3 Days in Tokyo: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one covers old Tokyo in Ueno and Asakusa, from the national museum to Sensō-ji, ending at the Skytree. Day two moves west to the Meiji Jingu shrine, Harajuku and Shibuya, with sunset from Shibuya Sky. Day three starts with breakfast at Tsukiji, walks the Imperial Palace gardens and ends in the digital art rooms of teamLab Planets.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹8,700 to ₹10,500, excluding flights and hotel
Weather: Summers are hot and humid with heavy rain in June, and winters are cold but often clear. Spring and autumn are mild.
Pack:
Comfortable walking shoes
A light rain jacket
Socks without holes (you take shoes off in many places)
Japan plug adapter (type A)
Local tips:
Get a Suica or PASMO card (or add one to your phone) for trains, buses and convenience stores.
Talk quietly on trains and avoid phone calls on board.
Many small restaurants take cash only, so carry some yen.
Booking tips:
Book teamLab Planets, Shibuya Sky and the Skytree online; sunset slots sell out.
The Imperial Palace East Gardens are usually closed on Mondays and Fridays.
Getting there (from India):
flight: Nonstop from Delhi and Mumbai with Air India, Japan Airlines and ANA, or one-stop via Southeast Asia - About 7.5 to 9 hours nonstop
Haneda Airport is about 30 minutes from central Tokyo by train or monorail; from Narita, the Narita Express takes about an hour to Tokyo Station.
Fares change daily with demand, so compare dates before booking.
Day 1: Ueno, Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree
Old Tokyo: the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, the Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa, and the view from Tokyo Skytree at sunset.
Tokyo National Museum (morning): Start at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, Japan's oldest and largest museum. Its main hall holds samurai armour and swords, kimono, scroll paintings and Buddhist sculpture, a good introduction to Japanese art and history. JPY 1,000 (about ₹600), adult, collection galleries Why visit: Japan's largest collection of Japanese art; Samurai armour, swords and kimono Know before you go: Closed on Mondays; Special exhibitions cost extra
Sensō-ji (afternoon): Take the metro to Asakusa, about 15 minutes, for Sensō-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, founded in the 7th century. Enter through the Kaminarimon gate with its giant red lantern, walk Nakamise Street's snack and souvenir stalls, and see the five-storey pagoda. Free Why visit: Tokyo's oldest temple and its giant red lantern gate; Nakamise Street's snacks and souvenirs Know before you go: Very crowded at weekends; weekday afternoons are calmer; Eating while walking on Nakamise is discouraged; eat by the stall
Tokyo Skytree (sunset): Walk across the Sumida River to Tokyo Skytree, about 20 minutes, Japan's tallest structure at 634 metres. The Tembo Deck at 350 metres looks over the whole city, and on clear days Mount Fuji appears to the west. JPY 2,100 (about ₹1,300), adult, Tembo Deck, weekday booked online; more on weekends and at the counter Why visit: The highest view in Tokyo; Mount Fuji on clear days Know before you go: Book a timed slot online; The higher Tembo Galleria costs extra
Evening: Walk back to Asakusa after the Skytree to see Sensō-ji's gates and pagoda lit up at night.
Budget for the day: ₹2,200 to ₹2,500 per person, excluding hotel
Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku and Shibuya
The forest shrine of Meiji Jingu, Harajuku's Takeshita Street, the Shibuya scramble crossing, and Shibuya Sky at sunset.
Meiji Jingu (morning): Start at Meiji Jingu, the Shinto shrine to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, reached through tall wooden torii gates and a large forest in the middle of the city. Early mornings are quiet, and you may see a traditional wedding procession. Free Why visit: Tokyo's most important Shinto shrine; A forest walk in the middle of the city Know before you go: Bow at the torii gates and wash hands at the fountain before praying; Opens at sunrise
Takeshita Street (late morning): Walk out of the shrine's Harajuku gate to Takeshita Street, a few minutes away, the narrow lane at the heart of Tokyo's youth fashion, lined with quirky clothes shops, crêpe stands and sweet shops. Free Why visit: The centre of Harajuku's street fashion; Famous crêpes and colourful sweets Know before you go: Packed at weekends; Most shops open around 10 or 11am
Shibuya Crossing (afternoon): Walk or take the train to Shibuya, about 20 minutes, for the scramble crossing, where hundreds of people cross from every direction at once each time the lights change. The statue of Hachiko, the loyal dog, stands by the station exit. Free Why visit: The world's best-known pedestrian crossing; The Hachiko statue by the station Know before you go: Watch it from above at the station's walkways or a café; Keep moving when you cross; it changes quickly
Shibuya Sky (sunset): Go up Shibuya Scramble Square to Shibuya Sky, an open-air rooftop about 230 metres above the crossing. At sunset you can watch the city's lights come on, with Tokyo Tower and, on clear days, Mount Fuji in view. JPY 3,400 (about ₹2,000), adult, booked online for entry from 3pm; earlier slots cost less Why visit: An open-air rooftop over Shibuya; One of the best sunset views in Tokyo Know before you go: Sunset slots sell out; book a few days ahead; Bags and hats must be stored in lockers before the rooftop
Eat: ICHIRAN Shibuya - Tonkotsu ramen eaten in single booths, a famous Tokyo chain a short walk from the crossing.
