Tokyo in 72 hours is a legitimate trip if you accept that you will see a slice, not the whole. This plan is built for first-timers who want a balance of historic temples, modern Tokyo neighbourhoods, and one good food experience per meal — without the death-march pace that ruins jet-lagged travellers.
Land at Narita or Haneda, drop bags. Start at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa (Tokyo's oldest temple, ~7am avoids the crowds). Walk Nakamise-dori for traditional snacks. Subway to Ueno Park — Tokyo National Museum if it's raining, the park gardens if not. Late afternoon to Akihabara for electronics, anime, and a cheap kaiten-zushi dinner. Evening: walk Tokyo Station's KITTE building for the rooftop view of the Imperial Palace district.
Morning at Meiji Jingu Shrine through the wooded approach (free, ~30 min walk). Cross into Harajuku for Takeshita-dori (skip the crepes unless you actually want one) then walk south through Omotesando for upscale architecture and shopping. Lunch in Shibuya, photo at the scramble crossing from Magnet by Shibuya 109's rooftop or Shibuya Sky for paid panoramic views. Dinner in Shinjuku — Omoide Yokocho for yakitori, Golden Gai for tiny bars, or a department-store depachika basement for grocery-style food.
Early breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market (the wholesale market moved to Toyosu but the outer food street remains). Walk to Hama-rikyu Gardens (Edo-period landscape garden ringed by skyscrapers — quintessential Tokyo contrast). Subway to Ginza for window-shopping and a sit-down lunch. Walk through the Imperial Palace East Gardens on the way to Tokyo Station for shinkansen onward, or back to airport.
This is a generic plan that works for most travellers. Use Panor's AI Japan trip planner to customise it — adjust pace, add or remove neighbourhoods, swap day trips, account for dietary restrictions, or factor in cherry-blossom or autumn-foliage timing. The planner uses interactive maps and can export the itinerary to your phone.