Where should I stay and what should I see in Tokyo?
For Sensoji, Ueno Park and the zoo, compare itineraries staying in Ueno. For gardens, Shibuya and Mt. Takao, consider Shinjuku. Tokyo station suits onward trains to another city. On a two-day trip, choose between Sensoji and Ueno Zoo, or Shinjuku Gyoen and Meiji Jingu. For Mt. Takao’s scenery, set aside a separate day from city sightseeing.
Temples, viewpoints or gardens?
In Asakusa, compare Sensoji and Skytree; in Ueno, the zoo and park. Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya offer western city sightseeing. Set aside a separate day for a walk near Mt. Takao’s cable car station. Attraction details cover admission, hours and directions to each entrance.
Itineraries by trip length
Reduce arrival-day and final-day sightseeing to suit your flights. Choose the place you most want to see on the middle day, then select a route returning to the same accommodation.
2 days / 1 night
Choose Ueno for Sensoji and the zoo on separate days, or Shinjuku for the garden and shrine on separate days. This short trip may require fewer visits depending on arrival and departure times.
3 days / 2 nights
Stay two nights in Ueno and choose an observation deck or the zoo for the middle day. Check Skytree tickets and zoo closure dates first.
4 days / 3 nights
Stay in Shinjuku, separating western gardens and shrine visits from eastern temples and viewpoints, or spend a day on Mt. Takao’s lower slopes. Compare Karuizawa, Echigo-Yuzawa and Kusatsu separately as replacements for an existing city day.
5 days / 4 nights
Stay four nights in Shinjuku for the city and Mt. Takao, or four nights in Ueno for the zoo, two gardens and an observation deck on separate days. An overnight regional trip requires replacing a Tokyo night and checking return transport.
Where should I stay: Ueno or Shinjuku?
Ueno
Consider Ueno for Asakusa, Ueno Park and the zoo, or for arrival from Narita Airport via Nippori or Ueno.
JR Ueno and Keisei Ueno have separate gates. Check the walk from each station to your accommodation.
Sensoji rail and walking accessZoo main entrance accessSkyliner stopsJR Greater Tokyo route map
Shinjuku
Consider Shinjuku for Shinjuku Gyoen, Central Park to the west, and a Keio line trip to Mt. Takao.
JR, Keio and subway platforms are separate. Check the walking route from your booked accommodation to each station and exit you will use.
Access to each garden gateOfficial accessKeio fare tableJR Greater Tokyo route map
Tokyo station
Choose this area for trains to another city or sightseeing around Marunouchi.
Check whether your accommodation is on the Marunouchi or Yaesu side, then check the walking route and time from the corresponding exit.
JR Tokyo station platforms and floor mapJR Greater Tokyo route map
A day trip or an overnight stay nearby
Set aside a separate day for Karuizawa or Echigo-Yuzawa
Karuizawa · 軽井沢 is in Nagano Prefecture; Echigo-Yuzawa · 越後湯沢 is in Niigata Prefecture. Compare them as replacements for a middle day of a four-day or five-day trip, rather than adding them after Tokyo city sightseeing. These options do not keep every existing A or B stop and add an extra regional trip.
In Karuizawa, decide whether to explore near the station or around Old Karuizawa. Check local buses and walking routes separately. Echigo-Yuzawa is reached by Joetsu Shinkansen. The tourism authority’s fastest listed time of 66 minutes from Tokyo covers only the train journey; add travel from your accommodation to the station and from the arrival station to local facilities.
A day trip works only if return trains and facility hours fit. For an overnight hot spring stay, choose accommodation check-in and the following day’s return train first. In autumn, use Echigo-Yuzawa station. GALA Yuzawa station operates only in winter and spring.
Karuizawa Tourism Association access and local busesEchigo-Yuzawa tourism authority Shinkansen accessJR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three consecutive days
Compare a night in Kusatsu Onsen, including the bus connection
Kusatsu Onsen · 草津温泉 is in Gunma Prefecture. Take a bus from JR Naganoharakusatsuguchi station to Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal. JR’s listed bus time of about 25 minutes is not the total journey including rail travel and transfer waits.
For a day trip, match the return bus and train with bathing facility hours first. To stay until evening, compare an overnight visit. Unlike the city A and B itineraries, this involves changing accommodation. Check return connections before booking. Bus fares, pass coverage, accommodation and bathing fees need separate confirmation.
Kusakaru Kotsu also runs a bus from Karuizawa to Kusatsu. It is not reserved, and a full bus may mean waiting for the next service. Road delays can occur, so avoid a tight Shinkansen connection. Check both directions using the operator’s timetable for your date.
