Itineraries for Your Trip to Tokyo
1 Day in Tokyo for First Timers
With a population of around 15 million people (depending on where you draw the boundaries), the city of Tokyo is bigger than some entire countries. Indeed, it’s three times more populous than my own country, New Zealand, which was one of the things that appealed to me when I was looking for a post-university adventure in my early 20s.
With just one day in Tokyo you couldn’t hope to get to grips with it, but you can still have a fabulous time. Whether you’re into traditional Japanese culture or pop culture, shopping or art galleries, sweeping views or underground bars, here’s how first-time visitors can make the most of one day in Tokyo.
If you only have time for one thing, head up to an observation deck for sweeping city views.
Tokyo experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters: Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for sightseeing.
Get the lay of the land at one of Tokyo’s observation decks to see just how big the city is. Tokyo is generally flat, so it’s hard to get an overview without ascending a tall building. On a clear day you might see Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) in the distance. While the observation decks at the Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower are fun, if you’re on a budget head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, as it’s free. Or, to get a double hit of views and culture, visit Roppongi’s Mori Tower, home to both the Tokyo City View Observation Deck and the Mori Art Museum.
Whichever neighborhood you visited this morning, grab a quick lunch of sushi or noodles to fortify you for the afternoon. Many Japanese restaurants have realistic-looking plastic food models in the window, making ordering easy. After lunch, take the subway to Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s oldest surviving neighborhoods. While it’s usually very busy with tourists and locals, strolling through this neighborhood gives you a sense of what old Tokyo would have been like. Nakamise Shopping Street, Senso-ji Temple, and the Hozomon Gate are all must-see attractions in Tokyo’s Asakusa. The atmospheric neighborhood also makes a great backdrop for a private photo shoot.
While you can enjoy a wide array of international cuisine during your visit to Tokyo, Japanese food still reigns supreme, so enjoy an immersive foodie experience this evening. If you’re a keen home cook you might want to take a cooking class, so you can add new Japanese cooking skills to your repertoire. Alternatively, join a pub or izakaya crawl, which will take you to places you probably wouldn’t find on your own, especially on a first-time visit to Tokyo. Learn the difference between shochu and nihonshu, or udon and soba, while meeting new people and making the most of one day in Tokyo.
