So you only have 24 hours in Tokyo and you are not sure where to start? There is so much to do here that putting together a 1 day Tokyo itinerary can be mind-boggling! Tokyo is the largest city in the world after all, spanning 2,191 square kilometres, along with a population of over 37 million it is no easy task choosing what to see and do.
If you are finding yourself unsure of where to go but want to make the most of your 24 hours in Tokyo then look no further because this itinerary is for you!
We will be starting the day in Tokyo’s old town, followed by a visit to the most well-known food market, then we’ll hop across to the other side of the city to experience the best of Shibuya and finally raise a glass (or 8) in Shinjuku’s beloved alleys.
Some places in Tokyo need to be booked a few weeks in advance such as Mario Kart and Shibuya Sky.
Get insured before your trip to Tokyo with World Nomads or SafetyWing.
*Medical expenses in Japan are 3 times the cost for tourists compared to locals.
How To Get Around
The best way to get around Tokyo is, without a doubt the subway, affordable, frequent, fast, and clean. Although you are in Tokyo for just 24 hours, it will likely be tempting to get a taxi, but they are very expensive and will just not be as fast as the subway.
Buying a ticket is easy, you can purchase a physical 24 hour card that you collect from any subway machine in Tokyo’s stations.
Alternatively, you can use a virtual Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA card. Just go to your Apple wallet, tap ‘+’, select travel card and search for Suica, PASMO, or ICOCA . You are then able to top it up and use., you
Where To Stay In Tokyo
I wrote a detailed post on the 8 best areas to stay in Tokyo, you can read that here. But to summarise I think it’s best to stay in Asakusa, Ueno, Shibuya or Shinjuku for this itinerary. All areas have brilliant subway connections along with a lively atmosphere.
Here are a few hotels I recommend based on your budget:
Budget: Hotel Fukudaya, Hotel Tavinos, ICI Hotel, APA Kabukicho Tower
Mid-range: REI Hotel , Washington Hotel, Hotel sardonyx, Section L
Splurge: sequence Miyashita Park, Keio Plaza, Asakusa View
1-Day Tokyo Itinerary Map
1 Day Tokyo Itinerary
1. Senso-ji Temple (2 hours)
Kicking off our 24 hours in Tokyo is a visit to Tokyo’s oldest temple, Senso-ji Temple. Situated in Tokyo’s old town, Asakusa, it gives us a glimpse of the city before the neon skyscrapers. It is best to visit this part of Tokyo early as it gets very crowded as the day goes on, ideally, you will arrive here for sunrise, but if you are not an early riser it is still an incredible experience after 9 am, just a busier one.
Many people choose to rent a kimono for a deeper cultural experience, and of course for stunning photos.
Aside from the temple, there are two large picturesque gates called H?z?mon Gate and Kaminarimon Gate. Between these gates are many food and souvenir stalls, it is worth noting the prices here are inflated due to the large number of tourists.
Another fun thing to do here is to take a rickshaw tour. The drivers operate the vehicle on foot, pulling you along while you sit in a cart.
Finally, photographers will love floor 8 of Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, here you can take some incredible shots of Senso-ji temple, for free!
This temple guide by Japan Guide explains what to do when visiting a temple in Japan.
2. Tsukiji Outer Market (1.5 hours)
Next up is a dive into Japan’s delicious food culture at Tsukiji Outer Market, a place famed for its fresh fish. Like Senso-ji, the earlier you get here the better. Many places sell out of their food by midday.
There is so much fish to choose from, and due to its freshness, it is a great place to be adventurous and try new kinds of fish like sea urchins. My absolute favourites here are the sushi, bluefin tuna, unagi, and steamed king crab!
Maybe fish isn’t your cup of tea, well don’t fret because Tsukiji Market has plenty more than fish. Wagyu beef skewers although expensive will melt in your mouth due to their tenderness, crispy curry pans, Tamago, and horumon-don from Kitsuneya. More of a sweet tooth kind of person, you will find lots of treats here like strawberries, mochi, black sesame ice cream and matcha lattes.
Make sure you have cash on you as not every stall accepts card payment.
