Tokyo • What to see in 5 days [Japan]

FR | ENG

Tokyo immediately captivated us. This metropolis, both futuristic and deeply rooted in tradition, fascinated us at every turn. From Shibuya to Asakusa, from Shinjuku’s neon lights to the peaceful corners of Japanese gardens, we recount our five intense days in a city as overwhelming as it is inspiring. And as a bonus, a side trip to the Fuji Five Lakes region in search of a perfect glimpse of Mount Fuji.

To explore this sprawling city, we organized our days by district to minimize transportation… Ready? Let’s go!

It’s not the hustle and bustle you might find in New York or London; here, everything is orderly. Yet, the flow of Japanese commuters in trains and stations is dizzying… If you pause for a moment, rush hour resembles a contemporary dance performance… It moves in all directions, but it works!

Day 1 • Western Tokyo

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Our morning began with a visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. The proximity of our accommodation, located just opposite, allowed us to go early in the morning before the tourist rush. This first view offers an impressive panorama of Tokyo, a city that seems to stretch endlessly. On clear days, you can even spot Mount Fuji.

Harajuku

Next, we headed to the Harajuku district. Harajuku, a Tokyo neighborhood popular among youth and fashionistas, is a true melting pot of trends and styles. Takeshita Street, Harajuku’s main artery, is lined with colorful shops offering a variety of eccentric clothing, bold accessories, and sweet treats. Young locals, dressed in styles ranging from kawaii to punk, parade through this lively street.

Not far from Harajuku is Omotesando, often referred to as the “Champs-Élysées of Tokyo,” known for its elegance and luxury boutiques. However, we particularly enjoyed the area developing south of this avenue, Minami-Aoyama. The tiny streets of Minami-Aoyama are lined with trees, international designer boutiques, and Japanese brands, creating a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere for a stroll. The neighborhood also houses contemporary art galleries and cafés.

Shibuya

A bit further… we found ourselves in a completely different ambiance! Welcome to Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s most vibrant districts, renowned for its electric atmosphere, dazzling neon signs, and the bustling “Shibuya Crossing.” We spent some time observing this hustle and trying to capture the ambiance at sunset. It’s challenging to get a complete aerial view… to get a glimpse, we went up to Mag’s Rooftop.

Shinjuku

We ended our evening in the Shinjuku district… another dynamic area of Tokyo… we were less charmed… fatigue caught up with us, preventing us from fully appreciating the district’s energy. We decided to return another evening.

Day 2 • Esthern Tokyo

Our second day in Tokyo took us into two distinct worlds. The morning began in Akihabara, the iconic district of electronics, manga, anime, and video games. The streets are lined with stores offering a vast array of gadgets, figurines, and collectibles. It’s a paradise for enthusiasts and a fascinating place to explore, even for the uninitiated.

Akihabara

Tokyo’s go-to electronics district, is a must-see. As you step into one of the big stores, you’re immediately struck by the overwhelming number of products, nonstop jingles, and the dense layout. Still, it’s a real treat—especially for Marc—to handle and compare models all in one place. Heads up to fellow tech lovers: you could easily lose track of time here!

Asakusa

As you exit the metro, you’re greeted by a striking view of the Sumida River, with the Tokyo Skytree and the Asahi Super Dry Hall—designed by Philippe Starck and shaped like a giant beer mug—on the horizon. You then continue wandering through Asakusa, a district that offers a more traditional side of Tokyo.

To get a great view of the neighborhood and Senso-ji Temple, you head to the free rooftop of the tourist office. Back on the ground, you’re welcomed by the impressive Kaminarimon Gate before diving into the lively atmosphere around the temple—filled with tourists, locals, pilgrims, and curious passersby, all bathed in the soft glow of late afternoon light.

Day 3 • southern Tokyo

Tsukiji Market

On your third day in Tokyo, you started with a morning visit to Tsukiji Market, tasting a variety of seafood specialties like sushi, oysters, and grilled eel. While exploring the stalls, you also browsed through a Japanese knife shop—making a choice wasn’t easy!

Later, you reunited with your friends Fanny and Mathieu for lunch in Tsukishima, a man-made island. At a local restaurant, you tried monjayaki, a Tokyo specialty similar to okonomiyaki, cooked right in front of you—delicious and a lovely moment shared.

Ginza

After a delightful meal, you said goodbye to Fanny and Mathieu and headed to the Ginza district. There, you enjoyed shopping and wandering through a neighborhood where every building has its own unique character. The Hermès building stood out with its glass facade, made of 13,000 square glass blocks designed by architect Renzo Piano. You also recommend visiting the rooftop of Tokyo Plaza Ginza for a chic café, The Mint Ginza, which offers a perfect spot to capture the last rays of sunlight.

