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The original was posted on /r/japantravel by /u/Emilicis on 2025-05-21 22:18:43+00:00.

For context this is my second trip to Japan but my first ever time in Tokyo! I visited both Kyoto and Osaka for a 2 week trip back in 2019. I wanted to allot more time in Tokyo specifically since I’ve never been and there’s such a large volume of things to do in this city that I wanted to see it all.

One thing I do regret deeply is my itinerary was SO packed. I just wanted to do and see everything and as a result I felt like I was hopping from place to place without a lot of breathing room. I did have days where I wandered and explored at my own pace but some days were running like a chicken with its head cut off. I’m still overall very happy with how everything turned out, but just some wisdom I wanted to pass on.

I also want to preface that my preferences will not be the same as yours! I care a lot about soaking up big city vibes, POKEMON, anime merch, character goods, food, photos, shopping. Yes I like temples and nature but those things aren’t as important to me as the first few things. I definitely wish I took at least 1-2 more day trips though. Or heck even a rest day. But no rest for the wicked!

Anyways, this was my itinerary:

5/9: Leave home, fly to Tokyo

5/10: Land at Narita, take Skyliner to Ueno. I found myself wandering through Ameyoko market late at night and stumbling into a delicious local ramen joint. Got some oysters too! Walked around a bit more and soaked in the night life. It was Saturday night. A lot of young people at the izakaya having drinks.

5/11: Ventured out to Akihabara and shopped around the various anime stores. I remember being shocked by just how many floors each store has! Got a lot of gacha keychains, blind boxes, and anime figurines! There was also a matsuri going on with people carrying mikoshi, chanting, drumming, cheering etc. Good times.

5/12: The pace picked up a bit more this day. Woke up early, took advantage of my jet lag and headed to Tsukiji Fish Market. Tried the tamago, tuna sashimi (melt in your mouth), wagyu skewer (favorite thing I ate), gyudon, oyster, scallops, matcha… WOW! Then went to Ginza and shopped at Uniqlo and Muji. Got udon. Made our way to Senso-Ji/Asakusa.

5/13: Meiji Temple in the morning. Spent a lot of time here, wandering through the grounds and hiking through the gardens. Then Shibuya for afternoon/evening. Walked the crossing. Don Quixote. I checked out the Pokemon Center, Nintendo Store, Shonen Jump store at Parco. Then Tower Records! Tried Ichiran just to say I tried it. It was mid.

5/14: Wandered around the Tokyo Tower area and discovered Maple Waterfall Park! Gorgeous little green space and it was so early that I basically had it to myself. Went to a cafe. Spent the afternoon bumming around Akihabara and Ueno. Strolled through Ueno Park and stumbled across the cutest summer flea market! Picked up very cheap ceramic kitchenware (550 yen a bowl) and some wooden spoons. Had my mind BLOWN at the Tokyo National Museum. Spent a few hours here but wish I had more time. Then went back to accommodation to watch some of the XG concert livestream.

5/15: Mt. Fuji day trip. Literally the HIGHLIGHT of my trip. We got extremely lucky with the visibility so Fujisan looked absolutely beautiful. Stopped at Oshino Hakkai and tried houtou noodles and it was absolutely scrumptious! Took pictures at Lawson. Wandered around little streets in the village nearby. Went to Lake Kawaguchi. Took the cable car up to a viewing point. Saw some swans and fish at another lake area.

Once I got back to Tokyo I saw LiSA in concert! It was my very first Japanese concert so the etiquette was TOTALLY different but I adjusted very quickly. She was absolutely amazing. Then I just bummed around Shinjuku after the concert lol.

5/16: Ikebukuro day! Spent a lot of today ambling around Sunshine City and various doujinshi/BL stores lol. Dropped by Pokemon Center Ikebukuro. This area definitely has a different vibe than Akihabara. Went to TeamLabs which I thought was overall quite a mid experience. Then made my way back to accommodation and on the way back saw the Miyazaki clock! WOW!

5/17: DISNEY SEA DAY! I got there a few hours before opening and bolted to Fantasy Springs area. Got to do the Peter Pan, Rapunzel, and Tinkerbell rides. Frozen was closed. Did Journey, 20k Leagues, Soaring, Indiana Jones, and Nemo rides too! At the end of the day I was so exhausted. It was also POURING rain that day.

5/18: This day was kind of crazy, so buckle up. Woke up at dawn and immediately bolted to the Your Name stairs. What’s insane is there were already a few people taking pictures! But it was overall very serene and quiet. I checked out the Suga Shrine right next to it. Hit up a vending machine and just vibed. Then I made the stupid but also chaotic decision to WALK to the Imperial Palace. So I did. Hit up a konbini for a cold drink and just… walked and walked. I feel like I saw a lot of quieter neighborhoods this way too. The Imperial Palace gardens were… meh. I liked the koi fish and cool twisty trees though.

You’d think the day is wrapping up but we are just getting started. Ambled over to Tokyo Station to explore Character Street. Went to the Pokemon Center Tokyo DX. Chilled a bit at a cafe.

Not done yet! Then I took the train ALL the way to Shimokitazawa. Had to transfer through Shibuya so I stood and watched the crossing. Ducked into a few vintage clothing stores, nothing really piqued my interest. Then back to Shinjuku to watch Godzilla do its thing. Ended the day at Golden Gai and befriended a local!

5/19: This day was also quite insane. I think as the days went on and I realized my trip was ending soon I wanted to do EVERYTHING. Got breakfast with some friends I haven’t seen since college. Smoothies at 7-11 and walked around. Went to Dengama in the kitchenware district. Shibuya Sky. Then went to my Pokemon cafe reservation. Got dinner with a different group of friends. Won some plushies at the arcade. And then finally a private onsen to end the night.

5/20: Last day. Went to Tokyo Tower again and looked around the mall/shopping area attached to it. Took some final pictures. Then went to Narita for flight home. Got some curry. Hit up a couple souvenir shops. Then goodbye Japan!