Tokyo, Japan has so much to do. My goal is to make this Tokyo fall itinerary easy to understand. I will break each day down into the main thing to DO. Then I will suggest a place to EAT. After that, I suggest a general area to EXPLORE. Since, what is traveling if you’re not exploring a new area and finding new and interesting things around every corner.

Day 1: Komagome

It is so important for to me to show a non-touristy destination. This is the very neighborhood where I stayed. I love that it is where locals live. So, you feel like a local yourself as you visit this area.

Do:
Rest yourself. Most likely you’ve had a long flight.
Spend most of this day exploring the area around your accommodations. Find out where the subway or bus station is.

Eat:
A great place to spend the evening is Inikari Steak. They have great steak and chicken options. Everything is cooked to perfection. The staff is so friendly and make you feel welcome. Take out options are also available. My schedule was so busy that I was only able to do takeout. Address: 1 Chome-17-2 Kitaotsuka, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0004, Japan

Explore:
My rental was located in Komagome, Toshima City, so that is the area I recommend exploring on your first day. Stroll through the homey area of Toshima city. This area is home to lots of restaurants and little shops. Explore the little streets and alleys. This is the perfect place to do this. The area is a mix of residential and commercial.

Wander into the Sakagami Supermarket. I would compare it to a small Whole Foods or The Fresh Market. There was a great selection of baked goods. I purchased a loaf of bread. Look at the giant fruits and aisles full of tasty treats. They also had a unique wine selection, including honey wine. Address: 6 Chome-35-1 Komagome, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0003, Japan

Supermarkets are a great way to start off your trip. Experience life as a local. Also, stock up on food to cook if you’re staying at a rental.

Day 2: Harajuku

Do:
Treat your inner child to Kiddyland. Each floor is filled to the brim with any kind of toy you can imagine.
The basement floor has all things Snoopy and Peanuts.

Other floors have Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty. Check out the floor with Licca, Japan’s version of Barbie. So many cute playsets were for sale. I wanted a doughnut one so badly.

Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 6 Chome−1−9 キデイランド原宿店

Eat:
Have lunch at McDonald’s. I don’t love McDonald’s when in the U.S., but Japan is so different. Enjoy the shrimp burger, called the Ebi Filet burger in Japan. There is also the Yuzu pepper sauce (comes with McNuggets). It has the perfect amount of citrus and spice.

Then end your meal with a Muscat Grape Milkshake. Other menu items include McCafe items such as Macarons. Address: Harajuku Family Bldg., 1 Chome-19-8 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Explore:
Walk down Takeshita Street, the famous main street in the Harajuku area. Harajuku is the land of all things colorful and girly. Be sure to not visit this area on the weekend. I did and it was wall to wall people. It was enough to feel claustrophobic.

Shop at Daiso, a store I love to visit in South Korea. It is actually a Japanese store. This branch of the store had three floors full of home goods, souvenirs, candy and so much more. All the prices are very reasonable. Address: Japan, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 1 Chome−19−24 ビレッジ107 ２階

Enter the Tokyu Plaza Omotesando. It’s a modern mall located on the corner. Shop at lots of unique shops. I stumbled upon Singapore brand Charles and Keith and purchased a beautiful handbag. Address: 4 Chome-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

If you are investing in more sustainable fashion, check out “Chome-26-4 Jingumae, Shibuya City” street. There are plenty of vintage and secondhand shops. I recommend checking out 2nd Street. It is a thrift store with lots of options to choose from. Both my sister and I were able to find great items.

Address: 4 Chome-26-4 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan

Day 3: Shibuya

Do:
This Tokyo fall itinerary isn’t complete without seeing the Shibuya Scramble, the world-famous crossing where hundreds of people cross the intersection at the same time. It took me hours to find the location. This was due to construction.

Exit the Shibuya station and head to the Shibuya Hikarie Mall. Take the mall escalator up to the 2nd floor. There is an elevated walkway to the left that goes away from the mall. Continue that way. Continue until you see signs for the Shibuya Scramble Terrace building. This was on my right as I headed there. Take the elevator down to the first floor.

Head towards signs for the Shibuya Sky. This is a paid attraction where you see the crossing from above. Follow the signs to this and it will take you in the general area. Things may change between the time I went and when you go, due to the changing construction. To reach the main Shibuya Scramble area, use the L’Occitane address: Japan, 〒150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 2 Chome−3−1, Shibuya Ekimae Bldg., 2-3

On the way, enjoy other parts of the Shibuya area, such as the Shibuya stream and the various shops and bakeries in the Shibuya Scramble Terrace Building. It’s all part of the journey.

