First Time in Japan: One Week in Tokyo

Walk through Ginza

Ginza is one of Tokyo’s top shopping districts as it has everything from upscale shopping to electronics to cocktail and sushi bars. It’s a great way to get oriented to the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Indulge your character interests at Tokyo Station

If you’re into anime and manga characters, you must visit First Avenue and Tokyo Character Street within Tokyo Station. There you’ll find tons of different stores featuring anime and manga merch, gashapon machines (the Japanese “gumball” machines filled with characters and unique items) and food. If anime and manga aren’t your thing, the attached Yaechika Shopping Mall has almost 250 shops and restaurants to choose from.

Senso-ji Temple

This is the oldest temple in Tokyo, as it was completed in 645. Because of this, it can get very crowded with tour groups, so it is recommended to visit on a weekday and arrive by 9 am.

Shop at Kappabashi Dougu Street

If you love to cook, this is the place for you. This street is full of many restaurant supply shops and kitchen-equipment dealers. Knives are a popular souvenir to bring back home, so if you’re interested in that, this street has shops for you to buy those from.

Walk through Ueno Park

If you’re visiting during cherry blossom season (typically in March–May, you can check blooming season here), this park is one of the best areas to see them.

Shop and people-watch in Akihabara

This is another great spot for shopping for anime, electronic and manga merchandise. Check out stores like Animate, Mandrake, Akiba Culture Zone, Radio Kaikan, Gee Store, Amiami. Want to take a break and play arcade games or try your luck at claw machines? Check out Hey Arcade.

Watch the sunset at Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree is the world’s tallest freestanding broadcasting tower. With a 360-degree view of Tokyo, it is a great place to watch the sunset and watch the city light up as night falls. Tickets are released one month in advance, so be sure to buy them so you can skip the wait.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for Mt. Fuji views

If you’re not planning on visiting Hakone and Mt. Fuji, another way to get views of the mountain is to visit City Hall, where they have observation decks. Be sure to check weather forecasts beforehand as visibility may be limited on non-clear days. Additionally, it is best to go earlier in the day as there can be a wait of 45+ minutes.

Visit the Ghibli Museum

If you are a fan of Hayao Miyazaki’s work, then you must visit the Ghibli Museum. This is one of the toughest reservations to secure and it is advised that each person in your travel party use multiple devices to help get the reservation. Tickets go on sale at 10 am Japanese Standard Time (JST) on the 10th of the following month. For example: if you’re planning to go sometime in May 2025, you would need to buy tickets on April 10th at 10 am JST). It is advisable to be flexible with the date and time you are willing to go as tickets go very quickly. Good luck!

Walk through Kabukicho

This is the famous entertainment district, also known as Tokyo’s red-light district. Although not as blatant and voyeuristic as Amsterdam’s red-light district, the area is filled with clubs, pubs and snack bars. If you’re interested in music, drinks and games, Tokyo Kabukicho Tower is a great place to visit.

Walk through Roppongi Hills

This neighborhood has more of an expat feel as it is full of familiar American and foreign stores and restaurants like Shake Shack, Louis Vuitton, Nike and more. Walk around to explore Nogi-jinja Shrine, the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, see the Maman statue and Mohri Garden, plus Tokyo Tower.

Walk through Nakameguri

If I were to move to Japan, I would choose this neighborhood. It’s a hip residential and cultural district full of boutique cafes and coffee shops. Visit Nakameguro Park for some pickup basketball and picnicking (and if you want to check your foot health, there’s a whole area to relieve your sore feet from all the walking). You can also visit Saigoyama Park, Meguro Sky Garden and Nakameguro Koukashita.

Cross Shibuya Scramble

To be transparent, the scramble is much smaller than it looks online, but it is still a must-do on your first trip to Tokyo. Don’t forget to also pay homage to Hachiko, the most loyal dog, by seeing his memorial statue on the train station side of the crosswalk. Also be sure to not stop in the middle of the walk as locals are trying to actually get from place to place.

Shop at Shibuya Parco

If you’ve been waiting to do your souvenir shopping until now, look no further than Shibuya Parco. This has the best Pokemon Center (it has a life-size Mewtwo in a tank!). The surrounding area also has a ton of stores, like more anime and manga stores like Mandarake and Tokyo Anime Center. Kiddy Hall for four floors of Japanese and American toys. Loft for stationary, Tower Records (Beyoncé had just visited this location a couple days before I arrived!), and a giant food hall.

Walk through Yoyogi Park

This is another great spot to relax and walk around as it is a large public park with lakes, fountains and forests. This is also good for cherry blossom viewing if going in the spring.

Walk through Harajuku

If you’re into trendy fashion or cosplay, you need to visit Harajuku. The main throughway starts right outside Harajuku station, but take a walk around the surrounding area to find several vintage, casual and trendy clothing stores.

Visit Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

This park has diverse gardens and a greenhouse as it used to be a former estate. This does require a ticket so there can be a wait to go in, so be mindful of that, timing wise. However, it is another great spot to picnic, hang out and also view cherry blossoms if going in the spring.

Spend the day at Tokyo DisneySea

If you have had the opportunity to go to Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida, then Tokyo DisneySea is the best option of the Japanese parks as it is the most unique offering of the Disney experience. Here are some general tips:

It is advised to arrive at least 1-1.5hrs before opening on any given day as there will be lines to enter. You can use this website to see anticipated crowd sizes on the day you want to go.

Certain attractions and shows like Big Band Beat (the most popular that is offered in English) require a lottery entry to gain access. You can do this through the Tokyo Disneyland app once inside the park, or take your chances by doing standby 30–60 minutes before shows start.

It is also highly recommended to buy the Premier Pass for popular attractions such as Journey to the Center of the Earth, Indiana Jones, Raging Spirits and Tower of Terror, which can have waits of 2-3+hrs by the late morning.

Take a day trip to Hakone or Yokohama

If you want to take advantage of onsens and nature, visit Hakone. Activities include visiting the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, getting a spa treatment at Hakone Yuryo onsen, walking through Owakudani Park, visiting Lake Ashi and taking the Hakone ropeway. The more adventurous and physically fit can also climb Mt. Fuji.

If you love ramen, visit Yokohama. Activities include the Cup Noodle Museum (where you can make your own cup noodle) and the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum (highly recommend signing up for the ramen-making class and trying the different ramen dishes at the food court).