Tokyo deserves more than a long weekend, less than two weeks. 5 days is the sweet spot. This guide is a complete Tokyo 5-day itinerary you can copy directly — built with Tripop's AI travel planner, with 2026-verified prices, concrete airport transport details, and offline-ready vouchers.
The first time you step into Shibuya Scramble, you realize no photo has ever done it justice. Thousands of people crossing simultaneously, neon flooding every surface, taxis and buses threading through — it is the single most electric 30 seconds in any city on earth. Start here.
Why 5 days in Tokyo
Tokyo is one of the densest cities on earth. A weekend gives you Shinjuku and Shibuya, but you'll miss Asakusa's old-town soul and Tokyo Disney's full-day commitment. Two weeks is too long unless you're adding Hakone, Nikko, or Kyoto.
5 days lets you cover:
- Day 1: Arrival + Shinjuku night
- Day 2: Shibuya + Harajuku + Omotesando
- Day 3: Asakusa + Ueno + Tokyo Skytree
- Day 4: Tokyo Disney Land or DisneySea (or a Kamakura/Yokohama day trip)
- Day 5: Odaiba + Tokyo Station + departure
That's central Tokyo + a Disney day + nightlife + duty-free shopping.
Before you go — Visa, eSIM, money, transit
- Visa: 90 days visa-free for most Western/Asian passports. Visit Japan Web (vjw-lp.digital.go.jp) pre-registration → QR at arrival, skip the entry form line.
- JR Pass: Skip it if you're staying in Tokyo. Disney, Odaiba, Shibuya, and central Tokyo all use Tokyo Metro / Toei / Yurikamome — not JR. Get a Suica IC card (Apple Wallet / Google Pay supports a digital one too), load ¥5,000.
- eSIM: ~$8–12 for a 5-day 5GB plan via Airalo / Ubigi. Drastically cheaper than airport SIM cards.
- Cash: Plan for ¥50,000 ($330) per person. Many small restaurants and ramen shops are cash-only.
Airport to city — exact routes (2026)
Narita Airport (NRT)
Narita sits 60–80km outside central Tokyo. The fastest option is JR Narita Express (N'EX):
- Narita → Shinjuku: ~90 minutes, ¥3,250 one-way
- All seats reserved. Trains every 30–60 minutes.
- Foreign-visitor round-trip ticket: ¥5,000 (valid 14 days) — buy at the arrivals counter.
Haneda Airport (HND)
Haneda is much closer — just 20–30km from the centre.
- Keikyu Airport Line → Shinagawa → Shinjuku: ~35 minutes, ¥535 (IC card)
- Tokyo Monorail → Hamamatsucho (JR Yamanote Line): 13–20 min, ¥500
Transit card options (2026 update)
From March 25, 2026, 11 major railways and subways in the Kanto region launched full contactless credit card interoperability — tap a Visa, Mastercard, or Amex at any of 700+ station gates and go.
| Method | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Contactless credit card (Visa/MC) | Pay as you go | ★ Easiest in 2026 — tap at 700+ stations |
| Suica IC card | Prepaid top-up | Buses, convenience stores, vending machines |
| Tokyo Metro 72-hr pass | ¥1,500 | Heavy metro-only usage |
Get Suica: vending machines at any station (English supported), or add Mobile Suica to iPhone/Android Wallet instantly — no physical card, no deposit.
The 5 days at a glance
Tripop's AI generates the full skeleton from a single prompt. Drop in flight + hotel PDFs as photos and the app links them to the right days automatically.
Day 1 — Arrival + first night in Shinjuku
| Time | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30 | Arrive Haneda (HND) or Narita (NRT) | NRT = add 60 min travel |
| 11:30 | Visit Japan Web QR + bag claim | ~1 hour |
| 13:00 | Check in: Shinjuku hotel | Washington / Hyatt Regency |
| 14:30 | Lunch — Ichiran Ramen, Shinjuku | Single-booth tonkotsu, ¥980 |
| 16:00 | Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bldg Observatory | Free, 202m, until 22:00 |
| 18:00 | Walk Kabukicho streets | Neon-lit nightlife district |
| 19:30 | Dinner — Menya Musashi (tsukemen) | Tokyo's benchmark dipping noodles |
| 21:00 | Omoide Yokocho ("Memory Lane") | Yakitori + highball alleyway |
Tip. Stay in Shinjuku Night 1 — biggest hotel selection, biggest station. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory is free and one of Tokyo's top 3 night-view spots (no reservation, open until 22:00).
Walk under that red arch and you feel the city shift gears. Neon stacks neon on every surface. Dozens of languages blend into a single roar. This is the Tokyo that earned the myth. Even just a walk through is worth your first night.
Founded in Fukuoka in 1958. Single-booth setup with a curtain on each side — beloved by solo travelers and introverts alike. Signature tonkotsu ¥980. Customize 9 parameters on the order form: broth richness, noodle firmness, garlic level, and more. 24-hour operation at select branches. Walk west from Shinjuku Station, 5 minutes.
