! That is really the whole point of it at the end, right?
Do not try to overdo it, this really is our number one advice: “less is more”! Also keep in mind your other travel plans, because if you are visiting Kyoto and spend a lot of time visiting temples you could probably skip Asakusa or take a shorter lunch break if you want to have more time somewhere else.
See this itinerary as a guide of what is possible rather than an exact thing to follow. And contact us for a more personalized 1 Day Tokyo Itinerary or if you need a Tour Guide. Because, this is where having a Guide comes in handy, to make the most out of your short trip in Tokyo!
