UPDATED: Tokyo Japan – Planning STEP BY STEP guide

How to Plan a trip to Tokyo, 5 Step guide: Tokyo’s main areas, Observation decks, getting around, time management, transport and tailor making your personalised final itinerary. Knowing These Japan Travel Tips will help you plan your perfect trip.

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Chapters:
00:00 How to plan a trip to Tokyo
00:29 Where to stay, where to visit in Tokyo (Step 1)
03:08 Choose your Tokyo view (Step 2)
06:21 List your Tokyo activities (Step 3)
07:57 Transport around Tokyo (Step 4)
10:22 Final touches (Step 5)

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I’m going to show you how you can plan  your perfect Tokyo trip.. like a Pro, It’s the world’s largest city. countless sights,   contrasting areas, where  modern and tradition meets. Following these 5 easy steps will  help you plan your trip effectively:

But Before we get into the video, please  remember to like and consider subscribing.   Your support will help the channel grow and  help me keep on making more helpful content. So get your pens and papers out and  let’s start building an itinerary,  

Feel free to pause, rewind or  rewatch as many times as you need! Step 1:  Where will you base yourself, Where will you visit? I’m going to be honest, this is a city that you  might need to return to as theres so many areas.

Choose where you are going to be stay and  familiarise yourself with the different areas;   allocating either a full day of  exploration to each, or visiting   one in the morning and another in  the afternoon into the evening. I’ve put these in good order of distance,  

Which will aid your final  itinerary if you want to use it! Tokyo Station Area – The heart of Tokyo’s  travel network and a stunning example of   mixed architectural styles, while the area  surrounding the station is a financial and   business district with a selection of shopping,  dining, and hotels. It’s also a stepping stone  

To exploring other parts of Tokyo, with  easy access to many train and subway lines. Ginza – Tokyo’s most famous upscale  shopping, dining, and entertainment district,   where luxury brands, art galleries, and  sophisticated nightlife can be found. Akihabara – Known as “Electric Town,” the  go-to district for electronics, anime,  

Manga, arcades, and video games, featuring  countless shops, maid cafes, and theme bars. Ueno – A cultural and historical haven, famous  for its Park, museums, it’s panda in the zoo,   breath-taking cherry blossoms in the spring and  Ameyoko Market, a lively street market that offers  

A variety of goods, from fresh food to clothing  and cosmetics underneath the train tracks. Asakusa, home to the famous Senso-ji Temple,  is one of Tokyo’s most traditional districts,   offering a glimpse into old Tokyo with The  Nakamise-dori shopping street leading to the   temple, lined with stalls selling  traditional goods and souvenirs.

Roppongi has nightlife, art museums and is a hub  for expats and popular for its vibrant club scene. Shibuya Known for the iconic Shibuya  Crossing, this area is a hub for fashion,   dining, nightlife and It’s one of  the most photographed spots in Tokyo.

Harajuku – Tokyo’s youth culture hub, known for  its vibrant street art, unique fashion boutiques,   and the pedestrianised Takeshita Street, filled  with trendy shops, cafes and rainbow cheese! Shinjuku, possibly the best know district,   famous for its towering skyscrapers, Shinjuku  Station (the world’s busiest railway station),   shopping, entertainment, neon  lights, night life and Kabukicho.

Odaiba A futuristic entertainment and shopping  district on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay,   known for its Rainbow Bridge, giant Gundam statue,   and diverse attractions like museums,  indoor theme parks, and malls. In addition to these you might also want to check  out some other popular areas many tourists choose  

As a basem such as: Ikebukuro, Akasaka,  Shimokitazawa, Nakameguro and Kichijoji, I actually have a vide on how to  choose the best location and hotel,   check that one out for even more tips! THE VIEW… Step 2 Choose your best View: Tokyo is home to several iconic observation  decks that offer breath-taking views. My tip  

Is to visit one of them on DAY ONE, either  at the start or end of your day so that you   can get a sense of just how large the city is.  The view of Tokyo will really be inspirational.