Baie de Tokyo

As night falls, you head to Odaiba via the Yurikamome Monorail, which offers stunning views of Tokyo Bay and crosses the Rainbow Bridge. After a quick stop at Odaiba’s Marine Park, you take in the cityscape, capture the iconic Rainbow Bridge, and admire the traditional yakatabune boats decorated with lanterns before continuing your journey.

You end your day with a visit to TeamLab Planet, an immersive museum that combines digital art with nature through light, water, and sound. However, after a long day, you’re a bit disappointed by the experience due to accumulated fatigue.

Day 4 • Fujisan

On your final full day in Japan, you had two options: explore the Ueno and Yanesen neighborhoods or head to the Five Lakes region near Mount Fuji. You chose nature and took the first bus to Fujigoko. After arriving in Kawaguchiko, you rented a car to explore. Your first stop was in Fuji-Yoshida, aiming to capture Mount Fuji in an urban setting, but the mountain was hiding that morning. The cozy FabCafe Fuji was a perfect spot to wait and grab a bite.

Your second viewpoint of Mount Fuji is from the Chureito Pagoda, which you reach by climbing numerous steps. The panoramic view reveals one of Japan’s most iconic and photographed landscapes.

Your day ends by the shores of Lake Kawaguchi-ko, where Mount Fuji gradually reveals itself. You reflect on how it would have been perfect to stay here overnight to enjoy the morning and evening light, instead of returning to Tokyo.

Day 5• The last day…

On our last half day in Tokyo, we head to Harajuku for a light stroll and some last-minute shopping. After two and a half weeks, we’re certain this won’t be our last trip to Japan, with so much more to discover. A big thank you to Virginie for organizing the trip.

Where to sleep | Where to eat in Tokyo:

Keio Plaza Hotel was our accommodation for our 5 nights in Tokyo. Located in the business district, opposite the metropolitan government building, it’s large and bustling with tourists. However, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend this place due to its location. Despite being close to Shinjuku station, it’s quiet at night, and the area empties when the offices close. For future trips, we’d choose a place in Minami-Aoyama.

Shibuya District
For beer lovers, visit Mikkeler Tokyo, a brewery we discovered on the Faroe Islands.

Shinjuku District
Omoide Yokocho is a series of alleys with many small, typical Japanese izakayas near Shinjuku station. It’s the perfect place to try yakitori, grilled meat skewers, in a lively and affordable atmosphere.

Tsukishima District
Oshio Nagomi, a traditional restaurant in Tsukishima, where we tried monjayaki, a local specialty from Osaka. It’s like a savory pancake with seafood, vegetables, noodles, and meat, grilled in front of us on a hot plate. It was a real delight and a lovely moment shared with Fanny & Mathieu.

• また必ず来るよ •

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→ Here are some tips to facilitate your trip

• Download Google Maps offline maps on your phone before you leave. It's super convenient if you don't have access to network.

• Purchase an e-SIM card from Holafly for unlimited mobile data connection in Japan.

• If you plan on driving, make sure to have an international driving permit and a translation in Japanese.

• Use the website Japan Transit Planer to check all possible transportation options with their connections. If you have a JR Pass, click on the tab at the top right under "Rail Pass search" to only show routes included in the JR Pass.

• Create an account on the Visit Japan Web website to complete your administrative and customs procedures. You'll receive 2 QR codes that will greatly facilitate your entry into Japanese territory after a long, tiring flight.

• Purchase the Suica card, a prepaid smart card that allows you to use most public transportation (subway, trains, buses, monorail). The card is debited for each trip or purchase by simply touching it to the Suica card reader. There's also the Pasmo card available.

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Japan • 日出ずる国で

Welcome to our exciting adventure through the heart of Japan, an experience that combines the rigour of Japanese rail travel with the freedom of a road trip. Immerse yourself in this first Japanese escapade, steeped in culture, architecture and breathtaking scenery. Our itinerary begins in Osaka, continues to Koyasan, Kyoto and Kanazawa, then ventures into the Japanese Alps, before ending in Tokyo, with a day dedicated to Mount Fuji.

Kyoto • Que faire en 5 jours?

Kyoto is the image of Japan that you dream of discovering: centuries-old temples, narrow streets lined with wooden houses, Zen gardens bathed in light... Yes, it's magnificent. But it's also very touristy. It was only at sunrise, when the city was still asleep, that we could really feel the serenity of the place and capture the essence of Kyoto. In our next article, we'll tell you about our best moments, our tips for enjoying this city in a different way and our favourite places to explore at dawn.

