A full day in Tokyo, Japan!
Tokyo, a city where centuries-old traditions and futuristic skyscrapers seamlessly come together. From ancient Buddhist temples and neon-lit streets to endless delicious food, every neighborhood has its own story. With this full-day walking tour, you can get a surprisingly complete picture of the city, even with limited time. Small tip: it’s a full day, but doable. If you have more time, feel free to split it into two days. Put on comfortable walking shoes, and let’s go!
The route for this full-day walking tour starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building, the city’s government headquarters located in Shinjuku. You can take the elevator to the 45th floor for free, where you’ll get a truly breathtaking view of the city. On some days, you can even see Mount Fuji. You can enjoy a coffee at the café or simply stroll around and take in the view.
Next stop: Yoyogi Park. It takes about thirty minutes to walk there, and it’s easiest to navigate via the Meiji Shrine. The Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū) is one of Tokyo’s most important and visited Shinto shrines. It was built in 1920 in honor of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, who led Japan during its modernization at the end of the 19th century. At this point, you’ll also be in the heart of Yoyogi Park. Walking straight through the shrine, you’ll pass rows of wine barrels, which symbolize the friendship and trade between Japan and France. Even more fun and local: across from these wine barrels, you’ll see sake barrels.
From here, if you enter Cat Street into your navigation, you’ll walk via a busy boulevard to a trendy, cozy street that connects the Harajuku and Shibuya neighborhoods. Here you’ll find charming boutiques, vintage shops, cafés, and street art. It’s a lovely, calm spot to stroll, have a coffee, and recharge for the busier...
Shibuya! The bustling heart of Tokyo, the Tokyo you’ve likely seen on TV or in a travel guide. Here you’ll find the busiest and most iconic crossing in the world (Shibuya Crossing), the statue of Hachiko the dog, and the MEGA Don Quijote flagship store. This store is open 24/7, and a visit to Tokyo isn’t complete without immersing yourself in this chaotic but charming shopping experience (and the song will stay in your head for a long time).
After this intense experience, it’s time to explore a quieter part of Tokyo, one of the oldest and most authentic neighborhoods. You can easily take the metro from Shibuya Station, and in about half an hour you’ll arrive at Yanaka. As mentioned, this is one of Tokyo’s most authentic neighborhoods because it largely escaped the destruction of World War II. Upon exiting the train station (West Exit), you’ll soon come across the famous Yanaka Cemetery. Stroll around; it’s one of Tokyo’s oldest cemeteries, the resting place of many famous Japanese people, and in spring, the cherry blossoms are stunning.
Another must-see in Yanaka is Yanaka Ginza, an old shopping street perfect for souvenirs. Google describes it as having a retro vibe reminiscent of old Japan. Accurate, though it is a bit touristy. This neighborhood is also ideal for a late lunch; make sure to visit one of the many temples before heading back to...
Shinjuku, again about a half-hour by metro. It’s almost as busy as Shibuya, but the mix of skyscrapers and traditional alleys is very enjoyable. Grab a drink and stroll through Golden Gai, eat at the many street food stalls in Omoide Yokocho (tip: yakitori and gyoza!), and stop by the Uniqlo flagship store for some shopping.
By the end of the day, I had 28,000 steps according to my phone, tired but satisfied, and with a fantastic impression of the many faces of this enormous, bustling metropolis! Tip: download Google Maps and use the bolded locations as anchor points for your route. You can also download offline maps. Extra tip: add your SUICA card to your Apple or Android Wallet in advance; it’s convenient for public transport.
