48 Hours in Tokyo – A 2 Day Itinerary

Tokyo is known for its eclectic mix of traditional Shinto architecture and modern high-rises. This blend of old and new is one of the reasons Tokyo is such a popular destination for travellers. The Japanese capital city is home to more than nine million people and over 20 million yearly visitors.

It’s a big and bustling city, and you should enjoy your trip without worrying about how you’re going to see and do everything. You don’t need to stress, because you can fit a lot into just two days in Tokyo! To help you out, this guide will show you what to do in Tokyo when you only have 48 hours.

If you’re wondering how many days in Tokyo is ideal or how many days do you need in Tokyo? well it all depends on what your plans are? You could easily spend 2 weeks in Tokyo or 2 months and still not see or do everything.

Below is a great guide on what to do in Tokyo for 2 days because sometimes 2 days in Tokyo is all you have, especially if you’re going over on a cruise or you’re short on time and want to be able to tour some of the other areas within Tokyo.

This guide is perfect for those who only have 48 Hours in Tokyo 2 Day Itinerary, showing you what to do in Tokyo in 2 days. We will show you what to do in Tokyo for 2 days, where to stay, what to eat and how to get around, whether its a weekend in Tokyo Japan or just a quick trip.

The best time to visit Tokyo

If you want to visit Tokyo when the city is at its most beautiful, come during spring or autumn. In March, the lovely cherry blossoms are blooming, and in October, the autumn leaves have turned vibrant yellows and reds.

The weather during both seasons is mild, which is exactly what you want when you only have a weekend in Tokyo. Keep in mind, however, that spring and autumn are also the busiest times of year to visit.

If you can handle the heat and humidity, you may enjoy a trip during summer. There are always a lot of festivals happening, including many fireworks displays. It’s a great time of year to dive deep into Japanese culture with a ton of dancing, music, and of course, eating.

You should avoid a visit to Tokyo and all of Japan during the New Year. Shops and businesses shut down for the celebrations, and many locals visit the temples to pray, meaning crowds are busier than usual. If you’re hoping to visit a ski resort, wait until mid-January.

How to get around Tokyo

The trains in Japan are among the best in the world, so getting around Tokyo will be easy and pleasant for you. If you’re going to be taking multiple trips over two days, it’s worth getting a Tokyo train pass for tourists. This pass allows you to take unlimited rides on both the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subways. It’s the perfect time-saving solution, as you won’t have to constantly queue up to buy new tickets.

This Tokyo metro pass comes in three options. Passes valid for 24 hours cost 800 yen, 48-hour passes are 1,200 yen, and the longer 72-hour passes are only 1,500 yen. You can order a pass, purchase one at the airport, or pick one up at designated travel shops.

When you’re getting to the city from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport, avoid catching an expensive taxi. With such an impressive railway system, you’re better off catching the train or even a shuttle bus. Each of the airport’s three terminals has its own railway station. The most comfortable option, the JR Narita Express (NEX), takes one hour and costs 3000 yen.

If you’re not travelling a huge distance and want to be more active, you can rent a bicycle. With Tokyo’s main bike-sharing provider, Docomo Bike Share, you can pick one up for an hour or an entire day. Luckily, there are clear instructions in English on their website that won’t make the process too much of a headache.

Best Things to do in Tokyo

Tokyo is home to many unique markets. Whether you want to shop for souvenirs, sample the local cuisine or simply wander the stalls, you’ll find a market that’s just what you’re looking for.

Nakamise Shopping Street is easily the number one market for buying souvenirs. While it’s generally packed with tourists, you can find some delicate kimonos, wooden toys, replica samurai swords and delicious snacks.

The street conveniently leads up to the gates of Sensoji Temple, which you can explore once you’ve spent enough of your money!

Seafood lovers can also check out Tsukiji, the largest and busiest fish market in the world. If you arrive at the crack of dawn, you can witness live tuna auctions.