JR East Kusatsu Onsen access and YubatakeKusakaru Kotsu 2026 buses, crowds, delays and service periods
The Tokyo Wide Pass and Nikko Pass suit different trips
The JR Tokyo Wide Pass costs JPY 16,000 for adults and lasts three consecutive days from your chosen date. It is not a five-day pass covering a four-night trip. Tokyo Metro, Toei subways and Keio trains are excluded. You need an original passport issued by a country other than Japan. You can use it even without “Temporary Visitor” status.
Tobu’s NIKKO PASS all area is for international visitors; Japanese travellers accompanying them can also buy it. It costs JPY 8,000 for adults and lasts four days. It covers one return journey between Asakusa and Shimo-imaichi, plus specified trains and buses in the Nikko area. Limited express tickets and temple admission cost extra. Do not choose it for Karuizawa, Echigo-Yuzawa or Kusatsu. Through Tobu limited express services covered by the JR Wide Pass require the departure or arrival station to be a JR station; distinguish these from Tobu limited express trains departing Asakusa.
Add individual fares for the trains and dates you will actually use before comparing. Do not add individual fares again for journeys a pass covers. Include extra fares for excluded sections, and check eligibility and collection or exchange conditions when buying.
JR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three consecutive daysJR pass purchase, original passport and eligibilityTobu NIKKO PASS all area coverage · limited express extra
Check airport train notices for your travel date
For Narita Express journeys to or from Shinjuku, check official service notices and your travel-date booking screen for stops and operating sections. If the airport connection changes that day, arrange airport travel before sightseeing.
Tokyo neighbourhoods to group into separate days
Tokyo · 東京都 lets you split city sightseeing from Mt. Takao in Hachioji. Disney Resort is a separate destination in Chiba, while Kamakura and Hakone are in Kanagawa. Tokyo’s islands require a separate itinerary with ferry or flight arrangements.
Asakusa · 浅草: temple and observation deck
After worship and a walk at Sensoji, continue to Skytree for views from above. Go to Tobu Asakusa station, take a train to Tokyo Skytree and get off there. The costs differ between a short temple-only trip and one including the deck. For a free view, compare the terrace on Level 8 of the tourist information centre.
Sensoji rail and walking accessOfficial Skytree rail accessOfficial guide
Ueno · 上野: zoo and park
Spend a day at Ueno Zoo if animals are your priority. A park walk and Toshogu visit are other choices, but zoo admission and paid enclosure viewing at Toshogu are separate from the park walk. Check access from Okachimachi for Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens and Yushima Tenmangu, and visit on other days.
Official operating informationOfficial guideCurrent Toshogu Japanese admission and visiting hoursOfficial operationsYushima Tenmangu access by station
Shinjuku · 新宿: garden and western views
Reach Shinjuku Gyoen from JR Shinjuku’s South Exit, and the government South Observation Room and Central Park from the West Exit. Calculate walking time using the relevant side of the station. Split garden visits from free views and park walks across different days, with short departure-day visits if time allows.
Access to each garden gateAdditional official informationOfficial access
Harajuku · 原宿 and Shibuya · 渋谷
Enter Meiji Jingu through the southern entrance on the Harajuku side. Visit the shrine first, then travel to Shibuya for Hachiko and the crossing. The shrine closes around sunset, so avoid leaving it until after late shopping. In Shibuya, compare the South Gate access recommended by JR.
Shrine accessGate-opening informationJR Shibuya South Gate guidanceOfficial guide
Mt. Takao · 高尾山: a day on the lower slopes
Take Keio from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi, walk to Kiyotaki and board the cable car. Its arrival station is not the summit. Enjoy views and a short mountainside walk, then return to Shinjuku by the same cable car and Keio route. Summit hiking and local accommodation are excluded.
Official cable railway accessCable car fares and hoursKeio fare tableTakao Tozan Railway viewpoint near the station
How do I get from my accommodation to the sights?
