For many first-time overseas travelers, Tokyo is an easy and reassuring choice. Clean streets, friendly service, a short flight of around three hours from Taiwan, and familiar kanji signage throughout the city all make Tokyo especially welcoming for beginners.

Alongside classic sights like Asakusa, Tokyo Tower, and Shibuya, it is now worth adding some of the city’s newest landmarks to your plans. Highlights include SHIBUYA SKY for sweeping city views, the design-forward Azabudai Hills, and Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, which opened in 2024 and lets you enjoy seafood alongside a relaxing foot bath. By mixing these new hotspots with long-loved attractions, you can create a well-balanced 4-day, 3-night itinerary that blends tradition with what’s new.

On your first day in Tokyo, it is normal to feel a little out of sync after arrival. Travel time from the airport can vary, and if you are coming from Narita Airport, it is safest to allow around three hours to reach the city. Even with a midday flight, you will likely arrive at your hotel and check in around 4 or 5 PM.

Rather than packing in a busy schedule, keep things simple on day one. Choose a restaurant near your hotel, enjoy your first proper Japanese meal, and take a relaxed stroll around the neighborhood to get your bearings. Turning in early will help you recharge and be ready to make the most of the days ahead.

Asakusa is often considered Tokyo’s most classic sightseeing area, and it lives up to the reputation. Along Nakamise Street, you will find long-established shops selling traditional sweets that have been loved for generations, from ningyo-yaki cakes and sweet potato yokan to crisp rice crackers, each reflecting the craftsmanship passed down over time.

The iconic Kaminarimon is one of Tokyo’s most photographed spots. If you want a cleaner shot with fewer people, arriving early in the morning gives you the best chance. Continue along the shopping street and you will reach Senso-ji, where the scent of incense and the steady flow of worshippers create a truly atmospheric introduction to Tokyo’s cultural roots.

After visiting Senso-ji, you can enjoy a relaxed walk toward Tokyo Skytree. The route takes you across the scenic Sumida River, and at an easy pace, it takes around 15 minutes to reach Tokyo Skytree while soaking in the calm atmosphere along the way.

As one of Tokyo’s most iconic landmarks, Tokyo Skytree continues to evolve. Beyond the observation decks, which offer sweeping views across the Kanto Plain, the complex is anchored by the massive shopping mall Tokyo Solamachi, home to more than 300 shops and restaurants. Alongside must-visit spots for international travelers such as the Pokémon Center and a wide range of anime merchandise, you will also find stores showcasing regional crafts and local foods from across Japan. With multilingual services and convenient luggage storage, it is an easy place to spend several relaxed hours indoors.

For the best experience, plan to head up to the observation deck in the early evening and watch Tokyo transition from sunset to a glittering nightscape. Dinner options are equally appealing, from famous eateries like Rokurinsha, Jojoen, and Rikyu, to restaurants where you can dine while enjoying panoramic city views. Before you leave, stop by the outdoor plazas on the 1st or 4th floor to see Tokyo Skytree illuminated in seasonal colors, a fitting and memorable finale to the day.

Optional Add-On Stop:
If you find yourself with extra time after Asakusa, take a short walk to the nearby creative district of Kuramae. This low-key, design-focused area is dotted with curated concept stores, small artisan workshops, and quality cafés, making it a great place to experience a quieter, more contemporary side of Tokyo.

Day three focuses on Tokyo’s trendsetting core, centering on Harajuku and Shibuya. Start the morning with a visit to the serene Meiji Shrine, a sacred space that feels worlds away from the surrounding city.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as the walk from the entrance to the main shrine is longer than it looks. As your footsteps crunch softly along the gravel path, the atmosphere gradually becomes calmer and more reflective. It is surprisingly refreshing to find such a peaceful forested retreat right in the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities.

Meiji Shrine is one of the world’s most famous must-see sights for visitors to Japan, and it naturally draws large crowds from all over the globe. Even so, its vast grounds and solemn, nature-filled atmosphere keep the space feeling calm rather than noisy, making it an ideal spot to visit in the morning.

If you are lucky, you may even come across a traditional wedding taking place within the shrine grounds. Seeing a bride dressed in a pristine white shiromuku is a memorable sight, but be sure to admire the ceremony from a distance and avoid disturbing the couple on their special day.

Stepping out of Meiji Shrine, you are immediately swept up in the energy of nearby Harajuku. Long known as a haven for trend-loving teens, the area has also become a testing ground for Tokyo’s bold visual design. Beyond classics like Takeshita Street and its colorful crepe stands, Harajuku has evolved into a district that adults can fully enjoy as well.

