3 Days in Tokyo: What to Do

Spending Tokyo in 3 days is possible, but always adjusting the itinerary. Since it is a totally different city, something you have never seen before. Every place is so nice, different and magical that you won't want to leave. Start exploring the best of this city with these tours:

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What to See in Tokyo in 3 Days?

During this 3-day journey, we will show you unique experiences we have lived in this incredible city.

On the first day, we will take a tour of classic Tokyo and its most well-known spots.

Shibuya and the Hachiko Statue

Shibuya Cruce Tokio

One of Tokyo’s main districts, Shibuya’s famous pedestrian crossing has been featured in countless movies. You’ll recognize it by its giant advertising screens, the rush of cars and people, and the buzzing energy of the area. It’s a commercial hub that will leave you speechless.

If you have ever felt small in the vastness of a city, you haven’t seen anything until you experience the Shibuya crossing. It’s like standing at the center of a parallel universe, where neon lights dance and the energy of thousands of people surrounds you.

Discover the most vibrant parts of the Japanese capital by joining this Tokyo night tour, which, besides Shibuya, includes mind-blowing districts like Shinjuku and Akihabara. You’ll also end the night with a karaoke session in Kabukicho, Tokyo’s entertainment hub.

Hachiko Memorial

At Shibuya Station, you’ll find the statue of the Akita dog that made us all cry – Hachiko. The statue was placed there while Hachiko was still alive, and he passed away two years later.

Right next to it is Shibuya 109, a massive shopping center featuring numerous clothing stores for young Japanese fashion lovers.

Harajuku District

Harajuku Tokio

This picturesque district is a favorite among Tokyo’s urban tribes, second only to Akihabara. You can reach Harajuku on foot from Shibuya by crossing the Jingu Bridge.

The main street is Takeshita Dori, filled with shops selling extravagant fashion items where trendsetters go shopping. You’ll also find stores offering incredibly cheap and quirky items, as well as cosplay costume shops – all at reasonable prices.

Nearby, Omotesando Dori is home to high-end fashion stores and globally recognized brands. There’s also a MoMa store where you can purchase unique designer objects, similar to the MoMa shop in New York.

Meiji Shinto Shrine and Yoyogi Park

Meiji Jingu Shrine

This shrine was built in honor of Emperor Meiji Tenno and his wife Shoken. It was destroyed during World War II but was fully rebuilt after the war ended. As you may know, Japan was an ally of Germany during the war, leading to the destruction of many monuments and temples.

Visitors enter the shrine by crossing the enormous Torii gate, which has stood for over 1,500 years. The Complete Tokyo Tour includes a visit to the Meiji Shrine and other iconic locations like the Senso-ji Temple, the Imperial Palace Gardens, and famous districts such as Akihabara and Shinjuku.

The shrine is divided into two sections: Naien, which consists of the main buildings and gardens, and Gaien, which forms the outer area. Additionally, this shrine connects to Yoyogi Park.

Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park is one of the largest in Tokyo, featuring extensive flora (similar to the Meiji Shrine gardens). Within the park, you’ll still find the Yoyogi National Stadium, which was specially built for the 1964 Olympic Games.

The park has a walking trail surrounded by unique and colorful vegetation, creating a special atmosphere. There’s also a designated area for cycling and sports activities.

On Sundays, the park is a meeting place for various urban tribes in Tokyo, including Otakus, Ongakus, Cosplayers, and Lolitas. Be mindful that they don’t appreciate being photographed without permission.

Asakusa District – The Senso-ji Temple

Sensoji Tokyo Temple Tour

Sensoji Shrine

Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s most traditional districts, stretching along the Sumida River to the northeast.

The most famous and important street is Nakamise Dori, where shops sell traditional items such as fans, kimonos, dolls, and typical Japanese sweets.

At the end of Nakamise Dori, you’ll find the Senso-ji Temple, one of Tokyo’s oldest temples. It was built in 645 and is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.

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Tokyo Guide: Day 2

Day 2 starts very early – and we mean very early. To witness the bustling activities at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market, you must be up before 5 AM.

Tsukiji Market and Hamarikyu Gardens

Tsukiji Fish Market

This is the most important fish market in Tokyo. Anyone looking for the freshest catch of the day must be there by 5 AM or earlier. It has the largest variety of fish and seafood, and you can even observe live auctions – truly a unique experience.

After visiting the market, and after having a second breakfast, we’ll head to Hamarikyu Gardens, Tokyo’s largest park, spanning 250 hectares reclaimed from the sea.

A place where you forget you’re in a cosmopolitan city inhabited by millions of people.

Akihabara – The Otaku Paradise

Now, we head to Akihabara, a mecca for tech and anime lovers. Here, you can buy computers, phones, new and used gaming consoles, and figurines from famous animes like Saint Seiya. Manga books, movies, and more can also be found here.

Be careful if a girl dressed as an anime character invites you to a café – it could be a scam. This district is also covered in the Full Tokyo City Tour.

Akihabara is also famous for its ramen restaurants. Ikina Isshou is where Japanese locals challenge themselves to eat the largest and fattiest ramen bowls – it’s almost a sacred ritual.

A Lost in Translation Night in Tokyo

Lost in Translation Tokio

Many tour guides offer this experience, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can do it yourself.

