Two days in Tokyo is enough to cover the city's biggest landmarks without feeling like a sprint. This plan splits the essential sights into an east-side historic day and a west-side modern day, with a major museum and cultural stop woven into each.
Two days in Tokyo is enough to cover the city's biggest landmarks without feeling like a sprint. This plan splits the essential sights into an east-side historic day and a west-side modern day, with a major museum and cultural stop woven into each.
Begin the morning at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo's oldest temple and a lively introduction to the city's traditional side, then wander the surrounding Asakusa streets for a mix of shops and quiet backstreets. From there, head to the Tokyo National Museum to spend an hour or two among centuries of Japanese art and artifacts. In the afternoon, walk or take a short train ride to the Imperial Palace grounds for a stroll through the gardens, then make your way to the Tokyo Skytree for sweeping views over the city as the sun starts to set. Round out the evening with a walk through the low-key, old-fashioned neighborhood of Yanaka for a slower-paced dinner away from the crowds.
Start the second day at Meiji Shrine, a forested oasis just steps from the city center, before crossing into Harajuku & Omotesando for its mix of quirky fashion streets and upscale boutiques. Continue to Shibuya to experience the famous scramble crossing and browse the surrounding shops and cafes. In the afternoon, visit teamLab Borderless for an immersive digital art experience unlike anything else in the city, or swap in the Mori Art Museum if you prefer panoramic Tokyo views alongside contemporary exhibitions. As evening falls, head to Shinjuku for neon-lit streets, izakaya dinners, and a final look at Tokyo's skyline from one of its many observation decks.