Spend the middle day at an observation deck or the zoo?
For views, spend the middle day at Sensoji and Skytree. For animals and breaks, spend it at Ueno Zoo. Both itineraries stay two nights in Ueno. Finish the observation deck itinerary at Toshogu, or the zoo itinerary at Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, only if time allows before travelling to the airport.
Choose an itinerary for 3 days / 2 nights
Sensoji, Tokyo Skytree and Ueno Park
Stay in Ueno: visit the park on day 1, Sensoji and Skytree on day 2, and Toshogu on the final day. Book the observation deck for day 2. Choose final-day sightseeing only for an afternoon departure.
Sensoji, Tokyo Skytree and Ueno Park →3 days / 2 nights BUeno Zoo and a Shibuya walk
Stay in Ueno. Visit Shibuya on day 1 and spend day 2 at the zoo. On the final day, make a short visit to Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center before returning to your Ueno accommodation.
Ueno Zoo and a Shibuya walk →Sensoji, Tokyo Skytree and Ueno Park
Stay in Ueno: visit the park on day 1, Sensoji and Skytree on day 2, and Toshogu on the final day. Book the observation deck for day 2. Choose final-day sightseeing only for an afternoon departure.
Day 1 · Ueno Park and Shinobazu Pond
Walk through Ueno Park and around Shinobazu Pond on day 1. From Narita Airport, reserve a Keisei Ueno-bound Skyliner from your terminal’s railway station and get off at the terminus.
- Airport arrival station → Around Ueno station
Keisei Ueno and JR Ueno are different stations. Follow your accommodation’s station and exit directions. From Haneda, compare taking Keikyu to Shinagawa and changing to a JR service that stops at Ueno. At Haneda Terminal 3, follow the “Keikyu Railways” signs from arrivals to the gates and platform. At other terminals, follow that terminal’s railway directions.
Skyliner stopsJR Greater Tokyo route mapKeikyu airport accessHaneda Terminal 3 arrivals-to-station guide
- Ueno accommodation and Park Exit → Fountain plaza, walking paths and Shinobazu Pond
Head to street level at JR Ueno station’s Park Exit. Enter Ueno Park opposite the exit and walk via the fountain plaza → central walking path → Saigo Takamori statue → Shinobazu Pond.
- Park and Shinobazu Pond → Dinner near Ueno station and the same accommodation
After your afternoon walk, return towards Ueno station for dinner and go back to the same accommodation. The park opens 05:00–23:00 and admission is free. Museums, the zoo and boats are excluded. If you arrive late, leave out the pond and walk only on paths near the station.
If you arrive late, leave out the pond and walk only on paths near Ueno station.
Day 2 · Sensoji, then Skytree views
Visit Sensoji, have lunch in Asakusa, then go up Skytree to see Tokyo’s streets and buildings. From your Ueno accommodation, reach Ginza line G16 and take an Asakusa-bound train to G19.
- Asakusa station → Sensoji visit and lunch
Walk about five minutes to the temple. Visit Kaminarimon → Nakamise → main hall, then have lunch in Asakusa.
- Tobu Asakusa station → Tokyo Skytree station
Go to Tobu Asakusa station and board a regular train stopping at Tokyo Skytree. The ride takes about three minutes; transfers and waiting take extra time.
- Tokyo Skytree station West Exit → Main entrance on Level 4
After leaving through the West Exit, walk about six minutes to the main entrance on Level 4.
- Observation deck → Transfer at Asakusa and return to Ueno accommodation
After your visit, return through the same exit. Take Tobu towards Asakusa → Ginza line towards Shibuya to G16 Ueno → accommodation. Tobu is excluded from subway visitor tickets. Allow for meals and waiting for Tobu trains so you reach the entrance by your observation deck booking time. If you cannot secure a ticket, or official notices suspend entry or operations, finish the temple visit and meal and return to your accommodation via the same Asakusa route. Reduce street walking in heavy rain or outdoor crowds.
