Tokyo Trip Planner

Fri, Mar 27 — Arrival / Ginza light day▾

22°C / 12°C (72°F / 54°F) — Warm, partly cloudy. Great arrival day.

Ginza base

Nap day Optional sakura Stay close to hotel

5–7

Fixed Land at Haneda — immigration + transit to Ginza

Keikyu Line from Haneda Airport Terminal 1·2·3 to Sengakuji (18 min), transfer to Toei Asakusa Line to Higashi-Ginza (5 min). Total approx. 30–40 min. IC card accepted. Follow signs for Keikyu at arrivals. Drop luggage at hotel front desk (check-in is 3PM).

Keikyu Line Toei Asakusa Line Directions

7–9

Meal Breakfast — Glitch Coffee Ginza

Specialty single-origin coffee, excellent cappuccino, pastries. Sleek counter seating, opens early, walking distance from hotel. If closed or full: Café Paulista (Ginza institution since 1911, opens 8AM, cappuccino + pastry sets) or Tricolore Ginza (opens 8AM, retro brick building, morning set ¥930).

9–12

Activity Slow Ginza walk — stay close to hotel

Nothing demanding. Wander the covered arcades, browse konbini, get SIM card sorted if needed. Save energy — Mar 28 is the biggest day of the trip and starts at 8AM.

12–15

Fixed Nap — capsule hotel or manga cafe

Strongly recommended. You've been awake since last night LA time. Options: (1) Capsule hotel near Ginza — book a day-use slot for 3–4 hrs, ~¥2,000–3,000. (2) Manga cafe / net cafe — private booths with reclining chairs, shower sometimes included, ~¥1,500 for 3 hrs. Hotel check-in is at 3PM — ask Sotetsu Fresa if early check-in is available for a fee, sometimes possible from noon.

15–17

Fixed Hotel check-in — shower and reset

Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ginza Sanchome. Check in at 3PM, shower, change. You're now on Tokyo time.

Activity Depachika — Mitsukoshi & Matsuya basement food halls

Both walking distance from hotel. Mitsukoshi Ginza (4 Chome-6-16) and Matsuya Ginza (3 Chome-6-1) — wagashi, fresh sushi, bento, pastries. Great for snacks and getting oriented in Ginza.

17–20

Sakura Hibiya Park — optional cherry blossom walk

10 min walk from hotel. Low-effort, flat, easy to cut short. Cherry blossoms will be approaching peak. Good warm-up for the full sakura day tomorrow.

Meal Ginza dinner

Keep it easy and close. Ippudo / Tsunahachi / Tonkatsu Marushichi — all within 10 min walk.

20+

Fixed In bed by 21:00

Non-negotiable. Mar 28 starts at 8AM and is the best weather day of the trip — peak bloom, 26°C, sunny. You need to be functional.

Sat, Mar 28 — Sakura day — Chidorigafuchi + Asakusa + Ueno Yozakura▾

26°C / 17°C (78°F / 63°F) — Very warm, sunny. Peak cherry blossom day.

Peak sakura day

Chidorigafuchi Senso-ji Ueno sakura Yozakura Optional Akihabara

8–8:30

Transit Ginza → Asakusa (Senso-ji)

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Ginza (G09) to Asakusa (G19), direct, approx. 20 min. Exit 1, then 5 min walk to Kaminarimon gate.

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Directions

8:30–11

Planned Senso-ji + Nakamise — early morning

8:30AM on a Saturday is quiet — completely different experience from midday. Nakamise stalls open around 9-9:30AM so you'll have the temple to yourselves first. Goshuin booth opens at 8AM, just inside the main gate on the right. One of the most famous goshuin in Japan. Walk the side streets behind the temple for the best atmosphere.

Meal Asakusa breakfast / early snack

Grab something light from a Nakamise stall once they open — ningyo-yaki (small cakes), melonpan, or a coffee from a nearby kissaten. Save appetite for lunch at Chidorigafuchi.

11–11:30

Transit Asakusa → Chidorigafuchi

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Asakusa (G19) toward Shibuya to Nihonbashi (G11), transfer to Tozai Line toward Nakano, 2 stops to Kudanshita (T07). Total approx. 25 min. Exit 2, then 5 min walk to the canal path entrance.

