Cici Cao

Oct 319 min read

3-Day Itinerary: Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan!

Photos are all property of ESCAPETHEROOMers

Geography: Japan's capital. Located in the Kanto region of Honshu.
Population: Approx. 37 Million
Currency: Japanese Yen (Yen); Currency Converter
Best Time to Visit: March-April & September-November

We chose to spend a few days in Japan before starting our 12-day cruise in Yokohama. Our arrival was on August 15th, 2024, at 2:30 PM. We decided to book a stay at the Hilton Tokyo due to its convenient location for our planned destinations. I hope you find this blog "things to do in Tokyo" useful for your trip planning.

Upon arrival, we took advantage of the Airport Limo Bus service straight to the hotel, which was a more cost-effective option at ¥1,400 per person compared to other transportation methods. As a special gesture for our anniversary, the hotel upgraded our room and even gave us a complimentary gift. This allowed us access to either the downstairs buffet or the executive lounge upstairs, which also offered afternoon tea and cocktail hours. Additionally, the hotel provided easy access to the subway line from the lobby. Amenities at the hotel included an indoor pool, lounge, gym, and tennis court. I highly recommend staying at this hotel!

Day 1 (half day)

Following our hotel check-in, we proceeded directly to Omotesando street for a quick lunch at Kaiten Sushi Ginza Onodera HONTEN. By 4:30 PM, the establishment was already bustling, so without a reservation, you may experience a slight wait. We found the place somewhat overhyped considering the prices. The conveyor belt wasn't operational, the sushi was mediocre (some pieces didn't taste fresh), and we had to fetch our own water in terms of service. Complimentary hot green tea is available, and you can prepare it using the provided powder at your table.

Our next destination was Mipig Cafe, which is conveniently located within walking distance from where we had lunch. Along the way, you can also pass by Koffee Mameya, Cat Street (great for shopping), and the famous BPC Donut.

If you are a fan of mini pigs, this is a must-visit spot. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance as they tend to be fully booked. Upon arrival, you will be provided with clean slippers and asked to store your belongings in a locker (except for your phone, which you can keep for taking photos). Once seated, you simply wait for the pigs to approach you (though the staff will assist if needed). The pigs range from 2 to 9 months old and you will be given a blanket to protect yourself from their nails. These adorable creatures make cute sounds and enjoy chewing on their own saliva. They are also trained to use a litter box. Each visit lasts for 15 minutes, after which you will be called to leave.

There are some fun and themed cafes right across the street but some do close early and need reservation in advance. , Some of the delicacies you can try on this street include the famous Marion crepes, candied strawberries and many ice cream places. The area is bustling with shops and Gachapon machines. Heading uphill, you will eventually reach Harajuku subway station at the end of the street.

In case you're still feeling hungry and looking to have a late-night sit-down meal, consider visiting "Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi Shinjuku" for delicious yakitori and other appetizers! But if you are interested in exploring bars and nightlife, then you must visit "Golden Gai" and "Omoide Yokocho"!

Day 2

Due to our jetlag, we had initially planned to visit the Tsukiji Outer Market for some delicious fresh sashimi since we'll be up early anyways. However, upon arrival, we learned that the market was closed due to a Japanese holiday and a typhoon. Undeterred by the weather, we decided to explore Japan anyway! Armed with an umbrella, we made our way to Hie Shrine. Although there is no entrance fee, visitors must climb approximately 30-40 steps to reach the top. The striking orange columns at the shrine provide a wonderful photo opportunity. Up there, you will find several temples, including one where a fee is required for prayer.

We had lunch at "Syabu-yo", an all-you-can-eat shabu shabu restaurant for 80 minutes. We opted for the premium set, which includes pork and beef with a choice of two different broths. You can select up to four broths by paying extra. It's important to place your order promptly upon seating, as you won't be able to order during the last 10 minutes of your allotted time. However, you can stay an additional 10 minutes beyond your table time to finish your meal. Be sure to time your final order correctly. Once you've placed your order, a robotic server will bring your food to the table. Remember to take items only from the blue-lit tray and leave any plates you want to be cleared at the bottom. The meal includes vegetables, drinks (some are complimentary, while soda and alcoholic beverages cost extra), dipping sauces, and desserts such as waffles, ice cream, cotton candy, and shaved ice. If you want more broth, you can order it through the app, which has an English version for easy use. After finishing your meal, take the check to the front desk for payment. The meat was delicious, and we were completely full afterward.

While we were already in Shibuya, I decided to visit my favorite store, "Shibuya 109". Strangely, the store doesn't have the same appeal to me as when i visited back in high school. The clothing there now appears like cosplay to me.

