Tokyo 3-day itinerary

Begin your Tokyo adventure at Tsukiji Outer Market by 7:30am. Wander the tight alleys sampling fresh sashimi on rice (¥500–800), grilled scallops, dashimaki tamago, and melon pan. The energy here is infectious: vendors shouting, knives flashing, steam rising from every direction. This is the real Tokyo breakfast experience, and no tourist restaurant comes close.

Take the Oedo Line to Asakusa. Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest temple, founded in 645 AD. Walk through the thunder gate, browse Nakamise-dori for ningyo-yaki cakes and handmade chopsticks, then explore the quieter streets behind the temple. Cross the Sumida River on foot for spectacular views of Tokyo Skytree. Lunch at a local soba shop, where handmade buckwheat noodles cost ¥800–1,200.

Metro to Akihabara, Tokyo's electric town. Even if you're not into anime, the sensory overload of neon signs, multi-story arcades, and retro game shops is unforgettable. Try a vintage arcade like Super Potato or the crane games at Sega. For dinner, find a local izakaya and order a nama beer (draft, ¥500), karaage fried chicken, and edamame. Most offer a ¥2,000–3,000 nomihodai (all-you-can-drink) option.

Start with a peaceful morning at Meiji Shrine, set in a 170-acre forested park in the heart of the city. Walk the gravel path under towering torii gates. The contrast with the surrounding city is surreal. If you're lucky, you might witness a traditional Shinto wedding procession. Exit through Yoyogi Park, where weekend mornings bring cosplayers, musicians, and dancers.

Walk Takeshita-dori in Harajuku. It's chaotic, colourful, and peak Tokyo. Grab a crepe from Marion Crepes (¥400–600) or fluffy Japanese soufflé pancakes at Gram (arrive early, limited daily batches). Stroll Cat Street for vintage and designer finds. Continue to Shibuya Crossing and watch the organised chaos from Mag's Park rooftop, or cross it yourself during rush hour for the full experience.

Shinjuku at night is Tokyo at its most cinematic. Start with dinner at Fuunji (near Shinjuku Station south exit), where the tsukemen dipping ramen is legendary and the queue moves fast. Then lose yourself in Golden Gai's labyrinth of 200+ tiny bars, each seating 5–10 people. Try Albatross for its chandelier-lit three floors, or Champion for budget drinks. End at Robot Restaurant or a karaoke box.

Escape the crowds in Yanaka, a neighbourhood that survived the war and feels like 1960s Tokyo. Start at Yanaka Cemetery, walk the charming Yanaka Ginza shopping street for handmade crafts and freshly grilled senbei (rice crackers, ¥100). Visit SCAI the Bathhouse, a contemporary art gallery in a converted 200-year-old bathhouse. The entire area has a village-like calm that most visitors never discover.

Train to Shimokitazawa, Tokyo's bohemian heart. This neighbourhood is packed with second-hand clothing stores (vintage Levi's from ¥3,000), independent record shops, tiny curry restaurants, and live music venues. Lunch at a local curry shop, where Japanese curry rice is comfort food perfection at ¥800–1,000. The vibe here is creative, relaxed, and distinctly un-touristy.

Head to Roppongi Hills for the Mori Art Museum (¥2,000, open until 10pm), contemporary art with a rooftop observation deck offering 360-degree city views including Tokyo Tower lit up at night. Walk to Tokyo Tower itself (¥1,200 main deck) or photograph it from the nearby Shiba Park. Dinner in the Roppongi backstreets, where tonkatsu at Butagumi (¥1,800–2,500) is exceptional.