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Directions

11:30–14

Sakura Chidorigafuchi sakura walk

Best sakura spot in Tokyo. Walk the canal path under the canopy. Rowboat rental available — arriving at 11:30AM on peak bloom Saturday expect a queue, but the canal walk itself is stunning regardless. About 800m path one way.

Meal Kudanshita / Chidorigafuchi lunch

Several cafes and restaurants around Kudanshita station. Or head back toward Jimbocho (1 stop on Tozai Line) for more options.

14–17

Transit Chidorigafuchi → Ueno

Tokyo Metro Tozai Line from Kudanshita (T07) to Kayabacho (T10), transfer to Hibiya Line northbound to Ueno (H17). Total approx. 20 min. IC card accepted.

Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Directions

Sakura Ueno sakura route — afternoon

Best flow: Park Exit → central blossom avenue → fountain plaza → Shinobazu Pond boardwalk → Bentendo. Afternoon light is excellent for photos.

17–18

Activity Optional: Akihabara quick browse

10 min walk south from Ueno along Chuo-dori, or 3 min on Hibiya Line (Ueno H17 → Akihabara H15). Skip if energy is low — yozakura is the priority.

Walking directions

18–20

Sakura Ueno yozakura — evening sakura

Ueno park is illuminated at night during peak bloom — one of the best yozakura spots in Tokyo. Lanterns along the main avenue, atmospheric and less rushed than daytime. Return to the park from Akihabara or stay if you skipped it.

20–21

Meal Dinner in Ueno / Ameyoko area

Ameyoko market stalls, Daitoryo, or Sumiyaki Yakitori Sasanoya nearby.

21+

Transit Ueno → Hotel (Ginza)

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line from Ueno (H17) to Higashi-Ginza (H08), approx. 15 min, direction Naka-Meguro. IC card accepted.

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Directions

Sun, Mar 29 — AnimeJapan▾

17°C / 5°C (63°F / 41°F) — Cool drop, partly cloudy. Light shower possible.

High-stimulation day

AnimeJapan Tokyo Big Sight Early arrival Dinner with Jessica

7–10

Fixed AnimeJapan day

Prioritize highest-value booths first. Pack water and snacks.

Transit Ginza → Tokyo Big Sight

Walk or metro to Shimbashi Station (10 min), then Yurikamome Line from Shimbashi to Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimonguchi, approx. 25 min. Exit directly into Big Sight. Total approx. 40–45 min. Buy Yurikamome ticket separately (320¥).

Yurikamome Line Directions

10–18

Fixed AnimeJapan event block

Keep it intentionally open inside the venue until Zoe's franchise priorities are finalized.

18–21

Transit Tokyo Big Sight → Shibuya

Yurikamome Line from Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimonguchi to Shimbashi (25 min), then JR Yamanote Line from Shimbashi to Shibuya (21 min, 7 stops). Total approx. 50 min. Buy Yurikamome ticket separately (320¥), IC card for JR leg.

Yurikamome Line JR Yamanote Line Directions

Fixed Dinner with Jessica — Shabu shabu, Shibuya

Booked by Jessica. She lives in Tokyo and got you the AnimeJapan tickets. Shabu shabu is thin-sliced beef and vegetables cooked at the table in hot broth — order the dipping sauces on the side. Great way to end a big day. Confirm exact restaurant name and address with Jessica.

21+

Transit Shibuya → Ginza

Ginza Line from Shibuya (G01) to Ginza (G09), direct, approx. 19 min. IC card accepted.

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Directions

Mon, Mar 30 — Tsukiji + TeamLab + Tokyo Tower▾

16°C / 5°C (60°F / 41°F) — Cool, partly cloudy. Light shower possible.

Fixed booking

Tsukiji breakfast TeamLab Tokyo Tower Fixed booking

7–9

Activity Tsukiji Outer Market — breakfast crawl

15 min walk from hotel (no transit needed). Best experienced early — fresh seafood, tamagoyaki, oysters, tuna skewers. Stalls are busiest 7–9AM. Head to the inner alleys off Shin-Ohashi-dori for the best stalls.

9–13

Activity Free morning — Ginza browse or rest

Keep it easy before the big TeamLab afternoon. Good time for depachika, coffee, or a slow walk.

13–14:30

Activity Tokyo Station / Marunouchi browse

Tokyo Character Street / Donguri Store. Keep it light before TeamLab.

