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Per week won’t appear lengthy sufficient to see a metropolis as fascinating, numerous and distinctive as Tokyo, however you possibly can really match lots in. That’s why I’ve designed the final 7-day Tokyo itinerary that can assist you take advantage of the town in only one week.

Tokyo, the dazzling capital metropolis of Japan, guarantees an unforgettable expertise. It’s really a metropolis that’s in contrast to wherever else you’ll have travelled to. It’s identified for enormous temples, palaces and theatres, in addition to skyscrapers, wonderful meals, nice nightlife and a lot extra.

So whereas there’s a lot to see and do in Tokyo, having a tough plan can assist make sure you see all of the essential elements – particularly in case you’re solely there for every week. This 7-day Tokyo itinerary helps you squeeze in as a lot of the must-sees and dos as doable, but in addition providing you with time to behave spontaneously too.

Even in case you don’t comply with the Tokyo week itinerary fully, it could actually assist offer you some concepts and inspiration for a enjoyable and full journey. Discover a mixture of distinctive actions and sights in addition to some fashionable ones which can be vacationer favourites for a purpose. Collectively they supply the proper mix for the final 7-day itinerary in Tokyo.

Day 1: Arrival and go to an area shrine or temple

The large day has arrived, your goals of flying into the land of the rising solar is right here and it’s all occurring so quick. After you make it by safety and accumulate your baggage the very first thing to do is head to the lodge.

When you’ve settled in (and possibly slept in case you’ve arrived late at night time), the very first thing to do is head out to see an area shrine or temple.

There are such a lot of shrines and temples to see in Tokyo, however a few of the hottest ones are Sengakuji Temple, that includes a zen faculty and well-known graveyard, Kanda Myojin Shrine, which is the locations to hope for good luck, marriage and wealth, and Tomioka Hachiman Shrine, the biggest Hachimangu shrine within the metropolis the place the samurai prayed.

Locations of worship, the Shinto and the Buddhist faith is intertwined so deeply within the vines of Japanese tradition {that a} journey to this nation will really feel incomplete with out testing not less than one. And to your first day, you could possibly take it simple and simply head to an area one (there are tons dotted round all through Tokyo).

Shrines are related to the Shinto faith and may often be recognized with its iconic Torii gates. Alternatively, temples are sometimes related to Buddhism and infrequently function Buddha statues. You’ll discover this in case you head to Senso-ji in Tokyo, however that can seem additional on down the road on this 7-day Tokyo itinerary because it’s a must-see!

Day 2: Get your recreation on at Akihabara

In a rustic that’s house to main items of popular culture corresponding to anime and video video games, Akihabara is the epicentre of all these items and extra. As quickly as you enter this district you’ll be met with hovering buildings, exhibiting banners and ads for all issues otaku. Flashing lights and wacky noises will assault your senses from each route as arcades and recreation shops line the streets. There are numerous shops right here that promote all of your favorite anime figures, so whether or not it’s a present for a good friend or your self, that is the place to be. It is a great spot to choose up these Japanese souvenirs to take house.

And in case you actually love old-school anime, then try The Tremendous Potato retailer. It’s a retro recreation retailer that carry not solely older video games for consoles just like the Nintendo Leisure System and the Atari, however they’ve the precise consoles too.

The beauty of the tradition in Japan the place folks typically take care of their belongings even after so a few years, is that these consoles are principally in excellent situation. With how good a few of them may be it would virtually really feel as if they’re nonetheless being manufactured at present.

You’ll find yourself spending hours popping out and in of shops, meandering between the streets and making powerful selections on what to purchase that you could possibly simply spend a full day right here.

It’s additionally essential on this 7-day Tokyo itinerary to get some downtime. So right here you could possibly go to the close by Ueno Park the place you possibly can loosen up (and doubtlessly admire all of the stuff you simply bought).

READ MORE: The Finest 3-Week Itinerary for Japan

Day 3: Go to Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo

After a day stuffed with popular culture, it’s time to take issues again once more and head in direction of the historic Senso-ji Temple in . As talked about earlier, that is the temple to go to in Tokyo. Over 1350 years previous, Senso-ji is the oldest temple in Tokyo and is without doubt one of the most essential too.

It’s devoted to Kannon Bosatsu, the benevolent deity of compassion. Legend has it that two brothers retrieved a statue of Kannon from the Sumida River in 628. Regardless of a number of makes an attempt to return it to the river, the statue mysteriously stored reappearing to them. Recognising the importance of this divine occasion, a shrine was constructed within the close by space to enshrine this statue and facilitate worship.

