Got a short layover in Japan’s capital? On my first visit to Tokyo, I had exactly that problem. With little more than 24 hours in Tokyo, I knew I had to get crafty if I wanted to see as much as possible in this city that had been on my travel bucket list for as long as I could remember.
Since that first time-crunched visit, I’ve spent plenty more time in Tokyo, including a week-long stay. In hindsight, my first attempt wasn’t half bad. But, of course, I’ve since found a few extra gems that I’d try to jam in if I had to do it again.
From beautiful temples & shrines in historic neighborhoods to skyscraping towers in bustling modern districts, let me help you experience Japan’s capital to its fullest on a time crunch with my complete 1-day Tokyo itinerary for first-time visitors…
My recommendations for what to do in Tokyo in 24 hours
During my first visit to Japan’s capital, I was surprised by how much of the city opens up even with only one day in Tokyo. But that hinges on one thing: Before heading out, I’d suggest grabbing a Tokyo Metro 1-Day Unlimited Ticket.
Even if you prefer walking (much like I do), the distances between some of these itinerary stops are sizeable. It would be impractical to stick to exploring on foot—in my experience, you just won’t be able to fit it all in!
Fortunately, the transportation system in Tokyo is fantastic—if a little overwhelming at times. It will get you nearly anywhere you want in the city without much hassle.
Explore the outer markets and eat a fresh sushi breakfast at Tsukiji Fish Market
In the past, we would have needed to drag our jet-lagged butts out of bed during the wee hours of the morning to catch a glimpse of one of Tokyo’s most interesting places: Tsukiji Fish Market. The market, located just southeast of Ginza, once hosted one of Japan’s most coveted travel experiences, an early-morning tuna auction.
In October 2018, the world-famous tuna auction moved to Toyosu Market, about a 10-minute drive southeast of the old market. While the tradition lives on here, I don’t find it quite has the same “authentic” appeal as the historic auction at Tsukiji.
If this experience is still on your bucket list, you’ll need to apply for a lottery to attend the auction at Toyosu Market well ahead of time, rather than simply showing up earlier. You can fill out the application here and test your luck.
Since winning the ticket lottery isn’t assured, I’d recommend skipping the tuna auction at Toyosu Market and starting your day at the old Tsukiji Fish Market instead.
Although the tuna auction is gone, I still loved walking around this bustling, classic market on my first morning in Tokyo. There are about 500 shops still operating in the old Tsukiji Outer Market.
Although the official opening time for the Tsukiji Outer Market was 9 am, I arrived at about 8:30 am. And the markets were already in full swing.
As I walked through the market, I saw nearly every type of fish or seafood I’d ever seen on a Japanese menu hanging to dry or flopped on ice in the shops of the market. Tuna, sea urchins, salmon eggs, squid—they’re all there with all the colors and (depending on your outlook) interesting smells you’d expect.
Walking through was a rush of fragrant scents from fresh herbs and ear-piercing clinks of metal as expert knife sharpeners honed their tools. It’s an experience like no other in Tokyo.
After working up an appetite walking around the market and watching merchants peddle their catches of the day, I’d recommend snagging an ultra-fresh sushi breakfast at a restaurant along the outer market concourse. It’s one of Tokyo’s must-have dishes and might well be the most filling (and memorable) morning snack of your entire trip to Asia!
Explore Tokyo’s traditional side in Asakusa
From Tsukiji Fish Market, I’d continue my day by walking to nearby Higashi-ginza Station and giving my Tokyo Metro pass a workout by taking the Toei Subway Asakusa Line to Asakusa Station.
Whereas neighborhoods like Ginza, Shinjuku, and Shibuya reflect the city’s ultra-modern side, Asakusa gives us just the opposite: a glimpse of Tokyo at its most traditional.
Not far from Asakusa Station, we’ll spot Kaminarimon (Kaminari Gate), the gateway to Asakusa’s most popular attractions. Its massive lantern, hanging front and center, stands 3.9 meters tall and weighs around 700 kg.
Beyond Kaminarimon lies Sensō-ji, an ancient Buddhist temple that has become a symbol of Tokyo’s ancient past.
Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensō-ji traces back to 628, when legend says two fishermen pulled a small Kannon statue from the Sumida River. Before reaching the main hall, I’d fan a wave of incense smoke from the bronze burner out front toward my head, the traditional way of asking for a little extra wisdom.
With Nakamise-dōri, the shopping street leading from Kaminarimon to Sensō-ji, as our anchor, let’s browse around Asakusa to uncover Tokyo’s best-preserved traditional Japanese wooden architecture, Buddhist temples & Shinto shrines, and pagodas.