You don’t need to do them all or you can skip  this step all together. Ultimately its up to you: 1. Tokyo Skytree is very near Asakusa, As the tallest tower in Japan and the  second tallest structure in the world,   Tokyo Skytree offers unmatched panoramic  views of Tokyo and on clear days,  

Mount Fuji. It features two observation  decks at 350 meters and 450 meters. My Tip: For a less crowded experience,   consider visiting early in the  morning or buy tickets in advance. 2. Tokyo Tower Perfect to include  if you visit or a based in Roppongi

Why It’s Worth It: inspired by the Eiffel  Tower, offers a nostalgic charm distinct   from the other modern observation decks.  And offers great views of the city. Tokyo   Tower has a romantic feel, especially  at night when it’s beautifully lit. My Tip: The base of the Tokyo Tower hosts various  

Attractions and restaurants that  you might want to also check out. 3. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, as  the name states.. perfect if you   are based or visiting Roppongi or Akasaka area. The Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills features an   open-air Sky Deck offering  360-degree views of Tokyo.

My Tip: Visiting the Mori Art Museum as part of   your trip often includes access to  the observation deck. The Sky Deck   is particularly impressive at sunset and  during the evening when Tokyo lights up. 4. Shibuya Sky, Prefect whilst you visit  Shibuya or if you are staying nearby.

The new kid on the block: Shibuya Sky  also provides an open-air experience   with stunning views over one of  Tokyo’s busiest and most iconic   districts. You can see landmarks such  as the Shibuya Crossing from above. My Tip: Sunsets here are epic, The  official website will tell you when  

Sunset is! Advance tickets are a MUST  if you don’t want to be disappointed. 5. Tokyo Metropolitan Government  Building, Located in Shinjuku Why It’s Worth It: ITS FREE! At 202 meters high, it provides   sweeping views of Tokyo and  on clear days, Mount Fuji. My Tip: Since admission is free,  

It can get crowded so early or later  visits will help you avoid large groups. And here are two bonus lesser known observation   decks you might want to check out  if you happen to be in the area: Carrot tower, situated in the Sangenjaya. It’s  also free to visit if you are in the area!

And the Fuji TV Building observation  deck, located in Odaiba is perfect   if you visit this area and offers  a different perspective of Tokyo. If you’ve been following my channel for some time  now then you’ll know how much I stress the need  

To book activities and tickets in advance so that  you don’t miss out, and Im so proud to finally say   that if you book with Klook, the leading Japan  ticketing specialist via my new Affiliate link,   or by using the Qr code. Perfect to purchase  your Rail passes, attraction tickets and tours  

At the best price! And what I love most is how  comprehensive the information on their website   is for their Japan offerings! I’ll receive  a small commission at no additional cost   to you and you’ll receive the tickets that  you were likely going to purchase anyway! LIST IT Step 3

You’ve already probably got a good idea  of what you want to see and where you   might want to visit in Tokyo, But this step  is a MUST and I can’t stress this enough. Make a list of the things you want to  do in each area, and a separate list  

Of things you want to do that might  not necessarily fall within any area. Rearrange the list in order of priority,  putting the things you really don’t want   to miss at the top. This will help you create an  itinerary for each location that suits YOUR needs.

As a rule of thumb, depending on the activity,  visiting 3 or 4 things in around 4 hours will   make for a slower paced itinerary, and is my  recommendation. On the other hand, squeezing   in 5 or more sights or activities within the same  timeframe will lead to a more hurried schedule.

The important thing is you get  those top 3 or 4 things done,   and if you happen to see them and have  additional time in the area you can   continue checking out some of the other  things in your list! It really is the  

Fool proof way of making sure you don’t miss  out on the things that interest you the most. And if you want to take things even further,   estimate how long you’ll likey spend at  each location including queuing times,  

Aiming for a limit of 4 hours as you’ll also  need to factor in a good hour and a half of   walking, stopping and shopping along the way)  and some additional time for lunch or dinner too! Adding timings will help you visualise  how much time you’ll actually have!

Don’t make the mistake of trying  to do it all! Stick to your list   and only do additional things  IF you have the extra time. I’ve made a comprehensive list of activities  recommended visit duration on my website! Step 4 TRANSPORTATION It’s what glues everything together,  

And possibly the part of planning that  a lot of people stress the most about. It can make a huge difference in how your day  goes, get it wrong and it might lead to stress   and wasted time. Get it right and hopefully it  will mean a more productive and seamless day.

