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*Last updated on August 8, 2024.

There are so many things to see and do in Tokyo that it's hard to narrow down what to do if you only have a couple of days to spend in this iconic city.

But if two days is all the time you have, we have the perfect 2-day itinerary for you. We grew up in Japan and still visit on a regular basis so these are our recommendations from a tourist and local's perspective.

Keep in mind that some of the attractions may still be adhering to COVID guidelines and will require to wear a mask and/or make reservations prior to arrival.

DAY ONE

9:00 AM Grab Breakfast To-Go at a Convenience Store

Japanese convenience stores are the best and you can pretty much find them everywhere. It's nothing like the run-down convenient stores in the United States with bland food.

Japanese convenience stores are clean and offer lots of great food from pastries to sandwiches to bento boxes and more.

We almost prefer eating at a convenience store sometimes rather than eating out at a restaurant. It saves you tons of money and it's great food.

Delicious Japanese pastries at a convenient store

9:30 AM Shibuya Crossing

This is the one thing we do every time we visit Japan. It's just so mesmerizing to watch hundreds of people cross the famous Shibuya Crossing at once.

Get a great view of the crosswalk at the Starbucks across the street from the JR train station. You’ll have to buy a cup a coffee and head upstairs. All the seats may be taken but be patient and wait a bit for a seat to open up.

Another classic thing to do in Shibuya is to take a picture with the legendary Hachiko statue right in front of the JR train station.

10:00 AM Early Lunch at Gyukatsu Motomura

Line up at Gyukatsu Motomura so you're first to get a seat at the popular restaurant for it's gyukatsu, a.k.a. steak kastu. Gyukatsu is a relatively new cuisine in Japan and the steak just melts in your mouth.

11:30 AM Shop in Shibuya

Shibuya is popular for shopping, so we recommend visiting a couple of department stores like Shibuya 109 or Loft. We always end up buying something at Loft or 109 because they have unique items you don’t really find anywhere else. The iconic Tower Records is also located in Shibuya so we’d highly recommend stopping by here as well; especially if you love music.

While you’re exploring the energetic streets of Shibuya, you can also try driving around the city Mario Kart style. Tourists love to do this.

1:00 PM Harajuku - Takeshita Street

Harajuku is well known for the quirky and crazy fashion on it's famous street, Takeshita Dori. There are lots of cute and interesting clothing shops and cafes. It's also popular for it's delicious crepes.

If you like Sanrio-themed cafes, stop by Pompompurin Cafe or get a unique cup of coffee with 3D art at Reissue.

3:00 PM Harajuku - Meiji Shrine

Behind the Harajuku station is a pathway to Meiji Shrine, which is a beautiful site to see. It's a peaceful area, but busy with ceremonies and events. You might even catch a traditional Japanese wedding while you're there.

Traditional Japanese wedding at Meiji Shrine

5:00 PM Dinner and Drinks in Yurakucho

If you're in the mood for a lively pub atmosphere, Yurakucho is the place to go. We particularly like Yakitori Alley where all the restaurants are located underneath the train station. It's a great place to experience how the locals enjoy Tokyo's izakayas. Plus, you can get some cool photos in this unique alley.

8:00 PM Karaoke

Still awake? Then you can stop by Karaoke Kan in Shinjuku and end the night by singing some classic songs in your own private room with disco lights.

Japan really knows how to do their karaoke rooms. Nowadays, a lot of them have props you can use like simple instruments or even cosplay outfits.

There are many karaoke joints in Japan, so if you don’t end up at this one, there’s plenty of others to choose from. I particularly wanted to do karaoke here because it reminded me of the movie, Lost In Translation, where you can see the nightlife of Tokyo from the room.

DAY TWO

8:00 AM Breakfast at a Japanese Bakery

Japanese bakeries are located everywhere in Japan because it’s a very popular snack and meal. We guarantee you will fall in love with Japanese bread once you taste it.

Most of the bakeries will have trays and tongs ready for you up front and then you select the bread, sandwiches, or pastries you want from the shelves and they’ll ring it all up at the register.

If you don’t want to go that route, you can get something at the convenience store again or save your appetite for lots of snacks at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa.

Japanese bakeries have an assortment of bread and the cutest creations

9:00 AM Asakusa Sensoji Temple

The Sensoji Temple is one of the most popular temples in Tokyo and the oldest dating back to 645 AD. The first thing you’ll see is the huge red gate with lantern called Kaminarimon. Then you’ll make your way to Nakamise Street where there will be many interesting gift shops and restaurants as you make your way to the temple.

Once you reach the temple area, make sure you purify at the water hut and the hut before entering the main hall. Afterwards, you can have some lunch in the area, but you might be a little full from all the snacks you picked up along the way.