Recent highlights include the newly opened HARAKADO, which debuted in 2024 with a striking geometric exterior and a dreamy rooftop garden, as well as the flagship @cosme TOKYO, a must-stop for beauty fans looking to stock up on the latest products. Both are perfect places to catch up on what is trending right now.

Fans of anime and pop culture will also find unique concept shops and collaboration spaces tucked away along side streets. Whether you are wandering through streets filled with youthful energy or settling into a stylish café to people-watch and admire Harajuku’s fearless fashion, the district’s free-spirited atmosphere has a way of reigniting that sense of curiosity and discovery. It is easily one of the most eye-opening stops on any Tokyo itinerary.

After exploring Harajuku, it is just one train stop to Shibuya. This area is home to what is often called the world’s busiest intersection, and many visitors make a point of stopping by to photograph the moment when crowds surge across the crossing all at once.

Compared to Harajuku, Shibuya has a denser mix of large department stores and major chain shops, but it also offers plenty of distinctive flagship stores and smaller independent boutiques, giving the area a surprisingly diverse character. Shopping is a major draw here, and Shibuya LOFT is a particular favorite among travelers. The main store spans seven floors, each dedicated to different categories, from stationery and cosmetics to fashion accessories, travel goods, and an impressive selection of character merchandise, making it easy to lose track of time while browsing.

In the evening, head to one of Tokyo’s most famous night-view spots, Roppongi Hills, to take in the city after dark. Unlike Tokyo Skytree, which stands near the low-rise neighborhoods of the traditional downtown area, Roppongi Hills sits right in the heart of central Tokyo. From here, you can admire a sea of dazzling lights stretching across the city, where the glow below feels even more brilliant than the stars above.

If you only have time to enjoy one night view during your Tokyo trip, Roppongi Hills is the top recommendation. While admission is slightly higher, the chance to see one of Asia’s most vibrant urban nightscapes makes it well worth it. It is also one of the best places to catch a stunning view of Tokyo Tower illuminated against the night sky.

Since you will be catching a flight on the final day, it is best not to overpack your schedule. Choose one main area, enjoy a relaxed meal, take a final stroll, and use the time to pick up any souvenirs or items you may have missed earlier in the trip.

If you are flying out of Narita Airport, areas with direct airport access make ideal last-day bases. Neighborhoods around Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Tokyo Station are served by the Narita Express, while Ueno offers easy access via the Skyliner. These major hubs are not only convenient for airport transfers, but also packed with shopping and dining options, making them perfect for a stress-free final day. Choose the station that best matches your hotel location and shopping style, as each area has its own distinct atmosphere.

If your group includes parents or grandparents, or if you want to stock up on affordable drugstore items and snacks all at once on your final day, Ueno is an excellent choice. The bustling Ameyoko is packed with discount shops, and it is the kind of place where it is easy to keep buying until your bags are full.

Ueno is also known for hearty, budget-friendly food. Local favorites include classic fried snacks from Niku no Ohyama and surprisingly affordable unagi (eel) bowls for around 500 yen. Cheap, filling, and genuinely tasty, the area has a down-to-earth, everyday charm that offers a very different side of Tokyo from the city’s more polished districts.

If fashion shopping is high on your Japan wish list, Ikebukuro and Shinjuku are hard to beat. Both areas are packed with department stores clustered around their stations, making it easy to move from one building to the next without much effort.

Visit during a sale period and it becomes even more tempting, with discounts that make it difficult to stop browsing. Just be sure to keep an eye on your return flight time. It is surprisingly easy to get carried away and forget that the airport is still waiting.

If you would like to do more than just shop on your final day and also take in some of Tokyo’s architecture, Tokyo Station is an excellent choice. Its beautifully restored red-brick exterior and the colorful glass-domed ceiling inside are both impressive and highly photogenic, offering a distinctly different atmosphere from what you might see back home.

Below ground, the Tokyo Station area is just as appealing. The expansive underground shopping streets bring together regional souvenirs from across Japan, a popular ramen alley, and the much-loved Tokyo Character Street, packed with character goods that delight both kids and adults. It is the kind of place where it is easy to lose track of time while browsing.

Tokyo truly offers endless ways to explore. This itinerary introduces the city’s most classic highlights, making it easy for first-time visitors to enjoy Tokyo at a comfortable pace. After all, Tokyo is the kind of city that makes you want to come back the moment you board your flight home, and with each return visit, you can tailor the experience even more to your own travel style.