Choose an exit to suit your accommodation’s address, then check boarding, arrival and walking steps. Walking times below exclude train waiting, transfers and attraction queues.
| Journey | Travel steps | Official access and directions |
|---|---|---|
| Ueno → Sensoji | Ginza line towards Asakusa → Asakusa station → walk about five minutes to Sensoji | Official Sensoji access by station. Tsukuba Express Asakusa is a separate station. |
| Asakusa → Skytree → Ueno | Tobu Asakusa → Tokyo Skytree station → entrance on Level 4. Return by Tobu to Asakusa, then Ginza line to Ueno. | Directions from the station to the entrance on Level 4. Tobu fares are additional to the return subway amount. |
| JR Ueno → zoo and Toshogu | From the Park Exit, walk about five minutes to the zoo’s main entrance or about ten minutes to Toshogu. | Zoo main entrance access. Check Toshogu’s separate entrance. |
| Shinjuku → Shinjuku Gyoen | JR South Exit → Shinjuku Gate about ten minutes on foot. Leave through the same gate and return to Shinjuku. | Official access by gate. Choose a gate to suit your accommodation and station. |
| Shinjuku-sanchome → Meiji Jingu | Fukutoshin line to Meiji-jingumae → southern entrance on Harajuku side → main sanctuary | Official shrine access map. Distinguish the walk to the entrance from the further walk to the main sanctuary. |
| Harajuku → Shibuya walk | JR Yamanote line towards Shibuya → Shibuya station → about 250 metres from South Gate to Hachiko | JR Shibuya gate guide. Check which gate to use on your return. |
| Shinjuku → Mt. Takao lower slopes → Shinjuku | Keio towards Takaosanguchi, changing at Kitano if needed → walk about five minutes to Kiyotaki → cable car. Return the same way. | Official cable car access and operations. Check descending services and Keio trains for your date. |
| Airport → your accommodation’s actual station | Narita: compare Skyliner for Ueno with Narita Express for Tokyo station or Shinjuku. For Haneda, check a route serving your terminal. | Airport and Tokyo transport guide. JR Ueno and Keisei Ueno are different stations. |
Sensoji rail and walking accessRoute to the entrance on Level 4Zoo main entrance accessOfficial access guideAccess to each garden gateShrine accessJR Shibuya South Gate guidanceOfficial cable railway accessSkyliner stopsN’EX stops
Transport, food and related guides
Choose whether to eat in the neighbourhood you are visiting or return to the area around your accommodation. Meals are excluded from itinerary subtotals.
Asakusa: a meal after the temple walk
Consider Edomae sushi in Asakusa. Decide whether to eat after Sensoji before heading to Skytree, or after the deck visit. The existing food guide also offers tempura and grilled eel options. Check each restaurant’s menu and hours.
Ueno: yakitori and a meal after the zoo
Look for izakaya and yakitori beneath Ueno’s elevated railway. After the zoo, eat in Ueno and return to the same accommodation. If adding Ameyoko shopping, consider the extra walking.
Shinjuku: ramen or dinner near your accommodation
Otaki-bashi-dori, with its many ramen shops, runs from the west side of JR Shinjuku towards Okubo. Eating in Shinjuku after the garden, shrine or Mt. Takao reduces the need for another evening journey.
Shibuya: add a meal to your walking day
On a Hachiko and crossing walk, choose whether to eat in Shibuya or return to your Shinjuku accommodation area. Use the existing food guide for ramen and yakitori options, then check the actual menu, hours and station for your return journey.
Which admission and transport costs are included?
These are verified adult prices. Itinerary subtotals are not total trip budgets including accommodation, meals, airport travel and all city transport. Check the selected itinerary’s cost card for exact inclusions and exclusions.
| Facility or journey | Verified adult price | Separate costs and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Ueno Zoo | JPY 600 | Park walking is free. Check zoo closures separately. |
| Shinjuku Gyoen | JPY 500 | Distinguish free worship at Meiji Jingu from paid garden entry. |
| Skytree | Tembo Deck advance web tickets from JPY 1,800 | Prices vary by date. Deck and galleria tickets start at JPY 3,000; counter purchases add JPY 500. |
| Ueno Toshogu | Paid viewing inside the enclosure: JPY 700 | Building interiors are closed. The peony garden costs extra. |
| Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens | JPY 400 | On the five-day Ueno itinerary, skip this arrival-day visit if you arrive late. |
| Mt. Takao return journey | JPY 1,840 | Regular Keio train return JPY 860 + cable car return JPY 980. City and airport travel, meals and reserved seats cost extra. Walk near the cable car station and return the same way; summit climbing is excluded. |
| Free views and walks | Government South Observation Room, Central Park and Yushima Tenmangu grounds | Adding paid facilities, prayer services or shopping creates extra costs. |
Official operating informationMinistry of the Environment guideTicketsCurrent Toshogu Japanese admission and visiting hoursOfficial operationsCable car fares and hoursKeio fare tableOfficial operationsOfficial operationsYushima Tenmangu access by station
Compare subway time-based tickets with individual fares
Decide how often you will use Tokyo Metro and Toei subways before comparing. JR, Tobu, Keio, airport railways and the Mt. Takao cable car are separate from these subway tickets.
