3 Days in Tokyo

How I Spent My 3 Days in Tokyo

Is 60 hours, just short of three days, enough time to visit Tokyo? Well… no. But it’s all I had so I found a way to make it work!

I would already be gone 21 days, but when I learned that I could make a second stopover on my flight to South Korea for just the cost of taxes I had to jump on it. I would only have 60 hours to explore the largest metropolis in the world, but I knew it would be worth it. Tokyo, here I come!

I stayed in an AirBnB apartment near Shinjuku Station and travelled around on a combination of Tokyo Metro, Toei and JR trains. If you’re thinking of visiting, check out my handy-dandy guide to Tokyo transit first.

So what are the best things to do with 3 days in Tokyo?

Day 1: Shibuya

Meiji Shrine

The first thing I did was head to Shibuya and the Meiji Shrine. Dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken, the Shinto shrine is a very peaceful place to start off your Tokyo tour. While I was there I had a delightful conversion with an older Japanese gentleman who gave me some history lessons and I got to witness a wedding. The torii, large wooden gates, leading to the complex were especially grand and photographic. I made a ¥100 offering and received an o-mikuji – a random fortune on a piece of paper. It was a particularly good fortune so I took it with me rather than tying it to a piece of wire and leaving it behind.

Harajuku / Takeshita Dori

Harajuku is a district in the Shibuya ward known for eccentric fashion and the young people who hang out around Harajuku Station on Sundays, engaging in cosplay (“costume play”). I was there on a Thursday but I still managed to see a couple girls in some amazing outfits. Even though I’m no longer the target market I love a good deal so of course I had to do some shopping on Takeshita Dori. My biggest lament was that my feet are too big for Japanese shoes. *sob* If you wear larger than a US 8/8.5 be prepared to have your heart broken.

Shibuya 109

Between here and the shops of Takeshita Dori I dropped more yen then I want to think about. Shibuya 109 is an awesome circular “fashion community” that contains 10 floors of boutique shops. It opened for business on the day I was born. If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is.

Shibuya Crossing

This crazy intersection in Tokyo is always an ebbing, flowing sea of humanity. The best place to view it is from the 2nd floor Starbucks near Shibuya Station, but I couldn’t resist getting down into myself and crossing back and forth a few times. Check out the statue of Hachikō, the world’s most loyal dog, while you’re there.

Day 2: Asakusa, Sumida, Minato, Shinjuku

Sensō-ji Temple

Sensō-ji is Tokyo’s oldest and most significant Buddhist temple so it was high on my must-see list. The entrance to the temple grounds is dominated by the Kaminarimon or “Thunder Gate”. Beyond the gate is Nakamise-dori which is lined with almost 90 small shops. I loved looking into them all and especially watching one shop making ningyo-yaki (little molded cakes filled with red bean paste). Unlike Meiji Shrine which I found to be quite calm and peaceful, Sensō-ji was bustling and a little chaotic. If you visit be sure to check out old-world vibe of the nearby streets of Asakusa.

Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree, located in Sumida Ward, is the tallest building in Japan at 634m. Considering the CN Tower EdgeWalk is 356m and that was enough to make my ears pop I can only imagine what the view is like from the top. Since lines form early my imagination is all I have from my visit to the Skytree. It would’ve been a two hour wait before I could go up so I decided to give it a pass and chose a different tower instead. Maybe next time Skytree…maybe next time.

Tokyo Tower

In comparison, there was no line at all when I showed up at Tokyo Tower (333m) in Minato Ward. I got there at dusk and love watching the city light up at night. You should really visit one tower or the other to really get a sense of just how massive the city and surrounding areas are. The lights just never end.

Akihabara

Aka, Electric Town – if it has batteries or plugs in, you can buy it here. Not surprisingly, the amount of neon signs here is astounding. Akihabara is also home to many maid cafes (catering mostly to male otaku) where you can have a cup of coffee and be treated as the master of the house rather than a regular old customer.

Kabukichō

Kabukichō is the entertainment and red-light district in Shinjuku. I had a wander one night, not to visit any businesses but just to have a look around at the three thousand bars, nightclubs, love hotels, massage parlours, hostess clubs and the like. I was there solo at night but felt safe and no one ever approached me. If you’re a man, be prepared to have bouncers get a bit aggressive trying to get you into their club. It was interesting to see, but now that I’ve seen it once I’m done.

Day 3: Chuo

Tsukiji Fish Market

No visit to Tokyo is complete without a visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market in Chuo Ward for a look around and some sushi. Even though I had to miss the tuna auctions because of timing and logistics I still loved checking out all the stalls and the tuna plate I had for breakfast was delicious. Plans to move the market have been in the works on and off since 2014 but the time has come. You only have until September 14, 2018 to visit Tsukiji Fish Market before it closes.

So even though I only had 60 hours in town I managed to pack it full. It was just a taste of Tokyo and I know that the city and I are not done with each other. In the famous words of the Terminator, “I’ll be back.”

What sites would you visit if you only had 3 days in Tokyo?

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Booking.com

How Many Days Should You Spend in Tokyo?

While I only spent 3 days in Tokyo, I would recommend you spend at least 5-7 days in Japan’s capital. It’s a huge metropolis and I guarantee you won’t run out of things to do if you spend a week in the city. Between temples, shopping, onsens, a day trip to Mount Fuji, and all the sushi you can eat, you’ll still only scratch the surface of the city.

Is Tokyo Worth Visiting?

Tokyo is absolutely worth visiting! One of the biggest cities in the world will have something to do for everyone. With so many direct international flights it makes the perfect jumping off point for a visit to Japan. Even just a few days here will give you a glimpse into a new, rich culture. Go out for karaoke, spend some time in quiet contemplation at temples and shrines, have dinner at a robot restaurant, get lost in a new neighbourhood… there’s so much to do in Tokyo, it should be on your Japan bucket list!