Read moreDay 2 — Shibuya + Harajuku + Omotesando
| Time | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Hotel breakfast or konbini grab | |
| 09:30 | Arrive Shibuya — Scramble Crossing | Iconic 5-way intersection |
| 10:00 | Shibuya Sky observatory | Online ¥2,500 / door ¥3,000. Book ahead |
| 12:00 | Lunch — Uobei conveyor sushi | ~¥110 per plate |
| 13:30 | Harajuku — Takeshita Street | Z-gen street fashion |
| 15:00 | Meiji Shrine walk | Urban forest, free |
| 16:30 | Omotesando — luxury strip & cafés | Tom Ford / Prada / nice cafés |
| 18:00 | Shibuya 109 or PARCO | Japanese-only brands |
| 20:00 | Dinner — Yakiniku Toraji, Shibuya | A5 wagyu |
Tip. Shibuya Sky sunset slots sell out 5+ days out. Book the moment you fix Day 2. Shibuya Sky is a rooftop open-air terrace at 229m — completely different from an enclosed observatory. Hours: 10:00–22:30 (last entry 21:20). Fallback: free Government Observatory (no reservation).
Rain doesn't ruin Shibuya — it transforms it. White umbrellas pulse in waves, wet asphalt mirrors every neon sign. No filter needed. Pack a compact umbrella and you'll thank yourself twice.
Rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square, 229m above the crossing. Unobstructed 360-degree views of the Scramble, Skytree, and on clear days, Mt. Fuji. Open 10:00–22:30 (last entry 21:20). Online ¥2,500, door ¥3,000. Sunset slots (17:00–19:00) sell out fastest — book at shibuya-scramble-square.com or via Klook. Weather-dependent outdoor space.
Day 3 — Asakusa + Ueno + Tokyo Skytree
| Time | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Hotel breakfast | |
| 09:30 | Tokyo Metro to Asakusa | ~35 min from Shinjuku |
| 10:00 | Senso-ji + Kaminarimon Gate | Free. Hall: 6:00–17:00 (Oct–Mar 6:30–) |
| 11:30 | Nakamise shopping street | Melon bread + rice cake snacks, 10:00–19:00 |
| 13:00 | Lunch — Asakusa Tendon | Tendon Yashichi recommended |
| 14:30 | Ueno Park + Ameyoko Market | Open-air market |
| 16:00 | Tokyo National Museum | Best Japanese art collection |
| 18:30 | Tokyo Skytree observatory | 634m, sunset + night views. Online ¥2,100–2,400 |
| 20:30 | Solamachi dinner — Sushi Misa | Mid-tier sushi |
Tip. Arrive at Tokyo Skytree 1 hour before sunset to capture daylight + golden hour + night views in one ticket. Book at en.tokyo-skytree.jp (date-specific reservation, cheaper than door). Hours: 10:00–21:00 (last entry 20:00), open 365 days.
Senso-ji was founded in 645 AD — before Tokyo even had a name. The city has rebuilt itself a dozen times around it, always keeping this temple at the centre. Stand in front of the main hall early morning, when the incense smoke hasn't yet mixed with selfie sticks, and you understand why this single building draws 30 million visitors a year.
Founded 645 AD, Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple. Free entry, hall open 6:00–17:00 (Oct–Mar from 6:30), grounds open 24 hours. Asakusa Station Ginza Line Exit 1, 1-minute walk to Kaminarimon Gate. Arrive before 09:00 for crowd-free photos. Nakamise shops 10:00–19:00 — ningyo-yaki (¥200), melonpan, mochi. Fortune slip (omikuji, ¥100) at the main hall.
Read more
Day 4 — Tokyo Disney Land or DisneySea
Tokyo Disney is split: DisneyLand (classic family Disney) and DisneySea (more adult-oriented, alcohol available, unique to Tokyo). Honeymooners and couples → DisneySea. Families with young kids → DisneyLand.
| Time | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | Hotel checkout + bag drop | JR Keiyo Line → Maihama |
| 08:30 | Arrive Tokyo Disney | 1-day pass ¥7,900–10,900 (variable) |
| 09:00–21:00 | Attractions + parade + night show | Use Premier Access |
| 22:00 | Return to Shinjuku | Last JR train ~23:00 |
| 23:00 | Pack at hotel |
Disney pro tips:
- Download the Tokyo Disney Resort official app before departure.
- After entry, buy Premier Access (paid fast-pass, ¥1,500–2,000/ride) for 3 top attractions immediately. Saves 1–2 hours of line time.
- Lunch reservations open 1 month out — book for 11:30 or 13:30 to avoid the 12:30 peak crush.
Maihama Station (JR Keiyo Line, ~30 min from Shinjuku). DisneySea is the world's only Disney park with alcohol. 1-day ticket ¥7,900–10,900 under variable pricing — check tokyodisneyresort.jp. Top rides: Center of the Earth, Indiana Jones, Toy Story Mania. Premier Access (¥1,500–2,000/ride) for queue-jumping. Fantasmic! nighttime show — secure a spot 30 minutes early.
