Home to nearly 37 million people, Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world. This megacity is packed with so many interesting attractions and fun things to do that you’d need several weeks to tick everything off the list. But for many travelers, especially those coming from far away, Tokyo is one stop of their longer Japan itinerary. Rather than run yourself ragged trying to see and do everything in a short time, I recommend picking a few key sights that showoff the city’s best features. If I had just 36 hours in Tokyo before hopping on a train bound for Kyoto or Osaka, this is how I would spend it. Note that lots of food is involved.
Asakusa
The temple district of Asakusa is the most historic area of Tokyo. It is also one of the most popular. The main attraction is Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Originally built in the 7th century AD, the temple and its five-story pagoda were destroyed during WWII and rebuilt. Nakamise, a bustling shopping street, leads south from the temple. This is a great place to shop for souvenirs and local snacks. Don’t miss Kaminarimon Gate, which stands at the southern entrance to Asakusa and is hung with a gigantic red paper lantern.
For lunch, pop into one of the ramen houses around Asakusa. Ichiran and Ippūdō are always dependable choices. Don’t forget to order some gyoza to go with your noodles!
Kappabashi Street
A short walk east from Asakusa is a hidden gem that many tourists miss: the Restaurant Supply Market. This might not sound very exciting, but trust me, it’s super fun to explore. Kappabashi Street is lined with stores selling everything a chef might need, from rice bowls and sake cups to steamer baskets and carving knives. The market is best known, however, for its sampuru, or fake food. These plastic replicas of sushi rolls and noodle bowls are used by restaurants all over Japan to advertise the dishes they serve. The practice is said to be over 100 years old, and is highly useful for foreign diners who might not be able to decipher a Japanese menu.
Tokyo Skytree
At 2,080 feet, the Tokyo Skytree is the tallest free-standing broadcast tower in the world. It was built in 2011 to replace Tokyo Tower, a smaller red Eiffel-Tower knockoff which was no longer able to send signals over the surrounding skyscrapers. I skipped the pricey combo ticket and headed straight to the Tembo Deck on the 35th floor. It’s hard to beat the 360-views of Tokyo from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Pro tip: arrive at dusk to watch the lights turn on all across the city. For current ticket prices and guide to all the floors you can access, visit the Skytree’s website.
For dinner, look for an izakaya, the Japanese version of a pub. (There are several good ones in and around Asakusa.) Take a seat on a floor cushion around a low table, order a frosty mug of Asahi beer, and get ready to enjoy a Japanese barbeque feast. All sorts of foods get skewered and grilled, from standard chicken thighs to more challenging items like kidneys and beef tongue. You can also order grilled vegetables like asparagus and cherry tomatoes, but they will come wrapped in juicy pieces of bacon. Izakayas are especially fun when you are traveling with friends and can order many different things to try.
End the evening with a few rounds of karaoke, a quintessential Japanese activity. In the West, karaoke is more of a public spectacle, with patrons belting out their favorite tunes in front of a crowded bar. But in Japan, you and your friends can rent a karaoke booth so you can embarrass yourselves more privately. If you need some Dutch courage to get things going, you can order drinks directly from the room. Big Echo is a popular karaoke chain with locations all over Tokyo.
The next morning, head to Tsukiji Market to enjoy some fresh sushi for breakfast. Tsukiji’s streets are packed with sushi bars and shop selling more seafood than you can name. (If you are looking for the wholesale tuna auction, that was relocated to Toyosu Market in 2018.)
Tell me: How would you spend 36 hours in Tokyo?
Great guide! You can really see a lot and experience a lot in Tokyo even in 35 hours, it’s insane! I was there just for the weekend, but it was crazy and intense! I managed to visit the main temples and get to the top for a night view. Sushi was amazing as well.
Thanks, Agness! It really is amazing how much of Tokyo you can see in such a short time. The train system there is incredible!
Sounds like a great way to spend a short visit to this amazing city, especially all the food stops! I was there 10 years ago and had a similarly short time, but was with a group, so had my itinerary sorted out for me.
Not shown in this post is the food we ate at the airport 🙂 It’s always challenging when you’re traveling with a group. My friends didn’t really want to go to touristy and crowded Asakusa, but were good sports about it. The promise of karaoke is a good motivator!
Love Tokyo! And everything Japanese for that matter… I also went down to that kitchen district near Asakusa and tried to get into a fake food making class but they wouldn’t let me because I couldn’t speak Japanese! Boo.
But I had an awesome time, nonetheless. (BTW, Patsy Cline? Really? How old ARE you? haha)
I didn’t know there were fake food-making classes! I was with three Japanese speakers so we could have gotten in for sure. Next time!
And Patsy Cline is from the town next to where I grew up in Virginia. Somehow I always end up singing country music when I do karaoke in Japan LOL!
I know what you mean, four years living there and I felt like I was only scratching the surface! Fascinating place and sounds like you had a great 36 hours enjoying the city. Lovely to read about your time and see your photos. Actually feel a little homesick now hahaha
It’s the same for me and Shanghai. I lived there for two years and tried to explore as much as I could, but there’s still so much more I could have experienced.
