Where should you go in Tokyo?
Look at Asakusa and Skytree for a temple and viewpoint, or Ueno for animals and a park walk. Combine gardens, the shrine and street walks around Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya. For mountain scenery, take a separate day from Shinjuku to the middle of Mount Takao, leaving enough time to walk and return.
Choose attractions separately from an itinerary
Senso-ji
Sensoji Temple浅草寺
Choose Senso-ji to explore Asakusa’s temple and shopping street together. Walk from Kaminarimon along Nakamise to worship in the main hall. Check main hall and shop hours separately if also planning shopping or meals. Paid special access, prayers and souvenirs beyond general worship are excluded from itinerary costs.
- HoursMain hall: April–September 06:00–17:00; October–March 06:30–17:00.
- Getting thereWalk from Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line or Toei Asakusa Line. Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station is in a different location.
Senso-ji main hall hours and official informationSenso-ji rail and walking access
Tokyo Skytree
TOKYO SKYTREE東京スカイツリー
Visit Skytree for Tokyo’s buildings and streets from above. Choose tickets according to whether you want the 350 m Tembo Deck only or the 450 m Tembo Galleria too. Clouds or rain may obscure distant views.
- AdmissionAdult online prices start at JPY 1,800 for the Tembo Deck or JPY 3,000 for the deck and galleria. Counter purchases add a JPY 500 issuing fee per ticket. Check your actual date and child categories on the purchase screen.
- Hours and bookingCheck the operating calendar and admission time for your date before booking. Do not apply another date’s hours unchanged.
- Getting thereTake Tobu from Asakusa to Tokyo Skytree Station, or use Oshiage according to your hotel route.
Ueno Zoo
上野動物園
Add Ueno Zoo if you would like to spend time watching elephants, giraffes and other animals. Exhibits are divided between the East and West Gardens, so locate the animals you want to see before choosing your walking route. Check the day's notices for individual animal availability.
- AdmissionAdmission is ¥600 for adults, ¥300 for visitors aged 65 and over, and ¥200 for junior high school students. Children through Grade 6 enter free. The exemption for junior high school students living or studying in Tokyo requires evidence and does not apply to every visitor.
- HoursOpen 09:30–17:00, with entry until 16:00. Normally closed Mondays and 29 December–1 January. When Monday is a public holiday, the zoo closes the following day; check the calendar for exceptions.
- Getting thereThe official route takes about 5 minutes on foot from JR Ueno Station's Park Exit to the main gate.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden新宿御苑
Leave time for Shinjuku Gyoen if you would like a relaxed garden walk between city sights. An early visit makes room for both walking and resting. For flowers or autumn colours, check the seasonal updates near your travel date.
- AdmissionAdmission is ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for visitors aged 65 and over or students aged 16 and over. Visitors aged 15 and under enter free.
- HoursFrom 1 October to 14 March, open 09:00–16:30 with entry until 16:00. From 15 March to 30 September, closing is 18:00; from 11 June to 31 July, it is 19:00. Entry ends 30 minutes before each closing time. Normally closed Mondays and 29 December–3 January, with exceptions and advance reservation conditions during flower seasons.
- Getting thereShinjuku Gate is about 10 minutes on foot from Shinjuku Station's South Exit, or about 5 minutes from Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station Exit 1 or Shinjuku-sanchome Station Exit E5. Other gates have different approaches.
Ministry of the Environment informationShinjuku Gyoen access by gate
Meiji Jingu
明治神宮
Visit Meiji Jingu for a forest walk and shrine visit from Harajuku. Allow time to walk from the entrance to the main shrine, then continue to Harajuku's shopping streets.
- AdmissionVisiting the shrine grounds is free. The Inner Garden and museum charge separate admission; this shrine itinerary does not include either.
- HoursOpening and closing times change by month. October hours are 05:40–16:40.
- Getting thereApproach the South Entrance from JR Harajuku Station or Meiji-jingumae Station Exit 2. The entrance is about 1 minute from the station, followed by at least another 10 minutes on foot to the main shrine.
Meiji Jingu official FAQ and free shrine accessOfficial Meiji Jingu Museum informationOpening timesShrine accessOfficial shrine access illustration
Mount Takao Cable Car
Mt. Takao Cable Car高尾山ケーブルカー
Compare the Mount Takao Cable Car and a mid-mountain walk if you want mountain scenery without a full climb to the summit. The cable car only reaches the middle of the mountain. Reaching the summit requires further walking on mountain paths, beyond the mid-mountain walk in these itineraries.
