The perfect first-timer's plan: old Tokyo, modern Tokyo, and the bay, one area per day.
Tokyo is enormous, so the trick to three days is to travel by area, not across the map. This plan groups each day around a cluster of neighborhoods you can explore on foot, with short train hops between them, covering the temples and markets of the old east side, the fashion and nightlife of the modern west, and the waterfront on day three. Every stop links back to our full Tokyo guide for hours, maps and nearby picks.
Start early at Tokyo's oldest temple, then browse the snack-and-souvenir street leading up to it.
A short walk away for the city's highest views, book ahead to skip the lines.
Museums, shrines and Japan's top art-and-history collection in one green expanse.
A buzzing under-the-tracks market for street food and bargains.
Finish in 'Electric Town', anime, retro arcades and multi-floor electronics.
A serene forest shrine, best in the calm of the morning.
Harajuku's teen-fashion lane beside elegant, tree-lined Omotesando.
The world's busiest crossing, then the open-air rooftop deck for sunset.
Atmospheric lantern-lit alleys of tiny bars and yakitori counters.
Free night views over the city from the 45th floor.
A sushi-and-tamagoyaki breakfast among the stalls of the old fish-market district.
Upscale shopping, or a quiet stroll through the palace gardens.
Immersive digital-art rooms, reserve a timed ticket in advance.
End with the classic orange tower lit up, and Roppongi's dining and bars.
Three days covers Tokyo's essential neighborhoods and a couple of icons at a comfortable pace. You won't see everything, but you'll get a real feel for both the traditional and ultra-modern sides of the city.
Shinjuku and Shibuya are the most convenient for first-timers; Tokyo Station/Marunouchi is great for shinkansen day trips and a quieter base.
From Narita, the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner reach the center in ~60 minutes; from Haneda, the Monorail or Keikyu line take ~30 minutes.