7 Days in Tokyo with Nikko, Kamakura and Mt Fuji: A Day-by-Day Itinerary

Get ready for a week that has it all: incense-filled temples, neon-lit crossings, shogun-era shrines in the mountains, a giant bronze Buddha by the sea and, if the clouds play along, Mt Fuji reflected in a lake. This 7-day plan gives you four full days in Tokyo and three easy day trips by train, so you sleep in the same bed every night and never drag your suitcase around.

The pace is lively but humane. Each day is grouped by area so you explore rather than commute, and evenings stay flexible. It suits first-timers, families with older kids and anyone who wants the classics plus a taste of Japan beyond the capital. Plan less, see more.

At a glance

Day	Area	Highlights
1	Asakusa, Ueno, Oshiage	Senso-ji, Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Skytree at dusk
2	Marunouchi, Ginza	Imperial Palace East Gardens, Tokyo Station, Ginza evening
3	Day trip: Nikko	Nikko Toshogu, cedar-lined shrine paths, optional Kegon Falls
4	Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku	Meiji Jingu at opening, Shibuya Crossing, Shinjuku nightlife
5	Day trip: Kamakura	Great Buddha, Hase area, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
6	Day trip: Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko)	Lake Kawaguchi, Fuji views, lakeside walks
7	Your pick	Tsukiji Outer Market, Akihabara, Yanaka or last-minute shopping

Check the day of the week before you lock this in: the Tokyo National Museum is closed on Mondays and the Imperial Palace East Gardens are closed on Mondays and Fridays. Swap days around as needed; the three day trips are fully interchangeable.

Day 1: Old Tokyo in Asakusa and Ueno

Morning

Kick off your week in old Tokyo! Start at Senso-ji in Asakusa, which its official website describes as the oldest temple in Tokyo. Walk in through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), then stroll Nakamise-dori, which the temple calls one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets. Go early, before the lanes fill up.

Afternoon

Take a short metro ride (Ginza Line) to Ueno for the Tokyo National Museum, the best place in the country for a crash course in Japanese art, from samurai armour to ukiyo-e prints. The museum says it is a 10-minute walk from JR Ueno or Uguisudani Station. Collection exhibitions cost 1,000 yen for adults and are free for visitors under 18 and over 70. Standard hours are 9:30 to 17:00, with late opening to 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and last admission 30 minutes before closing.

Buy your ticket online: the museum warns that queues at the main gate can exceed 30 minutes at busy times. It also does not allow suitcases inside, so come straight from your hotel, not from the airport. Afterwards, wander Ueno Park.

Evening

Head back east to Tokyo Skytree in Oshiage for sunset and city lights. Tembo Deck (Floor 350) tickets start from JPY 1,800 for adults and the combo ticket with the higher Tembo Galleria (Floor 450) starts from JPY 3,000; prices vary by date, so check the official site. You can book online or buy at convenience stores. Last admission is one hour before closing. Finish with dinner in Asakusa’s izakaya-lined backstreets.

Day 2: Imperial Tokyo, Marunouchi and Ginza

Morning

Today is all about green gardens and grand streets. Begin at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, landscaped across the old compounds of Edo Castle. Entry is free. The Imperial Household Agency lists these hours: 9:00 to 16:30 in October (last entry 16:00) and 9:00 to 16:00 from November to the end of February (last entry 15:30). The gardens are closed every Monday and Friday, from 28 December to 3 January, and occasionally for court functions, so check the calendar on the official page. There is a bag inspection at the gate, and the agency suggests bringing only minimal belongings.

Enter through the Ote-mon Gate and climb to the stone base of the old castle keep.

Afternoon

Walk east to Tokyo Station and admire the restored red-brick Marunouchi facade, then continue into Ginza for department-store food halls, flagship stores and art galleries.

Evening

Find yakitori under the railway arches around Yurakucho, then get to bed early: tomorrow is a mountain day.

