Where should I go in Tokyo?
Choose Asakusa and Skytree for a temple and observation deck, or Ueno for animals and park walks. Group gardens, shrine visits and street walks around Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya. For mountain scenery, make a day trip from Shinjuku to Mt. Takao’s lower slopes. Keeping it separate from city sightseeing gives you time to walk and return.
Choose sights separately from an itinerary
Sensoji Temple
浅草寺
Visit Sensoji to combine an Asakusa temple visit with its shopping street. Walk from Kaminarimon along Nakamise, then worship at the main hall. Check hall worship hours separately from shops if you plan to shop or eat. Paid special openings, prayer services and souvenirs are excluded from itinerary costs.
- Opening hoursThe main hall opens 06:00–17:00 from April to September, and 06:30–17:00 from October to March.
- Getting thereWalk from Asakusa station on the Ginza or Toei Asakusa line. Tsukuba Express Asakusa station is in a different location.
Sensoji main hall opening hours and official guideSensoji rail and walking access
Tokyo Skytree
TOKYO SKYTREE東京スカイツリー
Go up Skytree for views over Tokyo’s buildings and streets. Choose a ticket for the 350-metre Tembo Deck alone or with the 450-metre Tembo Galleria. Cloud or rain may obscure distant views.
- AdmissionAdult web tickets start at JPY 1,800 for the Tembo Deck, or JPY 3,000 for the deck-and-galleria combination. Counter purchases add a JPY 500 issuing fee per ticket. Check your actual date and child categories on the purchase screen.
- Opening hoursCheck the operating calendar and entry time for your visit date before booking. Do not apply another date’s opening hours.
- Getting thereTake Tobu from Asakusa to Tokyo Skytree station, or use Oshiage station if it suits the route from your accommodation.
Ueno Zoo
上野動物園
Visit Ueno Zoo to spend time observing animals such as elephants and giraffes. Displays are split between the east and west areas; find your preferred animals first to plan the walking order. Check displays for your visit date.
- AdmissionStandard admission costs JPY 600, or JPY 300 for visitors aged 65 and over and JPY 200 for junior high school students. Children through primary school year 6 enter free. Free admission for junior high students living or studying in Tokyo requires evidence and does not apply to every visitor.
- Opening hoursThe zoo opens from 09:30 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:00. It normally closes on Mondays and from 29 December to 1 January. If Monday is a public holiday, the following day is closed; check calendar exceptions.
- Getting thereThe official guide lists about five minutes on foot from JR Ueno station’s Park Exit to the main entrance.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
新宿御苑
Allow time at Shinjuku Gyoen for a relaxed garden walk between city sights. A morning visit leaves time for walking and breaks. For flowers or autumn foliage, check seasonal updates around your visit date.
- AdmissionAdmission costs JPY 500 for adults, or JPY 250 for visitors aged 65 and over and students aged 16 and over. Ages 15 and younger enter free.
- Opening hoursFrom 1 October to 14 March, the garden opens from 09:00 to 16:30, with last admission at 16:00. From 15 March to 30 September, it closes at 18:00, except from 11 June to 31 July when it closes at 19:00. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing in each period. The garden normally closes on Mondays and from 29 December to 3 January. Flower seasons have exceptions and advance reservation requirements.
- Getting thereShinjuku Gate is about ten minutes on foot from Shinjuku station’s South Exit, or about five minutes from Shinjuku-gyoemmae exit 1 or Shinjuku-sanchome exit E5. Other gates have different access routes.
Meiji Jingu
明治神宮
Visit Meiji Jingu from Harajuku for a forest walk and worship. Allow time to walk from the entrance to the main sanctuary. Finish the forest walk and shrine visit before continuing to Harajuku’s shopping streets.
- AdmissionWorship in the grounds is free. The garden and museum charge separately; the shrine itineraries exclude both.
- Opening hoursGate opening and closing times change monthly. October hours are 05:40–16:40.
- Getting thereGo to the southern entrance from JR Harajuku or Meiji-jingumae subway station exit 2. The entrance is about one minute from the station, followed by at least another ten minutes to the main sanctuary.
Official Meiji Jingu FAQ and free worshipOfficial Meiji Jingu Museum guideGate-opening informationShrine accessOfficial shrine access diagram
Mt. Takao Cable Car
高尾山ケーブルカー
For mountain scenery without a summit climb, compare the cable car and a short mountainside walk. The cable car reaches only partway up. Reaching the summit requires further mountain walking, separate from these itineraries’ short walks.