12:00 PM Art Aquarium

Located in Ginza, the Art Aquarium Museum was produced by Hidetomo Kumura who wanted to create a space where people can admire goldfish as living pieces of art. Not only is it a fun way to view a variety of goldfish, but it’s a unique way to enjoy the traditional beauty of Japan.

2:00 PM Uniqlo Flagship Store Ginza

If you’re a fan of Uniqlo, you definitely need to stop by this flagship store as there are 12 floors of Uniqlo’s classic items and more. Even if you’re not a fan of Uniqlo, this store is worth stopping by as the displays are fascinating in itself.

T-shirts swinging in display at Uniqlo Ginza — Amazing displays at Uniqlo Ginza

Uniqlo Graphic T-shirts on the 11th floor

4:00 PM Kyushu Jangara Ramen

Jangara ramen is a popular ramen chain in Tokyo and they serve authentic Kyushu style Tonkotsu Ramen. Most of the Jangara restaurants are small and will probably have a queue, but don’t let this deter you as the line moves rather quickly. They also serve vegan ramen, which is pretty rare in Japan.

Waiting in line outside at Kyushu Jangara in Ginza — Waiting in line at Kyushu Jangara in Ginza

6:00 PM Akihabara

Akihabara is a popular city known for its electronic shops and anime subculture. If you love Japanese anime and manga, this city is your mecca. Get some good deals at the electronic stores, shop for anime goods or stop by a maid cafe.

Akihabara is also home to one of the original Gachapon stores and there are tons of gachapon machines throughout the city. Gachapon, also known as gashapon, are vending machine-dispensed capsule toys that originated in the 1960s that were meant for children, but have become popular amongst adults and tourists as well.

If you really love these fun capsule toys, make your way to Gashapon Ikebukuro. It’s currently the world’s largest gashapon store with over 3,000 machines.

10:00 PM Complete the night at an Izakaya

There are tons of izakayas, which are Japanese gastropubs that offer a delightful selection of tapas and drinks, throughout Japan. A couple of our favorite places to visit are Kamadoka, located in the vibrant Akihabara district, and Fukumimi, which can be found in either the upscale area of Ginza or the bustling neighborhood of Shinjuku.

Finding the right izakaya among the many options can be a little difficult in such a vast city like Tokyo, so opting for a guided tour that showcases the recommended izakayas will definitely help enhance your dining experience.

MORE FUN PLACES TO CHECK OUT IN TOKYO

If you want to explore more fun places in Tokyo or want to check out something else besides what we’ve listed in the itinerary, here are more suggestions:

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo - One of the world’s largest Starbucks with 4 floors of coffee, tea, and cocktails.

Sunny Hills Cafe in Minami Aoyama - Enjoy free tea and snacks while admiring Kenzo Kuma’s architecture.

Tokyo Ramen Street at the Tokyo station - 8 of the best ramen shops are under one roof.

Hedgehog Cafe in Roppongi - Hold and play with hedgehogs in a little cafe.

Animate in Ikebukuro - Visit the world’s largest anime store.

Kumachan Onsen in Shibuya - A whimsical experience to the traditional shabu shabu dining experience.

Walking up stairs under amazing architecture — Sunny Hills Cafe

A FEW MORE THINGS

If you don’t get the Japan Rail Pass, make sure to get the Suica card for smooth transport. You can use it for most of your transportation including trains and buses. Suica cards are also accepted at most vending machines, lockers, and convenience stores. We’re even starting to see some restaurants accept the Suica card as well.

Staying connected at all times is a must for us so we always rent portable WiFi from Ninja WiFi when we are visiting.

Before you leave Japan, make sure to stop by a Daiso store, where everything is priced at 100 yen (~$1), with great souvenirs and Japanese merchandise. Harajuku has a huge 3-story Daiso store that will have everything you need.

If you can find a Seria store, even better. It’s just like a Daiso store but they typically have better quality items and everything is truly 100 yen (whereas Daiso has some items that are 300-500 yen).

If you have a little more extra time and leaving from Narita airport, stop by the Narita Temple, which is only one train stop away from the airport.

Using the Suica card at a vending machine

Shopping at a Daiso store in Japan — Diaso store

WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO

Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu - We absolutely loved our stay at this wonderful hotel. It’s conveniently located in the vibrant heart of Shibuya, making it easy to explore all the area has to offer. The rooms are not only clean but also quite spacious. Additionally, their in-room massage services are both affordable and much needed after a long day of exploring.

AC Hotel Ginza Tokyo by Marriott - This is an excellent location if you are planning a bunch of activities in Ginza. We stayed here and couldn’t have asked for better accommodation. It’s modern, clean, and very spacious. It’s a fantastic location within walking distance of tons of shopping, dining establishments, and subways.

The Royal Park Hotel Tokyo Shiodome - You can take direct subway lines to Roppongi and Shinjuku from this hotel.

Grand Hyatt Tokyo - We personally stayed at this lovely hotel and it was a short walk to the Hedgehog Cafe in Roppongi.