TicketsOpening hoursOfficial Skytree rail accessAsakusa station timetable
Day 3 · Ueno Toshogu, then the airport
Walk about ten minutes from JR Ueno station’s Park Exit to Ueno Toshogu. Paid viewing starts at 09:30. Leave out this final-day visit if time is tight before the airport journey.
- Ueno Toshogu → Paid viewing inside the enclosure
After the 09:30 opening, pay JPY 700 to view the gilded buildings and walls inside the enclosure. Building interiors are closed to visitors. The peony garden is excluded.
- Toshogu and Park Exit → Around Ueno station
Walk back towards the Park Exit for about ten minutes to reach Ueno station. Have lunch here if time allows before airport travel.
- Around Ueno station → The same Ueno accommodation
Return to the same accommodation to collect luggage. Check your airport train’s departure station. JR Ueno and Keisei Ueno are different stations.
Official access guideCurrent Toshogu Japanese admission and visiting hoursSkyliner stops
- Ueno accommodation → Your reserved airport train’s departure station and terminal
For the Skyliner to Narita, go to Keisei Ueno and board your reserved service. Get off at Narita Airport station for Terminal 1, or Airport Terminal 2 station for Terminals 2 and 3. Allow additional time from the station to Terminal 3. For Haneda, compare taking JR from Ueno to Shinagawa and changing to a Keikyu service that stops at your terminal. Work backwards from your required airport arrival time, and sightsee only if time allows.
Skyliner stopsNarita Airport railway guideJR Greater Tokyo route mapKeikyu airport access
Paid viewing at Toshogu starts at 09:30. Leave out this final-day visit if time is tight before the airport journey.
Included: Skytree Tembo Deck web admission from JPY 1,800 + Ueno Toshogu JPY 700 + return Ginza line travel. Admission alone starts from JPY 2,500.
Extra costs and conditions: JR, Tobu, airport transport, station-to-hotel travel, meals and accommodation are excluded from this subtotal.
TicketsCurrent Toshogu Japanese admission and visiting hoursGinza line journey fares
Ueno Zoo and a Shibuya walk
Stay in Ueno. Visit Shibuya on day 1 and spend day 2 at the zoo. On the final day, make a short visit to Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center before returning to your Ueno accommodation.
Day 1 · Hachiko Square and a Shibuya street walk
See the Hachiko statue and the area around the crossing on day 1. From Narita Airport, reserve a Keisei Ueno-bound Skyliner from your terminal’s railway station and get off at the terminus.
- Airport arrival station → Around Ueno station
Keisei Ueno and JR Ueno are different stations. Follow your accommodation’s station and exit directions. From Haneda, compare taking Keikyu to Shinagawa and changing to a JR service that stops at Ueno. At Haneda Terminal 3, follow the “Keikyu Railways” signs from arrivals to the gates and platform. At other terminals, follow that terminal’s railway directions.
Skyliner stopsJR Greater Tokyo route mapKeikyu airport accessHaneda Terminal 3 arrivals-to-station guide
- Ueno accommodation and JR Ueno station → Shibuya station
At JR Ueno, take the Yamanote line towards Tokyo and Shinagawa to Shibuya.
- Shibuya station South Gate → Hachiko Square, crossing and dinner
Following JR’s crowd guidance, use the South Gate and walk about 250 metres to Hachiko Square. See the statue and cross the adjacent Scramble Crossing. Walk around the square and streets, then have dinner near Shibuya station. The outdoor square has different access from shop opening hours. Reduce your visit area according to on-site restrictions and crowds.
JR Shibuya station guideOfficial guideJR Shibuya South Gate guidance
- Shibuya station → Ueno station and the same accommodation
Return from Shibuya towards Shinagawa and Tokyo to Ueno, and stay at the same accommodation. Paid observation decks are excluded.
If you arrive too late for a Shibuya return trip, eat and rest in Ueno on day 1.
