TrekUnity
Ideal length
4 days
Best time
March–April
Budget / day
$80–150 / person
Tokyo is a dozen cities in one — serene shrines, electric nightlife districts, and quiet alleys of six-seat restaurants. It’s spotless, absurdly efficient, and endlessly deep.
Four days barely scratches it, but it’s enough for a group to hit the big neighborhoods, eat spectacularly, and do a day trip to nearby Nikko or Kamakura.
Top things to do in Tokyo
Senso-ji, Asakusa
Tokyo’s oldest temple and its lantern-lined approach.
Shibuya Crossing
The world’s busiest crossing; view it from the Sky building.
Meiji Shrine & Harajuku
Forest shrine next to peak street fashion.
teamLab Planets
Immersive digital-art museum — book timed tickets.
Shinjuku & Golden Gai
Skyscrapers by day, tiny bars by night.
Where to eat & drink in Tokyo
Toyosu / Tsukiji outer market
Morning sushi and street snacks.
Omoide Yokocho
Smoky yakitori alley by Shinjuku station.
A conveyor-belt sushi spot
Cheap, fun, and easy for a group.
A sample 4 days Tokyo itinerary
1Old Tokyo
- •Morning: Senso-ji + Asakusa
- •Afternoon: Ueno Park + museums
- •Evening: Ameyoko street food
2West side
- •Morning: Meiji Shrine
- •Afternoon: Harajuku + Shibuya
- •Evening: Shinjuku + Golden Gai
3Modern Tokyo
- •Morning: teamLab Planets
- •Afternoon: Ginza
- •Evening: Toyosu / sushi
4Day trip
- •Kamakura or Nikko by train
- •Great Buddha / shrines
- •Evening: back to Tokyo
Want this as an editable trip you can share with your group?
Money-saving tips for Tokyo
- Eat at least one meal a day from conbini (7-Eleven, Lawson) or standing noodle bars — genuinely good and $3–6.
- Get a Suica/Pasmo card and tap; it’s cheaper and simpler than paper tickets across every line.
- Most shrines, gardens, and neighborhoods (Shibuya, Harajuku, Golden Gai) are free to wander.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a Japan Rail Pass for Tokyo?
Not just for Tokyo — get a Suica/Pasmo IC card for local trains. A JR Pass only makes sense if you’re also taking bullet trains between cities.
Is Tokyo expensive?
Less than you’d expect. World-class ramen and sushi can be $8–15, and convenience-store food is excellent and cheap.
Planning Tokyo with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see where everyone is in real time.
Start planning free