3-Day Tokyo Itinerary for First-Timers
Welcome to Tokyo! Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in one of the world's most exciting cities. If this is your first visit, the sheer scale and energy can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to find amazing vegan food in a foreign city. But don't worry, this itinerary has got you covered!
This 3-day itinerary is designed specifically for first-time visitors who want to experience some of Tokyo's most iconic sightseeing spots while enjoying a diverse selection of amazing vegan food. Let’s explore Tokyo’s famous landmarks, serene gardens, futuristic cityscapes and more – all while eating through some iconic vegan restaurants, bakeries, and cafes.
Use the interactive map alongside this itinerary to visualise your route, find locations, and see how each day flows. Let’s dive in and see how to spend 3 days in Tokyo:
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Visit Tokyo Tower
Our Tokyo adventure begins with a true classic: Tokyo Tower. Instantly recognisable with its striking red and white lattice structure inspired by the Eiffel Tower, it has been a symbol of Tokyo's post-war rebirth since 1958.
Standing tall near Shiba-koen district and the Azududai area, Tokyo Tower offers panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis below. There are two observation deck at its main deck (150m) and the top deck (250m). The view is stunning, and on a clear day, you might even see Mount Fuji.
While Tokyo Tower may feel a bit nostalgic compared to newer observation decks, visiting Tokyo Tower offers a sense of history with a fantastic view of Tokyo’s skyline. It's a great first stop for your Tokyo trip. And if you have time, also consider visiting the Zōjō-ji temple which is just minutes away.
Te Cor Gentil
After soaking in the views from Tokyo Tower, it's time for a vegan brunch break. A pleasant walk or short train ride brings us to te cor gentil, a wonderful fully vegan bakery where you’d want to order everything. Finding vegan versions of certain Japanese and European-style pastries can be challenging, but te cor gentil offers items you might have thought impossible to find vegan in Tokyo.
Try their flaky filled croissants, the unique red bean butter bun, or choose from their array of other breads, cakes, and pastries. They provide some outdoor seating for you to relax and enjoy the baked goods before continuing your exploration.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Next, we head towards the bustling district of Shinjuku, and our first stop is Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. This large park is a beautiful oasis that combines three distinct garden styles: a traditional Japanese landscape garden with teahouses and ponds, a formal French garden, and an English landscape garden with wide, open lawns. It's a stunning example of landscape design from the Meiji era.
Take your time strolling through the meticulously maintained grounds, admire the seasonal flowers (it's especially popular during cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons), and visit the large greenhouse filled with tropical and subtropical plants. There's a small entrance fee, but the serenity and beauty within make it well worth it.
Marbre Vegan
After wandering through Shinjuku Gyoen, it’s time to get continue our relaxing afternoon with some vegan desserts. Conveniently located near the entrance of the garden, Marbre Vegan is a fully vegan dessert shop perfect for an afternoon pitstop. This small, cozy cafe specialises in beautifully crafted vegan cakes and desserts that look as good as they taste.
The menu features vegan versions of beloved classics like fluffy strawberry shortcake, rich tiramisu, and comforting apple tart. Keep an eye out for their seasonal specials too. They also have a few savoury options if you’ve had enough sweet things for the day, like the katsu cutlet sandwich I saw when I visited.
Explore Big Shinjuku Department Stores
Before dinner, it’s time to try another quintessential Tokyo experience: Japanese department stores (デパート, depāto). There are a few giant department stores around Shinjuku. Stores like Isetan, Takashimaya, and Marui have just about everything from fashion to home goods. Don't miss exploring their basement food halls, known as "depachika," which offer an huge array of cooked food and Japanese sweets. They may not be particularly vegan friendly, but walking through one still is an experience in of itself. (And if you want to know what vegan things you can get in “depachika”, I’ve written a guide in my Vegan Foodie Guide to Japan.
That being said, there are some good vegan options in department stores. For example, Green Italian Torcia in the Shinjuku Isetan offers upscale Italian cuisine, and Futaba Fruits Parlor in Shinjuku Marui has vegan desserts.
