The Tokyo Itinerary: How to Spend 4 days in Tokyo, Japan
Looking for a Tokyo itinerary for 4 days in the Japanese capital? Keep reading to find out what to do for the perfect stay.
Tokyo is one of those cities that’s a must-do before you die. Period. It’s full of colour, light, modern, traditional and all things anime and cute all in one place.
It’s the only city in the world that will leave you feeling overwhelmed, amused, possibly a little confused and in awe all at the same time. There is so much to do in Tokyo but even with just 4 days, you can still experience a great deal.
In this Tokyo itinerary of 4 days, we’ll cover everything you need to know, what to see and do, and where to eat and sleep for a simply outstanding trip.
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Tokyo Itinerary 4 Days Map
When to Visit Tokyo
Tokyo is a year-round destination with each season having different benefits and opportunities for a variety of different experiences.
Generally, winters are cold and summers are hot and humid.
Early spring brings the famous cherry blossom or sakura season and autumn adds colour to every Japanese garden in the city.
Spring and Autumn are considered high season and are also the most expensive times to visit. You’ll need to book accommodation in advance during these times, especially the cherry blossom season and expect famous sites to be very crowded.
We visited in June and it was perfect- the weather was great and it wasn’t too crowded.
Getting Around Tokyo
Tokyo is a giant, sprawling city but one with excellent infrastructure and transport links. The subway and trains are the best way to get around Tokyo for short-term visitors.
The Tokyo underground train system is mainly comprised of The Tokyo Metro and Toei Lines as well as JR lines that serve the suburbs.
All stations have multilingual machines where you can buy single fares for your journeys or you can also buy a rechargeable card (Suica or Pasmo) to top up as you go.
You can also use the subway pass which allows you to save time and money during your stay. I highly recommend buying the 72-hour subway pass, which allows for unlimited subway travel during that time frame. They are available at Tokyo Metro Pass Offices as well as some hotels.
If you’re not planning on moving around too much or prefer to do more walking you might be better off with a Suica or Pasmo rechargeable card which you can charge up and swipe in and out using the subway system as you need to.
The JR Rail Pass
If you have a JR Pass, you won’t be able to use it on the Tokyo subway and Toei lines as they aren’t owned by JR. However, I’d recommend the JR Pass anyway if you plan to travel around Japan as it can save you hundreds of dollars on train fares.
If you don’t already have your JR Rail Pass, for discounted rail travel all over Japan (including bullet trains) get it online here ahead of time, have it sent to your home, and then on arrival, exchange it for a pass at a JR office (found at most stations and airports).
Tokyo also has great taxis, which feel almost luxurious but they are expensive. Buses are quite difficult to work out and I’d advise against them if you’re only staying for a few days.
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Tokyo is huge so it’s important to stay in a centralised area with good transport links to allow you to get around the city quickly and effectively. Considering this, the most popular neighbourhoods to stay are Shinjuku, Ginza, Tokyo Station Area and Shibuya.
Splurge- the square hotel GINZA This lovely, modern hotel in the heart of Ginza offers clean and comfortable rooms, most of which have a great view of the city. Unlike others, this hotel also has a spa and wellness centre and gym, right in the heart of Tokyo so if you can’t wait to get to a countryside onsen, this is a good place to base yourself. Check rates and availability here.
Mid- LANG Hotel This aparthotel is the perfect option for those looking for a little more space, privacy and all the benefits of a private kitchen. These apartments are modern and minimal but beautifully decorated and have everything you might need for your short stay in Tokyo. Highly recommended! Check rates and availability here.
Budget- THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku One of the best value places to stay, this Shinjuku design hotel is perfect from the more budget traveller. Rooms are small but clean and comfortable with a private bathroom and there’s a large communal area downstairs for meeting other travellers or dining.
They even have a delicious bakery on the premises for a quick and easy breakfast on the go. Check rates and availability here.
Where to Eat
There are many plant-based restaurants in Tokyo, both fully plant-based and vegetarian, where you can find delicious, healthy Japanese and more Western-focused cuisine. Here are some of our favourites that we ate in regularly.
