3 days in Tokyo

We will tell you how you can enjoy the most beautiful sights without hurry and to the maximum, even if you are in Tokyo just for a long weekend or for a stopover. Here is our itinerary: 

 Arrival:

Depending on when you arrive at the airport, the first day is not much for sightseeing. We used our day of arrival to get some orientation, a first impression and to plan our next days. 

The best way to get to the city center is by bus or train from the airport. Depending on the way you would like to plan your stay in Japan, at the airport you can get various tickets for long-distance trains or buses that can be combined with the Tokyo Metro ticket. It is important that you buy it directly at the airport, as certain offers are only valid for tourists outside Japan and you get the best deals on the spot. 

Day 1:

We started our Tokyo explorer tour at Imperial East Garden. The metro went from Komagome to Nagatcho metro station and from there we took a short walk to the East Gate. Depending on what direction you come from, you can also get off at the stations Otemachi, Takebashi, or Nijubashi-mae. The access to the park is free of charge and it not only invites to linger but also offers an insight into Japanese culture and history.

Right next to the park is the imposing Imperial Palace. Particularly impressive are the massive gates and bridges that lead to the Palace. Here we had a nice photo break because of the special atmosphere between the traditional palace and the modern skyscrapers. 

Passing the Kusunoki Masashige Statue, we headed to the metro at the Meiji – Jingumae Station. From here we began the walk through the Yoygi Park along the so-called Torri (Gates) to the Meiji Shrine, which was dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife Shoken. We spent a lot of time here.

In the evening during the blue hour (just before sunset) we marveled the lights and the happenings in Shibuya. Shibuya is probably the station that represents Tokyo best. The shopping district with its neon signs illuminate the streets in many colors. Apart from many lights and shops, the streets are filled with lots of people! If you want to see how many they are exactly, you should treat yourself with a coffee at Starbucks at the Shibuya crossing, where you can wait for the green light of the pedestrian lights and watch the streams of people. Madness!

We also had dinner in Shibuya, here you can find plenty of restaurants but beware: in Japan, often credit cards are not accepted in restaurants or hostels. That evening we went to bed with great impressions about the city.

Day 2:

Day two took us to Shinjuku to the government building. The 243-meter high building itself is worth seeing, but the reason for our visit was the viewing platform. With the metro we reached the station Tochomae. From here, after the security control, you can get in the west or the south tower. Both towers have a viewing platform open to visitors from 09.30. Admission is free. The south tower is open until 17.00 and the north tower is open until 22.30. Note that some Mondays and Tuesdays during the month, one of the towers is closed. The view is incredible. You can see the other towers (Skytree and Tokyo Tower) as well as temples and parks.

We were particularly lucky that day when we visited the tower, the sky was very clear and Mount Fuji showed us its imposing side. After a detailed visit, we have examined the stamp of the tower. We could find souvenir stamps with great symbols at many tourist places and metro stations.

Our next stop was a culinary highlight, the Tsukiji fish market, the largest fish market in the world. It is easy to reach, from the Tsukiji metro station just follow the smell of the fish. In the big market, there are not only fish, but also many other treats for your heart desires. The market is expected to move this year. For early risers, a visit to the tuna auction gives visitors at around 3.00 in the morning the chance to witness the auction, which is worthwhile.

After a little refreshment at the fish market, we strolled through the Ginza district, known for its luxury shops and boutiques. The metro took us from Ginza to Kamiyacho Station, from where we could admire the Tokyo Tower, which resembles the Eiffel Tower (French people would probably contradict me). We decided not to go up there, as we already got a great view in the morning from the government building. In the towers, Tokyo Tower and Skytree, an entrance fee is required. But also from below they offer a great view.

Our last night in Tokyo took us back to a colorful neighborhood, this time to Akihabara. The neighborhood with the eponymous metro station is the home of the anime and manga. Pure sensory overload! Not that we are the biggest manga or anime fans, but a visit is definitely worth it. The last evening we spent in our favorite Sushi restaurant (see post: Welcome to Tokyo). It was time again to say goodbye. 

Departure: 

Due to the great traffic connections in Tokyo and everywhere in Japan, we used our last day before departure for a special highlight. After we said goodbye to our Hostel, we took the Metro to Asakusa, from where we were only a few steps away from Sensoji Temple. The oldest temple in Tokyo is surrounded by a market and offers a great view of the Skytree, the highest tower in the city. On and around the temple were many visitors, tourists and locals as well with kimonos. After a detailed exploration tour we went to our next city to Yokohama. 

Our 3 days in Tokyo were a great success for us. Of course, the biggest city in the world can not be explored in 3 days and there was so much more to see in Japan. We are satisfied with our route, we saw everything we wanted and had enough time at the stops. Especially in the parks, we took a lot of time and witnessed the beginning of spring and flowering.

More of Tokyo? Click here for the gallery.