Day 2 · Ueno Zoo with time for breaks
Spend today observing the animals you want to see and taking breaks. From your accommodation, reach street level at JR Ueno station’s Park Exit, then walk about five minutes to the zoo’s main entrance.
- Ueno Zoo main entrance → Animal viewing and breaks
Enter after the 09:30 opening, see your chosen animals and take breaks. Check official notices for individual animal displays. If Monday is a closure day, you may swap the zoo with day 1’s Shibuya visit, provided you arrive before last admission at 16:00 and have enough viewing time. If a day 1 visit is also impractical, leave out the zoo and choose a Ueno Park walk and meal. Rest at your accommodation if weather or restrictions make the park difficult as well.
Official operating informationZoo main entrance accessOfficial guide
- Zoo main entrance → A meal near the park
Leave through the main entrance and eat near the park.
- Around the park → Ueno accommodation
After your meal, walk back to your Ueno accommodation.
Day 3 · City views from Asakusa’s terrace
Take the Ginza line from G16 Ueno towards Asakusa, getting off at G19. The tourist information centre cannot store luggage. Return to your Ueno accommodation after visiting.
- Asakusa station exit 2 → Tourist information centre
Walk about one minute from exit 2 to the tourist information centre opposite Kaminarimon.
- Tourist information centre → Viewing terrace on Level 8 and exhibitions on Level 7
Visit the viewing terrace on Level 8 and exhibitions on Level 7 in the morning. The terrace is free and opens 09:00–22:00; the exhibitions on Level 7 open 09:00–20:00. Luggage storage has ended here, so do not plan to leave suitcases at the centre.
Access guideLuggage storage termination noticeOfficial guide
- Asakusa station → Ueno station and the same accommodation
Take the Ginza line towards Shibuya to Ueno and collect luggage from your accommodation. Then go to your reserved airport train’s departure station.
- Ueno accommodation → Your reserved airport train’s departure station and terminal
For the Skyliner to Narita, go to Keisei Ueno and board your reserved service. Get off at Narita Airport station for Terminal 1, or Airport Terminal 2 station for Terminals 2 and 3. Allow additional time from the station to Terminal 3. For Haneda, compare taking JR from Ueno to Shinagawa and changing to a Keikyu service that stops at your terminal. Work backwards from your required airport arrival time, and sightsee only if time allows.
Skyliner stopsNarita Airport railway guideJR Greater Tokyo route mapKeikyu airport access
The tourist information centre cannot store luggage. Return to your Ueno accommodation after visiting.
Included: Ueno Zoo admission JPY 600 + return Ginza line travel between Ueno and Asakusa on the final day. Day 1 JR journeys to Shibuya cost extra.
Extra costs and conditions: JR, Tobu, airport transport, station-to-hotel travel, meals and accommodation are excluded from this subtotal.
Frequently asked questions
Do these itineraries include both Skytree and Ueno Zoo?
The two itineraries offer a choice for the middle day. The observation deck itinerary visits Sensoji and Skytree; the zoo itinerary spends the day at Ueno Zoo. To visit both, adjust another sightseeing day. Check zoo closures and Skytree tickets for your date before choosing.
Official sources and dates checked
- Asakusa station timetable ·
- Official operating information ·
- Ginza line journey fares ·
- Sensoji rail and walking access ·
- Zoo main entrance access ·
- Official Skytree rail access ·
- Route to the entrance on Level 4 ·
- Temple guide ·
- Tickets ·
- Opening hours ·
- Official guide ·
- Official access guide ·
- JR Shibuya station guide ·
- Official guide ·
- Access guide ·
- Luggage storage termination notice ·
- Official guide ·
- Skyliner stops ·
- JR Greater Tokyo route map ·
- Keikyu airport access ·
- Haneda Terminal 3 arrivals-to-station guide ·
- Narita Airport railway guide ·
- Current Toshogu Japanese admission and visiting hours ·
- JR Shibuya South Gate guidance ·