This itinerary is part of the main Japan guide. Go back to the full route to continue with the rest of the days.

▣ Daily itinerary

Day 1 in Tokyo: full itinerary

A first full day in Tokyo with temples, classic neighbourhoods, shopping, viewpoints and Shibuya at night.

Day 1 in Tokyo: what to see and do on your first full day

This was my first full day in Tokyo, combining temples, classic areas, shopping, viewpoints, food and a fun activity in Shibuya.

Accommodation

Hotel New Otani

We stayed at the Hotel New Otani, a very comfortable base for starting the trip in Tokyo and easing into that very Japanese contrast between city life, quiet gardens and thoughtful details. The room was spacious, the common areas were spectacular and the hotel had a beautiful Japanese garden with red bridges, water features and peaceful corners worth exploring before heading out for the day. They also provided pajamas, a generous set of amenities and a facial-care set, which felt perfect after the flight and a packed first day.

Waterfall and facade at Hotel New Otani Tokyo — Hotel New Otani Tokyo waterfall

Japanese garden at Hotel New Otani Tokyo — Japanese garden at Hotel New Otani

Pajamas provided by Hotel New Otani Tokyo — Hotel New Otani pajamas

Amenities and facial-care set at Hotel New Otani Tokyo — Hotel New Otani amenities

Facial-care set at Hotel New Otani Tokyo — Hotel facial-care set

Morning

Imperial Palace, Meiji and Asakusa

We visited the Imperial Palace Plaza, Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi Park and Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, including Nakamise Street.

Bridge and gardens at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo — Tokyo Imperial Palace

Torii gate at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo — Entrance to Meiji Shrine

Decorated sake barrels at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo — Sake barrels at Meiji Shrine

Nitenmon Gate at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa — Nitenmon Gate at Senso-ji

Pagoda at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa — Senso-ji Temple pagoda

Large red lantern at Senso-ji Temple — Large red lantern at Senso-ji

Trying dango on Nakamise Street in Asakusa — Dango on Nakamise Street, Asakusa

Midday

Ginza and tea ceremony

We finished in Ginza and then joined a tea ceremony at Matcha Cafe Chazen.

Tea master preparing matcha in a traditional tatami room in Tokyo — Preparing matcha

Tray with wagashi sweets during a Japanese tea ceremony — Wagashi sweets at the tea ceremony

Watermelon-shaped wagashi sweet during the tea ceremony — Watermelon-shaped wagashi

Matcha and utensils during a tea ceremony in Tokyo — Matcha and traditional utensils

Drinking matcha on tatami during a tea ceremony in Tokyo — Tea ceremony on tatami

Lunch

Kobe beef at Daia Kobe Beef

We tried Kobe beef for the first time at Daia Kobe Beef and it was incredible. For anyone who does not know it, Kobe beef is considered by many to be the best meat in the world. It is definitely not cheap, but if you love meat, it is one of those things worth trying once in your life.

Entrance of Daia Kobe Beef restaurant in Tokyo — Daia Kobe Beef entrance

Teppanyaki counter at Daia Kobe Beef in Tokyo — Daia Kobe Beef teppanyaki counter

Salad served before Kobe beef at Daia Kobe Beef Tokyo — Salad before the Kobe beef

Raw marbled Kobe beef cuts at Daia Kobe Beef — Kobe beef cuts

Kobe beef certificate with meat cuts and vegetables at Daia Kobe Beef — Kobe beef certificate

Kobe beef tataki served at Daia Kobe Beef Tokyo — Kobe beef tataki

Cooked Kobe beef served at Daia Kobe Beef Tokyo — Kobe beef cooked to order

Afternoon

Akihabara and Don Quijote

We walked around Akihabara, visited famous shops, bought merchandise and later went to Don Quijote. If you do not know it, Don Quijote is a huge Japanese discount store chain, usually open until very late, where you can find almost everything: souvenirs, snacks, beauty products, electronics, costumes and plenty of random curiosities.

Portrait on the main street of Akihabara during day 1 in Tokyo — Akihabara in the afternoon

Gigo building in Akihabara during the afternoon in Tokyo — GiGO building in Akihabara

Don Quijote facade in Akihabara Tokyo — Don Quijote in Akihabara

Claw machine with Hello Kitty plush toys in Akihabara — Hello Kitty machine

Chiiikawa products while shopping at Don Quijote Akihabara — Chiikawa shopping at Don Quijote

Koala March cookies at Don Quijote Akihabara — Koala March at Don Quijote

Pokemon plush toys shelf at Don Quijote Akihabara — Pokemon plushies at Don Quijote

Sunset

Shibuya Sky

We visited Shibuya Sky. Book early because tickets open at specific times and the best slots sell out quickly.

Portrait at Shibuya Sky with sunset views over Tokyo — Shibuya Sky at sunset

Shibuya Crossing seen from Shibuya Sky at sunset — Shibuya Crossing from above

Tokyo city seen from Shibuya Sky during sunset — Tokyo from Shibuya Sky

Shibuya lights and Tokyo views from Shibuya Sky — Shibuya lights from the viewpoint

Night

Street Kart, Shibuya, Hachiko and Ashitama

We booked Street Kart through GetYourGuide and crossed Shibuya dressed as characters. I chose Mike Sullivan from Monsters, Inc. After that, we crossed on foot, saw Hachiko and had dinner at Ashitama.

Dressed up before doing Street Kart through Shibuya in Tokyo — Before Street Kart in Shibuya

Street Kart crossing Shibuya at night among lights and screens — Street Kart through Shibuya at night

Red Street Kart vehicles before driving through Shibuya in Tokyo — Red Street Kart karts

Hachiko statue in Shibuya at night with illuminated signs — Hachiko statue in Shibuya

Spicy ramen dinner at Ashitama after Street Kart in Shibuya — Ramen at Ashitama after Street Kart

Tip: book Shibuya Sky and Street Kart in advance, and leave time to move between neighbourhoods because Tokyo is huge.

Book your route

Day 1 activities you can book

These are the activities we did on our first day in Tokyo. I am leaving the links here so you can book them easily on GetYourGuide and follow the same route.

Midday Matcha

Tokyo tea ceremony

A beautiful traditional experience to learn the matcha ritual, try Japanese sweets and slow down between Ginza and the afternoon shopping route.

ActivityCeremony

Book

Sunset Viewpoint

Shibuya Sky

The observation deck I would book in advance every time. At sunset, the views over Tokyo and Shibuya Crossing are incredible.

PlanViews

Book

Night Shibuya

Street Kart Shibuya

One of the most viral activities of the trip: dressing up, driving through Tokyo at night and crossing Shibuya among the lights.

ActivityKart

Book

Discount code: use MONIKILIA5 for 5% off. Remember that the code is only valid when booking from the GetYourGuide app.

Day 1 in Tokyo: full itinerary

Day 1 in Tokyo: what to see and do on your first full day

Hotel New Otani

Imperial Palace, Meiji and Asakusa

Ginza and tea ceremony

Kobe beef at Daia Kobe Beef

Akihabara and Don Quijote

Shibuya Sky

Street Kart, Shibuya, Hachiko and Ashitama

Day 1 activities you can book

Tokyo tea ceremony

Shibuya Sky

Street Kart Shibuya

Novedades para tu próximo viaje ♡