10 Day Tokyo Itinerary During The 2020 Olympic Games

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Akane N.

Last updated : Oct 23, 2022・17 min read

During the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, a lot of people will be visiting for long periods of time. And most of the venues will be centered around the city of Tokyo. So, below are itineraries for 10 days in Tokyo. Even if you have 10 free days apart from seeing the Olympic Games, I guarantee you will not be bored. There’s lots to see in the city itself and more to see within a day trip distance.

The first few itineraries are itineraries for you to see the most popular or famous of Tokyo’s sightseeing spots. This would be a good way to spend time for first timers to Japan. It will also introduce you to Tokyo’s massive train/subway system. You can go almost anywhere using the trains in Tokyo. Most sightseeing spots are within a 15 minute walking distance from the train stations. The local Japanese people are used to walking 10 - 15 minutes to their destination from the nearest train or subway station. If it’s further than that, then they’ll take a bus or a taxi. So, in Japan you should be prepared to do a lot of walking while sightseeing. If you don’t want to walk, you also have the option of hiring a private car.

10 Day Tokyo Itinerary

Day 1 Itinerary

If you only have one whole day to sightsee in Tokyo, you’ll want to visit the most popular must see sightseeing spots. The following itinerary includes the most famous must see spots in Tokyo. 8 hours is a pretty full day, so if you feel like you won’t be able to walk around for that much time, you can choose to make your sightseeing a bit shorter.

9:00-10:00: Tsukiji Outer Fish Market

See the bustling market and eat breakfast here if you like sushi (around 2,500 yen)

10:15-11:15: Hamarikyu Garden

A beautiful Japanese garden (entrance fee of 300 yen) You can also try matcha tea in the tea house there.

11:15-12:15: Sumida River Cruise to Asakusa

Transportation with a view rather than riding the subway (fees: adults 740 yen / children 370 yen)

12:15-13:15 Asakusa

See Sensoji Temple with its bright red gate and a shopping street full of souvenirs.

13:15-14:15 Lunch

There are many cafes and restaurants in the Asakusa area, so find some place good to eat (maybe 1,000 - 2,000 yen/person depending on what you eat)

15:15-16:00 Meiji Jingu Shrine

A grand shrine in a serene forest in the middle of the city.

16:00-17:00 Harajuku

See the origin of Japanese teenage pop culture on Takeshita street. And try some of the snacks like crepes and rainbow colored cotton candy sold in stores around the area.

If have more time to spend in Tokyo, the following are more itineraries for you. You can try them on your own, or you can book a tour with a local guide at GoWithGuide. What I would recommend would be to book a tour for the days that you think you’ll need help on, for example your first day in Tokyo or a day trip outside the Tokyo area, and try the rest on your own. If you’re not used to riding trains or subways in your own country, navigating the transportation system in Tokyo may seem a bit daunting. But never fear, the local guides of Tokyo are here to help. They’ll teach you about riding trains and reading the train/subway map, as well as about the sightseeing spots you’ll be visiting.

Day 2 Itinerary

9:00-10:00: Tokyo Tower

The symbol of Tokyo. You can enjoy the view of the city. And it won’t be so crowded in the morning. (Fees: adults 900 yen / elementary & junior high students 500 yen / age 4-6 400 yen)

10:30-12:00: Imperial Palace East Gardens and Nijyubashi Bridge

You can see the moat and the beautiful stone bridge across it. Some people think that they’ll be able to see an old castle but that is not the case here. The gardens though are a beautiful bit of Japanese culture.

12:45-13:45: Lunch in Akihabara

(maybe 1,000 - 1,500 yen, depends on what you eat)

14:00-15:00: Akihabara

This is a town famous for electronics and “anime”. If you like electronics, games, or “anime” characters, this is a place you’ll really enjoy seeing.

15:45-17:00: Shinjuku

A bustling modern city full of skyscrapers, neon lights, and department stores. A great place to go shopping. You can try visit the discount store called “Don Quijote”. It’s packed full of stuff from souvenirs to food to electronics. I recommend buying yummy and cheap Japanese snacks to pass out to all your friends back home.