14:30–15:15

Transit Ginza → Kamiyacho (TeamLab)

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line from Ginza station to Kamiyacho (4 stops, approx 10 min). Use Exit 5, then 5 min walk to Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B entrance.

Hibiya Line Directions

15:30–18:30

Fixed TeamLab Borderless

Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B, B1F, 1-2-4 Azabudai, Minato-ku. Booked 15:30. Allow 2.5–3 hrs. Shoes on, photography encouraged, no tripods or selfie sticks.

Google Maps

18:30–19:30

Activity Tokyo Tower — Main Deck

10 min walk from Azabudai Hills. Main Deck (150m) open until 11PM — arrives just as it gets dark and the illumination starts. Main Deck ticket ~1,200¥. No advance booking needed.

Walking directions

19:30–21:00

Meal Dinner in Azabudai / Roppongi area

Restaurant TBD — use Near me to find options around Azabudai Hills and Roppongi. Pizza 4P's is in the Azabudai Hills complex.

21+

Transit Roppongi / Azabudai → Hotel (Ginza)

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line from Kamiyacho (H06) to Higashi-Ginza (H08), approx. 8 min. IC card accepted. From: Azabudai/Roppongi dinner area — update if dinner location changes.

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Directions

Tue, Mar 31 — Character Street + Shinjuku▾

10°C / 6°C (50°F / 43°F) — Cool and cloudy. Rain likely — layer up.

Relaxed day

Character Street Shinjuku wander Omoide Yokocho

9–10

Transit Hotel → Tokyo Station (Character Street)

15 min walk from hotel, or 1 stop on Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Ginza (G09) to Kyobashi (G10) then 5 min walk. Character Street is in Tokyo Station B1F, Yaesu side. Opens 10AM.

Walk or Ginza Line Walking directions

10–12

Activity Tokyo Character Street

Tokyo Station B1F, Yaesu side. Official character shops — Nintendo, Pokémon, Ghibli Donguri Republic, Sanrio, Rilakkuma and more. Good time to browse Donguri Republic before the actual Ghibli Museum on Apr 2. Budget 1.5–2 hours. No crowds in the morning on a weekday.

12–13

Transit Tokyo Station → Shinjuku

JR Chuo Rapid Line from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku, approx. 15 min, direct. IC card accepted.

JR Chuo Line Directions

13–17

Activity Shinjuku rainy day wander

Rainy day options — all indoors or covered. Takashimaya Times Square has 14 floors of shopping plus a great depachika basement. Yodobashi Camera is enormous and fun to wander. The underground Shinjuku Subnade mall connects large parts of the station area so you can walk far without getting wet. NEWoMan is attached to the south exit with good cafes. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck is free and dramatic in the rain.

Takashimaya Times Square Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku Subnade NEWoMan Tokyo Gov. Building Obs. Deck

17–19

Activity Shinjuku evening walk

Kabukicho entertainment district, Godzilla head on Hotel Gracery rooftop (free to view from street level, look up from Kabukicho main street), and Hanazono Shrine — a quiet Inari shrine tucked right behind Kabukicho, open 24hrs, worth a few minutes of calm before dinner.

Kabukicho Godzilla / Hotel Gracery Hanazono Shrine

19–21

Meal Omoide Yokocho — yakitori dinner

Memory Lane — tiny yakitori stalls under the tracks, just outside Shinjuku West Exit. Smoky, atmospheric, cash only. Great for skewers and a casual dinner. Most stalls seat 6–8 people — just walk in and find two seats together.

Omoide Yokocho

21+

Transit Shinjuku → Hotel (Ginza)

Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line from Shinjuku (M08) to Ginza (M16), approx. 20 min, direct. IC card accepted.

Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Directions

Wed, Apr 1 — National Art Center + Ghost in the Shell▾

7°C / 4°C (45°F / 39°F) — Cold and wet. Rain likely — bring umbrella.

Indoor day

National Art Center Roppongi Hills RistoPizza lunch Ghost in the Shell Otaru Masazushi dinner

9–10

Transit Hotel → National Art Center, Tokyo

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line from Higashi-Ginza (H08) to Roppongi (H04), 4 stops, approx. 10 min. Then walk 4 min to NACT, or take Chiyoda Line 1 stop from Roppongi to Nogizaka (C05) — NACT is directly connected to Nogizaka Station exit 6. Opens 10AM. Closed Tuesdays.