Day 3: Day trip to Nikko

Morning

Get ready for mountain air and dazzling shrines! Tobu Railway describes Nikko as about 2 hours from Tokyo by train, and Tobu trains to Nikko leave from Asakusa. Book limited express seats on the official Tobu site a few days ahead, and compare single tickets with Tobu’s NIKKO PASS.

Your main goal is Nikko Toshogu, the lavish shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Edo-era shogun. Look for the famous carving of the three monkeys who see, hear and speak no evil. Tobu’s Nikko guide lists Toshogu’s hours as 8:00 to 17:00 from April to October and 8:00 to 16:00 from November to March, with entry until 30 minutes before closing. For current admission prices, check the official Toshogu website.

Afternoon

Explore the neighbouring temples of the World Heritage area, then walk down to the vermilion Shinkyo Bridge. If you have energy and daylight, take a bus up to Oku-Nikko for Kegon Falls, where, according to Tobu, water from Lake Chuzenji drops 97 metres. The observation platform keeps seasonal hours (Tobu lists 8:00 to 17:00 in November and 9:00 to 16:30 from December to February). The Lake Chuzenji sightseeing cruise does not run from December to March.

Evening

Ride back to Asakusa and treat yourself to a relaxed dinner near your hotel.

Day 4: Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku

Morning

This is the day for big-city energy, starting with forest calm. Be at Meiji Jingu when the gates open. The shrine opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, so hours change monthly: 5:40 to 16:40 in October, 6:10 to 16:10 in November and 6:40 to 16:00 in December. Entry to the shrine grounds is open every day; the inner garden (Gyoen) and the Meiji Jingu Museum each cost 500 yen. The forest walk to the main hall is pure calm.

Afternoon

Exit towards Harajuku for the playful fashion of Takeshita-dori, then switch gears on tree-lined Omotesando. Walk or take one stop on the JR Yamanote Line to Shibuya and watch the famous Scramble Crossing from street level, then from above. If you want the rooftop view at SHIBUYA SKY, book a timed ticket on the official site, especially for sunset slots.

Evening

Ride the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku. Squeeze into the tiny eateries of Omoide Yokocho, gaze at the neon on the east side, then try one of the miniature bars of Golden Gai. Ask about any cover charge before you sit down.

Day 5: Day trip to Kamakura

Morning

Sea breezes and a giant Buddha await! Kamakura sits on the coast south of Tokyo and is reached directly on the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo or Shinagawa Station with no change of trains. Check the journey time and fare on JR East’s route search, or simply tap in with your IC card.

Important for November 2026: JR East has announced that the Yokosuka Line will not run between Tokyo and Shinagawa all day on Saturday 7 November 2026, with trains turning back at Shinagawa. If your Kamakura day falls then, start from Shinagawa.

Start with the Great Buddha (Kotoku-in), the giant bronze Amida Buddha that has sat in the open air for centuries. Check the temple’s official website for admission and hours. From there, it is an easy walk downhill to the Hase area, where Hase-dera temple offers sea views from its hillside terraces.

Afternoon

Ride the charming Enoden line or a local bus back towards Kamakura Station and walk up Wakamiya-oji to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, the city’s grand shrine. Then graze your way down Komachi-dori, the busy shopping lane full of snacks and crafts.

Evening

Have a low-key evening back in Tokyo. Tomorrow starts early.

Day 6: Day trip to Mt Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi

Morning

Fingers crossed for blue skies: this is your Fuji day! You have two good options to reach Kawaguchiko, the lakeside town at the foot of Mt Fuji:

• Train: the JR limited express FUJI EXCURSION runs directly from Shinjuku. On JR East’s timetable valid from 14 March 2026, the 7:30 departure reaches Kawaguchiko at 9:28, so roughly 2 hours. It is reserved seats only, so buy your ticket ahead. Check the fare on JR East’s site.
• Bus: Keikyu Bus runs a route from Shinagawa Station (and Haneda Airport) to Kawaguchiko Station. The adult fare is 2,300 yen from Shinagawa and 3,300 yen from Haneda. Reservations are required and open one month before travel.

