4 Days in Tokyo | A First Time Visitor's Itinerary

Tokyo is one of those living, breathing, sprawling cities that feels a little intimidating at first, similar to Jakarta, Paris, or Los Angeles. There is simply too much to see with just three or four days in Tokyo. So, when deciding what to do in Tokyo during your first visit, it’s important to choose a handful of sights and leave the rest for your return. We spent 4 days in Tokyo. While there is still so much for us to see in Japan’s capital, this curated Tokyo travel itinerary gave us a satisfying introduction to the world’s largest city.

Skye Gilkeson

Skye and her family discovered all of the wonderful things there are to do with just 4 days in Tokyo. | © Skye Gilkeson

How to Spend 4 Days in Tokyo

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Creating a well-rounded Tokyo itinerary is easy. The city is brimming with cultural attractions, must-see sights, and delicious food. Whether you have 2 days in Tokyo or 4 days in Tokyo, unfortunately, you simply won’t be able to cover it all on your first visit.

When narrowing down what to do in Tokyo in 4 days, we simply chose our top sights and built up our days around those neighborhoods, leaving plenty of room for coffee stops and time for relaxation.

We also needed to use our time in the elements wisely as we were travelling to Tokyo in winter with a toddler in tow.

Related: Planning the Ultimate Hong Kong Stopover

Skye doing the Shibuya Scramble on the famous crossing. | © Skye Gilkeson

How to Get from Narita to Tokyo

The train from Narita to Tokyo is the most economical option. A Narita Express ticket from Narita to Tokyo costs about 3,020 yen (about $AUD40).
If you are grabbing your Tokyo train ticket or subway ticket on the go, make sure you have cash for the machines. We found many wouldn’t accept cards, despite saying they could.
The taxi from Narita to Tokyo could cost upwards of $AUD300. An Uber is a similar price.
We also found the Airport Limousine to be a comfortable way to get to Tokyo from Narita and back, particularly as we were travelling with a toddler. It takes about 90 minutes, each way.

Walking around Tokyo in the warm winter sunshine. | © Skye Gilkeson

Tokyo Luggage Service

If you are spending a few days in Tokyo and plan to travel from Tokyo to Hakuba. Or even if you are spending 1 or 2 weeks in Japan and don’t want to carry everything with you, there are convenient luggage services available to send your bags ahead of you. This will save you from having to lug them on and off trains.
However, you will need to allow at least two days in Tokyo before you travel. Prices start at about 1500 yen.
If you are simply passing through and spending a day in Tokyo during a stopover, there are lockers at the airport and train stations that cost anywhere from about 300 yen per day, depending on the size you need.

The sunset view from our room at the ANA Intercontinental Tokyo. | © Skye Gilkeson

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to Tokyo hotels.

We stayed at the ANA Intercontinental Tokyo, a five-star Ark Hills hotel. We absolutely loved it with the service and facilities exactly what we expect from an Intercontinental. The hotel is located in one of the best districts to stay in Tokyo.

The area is quiet, nice, clean, and within walking distance of Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace Gardens, and Roppongi Hills with plenty of restaurants nearby.

There is also a shopping center just next door which is home to a Starbucks, deli a pharmacy, and a cute izakaya for a casual ramen or sushi dinner.

We found the center a lifesaver on cold nights. It is ideal for families who need a convenient dinner option without the room service price tag.

Some of the other best districts to stay in Tokyo if you like bright lights, late nights, shopping, cheaper eats, and colourful characters are Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Roppongi.

Those looking for a quieter stay still in a central part of Tokyo with wide streets, lovely architecture, upmarket shops, and restaurants should book a Tokyo Station or Ginza hotel.

East Gardens of the Imperial Palace Tokyo

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace offer fabulous views of the Ginza skyline. | © Skye Gilkeson

Tokyo Itinerary: Four Days in Tokyo

Day One

The Imperial Palace

Even in winter, walking around the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, and Ginza was a pleasant way to spend a day in Tokyo.

Catch a train to Ginza or Tokyo Station and walk to the Imperial Palace main gates for a sneak peek first, then make your way to the historic East Gardens. We stopped in for breakfast at Buvette in Ginza on the walk.

It was a French-style breakfast in the lovely atmosphere which only set us back about $10 instead of $50 for the hotel buffet.

Entry to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace is via the Ōte-mon Gate. It is free; you just need to take a token on entry and return it upon leaving so the guards can monitor visitor numbers. The garden is very easy to navigate.

However, there is a guide app you can download for detailed directions and information about each of the historic sights and parts of the gardens.

Once the site of the 15th Century Edo Castle, the gardens feature historic ruins, perfectly manicured gardens, and sprawling lawns where we found many locals, including school groups gathered for lunch to take in the view of the skyline back towards Ginza.

We spent about an hour, snaking our way around the footpaths that carry you around the Imperial Palace East Gardens and exited via the same gate.

Tokyo Station

A ten-minute stroll from the gardens is Tokyo Station. A Busy central station and historic landmark in one, Tokyo Station must be on your list of things to see in Tokyo. The iconic rich red brick facade with white accents means that despite its low profile, it holds its own, juxtaposed against the harsh towering blue skyscrapers surrounding it.

It’s likely you’ll use the station at least once during your stay in Tokyo, particularly if you are taking any of the famous shinkansen bullet trains. However, take your time to wander around the building itself. Built-in likeness to the Amsterdam Central Station back in 1914, the station has undergone numerous renovations and upgrades since but is beautifully cared for and an interesting destination for visitors.

The station really is a city unto itself featuring restaurants, ramen bars, sweets and coffee shops, and plenty of shopping to do while you admire the architecture of the building.

Shopping in Ginza

You’ll probably find it’s time for a coffee or lunch at this stage as you start to walk towards Ginza. We needed a break from the cold winds and went underground for a coffee before walking on through gorgeous Ginza boulevards where familiar designer names pop up on every corner. Generally, stores open at around 11 am so it’s a good time to have a break before the crowds pick up too.

Stop in at Marunouchi Brick Square on the way past. Grab a pastry or a coffee from Le Cafe La Boutique de Joel Robuchon and enjoy it while sitting in the lovely little courtyard with its decidedly European feel. It’s a gorgeous protected oasis away from the streets and the wind.

Then, make your way to Tokyu Plaza Ginza for lunch. We ate lunch at Ginza Torisuki in Tokyu Plaza. The service was friendly and the fresh soba and sides were good. It had great views of the surrounding streets too.

Make sure you go up to the center’s rooftop too for even more expansive views.

The other must-visit shopping centers and department stores in Ginza are Ginza Six (don’t miss the rooftop garden) and Wako department store, where you’ll see the much-loved pre-World War II clock tower.

It is conveniently located right next to Ginza station. For the kids, don’t forget to stop in at Sanrio World Ginza (if you need to stock up on everything Hello Kitty) and the famous