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Top things to see in Tokyo Japan: A long weekend guide

Updated: Jul 18, 2020

In search of culture, quirky cafes, street racing like our favourite childhood Nintendo characters and some seriously good Japanese food, we opted to spend a long weekend in Tokyo. Here is our itinerary and top tips for a three day visit.


Top things to see in Tokyo in three days travel guide travel blog
Our travel guide to the top things to see and do in Tokyo Japan


Our three day travel guide to Tokyo Japan:

  • Day one: Arrive in Tokyo, Lunch in Shinjuku (Katsu Curry), Visit Senso-ji temple, enjoy the afternoon and evening in Akihabara visiting a hedgehog cafe, MariCar racing and a gyoza dinner

  • Day two: Breakfast in Ginza, TeamLab Boarderless exhibit, Dinner and drinks at New York Bar and Grill on the rooftop of the Park Hyatt Hotel

  • Day three: Witness a sumo wrestling practise, Cross the worlds busiest intersection in Shibuya, enjoy the cafes, shops and people watching in Harajuku


This post contains some affiliate hotel links, if you click through and book via these links we will get a small commission at no extra cost to you.


Where to stay in Tokyo:


As Tokyo is HUGE, there are so many place to stay, here are a few neighbourhoods we recommend:


  • Shinjuku: The perfect spot for first timers, it's exactly what you imagine Tokyo to be with the hustle and bustle plus neon Japanese lights. It's also conveniently located near the Narita Express as well as all main train and bus lines, avoiding the need to transfer stations for getting around

  • Shibuya: Slightly less busy than Shinjuku, but central for shopping, the Shibuya cross and hear Harajuku. Also conveniently located near train and bus hubs.


Best Hotel deals in Tokyo:



Getting to and around Tokyo, Japan:


We flew Scoot from Singapore via Bangkok to get to Tokyo. We got a cheap deal and were able to bid for an upgrade before our flight which we were lucky enough to get making the journey much more comfortable for a fraction of the price.


As we would be spending 3 days in Tokyo followed by a few more travelling around Japan, we pre-purchased a JR East Pass, which we collected from the airport upon landing, valid for 5 days of trips (not necessarily consecutive). This covered our rail ticket into Tokyo itself and back to the airport at the end of the trip. It also covers some busses in the city. The rest of the trip we took the subway everywhere, it was easy to use and well connected, however many places do take time to get to given the city is spread over a large area.


Tokyo Day One: Senso-ji temple & Akihabara (Hedgehog cafe and MariCar racing)


After an early morning landing, we headed straight out for some sight seeing with our first stop being Senso-ji temple in Asakusa. This is the oldest temple in Tokyo and certainly one of the most spectacular. Walking up to the temple itself there are market stalls packed with local snacks and souvenirs which make for an enjoyable stop. The temple is also surrounded by some beautiful gardens and shines to explore too.