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The articles and photos we publish on this blog belong to us, unless otherwise stated, so please be fair and do not use them without contacting us first.

Kyoto • What to see in 5 days [Japan]

FR | ENG

Kyoto is the image of Japan that you dream of discovering: centuries-old temples, narrow streets lined with wooden houses, Zen gardens bathed in light... Yes, it's magnificent. But it's also very touristy. It was only at sunrise, when the city was still asleep, that we could really feel the serenity of the place and capture the essence of Kyoto. In our next article, we'll tell you about our best moments, our tips for enjoying this city in a different way and our favourite places to explore at dawn.

Day 1 • Higashiyama & Gion

On our first day, we opted to explore the iconic districts of Higashiyama and Gion by bike. Our hotel reception pointed us in the direction of the nearest bike hire company (there are bikes all over Kyoto), as it's a relatively flat city that's easy to explore by bike. This gave us total flexibility to explore the picturesque streets and famous sites at our own pace. A word of advice: be sure to get lost in the narrow streets, as this is where you'll often discover the city's hidden treasures.

Ginkaku-ji

Our itinerary began with an iconic visit to Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion, surrounded by tranquil Zen gardens. The understated elegance of this temple, with its refined architecture and meticulously landscaped moss gardens, provided the perfect introduction to Kyoto's rich culture.

Honen-in & Philosophers' Path

We then cycled to Honen-in, a hidden treasure in the heart of the greenery, and took the Philosophers' Path. Stop off at café Pomme for a homemade cake and a cup of coffee while chatting to the friendly owner.

Nanzenji & Nanzen-ji Sammon Gate

We continue on our way to Nanzen-ji Sanmon Gate, an imposing and majestic structure that stands at the entrance to the Nanzen-ji temple complex in Kyoto. This monumental gate impresses with its imposing size and architectural elegance. We pause here for a moment, trying to capture its grandeur as best we can.

Chion-in

We cycle past Chion-in, one of Japan's largest temples and famous for its impressive Sanmon Gate, one of the largest in the country.

Gion

Here we are at last in the famous Gion district, with its narrow streets and traditional charm... but by the end of the day, the crowds are thick. It's decided, we'll make an early return to discover its traditional machiya with hardly anyone around.

Kiyomizu-Dera

The day ends with a visit to Kiyomizu-dera, above the Gion district, offering a panoramic view of Kyoto from its wooden terrace.

Kamo-gawa

We turn back towards our hotel to return our bikes. Our route takes us along the banks of the Kamo-Gawa. The atmosphere changes completely: the calm of the banks, the soothing murmur of the river and the evening lights... it's good to get away from the hustle and bustle of Gion.

Day 2 • Fushimi Inari & Marché de Nishiki

On this 2nd day, we're off to discover 2 of Kyoto's most emblematic landmarks: Fushimi Inari & the Nishiki Market.

Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice and prosperity. Its origins date back over a thousand years, when the powerful Hata no Irogu clan built the shrine in honour of the deity. Since then, Fushimi Inari has become Japan's most important shrine dedicated to Inari.

The climb up the hill is accompanied by a lively crowd of visitors, all captivated by the scarlet torii. However, as we progress towards the top of the mountain, the bustle of the crowd gradually diminishes. The higher up we go, the more alone we are with the majestic torii towering around us and a beautiful forest that is still green in early October.

Café Vermillon, which serves excellent coffee and delicious pastries, is perfect for a break after exploring the sanctuary.

Marché de Nishiki

We ended our day at the Nishiki Market. This proved to be the perfect opportunity to immerse ourselves in a variety of flavours. From grilled eel kebabs to oyster tastings, freshly prepared sushi and local delicacies, our taste buds loved it.

Day 3 • Nara

For our third day, we decided to take a side trip to Nara, about 1 hour by train from Kyoto. On the outskirts of Nara Park, we were greeted by sacred deer roaming freely. It's quite a sight to see these creatures, an integral part of the region's cultural heritage, living there amongst the tourists.

The Todai-ji, an impressive Buddhist temple, is our second point of interest. This gigantic structure houses a monumental statue of Vairocana Buddha.

Wandering through the park's ancient tree-lined alleys, we came across Kasuga Taisha, a Shinto shrine with moss-covered stone lanterns and deer playing hide-and-seek. You'll need a bit of patience to manage to capture some pretty pictures.

Day 4 • Sagano

Arashiyama

The fourth day started early, perhaps a little too early, but the idea was to discover Arashiyama without the usual crowds. We weren't the first to hit the trails and the rather overcast weather played tricks on us to capture the bamboo forest in the early morning darkness. But as usual, with a little patience, we managed to get the images we wanted of this magnificent little bamboo forest.

