Tokyo is Asia’s electric capital. From ancient shrines to quirky cultural encounters, here’s a 3-day itinerary in Tokyo, featuring the city’s best things to do and experiences that I think you’ll love.

By night, the city illuminated by neon lights glowing beside its towering skyscrapers, with a hum of crowds echoing through its streets. But by day, a peaceful atmosphere blankets the city, with locals and tourists alike roaming this metal metropolis where natural gardens and historic shrines meet multimillion-pound corporations and high-speed railways. 

The stark contrast in Tokyo’s landscape, which somehow blends the old with the new harmoniously, is what makes Japan’s thriving capital so popular with tourists from all around the world. Offering never a dull moment, it’s not hard to understand why you’ve added this ever-evolving destination to your bucket list. 

Day 1: Best Things to Do in Tokyo

Discover Shibuya

Start your first day of your 3 days in Tokyo by visiting one of the most iconic locations in the city – Shibuya Crossing. Also known as ‘Shibuya Scramble Crossing’, it’s not hard to understand why this famed pedestrian crossing got this name as, once its lights go green, people shoot across from every angle to get to the other side of its roads. 

When you’ve dodged the crowds at Shibuya Crossing, head to the famous Hachiko Statue in Hachiko Square. A heart-wrenching story known by many across the world, Hachiko was a dog who waited nine years for his master outside Shibuya Station, even after his passing. Many visit the statue to pay their respects to the loyal companion, and whilst you’re here it’s certainly worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary. 

And as you roam through the bustling streets of Shibuya, lined with coffee shops, backstreet restaurants, and shopfronts, you’ll no doubt hear the resonating clinking and clanking sound of one of Japan’s favourite pastimes – Pachinko. Pachinko parlours are found throughout the streets of Shibuya, and it’s a truly quirky and unique aspect of daily life in Japan that you can catch a glimpse of in action.