Best of Tokyo

Once arriving in the city and getting settled in your hotel, start your adventure by exploring the heart of modern Tokyo, Shibuya. Wander the streets in awe of the excitement of this highly popular shopping and entertainment district. Alive with glowing video screens, packed with shopping and dining, and swarming with visitors from all over the world, Shibuya is the epitome of the Japanese young generation and will dazzle you with its energy.

Start day 2 at one of Tokyo’s most famous landmarks, the Imperial Palace. Take a guided tour of the palace grounds and stroll through the adjacent East Gardens, the former site of Edo Castle’s innermost defense circles. Walk to the nearby Ginza district and enjoy a lunch of fresh sushi at one of the many restaurants and cafes of the flourishing shopping district.

From there, make your way to the iconic Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan. Ride the tower’s high-speed elevator to the top for a stunning bird’s eye view of the city. Afterwards, take a short city train ride to Tokyo’s Akihabara district and spend the rest of the day exploring the “Electric City.” Stroll in and out of the district’s many electronics stores, ranging from tiny shops to massive outlets that spread across several floors.

Begin your day in Shinjuku, the center of Tokyo’s government. Gawk at the magnitude of Shinjuku Station, the busiest train station in the world, with over 200 exits and more than 3.6 million passengers traveling through it each day. Take a walking tour through the streets of Shinjuku to take in the sheer enormity of the district. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the hectic, nonstop pace, duck into the tranquil gardens of Shinjuku Gyoen for a quick escape right in the middle of the city. Enjoy a decadent bowl of Ramen for a late lunch, then head back to the train station to catch a ride to Harajuku.

A trip to Tokyo wouldn’t be complete without a stop in Harajuku, one of the world’s leading fashion centers and the hub for the street fashion-crazed youth of Tokyo. Walk amongst the cosplayers on Takeshita Street, strolling in and out of tightly packed boutiques and used clothing stores. Take a break from the chaos with a quick visit to Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo’s most beautiful shrines, located in lush Yoyogi Park. Before returning to your hotel for the night, be sure to sample from the hundreds of dining options in Harajuku – from candy stores and creperies to sushi counters and fine dining restaurants.

Discover the more traditional side of Tokyo, starting with a visit to Asakusa. Grab an iconic photo of the striking red Thunder Gate as you enter Senso-ji, Tokyo’s most visited temple and the oldest shrine in Japan. Take a stroll down Nakamise-dori Street, one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets, full of traditional souvenir shops and a great opportunity to try some authentic Japanese street food.

Then hop a train to the cultural heart of Tokyo, Ueno. Spend a couple hours leisurely exploring the Tokyo National Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Japanese art, including intricate samurai swords, gorgeous kimonos and ancient pottery. Stroll through the district’s large central park and end your day with dinner in a charming Ueno cafe.

Wake early for a full-day tour to Mt. Fuji as well as nearby Lake Ashi and Mt. Komagatake. Enjoy a comfortable bus ride to Mt. Fuji, taking in the spectacular scenery of Japan along the way. Stop at Mt. Fuji 5th Station and enjoy its breathtaking views of the Fuji Five Lakes below. Continue to Lake Ashi in nearby Hakone National Park to take a short cruise across the lake while enjoying incredible scenery and unrivaled views of Mt Fuji. From there, continue your adventure at Mt. Komagatake. Board the unique Mt. Komagatake Ropeway aerial tram and glide to the summit. where you’ll enjoy breathtaking 360-degree views of Mt. Fuji and the surrounding area. When evening falls, return to Tokyo via Japan’s famous bullet train.