Itinerary · Japan
Tokyo in 4 Days: A First-Timer's Itinerary with Transit and Budget Tips
A 4-day Tokyo route grouped by neighborhood, plus Suica and train-line tips, a realistic budget, and common first-trip mistakes.
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Before you plan: group Tokyo by neighborhood
Tokyo is huge. Bouncing between Asakusa in the east and Shinjuku or Shibuya in the west in a single day can easily cost you two or three hours on trains. The simplest fix for a first visit is to cover two or three neighboring areas per day and to stay near a station on the JR Yamanote Line, the loop line that connects most of the big districts.
Good bases for first-timers are Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, and the Tokyo Station and Ginza area. If you fly into Narita, Ueno is convenient because the Keisei Skyliner ends there. If you arrive at Haneda, Shinagawa and Hamamatsucho give you the shortest airport rides. The plan below assumes an afternoon arrival on day one and an afternoon departure on day four.
Day 1: Arrive and see Shinjuku at night
From Narita, the Skyliner reaches Ueno in about 40 minutes for roughly 2,500 yen (about 17 USD). From Haneda, the Keikyu Line or the Tokyo Monorail gets you into the city in 20 to 30 minutes for much less. Treat this as a light day: check in, get your transit card sorted, and eat well.
In the evening, head to Shinjuku. The observation floors at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building are free and give a wide night view. Afterwards, the small lanes of Omoide Yokocho and the streets around Kabukicho are an easy introduction to Tokyo food and nightlife. Go to bed at a reasonable hour; jet lag and a packed day two do not mix.
Day 2: Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara
Start early at Senso-ji temple and Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa. Around 9 a.m. the crowds are much thinner than at midday. Tokyo Skytree is across the Sumida River; you can pay for the observation deck or simply photograph it from the riverside.
In the afternoon, ride the Ginza Line to Ueno for Ueno Park and the Ameyoko market street. Finish in Akihabara, one short JR stop away, for electronics and anime shops. This order keeps every transfer under ten minutes.
- Asakusa to Ueno: Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, about 5 minutes
- Ueno to Akihabara: JR Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Line, about 3 minutes
Day 3: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku and Shibuya
Begin with a morning walk through the forested approach to Meiji Jingu shrine, then walk into Harajuku for Takeshita Street and continue down the wide Omotesando avenue. This whole stretch is walkable, so your transit spend is close to zero.
In the afternoon, continue to Shibuya for the famous scramble crossing. If you want a skyline view, book a paid observation deck such as Shibuya Sky for sunset. Sunset slots often sell out in advance, so reserve as soon as your dates are fixed.
Day 4: Tsukiji Outer Market or Ginza, then fly home
Keep the last day short. Graze on seafood snacks at the Tsukiji Outer Market in the morning, then do some final shopping in Ginza. Leave your luggage at the hotel or in station coin lockers so you can move freely.
Plan to arrive at the airport two to three hours before an international flight. Haneda is close to the city, but Narita takes an hour or more, so build that into your timing.
Getting around: one IC card does almost everything
Tokyo's subway lines and JR trains are run by different companies, but a single IC card such as Suica or PASMO works on all of them. iPhone users can add Suica directly in the Wallet app. If you need a physical card, visitors can buy the Welcome Suica at the airports. IC cards also work at convenience stores and many vending machines, which saves you from collecting coins.
If you plan to ride the subway many times per day, the Tokyo Subway Ticket for visitors (24, 48 or 72 hours) can be good value. Note that it does not cover JR lines such as the Yamanote Line. For a route like this one, with lots of JR hops, simply tapping your IC card is usually easier. Ticket types and prices change from time to time, so check the official operators before you go.
Budget: a realistic 4-day estimate per person
Figures below use roughly 145 to 155 yen per US dollar and exclude flights, which vary too much by origin and season.
A standard business hotel runs about 12,000 to 20,000 yen per night for the room, so sharing halves it. Expect higher prices during cherry blossom season, autumn foliage and Japanese holidays.
- City transit: about 800 to 1,200 yen per day (about 6 to 8 USD)
- Food: about 3,000 to 6,000 yen per day, less if you lean on ramen and convenience stores
- Airport transfers, round trip: about 1,000 to 5,000 yen depending on airport and line
- Admissions and observation decks: about 2,000 to 5,000 yen
- Total excluding accommodation: about 25,000 to 45,000 yen (about 170 to 300 USD)
Common first-trip mistakes
The biggest mistake is cramming too many districts into one day. Giant stations such as Shinjuku and Tokyo Station have dozens of exits, and a transfer can take 15 minutes or more. Check the exit number in your map app before you start walking.
Another is carrying no cash at all. Card acceptance has grown a lot, but small eateries, shrines and some shops are still cash-only, so carry around 10,000 to 20,000 yen. Registering in advance on Visit Japan Web speeds up arrival, and entry and visa requirements depend on your passport, so confirm them on official Japanese government sources before you travel.
Services mentioned in this article
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FAQ
Where should I stay in Tokyo for 4 days?
Anywhere near a JR Yamanote Line station works well. Shinjuku and Shibuya are lively late into the night, while Ueno is convenient for Narita and often a bit cheaper.
Do I need a Japan Rail Pass for Tokyo only?
No. The nationwide pass is expensive and only pays off if you take long-distance shinkansen trips. For Tokyo alone, an IC card is enough.
Should I get a local SIM or an eSIM?
If your phone supports eSIM, installing one before departure and switching it on after landing is the easiest option. You will use maps and route search constantly, so choose a generous data allowance.
How much cash should I bring?
If you rely on cards and an IC card, about 10,000 to 20,000 yen per person is usually enough. Convenience store ATMs generally accept foreign cards if you need more.