A First Timers Guide to Two Days in Tokyo

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Advisor - Anokhi Patel
Curated By

Anokhi Patel

  • Tokyo

  • City Travel

  • Sightseeing

An image of an overview of Tokyo's city center with various lights, billboards and LED screens. There are people walking along the street down below.
Curator’s statement

Tokyo, Japan is a city where you can spend months in and still feel like you haven’t seen everything, making it overwhelming to plan a trip here. If you only have two days, here is an ideal itinerary for first time visitors!

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Where to stay

Grand Hyatt Tokyo

Sleek high-rise property in the heart of Tokyo with elegant rooms and suites.

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    $100 food / beverage credit.

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    Breakfast daily.

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    Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo

Your trendy retreat in the heart of Tokyo, where contemporary style, city energy and international hospitality converge for a vibrant stay in Shinjuku.

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    $100 hotel / resort credit.

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    Breakfast daily.

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    Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.

The Okura Tokyo

The Okura Tokyo is a luxurious five-star hotel located in the heart of Tokyo, known for its sophisticated elegance and Japanese hospitality. With a perfect blend of modern amenities and traditional aesthetics, it offers an exquisite experience for discerning travelers in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

Fora Perks
  • ★

    $100 food / beverage credit.

  • ★

    Breakfast daily.

  • ★

    Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Unlock perks by contacting Anokhi to book your trip.

Day 1: Explore the West Side

An image of people walking up the steps into a large temple with dark features. There are trees and rain clouds in the surrounding view.

Start your day by going to Meiji-Jingu Shrine, and walk through the forest and the surrounding area

Then you can stroll around Harajuku, Japan’s anime and fashion center for young adults. The focal point of Harajuku is Takeshita Dori where you will find thrift stores and crepe stands.

After eating a delicious crepe, make your way down to Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in the world. You can walk through it or observe it from above by heading to Shibuya Sky. There you will get beautiful views of the entire city. (Pro tip: Make tickets in advance for sunset)

Walk around the area and stumble into one of the many eateries and restaurants in the area before heading to Shinjuku- the largest neighborhood in Tokyo. Take a stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen, a large public park near Shinjuku station which is a perfect cherry blossom spot!

Afterwards, grab a drink at Golden Gai, a festive popular area known for its narrow alleyways with more than 200 bars and places to eat.

Day 2: Explore the East Side

An image of a large temple in Japan surrounded by roofing, and various industrial buildings.

Start your day early and head over to Tsukiji Outer Market, an outdoor market that contains restaurants, street vendors and retail markets. Arrive early, bring cash and an empty stomach and be ready to consume everything in sight!

Make your way to Asakursa, home to the Sensoji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo. After exploring the temple grounds head to Nakamise Shopping Street, where you can find numerous stands of Japanese souvenirs and local delicacies.

After lunch, take a stroll in Sumida Park, a park located about five minutes away from the shrine which is another perfect cherry blossom spot!

If you didn’t get a chance to go to Shibuya Sky, you can make your way to Tokyo SkyTree, one of the tallest observation decks. On a clear day you can even get a glimpse of Mt Fuji!

If shopping is your thing, head over to Ginza, one of the city’s top shopping districts with designer and boutique stores.

In the late afternoon, you can make your way to Ueno Park, one of the largest parks in Tokyo and home to museums, zoos, gardens and shrines. There are also many street vendors where you can get great traditional street food! Make sure you try some candied strawberries and dan dan noodles!

If you still have some energy, head on over to Akihabara, a vibrant district known for anime, gaming and electronics.

Advisor - Anokhi Patel

Travel Advisor

Anokhi Patel

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This itinerary is part of our ongoing series on travel to Tokyo. For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Bria Rosenberg’s itinerary, Top 10 Things to Do in Tokyo.