Once you get to Senso-ji, stroll up the trail slowly making your manner in direction of the principle constructing the place you may be surprised with beautiful particulars and structure. It may be fairly crowded, provided that 30 million of individuals flock right here yearly making it some of the fashionable religious locations on the earth, it’s undoubtedly nonetheless price a go to not less than as soon as in your lifetime.

You may then benefit from the number of retailers on the 200-metre avenue in entrance. It’s an important place to purchase something from souvenirs to conventional meals. Or head to the close by Asakusa Shrine for extra in your 7 days itinerary in Tokyo.

Day 4: Go to the trendy neighbourhood of Shibuya

Very a lot a distinction to yesterday, Shibuya is the epitome of the modernisation that Tokyo is so well-known for internationally. As you stroll by this space you will note high-end model shops like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada boasting giant actual property and really a lot presenting precisely what kind of space that is.

Proper within the coronary heart of all of it one can find the lovable little statue of the canine Hachiko, that tragically waited by the station for its proprietor to return house daily. Proper beside it’s the insane Shibuya Crossing too the place you possibly can witness 1000’s of individuals stroll on the busiest pedestrian crossing on the earth. You may as well watch the crossing from above at Starbucks.

If you happen to like artwork, Shibuya is a superb place to go to. For up to date artwork, head to the Diesel Artwork Gallery or the museum/theatre/cinema advanced Bunkamura. Alternatively, go to the eighth ground of the buying advanced Shibuya Hikarie, which additionally options a number of gallery and occasion areas devoted to up to date Japanese artwork.

In Shibuya, the crowds of individuals listed below are insane so lets hope you aren’t too claustrophobic. It’s one of many many issues to anticipate on the streets of Tokyo. It’s such a drastic change to historic temples, however it’s essential to incorporate trendy areas in your 7-day Tokyo itinerary in case you actually need to see all the things the town is about.

Day 5: Calm down at Tokyo’s Rikugien Gardens

Whereas shrines and temples are synonymous with Japan’s tradition, one facet that will get missed most of the time are the attractive gardens. Greenery and being in contact with nature is a crucial a part of Japanese life and even in a concrete metropolis like Tokyo, you’ll nonetheless discover many parks and gardens the place there are sometimes fairly giant.

An instance of considered one of these is Rikugien Gardens. Discovered within the Bunkyo Ward, this peaceable backyard is a superb place to go to all yr spherical. Magnificent in spring with its weeping cherry blossom timber in full pressure, there’s even an illumination occasion at night time that accentuates its magnificence additional at the hours of darkness. One other fashionable time to go to is in autumn, the place the timber turn into naturally colored in fiery tones the place this additionally has an illumination occasion at night time.

For anybody visiting Tokyo in autumn, a bonus place to take a look at is the Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue. Because the identify already suggests, this can be a avenue lined with enormous Ginkgo timber on both aspect which can be a magical yellow and orange hue in autumn.

Ginkgo leaves play a position in Japanese tradition the place they’re admired for his or her beautiful fan-like form and seem in artworks of all sorts and kinds. It’s used as a logo of longevity because of the 1000’s of years a Ginkgo tree can final till, so this place turns into the proper place for essentially the most Japanese autumn you possibly can think about.

Day 6: Embrace calmness on the Meiji Jingu

One other day, one other shrine. Winding all the way down to the ultimate full day of the 7-day Tokyo itinerary, a visit to the Meiji Jingu shrine to peacefully look again at your journey with fond recollections is a perfect strategy to put together for the potential heartbreak when stepping on the aircraft departing the nation.

Once you first enter the grounds there’s fairly an extended path as much as the principle space of the shrine. Surrounded by lofty thick timber that cover the daylight from time to time, birds chirp within the distance as you actually begin to really feel one with nature. There’s simply one thing particular concerning the calmness of the air right here as you stroll alongside this path, gazing on the greenery, permitting your thoughts and soul to loosen up that brings pure serenity.

When you attain the principle sq. you’ll discover the balanced mixture of conventional architectural designs with that of the trendy. It’s apparent to see that renovations right here weren’t finished to maintain the unique historic look intact however to offer it the required enhancements that It requires. This makes Meiji Jingu barely distinctive as it’s as in case you are on this unusual limbo zone the place the previous and current meet.