- AdmissionCable car fares are ¥490 one way or ¥980 return for adults, and ¥250 or ¥500 for children. The adult one-way fare of ¥430 on an ordinary Keio train from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi is separate.
- HoursThe ride from Kiyotaki to Takaosan Station takes about 6 minutes. The usual first departure is 08:00. From September to November, the last departure is 17:45 on weekdays and 18:00 on weekends and public holidays. Maintenance, weather and events may affect service.
- Getting thereTake a Keio train towards Takaosanguchi from Shinjuku. Some services require a transfer at Kitano. Walk about 5 minutes from Takaosanguchi Station to Kiyotaki Station to board the cable car.
Cable car fares and timetableKeio fare chartOfficial cable railway access
Ueno Park
Tokyo Metropolitan Ueno Park上野恩賜公園
Walk through Ueno Park for the fountain plaza, tree-lined paths and Shinobazu Pond. It also offers a place to pause after the zoo. Choose the park walk separately from paid museum or zoo visits.
- AdmissionFree. Museums, the zoo and boats charge separately.
- HoursOpen 05:00–23:00.
- Getting thereEnter across from JR Ueno Station's Park Exit. A walking route can take in the fountain plaza, central paths, Saigo statue and Shinobazu Pond in that order.
Ueno Toshogu
上野東照宮
Choose this stop in Ueno Park to see the gold-covered shrine building and surrounding wall. Admission inside the wall and the separate peony garden are distinct visits.
- AdmissionAdmission inside the wall is ¥700 for adults. The building interior is not open to visitors, and the peony garden charges separately.
- HoursFree shrine access starts at 09:00 and ends at 16:30 from October to February or 17:30 from March to September. Paid access inside the wall starts at 09:30 and ends at 16:00 from October to February or 17:00 from March to September. Season and weather may affect hours.
- Getting thereWalk from JR Ueno Station's Park Exit to Toshogu in about 10 minutes.
Current Japanese Toshogu admission and visiting hoursOfficial access information
Hachiko Statue
忠犬ハチ公像
See the Hachiko Statue beside Shibuya Station, then continue to the nearby scramble crossing. JR advises using the South Gate instead of the crowded Hachiko Gate. Keep your stop brief if the plaza is busy.
- AdmissionNo facility admission ticket is required to view the outdoor statue.
- HoursThis is an outdoor plaza. Events, crowds and on-site controls may affect access.
- Getting thereThe statue is in the plaza by the Hachiko Exit. To reduce congestion, JR advises leaving through the South Gate and walking about 250 m to the plaza. Use the South Gate on your return as well.
Official informationJR Shibuya Station South Gate access advice
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
浅草文化観光センター
Visit the free observation terrace opposite Kaminarimon for a view over Asakusa's streets. You can also browse the exhibits, either before or after Senso-ji or during a short visit on another day.
- AdmissionThe eighth-floor observation terrace is free.
- HoursThe eighth-floor terrace is open 09:00–22:00, and the seventh-floor exhibition area 09:00–20:00. Check official notices for changes due to maintenance or other work.
- Getting thereWalk from Asakusa Station Exit 2 on the Ginza Line to the centre opposite Kaminarimon in about 1 minute. Luggage storage ended on 31 March 2026.
Official informationAccess informationLuggage storage closure notice
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building South Observatory
東京都庁南展望室
Consider the South Observatory for a free view over the city from Shinjuku. Allow extra time to wait for the dedicated elevator.
- AdmissionAdmission is free.
- HoursOpen 09:30–22:00, with entry until 21:30. Check the official calendar for closures on the first and third Tuesdays, over the year-end holidays and during building inspections. When a closure falls on a public holiday, follow the notice for the next weekday.
- Getting thereWalk about 10 minutes from JR Shinjuku Station's West Exit to the government building, then take the observatory elevator from the first floor of Main Building No. 1. Elevator waiting time is additional to the walk.
- When to include this stopThe 4-day A and 5-day A itineraries visit after arrival; the 4-day B itinerary visits on the departure morning. Skip it on closure days or when the entry queue is long. On departure day, leave enough time to collect your luggage from your hotel and reach the airport afterwards.