Need a rest? Kunisuke Coffee is a cute and comfortable coffee shop near Tsukiji Market
3. Harajuku (2 hours)
No 1 day Tokyo itinerary would be complete without a trip to the iconic Harajuku! Hailed as the birthplace of Kawaii culture, Harajuku is overflowing with all things cute, from clothes, shoes and souvenirs to cafes – it is all adorable. Takeshita-dori is the main street where most of the shops and food stalls are located.
The food is colourful, fun and unique, one of my favourite places was Long, Longer, Longest where you can get a 52 cm tornado chip skewer, churro or K-Dog. I recommend you wander and see what appeals to you.
If you would prefer to sit down and eat, rather than stand at a food stall here are some nice options:
- Bassa Nova Harajuku – ramen with Thai flavours
- Foodies – Korean fried chicken
- Oreryushio Ramen – affordable and flavourful ramen
- Yuimaru Shokudo – try flavours from the Japanese island of Okinawa
4. Shibuya (1.5 hours)
As the glitzy heart of the city, Shibuya is a must-visit in this 1 day Tokyo itinerary. The neon-lit sky-scraper-lined streets are bursting with shops, izakayas (Japanese pubs), nightclubs and restaurants. It is known as the number one entertainment district in Tokyo.
So, what do I recommend you check out here?
Things to do in Shibuya
- Shibuya Crossing – the busiest crossing in the world. 1,200 people walk across this every 80 seconds. You will likely walk this many times to take lots of cool photos.
- Hachiko Statue – dedicated to an Akita dog who waited for a decade at Shibuya Station for his owner to return.
- MAGS Rooftop Bar – in my opinion, this is the best place for viewing the Shibuya crossing. There is an outdoor platform along with an indoor room that allows you to view the crossing from all sides. The entrance costs 1,500 yen and includes a drink.
- Alternatively, Starbucks has a futuristic store overlooking the Shibuya crossing. It can get very busy but the views are great.
- Pokemon Centre – see a lifesize staue of MewTwo! I was a a Pokemon nerd as a kid so I could not miss out on seeing this!
5. Watch The Sunset Shibuya Sky (1 hour)
Often cited as the best view in Tokyo, what better way to wind down than to see the sunset across Tokyo? On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji!
Located on the 47th floor is a panoramic observation deck, at a height of 751 feet (229 metres) you can see the sprawling and seemingly neverending cityscape of Tokyo.
Tickets for the sunset and night timeslot sell out fast, I strongly advise booking this a few weeks in advance to guarantee a space. You can book the tickets here.
6. Mario Kart (1.5 hour)
Now it is time for some excitement! Strap yourself into a real-life Mario Kart that can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h. You will be driving down some ICONIC Tokyo locations such as Shibuya and Akihabara. It is encouraged to dress up in a onesie, which can be rented from the tour operator.
You must be 18+ with an international driver’s licence to partake in this activity.
Need an international driver’s licence? You can easily apply online here.
7. Omiode Yokocho + Golden Gai (2 + hours)
What a day it has been! I bet you are feeling tired but I’ve got one more thing for you to see. Don’t worry though, you will be sitting down for most of it.
Finally, we are closing off this 1 day Tokyo itinerary in Shinjuku. This is my favourite place for nightlife due to two incredible alleys Omiode Yokocho and Golden Gai. Although I recommend it, you don’t have to visit both, today has been long after all. These alleys date back to World War II and are packed with izakayas. Your only worry will be choosing between sake or highball!
Omiode Yokocho
The smaller of the two alleys, Omiode Yokocho has approximately 60 small izakayas that mainly specialize in yakitori (grilled meat and vegetables, its delicious!).
Golden Gai
Golden Gai has about 200 bars all with different themes, spread across 6 alleyways. Popular with locals and tourists alike it is the perfect place to head if you want to strike up a conversation with a stranger.
Here are a few bars you can check out:
- Hair of the Dogs – Punk Theme
- Deathmatch in Hell – metal bar
- Open Book – book themed
- Kenzo’s Bar – only one long table, a great spot for meeting new people
Most bars have an entrance fee between 300 to 700 yen.
This group tour takes you to both Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai. This is an excellent choice for any solo travellers.
By now your feet must be aching, I did warn you this was an action-packed 1 day Tokyo itinerary! I hope you made memories to last a lifetime!
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