My First Trip to Japan: 3 Days in Tokyo
Touchdown in Japan — greeted with a warm welcome right at Narita Airport.”
The first time I went to Japan, I only had three days — but I was determined to make the most of it. My dream was to see the cherry blossoms, but I arrived about a week too late. I could have taken a bullet train north to catch them, but I didn’t want to spend the time or money, especially since I’d already paid for my hostel.
Instead, I packed my days full of Tokyo adventures.
Arrival in Tokyo
A calm retreat after a busy day exploring the city — my hostel’s Zen garden.
After landing, I headed straight to my hostel — Ueno Station Hostel Oriental 2. It was a serene, female-only hostel with a little Zen garden, perfect for relaxing after a long day. I had wanted to try a capsule hotel, but this was similar: a cozy cubby with a curtain for privacy.
Once I dropped off my bag, I set out to explore. My first stop was the Samurai Museum, since I’ve always been fascinated by these legendary warriors. The exhibits spanned different eras, and at the end, visitors could try on traditional clothing. Women were offered kimonos, and men could try samurai armor. Naturally, I had to try on both. The attendant was surprised, but I insisted: “I want to be a warrior, not a maiden!”
Who says women can’t be warriors? Suiting up in full samurai gear.
A Wild Night in Shinjuku
Neon chaos on Godzilla Road in Shinjuku. Tokyo never sleeps.
Later, I stumbled across a robot restaurant without knowing what to expect. Tickets were pricey, but someone in line gave me a coupon (a nice surprise). Food was limited and overpriced, so I settled for chicken nuggets, fries, and a glowing mixed drink served in a plastic lightbulb I got to keep as a souvenir.
The show itself? Hard to even describe. It was chaotic, colorful, loud, and completely unforgettable — exactly the kind of “only in Japan” experience I was hoping for.
Afterward, I wandered down Godzilla Road in Shinjuku, packed with people and neon lights. By then, exhaustion hit, so I made my way back to the hostel to rest up for a busy day two.
Neon lights, giant robots, and a show I’ll never forget.
Day Two: Castles, Cosplay, and Calm
Rainy morning vibes at the Imperial Palace — moody but beautiful.
The morning brought rain, but thankfully my hostel lent out umbrellas for free. I started at the Imperial Palace, where the moody atmosphere matched the weather. Honestly, I didn’t feel much connection there, so I moved on to Takeshita Street in Harajuku.
I had hoped to see people in full cosplay, but being there early in the afternoon meant most of the street was just filled with tourists and window shoppers. Still, it was fun to browse. Hungry, I ducked into a small restaurant with a Japanese-only menu. Using Google Translate, I ordered at random — luckily, it turned out to be fried chicken, rice, and miso soup.
From there, I wandered to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. After the chaos of the city, I loved the calmness of the gardens. I sat on a bench, people-watched, and enjoyed the greenery for a couple of hours.
As evening approached, I headed to Tokyo Skytree. Watching the sunset from above the skyline, beer in hand, was the perfect way to end the day. I stayed until nightfall, taking photos of Tokyo sparkling beneath me, before heading back to the hostel.
From day to night — watching the city transform from above the clouds.
Day Three: Ueno Park and Goodbyes
Flowers in bloom at Ueno Park — perfect for photos to send to my grandma.
On my last day, I walked to Ueno Park to soak up a bit more greenery. I paid a small fee to see the seasonal flowers, snapping photos to send to my grandmother, who loves plants from around the world. I wanted to visit the Ueno zoo (the oldest in Japan), but I didn’t have time.
Before heading to the airport, I squeezed in some daylight wandering around Shinjuku for souvenir shopping, though I didn’t buy much. Part of me wanted to go to Disneyland, but I thought: It’s my first trip to Japan — I should focus on Japanese culture before American influences.
The biggest disappointment was missing Mount Fuji, which I’d dreamed of seeing since grade four. Still, I loved my three whirlwind days in Tokyo and knew I’d be back someday.
My biggest regret: not seeing Mount Fuji this trip. Next time for sure.
Final Thoughts
Before traveling, I’d read warnings about Tokyo’s transportation system being overwhelming. Honestly? I didn’t get lost once. It’s confusing at first, but once you figure it out, it’s surprisingly easy to navigate. Even if you do get lost, that’s half the fun — you never know what hidden spot you might discover.
Tokyo was everything I expected: chaotic, fascinating, and full of surprises. Three days wasn’t nearly enough, but it gave me a taste of Japan that left me wanting more.
Goodbye Tokyo — three days wasn’t nearly enough.
