

The Best of Tokyo: A 7-Day Thematic Itinerary
Planning a seven-day stay in Tokyo? Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of flavour, colour, and culture!
Here’s what you can do during your week-long Tokyo holiday: Spend your days delving into Tokyo’s culinary scene—a tapestry of bold tastes, with sushi, ramen, and other iconic dishes that will awaken your palate. To discover Tokyo’s modern attractions, look out for towering skyscrapers like the iconic Tokyo Skytree. The city's traditional landmarks are equally stunning, with beautiful structures to admire, like the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa.
And finally, Tokyo's culture is a fascinating fusion of steadfast tradition and daring innovation. The city's traditional arts, such as kabuki theatre and ikebana flower arrangement, provide a glimpse into Japan's rich cultural heritage, while its pop culture scene, with its colourful anime and manga, reflects the city's creative and playful spirit. Tokyo's fashion is also a cultural force, with avant-garde designers who innovate fearlessly, and trendsetters who strut down the streets in striking ensembles.
Need an easy way to organise your Tokyo getaway? Read on to find out where to stay, and get an itinerary of activities that you can try, according to a theme!
Where to Stay in Tokyo for 7 Days


Located in the heart of Shinjuku, HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel offers easy access to all parts of Tokyo by train.
There are two major drinking districts in Shinjuku within a short distance from our hotel—the Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho—where you will find many interesting small bars. Shinjuku also has a famous diversity district, Shinjuku Nichome, which is jam-packed with hundreds of unique bars.
Browse our rooms and suites to find the perfect place for relaxation after your Tokyo adventures. Our interiors are decorated with a selection of art and music, and the rooms are designed to be as comfortable as your own home.
We look forward to hosting you at HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU during your Tokyo stay!
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What to Do in Tokyo in 7 Days
Want to make each day different and special? Here’s a thematic one-week travel guide to Tokyo, brought to you by the HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU team.
Day 1: Explore Traditional Tokyo


Celebrate Tokyo’s traditions by trying these heritage-rich activities.
Begin your day with a visit to Asakusa, a district in northeast Tokyo known for its rich history and cultural landmarks. The area’s biggest attraction is the Senso-ji Temple, which is the oldest and most significant Buddhist temple in Tokyo. Within the temple, visitors can participate in traditional Japanese rituals such as purifying themselves with incense smoke and making offerings to the gods.
Along the way to the temple, check out Nakamise shopping street—a bustling thoroughfare where you can pick up Japanese snacks and souvenirs, as well as omikuji (Japanese fortune telling slips).
Next, make your way to the nearby Yanaka neighbourhood. Known for its traditional Japanese atmosphere and preserved buildings, Yanaka is an excellent place for a relaxing stroll. Be sure to visit Yanaka Ginza, a shopping street lined with traditional Japanese shops and cafes.
As part of your traditional Tokyo day, do be sure to enjoy a Japanese meal at a local izakaya, an informal Japanese gastropub.
Day 2: Experience Modern Tokyo


Want to see the fast-paced, glitzy side of Tokyo? Here’s what you can do.
Start the day on a high note with a visit to the Tokyo Skytree. At 634m, this is one of the world's tallest towers, offering breathtaking views of the Tokyo cityscape. On a clear day, visitors can see as far as Mount Fuji!
Thereafter, venture into the futuristic Odaiba district, where Tokyo’s high-tech attractions are located. Here, you can pay homage to the 19.7m Unicorn Gundam statue, an iconic symbol of Japanese science fiction.
Another notable Odaiba structure is the Fuji TV Building, which incorporates elements of postmodern design—the building's exterior is covered in a distinctive metallic mesh that gives it a shimmering, high-tech appearance. But the biggest draw of the Fuji TV Building is its distinctive spherical observation deck, which offers unobstructed panoramic views of the city.
To round up your day, indulge in shopping at the high-energy districts of Shibuya or Shinjuku. Head to Shibuya’s most popular shopping spot, the Shibuya 109 mall, which features clothing and accessory stores mostly catering to youths. For a more diverse range of shopping options, Shinjuku has everything from luxury department stores to electronics shops and budget outlets.
Day 3: Visit Tokyo's Museums