I wish I’d discovered your blog sooner – we could have met up on one of my trips to Tokyo!
I know! If only we’d discovered each other sooner. How fun would that have been!
Hopefully our paths will cross in Europe later this year! I’ll be sharing my travel plans soon 🙂
When I visited Japan I was 8 years old and I remember everything so vividly! The beef rice, the hello kitty shopping and the amazing chocolate ice cream from a vending machine! This post really has me wanting to return someday soon!
Japan really does have the best vending machines. I can remember my own amazement when I first laid eyes on them so I can only imagine what it would be like for an 8-year-old. I hope you get to go back! 🙂
Of course, when we were living in Taiwan I was like, Japan… ehhh. Now that we are on the other side of the world, I want to visit so, so badly!! I mean, sushi! Great guide to Tokyo and we will definitely keep it in mind if we ever get to visit.
I know exactly what you mean. When I was in Shanghai, Taiwan wasn’t exactly calling me. But now I REALLY wish I’d gone! I have faith that we’ll both make it back to the places we missed in Asia one of these days 🙂
Japan has always been top of my list. But for all the time I’ve spent in East Asia, I’m yet to make it! Hopefully this will be the year. It may well have to be a weekend/36 hour stop so your blog post will come in handy!
I do hope you make it! After living in Shanghai for two years, the cleanliness and order of Japan was always a welcome treat. And thanks to the superb train system, it’s easy to see a lot of Tokyo in a short time.
Tokyo looks incredible! All that delicious food – yum! It’s definitely high on my travel list, especially after reading this. Good stuff!
Japan is a special place – very unique! I’ll admit to not loving the food on my first visit, but once I knew what to order it was love at first bite! 🙂
I’ve never been to Japan but hopefully will do so one day.
It seems that you crammed a lot into your trip. Food seems to be a big appeal to many visiting Japan and you’ve been no exception. Although it is quite pricey and the price of that beer was frightening.
After spending time living in the Middle East I’m not sure I’d like to sit on the floor again to eat my food.
Japan’s great, I really hope you get to visit! The train system makes it easy to see a lot in a short time.
Taking off your shoes and sitting on the floor isn’t super fun, but it’s a small price to pay for all that delicious food! And not everything there is crazy expensive. Cans of real beer are much cheaper than those expensive fake ones made for display. I actually thought Singapore was more expensive than Japan.
We spent 5 days in Tokyo and I think we barely did much more than you managed to cram into 36 hours, so well done! This was our very first stop on our “RTW” trip and I know we definitely didn’t make the most of it as we had no idea what we were doing. I’d love to go back one day and take advantage of the amazing food scene, now that we’re old pros at dealing with menus we can’t read and all of that fun stuff… One day when we’re rich we’ll go back to Japan and have a do over!
I know exactly what you mean! My first trip to Tokyo nine years ago was my first time in Asia and I wasn’t into the food at all. I remember going to McDonald’s just because it was a known quantity and being disappointed to find soy sauce and mayo on my hamburger. And now here I am eating cow tongue! It was great to get that do over in Japan and I’m looking forward to similar ones in France and Italy, where the teen-aged me was less than thrilled with the food offerings 🙂
This is great! I went a few summers ago and did a lot of the things on this list (love the plastic food, so cool!) Riding the subway was very cool for us, and we enjoyed seeing how they had pink “women only” cars! And of course, karaoke is a must in Japan!:-)
I was living in NYC when I first went to Japan, and I remember thinking that I’d landed in this bizarre alternate universe where the sidewalks were spotless and the trains were eerily quiet. Now it’s one of my favorite countries. I’m glad you got to visit!
Awesome tour! Tokyo is on my dream destination list. I’m still so sad we missed out on Japan in 2011
Thanks, Andrea! Japan is such a fabulous place – I hope a visit is in your future!!
I live sushi so I’m sure I’d love a visit to Tokyo! Those paper lanterns are so gorgeous and the views from atop the tallest building look incredible. Any high teas not to miss out on in Tokyo?
That’s an excellent question – for some reason I’ve never thought to investigate high tea options in Tokyo. You’ll have to go and let me know! 🙂
Ahh Tokyo! Your photos really brought me back to the excitement and energy of the city. I lived on a tiny Japanese island for a couple of years, and going to Tokyo was always such a fun escape. You covered things to do there excellently!
Thanks, Silvia! What were you doing on the tiny island for so long? Before moving to Tokyo, the friends I was visiting lived in more rural towns and exploring those areas was also fun. There’s still so much of the country I want to see! The Sapporo ice festival is high on my list. Have you been?
I was teaching English with the JET Program (and saving money to fund my current travels). I did go to the Sapporo ice festival and it was amazing! Highly highly recommended. Hokkaido is beautiful, and there was a crazy amount of snow!
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Love Tokyo! And everything Japanese for that matter
Wow, wow, wow, Tokyo looks just amazingly beautiful and HUGE. Haven’t been there, yet, but it’s definitely on my list.
Hi Heather, that’s a great post and help for my trip next month. Just followed you on Twitter as well – looking forward to connect!
Thanks so much, MightyTravels! I’m happy to help! Hope you enjoy your trip to Japan 🙂