I’d graze along the way, keeping an eye out for age-manju (deep-fried sweet bean buns) and ningyo-yaki (small cakes shaped like temple figures), two of Nakamise-dōri’s classic snacks.
Breathe in the massive city panorama at Tokyo Skytree
Nothing gave me a perspective of Tokyo’s sheer size like viewing it from above. After walking around Asakusa, I’d cross the Sumida River to Tokyo Skytree. Here, we’ll zip to the top to lay eyes on one of the finest panoramas in Tokyo.
Tokyo Skytree’s Tembo Deck (¥2,100 in advance, ¥2,400 same-day) soars at a whopping 350 meters (1,148 feet) above the city. In my opinion, the views from the Tembo Galleria (¥3,100 in advance) are even more impressive, gazing onto the city at the 450-meter level.
Even if you only have 24 hours in Tokyo, I’d say heading up the world’s tallest tower (and the second-largest structure in the world!) hardly seems optional, doesn’t it? :)
Not keen on queuing up? I’d recommend saving time by booking a Tokyo Skytree Skip-the-Line Ticket before you arrive. It’s available as a standard ticket for the Tembo Deck or as a combination that includes admission to the Tembo Galleria.
Wear out your camera shutter with the classic views of the Tokyo Imperial Palace
From Oshiage Station at the Tokyo Skytree, it’s a short 15-minute subway hop on the Tokyo Metro (Hanzomon Line) to Otemachi Station for another slice of traditional Japanese design: Tokyo Imperial Palace.
Although I discovered on my first visit that the Tokyo Imperial Palace itself isn’t accessible to the public, I found the Imperial Palace East Garden (closed on Mondays and Fridays) to be a pleasant escape from an otherwise chaotic day in Chiyoda.
Amid waterways, stone walls, bridges, cultivated bonsais, and cherry blossoms (if you’re lucky enough to be visiting Tokyo in the spring), we can catch a glimpse of some of the buildings of the Imperial Palace grounds. All were rebuilt after World War II in classic Japanese architectural styles.
I’d spend a little time relaxing in the East Garden before heading towards Sakuradamon Station. On the way, I’d stop by Nijubashi Bridge to join the throng of tourists marveling at classic views of Tokyo Imperial Palace.
Feel the electricity of Shinjuku
When I dreamed of Tokyo—the neon lights, the chaos, the glass buildings splitting the clouds—I realized after my first trip that what I was imagining was Shinjuku. This bustling district is the face of Tokyo to the outside world, with all the modernity and dynamism travelers associate with Japan.
In my opinion, Shinjuku is a must-have experience on any first day in Tokyo. It’s exactly the type of place I knew I needed to see on my first visit—and it didn’t disappoint!
From Sakuradamon Station on the Yurakucho Line, let’s navigate the Tokyo Metro for a 13-minute ride to Shinjuku Station, where our modern Tokyo adventure will begin.
By now, we’ll notice the streets of Tokyo flooding with a never-ending stream of pedestrians and cars, a far cry from the quiet early morning hours near Tsukiji. This is what the rest of our day in Tokyo will look like.
(For better or for worse.)
Getting lost is the best advice I can give for experiencing Shinjuku. Walking down a set path without distraction in Shinjuku is almost impossible, with the overwhelming visual stimulation peeking around every corner.
While exploring the most famous ward in Tokyo, here are a few fun things to do in Shinjuku:
- Kabukichō: The most notorious district in Tokyo, northeast of Shinjuku Station. Kabukicho is full of restaurants, bars, and—ahem!—”pleasure palaces.” Look up when you enter to spot the giant Godzilla head glaring down from the roof of Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, the neighborhood’s unofficial mascot. I’d recommend minding your surroundings around Kabukicho at night, as some of the bars and clientele here are, well, a bit unsavory.
- Golden Gai: A nostalgic collection of narrow alleyways hiding izakaya and hole-in-the-wall standing bars that’s among my favorite places to visit in Tokyo. Golden Gai offers a captivating glimpse at post-war Tokyo. It’s a complete contrast to the bustling modern façade of Shinjuku. I absolutely love the atmosphere here and think it’s a must-see for any Tokyo itinerary.
- Shin-Ōkubo: This historic Korean district is a fantastic option for getting a little taste of Seoul in Japan. If you come here, I’d recommend joining the line for a cheese hotteok, a Korean street pancake stuffed with gooey cheese and sometimes kimchi, or grabbing a cup of spicy tteokbokki to eat on the move. Between bites, duck into one of the K-pop shops stacked floor to ceiling with photocards and albums.
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: One of the most pleasant parks in Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden was one of my favorite escapes from the insanity of Shinjuku. Time your trip with the cherry blossom season for the full effect.