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Directions

10–12

Activity National Art Center Tokyo

Stunning wave-shaped glass building by architect Kisho Kurokawa — worth visiting for the architecture alone. Currently showing a shojo manga retrospective (Feb 11–May 11) featuring three founding giants of the genre. Great fit after AnimeJapan. No permanent collection — rotating exhibitions only. Cafe inside is beautiful and worth a coffee stop.

Google Maps NACT website

12–12:30

Transit NACT → Azabudai Hills (RistoPizza)

Walk 12 min south from NACT through Roppongi Hills past the giant spider sculpture, then continue south to Azabudai Hills Tower Plaza 3F. Or Chiyoda Line from Nogizaka (C05) to Kamiyacho (H06) via Hibiya Line, 5 min, then 5 min walk.

Walk or Chiyoda/Hibiya Line Walking directions

12:30–14

Meal RistoPizza — Azabudai Hills Tower Plaza 3F

Same chef as da Peppe (Giuseppe Erricchiello), larger and more spacious. Open Tue–Sun 11:30AM–3PM. Order the Don Salvo — star-shaped pizza with ricotta-stuffed crust. One of the best Neapolitan pizzas in Tokyo. Reserve in advance if possible. Alternative: da Peppe original (5 min walk, 1-11-4 Azabudai, open Wed–Sun 11:30AM–2PM, cash only, tiny — arrive right at opening).

RistoPizza da Peppe (original)

14–14:15

Transit Azabudai Hills → Toranomon Hills (Ghost in the Shell)

5 min walk north from Azabudai Hills to Toranomon Hills Station Tower. Or Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line from Kamiyacho (H06) 1 stop to Toranomon Hills (H05), 2 min. Ghost in the Shell opens at noon on Wednesdays — plenty of time after lunch.

Walk or Hibiya Line Walking directions

14:15–17

Fixed Ghost in the Shell — 30th Anniversary Exhibition

Tokyo Node, Toranomon Hills Station Tower, 45F. Tickets from Jessica — free admission. Runs until April 5, Wednesday hours 12:00–21:00. Over 1,600 production materials, immersive installations, original drawings from directors Oshii, Kamiyama and more. Budget 2 hours.

Google Maps

17–19

Transit Toranomon Hills → Ginza (Otaru Masazushi)

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line from Kamiyacho (H06) to Ginza (H09), 3 stops, approx. 7 min. IC card accepted. Otaru Masazushi is 1 min walk from Ginza-itchome Station on the Yurakucho Line, or about 8 min walk from Ginza Station.

Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Directions

19–21

Fixed Dinner — Otaru Masazushi Ginza, 7PM reservation

Hokkaido-origin sushi from the famous Otaru sushi street, 10th floor with views. Edomae-style nigiri, excellent seasonal fish. 1 min walk from Ginza-itchome Station. Confirmed 7PM reservation.

Google Maps

21+

Transit Ginza → Hotel

Walking distance from Otaru Masazushi to the hotel — about 10 min on foot through Ginza. Or 1 stop on Hibiya Line from Ginza (H09) to Higashi-Ginza (H08).

Walk or Hibiya Line Directions

Thu, Apr 2 — Inokashira Park + Ghibli Museum▾

14°C / 6°C (57°F / 42°F) — Mild recovery, partly cloudy.

Hard-ticket day

2:00 PM Ghibli Kichijoji Strong sakura day

9–13

Transit Ginza → Kichijoji

Tokyo Metro to Shinjuku (Marunouchi Line, 20 min), then JR Chuo Rapid Line from Shinjuku to Kichijoji (18 min, direction Takao). Total approx. 45 min. IC card covers both legs. Use South Exit (Koen-guchi) for Inokashira Park — it's right at the park entrance.

JR Chuo Line Directions

Sakura Inokashira Park

Excellent fit with Ghibli day. Rowboats optional if energy and lines allow.

Meal Kichijoji lunch — Iseya Koen-ten

80-year-old yakitori institution right at the Inokashira Park entrance (South Exit, 4 min walk). Yakitori from ~100¥/skewer, tatami room upstairs, namazake (fresh sake) is a must. Be seated by 12:15PM — food is slow and you need to be out by 13:30 for the 2PM Ghibli entry. Cash only. Expect a short wait for a table.