- AdmissionAdult cable car fares: JPY 490 one way or JPY 980 return. Children: JPY 250 one way or JPY 500 return. Regular Keio trains between Shinjuku and Takaosanguchi cost JPY 430 one way for adults, separately.
- Opening hoursThe Kiyotaki–Takaosan ride takes about six minutes. The first service is normally 08:00. From September to November, the last service is 17:45 on weekdays or 18:00 on weekends and public holidays. Inspections, weather and events may change services.
- Getting thereTake a train towards Takaosanguchi from Keio Shinjuku. Depending on the service, change at Kitano. Walk about five minutes from Takaosanguchi to Kiyotaki before boarding the cable car.
Cable car fares and hoursKeio fare tableOfficial cable railway access
Ueno Park
Tokyo Metropolitan Ueno Park上野恩賜公園
Walk through Ueno Park for its fountain plaza, tree-lined paths and Shinobazu Pond. It also offers a place to rest after the zoo. Choose the park walk separately from paid museums and zoo admission.
- AdmissionWalking in the park is free. Museums, the zoo and boats cost extra.
- Opening hoursOpen 05:00–23:00.
- Getting thereEnter opposite JR Ueno station’s Park Exit. You can walk via the fountain plaza, central path, Saigo statue and Shinobazu Pond.
Ueno Toshogu
上野東照宮
Choose Ueno Toshogu for gilded buildings and walls in Ueno Park. Paid viewing inside the enclosure is separate from the peony garden.
- AdmissionAdult viewing inside the enclosure costs JPY 700. Building interiors are closed to visitors. The peony garden is separate.
- Opening hoursFree worship starts at 09:00 and closes at 16:30 from October to February, or 17:30 from March to September. Paid enclosure viewing starts at 09:30 and closes at 16:00 from October to February, or 17:00 from March to September. Season and weather may change hours.
- Getting thereWalk about ten minutes from JR Ueno station’s Park Exit.
Current Toshogu Japanese admission and visiting hoursOfficial access guide
Hachiko Statue
忠犬ハチ公像
See Hachiko beside Shibuya station, then continue to the adjacent Scramble Crossing. JR recommends using the South Gate instead of the crowded Hachiko Gate. Shorten your stay when the square is crowded.
- AdmissionNo facility admission ticket is required to see the outdoor statue.
- Opening hoursThis is an outdoor square. Events, crowds and on-site restrictions may change access.
- Getting thereThe statue is in the square on the Hachiko Exit side. To reduce crowding, JR recommends the South Gate and a walk of about 250 metres to the square. Use the South Gate on your return.
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
浅草文化観光センター
Visit the free viewing terrace opposite Kaminarimon for a higher view of Asakusa’s streets. You can also see exhibitions. Visit before or after Sensoji, or make a short stop on another day.
- AdmissionThe viewing terrace on Level 8 is free.
- Opening hoursThe terrace on Level 8 opens from 09:00 to 22:00. The exhibitions on Level 7 open from 09:00 to 20:00. Check official notices for maintenance and other changes.
- Getting thereWalk about one minute from Ginza line Asakusa station exit 2 to the centre opposite Kaminarimon. Luggage storage ended on 31 March 2026.
Official guideAccess guideLuggage storage termination notice
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building South Observatory
東京都庁南展望室
Consider the South Observation Room for free city views in Shinjuku. Allow time to queue for the dedicated lift.
- AdmissionFree admission.
- Opening hoursThe South Observatory opens from 09:30 to 22:00, with last entry at 21:30. Check the official calendar for closures including the first and third Tuesdays, New Year and building inspections. When a closure day is a public holiday, follow the next-weekday closure guidance.
- Getting thereWalk about ten minutes from JR Shinjuku’s West Exit to the government building. Take the dedicated observation room lift from Level 1 of Building No. 1. Waiting is additional to the walk.
- When this visit fits the itineraryFour-day A and five-day A visit after arrival; four-day B visits on departure morning. Skip it on closure days or when entry queues are long. On departure day, allow time afterwards to collect luggage at your accommodation and reach the airport.
Official operationsAdditional official information
Shinjuku Central Park
新宿中央公園
Visit Central Park to the west of Shinjuku for shaded and waterside paths among the tall buildings. It suits a short walk after the government observation room. It is separate from the paid Shinjuku Gyoen garden.