But ultimately there is no right way  to do it, as you’ll likely always be   returning to a base that will be close  to some areas but far from others. Either way, actually knowing how to get from A to  B will make a huge difference to being confident  

When travelling, and the key is knowing your  estimated travel times and becoming familiar with   routes, and knowing if there are any train changes  involved or alternative ways of getting there. Thankfully there is google maps! Once I have a clear itinerary, knowing what  areas you’re aiming to visit, each day. I  

Like to make a list of clear travel times and  routes from major station to major station. This step might actually make you  rethink the order of your itinerary. And this step is best done once you have your  Tokyo hotel booked but isn’t necessary. And if  

You know your hotel is near a hub station then  you’ve already got part of the work sorted. So let’s figure out the following: The closest station or stations at  walking distance from your hotel.  The travel time between each  area you are hoping to travel to, 

And if there are any specific  line changes along the way. I’ve already done this at  the start of the video when   giving the overview of each major tourist area. Finding the station closest to your accommodation  *I recommend staying near  the Yamanote line if you can

In google maps either on the web or the  app, simply search for your accommodation,   hit ‘Directions’ and enter the main  station you are wanting to travel to. You might need to switch the order  around, and you’ll prob want to change  

The ‘leave now’ to depart at: setting  a time that would work well for you. You’ll see a range of options, and expanding the   details will tell you what station or  stations your base station would be,   and if you need to make any line changes  and how much walking is involved.

Follow your rough itinerary to figure  out travel time and routes between   each location on your itinerary  to help you plan out your day. Use a similar approach to figure  out travel time between the top   3 or 4 attractions of your list at each location.

These can be rearranged into  a more suitable walking route   since you’re likely to complete  them if you’ve planned correctly. Step 5 FINAL TOUCHES There are a few things that you need  to consider adding to your itinerary

.. Remember the list of attractions or activities  that didn’t quite fit into one of the top areas? Well.. now is when you try to fit them in,   figuring out if they are close to  any of the hubs you’ll be visiting. For example Team Labs  Planets is closest to Odaiba, 

And the new Team Labs in Azabudai  hills is closest to Roppongi, Therefore, These might make for a good additions  to your trip whilst you are in that area,   but you’ll need to add extra travel time, queue  time and visit time, eating into your day. FINAL THOUGHTS and Tips

If you are traveling in a large  group of more than 4 people,   then you’ll need to plan accordingly because  many restaurants in Tokyo are quite small   and may not be able to accommodate  large groups without prior notice. Therefore, here are some tips to consider:

Try to Make reservations ahead of your visit if  you can, to accommodate everyone comfortably. This   is especially crucial for popular spots  or if you’re dining during peak hours. So, whilst you are on your adventure, if you  see a suitable dining spot, simply ask if you  

Can make a reservation for a set time, remembering  to not be late as they will be accommodating you! You might want to consider Off-Peak  Dining too, as this will help you avoid   the crowds and increase your chances  of getting a table for a large group, Research restaurants known for  accommodating larger groups or  

Offering private rooms in advance. These  places are more likely to offer set menus   or buffet options that cater to the varied  tastes and preferences of a large party. Alternatively, be prepared  to eat in separate tables! DON’T FORGET

And don’t forget that staying connected is a Huge  part of a successful trip to Tokyo and Japan,   not only for navigation or researching on the  spot and posting your awesome trip photos but   also for the events in which you might want to  translate text or need help with communication.

Pocket WiFi or an Esim will really help you unlock  Japan, so please consider using my affiliate link   in the video description or the Qr Code. You’ll  receive a trusted product and I’ll receive a small   commission at no additional cost to you.. and  best of all you’ll be helping the channel out!

Anyway, Thanks for watching! Please consider  subscribing to help the channel grow,   it really does take multiple hours to put these   videos together and it would be  great to help the channel grow. And if you want to support further  then please check out my patreon,  

Donate on super thanks or PayPal.. Theres  also my second channel the happy gaijin for   more casual livestreams and vlogs too! And if  you are Spanish speaker and have watched all   the way to the end! … I’ve recently started a  Spanish language Instagram and YouTube channel!

Till next time stay positive and  be a happy gaijin! Safe travels!