To sample the best sweets, head to Ameya-Yokochō, aka Ameyoko. It’s known as the candy store alley, but you can find just about anything.

There are insane bargains to be found, particularly if you’re willing to buy in bulk. I recommend trying some ningyo-yaki, a sweet cake made with red bean paste, and imo yokan, a sweet potato jelly.

If you love all things vintage, you won’t want to miss the Mottainai Flea Market. It emerged as a way to promote recycling and environmentalism, and primarily sells secondhand clothes.

Yoyogi Park also holds occasional flea markets, including the monthly Earth Day Market. Regardless, this popular park is always worth a visit.

If you want to learn more about Japan’s unique culture, you’ll find a myriad of museums and art galleries. The Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park is a great place to start, since it’s the largest and oldest museum in Japan.

Many artifacts, ancient artworks and items classified as Japanese National Treasures are preserved here. Other places worth a visit include the Mori Art Museum, the Edo-Tokyo Museum, and the National Art Centre.

For anime fans, you can’t go past the Ghibli Museum. Located at the beautiful Inokashira Park in Mitaka, the museum showcases the best work by Studio Ghibli.

Photography is prohibited, as director Hayao Miyazaki wants every visitor to immerse themselves in the world of animation and imagination.

Places to visit in Tokyo

New York City has Times Square, and Tokyo has Shibuya. This area is home to the notoriously busy famous Shibuya crossing, nicknamed the Shibuya Scramble.

If you’re not keen on getting amongst the crowds, you can observe the chaos from the second floor at Starbucks.

Nearby the crossing is the famous Hachiko Memorial Statue. For those who don’t know the story, an Akita dog named Hachiko would wait for his owner to return from work each day and greet him outside the train station.

Without fail, he continued to wait every day for 10 years after his owner’s sudden death. The Japanese people were so touched by this story that the bronze statue was built to commemorate his loyalty.

This landmark has become a common meeting spot for locals, and a must-visit for tourists.

There are numerous beautiful temples and shrines to visit in Tokyo. Sensoji, the oldest Buddhist temple in the city, receives over 30 million visitors per year.

The vibrant red structure was constructed in 645 AD and is dedicated to the Bodhisattva of compassion. It’s next to the Asakusa Shrine, and both are among the few structures to have survived World War II.

The Kanda Shrine, located in downtown Chiyoda, is where locals come to pray for wealth and success. It has been an important shrine since the Edo period beginning in 1603.

Kanda also survived World War II because of its reconstruction following the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake. More recently, it has been referenced in anime and become a spot for blessing electronic devices.

For further sightseeing, you have your pick of observation decks. The Tokyo Tower was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris and is similarly referenced to in Japanese popular culture.

You can visit the two-story main deck or the 250-metre-high top deck. Even if it’s not on your list of things to do, you’re sure to see the orange and white tower from a distance.

A newer addition is the Tokyo Skytree, now the tallest structure in the world. From the 350-metre-high Tembo Deck, you can experience uninterrupted panoramic views. There’s also a cafe for you to enjoy a refreshing beverage while admiring the city.

Where to stay in Tokyo

Although Tokyo is a very modern city, you can still find some Japanese-style accommodation options. Here are some suggestions for both traditional ryokans and Western hotels as well as AirBnbs. We have also writtenan extensive guide on Where to Stay in Tokyo.

A sleek and affordable option is the b tokyo ochanomizu. The hotel is one minute away from Awajicho Station in the quiet and picturesque Chiyoda area. The rooms all have a stylish wooden finish with comfortable Western-style single, twin or double beds. You’ll have access to a generous breakfast buffet, plus free coffee all day long.

For a classic and authentic Japanese stay, there’s Ito Ryokan in the area of Chūō. The rooms are impeccably clean, and the twin, triple and quadruple room options make it the perfect place for families.