- Nishi-Shinjuku: Shinjuku’s “Skyscraper City.” Climb up the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for incredible panoramas of Tokyo and even as far as Mount Fuji on a clear day. (It was cloudy when I visited, unfortunately!) Admission to the observation deck is free.
- Omoide Yokocho: Tokyo’s fondly nicknamed “Piss Alley” is famous for its wide array of eateries serving up ramen, soba, and yakitori. When I visited, I noticed that most restaurants on Omoide Yokocho open around 5 pm.
Live on the edge in Harajuku
If you ever find yourself in Harajuku on a Sunday, you’ll finally understand what Gwen Stefani meant when she sang, “You Harajuku girls: damn, you’ve got some wicked style.”
Even if you don’t catch the edgy Japanese youth culture in action near the entrance to Yoyogi Park on a Sunday afternoon (unfortunately, I missed it), I still think Harajuku is a worthwhile stop on a walking tour between Shinjuku (25 minutes by foot) and Shibuya (15 minutes by foot).
I’d start unwinding from Shinjuku’s madness in the shade of Yoyogi Park, home of the Meiji Shrine. I could have wandered here for hours among towering evergreens, ponds, and streams.
Along the walk to Meiji Shrine, keep an eye out for the wall of sake barrels stacked on one side of the path. These were donated each year by brewers across Japan as an offering to Emperor Meiji. A matching wall of Burgundy wine barrels sits on the other side, a nod to the emperor’s fondness for wine.
But since we only have 24 hours, let’s keep our visit to Yoyogi Park and Meiji Shrine short and march into Harajuku proper.
For souvenirs or cutting-edge fashion, you can’t beat a walk through Harajuku.
Takeshita-dōri (Takeshita Street) would be my first stop. As much as I enjoy fighting the crowds down Takeshita-dōri, I’d head down here mostly to try Marion Crêpes (map). The red-and-white striped stand has been folding crepes since 1976, with more than 70 flavors on the board now.
Omotesando Hills is the other end of Harajuku’s shopping range. Tadao Ando built it with most of its six floors underground, specifically so the mall wouldn’t block the zelkova trees lining the street above it. I’d walk through Omotesando Hills at least once for the architecture alone, even skipping the shops.
For something I’d pack for home, the tourist-trap Oriental Bazaar beats both out. Three floors of kimono, woodblock prints, and antique furniture survive the flight back better than a crepe does.
(Just don’t show up at the Oriental Bazaar on a Wednesday or Thursday; it’s closed both days.)
Dodge traffic in Shibuya
Feeling the adrenaline rush of dodging passers-by while crossing the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing is an experience I’ll never forget. And it’s one that I wouldn’t leave out of a first visit to Tokyo.
Like Shinjuku, Shibuya is modern Japanese culture in action and everything I’d expected to see while visiting Japan’s capital.
Whether or not the area’s boutiques and shopping malls interest you, wandering around Shibuya, you’re bound to run into something that catches your eye—or your taste buds.
Every time I visited Tokyo, I discovered tons of delicious restaurants around Shibuya, ranging from presidentially-priced to budget-backpacker cheap.
Although it’s a chain, Ichiran at the Iwamoto Building serves up huge portions of delicious Tonkotsu ramen, one of my personal favorite Japanese foods. (I crave it even when I’m at home.)
The reasonable prices at this chain quickly proved to me that budget travel in Japan is indeed possible.
For the self-serve ramen experience alone, I’d recommend stopping in for an afternoon ramen snack at Ichiran. Place your order at a machine, select your options, have a seat, and wait for the delicious steaming bowl of ramen to show up from behind the curtain!
Take in evening views over Tokyo at Roppongi Hills
If I had any time (and energy) left from a long day exploring Tokyo, I’d hop on the Tokyo Metro at Shibuya Station to Roppongi Hills to gape at some of the coolest modern architecture in Tokyo.
Although the area around Roppongi Hills is one of the most popular nightlife spots in Tokyo, the real drawcard, in my opinion, is watching the evening sun sink below the Tokyo skyline.
While exploring the Roppongi area, I’d recommend scuttling up to the observation deck at Mori Tower (¥2,200 online; ¥2,400 on-site) on the 52nd floor. The evening views from here were some of the most fantastic panoramas of the city’s skyline I’ve seen on my three visits to Tokyo.
The open-air Sky Deck used to be the real draw at Mori Tower. It’s now closed to the public, so visitors are stuck behind glass on the 52nd floor. (I still think the view holds up, though.)
The observation deck at Mori Tower stays open until 10 pm, later than most others in Tokyo, which makes it an easy last stop after dinner in Roppongi.
The Mori Art Museum sits just one floor up from the observation deck. The Mori Art Museum skips a permanent collection entirely and runs big rotating shows instead that have pulled in big names like Ai Weiwei and Yayoi Kusama in the past.