Eat:
Head to the L’Occitane Cafe. This is where I had a bite to eat and watched the crossing from above. Expect to wait a while for seats at the Cafe. Address: Japan, 〒150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 2 Chome−3−1, Shibuya Ekimae Bldg., 2-3

There are a lot of Turkish food options in this area. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to try any. KEBAB CAFE had 4.3 stars on Google. Address: 2 Chome-25-10 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan

Explore:
After catching a bite and watching the crossing, head to the Tsutaya bookstore. It has a great ambiance and a cafe at the upper level. Purchase a drink at the cafe and flip through a magazine. Address: Japan, 〒150-6111 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shibuya, 2 Chome−２４番１２号 スクランブルスクエア １１階 (11/1/2023 Update: Unfortunately, on 10/31/2023 the Tsutaya bookstore closed. They are planning on reopening in the Spring.)

Head over to the Mega Don Quijote store. This place is an experience. That’s the only way to describe this store that is filled to the brim with everything, especially since this is one of the large mega stores.

There are souvenirs, luxury handbags, food, skincare and clothing. It is very crowded and confusing. So, beware if you don’t like crowded places. If you are up to going, you may find lots of great items. Prices are fair, but not amazing. Address: 28-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 154-0042, Japan

Day 4: Ginza

Do:
Your first stop in this area should be the Hakuhinkan Toy Park.  It’s level upon level of toys for all ages. They also have collectibles and vintage Japanese character toys. Who had a Tamagotchi in the 90s?! Address: 8 Chome-8-11 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan

After shopping for toys, check out the Onitsuka Tiger shoe store. This is a very popular Japanese brand. They are owned by the same brand as Asics, and you will see people all over Japan wearing them.

They are becoming popular in the U.S. as well. The Mexico 66 style being extremely popular right now. Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 7 Chome−8−8 サエグサ第一ビル

Eat:
For dinner head to the Excelsior Cafe. The Bolognese pasta was out of this world. They also have great teas and other drinks. Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 7 Chome−8−7 １Ｆ・２Ｆ GINZA GREEN

Explore:
Visit the thriving area known as Ginza.
I hate comparing Tokyo to Seoul, South Korea, but I can’t help it. Ginza is the Gangnam of Tokyo. There I said it. Ginza is the place to shop name brands and designers. All the buildings glisten at night.

Day 5: Asakusa

Do:
The Senso-ji Temple and surrounding area is a great place to walk around. This temple is the oldest in Tokyo. Take in the traditional Japanese architecture and explore some sites on the way there. Address:  2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

Eat:
(I had to transfer at the Ueno train station. This will vary depending on how you get to Senso-ji Temple.)
Immediately upon leaving the Ueno train station, you can enter into the Matsuzakaya Store. The basement floor has lots of shops to buy food and sweets. I stopped at a stall selling chicken skewers. They were good and the price was even better. Torijin is the Romanized form of the shop I went to.

(Haha. No. I don’t remember all this. But I kept my receipts and tried to take good notes to help my readers. And I used Google maps to translate my receipts.) Matsuzkaya is a department store. So, if you have time, it’s another place to explore. Address: 3 Chome-29-5 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8503, Japan

Explore:
Visit Shin Nakamise Shopping Street. This area includes pharmacies, skincare shops, a Shiba Inu dog cafe, McDonald’s and other shops.

I stopped into the Matsumoto Kiyoshi drugstore and purchased some face cream and a popular lip cream from the DHC brand. Address: 1 Chome-30-2 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

Stop at the Asakusa Mameshiba Cafe and play with the Shiba Inu puppies. I went there to pick up a gift for a friend. If I had more time I would have stayed to play with the dogs. Address: 1 Chome-29-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

[Note: Days six and seven are things I wanted to do during my trip but was unable to. I ran out of time. I spent some days in Tokyo with friends, so obviously I can’t add that to the itinerary. The information below is based on my research and not places I actually visited. These are places I plan to visit on my next trip. Yes, definitely going back to Japan.]

Day 6: Shin-okubo in Shinjuku

Shin-okubo is a Koreatown located in Tokyo. This area has a lot of Korean skincare shops and restaurants. This location is perfect if you want to visit South Korea as well, but are not able to. To get to the area, use the address for the Shin-chang restaurant : Japan, 〒169-0073 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Hyakunincho, 1 Chome−2−9 オオサワビル １Ｆ

Day 7: Toukyou

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT). If you are interested in Japanese modern art, then check out this museum. Address: 3-1 Kitanomarukoen, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-8322, Japan. Also check out the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum. Address: 5 Chome-21-9 Shirokanedai, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0071, Japan

Share this Tokyo fall itinerary with anyone you know planning to visit Japan.