2 Day Tokyo Itinerary

To be honest, 2 days in Tokyo will give you a nice feel of this amazing City. On our 2 Day Tokyo Itinerary, you will be able to discover the different parts, both southeast, and west of Tokyo without having to rush around. A great time to get to know this incredible city.

How to spend two days in Tokyo

If you have only 2 days 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 neighboring Shibuya, but also Asakusa and Ueno. You will have a chance to see Tokyo and we give you some options to play with, depending on your interest. So let’s have a look at what a basic 2 Day Tokyo Itinerary could look like.

Day 1 on your 2 Day Tokyo Itinerary

• 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 about an hour here and then move back to the station to explore Harajuku.
• 10.30 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. Be aware, this street can get crazy busy on Weekends, so it as a great activity to do in the morning.
• 11.30 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 are heading to Shibuya.
• 12 pm: 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 lunch set, often including a drink, soup or salad. So although it might be a bit busier, we suggest trying one of these lunches. Check out our best lunch deals in Shibuya, as it includes Harajuku as well as Omotesando.
• 2 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.
• 2.30 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.

Options to finish your first day in Tokyo!

Option 1: Vintage Shopping and food/drinks in trendy Shimokitazawa

• 4 pm: Take the Keio Inokashira Line from Shibuya station to Shimokitazawa.
• 4.30 pm: Check out the vintage shops such as famous Ragtag, New York Joe Exchange, Chicago, Flamingo, and many more.
• 6 pm: Grab some Dinner here. Shimokitazawa is famous for its Japanese curries as well as for its lively bar and restaurant scene. Check out our where to eat in Shimokitazawa for some inspiration.
• 8 pm. There are many live houses here, where you can watcha gig and we recommend if you see a place you like, just go have a look, it is always worth it!
• 9 pm: Call it a day and rest well for tomorrow!

Option 2: Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district and food/drinks at it’s famous “Piss Alley”

• 4 pm: Take the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku and take the central east exit. You will be right in the center of busy Shinjuku!
• 4.30 pm: If you need to recharge, why not try the famous blue bottle Cafe inside NEWoMan SHINJUKU on the ground floor. Watch some people and relax or continue straight to our next point
• 5.30 pm” If you enjoyed the Coffee stop take a left and make your way to the Kabukicho Area, with Gozilla towering over the TOHO Cinema complex. Have a stroll around this busy area and work up an appetite.
• 6.30: Find a Place to eat, there are so many great restaurants, you are spoiled for choice! If you need any help, check out our best places to eat in Shinjuku.
• 8.30 pm: Make your way to the famous “Piss Alley” right next to the Station. Whether you just walk through or grab another bite/drink, with its narrow lanes and packed tiny Restaurants, It’s definitely worth it!

Day 2 on your 2 Day Tokyo Itinerary

• 9 am: Our first stop is “Asakusa” which is easily accessible on the Ginza or Asakusa Line on the Metro.
• 9.30 am: 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.
• 11.30 am: Walk along the Sumida river to Kuramae Station (about 10min) and take the Oedo Line to Ueno.
• 12.00 pm: Go for a stroll through the famous Ameya-Yokochō Market. Not just great for shopping, but also for food. Here you can try great Tempura, Seafood, actually pretty much anything you can think of. So we recommend having lunch here before heading to Ueno Park.
• 2 pm: walk back to Ueno station and make your way to the Park which is right beside. A great spot for viewing the Cherry Blossoms, relaxing and if you are into art, you, find 6 Museums located surrounding the Park including the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. And not to forget Ueno Zoo, famous for its Pandas! Spend as much time here depending on your interest or make your way to our next place: Akihabara.
• 3 pm: Akihabara is only a 10-15min walk following the train tracks or if you prefer to take the Yamanote JR Line, it is 1 stop.
• 3.30 pm: Explore this famous Neighbourhood. If you are a Tech fan or into Anime, you will love it!
• 4.30 pm: Make your way back to the station and take the Hibiya Line to Roppongi.
• 5 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 2 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 2 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!