14–18

Fixed 2:00 PM — Ghibli Museum

Treat as the main event of the day. Do not overpack the schedule.

18–21

Meal Dinner in Kichijoji or fallback in Ginza

21+

Transit Kichijoji → Hotel (Ginza)

JR Chuo Rapid Line from Kichijoji to Shinjuku (18 min), then Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line from Shinjuku (M08) to Ginza (M16), approx. 20 min. Total approx. 45 min. IC card covers both legs. From: Kichijoji area — update if dinner moves to Ginza (walking distance then).

JR Chuo Line Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Directions

Fri, Apr 3 — Harajuku + Shibuya▾

11°C / 8°C (51°F / 46°F) — Cool, partly cloudy.

Youth culture day

Meiji Shrine Harajuku Spontini lunch Shibuya Dinner with Jessica

9–10

Transit Ginza → Harajuku / Meiji Shrine

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Ginza (G09) to Omote-sando (G02), 15 min, then walk 15–20 min north through Harajuku to Meiji Shrine. Or continue to Shibuya (G01) and take JR Yamanote Line 2 stops back to Harajuku. IC card accepted.

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line JR Yamanote Line Directions

10–12

Planned Meiji Shrine + Harajuku wandering

Goshuin at the shrine office near the main hall. After the shrine walk south through Harajuku — Takeshita Street for Zoe, Omote-sando for a slower browse. Wrap up by noon for lunch.

12–13

Meal Spontini Harajuku — Milanese pizza lunch

Cascade Harajuku 2F, 2 min walk from Harajuku Station Omotesando exit. Founded Milan 1953, only international outpost. Thick, crispy-fluffy crust baked in a 4.5-ton iron oven, tomato and mozzarella imported from Italy. Order by the slice — one slice is enormous. Opens 11AM, gets busy after noon so arrive promptly.

13–13:30

Transit Harajuku → Shibuya

JR Yamanote Line from Harajuku 1 stop to Shibuya (3 min), or walk 15 min south along Meiji-dori. IC card accepted.

JR Yamanote Line Directions

13:30–18

Planned Shibuya Crossing + exploration

Shibuya Crossing, Scramble Square observation deck if Zoe wants a view, Shibuya 109, Center-gai. Last big Tokyo afternoon before departure tomorrow.

18–21

Fixed Dinner with Jessica — Shibuya

Confirm restaurant with Jessica. Last dinner of the trip — good send-off with the person who kicked it all off with AnimeJapan tickets and Ghost in the Shell.

21+

Transit Shibuya → Hotel (Ginza)

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Shibuya (G01) to Ginza (G09), direct, approx. 19 min. IC card accepted.

Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Directions

Optional swap — Fuji day trip

If conditions are favorable, swap this day for a Fuji trip: JR Chuo Ltd. Express from Shinjuku to Otsuki (75 min), transfer to Fujikyu Railway to Kawaguchiko (50 min). Depart Shinjuku by 7:30. Last return from Kawaguchiko around 18:00. Reserve Chuo Express seats in advance.

Sat, Apr 4 — Narita departure▾

18°C / 6°C (65°F / 42°F) — Mild, partly cloudy. Good departure day.

Departure day

Low complexity Leave buffer

7–10

Fixed Pack + hotel checkout

Check out by 10AM (or confirm late checkout with hotel). Store luggage at front desk if needed for a final Ginza walk.

10–13

Activity Final Ginza time

Last chance for depachika, souvenirs, or a slow coffee. Stay close to the hotel.

13–15

Transit Ginza → Narita Airport

Depart Tokyo Station by 13:00 at the latest for a 16:45 flight. N'EX takes 53 min — arriving at Narita by ~14:00 gives you 2h45m before departure. Reserved seat required, book the day before. IC card not valid — buy N'EX ticket at JR ticket office (Track B3F, Tokyo Station).

Narita Express (N'EX) Directions

14–16:45

Fixed Narita — check in + departure

UA33 departs 16:45 from NRT. International check-in closes 75 min before departure. Security and immigration can take 30–45 min at Narita on weekends.

Tokyo Trip ・ Dario & Zoe