HOW TO SPEND YOUR TIME IN TOKYO: A SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Tokyo is one of the most amazing cities in the world. It’s fast-paced, futuristic, and bursting with weird and wonderful activities to keep you busy, including gorgeous shrines, palaces, and temples; hip clubs and bars; and fashionable people and shopping, not to mention cherry blossoms.
Tokyo lives up to all the hype you’ve heard about it.
You never know what you’ll find here. One second you’ll run into a group of women dressed in pig masks and ’80s dresses and the next you’re in a robot café or a centuries-old temple.
It’s also one of the biggest cities in the world, home to almost 14 million people — almost 40 million if you count the Greater Tokyo Area. It’s massive!
Not surprisingly, it’ll take some time to see it all. And there are so many nooks and crannies to explore that it’s easy to get lost.
To help you plan your trip, here is my suggested itinerary on how to visit the best restaurants, sites, and activities in Tokyo:
Tokyo Itinerary: Day 1
Visit the Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Market
In 2018, Tokyo’s main fish market moved to Toyosu. The new market is twice the size of Tsukiji (the old market), making it the largest fish market in the world. Just make sure to get a visitor’s pass when you enter.
Here you can eat fresh sushi for breakfast and marvel at the chaotic atmosphere at the world’s largest tuna market. The auction here powers much of the world’s sushi supply, and it is truly breathtaking. All around you are fish with colors and shapes you didn’t know existed. I have never seen more seafood I couldn’t identify.
Tokyo Itinerary: Day 2
Stop by the Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace, home to the Emperor of Japan, is a terrific spot to learn about Japan’s history and culture. Formerly Edo Castle, it was built in the 15th century, and some of the walls and moats from that time are still in use to this day. When the Emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new palace and renamed it the Imperial Palace.
Though you can’t go inside (or get super close), the building is amazing. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds and a park, and there’s a moat around the stone walls. You can also see the changing of the guard ceremony, though it’s relatively low-key and unassuming. Admission to the grounds is free.
Visit the National Art Center
Opened in 2007, this museum and gallery doesn’t actually have a permanent collection but rather houses a never-ending series of temporary exhibitions, from impressionism to modern art. Check their website to see what is currently being shown.