Ain Soph Journey
The Shinjuku branch of the popular vegan restaurant chain. It’s conveniently located between Shinjuku station and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. As the place is not big and it’s popular among tourists, it’s better if you make a booking before going.
Food here is delicious and high quality, even though the prices are on the expensive side. Go for their signature pancakes which is soft, fluffy, and according to them, heavenly. The pancakes are topped with whipped cream, ice cream and other classic ingredients. Sometimes they offer seasonal flavours like strawberry pancakes in Spring or chestnut one in Autumn. They also serve some tasty healthy options like pasta, salad and curry rice.
Explore Shinjuku
Now, prepare to immerse yourself in the electric energy of Shinjuku. Kabukichō is Tokyo's famed entertainment and red-light district. While it may have somewhat a dubious reputation, it's still a fascinating area to explore, and safety is not typically a big concern. Just make sure you don’t follow any strangers into bars as there were cases of credit card frauds and extortion.
A major new landmark in the area is the Tokyu Kabukichō Tower. This modern entertainment complex has a high-tech cinema, numerous Instagrammable spots, and even a luxury hotel (Hotel Groove Shinjuku) if you want to stay at the heart of Shinjuku. Other than that, see the famous Godzilla Head and explore a Don Quijote store.
Visit Senso-ji in Asakusa
Our day begins in Asakusa, home to Tokyo's oldest and arguably most famous Buddhist temple, Senso-ji. Approaching the temple, you'll first pass through the imposing Kaminarimon Gate (Thunder Gate) with its massive red lantern, a symbol of Asakusa itself. Beyond the gate lies Nakamise-dori, a bustling pedestrian street lined with traditional stalls selling snacks, souvenirs, and crafts. Just be prepared for a big crowd as it’s one of the busiest tourist spots in Tokyo.
Continue through to reach the main temple complex. Admire the impressive main hall dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy, and the striking five-story pagoda nearby. Even with the crowds, Senso-ji is still an iconic and important landmark of Tokyo.
Hatoya's Vegan Fruit Sandwiches
After exploring Senso-ji, walk a few minutes to find Hatoya’s Vegan Fruit Sandwiches, a small shop specialising in a uniquely Japanese treat: cream fruit sandwiches, made completely vegan! They are made with fluffy, vegan whipped cream with high quality Japanese fresh fruits in soft white bread. It’s a light, sweet, and photogenic snack popular in Japan.
Expect to find seasonal fruits like strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, and sweet mandarin orange slices. I tried one with sweet red bean paste and strawberries which is an unexpected but delicious combination. It's a perfect, quick, and convenient vegan snack after visiting the temple.
Marugoto Vegan Dining Asakusa
For a more substantial meal before leaving Asakusa, head to Marugoto Vegan Dining Asakusa for lunch. Formerly known as "The Farm Cafe," this cozy, relaxing cafe is located next to Sumida River. It's a great place to sit down, recharge, and enjoy a wholesome vegan meal.
The focus here is on fresh, plant-based dishes, often incorporating local ingredients. Try their lunch plate to sample a variety of different dishes, typically featuring items like tempura, curry, vegan nuggets, rice, and salad. While the portions might feel a bit small for the price, the quality and taste are still great. It's a solid choice for a healthy and satisfying vegan lunch before heading to our next stop.
Explore Akihabara Electric Town
Akihabara, also known as Electric Town, couldn’t be more different than Asakusa. This area is the world-famous epicentre of Japanese otaku culture, electronics, anime, manga, and gaming. Prepare for a sensory explosion of towering billboards featuring anime characters, catchy jingles spilling from shops, and streets bustling with enthusiasts.
Explore multi-story electronics stores like Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera, browse countless smaller shops selling everything from vintage video games and manga to obscure figurines and collectibles. You'll find themed cafes (but vegan-friendly ones are rare), arcades packed with the latest games, and gachapon (capsule toy) machines everywhere. Even if you're not deeply into anime or gaming, exploring Akihabara is a fascinating cultural experience, offering a vibrant glimpse into modern Japanese pop culture.