Loving Hut – If you’re a plant-based traveller, you’ll sure know about Loving Hut, a chain of 100% plant-based restaurants that provide delicious, local, vegan food. Tokyo’s Loving Hut is delicious and a great way to sample some traditional Japanese food without fish-based products.
Try the lunch plates for a taste of everything or the soy milk ramen or rice bowls which provide a delicious vegan alternative.
Vegetarian Beast – Located close to Mejiro train Station, just north of Shinjuku, this is a great option for a healthy, colourful dinner. They have a deli-style concept, especially at lunchtime where you can order the dish of the day.
SOJO Esperanto– one of my favourites in Tokyo, this restaurant serves a delicious menu of the day normally featuring brown rice, soups and curry. The food is simple but delicious. The nearest station is Waseda.
Shinbu Sakiya- Hokkaido Sapporo Noodle– If you’re a ramen lover, don’t miss this place in Shibuya. While it does serve meat options, it does have one of the best vegan ramens in Tokyo.
Each ramen bowl is based on brown rice noodles and is topped with cabbage, corn and bamboo. The broth is rich, creamy and full of flavour. Probably the best ramen we ate in Japan.
Tokyo Itinerary 4 Days Overview
–Day One– Tokyo SkyTree, Sensō-ji and Kaminarimon Gate, Ameya Yokocho Market, Ueno Park, Akihabara
Day Two – Shibuya Crossing, Takeshita Street, Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho
–Day Three – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Samurai Museum, Shinjuku Gyoen, Shinjuku Golden Gai
–Day Four – Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, TeamLab Borderless Tokyo, Robot Restaurant
So you’ve finally landed in the sprawling city of Tokyo, a city of lights, beauty and above all contrasts. Due to its size, Tokyo is best seen by the district rather than running across the city all day to take in different attractions.
Tokyo Itinerary 4 Days
Day One
Tokyo SkyTree
This morning, make your way to the Asakusa area and start your day with getting your bearings from above at the Tokyo SkyTree.
Inside, lighting fast elevators will bring you up to the two different floors where you’ll get to see all 360 degrees of Tokyo from 450metres above ground.
You can opt for a ticket for just the lower platform or the higher one or a combo ticket for both. Tickets are best purchased online before visiting to avoid the horrendous queues.
From the top the view is just spectacular- the whole of Tokyo stretched out before you in grids and at times interrupted by a sprawling glass skyscraper.
Sensō-ji Temple
Next it’s a short walk westwards and over the Sumida River to one of the most famous temples in Tokyo, Sensō-ji.
On your way, stop for a quick stroll in Sumida Park, a pretty little park flanking the river, especially during cherry blossom season or in autumn for those amazing ochre colours.
Enter Sensō-ji temple through the southern entrance, Kaminarimon Gate to be exact. This large entrance gate is decorated by statues and a huge, iconic lantern which leaves a lasting impression on the visitor.
Walking through, explore this ancient Buddhist temple and the many different buildings inside including the adjacent pagoda and the traditional stores around it selling souvenirs and Buddhist knick-knacks.
In each building, you’ll find a fantastic array of statues from past eras, fine wood carving and painting as well as a fine example of Classical Japanese temple architecture.
Ameya Yokocho Market
After lunch, explore the surrounding streets making your way to nearby Ueno.
In this area, there are so many small streets, each one filled with something new to feast your eyes on. Tokyo is really a city that leaves you constantly curious.
Just south of Ueno train station you’ll find Ameya Yokocho Market, a large, bustling indoor and outdoor market which sells anything you could possibly imagine.
I find that markets give such an inside into the culture of a country and they are a great way for getting to know the street food, local stores as well as being a brilliant opportunity to people watch.
Ameya Yokocho is no different. Grab some street food snacks and walk around, exploring the tiny little shops and stalls in this area. It also makes a great place for a spot of souvenir shopping for friends and family back home.
If you don’t mind fish markets you might also want to see the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market instead. One of the best ways to navigate these large markets is on a food tour where you can also sample the best of Japanese cuisine. Check out the best Ts