You’ll be astounded by the attentive hospitality here. The welcoming staff are always eager to teach guests about their culture and ensure everyone has the best stay possible.

Tours to do in Tokyo

There are numerous customisable and guided tours offered throughout Tokyo.

A day tours often takes you on a one-hour cruise of the Tokyo Bay to see the stunning city skyline. You’ll also learn about Japan’s feudal history at Meiji Shrine, stop at the Imperial Palace East Garden, shop along Nakamise Street, and pay a visit to the Sensoji Buddhist pagoda. This tour is considered the best of both traditional and modern Tokyo.

One of the most unique and memorable tours is the Guided Go-Kart Tour Experience. This two-hour adventure departs from Shinagawa and guides you around to see the Shibuya Crossing, the Rainbow Bridge, the Tokyo Tower and more.

The tour really embraces Japan’s love of anime and manga, as you can dress up as your favourite comic book character for the duration. Plan ahead if you’re interested in this fun experience, as an international driving permit is required.

Of course, there are also walking tours available. If you’re not a native English speaker, the Tokyo Free Guide has volunteers that speak many languages. For a smaller, private tour with friends or family, the guides at the aptly-named Tokyo Walking Tours have you covered.

2 Day Tokyo Itinerary

By now you must be wondering how many attractions and activities you can fit into two days in Tokyo. It’s always up to you to decide how packed or relaxed you want your trip to be! Here’s a sample Tokyo 48 hour itinerary you may like to follow.

Day 1 in Tokyo

Make use of your Tokyo pass early on and catch the train to Shibuya. From the station, walk to Kanetanaka So for one of the most authentic Japanese breakfasts in the city.

After your meal, you can witness the early morning Shibuya Scramble and meet Hachiko’s statue. Wander through the luscious Yoyogi Park on your way to the Meiji Shrine.

Next, walk through Harajuku to get a glimpse of the colourful street art and out-there fashion, then visit the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art. Catch the Chiyoda line to get to the architecturally stunning National Art Centre. Walk to Ippudo Roppongi for a delicious late lunch of ramen.

Relax in the quaint Hinokicho Park, see the Tokyo Tower, then head to Hinode Pier. End the day with a dinner cruise and oiran show along the Tokyo Bay.

Day 2 in Tokyo

Make your way to Chūō-ku for a big breakfast at K’shiki, then wander around or take a guided tour of the Imperial Palace. You can also pop over to the nearby National Museum of Modern Art.

When you’re done, take the Tozai and Ginza lines to reach the vibrant Kanda Shrine. Afterwards, catch the Ginza line again to get to Ueno Park. Inside the park, you will find a quaint Japanese kaiseki spot, Inshotei. After lunch, relax at the beautiful Shinobazu Pond, then delve into the Tokyo National Museum and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

Next, make your way to Asakusa to explore Sensoji Temple and the surrounding shrines and gates. Get some millet dumplings and imo yokan as you head back down Nakamise Street for some souvenir shopping. Complete your Tokyo trip with dinner and drinks at the famous Kamiya Bar nearby.

While you should still leave time to explore anything that may come up, planning ahead and knowing what to do in Tokyo will save you a lot of stress. I hope this guide and 2 days Tokyo itinerary have inspired you to organise your next trip!

Recommend budget tours in Tokyo

• Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo
• Mt. Fuji Day Trip Including Lake Ashi Sightseeing Cruise from Tokyo
• Private Custom Tour: Tokyo in a Day
• Tokyo Day Tour: Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Temple and Tokyo Bay Cruise
• Tokyo Robot Evening Cabaret Show
• Nikko National Park Day Trip from Tokyo
• Small-Group Tokyo Biking Tour
• Food Tour of Tsukiji Fish Market
• Walking Food Tour of Shibuya at Night
• Tokyo Asakusa Rickshaw Tour
• Tokyo Local Food and Drink Experience with a Bar Hopping Master
• Hands-on Ninja Experience in Tokyo

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