Day 5 — Odaiba + Tokyo Station + departure
| Time | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | Hotel breakfast + checkout | |
| 09:30 | Odaiba via Yurikamome line | Driverless elevated monorail |
| 10:00 | DiverCity Tokyo Plaza — Gundam statue | Free Instagram spot |
| 12:00 | Lunch — Ramen Kokugikan, Odaiba | 5 famous Tokyo ramen under one roof |
| 13:30 | Travel to Tokyo Station | Red-brick historic station |
| 14:00 | Character Street + Sweets Street | Kitty, Totoro, Pokémon, Studio Ghibli |
| 15:30 | Last-minute duty-free — Daimaru | Japanese cosmetics, medicine, snacks |
| 17:30 | Airport shuttle to NRT/HND | |
| 20:00 | Departure flight |
Must-do Tokyo highlights
Opened 2012. Tembo Deck (350m) online ¥2,100–2,400 weekday / weekend varies; Tembo Galleria (450m) extra fee. Open 10:00–21:00 (last entry 20:00), 365 days. Book at en.tokyo-skytree.jp for best rates. Arrive 1 hour before sunset: daylight → golden hour → night in one visit. Solamachi shopping complex at the base for dinner.
Read moreReopened January 2024 at Azabudai Hills (Toei Oedo Line Azabu-juban Station, 5-min walk). Adult ¥3,800–4,800 (date variable), ages 4–12 ¥1,500, under 3 free. Over 400 artworks flow boundary-free through multiple rooms. Book at teamlab.art — weekends sell out 2 months ahead. Slots are timed; linger as long as you like once inside.
Tokyo Tower isn't trendy. It's the symbol of a city that rebuilt itself from rubble. Built in 1958 when Japan was still recovering, it towered above everything. Skytree is taller; Tower is more moving. Worth the detour for the night view from below.
Expense tracker — yen-to-home-currency, automatic
The single most-asked question abroad: "How much is this in dollars/won?" Tripop's expense tracker auto-converts every yen receipt to your home currency. One photo of the receipt and AI fills in amount + currency + category.
Below is the estimated cost for 2 people, 4 nights — by category, at current prices.
Typical 5-day Tokyo trip per person:
- Food ~50% (Ramen ¥980–1,200 / Sushi dinner ¥5,000)
- Activities ~20% (Disney + Skytree + Shibuya Sky)
- Transport ~10% (Suica + Yurikamome + airport train)
- Shopping ~20% (Cosmetics + character merch)
Companion sharing — essential for family trips
Tokyo is the kind of destination where families split up. Mom wants Ginza, kids want Akihabara, dad wants ramen. Sharing the itinerary in Tripop means everyone sees the same plan in real time. Family without the app? Open the same itinerary at tripop.app/web in any browser.
AI travel assistant — even when you're in Tokyo
You: Can I walk from Shibuya to Omotesando?
AI: 1.2km, ~15 minutes. Cut through Meiji Shrine
for 30 minutes — much better walk.
You: I'm entering DisneySea at 16:00 — what first?
AI: Toy Story Mania → Indiana Jones → Center of the Earth.
Grab a spot for the 21:00 Fantasmic show 30 min early.
Packing checklist for Tokyo
- Visit Japan Web registration (72h before departure)
- eSIM purchased and activated
- 110V type-A adapter (same as US, different from Korean plugs)
- Suica card (or Mobile Suica via Apple / Google Wallet)
- ¥50,000 cash (many cash-only spots)
- Folding umbrella (rain in May–June and Sept–Oct)
- Comfortable walking shoes (12,000+ steps per day)
Wrap-up
5 days in Tokyo = Shinjuku → Shibuya → Asakusa → Disney → Odaiba. Verified 2026 numbers:
- Narita → Shinjuku: N'EX 90 min, ¥3,250 / Haneda → Shinjuku: Keikyu 35 min, ¥535
- Contactless credit card works at 700+ stations (from March 2026) — no IC top-up required
- Shibuya Sky: online ¥2,500 / Skytree: online ¥2,100–2,400 / Disney: ¥7,900–10,900 (variable)
- Senso-ji and Meiji Shrine: free
Start planning in 1 minute with Tripop
Paste the itinerary above into Tripop or type "5-day Tokyo trip, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Disney" — the AI builds the day-by-day schedule instantly. Add flight and hotel PDFs as photos and the app connects them to the right days. Yen expense tracking, offline vouchers, and companion sharing included.
- Download on the App Store
- Get it on Google Play
- Start on the Web — no install required
Images: Pexels (WENCHENG JIANG — Shibuya rainy scramble, Gül Işık — Senso-ji main hall, Alex Brites — Tokyo Tower night, Satoshi Hirayama — Shinjuku Kabukicho) — Pexels License. App screens are Tripop's own English UI captures.