Itinerary Tokyo

April is a fantastic season to visit Tokyo: cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom, weather is mild (12–20°C), and outdoor attractions are at their best.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	1,600 USD
🏨 Accommodations	1,900 USD
🧳 Gear	150 USD
🗺️ On-site	1,200 USD
Total	4,850 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇯🇵 Tokyo - 7 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🛕 Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Tokyo’s oldest temple, famous for its Thunder Gate and bustling Nakamise street market. Arrive early to avoid crowds.

• [ ] 🏛️ Tokyo National Museum, Ueno ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Japan’s largest museum, home to priceless samurai swords, Buddhist art, and seasonal exhibitions. Museum park is beautiful in cherry blossom season.

• [ ] 🌳 Ueno Park & Zoo ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Perfect for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in April. Several museums nearby.

• [ ] 🎨 Mori Art Museum & Roppongi Hills Observatory ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Contemporary Japanese and Asian art, plus sweeping city views from the Sky Deck.

• [ ] 🏙️ Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Tokyo’s celebrated garden, combining traditional Japanese, English, and French styles. Gorgeous during sakura.

• [ ] 🛍️ Shibuya Scramble & Center Gai ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Iconic crossing, neon streets, and fashion boutiques; soak up the city's energy.

• [ ] 🎌 Meiji Jingu Shrine & Yoyogi Park ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Tranquil Shinto shrine and forested park near Harajuku—spot weekend weddings.

• [ ] 🏛️ Edo-Tokyo Museum ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Immersive exhibits on Tokyo’s transformation from samurai town to megalopolis.

• [ ] 🛍️ Ginza Shopping District ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Flagship luxury boutiques, historic department stores—ideal for upscale shopping.

• [ ] 🎨 teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Cutting-edge interactive digital art museum—surreal, photo-worthy experience.

• [ ] 🌳 Imperial Palace East Gardens ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Explore moats, manicured gardens & Edo-era ruins—gardens free, palace closed to public.

• [ ] 🏙️ Tokyo Skytree ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Tallest structure in Japan—panoramic vistas, souvenir shops, aquarium nearby.

• [ ] 🛍️ Harajuku & Takeshita Street ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Youth culture, quirky boutiques, crepe stands. Go on weekends for cosplays.

• [ ] 🏛️ Nezu Shrine & Azalea Garden ⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Famous for its April azalea bloom—picture-perfect photo op.

• [ ] 🌳 Yanaka Ginza Old Town ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Retro district spared in WWII; crafts shops, cat street, nostalgic snacks.

• [ ] 🛍️ Akihabara Electric Town ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Electronics, manga, anime stores, themed cafés—pop-culture paradise.

• [ ] 🎨 Hara Museum of Contemporary Art ⭐ (~1h)

  • Avant-garde art in a serene setting; check for seasonal installations.

• [ ] 🏞️ Mount Takao ⭐ (~6h, day-trip)

  • Well-marked hiking trails with sakura, temple scenery. Reachable by train in 1h.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 Golden Gai, Shinjuku ⭐⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Network of atmospheric tiny bars, each with unique decor. Great for bar hopping and meeting locals.

• [ ] 🌆 Omoide Yokocho “Memory Lane” ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Lantern-lit alleys of yakitori (grilled skewers) spots—classic Tokyo night vibe.

• [ ] 🍣 Tsukiji Outer Market ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)

  • Best for early evening sushi & seafood stalls.

• [ ] 🎤 Karaoke Kan Shibuya ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Iconic karaoke complex—private rooms, city views.

• [ ] 🎭 Kabuki-za Theatre, Ginza ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • Classical Kabuki performances. Catch a single-act ticket for a taste.

• [ ] 🎡 Odaiba Night Views ⭐⭐ (~2h)

  • See Rainbow Bridge, illuminated ferris wheel, or relax at Odaiba onsens.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Ichiran Shibuya ⭐⭐⭐

  • Legendary solo ramen booths, order from vending machine. ~$12 per bowl.

• [ ] 🍣 Sushi Zanmai Tsukiji ⭐⭐⭐

  • Top-value sushi chain at the market, fresh daily catch. ~$25–35 per person.

• [ ] 🍢 Toriyoshi Yakitori Meguro ⭐⭐

  • Skewered grilled chicken & izakaya fare. ~$20–30 per person.

• [ ] 🥢 Aoyama Flower Market Tea House ⭐⭐

  • Floral café with healthy lunch & desserts. ~$15–20 per person.

• [ ] 🍱 Depachika Daimaru Tokyo ⭐

  • Gourmet food hall above Tokyo Station, perfect for bento box lunches.

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🛩️ JAL Sky Museum (~2h)

  • For aviation buffs—JAL’s flight simulators & hangar tour.

• [ ] 🏯 Day trip to Nikko or Kamakura (~7-9h)

  • UNESCO temples, historic towns, easily accessible by train.

• [ ] 🧖 Oedo Onsen Monogatari, Odaiba (~3h)

  • Edo-themed hot-spring park, fun for all ages.

🎬 Films & series to watch

🇯🇵 Tokyo

• [ ] 🎬 Lost in Translation (2003) — ⭐ 7.7 — Melancholic odd-couple romance amid Tokyo's nightlife — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 Godzilla (1954) — ⭐ 7.5 — The monster movie classic—Tokyo landmarks under threat — Criterion
• [ ] 🎬 Tokyo Story (1953) — ⭐ 8.2 — Family drama, postwar Tokyo — Criterion Channel
• [ ] 📺 Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories (2016) — ⭐ 8.4 — Poignant tales built around food in Tokyo alleys — Netflix
• [ ] 📺 Terrace House: Tokyo 2019–2020 (2019) — ⭐ 7.6 — Real-life youth share a Tokyo house — Netflix

🍜 Local specialties

🇯🇵 Tokyo

• [ ] Edomae sushi
• [ ] Tonkotsu ramen
• [ ] Monjayaki (Tokyo-style savory pancake)
• [ ] Tempura
• [ ] Wagashi (Japanese sweets)
• [ ] Tsukudani (sweet-salty kelp)
• [ ] Ningyo-yaki (small filled cakes)

📍 Maps - places to pin

🇯🇵 Tokyo

1. 🌤️ Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
2. 🌙 Golden Gai, Shinjuku
3. 🛍️ Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store
4. 🏨 Park Hotel Tokyo
5. 🍽️ Ichiran Shibuya

✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Tokyo
• [ ] ✈️ Tokyo → London

🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Tokyo	7	Park Hotel Tokyo (4★)	1,900 USD
Total	7 nights		1,900 USD