Wondering which museums are worth your time in Tokyo? These are three of the city’s best museums:
One of the largest museums in Japan, Tokyo National Museum welcomes visitors to explore its galleries dedicated to ancient Japan, samurai culture, Buddhist art, and more. The museum also hosts special exhibitions throughout the year, offering visitors a chance to see rare and unique pieces from Japan and around the world.
A science geek at heart? The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, also known as Miraikan, is a must-visit for anyone interested in the intersection of science, technology, and society. It features interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences, including virtual reality simulations, robotics demonstrations, and science experiments.
Finally, consider paying a visit to the Mori Art Museum, located in the upmarket Roppongi Hills. This museum focuses on emerging artists and cutting-edge trends, and visitors can enjoy exhibitions spanning a variety of media—painting, sculpture, video, and installation art.
Day 4: Have a Tokyo Foodie Day


You can’t visit Tokyo without dedicating a full day to food! Here’s what you should try:
Head to the Toyosu Fish Market early in the morning, so that you can experience the vibrant atmosphere of a wholesale market at its peak. One of the highlights here is attending a “live” tuna auction, but note that registration is required. (Contact your concierge for assistance.)
Prefer an activity with less fanfare? You can have a traditional Japanese breakfast at the Tsukiji Outer Market. A local breakfast typically consists of rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and various side dishes such as pickles, nori seaweed, and tamagoyaki (a rolled omelette). The meal is often accompanied by green tea and a small serving of fruit.
During the day, you can also plan excursions to indulge in Japanese street foods like takoyaki (fried batter balls) and okonomiyaki (Japanese pancakes). Visit the popular Harajuku district to sample the city’s best street foods.
Day 5: Seek Out Tokyo’s Green Spaces


To experience the healing power of nature and uncover your inner zen in Tokyo, head to these top-rated attractions.
Brighten your day with a morning stroll at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a stunning oasis in the heart of Tokyo. The garden features a variety of landscapes including a traditional Japanese garden, a French garden, and an English landscape garden.
If you’re visiting Tokyo during the cherry blossom season (late March to early April), be sure to head to Meguro River, a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing. Here, the riverbanks are lined with hundreds of cherry trees, creating a blissfully romantic atmosphere when the trees are in full bloom.
For a more challenging outdoor activity, hike up Mount Takao, a 599m mountain in west Tokyo. It takes about three hours to reach the summit for a rewarding view, and there are several trails with varying difficulty levels to choose from. There are also interesting sights to look forward to during your hike, such as a monkey park and a Buddhist temple.
Day 6: Discover Tokyo’s Pop Culture
Intrigued by Japanese pop and anime culture? There are two activities that otakus must do.
Are you a fan of Studio Ghibli movies? If so, you must visit the Ghibli Museum, dedicated to the works of Hayao Miyazaki, a renowned Japanese animator and filmmaker, and his colleagues. The museum features exhibits and interactive displays that allow visitors to learn about animation, as well as view original artwork and film clips from Miyazaki's popular films such as “Howl’s Moving Castle,” "Spirited Away," and "My Neighbor Totoro."
To immerse yourself in anime and gaming, explore the Akihabara district. It’s the perfect place to visit game arcades or check out stores selling anime figurines, video games, and manga comics, while soaking in the lively atmosphere. You can also stop at a ‘maid cafe,’ a type of themed cafe in Tokyo where the servers (usually young women) dress up in French maid costumes.
Day 7: Have a Blast at Tokyo's Theme Parks


Love thrill rides and an escapist experience? These are the Tokyo theme parks to visit.
Devoted Disney fans should make time for both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, as they’re quite distinct from each other! While Tokyo Disneyland highlights classic Disney characters and stories, Tokyo DisneySea is themed around nautical exploration and adventure, with areas that represent different ports of call around the world. Tokyo DisneySea also features more sophisticated and thrilling rides compared to Tokyo Disneyland, which makes it suitable for older visitors.
Need a more convenient option? Consider the Tokyo Dome City amusement park in central Tokyo. With a variety of roller coasters, water rides, and carnival games, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Additionally, the park is located near the Tokyo Dome, a famous sports and concert venue, with several shopping and dining options in the area.
Need more information for your 7-day Tokyo vacation? Contact the HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU team!
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