Tokyo Full Day Guide - Essential Sights for a One Day Trip

by GoWithGuide travel specialist:Luke Kinsella

Last updated : Apr 28, 2022・6 min read

For this full day guide, we will be focusing on the mix between old and modern Tokyo. Experience it all with this great mixed tour of Tokyo. Visit a fish market, the iconic Tokyo Tower, the area of Asakusa, the famous Meiji-jingu Shrine, the shopping streets of Harajuku, the chaos of Shibuya crossing, and the even more chaotic area of Shinjuku. See the most popular attractions in Tokyo in this eleven hour itinerary that packs the best of Tokyo into a single day.

1. Tsukiji Fish Market

One of the greatest fish markets in the world, you can visit both the inner and outer market and try the freshest seafood that Tokyo has to offer. Crowds of people gather here, and early morning you can enjoy the sound of market traders and the busy delivery cars racing around to get their daily catch ready for all of Tokyo. We recommend trying sushi for breakfast at one of the many restaurants that litter the streets.

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2. Tokyo Tower

Built from recycled tanks, Tokyo Tower is Japan doing exactly what it does best, taking something that already exists, and making it even better. Based on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tokyo Tower stands at 333 metres, and when it was built, it became the tallest freestanding tower in the world, an impressive achievement and a amazing world record considering it is exactly 9 metres taller than the previous record holder, that's right, a world record stolen from France.

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3. Asakusa

The oldest temple in Tokyo, Senso-ji Temple, sits in Asakusa surrounded by small souvenir shops and great food, but this old entertainment area still features a traditional side of Japan mixed in with its modern charms. A headquarters for geisha sits on a small street behind the temple, Sumida Park offers beautiful riverside views, and Hanayashiki, Tokyo's oldest amusement park is still as great today as it was sixty years ago.

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4. Meiji Jingu Shrine

(image by upload.wikimedia.org)

Meiji Shrine is an escape from the neon lights of the busy Shibuya district of Tokyo. This incredible shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji is a great place to experience customs and culture of old Japan. Festivals and weddings take place at the shrine throughout the year, and the surrounding nature makes it an incredible place to relax and enjoy the tranquillity and the mystical energy within.

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Watch this 360º VR Video of Meiji Jingu Shrine and feel like you are walking there yourself.

5. Harajuku

The famous Takeshita Street is one of the most popular places to visit in Tokyo, and there is a good reason for it. At weekends you can experience the best of Tokyo youth fashion on this famous shopping street in Harajuku. Beyond the popularity there are many small boutiques mixed in with chain stores offering excellent fashion with a difference.

Feel like you are in Harajuku and see how Harajuku's Takeshita street TRULY is like in this 360º video:

Visit at the weekend for the best chance to see young people wearing the latest trend.

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6. Shibuya

If you ever wanted to feel like you're lost in a movie, then Shibuya is the place to visit. At early evening Shibuya Crossing is packed with people, and is a highlight of any Tokyo trip. The neon lit roads beyond the crossing are a great place to stop for food, especially around the train station, where people watching can be enjoyed into the late evening.

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7. Shinjuku

(image by flickr.com)

Shinjuku is a chaotic area perfect for spending the last few hours of a busy day sightseeing. From stunning night views atop the Government Building, to bar hopping in Golden Gai, an area that crowds over two hundred drinking establishments into one tight area. Shinjuku is big, great, and lively, if you can navigate your way out of the busiest train station in Japan.

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Ready To Plan Your 1-Day Itinerary For Tokyo?

Spending one day in Tokyo can be daunting especially if you are not familiar with the language, transportation, or culture. Whether it is spending helping with navigation or convenience, I recommend GoWithGuide, as they have over 1,000 professional tour guides that can help you navigate Tokyo efficiently while eliminating the risk of getting lost. Not only that, but the guides are all experts in their local areas so you would be able to receive customized itineraries with whatever you want to specifically do or see in the city. As discussed earlier, winter in Tokyo can be quite cold, so if you are not willing to make trek to any of the above locations via public transportation but still want to experience the city's wonders, check out the private car tours that are offered, and feel free to send a message to any of the local Tokyo guides for more information about planning your trip in December.

Furthermore, if none of the above locations are aligned with what you want to do in Tokyo or if you already have some locations you want to go to, you should check out some of the cultural activities that are happening in the city as there are so many more interesting and fun events to partake in that will make your trip the most memorable trip you've had!