← Back to portfolio

One-Week Itinerary In & Around Tokyo, Japan - For Lovers of All Things Japanese

First published on TripZilla, in collaboration with ZUJI.

Read Parts 1 and 2 before continuing.

=

Day 1-3: Tokyo

A visit to the famed Tsukiji Fish Market is a quintessential part of every Tokyo trip. A sushi breakfast is a must-do; head for one of the many establishments lining the fringe of the market. Do watch where you walk – Tsukiji Market is, after all, a working market, and the fishermen don’t take kindly to tourists getting in their way.

The highlight of the market for me, however, isn’t the sushi, but the Tsukiji Outer Market that lies adjacent to the main market. The outer market is home to a smorgasbord of street food, including live torched scallops topped with uni (sea urchin), strawberry mochi and tamago (a type of Japanese omelette) made fresh on the spot.

Tip: The two most popular sushi restaurants are Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa, but queues for these two establishments range from one to four hours. I suggest heading for Ryu Sushi instead, an equally authentic outlet sans the queue. There are no chopsticks at this outlet, where customers are encouraged to eat with their hands.

Update: These sushi establishments have shifted to the Toyosu Fish Market but the outer market is still in operation!

Another place to visit in Tokyo is Asakusa, most notably known for Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street. Head for Nakamise Shopping Street to get your fill of souvenirs and street food, but the real gem of the area lies in the back alleys – I ventured beyond the touristy stalls and discovered a labyrinth of streets lined with traditional Japanese houses and izakayas (Japanese gastropubs).

I also spotted lots of couples dressed up in matching yukatas (a casual version of the kimono)! Renting a yukata or a kimono to stroll the streets of Asakusa is apparently a really popular couple activity, with many couples often hiring a photographer as well!

To top off your holiday in Tokyo, plan a visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine, take part in a traditional tea ceremony, visit unique museums such as the Paper Museum or feast your eyes on a geisha show at the Asakusa Kenban Theatre.

Day 4: Nikko

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nikko is an interesting one to visit; it’s home to multiple temples, the iconic Shinkyo Bridge, the picturesque Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji, as well as a dense cedar forest. What’s special about this place is the atmosphere – a thinly veiled fog often hangs over the entire area, adding an element of mystery and intrigue. I especially like how Nikko offers a unique blend of culture and nature – perfect for a tranquil escape from city life.

How to get there: Take a shinkansen to Utsonomiya station (49 minutes), then transfer to the JR Nikko line towards Nikko (42 minutes). Alternatively, take a Limited Express train from Shinjuku station directly to Nikko (~120 minutes).

Day 5: Kamakura

Devoid of high-rise buildings, Kamakura is a welcome breather from the frenzied streets of Tokyo. Famous for the giant Buddha statue found within the grounds of the Kotoku-in Temple, Kamakura is a delightful maze of temples and the like. If you have to choose, do make sure you drop by Hase-dera Temple, Kotoku-in temple and Enkaku-ji temple.

Tip: Visit Kamakura in summer to witness colourful hydrangeas at full bloom.

How to get there: Take the JR Yokosuka line from Tokyo station directly to Kamakura (58 minutes).

Day 6: Kawagoe

Tokyo is full of surprises and who would have thought there would be a quaint little town located just half an hour from the city? Go back in time at Kawagoe, a little town big on old school charm. Colloquially known as ‘Little Edo’, the buildings and merchant shops are reminiscent of the classical Edo era.

The main highlight is Kurazukuri Street, a long promenade lined with warehouse-style shops and back alleys framed by an iconic old bell tower. I loved the ‘Candy Lane’, a back alley selling all sorts of sweets and desserts.

Tip: Whenever you visit somewhere new, make sure you try their local specialty! Here in Kawagoe, sweet potatoes take the limelight. Indulge in sweet potato chips or cake, with the sweet potato soft serve ice cream deserving special mention.

How to get there: Take the Tobu Tojo Rapid line from Ikebukuro station directly to Kawagoe (32 minutes).

Day 7: Odawara

Image credit: Leng Cheng

What’s a trip to Japan without visiting some castles? Odawara Castle makes for a great day trip; for a small fee, I spent a couple of hours exploring the castle interior and its grounds. The top floor of the castle, in particular, offers visitors a panoramic view of the surrounding Odawara city and Sagami Bay.

Tip: All of Odawara’s main attractions are within walking distance of Odawara Station, so you won’t have to worry about public transport!

How to get there: Take the shinkansen (35 minutes) or JR Tokaido line (82 minutes) from Tokyo station directly to Odawara.

=

Continue reading Part 4.

0 Comments Add a Comment?

Add a comment
You can use markdown for links, quotes, bold, italics and lists. View a guide to Markdown
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. You will need to verify your email to approve this comment. All comments are subject to moderation.