Tokyo is not a city you finish. The honest framing: four full days makes a good first visit, five to six is better — and unlike European capitals, jet lag belongs in the math. If you’ve crossed eight time zones, your first day is running at half speed whether you plan for it or not.
3 days — one east day (Asakusa, Ueno), one west day (Shibuya, Shinjuku), one wildcard. A sprint.
4–5 days — our recommendation: the same core plus teamLab or the Ghibli Museum, a market morning and space to wander.
6–7 days — add day trips: Nikko, Kamakura or Hakone with Mt Fuji views.
Plan by neighbourhood, not by sight
Tokyo’s sights are secondary to its districts — the city is the attraction. The workable pattern is one area per half-day: Asakusa’s Sensō-ji at opening time, Ueno’s museums, Shibuya at dusk when the crossing is at full flood, Shinjuku after dark. Trying to cross town three times a day is how visitors lose whole afternoons to the (excellent, but vast) rail system. Our Tokyo city guide groups the districts into sane clusters.
What actually needs booking
Less than in Europe, with two big exceptions: the Ghibli Museum (sold months ahead) and teamLab (timed entry, sells out most weekends). Shibuya Sky and the Skytree are worth booking for sunset slots. Temples and most districts are free and unticketed.
A realistic 5-day outline
| Day | Focus | Evening |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (jet lag) | Local area, park, easy food — nothing booked | Early night |
| Day 2 | Asakusa, Sensō-ji, Ueno Park & museums | Yanaka stroll |
| Day 3 | Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya | Shibuya Sky at sunset |
| Day 4 | teamLab, Ginza or Tsukiji outer market | Shinjuku & Golden Gai |
| Day 5 | Day trip — Kamakura or Hakone | Back for a last izakaya |
Continuing through Japan? Read Tokyo vs Kyoto, or see our Kyoto and Osaka guides.