Mt Fuji is often hidden by cloud, and clear mornings tend to give you the best chance of a view. Keep this day flexible and swap it with Kamakura if the forecast looks grey.

Afternoon

Walk along the shores of Lake Kawaguchi for classic reflections of the mountain, or ride a local sightseeing bus around the lake. Many visitors also head to the Chureito Pagoda area for the postcard view of a red pagoda framing Fuji; expect a stair climb.

Evening

JR East’s timetable shows afternoon return trains, for example the FUJI EXCURSION leaving Kawaguchiko at 14:58 and arriving in Shinjuku at 16:48. Book your return before you set off, and treat yourself to a well-earned dinner in Shinjuku.

Day 7: Your Tokyo, your way

Morning

Your last day is a free pick, so make it count! Choose the Tokyo you have not yet seen: breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market, anime and arcades in Akihabara, or old-town lanes in Yanaka.

Afternoon

Do your last shopping in Ginza or Shibuya, or revisit a favourite neighbourhood. If you missed the Imperial Palace East Gardens or the Tokyo National Museum because of a closing day, this is your chance.

Evening

Enjoy a farewell dinner. If you fly out today, leave large bags at your hotel or in a coin locker and allow plenty of time for the airport transfer.

Getting there and getting around

From Narita Airport:

• Narita Express (N’EX), JR East: direct to Tokyo Station for 3,140 yen (Ordinary Car), or 3,330 yen to Shinagawa, Shibuya or Shinjuku. JR East says the fastest train to Tokyo Station takes 53 minutes. Children 6 to 11 pay half for basic and limited express tickets. Reserve on JR East’s online booking site or at the station.
• Skyliner, Keisei: 2,470 yen to Nippori or Ueno (2,465 yen with an IC card at the gate). Good if you stay in Ueno or Asakusa. Check journey times on the Keisei site.

Note from JR East: some Narita Express services between Tokyo and Shinjuku or Ofuna are suspended from 6 to 8 November 2026 because of tunnel works. Check the notice if you arrive or depart on those dates.

From Haneda Airport:

• Tokyo Monorail: 520 yen from Haneda Airport Terminal 3 to Monorail Hamamatsucho (519 yen with an IC card), where you change to the JR Yamanote Line. On weekends, holidays and selected dates, the Monorail and Yamanote Line Discount Ticket costs 590 yen to any Yamanote Line station.
• Keikyu Line: runs from Haneda towards Shinagawa; check fares on the Keikyu website.

IC cards: a Suica or PASMO card is the easiest way to ride. Monorail and Keisei both charge slightly lower IC fares, and JR East accepts Suica together with a limited express ticket on the N’EX. The Tokyo National Museum even accepts Suica at the ticket desk. Check JR East and PASMO for the current card options for visitors.

Entry and visas: Entry requirements depend on your passport. Check the latest rules on the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan visa page (https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html) well before you book, and confirm with the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.

Where to stay

• Ueno and Asakusa: best value and old-Tokyo atmosphere. Perfect for the Skyliner from Narita and for Tobu trains to Nikko from Asakusa. Quieter at night.
• Tokyo Station, Marunouchi and Ginza: central and polished. Direct N’EX trains from Narita, the Yokosuka Line to Kamakura and easy metro links everywhere. Great for first-timers who want short rides.
• Shinjuku: energetic, with endless dining and nightlife. Your launchpad for the FUJI EXCURSION to Kawaguchiko. Ideal for night owls; the station is huge, so pick a hotel close to the exit you will use.
• Shinagawa: practical for Haneda flights, the Kawaguchiko bus and Yokosuka Line trains to Kamakura. A smart business-district base with calmer evenings.

