In my mind Japan was always a destination for the ‘rich‘… I remember listening to my father saying, how much he would like to visit – but how it’s really expensive you can’t even afford to sleep in a capsule. That might have been true 30 years ago, but Japan became a very affordable travel option (happy me!) for all tourists. My husband and I visited Tokyo last year during sakura season (unfortunately the flowers were late, so just buds) but there are tons of other things to do there!
As I said – Tokyo had always been on my bucket list, and when I finally got the chance to spend 5 days there in late March, I wanted to make every moment count. From neon-lit streets to peaceful temples, conveyor-belt sushi to Mt. Fuji views—it was the perfect mix of energy and calm. Here’s how our trip unfolded.
📅 Day 1 – Arrival & Shinjuku Nights
After landing in Tokyo, we hopped on the limousine bus straight to the city. Super easy, no stress with luggage. We also bought the 72-hour metro pass—a real lifesaver for getting around without constantly buying tickets.
If you have a lot of luggage Japan has a very popular service called “takuhaibin” (宅配便) – most famous being Yamato Transport (Black Cat) -these companies will pick up your luggage at the airport (or your hotel) and deliver it directly to your next hotel, often by the next day.
For lunch, we went to Kura Sushi, a fun conveyor-belt sushi chain where plates keep coming and you try not to overdo it (spoiler: we overdid it). There is usually a bit of a wait around peek lunch/dinner hours but it goes fast so you will get seated quickly. We looooved Kura Sushi! We could have it everyday!
The sushi is not artisanal but I found the quality above the standard in all their restaurants. The sushis come on little plates and their price is assigned on a screen in front of you. For every 5 plates you eat you even get the chance to play a little game and win small tokens like magnets or keychains! We were surprised by the price each time – about 30$ for both of us (but full to the rim!).
In the afternoon, we slowed things down at Shinjuku Gyoen Park. Even though we were jet-lagged, walking under the trees and spotting early cherry blossoms gave us new energy. As I look back, this was the best option to see early cherry blossoms, they even had weeping-style sakura tree that was actually in full bloom. We grabbed a coffee from the Starbucks in the park (awesome views!) and had a long and relaxing stroll around.
After a short rest at the hotel, we headed out for the evening. First stop: Piss Alley (Omoide Yokocho), a tiny maze of smoky yakitori joints. They really just offer a few seats at each and you can see the food being prepared from the street. Then we went onto Golden Gai, where every little bar feels like its own world. A few sakes later, we sang our hearts out at Karaoke Kan —yes, the one from Lost in Translation.
I don’t remember the last time I laughed this much. It’s definitely a must in Tokyo! You pay for a certain amount of time, one drink included; otherwise you can order food, drinks and even dress up for it. It felt like the most Tokyo way to kick off the trip.
📅 Day 2 – Street Karting & Shibuya
We started the day a little more relaxed, heading first to Harajuku. The streets were buzzing with quirky fashion, colorful crepe stands, and shops you can only find in Tokyo. It felt like stepping into a playful, youthful universe.
For lunch, we went to Gyukatsu Motomura, famous for its breaded, lightly fried beef cutlet. Each slice comes half-cooked, and you finish it yourself on a tiny hot stone at the table—simple, interactive, and absolutely unforgettable. We waited to be seated for about an hour – this is really a Japanese thing, so you need to get used to it. If you’re starving I suggest hopping into a Konbini – I will make a separate post about it later.
In the afternoon, we made our way to Shibuya Crossing. Watching hundreds of people flow across from every direction was hypnotic, and the budget-friendly (I think around 3$ pp, including a drink) view from MAG’s Park rooftop gave us the perfect vantage point to soak it all in. As it happens, it started raining just when we entered the building and the photos from the top were even more striking!
As the sun started to set, it was time for our adrenaline fix: Tokyo Bay Street Kart. Driving go-karts through Tokyo’s streets in costume was beyond surreal—skyscrapers lit up around us, people waved and took photos, and for a moment it honestly felt like we were inside a video game. We opted for a Pokemon theme – my husband had Charmander costume and I had Eevee.
