True to its reputation as the capital of Japan, Tokyo is a big bustling city. There is a lot to see and do in Tokyo, from traditional Japanese temples to modern entertainment districts to can’t-miss foodie spots.
If you’ll only have two days in Tokyo, don’t worry! It’s still entirely possible to experience the best of this metropolis in that time.
This best Tokyo itinerary will help you plan a compact and kick-ass trip! Whether you’re enjoying a stopover in Tokyo or visiting as part of a wider trip to Japan, once you are all settled in the city, it’s time to get to the fun stuff!
Here are the best things to put on your itinerary for Tokyo with two days in the city! I’ve put them in easy order to help you plan your days in Tokyo, with instructions on how to travel around Tokyo in between.
Of course, you can change the order and mix it up to create your own Tokyo two-day itinerary, but this will definitely help you get started!
What to do in Tokyo – Day 1
Shibuya Crossing
Visit one of the most famous street crossings in the world on your first day in Tokyo.
Located right outside of Shibuya Station, this busy crossing is a bucket list experience for most visitors, especially for a first-timer to Tokyo.
When the light turns green, the scramble begins! Businessmen, students, shoppers, foreigners… everyone is going everywhere. Welcome to Tokyo!
Besides participating in the mayhem yourself, you can also stay amused by people watching from the Starbucks window nearby.
If you’re wondering what to do in Tokyo, this is the number one thing for your list!
Hachiko statue
A statue outside of Shibuya station commemorates the most well-known dog in Japan: Hachiko.
The story goes that this Akita dog would come to Shibuya Station every day to meet his master, a professor, on his way home from work.
After his master passed away, Hachiko still came to the station every day in search of his former owner….Gah, I’m not crying, you’re crying! Definitely, snap a pic with Hachiko!
Meiji Shrine
Meiji Jingu, a famous Shinto Shrine, is about 15 minutes walk from Shibuya Station, so it’s an easy thing to add to your Tokyo itinerary.
The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. The ground is beautiful for a morning stroll, and it’s a great place to learn about Japanese history.
Harajuku
In contrast to the serene traditional energy of Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, located five minutes away, is a modern area for youngsters and fashion enthusiasts.
Walk down Takeshita Street and witness the kawaii culture of Japan. There are shops selling adorable trinkets, unicorn-coloured candy floss, oversized fruit crepes and more. Your eyes won’t know where to look!
Shinjuku
Hop on the JR to Shinjuku (only one station away from Harajuku). As Tokyo’s largest shopping and commercial district, Shinjuku offers a lot to do and see.
Some of Tokyo’s largest skyscrapers can be found here, and it’s an opportunity to see the scale of the buildings in the city.
Go up to the observation deck of the Metropolitan Government Office for a panoramic view of the city, a must-see thing to do in Tokyo!
The area comes alive at night when the lights are turned on. Take your time exploring!
Visit Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho in Japanese), where paper lanterns and seasonal flowers decorate the restaurants, and there’s an enticing smell from the many grills serving meat skewers. It’s a taste of old meets new in Tokyo.
If you’ve seen Lost in Translation, you might be familiar with the Park Hyatt Tokyo hotel and the bar on the 52nd floor.
It’s possible to visit for free before 8 pm and for a cover charge (around $24) after, although it’s often busy as people want to recreate the scene from the movie! Drinks are also quite pricey.
Kabukicho
The flashy Kabukicho is located in the Shinjuku Ward, and it’s the notorious red-light district of Tokyo.
There are lots of eateries, bars, nightclubs, love hotels, karaoke, pachinoko (like an arcade game)…you name an entertainment, Kabukicho has it!
You can also visit the Samurai Museum and the Ninja Trick House if you’re in the area early enough and if you’re interested in learning more about both (and doing a bit of dress up!).
My personal favourite part of Kabukicho is Golden Gai, an area with a series of alleyways packed with the tiniest bars and restaurants. Wind down your the first day of your Tokyo itinerary in one of these bars with a drink.
There’s so much to do in this area of Tokyo that I recommend returning on your second evening too.
What to do in Tokyo – Day 2
Tsukiji Fish Market
Start your second day in Tokyo with a delicious seafood breakfast at Tsukiji Fish Market. This wholesale fish market has gained fame for its early morning tuna auctions (You have to get there at 3 A.M to watch the auction, though! UPDATE: The auction has now moved to Toyosu, but you can still enjoy the rest of the market).
If you are not an early riser, you can still have fun browsing the market on your own time in the later morning and get an amazingly fresh seafood bowl.
Sensoji Temple
After you are full and satisfied, get on the subway and head to Sensoji Temple, the most popular Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Tokyo.
Pass through the famous Thunder Gate (Kaminorimon) and shop around Nakamise, a long street with shops selling all sorts of traditional goods like yukatas and fans, before arriving at the majestic Sensoji Hall.
Akihabara
Akihabara is 15 minutes away from Sensoji by subway. This area is reputed for being the go-to place for “Otaku”s, anime lovers (or geeks if you prefer). This is also where you can get all your electronics shopping done if that’s on your list of things to do in Tokyo!
There are all sorts of different electronics shops, from tiny stalls to huge department stores. Visit Yodabashi Camera to find all the fancy Japanese gadgets of your dreams.
teamLab Planets
This amazing digital art and body-immersive museum is a must-see, even if you’re not usually into museums.
The interactive installations include walking through water, getting across a cushioned floor and being surrounded by mirrors and crystals in the Infinite Crystal Universe. You’ll need 3-4 hours to really make the most of the experience!