A combo ticket covers both floors for barely more than the observation deck alone.
Eat yakitori in Yurakucho
While most of Tokyo was heavily modernized in the post-war period, Yurakucho somehow managed to retain some of its old-world charms.
I found the area’s big drawcard below the railway lines near Yurakucho Station, a 9-minute ride from Roppongi. Below the train tracks inching toward Tokyo Station, you’ll get a chance to check out some of the most interesting traditional izakaya in Tokyo.
Yurakucho is popular among Japanese salarymen, who pound down biiru (beer) to unwind after a long, stressful day.
Far more exciting than watching businessmen slip into varying depths of intoxication, though, is the chance to eat at one of the traditional yakitori joints in Yurakucho.
Let me warn you: It’s not a fancy sushi dinner, to be sure. But yakitori, which are essentially skewers of grilled meat, are one of the simplest Tokyo food pleasures I’ve experienced on my trips here. The area’s izakaya and restaurants also serve other Japanese favorites like ramen if that’s more to your style.
For a first yakitori experience in Yurakucho, I’d recommend going for Yakitori Ton Ton (map). It’s tucked right under the Gado-shita tracks with an English menu and skewers running around ¥160 each.
Yakitori Ton Ton won’t be the most polished meal of your trip to Japan, but with its wooden panels, red lanterns, and a crowd that’s mostly locals, it’s the perfect spot to end your evening in Tokyo.
Where to stay on a Tokyo layover
There’s no surprise: choosing where to stay in Tokyo isn’t easy. Besides sorting through thousands of options in an ever-sprawling city, I’ve found that hotels in Tokyo peak among the world’s most expensive. In my experience, what’s available is far smaller than what I’ve gotten used to at similar prices elsewhere, even in other more expensive Asian cities like Hong Kong or Singapore.
That doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom. With smart searching, you can find some good deals for your Tokyo accommodations. Get started with some of my favorite Tokyo hotel picks…
APA Hotel Asakusa Ekimae
I’d pick a night at APA Hotel Asakusa Ekimae for location and budget, rather than charm. This budget-friendly hotel is just one minute on foot from Asakusa Station’s Exit A1 and about 700 meters from Senso-ji. Like other APA hotels I’ve stayed in around Japan, the 306 rooms are tight. But with its location close to Tokyo’s most traditional neighborhood and clean rooms, I’d crash here in a heartbeat.
Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku
A simple, no-frills hotel in the heart of Shinjuku. The rooms here are cozy, but I still find them spacious by Tokyo standards. Top attractions like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building are a short walk away.
Hilton Tokyo
The best value for a 5-star luxury hotel in Tokyo. I love the elegant rooms here, offering incredible views of Shinjuku. Bookings also include free access to the indoor pool, sauna, and gym.
Getting there
By air
Tokyo is serviced by two airports, Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND). Most international flights originating outside of Asia fly into Narita, about 70 kilometers from the city center.
On my trips to Tokyo, I’ve flown into both. I find arriving at Haneda much more convenient. It’s closer to the city center and well-connected by public transportation.
By train
In my experience, the best way to travel around Japan is with the Japan Rail Pass. From Kyoto, the shinkansen (bullet train) takes between 2h20 and 2h40, with fares starting at ¥13,970 for travelers without a pass.
Trains from Osaka to Tokyo are only slightly longer, covering the route in 2h30m to 3h. Fares start at ¥14,520.
More 1-day Tokyo itinerary ideas
- Want to find all the latest gadgets? End your evening in Yurakucho early and check out Akihabara, Tokyo’s hi-tech shopping nirvana. If you left any electronics off your packing list for Japan, this is where to get ’em!
- Need more classic views of Tokyo? I’d recommend spending the evening in Odaiba, a man-made island in Tokyo that supplies epic views of the Tokyo skyline framed by the Rainbow Bridge. (The view from Odaiba across to the Rainbow Bridge is at its finest at sunset and after dark.)
- Craving more culture? I’d carve out time to hit up some of Tokyo’s best museums, including the Edo-Tokyo Museum, the National Museum of Modern Art, and the Ghibli Museum.
More places to visit in Japan
- Kyoto: Hop onto a bullet train and tackle the former imperial capital of Japan, easily one of my favorite cities in Asia for travelers. Launch your trip with my ideas for what to do in 24 hours in Kyoto.
- Osaka: With Kyoto less than 30 minutes to its north, Japan’s second-biggest metro area gets glossed over too often. Experience the city’s kuidaore (eat till you’re broke) culture and dig into all of its goodies with my complete itinerary for one day in Osaka.
- Nikko: Let your jaw drop as you explore the spiritual treasures and natural scenery of this mystical small city, one of my favorite day trips from Tokyo.
