Where should you stay, and what should you see in Tokyo?

Ueno

Choose this for Asakusa, Ueno Park and the zoo, or an arrival from Narita Airport via Nippori or Ueno.

JR Ueno and Keisei Ueno do not share ticket gates. Check the walk to your hotel from each separately.

Senso-ji rail and walking access2026-10-08Zoo main gate access2026-10-08Skyliner stops2026-10-08JR Tokyo area route map2026-10-08

Shinjuku

Consider this for Shinjuku Gyoen, Central Park to the west and a Keio Line trip to Mount Takao.

JR, Keio and subway platforms are separate. Check the walk from your planned hotel to each station and exit you’ll use.

Shinjuku Gyoen access by gate2026-10-08Official access2026-10-08Keio fare chart2026-10-08JR Tokyo area route map2026-10-08

Tokyo Station

Choose this for intercity trains or exploring Marunouchi.

Check whether your hotel is on the Marunouchi or Yaesu side, then look at the route and walking time from that side’s exit.

JR Tokyo Station platforms and floor plan2026-10-08JR Tokyo area route map2026-10-08

Asakusa · 浅草: temple and viewpoints

Continue from Senso-ji to Skytree if you want a high-level view after the temple visit and walk. Go to Tobu Asakusa Station first and get off at Tokyo Skytree Station. A short temple-only visit costs less than one including the observatory. For a free view, also compare the eighth floor of Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center.

Senso-ji rail and walking access2026-10-08Official Skytree rail access2026-10-08Official information2026-10-08

Ueno · 上野: zoo and park

Spend a day at Ueno Zoo if seeing animals is your priority. You can also choose a park walk and Toshogu, but zoo admission and Toshogu's paid viewing area are separate from the park. Check access from Okachimachi for Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens and Yushima Tenmangu, and spread those visits across other days.

Official operating information2026-10-08Official information2026-10-08Current Japanese Toshogu admission and visiting hours2026-10-08Official visitor information2026-10-08Yushima Tenmangu access by station2026-10-08

Shinjuku · 新宿: gardens and western viewpoints

Approach Shinjuku Gyoen from JR Shinjuku Station's South Exit, and the government building's South Observatory and Shinjuku Central Park from the West Exit. Calculate walking times from the appropriate side of the station. Splitting the garden, free observatory and park across different days can leave room for a short departure-day visit.

Shinjuku Gyoen access by gate2026-10-08Additional official sources2026-10-08Official access2026-10-08

Harajuku · 原宿 / Shibuya · 渋谷

Enter Meiji Jingu through the South Entrance on the Harajuku side. Visit the shrine first, then go to Shibuya for Hachiko and the crossing area. The shrine closes around sunset, so avoid leaving it until after late shopping. In Shibuya, compare JR's recommended South Gate approach.

Shrine access2026-10-08Opening times2026-10-08JR Shibuya Station South Gate access advice2026-10-08Official information2026-10-08

Mt. Takao · 高尾山: a day walking midway up the mountain

Take Keio from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi, then walk to Kiyotaki Station for the cable car. Its upper station is below the summit. This itinerary enjoys the views near the station and a mid-mountain walk before returning to Shinjuku by the same cable car and Keio route. It excludes a summit hike and local overnight stay.

Official cable railway access2026-10-08Cable car fares and timetable2026-10-08Keio fare chart2026-10-08Takao Tozan Railway information on viewpoints near the station2026-10-09

Asakusa: a meal after the temple walk

Consider Edomae sushi in Asakusa. After Senso-ji, decide whether to eat locally before going to Skytree or after the observatory. The existing food guide also lists tempura and grilled eel options. Check each restaurant's menu and opening hours.

GO TOKYO: Asakusa area and food2026-10-09

Ueno: yakitori or a meal after the zoo

Look for izakaya and yakitori restaurants under Ueno's elevated railway. You can eat in Ueno after the zoo and return to the same hotel. If adding Ameyoko shopping, consider the extra walking.

GO TOKYO: Ueno walks and food2026-10-09

Shinjuku: ramen or dinner after returning to your hotel area

Otaki-bashi-dori, known for its ramen shops, runs from west of JR Shinjuku Station towards Okubo Station. Eating in Shinjuku after the garden, shrine or Mount Takao reduces the need for another evening trip across town.

GO TOKYO: Tokyo food and dining areas2026-10-09

Shibuya: combine your walk with a meal

On the day you walk around Hachiko and the crossing, choose whether to eat in Shibuya or return to your Shinjuku hotel area. Browse ramen and yakitori options in the existing food guide, then check the restaurant's menu, hours and your return station.

Official information2026-10-08JR Shibuya Station South Gate access advice2026-10-08

For one return trip, start with individual fares

The verified adult subway return fare in this representative itinerary is ¥356 with IC or ¥360 with paper tickets. That return trip alone costs less than the ¥1,000 24-hour pass. Add any other lines and journeys before comparing.

Ginza Line section information2026-10-08Metro fare search2026-10-0814 March 2026 change notice2026-10-08

Ordinary tickets last 24, 48 or 72 hours from first use

Ordinary adult Tokyo Subway Tickets cost ¥1,000 for 24 hours, ¥1,500 for 48 hours and ¥2,000 for 72 hours. Nights stayed and pass hours are different, so compare your first ticket-gate entry with your final journey. Regional JR rail passes cover different lines.

Tokyo Subway Ticket is for foreign visitors to Japan and domestic travellers living outside Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma and Yamanashi. Foreign visitors show a passport to establish eligibility for in-person purchases; online purchase is also available. Domestic travellers should check their separate sellers and purchase conditions. Attraction combination tickets have no residency restriction. Ordinary tickets start from the first ticket-gate entry, while IC tickets start at purchase, so check which product you are buying.

Official Tokyo subway tourist ticket information2026-10-0814 March 2026 change notice2026-10-08Tokyo Subway Ticket sales conditions and validity by type2026-10-09

For Monday visits, check the zoo and Shinjuku Gyoen calendars

Both facilities have Monday closures and exceptions. Public holiday and special seasonal openings differ, so check each calendar for your date. Move zoo or garden visits to another open day if needed, and use that day for a temple or street walk instead.

Official operating information2026-10-08Ministry of the Environment information2026-10-08

Visit Mount Takao when a return cable car journey is possible

Plan the downhill cable car and Shinjuku-bound train before the mid-mountain walk. If strong winds or a suspension prevent cable car use, omit the mountain that day rather than substituting a walk to the summit.

Cable car fares and timetable2026-10-08Official cable railway access2026-10-08

A reference view towards the main hall

The camera offers a reference view towards Senso-ji's main hall. It does not show all Nakamise crowds or entry waits. Check broadcast status on the official site and follow on-site operations and controls separately.

Senso-ji main hall hours and official information2026-10-08