This is a solid itinerary. I'd suggest swapping the order of day one a bit. Meiji Jingu is right next to Harajuku, so you can hit the shrine first thing when it's quiet, then walk through the grounds and come out right at Harajuku station to avoid backtracking. The Yurikamome Line ride to Odaiba on day three is a great call, the views from the driverless train over Rainbow Bridge are a highlight in themselves.

One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Tsukiji Outer Market has really pushed up prices for tourists, especially for sushi. If you want a more local and less crowded experience, head to the Uogashi area right behind the main market stalls. You'll find the same quality grilled seafood and tamagoyaki for a couple hundred yen less. Also, for the teamLab booking, the 9am or 10am slots sell out first, so grab a midday entry if you want to avoid the school groups.

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

Your guide covers the big stuff well. For a quieter cultural experience, the Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo has a tunnel of red torii gates that rivals Fushimi Inari in Kyoto but with almost no tourists. It's a five minute walk from Nezu Station on the Chiyoda Line and entrance is free.

The 800 yen metro pass is a good deal, but if you're planning multiple JR trips in a day, a Suica card is more flexible since you can tap through both systems without calculating zones. I've found the Suica also works at most convenience stores and some vending machines, which is handy for grabbing a drink between sights.

One thing I'd adjust is the Shibuya Sky timing. Sunset slots are the most popular and often sell out days ahead online, but going on a clear weekday around 4 PM gives you a solid hour of daylight views before the city lights up. The rooftop is open air so check the weather, a windy rainy day will kill the experience.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

nice breakdown, covers the essentials. one thing i'd throw in is that the teamlab borderless in azabudai hills opened last year and it's a whole different experience from the old odaiba one. the digital art installations are mind-bending and you can easily spend 3 hours wandering through the rooms. tickets are 3800 yen online and booking a slot at least a week ahead is smart, especially for weekends

for a food spot the guide skipped, try the tsukemen at rokurinsha in tokyo station's ramen street. it's a dipping noodle situation with a thick pork and fish broth that's way richer than regular ramen. the line moves fast and a bowl is around 1000 yen, i still think about that broth months later

also if you're into the shimokitazawa vibe, the clutch coffee shop there roasts their own beans and has a tiny standing bar outside. grab a pour-over for 500 yen and just watch the neighborhood roll by, it's a solid break from all the walking

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly this is a solid list, you've hit the major spots. one thing i'd add is that the Tsukiji Outer Market is worth a morning even if the inner market moved to Toyosu. the stalls there for tamagoyaki and fresh uni on skewers are unbeatable, and it gets packed by 9am so go early.

for a cheap meal that slaps, try CoCo Ichibanya for curry rice. there's one near basically every station and you can customize the spice level and toppings. it's not fancy but it's a real Tokyo staple that tourists often overlook.

also if you're into temples, the walk from Senso-ji down Nakamise-dori is fun but the side streets in Asakusa have smaller shrines and old-school snack shops that are way less crowded. i stumbled on a tiny place selling matcha soft serve for 350 yen last time and it was better than the touristy ones.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply