Planning how to spend 3-day in Tokyo? Here is the best itinerary for 3 days in Tokyo, JAPAN with a lot of things to do, see, and eat, that makes your trip memorable!
3-Day Tokyo Itinerary, planned by a Local
If you have only 3 days in Tokyo, you’d love to enjoy to the fullest, right?
I think I know Tokyo very well, because I lived (will move back as well) in Tokyo, went to the University in Tokyo, worked in Tokyo, I spent much time of most of my life in Tokyo.
Day 1 : Asakusa + Tokyo Sky Tree
Summary
- Asakusa : Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Street
- Oshiage : Tokyo Sky Tree
- Akihabara / Ueno
Sensoji Temple
This is very popular destination, and also the one of oldest temples in Tokyo, There are not only tourist from outside of Japan but also Japanese people. Usually very crowded around noon, so I recommend you to go in the morning to avoid the crowds.
There are other Temples and Shrines Guide in Asakusa,
Enjoy Asakusa Street Food
You will catch the smell of food if you walk around Asakusa. There are a lot of food that i’d recommend, however, I introduce some of them here.
Matcha Dango – Suzukien
This Dango (rice cake) has a layer of different types of matcha-an on top. The darker green it looks, the bitter it tastes. It’s “true” matcha which means bitter, not like “matcha-ish” sweets that i’ve tried in the US sometimes.
Menchi Cutlet – Asakusa Menchi
If you are more into savory food, you should check Asakusa Menchi. The deep fried cutlet with ground meet + onion! It’s very hot inside and also the juice might come out. So be careful.
Asakusa Street Food Guide
Check other Asakusa Street Food
Tokyo Sky Tree
Sky tree is one of symbols of Tokyo now, it was completed in 2011. There are many shops and restaurants inside of the tree.
☆Alternative Plan : The Sumida Hokusai Museum, Edo Tokyo Museum, Watching Sumo game in Ryogoku, etc.
Ueno & Akihabara
Ueno has the oldest zoo in Japan, parks, shrines, museums, Ameya Yokocho for shopping and street food, etc. If you like Anime, games, etc, you should go to Animate in Akihabara. There are also many shops that sell electrical appliances.
Day 2 : Toyosu / Tsukiji + Team Lab + Ginza + Shinjuku
Summary
- Toyosu Fish Market or Tsukiji Outer Market
- Team Lab Planet
- Ginza
- Tokyo Station & Imperial Palace
- Shinjuku
Toyosu Fish Market
Toyosu Market was opened in 2018, so it’s quite new. There are many sections as you might be lost.. restaurants, shops, Tuna auction, vegetable & fruits area, etc.
Tsukiji Outer Market
Some parts of Tsukiji Market was moved to Toyosu Market in 2018, however, Tsukiji market might be known more than Toyosu Market, At Toyosu Market, you can have a look and also enjoy shopping & eating there!
Team Lab Planet
Do you love arts? Some of you might have seen the pictures taken in Team Lab Planet which is digital art museum. It’s very beautiful and enjoyable, in my opinion.
Better to buy a ticket in advance.
Tokyo Station
Tokyo station where you can get on Shinkansen (bullet train), many kinds of train, from.
Check the ceiling on the top if you are under the dome.
Imperial Palace
Imperial palace – used to be “Edo castle”. Now it’s a home for the Emperor of Japan.
You can go to the garden for free. It is beautiful on each season. I personally like spring for cherry blossom and autumn for colored leaves.
Evening / Night in Shinjuku
City View for free from Tokyo Metropolitan Building
There is an observatory on the Tokyo Metropolitan Building, and it’s free! If you’d like to enjoy the city view in Tokyo, you can go this place. There is a small souvenir shop, too.
Have a drink at Golden Gai or Omoide Yokocho
You can drink alcohol in Japan If you are 20+ years old. Here are where you can go at evening / night. Those 2 places were developed as a black market after WW2.
Walking through Kabukicho, you will find Golden Gai Street. Omoide Yokocho is located nearby Shinjuku station. It’s very small comparing to Golden gai.
Other Spots in Shinjuku
Shinjuku Sightseeing Spots at Night for Adults (20+)
If you want to go to nightclubs, you can go to Roppongi, too.
