This is how I spent my first full day in Tokyo and why I think it’s the perfect welcome to Japan.

Planning my first day in Tokyo was a delicate task. I didn’t want to be overloaded with activities right out of the gate, but I still wanted to see attractions and explore some of the best areas around Tokyo. 

After a bit of tinkering, I came up with this first day in Tokyo itinerary that checked all my boxes. I found it to be the perfect introduction to Japan’s capital city if I do say so myself. 

This first day fits in nicely with my suggested one week in Japan itinerary.

Sunrise coffee on my hotel’s rooftop

One of the tricks I used to skip jet lag on my trip to Japan was starting my first day in Tokyo at around 4 am. Not only did rising early allow me to see a bunch of things on day one, but it also made me tired enough to go to bed at a reasonable hour. 

Since I wasn’t ready to hit the streets quite that early, I enjoyed a coffee on the rooftop of my hotel and watched as Tokyo turned on for the day. 

A morning walk in Yoyogi Park

After the sun came up, I rode the metro about 30 minutes away from where I was staying in Minato to take a morning walk at Yoyogi Park. There are several interesting sites around the park, such as its large, wooden Torii gates and a wall of colorful sake barrels. 

It was nice to stroll around aimlessly and appreciate how a big metropolis can have such a lovely green space right in the middle of it. 

A tranquil visit to Meiji Shrine

Next, I went to Meiji Shrine conveniently located right next to Yoyogi Park. 

This beautiful Shinto shrine is free to visit and it’s quieter than some of the other big temples, which I thought was ideal for a morning activity. There are lush forests surrounding its traditional architecture, making it a really tranquil spot to hang out. 

In fact, many temples are free to visit. Budget-friendly activities like these make Japan such a great destination for solo travelers like me.

Window shopping and people-watching in Harajuku

Once I’d gotten my dose of tranquility and the morning was turning to noon, I was ready for a little more energy. I headed into the busy, fashionable neighborhood of Harajuku to wander around. 

I indulged in a bit of window shopping at the cool vintage stores. I also did some people-watching since the folks around this district have insanely good style. I wasn’t going anywhere in particular, just simply taking in the iconic Tokyo district. 

A much-needed break at Miyashita Park’s rooftop 

I stopped at a 7-Eleven for snacks before making my way up to the rooftop of Miyashita Park shopping center. Located in the heart of Shibuya, this spot provided a much-needed break from walking around Tokyo all day. 

It was a nice change of pace to just take a seat, eat a tuna onigiri, and soak in the fact that I was truly exploring Tokyo. 

Experience local culture and shopping along Nakamise street

My next stop was the Asakusa neighborhood about an hour away from Shibuya by train. While that sounds like a big time investment, the ride went by fast and it was good to get a feel for Japan’s public transportation firsthand. 

Upon arrival in the district, I went straight to Nakamise Street. This type of place is my ideal travel activity because it allows me to jump into the local culture and maybe even find a treasure to take home. 

Plus, this particular Tokyo shopping street leads to one of the best attractions in the city. 

Take in history and beauty at Senso-Ji Temple

Senso-Ji Temple was high on my list of favorite places to take photos in Japan. It’s over 1,300 years old, making it the oldest temple in Tokyo, and you can feel that history in the air. 

Something about the structure’s bright red colors coupled with the ceremonial energy just made it a very beautiful place to be. Being here actually ended up being one of the best moments on my whole trip. 

Good luck charms as souvenirs

I took my time walking around the grounds of Senso-Ji and taking photos until I stumbled upon something that piqued my interest. Local vendors were selling colored bags which I learned are meant to bring the purchaser specific flavors of good fortune. 

There were charms available for happiness, luck, money, love, fertility, passing exams, travel safety, and even some to keep your pets safe. This was my thing to a T. 

By the time I left Japan, I had collected more of these amulets than I care to admit. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one either because I spotted a woman with an extensive, hand-written list of charms to buy. On this first day, though, I just bought a simple red charm for luck. 

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Sunset at Tokyo Skytree

To finish off my first day, I went to one of the most popular attractions in Japan – the Tokyo Skytree. This observation deck takes visitors over 2,000 feet in the air to give them a 360° perspective over the cityscape. 

I ended up at the Skytree right before dusk and it was an amazing time to be up that high for sunset. Getting to watch the pink skies glow over Tokyo was the absolutely perfect way to end my intro to Japan. 

👉Pro Tip: It was extremely crowded at the Tokyo Skytree at sunset. Travelers who prefer a lowkey environment should opt to visit this spot earlier in the day. 

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There you have it, that’s exactly how I spent my first day in Tokyo. I found it to be the perfect balance of visiting iconic Tokyo attractions and just getting familiar with the city. 

Before you go, check out these travel hacks for Japan! They made my trip 10x easier.