Planning a trip to Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the world’s most rewarding cities for a group trip: safe, easy to get around, and full of distinct neighborhoods that suit different tastes. This guide helps you structure days, choose areas, and keep everyone on the same page using a shared itinerary.

Tokyo at a glance

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the largest cities on the planet. It blends ultra-modern districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku with traditional neighborhoods such as Asakusa and Yanaka.

!Tokyo — Dr. Abhishek Shukla, Founder & Director Aastha Geriatric Hospital with Dr. Junichiro Toya, MD Director, Sakurashinmachi Urban Clinic, Tokyo, Japan during observership program The city is served by two main airports—Haneda and Narita—and an efficient public transport network (JR lines, Tokyo Metro, Toei). For first-time visitors, a Japan Rail Pass can be useful if you plan to combine Tokyo with other cities; for Tokyo-only trips, a reloadable IC card (Suica or Pasmo) is usually enough.

• Best time to visit: Spring (March–April) for cherry blossoms, or autumn (October–November) for mild weather and fall colors. Summer is hot and humid; winter is dry and cold but manageable.
• Visa: Check Japan’s official visa information for your nationality. Many nationalities can enter for short stays without a visa.
• Language: English is not widely spoken outside tourist hubs. Having a translation app and a few basic phrases will help; locals are generally very helpful.
• Currency: Japanese yen (JPY). Credit cards are accepted in many places, but cash is still common in smaller shops and restaurants.

A simple structure for a short trip

For a long weekend or a three- to five-day trip, a common pattern works well:

• Day 1: Arrival and one neighborhood. Land, get to your hotel, and explore the area around your accommodation. Keep the first day light: a walk, a local dinner, and an early rest. Use Journii to note your flight and hotel so the group sees the same timeline.
• Day 2: Core Tokyo. Pick one or two iconic areas—for example Shibuya (crossing, shopping, cafes) and Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street). Add key spots to your shared itinerary so everyone knows the plan.
• Day 3: Tradition and contrast. Visit Asakusa (Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise-dori) and, if time allows, Ueno or Yanaka. This gives the group a mix of temples, street food, and quieter streets.
• Day 4 (optional): A day trip—e.g. Nikko or Kamakura—or a deeper dive into a neighborhood you liked. Coordinate with your crew so everyone agrees on the day’s focus.
• Day 5 (optional): Last-minute shopping, a favorite area again, or a relaxed morning before heading to the airport. Keep the itinerary updated so no one misses transport or check-out times.

In Journii, you create a trip, add days, and assign activities and notes to each day. Everyone sees the same plan and can suggest changes without losing the overall structure.

Neighborhoods worth grouping by day

Tokyo is easier to enjoy when you group sights by area rather than zigzagging. Here are areas that work well as day blocks:

• Shibuya & Harajuku: Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Takeshita-dori. Good for a full day of modern and green Tokyo.
• Shinjuku: Skyscrapers, observation decks, Kabukicho (evening), and the Metropolitan Government Building. Pair with Shibuya or do as a half-day.
• Asakusa & Ueno: Senso-ji, Nakamise-dori, Ueno Park, and museums. Strong option for a “traditional Tokyo” day.
• Akihabara: Electronics, manga, and gaming. Best for a half-day if your group is interested.
• Ginza & Tsukiji: High-end shopping, Tsukiji Outer Market (food and snacks). Combine with a relaxed morning or afternoon elsewhere.

Add these as day themes in your Journii trip so the group knows which area each day focuses on.

Practical tips for group travel in Tokyo

• Accommodation: Stay near a major JR or Metro station (e.g. Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno) so the whole group can get around easily. Book well in advance for peak seasons.
• Transport: Suica or Pasmo cards reduce hassle; buy at the airport or major stations. For groups, sometimes a taxi for short hops (e.g. with luggage) is worth splitting.
• Restaurants: Popular spots can have long waits. Add backup options and meal times to your shared plan so the group isn’t stuck hungry.
• Quiet time: Tokyo can be overwhelming. Plan at least one calmer half-day (e.g. a park or a single neighborhood) so everyone can recharge.
• Wi‑Fi and SIMs: Renting a pocket Wi‑Fi or buying a visitor SIM at the airport makes it easier for the group to stay in touch and use maps. Check Japan’s visitor information for current options.
• Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Japan. Good service is included; leaving extra cash can be awkward. Your crew can focus on enjoying the trip without worrying about gratuities.

For more on coordinating flights, hotels, and activities as a group, see How to plan a group trip in 7 steps and Best free trip planner.

Planning Tokyo with Journii

Using a shared itinerary keeps everyone aligned and makes it easy to adjust as you go:

• One timeline: Create a Tokyo trip in Journii, add your dates and days, then attach flights, hotels, and activities to the right days. Everyone sees the same plan.
• Collaboration: Invite your crew as editors or viewers. Editors can add or move activities; viewers can comment. No more scattered chats or duplicate spreadsheets.
• Confirmations: Connect your email so flight and hotel confirmations appear on the right days. The group can check times and bookings in one place.
• Notes and backups: Use notes for restaurant ideas, backup plans, and meeting points. If one neighborhood is too crowded, the group can switch to the backup without losing the rest of the plan.

Tokyo rewards a bit of structure—grouping by neighborhood and day—while leaving room for spontaneity. A tool like Journii helps you keep that balance with your whole crew. If you are combining Tokyo with other cities (e.g. Kyoto or Osaka), use the same shared itinerary so flights, hotels, and day blocks stay in one place and everyone can see the full trip at a glance.

Next steps

• Create a free trip in Journii and add Tokyo as a destination.
• Read How to plan a group trip in 7 steps for a full workflow.
• Compare Best travel planner apps if you want to see how Journii fits with other options.
• Add your flights and hotels to the right days so your group sees one shared timeline. You can also import reservations from confirmation emails if your planner supports it. Once the skeleton is in place, invite your crew and start filling in neighborhoods and activities together. A shared plan makes it easy to adjust as you go without ever losing track of the big picture.