*NOTED* The trains in Tokyo usually runs until around 12 a.m., and starts from 5 a.m.
Day 3 : Omotesando + Harajuku + Shibuya
Summary
- Omotesando for a walk and/or shopping (high-brands)
- Takeshita Street (Kawaii Street) in Harajuku
- Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Shibuya for souvenir shopping / Shibuya Sky / Shibuya Crossing / Miyashita Park
Shopping in Omotesando
Get Omotesando Station (Tokyo Metro, Hanzomon Line / Chiyoda Line), Enjoy shopping (High-brands) with walking down on the Omotesando Street to the direction of Tokyu Plaza / Laforet Harajuku.
Harajuku Takeshita Street
You can get in Takeshita Street from Meiji dori Street to Harajuku Station, you must find a lot of Kawaii culture there.
Eating a crape is the one of things that people do when they come to Harajuku, I used to do, too.
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji shrine is behind Harajuku Station. You can walk around inside (No entrance fee). It’s Shinto Shrine, and It’s pretty huge, but much nature that you don’t feel like you are in the center of a big city.
Enjoy The Crowds in Shibuya
You can either walk or take a train to Shibuya (it’s only 1 station away).
Shibuya – you can walk to Miyashita Park, Shibuya Sky, Shibuya Crossing, etc.from Shibuya station.
Say Hi To Hachiko – Symbol of Shibuya
Hachi is a very loyal dog that waited for his family (human dad) even after he died. This has been the symbol of Shibuya, and very popular place to meet up with people.
Miyashita Park
Miyashita Park just got renewed. There are a place to shop, eat (restaurant & cafe), stay (hotel), and play (even with sand),
Souvenir Shopping
I recommend Don Quijote which is a discount store. You can buy a lot of things like cosmetics, dairy-use stuff, electrics, snacks, beverage, alcohol, stationary, toys (for both kids and adults), etc! There is a Duty-Free counter as well.
Shibuya Sky – New Landmark
I personally liked the view of sunset + night from Shibuya Sky.
I recommend going before sunset so that you can have both sunset + night view, if you didn’t go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Building or you went there and loved it..
Shibuya Crossing
People call it “Crazy crossing”, “The busiest crossing” etc. and it literally is a crazy busy crossing, i’d say. You can just go to the crossing to across, or go somewhere to watch over like Starbucks (2nd floor of Tsutaya building in front of the crossing), Shibuya Hikarie (mall), etc.
Dinner in Shibuya
Sushi is one of options : Best Sushi Restaurant in Shibuya
Are you a ramen lover? : Ichiran (Tonkotsu Ramen)
Is 3 days enough for Tokyo?
I’d say that the more days you have to spend in Tokyo, the more things/places you will be able to go visit and experience, of course. But you can still enjoy a lot in 3 days while you are in Tokyo.
3 Days in Tokyo : Budget
Food & Beverage
- Breakfast : 500 – 1000 yen (convenience store / Bakery)
- Lunch : 1000-1500 yen
- Snack & Beverage : 1000 yen
- Dinner : 3000-8000 yen
- Drink : 1000- yen
Total : 6500 – 9500 yen / day / person
Others
- Train fee : 1500 yen
- + museum tickets
- + nightclub
- + etc
Total : 1500 – yen / day / person
Total Cost for 3 Days in Tokyo
- 8000 – 13000 yen / day x 3 days = 24000 – 39000 yen
- + souvenirs
- + train/bus fee to get the airport
50000 yen / person should be enough for 3 days in Tokyo besides the cost of where you stay (hotel, airbnb, etc) unless you use taxi, go to nightclub, eat & shop at fancy places.
How To Enjoy Tokyo on Budget?
Use Convenience Store
I recommend to get breakfast / midnight snack at convenience store. It’s LITERALLY convenience store, trust me!
Don’t Use a Cab
It’s expensive to use a taxi in Japan. Use public transportations! Usually it comes on time 😉
Other Tips
I am writing another article about other tips for How to Enjoy Japan on Budget, please stay tuned!
3 days in Tokyo sounds short, but you can enjoy a lot if you make a great itinerary!
