TOKYO BLOG
5-Day Tokyo Itinerary: Food, Shopping, Onsen & Hidden Gems Tokyo is one of my favorite cities because there is always something new to eat, shop for, and experience. For this trip, I wanted a relaxed schedule instead of visiting every famous tourist attraction. My 5-day Tokyo itinerary focused on food, shopping, local experiences, and relaxation. I stayed near Daimon and explored Ginza and Shibuya. I also enjoyed the night view in Roppongi and spent my final day at a Japanese onsen. If you are planning a Tokyo trip, this itinerary may give you some ideas. It is especially helpful if you enjoy food and shopping as much as sightseeing. Hotel & Transportation🏨 For this trip, I stayed at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Hamamatsucho-Daimon. Since my first day was an arrival day, I kept my schedule simple. I checked into the hotel, unpacked, and rested. I started my Tokyo itinerary the next morning. Staying around Daimon was convenient for traveling to different areas of Tokyo. I did not plan any sightseeing immediately after arriving. A quiet first day gave me time to settle in and prepare for the rest of the trip. Another useful part of my trip was setting up Suica on my iPhone. I used Suica while traveling around Tokyo. Having it on my phone was more convenient than carrying another physical card. For anyone planning a Tokyo trip, I recommend organizing your itinerary by neighborhood. I spent two days around Ginza instead of traveling back and forth across the city. This gave me more time for food, cafés, and shopping. It also made my schedule feel less rushed. Shopping in Ginza & Shibuya 🛍️ Shopping was a big part of my 5-day Tokyo itinerary. In Ginza, I visited GU and Adidas. Tokyo stores can take more time to explore than expected. Therefore, I did not schedule too many other activities on my shopping days. Having enough free time made it easier to browse without feeling rushed. On another day, I went to Shibuya. I first visited ARIES Shibuya to get my hair styled. Then, I went shopping at Shibuya 109. Shibuya 109 was one of the places I especially wanted to visit for shopping. International travelers should also check whether stores offer tax-free shopping. The eligibility requirements and procedures can change. Therefore, check the current rules when you travel. After spending the day in Shibuya, I went to Roppongi in the evening. I saw the illumination and enjoyed the Tokyo night view. The city has a completely different atmosphere at night. It was a nice way to finish a busy shopping day. If you enjoy shopping, I recommend leaving at least one day with a flexible schedule. Shopping in Tokyo can easily become a full-day activity. You may spend hours browsing stores, eating, and walking around different neighborhoods. Tokyo Food & Onsen Experience: 5-Day Tokyo Itinerary Food was another major part of this trip. I included several restaurants that I wanted to try in my itinerary. In Ginza, I visited Imakatsu Ginza and later stopped at Naruto Taiyaki. Taiyaki is a fish-shaped Japanese snack. It was an easy dessert to enjoy while exploring the area. On my next Ginza day, I ate at Sato Yosuke Ginza and visited Ken’s Coffee. After shopping, I finished the day at Wagyu Imoaraizaka no Shita. I had wagyu and beer there. During my Shibuya day, I ate at Cheese to Hachimitsu. I ordered an omelet and spaghetti before heading to Roppongi. Trying different restaurants and cafés was one of my favorite parts of the trip. For the final day, I spent the day at Saya-no-Yudokoro, a Japanese onsen. After several busy days, having time to relax felt especially good. I also ate a meal there, so I did not need to leave for lunch. After the bath, I bought bottled milk from a vending machine. It was a small moment, but it became a memorable part of my onsen experience. Ending a busy Tokyo trip with an onsen day created a nice balance. I enjoyed energetic areas like Ginza and Shibuya first. Then, I slowed down before the trip ended. Planning your next trip? You can also read about my Korean Air Economy and Prestige Class experience, including the airport lounges, meals, seats, and my flights to Cebu and Vancouver. Want to see what my trip actually looked like? Watch my Tokyo travel vlog to see the restaurants, shopping spots, and experiences from my five days in Tokyo. Click here