Day 7: Store for souvenirs at Don Quijote

Although the tough actuality has hit that it’ll now be time to say goodbye to Japan, you possibly can’t go away with out getting some important souvenirs to your pals, family members and your self after all! If you happen to’re undecided what to purchase – listed below are the perfect souvenirs from Japan to take house.

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Don Quijote is a retailer you in all probability have seen just a few occasions throughout your travels round Tokyo as it’s characterised with a blue penguin that may be seen all around the shops indicators and partitions. It is a low cost retailer that sells virtually all the things. And it means all the things.

From snacks, garments, suitcases, footwear, toys, make-up and extra, it is possible for you to to do all of your memento buying in a single place proper right here. The standout part has bought to be the snack aisles the place yow will discover a few of the most original and fascinating ones that you’ll not often be capable of discover in any common shops. They even promote giant bulk packs of a few of the extra fashionable snacks, so it is possible for you to to carry an entire provide of it house so long as you may have the trunk area.

In spite of everything that’s finished and you’ve got comfortably boarded the aircraft, there might be nothing else to do however to take a seat and reminisce all of the enjoyable you may have had on this journey. You’ll already begin planning your subsequent journey again to Japan in your head, however hopefully with an extended keep and visits exterior of Tokyo subsequent time!

If you happen to want extra inspiration to your journey, I’ve bought a listing of 52 coolest issues to do in Tokyo.

Tips about how one can take advantage of your week in Tokyo

Though every week is an efficient period of time, a little bit of planning will enable you to get essentially the most out of the 7 days in Tokyo. Another ideas embrace buying the Tokyo Move, which may prevent cash on numerous points of interest, and the Suica Card or Pasmo card, that are pay as you go playing cards used for buses, trains, and even some retailer purchases. They’re obtainable at subway stations and airports.

You must also look into getting a rail move for Japan to save cash in case you’re travelling round lots.

If doable, go for flights to Haneda Airport (HND) over Narita (NRT). Haneda is nearer to the town and may prevent each money and time on transportation in your 7 days itinerary in Tokyo.

Different ideas associated to cultural etiquette embrace familiarising your self with Japanese customs like eradicating footwear earlier than coming into sure areas, bowing as a greeting, and understanding that tipping isn’t customary.

And at last, obtain Tokyo Google Maps for simpler navigation. Additionally, apps like Tokyo Metro and Tokyo Subway can assist in navigating the town’s metro system.

A 7-day Tokyo itinerary at a look

Day 1 – Arrival and visiting an area shrine or temple
Day 2 – Get your recreation on at Akihabara
Day 3 – Go to Senso-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo
Day 4 – Go to the trendy neighbourhood of Shibuya
Day 5 – Calm down at Tokyo’s Rikugien Gardens
Day 6 – Embrace calmness on the Meiji Jingu
Day 7 – Store for souvenirs at Don Quijote

Extra issues to do in Tokyo in 7 days

If you happen to’ve nonetheless bought time for extra actions in Tokyo in 7 days, listed below are just a few extra issues you could possibly add into your week’s itinerary:

Tokyo Disneyland

A day journey to Tokyo Disneyland is a superb concept. It’s solely a couple of 15-minute journey from Tokyo Station on public transportation. I beloved, beloved my day journey at Tokyo Disneyland – you must undoubtedly attempt to embrace a visit in your Tokyo week itinerary.

Tokyo Skytree

Think about hovering 634 meters excessive, taking in breathtaking views of Tokyo’s vibrant cityscape. You may get pleasure from panoramic scenes, futuristic structure, and a metropolis buzzing with life. It’s not simply an remark deck; it’s an entire enjoyable expertise.

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is the icon of Tokyo, and one I’ve sadly not but climbed. It’s simple to see on the Tokyo skyline although! If in case you have time, and power, you possibly can be a part of a tour to climb as much as the highest in your 7 day Japan itinerary.

Tsukiji fish market

If you wish to know the place a lot of the sushi throughout Tokyo comes from, then go to the Tsukiji fish market. You’ll should get right here early to see all of the motion, however it’ll be effectively price a visit. Simply be certain it’s open for the season you’re there.

Meals in Tokyo

Clearly the meals in Japan is without doubt one of the fundamental attracts, proper? Nevertheless it may additionally work out to be some of the costly issues too. I’d advocate you take advantage of the comfort shops in Japan – you possibly can choose up all types of tasty meals, very low-cost. I actually preferred their tuna sandwiches with the crusts minimize off, they have been fairly particular.