Evening: From Shibuya, take the train two stops to Shinjuku for the tiny bars and grills of Omoide Yokocho.
Budget for the day: ₹2,900 to ₹3,600 per person, excluding hotel
Day 3: Tsukiji, the Imperial Palace and teamLab Planets
Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, and an afternoon in teamLab Planets' immersive digital art.
Tsukiji Outer Market (morning): Start with breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market, the streets of food stalls that remained after the wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018. Try fresh sushi, tamagoyaki (sweet rolled omelette) and grilled seafood on sticks as you wander. Free, to enter; food is pay as you go Why visit: Tokyo's best street-food breakfast; Knife shops and kitchenware alongside the food Know before you go: Go early; many stalls close by early afternoon; Some stalls close on Sundays and Wednesdays
Imperial Palace East Gardens (late morning): Take the metro to Otemachi, about 15 minutes, and walk into the Imperial Palace East Gardens, on the grounds of the old Edo Castle. Stone walls, moats and the base of the castle keep sit among lawns and seasonal gardens. Free Why visit: The grounds of Edo Castle, home of the shoguns; Peaceful gardens in the city centre Know before you go: Usually closed on Mondays and Fridays; The inner palace is only open on guided tours
teamLab Planets (afternoon): Take the metro and the Yurikamome line to Toyosu, about 30 minutes, for teamLab Planets. You walk barefoot through rooms of digital art, including one where you wade through knee-deep water as projected koi swim around your legs. JPY 3,800 (about ₹2,300), adult, weekday; prices vary by date and time Why visit: Immersive digital art you walk through; A water room with projected koi Know before you go: Book a timed ticket online; Wear shorts or trousers you can roll above the knee
Eat: Tsukiji Outer Market stalls - Graze on sushi, grilled seafood and tamagoyaki from different stalls for breakfast.
Evening: From Toyosu, take the Yurikamome line to Odaiba for the night view of Rainbow Bridge.
Budget for the day: ₹3,600 to ₹4,700 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
A day at Tokyo Disneyland: Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea in Urayasu: Popular with families. (Trade-off: It takes a full day and an expensive ticket. - Costs more)
Day trip to Nikko: Shrines and waterfalls of Nikko by train: Ornate temples in mountain forest, about two hours north. (Trade-off: A long day, and train fares add up. - Costs more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Tokyo?
A 3-day Tokyo itinerary like this one works well for First-time visitors, Food lovers, Travellers comfortable using the metro. It's not the best fit if You want a slow, rural Japan trip or You need a mostly vegetarian food scene; it takes planning in Tokyo.
How much does a 3-day Tokyo trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹8,700 to ₹10,500 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Tokyo itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Tokyo?
The best time to visit Tokyo is Late March to May and October to November.
How do I get to Tokyo from India?
Common options are flight (About 7.5 to 9 hours nonstop). Haneda Airport is about 30 minutes from central Tokyo by train or monorail; from Narita, the Narita Express takes about an hour to Tokyo Station.
What are the must-see places in Tokyo in 3 days?
Day 1: Tokyo National Museum, Sensō-ji and Tokyo Skytree. Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street, Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky. Day 3: Tsukiji Outer Market, Imperial Palace East Gardens and teamLab Planets.
Which Tokyo attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Sensō-ji, Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street, Shibuya Crossing, Tsukiji Outer Market and Imperial Palace East Gardens are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in Tokyo in rupees?
Tokyo National Museum: JPY 1,000 (about ₹600); Tokyo Skytree: JPY 2,100 (about ₹1,300); Shibuya Sky: JPY 3,400 (about ₹2,000); teamLab Planets: JPY 3,800 (about ₹2,300). Prices are adult tickets, converted to rupees and rounded; check the official site before booking.
How do you get around Tokyo?
Use the metro and JR trains with a Suica or PASMO card. Metro rides start at ¥180 (about ₹110); a Tokyo Subway 24-hour ticket costs ¥1,000 (about ₹600), and there are 48 and 72-hour versions.
Is Tokyo good for vegetarian travellers?
It takes some planning: many dishes use fish stock. Look for shōjin ryōri (Buddhist temple food), Indian restaurants and vegan cafés, and use an app or card that explains your diet in Japanese.
Where to Eat in Tokyo
Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Store - ★4.3 - Japan, 〒150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya, Dōgenzaka, 2-chōme−29−１１ Central Bldg. 6, １階
Fuglen Tokyo - ★4.3-1-chōme-16-11 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan