1 Day in Tokyo Itinerary: How I Spent Amazing 24 Hours in Tokyo Japan (2026)

Tokyo is, needless to say, the most iconic and most popular city to visit in Japan, and for very good reason. It’s loud, exciting, overwhelming (in a good way), and there’s so much going on that it’s basically a non-negotiable stop on any Japan itinerary.

The city has an insane number of cool neighborhoods to explore, from Shinjuku and Shibuya to quieter corners. On top of that, there are so many things to do, like visiting fish markets, teamLab Planets, and the Shibuya Crossing, and honestly… even I struggled to fit everything in, and I spent a full week in Tokyo.

That said, I don’t want to scare you. I know some of you only have 24 hours in Tokyo, and while I’ll be honest and say that’s definitely not ideal, you can still have an amazing day here if you plan it right.

To help you do exactly that, I’ve put together my personal 1 day in Tokyo itinerary. It includes the highlights I enjoyed the most, without turning the day into a stressful “tick-off-every-sight” marathon. Instead, this is about experiencing Tokyo properly, even if it’s just for one day, and I think this itinerary hits enough of the right boxes.

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1 Day in Tokyo Itinerary: How I Spent Amazing 24 Hours in Tokyo Japan (2026)

1 Day in Tokyo Itinerary – My Experience

As I’ve already mentioned, I personally spent a full week in Tokyo, and I really made it my mission to do all the classic, popular tourist things. Partly because I genuinely wanted to, and partly so I could later put together guides like this and actually tell you what’s worth your time and what you can skip.

During my stay, I was very much chasing that stereotypical Tokyo feeling with neon signs everywhere, high-rise buildings, crowds, noise, and a bit of chaos. I stayed in both Shinjuku and Shibuya during the week, and I absolutely loved those areas because they delivered exactly that vibe. I’ll make sure to include some photos below so you know exactly what I mean.

That said, Tokyo isn’t just about those two neighborhoods. I also had an amazing time at teamLab Planets, which is this immersive, interactive art exhibition that honestly blew my mind. I loved visiting the fish markets, and of course, the food scene in Tokyo deserves its own mention. Some of the best meals I had in Japan were here. I’ll try to include a bit of all of that in this guide without completely overwhelming you.

What really stood out to me about Tokyo is that it felt less about ticking off specific sights and more about simply experiencing the city. Compared to Kyoto, where I felt like I was constantly moving from temple to shrine, Tokyo was much more about wandering through neighborhoods, getting lost in alleyways, and just soaking it all in.

I know that sounds a bit cheesy, but I genuinely loved just being in the city, eating great food, exploring on foot, and letting Tokyo surprise me along the way.

A Quick Tokyo Guide – Everything You Need to Know

Location matters: I stayed in both Shinjuku and Shibuya, and I’d genuinely recommend doing the same if you can. Being based there meant I could explore a lot on foot straight from my hotel, and anything else was only a quick subway ride away. For a short trip, that convenience makes a huge difference.
Get an eSIM: I needed data constantly in Tokyo, for navigating public transport, finding food spots, and just figuring out where I was going. I used Sim Local and had zero issues the entire time. If you’re heading to Japan, I honestly wouldn’t travel without an eSIM anymore.
(Sign up here and use my discount code GIRLONAZEBRA.)
Get an IC card: If you’re only in Tokyo for one day, this isn’t 100% essential, but for convenience, I still recommend it. A Suica or Pasmo card makes getting around so much smoother, and you can also use it at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, which is super handy.
Book tickets in advance: I booked a few things ahead of time because I didn’t want to risk missing out. Places like Shibuya Sky and teamLab Planets regularly sell out, so if they’re on your list, lock them in early.
Eat all the food: I’m a huge foodie, and Tokyo absolutely delivered. The sushi here is easily some of the best I’ve ever had, and the ramen is on another level. Food alone is a reason to visit Tokyo.
Skip viral food spots: Some of my worst food experiences in Japan came from viral Instagram places (the famous udon carbonara was not it). Please don’t waste hours queuing for mediocre food, especially if you only have one day in Tokyo. Some of the best meals I had were in tiny, slightly hidden spots with no hype at all.

My 1 Day Itinerary Tokyo

Quick disclaimer before we get into it: this is my personal idea of a perfect day in Tokyo if I only had 24 hours. I know everyone travels differently and not everyone enjoys the same things I do, and that’s totally fine. Use this itinerary as inspiration and swap things around however you like.

That said, I did put a lot of thought into this. I made sure everything makes sense location-wise so you’re not zig-zagging all over Tokyo. The city is massive, and with just one day here, the last thing you want is to spend half of it on the subway.

Morning (Explore Tokyo’s Fish Markets)

If I only have one day in Tokyo, I’m starting early. And for me, that means heading straight to one of Tokyo’s famous fish markets: Tsukiji or Toyosu.

I actually visited both, and I think they’re both worth it, just for different reasons. Tsukiji Fish Market is the old market and these days it’s more of a food market than a working fish market. There’s no auction happening anymore, but it’s still an amazing place to wander around and eat insanely fresh sushi at 9am. Yes, sushi for breakfast is very much a thing here, and yes, I fully took part in it and had some delicious nigiri in the morning.

Toyosu Fish Market is the new market and this is where all the restaurants in Tokyo get their seafood from. This is also where the famous tuna auction takes place early in the morning (around 5am). It’s a cool thing to see if you’re up for an early start. The vibe here is very different though, it’s a working market, so basically a huge, very clean white warehouse focused on function rather than atmosphere.

If you only have time for one, I’d probably pick Toyosu. But honestly, you can’t really go wrong with either.

I got a little obsessed with the quality of fish in Japan, so unsurprisingly my morning included some tuna sushi, and wow, it was incredible. No matter which market you choose, make sure you actually eat something here. The freshness is next level and it’s a very iconic Tokyo experience.

Midday (Visit Teamlab Planets)

After the fish market, I headed straight to teamLab Planets. Quick bit of context if you’ve never heard of it: teamLab are immersive, interactive art exhibitions, and Tokyo has two of them, teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets. I’ve been to both, and honestly, Planets is by far my favorite, which is why this is the one I’m recommending here.

Another reason this works so well is the location. TeamLab Planets is super close to Toyosu Fish Market, so doing these two back to back just makes sense and saves you a lot of unnecessary travel time.

I had such a fun time at teamLab Planets. In the first part of the exhibition, we had to take our shoes off and walk through ankle-deep water, moving through different rooms with changing light, sounds, and art installations. It’s a bit bizarre at first, but also super fun. After that, I took my time wandering through the other rooms, taking photos with all the lights, mirrors, and giant floating installations. You’ve probably seen those iconic photos online, but I’ll add a few of mine below so you know exactly what I mean.

I booked my tickets well in advance, which I highly recommend doing. Time slots sell out quickly, and for this itinerary, late morning to around midday is ideal.

Book Here: Teamlab Planets Ticket

Afternoon (Shibuya Scramble Crossing & Shibuya Sky)

After that, I’m heading back to one of my favorite parts of Tokyo: Shibuya. I pretty much relied on public transport the entire time I was in Tokyo, and for good reason. It’s hands down the easiest and fastest way to get around, and getting from teamLab Planets back to Shibuya Station is super straightforward.

First things first, as soon as you come out of Shibuya Station, you’re right at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. This place is just iconic. I’ll be honest, I spent way more time here than I expected, walking back and forth, trying to get a perfect picture.

Once I finally got my photo, I started wandering around Shibuya a bit and did some shopping. One of my favorite stores here is Loft. It’s one of those places where you go in “just to look” and walk out with a bag full of stuff. Seven floors of random-but-amazing things like souvenirs, stationery, ceramics, chopsticks, and all kinds of little Japanese finds. I bought so many gifts here for friends and family back home.

After getting my shopping fix, I’d ideally head up to Shibuya Sky for sunset. If you want to do this, definitely check what time sunset is in Tokyo and book the right time slot in advance. I didn’t, and of course, tickets were sold out. Lesson learned.

That said, here’s a little insider tip. There’s a great alternative viewpoint that a local guide showed me, and hardly anyone seems to know about it. You walk into the same building as Shibuya Sky, take the elevator up to the 12th floor, and wander through the restaurant area. There’s a big open space with fantastic views over the Scramble Crossing, and when I was there, it was almost completely empty. Not quite the same as Shibuya Sky, but honestly, still an amazing view and zero crowds.

Book Here: Shibuya Sky Tickets

Evening (Drinks & Late Night Ramen in Shinjuku)

I’m definitely finishing my day in Shinjuku, which is one of my favorite areas in Tokyo and only one subway stop from Shibuya, so super easy to get to. I actually stayed here during my time in Tokyo and had such a good time going out for food and drinks in the evenings.

Shinjuku is Tokyo’s most notorious nightlife area, with iconic sights like the giant Godzilla head (I actually stayed at Hotel Gracery, the one with Godzilla on top) and areas like Omoide Yokocho, which most people know as Piss Alley.

I spent quite a bit of time just wandering around Shinjuku on foot and of course checked out both bar streets, Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai. I honestly loved both. Tiny bars, neon lights, people squeezed in everywhere, cold beers, conversations with strangers, it just felt very Tokyo. One thing I’ll say though: I’d mostly come here for drinks. The food is fine, but nothing I’d go out of my way for.

Two of my favorite food spots in all of Japan are actually in Shinjuku, and funnily enough, they’re both super low-key and nothing fancy at all, which is exactly how I like it.

One is Ramen Tatsunoya, where I had hands down the best ramen of my entire Japan trip. The other is Sushi Bar Nigirite, one of my favorite sushi spots in Tokyo. We had a 10-course omakase there for around $30 USD, which is honestly wild. Super laid-back atmosphere, cold beers, incredible sushi and I can’t recommend it enough if you want an authentic, no-frills sushi experience to end your day in Tokyo.

Where to Stay in Tokyo Japan for One Day

When it comes to where to stay in Tokyo, there are a lot of options, but if I’m being completely honest, I would realistically only consider Shinjuku or Shibuya, especially if you only have one day.

I stayed in both areas and loved them for different reasons. They’re right next to each other, incredibly well connected by trains and subways, and, most importantly, there’s actually a lot to explore just by walking straight out of your hotel. Cafés, bars, neon streets, food spots, shopping… it all happens right outside your door.

If I only had one day in Tokyo, I’d personally lean slightly towards Shibuya, ideally close to Shibuya Station. That way I’ve got major highlights like the Scramble Crossing, great shopping, food, and viewpoints right at my doorstep, while still being perfectly connected to the rest of the city. With limited time, convenience really matters in Tokyo.

Here are a couple of hotels I’d genuinely recommend checking out for a short stay:

Book Here: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

Book Here: Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel

Book Here: Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku

FAQs About One Day in Tokyo

Is Tokyo worth visiting?

Absolutely, yes. Tokyo is easily one of the most exciting and iconic cities I’ve ever visited. The mix of culture, history, food, and pure chaos makes it a must on every Japan itinerary, even if you only have a short amount of time.

Is Tokyo expensive?

I’ll be honest, yes, especially when it comes to accommodation. Hotels in Tokyo can get pretty pricey. That said, food, public transport, and even many activities are actually fairly affordable, which balances things out a bit.

How to spend one day in Tokyo with kids?

One thing kids would absolutely love is teamLab Planets. There are lots of interactive rooms, lights, water, and playful installations, so it’s not just an art exhibition where you’re told not to touch anything. It’s fun, engaging, and perfect for kids.

What is the best day trip from Tokyo?

Mount Fuji is the obvious choice and, in my opinion, the best one. I did a day trip there myself and it’s such a nice break from the city, with beautiful nature and incredible views of Mount Fuji on a clear day. Definitely worth it if you have an extra day.

Final Thoughts on My Tokyo Itinerary 1 Day

All in all, I think this itinerary gives you a really solid idea of what Tokyo is about. Will you see everything the city has to offer? Of course not, one day in Tokyo is simply not enough for that. But I’m a big believer in making the most of the time you do have.

If you only have one day in Tokyo, go for it. One day in Tokyo is a thousand times better than no day in Tokyo.

My personal favorite areas are Shibuya and Shinjuku, so if you’re really short on time, I’d honestly just focus on those two. Do some shopping, wander around, soak up the chaos, and eat as much good food as you can.

I hope this little guide helps you plan your own trip to Tokyo and makes that one day count. Happy travels!