Unlike the majority of tourists, we're moving away from Arashiyama to quietly discover Sagano, with its typical, peaceful streets. It's as if every step we take takes us a little further away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade and into the peaceful authenticity of this district.

Adashino Nenbutsuji

We spent the day exploring Sagano, starting with Adashino Nenbutsu-ji. Set in the hills, this is a unique Buddhist temple imbued with a serene atmosphere. On arrival, you are greeted by a fascinating array of thousands of stone Jizo statues. The paths to the temple wind through a mini bamboo forest, which is much less touristy than Arashiyama... we're alone here and we're enjoying it.

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

The day continued with a visit to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, a Buddhist temple housing a remarkable collection of Jizo statues with a variety of expressions. Each of these statues has its own character, making for a truly enjoyable discovery.

Day 5 • Gion & Kinkaku-ji

Gion

The fifth and final day also gets off to an early start, with an early wake-up call to explore the Gion district at sunrise. The district reveals itself in a different way at this early hour, with a peaceful, authentic beauty. The atmosphere is calm, but already several photographers share the same idea as us. As we stroll through the quiet alleyways, we even witness a marriage proposal, which is very Instagrammable...

Kinkaku-ji

After breakfast, we set off for the Golden Pavilion, Kyoto's most famous landmark. It's already quite busy, but despite the large number of visitors, it's still surprisingly easy to capture the magnificent silhouette of the pavilion, reflected almost perfectly in the tranquil waters of the pond.

Daitoku-ji : Ōbai-in & Daisen-in

We then head to Daitoku-ji, exploring the Ōbai-in and Daisen-in temples within this complex. We are captivated by the unique atmosphere of these places, unfortunately no cameras are allowed inside. It is perhaps this restriction that helps to preserve their charm and tranquillity, avoiding mass tourism. These temples offer a wonderful final immersion in Kyoto's spiritual history before we leave, and just before we make a final stop at the Nishiki market, ending our stay in Kyoto on a delicious gourmet note.

Where to sleep | where to eat in Kyoto

We stayed at the Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Kyoto Premier located on the Kamo-gawa river. Its location is very central and convenient, allowing us to explore the whole of Kyoto. The rooms are pretty and comfortable. We recommend it without hesitation.

For a Kaiseki meal, head for Another C! Sit at the counter and watch as the chef juggles each dish in front of you. Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese culinary experience that takes you through several artistically presented dishes, each showcasing unique flavours and textures. A real treat for lovers of Japanese cuisine.

In and around the famous Pontocho alleyway, you'll find a host of small restaurants. It's a real paradise for food lovers. The picturesque atmosphere of this alleyway adds a special touch.

For beer lovers, just a short walk from our hotel is the place to discover the delicious beers of Arashiyama Brewerey.

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• また必ず来るよ •

---

→ Here are some tips to facilitate your trip

• Download Google Maps offline maps on your phone before you leave. It's super convenient if you don't have access to network.

• Purchase an e-SIM card from Holafly for unlimited mobile data connection in Japan.

• If you plan on driving, make sure to have an international driving permit and a translation in Japanese.

• Use the website Japan Transit Planer to check all possible transportation options with their connections. If you have a JR Pass, click on the tab at the top right under "Rail Pass search" to only show routes included in the JR Pass.

• Create an account on the Visit Japan Web website to complete your administrative and customs procedures. You'll receive 2 QR codes that will greatly facilitate your entry into Japanese territory after a long, tiring flight.

• Purchase the Suica card, a prepaid smart card that allows you to use most public transportation (subway, trains, buses, monorail). The card is debited for each trip or purchase by simply touching it to the Suica card reader. There's also the Pasmo card available.

---

Japan • 日出ずる国で

Welcome to our exciting adventure through the heart of Japan, an experience that combines the rigour of Japanese rail travel with the freedom of a road trip. Immerse yourself in this first Japanese escapade, steeped in culture, architecture and breathtaking scenery. Our itinerary begins in Osaka, continues to Koyasan, Kyoto and Kanazawa, then ventures into the Japanese Alps, before ending in Tokyo, with a day dedicated to Mount Fuji.

Tokyo • What to see in 5 days

Tokyo grabbed us straight away. This megalopolis, at once futuristic and deeply rooted in tradition, fascinated us at every turn. From Shibuya to Asakusa, from the neon lights of Shinjuku to the peaceful havens of the Japanese gardens, we tell you all about our five intense days in a city that is as bewildering as it is inspiring. And as a bonus, a side trip to the Five Lakes region to try and catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji in all its splendour.

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The articles and photos we publish on this blog belong to us, unless otherwise stated, so please be fair and do not use them without contacting us first.