One tip: bring your own GoPro for this! We left ours at the hotel and were disappointed when we found out we can’t get the videos from our karts (you see it’s being filmed but only for protection purposes…ugh). Anyway, this is a 100/10 experience and you truly feel like a Tokyo celebrity!
📅 Day 3 – Markets, Digital Art & Anime
We started early at Tsukiji Outer Market, munching on grilled scallops and tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) on sticks. It is a bit of a tourist trap, but the food is good, albeit being a bit more expensive than at any other street market.
If you want to see the tuna auctions, you really need to come early! And check beforehand – the auction isn’t available to view every day (we went there on the wrong day, apparently).
From there, we stepped into a completely different world at teamLab Planets—walking barefoot through interactive digital art installations. It felt like being inside a dream. Again – you go in barefoot and walk through water, so if you’re a germophobe (my husband is one) you might find this a bit unpleasant. However, the place is extremely clean and I would visit it again! There is also a new installation in Tokyo – teamLab Borderless, where you can wear your shoes!
In the afternoon, we headed to Ueno Park—timed perfectly for cherry blossom season – buuut to my surprise, no blossoms yet. I planned the trip to Japan in a way that we came a bit ‘late‘ for the usual blossoming season, but this year the blossoms were extra late! So just buds for us.
Next, we explored Akihabara, aka “Electric Town.” Bright anime billboards, endless arcades, manga shops—it was sensory overload in the best way. We visited a lot of Gatcha-Pons (Japanese capsule toy vending machines. You put in a coin, turn the crank, and a small plastic capsule drops out with a surprise toy inside). Before heading back, we visited Asakusa to see Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest.
Dinner was back in Shinjuku at Ichiran Ramen. I tried the pork-free option, and even without pork, it was rich, flavourful, and worth the hype. The place is designed so that you don’t have to have any interactions with the staff (or anyone else). It’s really an introverts heaven.
📅 Day 4 – Mt. Fuji Day Trip
We rented a car for a day trip to Fujikawaguchiko, a lakeside town with jaw-dropping views of Mt. Fuji.
Our first stop was the Chureito Pagoda, the iconic red pagoda with Fuji in the background. The view was breathtaking, though the steps to get there tested my legs! These is an app that shows how well you can see Mt. Fuji and at which time of day – but even though it looked like we were in for some luck – we only caught a glimpse of it through the clouds.
Because it was so cloudy, we changed our plans on the spot – we added a thrill to the day with a visit to Fuji-Q Highland, the amusement park famous for its intense roller coasters and (on a sunny day) unbeatable views of Mt. Fuji. Even if you’re not into rides, the atmosphere is fun and exciting.
By evening, we drove back to Shinjuku, tired but full of memories from a perfect mix of nature, culture, and pure adrenaline.
📅 Day 5 – Departure
Our last morning was short, but we squeezed in some shopping in Shinjuku before heading to the airport. I stocked up on Japanese skin care products and quirky KitKat flavours (matcha, strawberry, sake – you name it). Another post coming on this!
Leaving Tokyo was bittersweet. In just 5 days, the city had shown me so many sides of itself—fast, slow, futuristic, traditional, loud, and quiet all at once. The Japanese people were the ones that surprised me the most – quiet, friendly, helpful, mindful. An amazing culture.
✨ Final Thoughts on 5 Days in Tokyo
Five days in Tokyo went by in a blur of neon lights, peaceful gardens, delicious meals, and unforgettable adventures. What I loved most was how the city constantly shifted moods – from quiet moments under cherry blossoms in Shinjuku Gyoen to the chaos of Shibuya Crossing, from futuristic digital art at teamLab Planets to old-world charm at Asakusa.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that Tokyo is not a city you can “finish” in one trip. It’s a place of endless discoveries, and every corner hides something new—whether that’s a quirky gachapon capsule toy, a hidden ramen shop, or a karaoke bar that makes you lose track of time.
Leaving was bittersweet, but it only left me wanting more. And that’s exactly what Tokyo does best—it makes you fall in love and keeps you coming back.
For more travel inspiration you can check other posts on my blog or follow my Pinterest account: https://www.pinterest.com/ikigaimind/