Day 3 Itinerary (Shopping areas)

9:00-12:00: Odaiba

The Bay Area of Tokyo. There are several shopping malls as well as an outlet mall, an indoor theme park, a Ferris wheel, and a gigantic robot standing outside one of the malls. It’s a place the whole family can enjoy and very spread out. You wouldn’t be doing it justice if you didn’t spend at least half a day here. You could spend a whole day here if you wanted to

12:00-13:00: Lunch

(maybe 1,000 - 1,500 yen, depends on what you eat)

14:00-15:30: Ginza

An uptown shopping area. You’ll be able to find many high end stores as well as large cheap fashion stores like UNIQLO. The Main Street of Ginza becomes a pedestrian only zone on weekend afternoons.

16:00-17:00: Roppongi Hills

Go up to the observatory and see the beautiful night view of Tokyo (fees: adults 1,800 yen / Univ. & Highschool students 1,200 yen / age 4 - 15 600 yen)

Day 4 Itinerary

9:00-10:00: Tokyo Skytree

The tallest structure in Japan at a height of 634 meters. There’s a shopping mall where you can buy souvenirs at the foot of the tower. And you can go up to the observatory to see a vast view of Tokyo.

11:00-13:00: Ueno Park and Tokyo National Museum

Ueno Park is home to several museums and a zoo. The Tokyo National Museum mainly displays Asian art centered on Japanese cultural artifacts. There are National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties which are must see displays if you’re interested in art.

13:15-14:15: Lunch

(maybe 1,000 - 1,500 yen, depends on what you eat)

14:30-15:30: Ameyoko market

Ameyoko market started out as a black market during World War II. It is now a bustling market with small stores selling things at a discounted price. Usually it is filled with tourists and locals alike, but before the New Year Holidays, it becomes packed with the local Japanese trying to buy ingredients for the holiday festivities.

16:15-17:00 Shibuya

See the famous crossing in front of the station with hundreds of people crossing without bumping into each other. The department stores Hikarie and the new Shibuya Scramble Square are directly connected to the station guaranteeing easy access even in bad weather.

From here on, you’ll probably need a local guide to take you around the various places because the sightseeing spots are off the beaten path. Or they are day trips to places a few hours from Tokyo. You can also request a tour that is customized to the places you want to see.

Day 5 Itinerary (Off the Beaten Path)

9:00-11:00: Nezu, Sendagi, Yanaka area

This area is the old town of Tokyo. There are many small temples, like Nezu shrine, and old houses that have survived the fires and bombings of World War II.

11:00-11:30: Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street

This street lined with old shops has a nostalgic atmosphere. The retro feel of this street makes you feel like you slipped back in time a few decades.

12:00-13:00: Lunch

(maybe 1,000 - 1,500 yen, depends on what you eat)

13:30-14:30: Kyu-Iwasakitei Gardens

This is retro building made using western architecture was the home of the Iwasaki family, the founders of the world famous Mitsubishi company. An Englishman called Josiah Condor designed this beautiful piece of architecture. The garden adjacent to the house is also something to enjoy.

15:30-17:00: Ikebukuro

This area is another shopping area in Tokyo. There are several department stores connected to the massive hub station and there’s another called Sunshine City about 10 minutes away. You’ll find stores, restaurants, a hotel, an observatory, and even an aquarium there.

Day 6 Itinerary (Yokohama Day Trip)

9:00: depart Tokyo Station

9:45: arrive at Sakuragicho Station

10:00-10:30: Landmark Tower observatory

This is as its name says, a landmark of the Yokohama area. See the area of Yokohama from above.

11:00-12:30: Yokohama Chinatown

Like many port cities, Yokohama has a bustling Chinatown. Walk down the street, see all the stores and the sniff the delicious smells coming from the food stands.

12:30-13:30: Lunch

(maybe 1,000 - 1,500 yen, depends on what you eat)

14:00-14:30: Yamashita Park

This park borders the bay and is a good place to take a walk and feel the breeze on a hot summer day

15:00-15:45: Red Brick Warehouse

This western style warehouse is reminiscent of the era when foreigners first came to Yokohama in the 1800s. They built buildings and houses in the Yokohama area and some of these still survive today.

16:00-17:45: Cup Noodle Museum

Have fun and make your very own Cup Noodle. This is enjoyable for the whole family.

17:15: depart Sakuragicho Station

18:00: arrive at Tokyo Station

Day 7 Itinerary (Kamakura Day Trip)

9:00: leave Tokyo for Kamakura

10:30: arrive at JR Kamakura Station

10:30-11:00: Komachi Street

This fun street is always crowded and it’s lined with souvenir stores and food stands. If you stopped at each store, you could easily spend over an hour here. The street leads to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.

