Tokyo is a city that many people from all over the world flock to. If you’re planning your Japanese holiday, you’d want to know how many days in Tokyo you should allow yourself.
It’s a general recommendation for travelers to spend about four to five days in Tokyo. This is enough time to see and experience the city’s top attractions, destinations, and activities. It also gives visitors enough time to enjoy the city fully without stretching themselves too thin.
Though it works for many, this is only a recommendation. How many days you should stay in Tokyo would vary and depend on different factors at play.
Why Visit Tokyo?
Tokyo has become one of the ultimate tourist destinations in Asia. Travelers from all over the world flock to Japan all year round to see what the city has to offer and get a glimpse of the other famous parts of the country too.
Tokyo is one of the most famous cities in the world. It’s known as a hub for fans of manga and anime. The city also boasts high-tech modernity but is still able to maintain its traditional Japanese culture.
It’s home to the most famous and busiest pedestrian crossing in the world: the Shibuya Crossing and a hub for anyone who enjoys going on a food adventure. In fact, as of 2024, Tokyo still has the most Michelin stars than any other city in the world. This fact alone is reason enough why so many travelers make sure to stop by Tokyo.
How Many Days in Tokyo?
When you’re planning a Japan holiday trip, you must plan your entire itinerary so you don’t miss out on any of the must-sees right in Tokyo. One of the first things that you should look into when the idea of a Japan trip pops into your head is how many days should you spend in Tokyo.
How many days you should spend in Tokyo depends on each traveler, personal preference, time, and budget. The answer to this could change per person as it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation.
But generally, it is recommended that travelers allot four to five days in Tokyo. This is enough time to see and experience all the must-see destinations in Tokyo without stretching yourself too thin throughout your entire stay.
If you’re short on time, you can reduce that to three days in Tokyo and still see a whole lot of the city. And if you want to take the sightseeing slow and spend relaxing days to watch the city go by, extend your Tokto stay for up to seven days.
How to Decide How Many Days For Your Tokyo Trip
As we’ve mentioned above, how many days travelers spend in Tokyo would vary depending on a variety of factors. If you’re still trying to decide how many days you should spend in the heart of Japan, here are all the considerations to think about:
- Budget and costs
The first thing you want to consider is your budget for the entirety of your Japan holiday. Tokyo, and Japan in general, is not a cheap place to travel to.
When going on a holiday, costs can quickly add up. Plane tickets, accommodation, attraction and entertainment tickets, food, shopping, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses will all cost something.
The longer your stay is, the more it will cost.
- Your pacing as a traveler
Are you a fast-paced traveler or a slow-paced traveler?
By pacing, we mean do you like having your daily schedules packed with back-to-back activities or do you like taking your time to take in the city or sit for hours in cafes, bars, or restaurants?
If you’re a fast-paced traveler, you might get away with a shorter Tokyo stay but if you’re a slow-paced traveler, you might want to allot more time to your stay.
- Your interests and activities you want to try
Of course, travelers all have different interests, sights, and activities they’d want to try once they reach Tokyo.
Do you want to feast on Japanese cuisine or spend most of your time shopping? Are you a fan of anime and manga and would like to spend most of your time on that or would you like to go to amusement parks for the thrill of it all?
All these activities would need varied timeframes so make sure to consider that as well.
- Think about the possibility of day trips
If you’re planning on seeing Mt. Fuji, Hakone, or theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland, doing so would require a day trip. This means you are likely to spend an entire day of your trip to visit any one of them.
If you’re thinking of taking day trips, adding another day to extend your trip may be a smart move.
- The total length of your Japan trip
Are you spending the rest of your trip in Tokyo only or are you planning on making a stop to other parts of Japan as well?
If the latter, you will have to divide your time between Tokyo and other parts of Japan. This means you will have less time to spend in Tokyo so you should choose which sights you would like to prioritize and don’t want to miss.
Top Attractions in Tokyo You Cannot Miss
If you’re in Tokyo, consider adding these sights and attractions to your itinerary:
- Shibuya Crossing
- Tokyo Tower
- TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum
- Tokyo Disneyland
- Tokyo Disney Sea
- Tokyo Skytree
- Sensoji Temple
- Tokyo National Museum
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- Meiji Shrine
- Yoyogi Park
- Ueno Park
- Imperial Palace East Gardens
- Nakamise Shopping Street
- Odaiba and Tokyo Bay
- Tsukiji Fish Market
These are only some of the top attractions you shouldn’t miss while visiting Tokyo. Add or remove items from this list as you see fit.
Planning Your Tokyo Itinerary: Tokyo Travel Tips
So you’ve booked your plane tickets – now what? Now you plan your itinerary and wait for the day of your holiday trip. Here are some tips to keep in mind for when you visit Japan, before flying in, and while you’re in Japan’s capital:
- Allow extra time to get lost in the city, especially if it’s your first time in Tokyo. And by lost, we don’t mean getting lost in the beauty of the city, but rather literally getting lost. You might get off at the wrong stop or take a wrong turn so that will definitely eat up some of your time.
- Group nearby sights and attractions on the same day to maximize time.
- If you can, get accommodation near a Tokyo Station for easy access and getting around.
- A Japan Rail Pass can add even more convenience when going around Tokyo’s hotspots.
- Download the Tokyo Google Maps on your phone, and not just the app. You can download the whole Tokyo map to your phone so you can use it even without data.
- Download the Google Translate Japanese pack into your phone so you can have an easier time communicating with the locals.
- Get a prepaid SIM card. This will keep you connected at all times, wherever you are in Tokyo. You can purchase one on your arrival or order online in advance and pick it up at the airport.
- Eat like a local and don’t shy away from trying out the best of Tokyo’s street food.
Conclusion
If you’re a Tokyo first-timer, planning your trip right should be your priority. As such, you might be wondering how many days in Tokyo should you allow yourself to spend.
Generally, it is highly recommended that travelers spend about four to five days to tour and go around Tokyo. This gives visitors enough time to visit all the must-sees Tokyo has to offer while also allowing rest and relaxation in between stops.
Though there is a general recommendation, how many days you should spend in Tokyo will vary and depend on your preference, budget, and the rest of your Japan trip.