We quickly changed our plans and decided to visit "Mega Don Quijote" instead. It's amazing! You can easily lose track of time in there, with the brainwash songs playing in the background. Two hours passed by quickly in this huge 7-floor store. Everyone coming out seemed to be carrying more than they could with their two hands. I was surprised that we ended up spending over 5000 Yen and qualified for tax-free shopping. Most people would usually take a cart and shop from each floor and take the cart to the elevator. This could be time consuming as the elevators are quite small and they really couldn't fit many people at once. I suggest carrying either a basket or your own bag and avoid the cart. Since the tax-free counter is on the top floor, it's more practical to start from the first floor and work your way up to the seventh.

Walking a bit further down the street, we arrived at Shibuya Parco. The atmosphere here is distinctly different than where we were before. The crowd is not as dense and the stores mainly comprised of high-end brands. However, with Ninento and Pokemon center located in the building, you will encounter numerous families with children once you reach that floor. Additionally, there are several themed cafes and a Starbucks on the same floor where you can take a brief break. Starbucks offers seasonal selections worth exploring. If possible, consider visiting on a weekday.

Day 3

Our last day in Tokyo was jam-packed. We woke up early, enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the hotel, and headed straight to Art Aquarium. I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance to streamline the check-in process. The aquarium opens at 10AM, and on a Sunday, there was already a crowd waiting. Upon arrival, head directly to the 9th floor where the restroom is located, as guests are encouraged to use it before entering the venue. Access to the aquarium is only available through the 9th floor, where visitors can then take an escalator down. While there is no reentry, you are free to explore the aquarium at your own pace. Follow the signs for a guided path to see all the fish displayed as art. It's truly fascinating to witness. A visit to this place is definitely worthwhile. At the end of the tour, there is a gift shop offering unique souvenirs. You can complete the visit in as little as 30 minutes or take your time exploring.

After seeing numerous positive reviews on Tik-Tok, I made a reservation for "Manten Sushi Omakase" and I must say, it lived up to the hype. The restaurant was located in an underground food hall tunnel. If you spot any openings leading to an archway, step inside as it's much cooler in the tunnel during hot summer days than outside. The entire meal cost around $60 per person (payment required in advance when booking on their website). We were served over 20 dishes (only a few photos are shared here) with water as the only beverage included. Every dish was flavorful and exceptionally fresh! It was my first time trying fresh ginger in chunks rather than slices. Additionally, we were offered complimentary hot tea at the end of the meal.

Following lunch, we embarked on a one-hour train journey to reach the outskirts in order to visit the stunning Hana Biyori garden. I recommend purchasing tickets in advance to avail of a discounted rate. If you are planning a day trip, you might also have time to explore the amusement park connected to the garden. Upon exiting the subway station, you will find a complimentary bus that will transport you uphill to the entrance (located on the left side after you exit the station). You can take this bus back as well, just remember to inquire about the final bus departure time.

Upon entering the park, head directly to the Starbucks area where you'll find a bulletin board. Check the schedule for the light show, as it varies depending on the season. Once you have the timing, ensure you arrive at the large hall area 5 minutes before the show starts, as access will be restricted. The otter viewing station is also located here. After capturing photos in this section, you can explore other parts of the park such as the waterfall, garden, and temples (there are short stairs leading to the top). You can either complete a tour of the entire park within an hour or take your time and stay longer.

Since this is our final meal in Tokyo, we decided to go big or go home! We took on the challenge of the "Ginza Happo" all-you-can-eat seafood buffet (a bit tricky to locate in the basement)! Priced at around $80 per person, it seems worthwhile only for those who can consume a substantial amount of seafood and meat. The seafood was notably fresh, featuring king crab legs, Alaska crab legs, crawfish, oysters, shrimp, sashimi, sushi, conch, snails, etc. There were also various hot dishes, Japanese starters, salad, a variety of BBQ meats (beef, pork, horse, etc.), and desserts. The price also included unlimited soft drinks and alcohol (beer, wine, sake). The buffet has a 2-hour time limit, and excess leftovers will incur additional charges. I would have preferred more choices for dipping sauces and marinated meats. Personally, I would have rather spent the money on another exquisite omakase experience.

Ensure that you allocate enough time for exploring Tokyo airport, as there is a food street and an observation deck that are worth visiting before going through customs!

Note that the priority pass lounge at this airport is rather small and offers limited food options, with consistently long waiting times. The bathroom is located upstairs and is separate from the seating area. While you may consider using the shower facilities, overall, it might be more worthwhile to spend your time elsewhere.