Budget

Costs below come from official operator and attraction sites, checked on 24 October 2026. Accommodation, meals, eSIM data and shopping are excluded because they vary widely; check current rates when you book.

Item	Typical cost
Narita Express, Narita Airport to Tokyo Station (Ordinary Car)	3,140 yen
Skyliner, Narita Airport to Ueno or Nippori	2,470 yen
Tokyo Monorail, Haneda Terminal 3 to Hamamatsucho	520 yen
Monorail and Yamanote Line Discount Ticket (selected days)	590 yen
Tokyo National Museum, collection exhibitions (adult)	1,000 yen
Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck (adult)	from JPY 1,800
Tokyo Skytree combo, Floor 350 and 450 (adult)	from JPY 3,000
Meiji Jingu Gyoen or Museum	500 yen each
Imperial Palace East Gardens	Free
Keikyu Bus, Shinagawa to Kawaguchiko (adult, one way)	2,300 yen
Nikko Toshogu, Kotoku-in, SHIBUYA SKY, FUJI EXCURSION, Tobu trains to Nikko	Check the official sites

Practical tips

• Closing days: Tokyo National Museum closes on Mondays (if Monday is a holiday it opens and closes the next day). It also closes from 26 to 31 December 2026 and on 15 December 2026. The Imperial Palace East Gardens close on Mondays and Fridays.
• Book ahead: reserve seats for the FUJI EXCURSION, Tobu limited express trains to Nikko and the Kawaguchiko bus. Book timed tickets for Skytree and SHIBUYA SKY online.
• Temples and shrines: dress modestly, speak softly and follow posted signs about photography.
• Money: carry some cash for small shops, shrines and rural buses, but cards work widely in the city. The Tokyo National Museum accepts major credit cards, Suica and UnionPay.
• Connectivity: set up an eSIM or buy a SIM on arrival so maps and train apps work from the start.

Heads-up

Japan is wonderfully easy to travel, but a few things can trip you up (all from official operator and attraction sites):

• Short winter hours: from November, many sights close earlier. The East Gardens take last entry at 15:30 and Toshogu, per Tobu, closes at 16:00. Start day trips early.
• Suitcases and bag checks: the Tokyo National Museum does not allow suitcases and screens bags at the gate, and the East Gardens inspect baggage. Use station coin lockers or your hotel.
• Rail works in November 2026: JR East suspends the Yokosuka Line between Tokyo and Shinagawa on 7 November 2026 and some N’EX services on 6 to 8 November 2026. Alternative transport is not provided by other railways, so plan around it.
• Missed connections on Fuji day: JR East warns that ticket counters at Shinjuku, Otsuki and on the Fujikyu line can be very crowded, and that delays or queues can make you miss a connection. Buy tickets ahead and leave buffer time.
• No turn-up-and-go on some services: the FUJI EXCURSION is reserved seats only, and the Kawaguchiko bus requires reservations.
• Late Skytree visits: last admission is one hour before closing, so do not leave it too late.

For safety, scams and health advice, read your own government’s official travel advice for Japan before you go.

FAQ

Is 7 days enough for Tokyo and day trips?

Yes. Four city days cover the major neighbourhoods, and each day trip works by train or bus, so you never change hotels.

Do I need a Japan Rail Pass for this itinerary?

Probably not, since Tobu trains to Nikko and the Fujikyu line are run by other companies. Compare single fares with pass prices on official sites before you buy.

Which day trip should I do if I only have time for one?

Choose Kamakura for an easy, relaxed day by the sea, Nikko for spectacular shrine architecture, or Kawaguchiko if the forecast promises clear skies over Fuji.

What if Mt Fuji is hidden by clouds?

Swap your Fuji day with Kamakura or a Tokyo day. Keep your train or bus booking flexible where possible.

Can I pay for everything with an IC card?

Trains, buses and many shops accept Suica and PASMO, but limited express trains also need a seat ticket. Keep some cash for small vendors.