11:15-12:15: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

The shrine was said to guard the samurais of Kamakura. It was built in 1828 at the center of Kamakura city. The steep stairs before the main building are tiring, but the view is worth it.

12:30-13:30: Lunch

(maybe 1,000 - 1,500 yen, depends on what you eat)

14:30-15:30: Kotokuin Temple (Great Buddha)

This temple is the home of the 11.4 meter , Great Buddha statue. It was cast in bronze in the year 1252 and housed in a temple building at the beginning. It has sat in the open air since the late 15th century after the temple buildings were destroyed.

15:45-16:30: Hasedera Temple

See the beautiful golden Kannon Statue here. The temple is also a famous place to see the hydrangeas that bloom in June during the rainy season.

around 18:30: Arrive back in Tokyo

Day 8 Itinerary (Hakone Day Trip)

8:00: leave Shinjuku Station on the Odakyu line “Romance Car” train

9:45: arrive at Hakone Yumoto Station

10:00-10:45: Hakone Tozan bus to Moto-Hakone Pier

11:00-11:50: Lunch

maybe 1,000 - 1,500 yen, depends on what you eat)

12:05-12:35: Hakone Shrine

The shrine stands quietly in the misty forest at the foot of Mount Hakone, on the shore of Lake Ashi. One of its red Torii gate actually stands in the lake itself.

12:45-13:15: Lake Ashi Cruise to Togendai

Enjoy the breeze on the water as the pirate ship designed cruise ship takes you across the lake to Togendai. You may get a glimpse of Mount Fuji if the weather is clear.

13:30-13:15: Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani

The ropeway will take you up the mountain to where the steaming hot spring water bubbles up from the earth. The view is wonderful.

13:15-13:45: Owakudani

This crater was created by volcanic activity. You can see the steam vents and volcanic water bubbling up. The whole area smells of sulphur. You can try an Owakudani specialty which are eggs cooked in the hot spring. Their shells are blackened by the sulphur but the inside remains white. Eat one, as it’s said to prolong your life for 7 years.

13:50-14:05: Hakone Ropeway back to Togendai pier

14:20-14:50: cruise ship back to Hakonemachi pier

15:00-15:55: Hakone Tozan bus back to Hakone Yumoto Station

16:15-18:00: Hakone Romance Car back to Shinjuku

Day 9 Itinerary (Kawagoe Day Trip)

9:00: depart Shibuya Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Express (bound for Shinrinkoen) (also accessible from Shinjuku or Ikebukuro station)

10:00: arrive at Kawagoe Station

10:15-11:15: Mainstreet of Koedo area

This street is lined with centuries old traditional Japanese merchant houses, though they’re now renovated into cafes and souvenir shops. See the old clock tower called “Toki no Kane” which is the symbol of Kawagoe.

11:15-11:45: Kashiya Yokocho

This is an area where traditional Japanese snacks and candy are sold. There’s so many types it’s hard to decide what to buy. Feel like a child again in this nostalgic atmosphere.

12:00-13:00: Lunch

(maybe 1,000 - 1,500 yen, depends on what you eat)

13:30-14:00: Hikawa Shrine

This shrine is famous as a god of matchmaking, so it’s popular amongst young girls and women. If you’re interested in finding that special someone, buy a good luck charm here.

14:15-15:00: Kawagoe Honmaru Goten

Built in 1848, this is the only surviving building of the Kawagoe Castle. The rooms and garden have been opened up to the public since 2011. Try sitting next to the life-sizes dolls of the ancient Japanese lords in the “tatami” mat room and imagine what it must have been like.

15:20-16:00: Kitain Temple

This temple is one of the most famous in Saitama prefecture. See the 500 “rakan” statues or stone Buddha statues, each with a slightly different expression on their face.

16:30: depart Kawagoe Station for Tokyo

17:00-17:30: Arrive at Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, or Shibuya station depending on your destination

Day 10 Itinerary (Nikko Day Trip)

8:00: Depart Tokyo Station using the Shinkansen

10:00: Arrive at Nikko Station

10:30-10:45: Shinkyo Bridge

This “sacred” bridge belongs to Futarasan Shrine and is ranked as one of the three finest bridges in Japan. The current bridge was constructed in 1636.

11:00-11:45: Nikko Toshogu Shrine

A World Heritage Site and the final resting place of Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Gold leaf was used lavishly in the building of this shrine.

12:00-12:30: Futarasan Shrine