Start in Shinjuku, find the Park Hyatt Tokyo, and dress accordingly. This place is incredibly elegant, where dining is expensive, but the idea is to have a drink, just like in the movie Lost in Translation. The bar’s view is breathtaking.

From the Park Hyatt, head towards Yasukuni Dori, where neon-lit alleyways create a mesmerizing scene.

Then you will get to Shibuya, and I warn you that entering that Starbucks is a leap of faith. The line is always endless. But if you make it, take pictures of the view. Immediately you will walk through Shibuya and its pedestrian crosswalk full of illuminated signs.

Tokyo Shibuya

End your night with karaoke at Karaoke-Kan (located at 30-8 Udagawa-chō). If you want to experience authentic karaoke, the Tokyo Night Tour includes a session in Kabukicho, Tokyo’s entertainment epicenter.

Tokyo Guide: Day 3 – Exploring Kamakura

For the third day we invite you to visit Kamakura, a small and beautiful coastal city surrounded by mountains and sea. Kamakura was one of the most important cities of Japan. A city where Minamoto Yoritomo gave a place of privilege thanks to the military seat.

Here is a list of places to see in Kamakura, many of which you can see on this excursion to Mount Fuji, a must-see tour in Tokyo:

Kotoku-in Temple

Great Buddha of Kotoku In

This is one of the most important temples in the area, and stands out of course for its Big Buddha. This little boy made of bronze is about 13.35 meters high and weighs 93 tons. It is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan, after the Buddha in Nara.

And you will see it almost at the entrance of the temple, as it awaits us in the garden, surrounded by greenery, in the classic Lotus position. Which makes it much more impressive than his other Buddha brothers.

A fact that we leave here is that this Buddha is hollow inside, and for the donation of 20 Yen you can enter. But be careful, there is always a long line, so it is advisable to go early. If you prefer to go in total comfort, the guided tour to Mount Fuji includes a stop to admire the Great Buddha of Kotoku-in.

Lake Ashi Cruise From Tokyo

You can also take a cruise on Lake Ashi

The experience includes many must-see places, such as Hakone, Oshino Hakkai and Lake Ashi, where you will have incredible views of Mount Fuji.

Hase-dera Temple

A temple that takes our breath away from the minute we set foot in it. A garden with incredible vegetation, trees, flowers, ponds and hundreds of thousands of statues of Jizo (protector of the souls of children), left there by parents who have lost their children while they were babies or who have not been born.

Hasedera Pagoda

The statues remain in the temple for about a year, what is doubly impressive is to see so many together I feel that the replacement is annual.

Once you have passed through the Garden you will arrive at the main enclosure. There you will see the image of Juichimeri Kannon, the eleven-faced bodhissatva, carved in wood. This statue is about 9 meters high and is one of the largest wooden sculptures in Japan.

Hokokuji Temple

Hokokuji Templo

Hokokuji Temple, better known as the Temple of the Bamboo Forest. This temple is the most remote of all, but we promise you will not regret going there.

The temple connects to a tea house where you can enjoy a nice tea with some Macha sweets.

Enoshima and Enoshima Shrine

Enoshima

Very close to Kamakura is Enoshima, an island located in Sagami Bay. The island is connected to the rest by a bridge about 600 meters long. And although it seems endless and impossible to walk, we have done it and made it.

Here we invite you to eat some typical dishes of the coastal towns: shirasu-don, a small white fish typical of this area that can be eaten raw or in donburi. There are also oysters sautéed on the embers (we refer to barbecues located outside these eating places) with a little lemon.

Walking a bit around this island, you will arrive at the Enoshima Shrine. A shrine dedicated to the Goddess Benten, where you will see the statue of the naked Goddess.

Santuario Enoshima

Enoshima Shrine

If you are going to be in Tokyo during the warmer months, we recommend you to be prepared for the beach. Both Kamakura and Enoshima have beautiful beaches.

Nikko

This destination offers you a deep dive into the history, spirituality and natural beauty of Japan, all within a comfortable distance from Tokyo. When visiting Nikko, you will have the opportunity to explore the magnificent Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at its intricate architecture and vibrant colors.

Toshogu Nikko

Toshogu Shrine

In addition, you will be able to contemplate the imposing Kegon Waterfall, one of the three most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, and enjoy the serenity of the picturesque Lake Chuzenji, surrounded by mountains and lush nature.

To make the most of your time and enjoy yourself without the hassle of transportation, we recommend taking a look at the Nikko tour from Tokyo with transportation included.

You will visit Nikko, including visits to Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Waterfall and Lake Chuzenji. A place to create unforgettable memories of your trip to Japan.

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Tips to see Tokyo in 3 days

Tokyo is a very friendly city, even though they speak a completely different language. Many people speak some English which helps a lot. And if they observe you, and believe me they do, and notice that you are in trouble or lost they will not hesitate to help you and even take you to the place where you want to go.

Everything in Tokyo is written in kanji, the symbols we are used to relate to Japan. In alphabet, since the kanji can be read as they are written with Roman letters. And in English. Which helps a lot when looking for a subway or train station.

Finally, one of the best known scams in Tokyo is that of the girls dressed as anime characters. They work for a pub, where they look for local men or tourists and invite them for a drink.

Once in the pub, they usually ask you to buy them a drink. The drinks they will sell you for them are usually colored water and they charge a fortune. So be careful always!

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