If you’re looking for your perfect 3-4 day Tokyo itinerary that will help you make the most of the Japanese capital as a solo traveller, then you’ve come to the right place.
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I’ve been a solo traveller for 6 years and this is the itinerary I used. Tokyo is the first place I ever travelled alone, so if you’re a first time solo female traveler in Tokyo, then you can still use the tips below!
Each day takes a specific route around Tokyo designed to maximize time. I did much of this itinerary on foot to save money! Though all the below attractions are also near subway stations if you prefer to save time.
Since I travelled to Tokyo on a budget (and solo travel can be pricey!) much of the below Tokyo itinerary contains free activities, though prices are listed when this is not the case.
I continued down the path to the National Museum, where I visited the Japanese Art exhibitions. The samurai armour, painted screens and elaborate ceramic paintings were a great introduction to Japanese art and culture.
Cost of National Museum: 460 yen (3.39 GBP / 4.27 USD)
All other activities on this day are free.
ASAKUSA
Asakusa is famous for its traditional architecture and does not disappoint. The hustle and bustle of winding roads packed with vendors and lanterns hanging overhead are Japan just as Westerners imagine it to be. After a quick lunch stop at Kaemon Asakusa, a small Japanese vegan buffet, I moved on to Asakusa’s biggest attraction.
I’d been warned about visiting during Golden Week, a National holiday in Japan, and whilst the rest of my trip hadn’t seemed overly crowded considering the population of Tokyo, Senso-ji Temple was a little too packed to enjoy it truly. Once I walked away from the main temple, and around the surrounding garden area, I could appreciate it a little more.
The primary culprit for the lack of pure excitement upon walking around Senso-ji was, as aforementioned, my over-eager, years-long wish to visit Tokyo. When I arrived, was it everything I thought it would be?
Well, yes. It was just as beautiful, just as good-natured, just as fascinating. But I was waiting to be surprised.
AKIHABARA
The spiritual home for ‘geeks’ everywhere; full of comics, anime, arcades and all kinds of merchandise. The streets are adorned with flashing animated billboards, and a different Japanese vocalist serenades you from every shop window. Perhaps it’s because the ‘nerd’ culture was more appealing to me than the shopping districts of, say, Shibuya, but Akihabara was fast becoming a firm favourite of mine… But first, I had to find dinner.
I’d heard of eateries where just a few customers sit around a wooden bar, appearing as if the tiny dining area had been carved straight out of the backstreets. Whilst searching for vegetarian food, a man noticed me looking inquisitively at a curtain through which I could smell sweet Japanese cooking and ushered me inside. There was one seat left, just a metre from the curtain, where I was glad of the cooling evening breeze.
Over the other side of the bar, I could see the chef working hard behind rising smoke and food sizzling. The man passed me an English menu as if reading my mind and turned the page. ‘Vegan Ramen!’ it beckoned in block letters. He spoke to me again: ‘You will have the vegetarian, yes?’
‘Yes! Hai!’ I was so happy to tuck into my comforting bowl of ramen whilst sitting with locals, although admittedly, I hoped they wouldn’t notice my slurping technique is not up to scratch. Though I tried my best after learning that this is a polite way to behave in Japan.
AN ACCIDENTAL SUNSET MADE ME FALL FOR JAPAN
Full and satisfied, I left to find myself back on the streets of Akihabara. If an hour earlier it was becoming a firm favourite, this time? Well, this is when I had my ‘I fell in love with Japan’ moment. The sunset was setting behind the electric wonderland and where the neon lights met, the sky was a feast of colours, both brash and calming all at once. Who said beaches were the best place to view a sunset? Let’s give a sprawling metropolis a chance to show us that pure, enchanting beauty we get from watching the sun fall behind the horizon, yeah?
I have always been a nature-over-cities sort of person. I have lamented that stars can never be beautiful when attached to wires and argued that mountain tops are the only jagged shapes that have mastered the art of creating gorgeous skylines. Yet, there was nothing I could have wished to set eyes on at this moment more than the sunset over Akihabara.
Day Two in Tokyo
By day 2 of my solo Japan adventure, I’d already learned that the pleasure of visiting even our dream countries comes from the simplest of moments and not the ‘big attractions’. With this in mind, I decided to take it easy on the Touristing for the second day in Tokyo.
Odaiba!
FREE not including the monorail
Odaiba, complete with a sandy bay overlooking Tokyo, seemed like a great place to chill and take in what would turn out to be my favourite view of Japan’s capital.
The district is best accessed by monorail, which is a treat in itself, winding through skyscrapers and eventually taking you over the waterfront of Tokyo bay. I avoided the amusement parks and headed straight to the ‘beach.’
Despite being a little, one could say, commercial, this artificial island is quite sweet once you get down to the waterfront. I enjoyed looking over the Rainbow Bridge, and all that lies beyond it.
There’s also a famous robot in Odaiba if you’re interested. It is Tokyo, after all. Less expected? The fact the Statue of Liberty is hanging out here too. (Erm, seriously.) Nice one, Odaiba.
