Itineraries for Your Trip to Tokyo
2 Days in Tokyo for First Timers
When I lived in Japan in my early 20s, I worked in Saitama, a city just 30 minutes by train from central Tokyo. I spent my weekdays teaching English to kids and adults in Tokyo’s suburban satellite towns, but every weekend, I headed into Tokyo to explore this vast city. I found my favorite neighborhoods and hangout spots, but over the course of 19 months exploring Tokyo, I don’t think I visited many places twice—there’s just so much to see and do there.
While two days in Tokyo isn’t enough time to really get to know the place, you can definitely pack in some diverse highlights, as long as you follow a well-planned Tokyo itinerary designed especially for first-time visitors.
Tokyo experiences hot, humid summers and cold winters: Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for sightseeing.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a stroll through Asakusa, a neighborhood that’s home to some of the oldest temples in Tokyo.
Make an early start on your first morning in Tokyo with a guided tour of Tsukiji Fish Market—one of the biggest and busiest fish markets in the world. Wherever you stay in Tokyo, it’s easy to get there by train. Learn more about Japanese culinary culture—and the importance of fish and seafood in the local diet—and feast on sublimely fresh sushi for breakfast (with plenty of other options if you’d prefer).
After eating your fill at Tsukiji, stay on the east side of Tokyo this afternoon by taking the subway up to Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s oldest neighborhoods. Don’t miss Nakamise Shopping Street, Senso-ji Temple (a 7th-century Buddhist temple), and the Hozomon Gate. This is a popular area with tourists so it can be crowded, but it’s a must-see attraction in Tokyo nonetheless.
Unwind after a busy day during an izakaya crawl, which will take you to places you probably wouldn’t find on your own. Izakaya are a uniquely Japanese type of pub that serve Japanese food and drinks in a traditional but informal setting, and are frequented by locals after work. After your nightlife guided tour, you can continue exploring the bustling streets of Shibuya.
This morning, take a train up to Ueno Park, a large urban park that’s home to many top attractions and museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and Ueno Zoological Gardens. Pick a destination that suits your group’s interests, or simply take a walk through the park and the atmospheric markets around the railway station, especially Ameyoko Shopping Street.
One of the best ways to get to know a place is to take an immersive cultural class or workshop. There are options in Tokyo to suit all interests, from cooking classes and tea ceremonies to arts and crafts or ninja training. This afternoon, pick an option to suit you. You’ll have fun while learning new skills or producing a souvenir to take home with you, depending on your chosen workshop.
This evening, take the elevated train down to Odaiba, an island on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, home to many malls and attractions. Come here in the evening to enjoy the twinkling night views. Keen photographers should take a night shot with the faux Statue of Liberty in the foreground and the Rainbow Bridge and red-and-white-striped Tokyo Tower in the background. End your stay in Tokyo with a dinner cruise.