Shinjuku Central Park
新宿中央公園
Visit Shinjuku Central Park west of the station for shade and waterside paths among the tall buildings. It also suits a short walk after the government building observatory. This park is separate from the paid Shinjuku Gyoen garden.
- AdmissionOrdinary park walks are free. Paid sports facilities, shops and activities are excluded.
- HoursThe park is listed as open daily. The management office's 09:00–17:00 hours do not describe the opening hours of the whole park. Plan a daytime walk and check construction and access notices.
- Getting thereWalk from JR Shinjuku Station's West Exit to the park in about 10 minutes. On departure day, return along the same route to collect your luggage from your Shinjuku hotel.
- When to include this stopThe 4-day A and 5-day A itineraries include a short walk on the departure morning. Choose it only when you have time to collect your luggage from the same hotel and continue to the airport afterwards.
Tourism association admission informationOfficial visitor informationOfficial access
Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens
旧岩崎邸庭園
Choose this stop to see a Western-style residence, large Japanese-style rooms and a lawn garden together. Inside the wooden Western-style house designed by British architect Josiah Conder, look for the wallpaper and decorated veranda columns.
- AdmissionGeneral admission is ¥400.
- HoursOpen 09:00–17:00, with entry until 16:30. Closed 29 December–1 January. Check official information for events and temporary changes.
- Getting thereWalk from JR Okachimachi Station to the garden in about 15 minutes. Wear socks inside the building. Separate guided visits to the underground passage and billiard room are excluded.
- When to include this stopVisit on the first day of the 5-day B itinerary. Arrive before the last admission time with enough time to explore. Add the travel time if you stop at your hotel first. Omit this stop after a late arrival in Japan.
Yushima Tenmangu
湯島天満宮
Visit this shrine associated with learning and exam success to see its bronze torii and cypress main building. It suits a short stop around Ueno or Okachimachi. To avoid stairs, consult the official access map for the sloping approach.
- AdmissionShrine grounds access is free. The treasure hall, prayer services and amulets are excluded.
- HoursGates open 06:00–20:00. Gate hours differ from the operating hours of prayer services, the treasure hall and other facilities.
- Getting thereWalk from JR Okachimachi Station's North Exit to the shrine in about 8 minutes. The grounds are elevated; use the official access map to choose between stairs and a slope.
- When to include this stopThe 5-day B itinerary includes a short shrine visit on the departure morning. Include it only if you have time afterwards to collect your luggage from your Ueno hotel 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 separately. If closures overlap, move each visit to an open day. You can substitute Senso-ji and Nakamise that day. Check shop hours separately from the main hall's worship hours.
Official operating informationMinistry of the Environment information
Does the Mount Takao Cable Car go straight to the summit?
It reaches Takaosan Station partway up the mountain. The summit requires further walking on mountain paths after you leave the cable car. These itineraries walk near the cable car station and return, without a summit hike. Check the final downhill departure first.
Does a Skytree ticket include the Tembo Galleria?
There are separate tickets for the 350 m Tembo Deck and for both the 350 m deck and 450 m Tembo Galleria. Adult advance online tickets start at ¥1,800 for the deck or ¥3,000 for both. Prices vary by visit date, age and purchase method, so choose the ticket for the areas you want to visit. Itinerary subtotals use the lowest advance deck price.
Official sources and dates checked
- Official operating information ·
- Senso-ji rail and walking access ·
- Zoo main gate access ·
- Ministry of the Environment information ·
- Shinjuku Gyoen access by gate ·
- Shrine access ·
- Official Skytree rail access ·
- Official cable railway access ·
- Tickets ·
- Hours ·
- Opening times ·
- Cable car fares and timetable ·
- Keio fare chart ·
- Official information ·
- Official access information ·
- Official information ·
- Access information ·
- Luggage storage closure notice ·
- Official information ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Additional official sources ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Official access ·
- Tourism association admission information ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Additional official sources ·
- Yushima Tenmangu access by station ·
- Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau Bunkyo guide PDF ·
- Senso-ji main hall hours and official information ·
- Official shrine access illustration ·
- Current Japanese Toshogu admission and visiting hours ·
- JR Shibuya Station South Gate access advice ·
- Meiji Jingu official FAQ and free shrine access ·
- Official Meiji Jingu Museum information ·