Imperial Palace Gardens!
FREE
Part historical, part pure relaxation, strolling around these gardens made for a very peaceful afternoon. You could whizz around it in under an hour quite easily.
Alternatively, take time to stretch out on the grass and truly admire the Japanese gardens, complete with a backdrop of modern skyscrapers. I chose to do the latter.
Day three in Tokyo itinerary
Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku!
This is itinerary takes you on foot through some of THE most iconic spots in Tokyo. Since this was the HIGHLIGHT of my stay, I’ve written the itinerary separately below.
Tokyo – Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku
This itinerary includes a FREE observation deck in Tokyo, an incredible temple, the infamous Shibuya crossing and a fabulous dose of culture shock too.
If you have three days in Tokyo, this is where my suggested itinerary ends. However, if you have four days to spare, continue below!
Day four in Tokyo itinerary for solo travellers
Kamakura is one of THE most straightforward and cheapest day trips from Tokyo. It feels on the city’s outskirts rather than a considerable effort, so it’s perfect if you’re a first-time solo female traveler.
However, if you are on a higher budget, you may prefer to take this iconic day tour to Mount Fuji instead, while animal lovers will adore a day trip further afield to see the snow monkeys in Nagano.
Kamakura!
Kamakura is about an hour from Tokyo Station, not far from my hostel. This small town is famous for its many temples but also has a beach, the cutest cafes I’ve seen so far in Japan and hilly, leafy backstreets that rival any I’ve seen in Tokyo on the wow scale. Admittedly… I got lost several times, but happily so.
My favourite temple was Hokoku-Ji, also known as the Bamboo Temple.
200 YEN / 1.47 GBP / 1.85 USD at the time of the visit
But the most famous has to be Daibatsu; this bronze statue of Amida Buddha is 11.4m high, making it literally the biggest attraction in Kamakura.
200 YEN / 1.47 GBP / 1.85 USD at time of visit
Due to the prominence of Buddhism in Kamakura, it’s easy for vegetarians to find food here. Since I’d only JUST packed up my entire life in London by the time I arrived in Tokyo as a solo traveller… well, let’s just say these zen vibes were so appreciated at this point.
Whilst I love being busy and seeing as much as possible, there’s nothing better than taking the time to unwind and take things in. Kamakura Vegetable Cafe provides both Western and Japanese seating, but since I always sit cross-legged anyway (even in the years I worked in an office, sorry boss), I opted for the latter. It felt good to just… sit. Do you know what I mean?
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:
Check GetYourGuide for a list of current and popular tours.
More Japan Itineraries:
Ah that Tokyo sunset was so unexpected and lovely!
I loved revisiting it through the photos too! Tokyo was a lot of fun.
Oh I hope you get your Tokyo wish one day!
Thanks Sharyn! It’s a great city to visit.
I went really under budget on my trip to Japan so I hope it helps! I think Tokyo would be fun to visit with a friend to be honest 🙂
Japan is a great one for the bucket list!
LOVED this blog! Saving for later because Japan is at the very top of my travel bucket list.
That sunset must have been incredible in person! Love that you included so many free or budget activities. I haven’t been to Japan yet but its so high on my list! Not sure if I’ll try a solo trip or not, but thank you for this great guide 🙂
Tokyo is such an interesting place to visit. Your itinerary is packed with loads of things to see and do. I loved the photos – so colourful.
Oh I love Tokyo so much and miss it to bits!! Loved reliving it through your post 🙂 The food there took me to heaven!
My wish especially to see all that futurism and eat plenty of sushi haha
Tokyo looks amazing! I’m hoping to visit in the future so this has been helpful. Your sunset photo is stunning!
Aw wow! That will be an amazing trip! Social anxiety does make it harder but in Japan there is sooo much to see and also its super safe, so worse case scenerio you don’t meet anyone, but you would still be so busy and happy to be there! I think you’re so brave and it’s awesome you’re doing this!
Hi thanks for replying☺ im going in may for 3 weeks, half kyoto half tokyo and their surrounding areas. Im excited and also anxiose, because i never traveled alone, as a 22 year old girl with social anxiety im afraid of how being alone will be, since i know im not the type of person who meets lots of people so i hope i wont die of isolation haha but also i hope that it will be as i expected if not better, the last thing i want is to be stuck in a country that isnt as i thought it would be, but i guess that i just need to lower my expectations amd just enjoy the ride😁
Ah Michele! When do you go?? Yes I would absolutely go again! Loneliness is nothing to fear. It’s not ‘fun’ but it’s also not life-threatening, you’ll be absolutely fine. Let me know if you have any other questions xx
I totaly understand how how you felt. I also have for years dreamt about japan, and after years of not having anyone to go with me and lots of social anxiety, i decided to book a flight. But im scared, scared that i will be underwhelmed or dissapointed because of all of the expectations i have built after years of watching videos on everything japan related. How did you pull through the feeling? And would you do it again if you had the chance or did the dissapointment do its part?
Thanks for writing in such realness about your experience, it gives a better understanding of what its really like😊