To get there from Akihabara Station, take the Yamanote Line from Akihabara to Shimbashi Station (8 minutes), then change to the Yurikamome Line and go to Shin-Toyosu Station (29 minutes).
Robot Restaurant
If you go to one themed restaurant in Japan, make it the Robot Restaurant. It’s really an experience less about the food but everything about the spectacular show. Flashing lasers, robot monsters, dancing girls, it’s madness in the most mesmerizing way!
To get back to Shinjuku Station if you’ve been to teamLab Planets take the Yurikamome Line from Shin-Toyosu Station (5 minutes) and then walk about 6 minutes to Ariake Station. Take the Saikyo Line from Kokusai-Tenjijo Station to Shinjuku (26 minutes).
Entrance is quite expensive at 6,000-10,000 yen, but trust me, it’s worth it! Make sure to check the website for showtimes and reserve in advance!
Ichiran Ramen
Although the Robot Restaurant is stunning in its performance, sadly, their food will probably leave you feeling unsatisfied. Don’t worry! Right next door is the tastiest ramen shop in the world, Ichiran.
End your two days in Tokyo with a bowl of comforting tonkatsu ramen from this award-winning restaurant.
How to get to Tokyo
There are two major airports in Tokyo, Narita and Haneda. Narita Airport handles most international flights while Haneda Airport handles most domestic flights.
To get to central Tokyo from Narita, the Narita Express is the best way. Ticket price starts at 3,020 yen depending on which urban area you are heading to.
On the other hand, Haneda Aiport is closer to the city centre. 50 minutes on the Haneda Airport Limousine Bus will bring you to the heart of Shinjuku district. The bus ticket cost 1,230 yen.
If you are travelling by Shinkansen, AKA bullet train, getting to Tokyo should be easy peasy. Most Shinkansen lines go to Tokyo (duh, it’s the boss city in Japan).
From Osaka/Kyoto, the ride is about three hours and will set you back 14,650 yen. Yikes, pricey!? Well, the good news is, if you are planning to travel around Japan quite a bit, there is a special deal for foreigners.
Take advantage of the JR Rail Pass. With a 7 Days Pass (29,110 yen), you can enjoy unlimited rides on all national JR trains, including Shinkansens and Narita Express!
Learn more tips on enjoying Japan on a budget here!
Where to stay in Tokyo
Choosing where to stay in Tokyo can be a little daunting, given the size of the city.
You should plan your Tokyo itinerary and figure out where you can stay based on how close you want to be to the attractions you want to visit and how easy the transport links are between them.
There are many different types of accommodation in Tokyo, from hostels and backpackers to business hotels, capsule hotels, and the usual chains and luxury hotels.
Shinjuku is a great area to stay in because it has accommodation for all budgets, and there’s a lot to do in the area.
Ginza is also popular, as is Asakusa, Tokyo Station, and Shibuya.
Staying near the JR Yamanote Line means you will have easy access to the major tourist districts.
You can expect to pay around $100USD for a 3-star local business hotel, $150-300USD for an international hotel and over $300USD for a luxury hotel.
Check out accommodation in Shinjuku | Ginza | Asakusa | Tokyo Station | Shibuya
Day trips from Tokyo
Consider these quick day trips if you have some extra time in your Tokyo itinerary. If you want to see a more extensive list of day trips from Tokyo and how to do them, then check out this post.
Hakone
A mountain town on the west side of Tokyo, Hakone is popular for its hot spring resorts and iconic view of Mount Fuji. Check out day trips here.
Hitachi Seaside Park
For photography lovers, you would adore this pretty park in Ibaraki. Sandunes, flower fields, forests, grassland, so many perfect backdrops for Instagram! I mean..photos.
Visit in the spring for a magical view of baby blue Nemophilas or in autumn for rolling red Kochia hills. Read more about visiting Hitachi Seaside Park here.
Tokyo Disneyland
We don’t need much introduction here, do we?
One thing to note about Tokyo Disneyland is that it’s actually located in Chiba. It takes about an hour to get to from Tokyo by public transport.
Spend a day in the happiest place on earth (Japan version)! Book a bus and advance ticket here.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Deciding how many days in Tokyo is enough can be really difficult when you have the rest of Japan and so many other amazing sites to see too!
Two days in Tokyo is enough to get a feel for the city, and to see most of the best places to visit in Tokyo.
However, any added days will allow you to experience more of the culture, maybe take a day trip or two, and spend some time exploring without having a set itinerary and agenda to follow.
Two days in Tokyo is not a lot of time, but you can definitely make the most of the experience.
I hope this guide has given you some good ideas for your trip planning.
Between learning about the traditional culture, witnessing cutting-edge technology, experiencing the lively nightlife, and devouring Japanese cuisine, what are you looking forward to the most?
Read more: 13 Awesome Day Trips from Tokyo
Planning a trip to Japan?
Hopefully this two-day Tokyo itinerary will help you get started with planning your trip, but here are a couple more posts to help!
Enjoy your adventures in Japan!
This is a guest post about planning your 2 day Tokyo itinerary is by Viola, a Canadian girl who is obsessed with seeing the world. She loves hunting for unusual destinations and best sunset spots with her camera.
Viola currently documents her adventures living in Japan and travels throughout Asia. Read her easy to digest itineraries, foodie guides, packing advice and more on her blog The Blessing Bucket.
If you liked it, pin it!
Hi, your blog is amazing also the photos thankyou so much for sharing your trip, wish i can visit japan too very soon 🙂