Start with individual fares for one return trip
Verified adult return subway fares in these representative itineraries are JPY 356 by IC card or JPY 360 with paper tickets. For only that return journey, individual fares cost less than the JPY 1,000 24-hour ticket. Add other lines and extra journeys before comparing.
Ginza line journey faresMetro fare searchChange notice for 2026-03-14
Standard tickets: 24, 48 or 72 hours from first use
Standard adult Tokyo Subway Tickets cost JPY 1,000 for 24 hours, JPY 1,500 for 48 hours or JPY 2,000 for 72 hours. Your number of accommodation nights is different from validity hours. Check when you will first pass through the gates and when you will last use the ticket. Coverage also differs from regional JR passes.
Tokyo Subway Ticket eligibility covers international visitors to Japan and domestic travellers living outside Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Yamanashi. International visitors show a passport for in-person purchases; online purchase is also available. Domestic travellers should check their separate sales channels and conditions. Attraction combination tickets have no residence restriction. Standard tickets start at the first gate entry, while IC versions start at purchase, so check the product type you buy.
Official Tokyo subway visitor ticket guideChange notice for 2026-03-14Tokyo Subway Ticket sales conditions and validity by type
Official Tokyo subway visitor ticket guideChange notice for 2026-03-14Ginza line journey faresMetro fare searchTokyo Subway Ticket sales conditions and validity by type
Check closures and your return journey first
Choose your zoo and garden dates, and your return time from Mt. Takao, before setting out.
Check Monday calendars for the zoo and Shinjuku Gyoen
Both have Monday closures and exceptions. Public-holiday and seasonal opening conditions differ, so check each calendar for your date. Move a closed zoo or garden visit to another opening day and use that day for temple worship or street sightseeing.
Official operating informationMinistry of the Environment guide
Choose a date with return cable car services on Mt. Takao
Choose the descending cable car and Shinjuku-bound train before your walk. If strong wind or suspension prevents a cable car journey, leave out the mountain visit instead of replacing it with a summit hike.
Check the camera towards Sensoji’s main hall
Use the camera to see the area towards Sensoji’s main hall before visiting.
A view towards the main hall
Use the camera as a reference for the area towards Sensoji’s main hall. It does not show every part of Nakamise, all crowds or entry waiting times. Check stream status on the official site and follow on-site operating instructions and restrictions separately.
Frequently asked questions
Which itineraries suit Ueno and Shinjuku?
Compare Ueno for Asakusa, Ueno Park and the zoo, or Shinjuku for Shinjuku Gyoen, Shibuya and Mt. Takao. Check the walk from your booked accommodation to each station and exit you will use.
Sensoji rail and walking accessZoo main entrance accessSkyliner stopsJR Greater Tokyo route mapAccess to each garden gateOfficial accessKeio fare table
Official sources and dates checked
- Official operating information ·
- Ginza line journey fares ·
- Sensoji rail and walking access ·
- Zoo main entrance access ·
- Ministry of the Environment guide ·
- Access to each garden gate ·
- Metro fare search ·
- Shrine access ·
- Official Skytree rail access ·
- Route to the entrance on Level 4 ·
- Official cable railway access ·
- Tickets ·
- Gate-opening information ·
- Cable car fares and hours ·
- Keio fare table ·
- Official guide ·
- Official access guide ·
- Official guide ·
- Official guide ·
- Official operations ·
- Additional official information ·
- Official operations ·
- Official access ·
- Official operations ·
- Yushima Tenmangu access by station ·
- Official Tokyo subway visitor ticket guide ·
- Sensoji main hall opening hours and official guide ·
- Change notice for 2026-03-14 ·
- Skyliner stops ·
- JR Greater Tokyo route map ·
- N’EX stops ·
- JR works and service suspension notices ·
- JR Tokyo station platforms and floor map ·
- Current Toshogu Japanese admission and visiting hours ·
- JR Shibuya South Gate guidance ·
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three consecutive days ·
- JR pass purchase, original passport and eligibility ·
- Tobu NIKKO PASS all area coverage · limited express extra ·
- Karuizawa Tourism Association access and local buses ·
- Echigo-Yuzawa tourism authority Shinkansen access ·
- Kusakaru Kotsu 2026 buses, crowds, delays and service periods ·
- JR East Kusatsu Onsen access and Yubatake ·
- Takao Tozan Railway viewpoint near the station ·
- GO TOKYO: Ueno walks and food ·
- GO TOKYO: food and dining areas ·
- GO TOKYO: Asakusa area and food ·
- Tokyo Subway Ticket sales conditions and validity by type ·