One Day in Tokyo! Shibuya Harajuku Shinjuku
Spend one day in Tokyo exploring three amazing suburbs – the vibrant Shibuya Harajuku Shinjuku suburbs!
Deciding how to spend day one in Tokyo was my very first task as a solo traveller in Japan. One day is enough to get a taste of what Tokyo offers, but deciding which area to explore is tricky!
I chose to explore Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku, so I had time to enjoy each location and get a sense of the city through its neon lights and gorgeous temples and even had time to stroll through one of Tokyo’s tranquil parks. Try not to pack too much in, or if you have three or four days to spare, you can check out my longer, alternative Tokyo Itinerary here.
Upon arriving in Tokyo after 20 hours of travel from the UK, my first thought was, ‘Man, I can’t believe I was THIS excited to leave London just to get on another tube.’ Whilst the colourful advertisements and distinctive sound of Japanese pop in the background made me smile, I was underwhelmed (well, let’s be fair, I was just bloody knackered). I shifted my brain nine hours ahead, had an excellent first night’s sleep and woke up feeling refreshed. It’s worth noting, at this point, that Japan is a country I’ve dreamed of visiting for years and never thought I’d get to… Although this meant solo travel in Japan had some inevitable low points because my standards were perhaps so high,
I needed more than a super-sized London. I needed culture shock. I needed attitude. I needed to explore these amazing suburbs and get stuck into my day out exploring Shinjuku Harajuku Shibuya!
I’ve not listed prices because all the Tokyo sightseeing included in this post was free!
I also walked everywhere except for the tube to Harajuku at the beginning of the day and from Shinjuku at the end of the day. Those on a higher budget may be interested in visiting the Studio Ghibli Museum or – another famous animation-inspired site – Tokyo Disneyland.
With all that said, let’s continue with the Shibuya Harajuku Shinjuku Tokyo itinerary
ONE DAY IN TOKYO ITINERARY: Shibuya Harajuku Shinjuku
HARAJUKU!
Whether you’re spending one, three, or five days in Tokyo, at some point, you’re probably going to make it to the iconic suburb of Harajuku!
The trendy Takeshita Dori street, right opposite Harajuku metro station, is a fabulous place to start any KAWAII hunt. (‘Kawaii’ means cute in Japanese, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to use it). Snacks here come in the form of rainbow candy floss, ice cream in every colour, and crepes with any topping you could think of. I went for a crepe, and my god, no wonder the people you might see in Harajuku are so ultra-kawaii if they are feeding themselves so much sugar.
When fashionable youth culture has got a bit much, just five minutes away is the serene Yoyogi Park – which also happens to be home to Meiji-Jingu Gyoen (gardens) and shrine, making it the perfect place to walk off a lifetime’s supply of whipped cream. Despite looking worse for wear, I felt positively serene walking through the tall trees approaching the Meiji-Jingu Shrine.
Prefer to travel with the insights of a local guide? Check out this Shibuya and Harajuku hidden gems private tour and discover Tokyo’s quirkiest neighbourhoods with a local.
The shrine, the first of many I’m sure to witness in Japan, was built in dedication to the Emporer Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken. It is a Shinto shrine, and the English-language pamphlet chooses to explore the virtues of the ‘sacred heart’ and harmony with nature as of importance to the ‘religion’. (In quote marks as it has no holy book or founder, but its virtues are rooted in Japanese life.)
On my way out of Harajuku, I passed by Togo-jinja, a small, quiet temple next to Takeshite Dori but skipped most of Omotesando. This street is noted in guidebooks but is basically a road full of fancy brands. Perfect if you’re less doughnut and more Dior, mind.
SHIBUYA!
As a Londoner – at least I was until five days ago – I know that tube stops are likely to be closer together than they seem, and it’s worth checking the walking distance before getting on the metro. Harajuku is connected to Shibuya by ‘Cat Street’, a winding road with a few boutiques. I took this route to the famous Shibuya Crossing, which I proceeded to, y’know, cross. It is only a fifteen-minute walk from Harajuku to Shibuya Crossing.
I know this will surprise you, but I’ve never gone to a specific area just to cross the road before. Shocking huh?
HINT: Head up to the Starbucks, which overlooks Shibuya Crossing, for a free view! (And to get a WiFi hit while you’re at it.)
Since I was tired and was not one for browsing (big attractions in these districts of Western Tokyo include their expansive malls – perfect if you’re into shopping), I headed through the back streets searching for veggie food.
Ten minutes from Shibuya station is Nagi Shokudo, a small vegan restaurant – here, I got tofu, rice, miso soup and pickles. A worthy first Japanese meal! Next time in Tokyo, I’m planning to go on this vegan and vegetarian Shibuya tour – yum!
SHINJUKU!
My final stop for the day was Shinjuku. It takes about 20 minutes to get from Shibuya to Shinjuku on the Yamanote line. Use a Maps.me offline map by downloading the app or Google Maps if you have data.
I headed to the Government Metropolitan Building – you can get a free view of Tokyo from the top! If you’re heading to Tokyo, Shinjuku is known for its fabulous nightlife and dining places. I, however, was in need of a chilled evening in my hostel. I guess that’s how I found the time to write this post after all that touristing huh?
At the end of the day, I got the metro back to my hostel in Akihabara. This was a chilled location and fairly cheap as it’s slightly outside the main tourist areas. Hostels in Japan are exceptionally clean and often have private, capsule-style beds. Of course, there are many Tokyo hotel options for couples as well.
If you’re keen to explore Shinjuku under the light of neon sights after the sun goes down, then this Night Foodie tour in Shinjuku might be a fun way for you to wind down the day.
What else would you add to a one-day Tokyo itinerary for Shibuya Harajuku Shinjuku?
FIRST-TIME IN JAPAN?
Get your 7-day JR Rail Pass in advance with a 4G SIM card included.
Or simply save time by purchasing your 4G SIM card in advance – you can pick it up from the airport when you arrive!
See the iconic Mt Fuji on a day tour from Tokyo.
Book top-rated travel insurance with World Nomads. They have flexible insurance options, which you can even book when you’re already on the road.
MORE THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO:
How to Spend 3 or 4 days in Tokyo
Check GetYourGuide for a list of current and popular tours.
FURTHER TRAVEL IN JAPAN:
One to two weeks in Kyushu itinerary, Japan. (inc costs)
Solo Travel in Kyoto and my Search to find Magic in Japan + itinerary
Solo Hiking the Kumano Kodo; 4-day itinerary in Japan’s spiritual heartland
Things to do in Fukuoka, Kyushu
I hope you found this Shibuya Harajuku Shinjuku useful and have an amazing time in Tokyo!
I have always wanted to visit Japan! How much time would you suggest spending ther eto get the best experience?
Japan has always been on my bucket list but I haven’t made it there yet! The photos in your post have just reminded me why I want to go to Japan!! I think it’s just moved slightly higher on my list!
I actually want to go to Japan so bad and this has made me want to go more! So happy that you can do so much in one day and visit so many places!
I have always wanted to go to Harajuku! All of the bright colours and fun and quirky foods look so fun! Kudos to you for going solo; that’s an achievement!
Love this! I’ll be going here in April, super excited! 😁
Ohh amazing!! It will be nice weather for epic exploring then, cool and not too hot.
Thanks Kelsey! It’s a fascinating city x
I want to visit Tokyo so bad, it looks amazing!