- AdmissionGeneral walking admission is free. Paid sports facilities, shops and activities are excluded.
- Opening hoursThe park is listed as open every day. The management office’s 09:00–17:00 hours are not the opening hours of the entire park. Walk during daylight and check works and access restrictions.
- Getting thereWalk about ten minutes from JR Shinjuku station’s West Exit. On departure day, return by the same route and collect luggage at your Shinjuku accommodation.
- When this visit fits the itineraryFour-day A and five-day A include a light departure-morning walk. Choose it only if there is enough time afterwards to collect luggage at the same accommodation and travel to the airport.
Tourism association admission guideOfficial operationsOfficial access
Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens
旧岩崎邸庭園
Choose this visit for a decorated Western-style mansion, a large Japanese-style room and a lawn garden. Look at the wallpaper and veranda columns in the wooden Western-style building designed by British architect Josiah Conder.
- AdmissionStandard admission is JPY 400.
- Opening hoursThe gardens open from 09:00 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:30. They close from 29 December to 1 January. Check official guidance for events and temporary changes.
- Getting thereWalk about 15 minutes from JR Okachimachi station. Wear socks when entering the building. Separate guided visits to the underground passage and billiard room are excluded.
- When this visit fits the itineraryFive-day B visits on arrival day. Arrive before last admission with enough viewing time. If you stop at your accommodation first, add that travel time. Leave out the visit after a late arrival.
Yushima Tenmangu
湯島天満宮
Worship at this shrine associated with study and examination success, and see the bronze torii and cypress-wood main sanctuary. Choose it for a short stop near Ueno or Okachimachi. To avoid stairs, check the sloping route on the official access map.
- AdmissionWorship in the grounds is free. The treasure exhibition, prayer services and charms are excluded.
- Opening hoursGates open 06:00–20:00. Prayer services and the treasure exhibition have separate hours.
- Getting thereWalk about eight minutes from JR Okachimachi station’s North Exit. The grounds are elevated; use the official access map to choose stairs or the sloping path.
- When this visit fits the itineraryFive-day B makes a short departure-morning visit. Choose it only if there is enough time afterwards to collect luggage at your Ueno accommodation and reach the airport.
Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau Bunkyo guide PDFYushima Tenmangu access by station
Frequently asked questions
Are Ueno Zoo and Shinjuku Gyoen both closed on Mondays?
Both normally close on Mondays, with exceptions for public holidays and certain periods. Check each facility’s calendar. If both are closed, move each visit to a day when it opens. Use that day for Sensoji and Nakamise instead. Check shop hours separately from main hall worship hours.
Official operating informationMinistry of the Environment guide
Does the Mt. Takao cable car take me straight to the summit?
No. It reaches Takaosan station on the mountainside. Reaching the summit requires a further walk on mountain paths. These itineraries walk near the cable car station and return; summit hiking is excluded. Check the last descending cable car first.
Does a Skytree ticket include the Tembo Galleria?
There are separate tickets for the 350-metre Tembo Deck and for both the 350-metre deck and 450-metre Tembo Galleria. Adult advance web tickets start at JPY 1,800 for the deck or JPY 3,000 for both. Prices vary by visit date, age and purchase method. Choose the ticket for the areas you want to visit. The itinerary subtotal uses the minimum advance deck price.
Official sources and dates checked
- Official operating information ·
- Sensoji rail and walking access ·
- Zoo main entrance access ·
- Ministry of the Environment guide ·
- Access to each garden gate ·
- Shrine access ·
- Official Skytree rail access ·
- Official cable railway access ·
- Tickets ·
- Opening hours ·
- Gate-opening information ·
- Cable car fares and hours ·
- Keio fare table ·
- Official guide ·
- Official access guide ·
- Official guide ·
- Access guide ·
- Luggage storage termination notice ·
- Official guide ·
- Official operations ·
- Additional official information ·
- Official operations ·
- Official access ·
- Tourism association admission guide ·
- Official operations ·
- Additional official information ·
- Yushima Tenmangu access by station ·
- Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau Bunkyo guide PDF ·
- Sensoji main hall opening hours and official guide ·
- Official shrine access diagram ·
- Current Toshogu Japanese admission and visiting hours ·
- JR Shibuya South Gate guidance ·
- Official Meiji Jingu FAQ and free worship ·
- Official Meiji Jingu Museum guide ·