Tokyo is a vibrant and dynamic metropolis that offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity, making it a must-visit destination.
Tokyo itinerary
Cultural Immersion
- Senso-ji Temple
- Meiji Jingu Shrine
- Tokyo National Museum
- Ghibli Museum Mitaka
Urban Exploration
- Shibuya Crossing
- Akihabara
- Tokyo Skytree
- Ginza
Nature and Relaxation
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Hamarikyu Gardens
- Ueno Park
Unique Experiences
- Golden Gai
- Tsukiji Fish Market
- Omoide Yokocho
Day 00
Upon landing at Haneda, a pre-booked taxi transported us to our hotel. After checking in and leaving our luggage, we explored Akasaka and were fortunate enough to find an exceptional ramen restaurant. It was the perfect first meal in Japan. We returned to the hotel after dinner.
Day 01
1. Senso-ji
We awoke early the next morning, filled with anticipation for our first full day in Japan. Our first stop was Senso-ji, a historic Buddhist temple nestled in the Asakusa district. We had also arranged to meet our cousin, a resident of Tokyo, and spend the day exploring the city together.
2. River cruise from Asakusa to Odabiba (X)
We were disappointed to miss our boat from Asakusa to Odaiba. The two-hour wait for the next departure meant we had to skip seeing the Unicorn Gundam statue and move on to the next planned activity.
3. Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower wasn't as crowded as anticipated, offering great aerial views of the city in good weather. While its design is inspired by the Eiffel Tower, its primary function is radio and TV transmission. We chose Tokyo Tower over Skytree due to Skytree's location on the city's outskirts. I imagine both offer equally impressive nighttime views.
4. Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue
We then went to Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, a breathtaking avenue framed by trees displaying their vibrant yellow autumn leaves.
5. Guided Tour of Shinjuku
We finally made it to Shinjuku for a late lunch before spending some time shopping until it was time for our tour.
Our two-hour guided evening tour of Shinjuku was a delightful surprise, far surpassing our initial expectations. The first part of the tour focused on the modern business district, where we visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which offers free public access to its observation decks, providing stunning panoramic views of Tokyo. The second half of the tour immersed us in the vibrant atmosphere of the entertainment district, which was particularly dazzling at night with its neon lights, colorful signboards, and bustling array of restaurants and bars. Along the way, we also had the opportunity to see several iconic Shinjuku landmarks, including the atmospheric Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane), the charming Golden Gai, the impressive Godzilla head perched atop the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, and the captivating 3D Cat Billboard.
We took our tour guide's advice and had dinner at Ootoya. The food was both delicious and affordable, a perfect end to the day. We then returned to the hotel.
Day 02
1. Tsukiji market
Still tired from the previous day's activities, we woke up later than planned and made a quick dash to Tsukiji Market…
2. Shibuya crossing
With full stomachs, we arrived in Shibuya and immediately joined the line to photograph the Hachiko statue. We then participated in the iconic Shibuya scramble, crossing multiple times like countless other visitors. Due to construction, the crossing's scale was somewhat diminished. We also took in the view of the scramble from an elevated perspective at the 11th floor of Hikarie building.
3. Meiji Jingu
Next stop Maiji Jinja, definitely a must go….
4. Izakaya at Shinjuku
With some time to spare before meeting our cousins, we visited Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) in Shinjuku. The izakayas were just opening, filling the air with the aroma of grilled chicken. We enjoyed assorted chicken and pork skewers grilled with sake. I highly recommend visiting Omoide Yokocho; some izakayas even offer horse and whale meat for the adventurous.
5. Okubo - Nepalese community
Our final destination was Okubo, where we met our cousin for a meal of Nepalese cuisine.
Day 03
Our journey to Hakone began at Shinjuku Station with an upgrade to the Romancecar. This enhanced our travel experience significantly, offering comfortable seating, panoramic views, and the chance to enjoy ekiben—a must-try for any train journey in Japan. We highly recommend this upgrade.
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Day 15
After arriving at Tokyo Station, we proceeded to our hotel to drop off our luggage. We then ventured to Shinjuku for some shopping before heading to our cousin's home for dinner. This time, we were particularly looking forward to ur Nepalese food.
Day 16
We spent the afternoon in Akihabara Electric Town shopping, and then a pre-booked taxi conveniently picked us up from our hotel and took us to Haneda Airport for our flight back to the UK.
Conclusion
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