How to Spend Two Days in Tokyo

A two-day trip to Tokyo allows for a taste of both traditional and modern sides of the city, although one could easily spend longer! You can explore iconic landmarks and gardens, enjoy bustling shopping areas and experience the city's vibrant street food scene.

Best tip: When choosing where to stay, try to base yourself somewhere central or within walking distance of a major railway station. Why? It’ll save you heaps of time, energy, and money. You’ll have easy access to public transport, can get to major attractions faster, and avoid long commutes back to your hotel after a full day out.

On a small group tour of Japan with Bunnik Tours, your accommodation is hand-picked for its location, cleanliness and character. With everything organised as part of your tour package, all that’s left to do is relax and start dreaming about the adventure ahead. Let's get into it!

Day 1: Explore Old Tokyo & Cultural Delights

Start your Tokyo adventure in Asakusa, home to the Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most beloved Buddhist temple. Built in the 7th century, this iconic site is not only stunning, but spiritually rich — many locals still come here to burn incense for purification and offer prayers.

Don’t miss the chance to waft incense smoke toward yourself! It’s a peaceful ritual believed to bring good health and wisdom.

Sensō-ji Temple, Nicky Bevan

Just outside the temple gates, you’ll find Nakamise Street, a lively pedestrian lane lined with colourful stalls. Here, you can shop for quirky souvenirs or sample traditional and unique Japanese treats. Why not try sweet potato ice cream, melon pan (bread), or mochi skewers!

Nakamise Street, Adam Dickson

For something truly unforgettable, enjoy a live sumo wrestling demonstration. Far from just a sport, sumo is a deeply traditional ritual steeped in Shinto origins. During this experience, a host explains the customs, rules, and rich history of sumo. While watching, tuck into a steaming bowl of Chanko-Nabe, the hearty hotpot that fuels real sumo wrestlers.

After a rewarding day exploring Tokyo, unwind with a relaxed evening tailored to your pace. Enjoy a stroll through Shinjuku, where lively streets meet refined dining and shopping. Savour a leisurely dinner at a quality sushi restaurant or traditional izakaya, followed by a soothing soak at a modern onsen like Thermae-Yu. For a quieter end to the day, take in panoramic city views from Tokyo Tower or Shibuya Sky, or enjoy a nightcap at a stylish bar with skyline views.
 

Day 2: Sights & Serenity in Tokyo

After the vibrant energy of temples, sumo wrestling, and street snacks on day one, today is all about soaking up Tokyo’s peaceful side, diving into its elegant traditions, and appreciating the quiet, refined rhythm that often lies just beneath the surface.

Begin with a stroll through the Meiji Shrine, located near Harajuku. Surrounded by a tranquil forest of over 100,000 trees, this is one of Tokyo’s most beloved Shinto sites. Walk under towering torii gates, watch locals offer prayers, and if you're lucky, witness a traditional Japanese wedding procession. Afterward, wander through Yoyogi Park next door. On weekends, you’ll find musicians, martial artists, and people in cosplay, giving you a fun contrast to the shrine’s quiet atmosphere.

If you prefer something more formal and picturesque, head to the Hamarikyu Gardens, an Edo-period landscape garden set against the modern skyline. Stroll along the tidal pond, enjoy the manicured trees, and stop for matcha and wagashi (Japanese sweets) in the traditional tea house located in the garden.

Hamarikyu Gardens, KJ Phillips

Spend the late morning exploring Tokyo’s cultural layers. Depending on your interests, here are a few standout options:

Edo-Tokyo Museum

A fantastic museum that brings Tokyo’s transformation to life — from feudal Edo to futuristic capital. Walk through life-sized models of old bridges, merchant houses, and learn how the city evolved through war, disaster, and innovation.

Nezu Museum (Aoyama)

For art and architecture lovers, this museum is a quiet gem. Featuring a rotating collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art, it’s set in a serene, bamboo-lined building designed by Kengo Kuma, with a stunning private garden that’s just as much a highlight.

Cultural Workshop Experience

If you’re feeling hands-on, consider trying out a traditional Japanese experience:

• Tea ceremony – learn the slow, graceful steps behind Japan’s most sacred drink

Tea ceremony, KJ Phillips

• Shodo (calligraphy) – try your hand at brush-and-ink artistry

Japanese Black Ink Calligraphy Class, KJ Phillips

Most of these experiences are included on Bunnik Tours' small group tours to Japan, and are a meaningful way to connect with the culture beyond sightseeing.

Wrap up your Tokyo visit with a walk through one of the city’s more modern neighbourhoods, where tradition and trend collide in the best way:

Ginza

Ginza offers a refined, upscale experience — Tokyo’s answer to Fifth Avenue or the Champs-Élysées. Lined with sleek flagship stores from global luxury brands like Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton, it’s also home to cutting-edge Japanese design in architecture and retail. The neighbourhood’s stores combine traditional service with contemporary style, creating a shopping experience that’s elegant and immersive.

Shibuya

A short way away, Shibuya pulses with energy. The famous Shibuya Crossing, surrounded by giant LED screens and modern skyscrapers, epitomises Tokyo’s fast-paced modernity. Flagship stores from brands like Uniqlo, Parco, and Shibuya 109 showcase how Tokyo reinvents global retail. The area blends fashion, tech, and youth lifestyle — making it a hotspot for innovation in music, design, and digital media.

Shibuya Crossing, Nicky Bevan

Harajuku

Just a walk from Shibuya is Harajuku, the heart of Tokyo’s experimental fashion and youth-driven creativity. Takeshita Street buzzes with trend-setting young adults, bold streetwear, quirky pop-up shops, and themed cafés — where kawaii ('cute') culture thrives. Beyond the playful chaos, you’ll find boutiques by local designers pushing boundaries in fashion and art, making Harajuku a living gallery of modern Japanese subcultures.

As your two-day adventure wraps up, consider ending your Tokyo journey with a moment to reflect — or one final taste of local life.

Our Recommendation:

Enjoy an authentic Japanese dinner aboard a yakatabune, a traditional houseboat that has been part of local culture for centuries. As you cruise along Tokyo Bay, you’ll be treated to a delicious meal and stunning views of the city’s glittering skyline — including landmarks like Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, and the futuristic waterfront of Odaiba, all beautifully illuminated after dark.

Discover Japan with Bunnik Tours

In just two days, Tokyo can offer an unforgettable blend of ancient culture and modern living that you will never be able to forget. If you want to travel deeper, smarter, and with the guidance of local experts, the Japan Discovery tour with Bunnik Tours offers a seamless way to experience it all — and more — with the comforts of small group travel.