View from Shibuya Sky Observation Deck
Prepare for arguably the most spectacular view of Tokyo from the Shibuya Sky observation deck, which is located on top of the Shibuya Scramble Square skyscraper. This relatively new viewpoint offers an incredible 360-degree open-air panorama of the city, including unparalleled views down onto the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing. The experience is well-designed, starting with an immersive elevator ride before reaching the stunning rooftop 'Sky Stage' with its glass corners and comfy hammocks for lounging while enjoying the view of Tokyo skyline.
Insider Tip: Shibuya Sky is insanely popular, and tickets often sell out weeks, sometimes even months in advance, especially for the sunset slots. Booking online well ahead of your trip is absolutely essential. Don't expect to be able to buy tickets on the day.
Experience Shibuya Scramble Crossing
No first trip to Tokyo is complete without experiencing the organised chaos of the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. After coming back down from Shibuya Sky, head towards the famous intersection where hundreds of people cross in all directions at the same time. While it might seem like just crossing a street, participating in the 'scramble' at least once is an experience that’s unique to Tokyo.
Izakaya Masaka
After crossing the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, head towards one of my favourite dinner spots in Tokyo. Located inside the trendy Shibuya PARCO shopping centre, Izakaya Masaka is an all-vegan eatery serving up delicious Japanese izakaya (pub) food. It’s the perfect to experience Japanese dining, made for vegans.
The absolute must-try item here is their vegan karaage (Japanese fried chicken). It’s one of the most realistic and satisfying vegan meat I’ve tried. Incredibly meaty and juicy. You can choose to top it with tasty sauces like teriyaki mayo or a spicy Sichuan. Also don’t miss out on their gyoza, which has perfectly crispy bottoms and tasty filling. Given its prime location in PARCO and relatively intimate size, be prepared for a potential wait, especially during lunch and dinner times.
After dinner, explore the Shibuya area for its lively night life.
Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea
Today let’s choose between Tokyo Disneyland, the classic 'Magic Kingdom' style park with familiar characters and rides, or Tokyo DisneySea, a unique park themed around maritime exploration and adventure, widely considered one of the best theme parks in the world. Whichever you choose, plan to spend most of your day there and aim to arrive very early, ideally before the official opening time, to maximise your time and minimise initial queue waits.
Finding vegan food inside theme parks can be tricky, but the parks offer a few known options. At Disneyland, try the tempura rice bowl at Restaurant Hokusai (World Bazaar) or the garbanzo bean and croquettes with tomato-soy milk sauce at the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall (Fantasyland). At DisneySea, try the vegetable pizza from Ristorante di Canaletto (Mediterranean Harbor), or the keema curry rice from Yucatan Base Camp Grill (Lost River Delta). Always double-check ingredients with staff when ordering, as menus can change.
T's Tantan
After a day at Tokyo Disney theme parks, it's time for a well-deserved and delicious ramen dinner. We're heading to arguably Tokyo's most famous and beloved vegan ramen spot: T's Tantan.
When you arrived Tokyo station, stay inside the station as it is located inside the gate. Head towards JR line and look for Ecute Keiyo Street, and T’s tantan is located on your left once you go up the escalator to 1F. Expect to find a queue outside the restaurant.
The ramen here is flavourful at a reasonable price.For first-timers, try their signature Golden Tantan ramen – its rich, creamy sesame and peanut broth is packed with flavour, topped with savoury soy mince and fresh vegetables. They also have seasonal specials so be sure to check their socials before going. Don't forget to add a side of tasty gyoza to go with your ramen.
Admire Tokyo Station Architecture
After enjoying your comforting bowl of ramen, take some time to appreciate the magnificent building you're in: Tokyo Station itself. Specifically, head towards the Marunouchi side (the west side) of the station. This iconic red-brick façade was beautifully restored to its original pre-war glory and is beautifully illuminated at night. Completed in 1914, its grand, European-inspired architecture stands in beautiful contrast to the modern skyscrapers surrounding it in the surrounding business district.