How to plan a visit to Tokyo
Tokyo’s neighbourhoods offer very different days out: Asakusa for old shopping streets, Shinjuku or Shibuya for a busier evening. Disneyland, DisneySea and Fuji-Q are outside central Tokyo, so give each park its own day.
When and where to go in Tokyo
Where can I see spring blossoms?
Ueno Park pairs blossoms with museums; Shinjuku Gyoen is for a slower garden walk. Late March to early April is typical, but check the year’s bloom report and the garden’s entry rules.
What works for an autumn walk?
Start with Shinjuku Gyoen if a garden walk appeals to you. Trees change at different times, so one date will not give the same autumn colour across Tokyo.
Where should I spend my first evening?
For a busy evening, choose Shibuya or Shinjuku. Neither is a walk from Asakusa, so check the train back to your accommodation.
Where to go in Tokyo
Asakusa and Senso-ji
Walk from Kaminarimon through Nakamise to Senso-ji. When the main approach is crowded, separate your temple visit from a food stop.
Food to look for Asakusa is a place to look for tempura or eel. Decide whether you want a quick snack or a sit-down meal.
The view is towards Senso-ji’s main hall and the approach in front of it. Open the camera →
Shinjuku Gyoen and Shinjuku
Choose Shinjuku Gyoen for a garden break in the city. Check its closing time and the entrance you plan to use before arranging dinner.
Food to look for For dinner, look for ramen or yakitori around Shinjuku Station. Pick a precise meeting point: the station has many exits.
Explore food in Shinjuku, Tokyo →
It may not fit a late-evening plan. Check opening hours, closures and the admission date. Official requirements ↗ Trip.com affiliate linkCheck Shinjuku Gyoen admission options ↗
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Cross from the Hachiko side to take in Shibuya’s busy centre. Keep moving with the pedestrian signal rather than stopping in the crossing for photos.
Food to look for There are many food choices around Shibuya Station. If you stay late, check your route back as well.
This camera shows the Koen-dori area, not the Scramble Crossing itself. Open the camera →
Asakusa and Shinjuku are not a continuous walk. You can visit both in a day, but allow time for the train journey across the city.
Day trips from Tokyo
Tokyo Disneyland
Disneyland may suit you if Disney characters, parades and storybook-style areas appeal to you. You do not have to fill the day with rides, but the park is in Urayasu, Chiba, so allow a full day from Tokyo.
Food plan If you plan to eat inside the park, check that day’s restaurant hours and booking options in the official app.
DisneySea is a separate park. Check your date, park and any requirements for the rides you want.
Official requirements ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check Tokyo Disneyland ticket options ↗Tokyo DisneySea
Consider DisneySea for harbour-themed streets, shows and rides. The park is in Urayasu rather than central Tokyo, so check the transfer from Maihama Station.
Food plan Decide between eating in the park and around Maihama Station before planning your return train.
Disneyland is a separate park. Check the date and admission park, then the requirements and operating status of your chosen rides.
Official requirements ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check Tokyo DisneySea ticket options ↗Fuji-Q Highland
Fuji-Q suits a day built around coasters, separate from central Tokyo sightseeing. For only a few rides, compare free park entry and individual tickets with a day pass.
Food plan Decide whether to eat in the park or on the way back to Shinjuku so you can plan the return journey.
Age, height and health requirements vary by ride. Allow time to travel from Shinjuku and check whether the option includes a pass or bus.
Official requirements ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check Fuji-Q Highland one-day ride pass options ↗What and where to eat
Look for tempura or eel around Asakusa, or ramen and yakitori in Shinjuku. On a train day, allow enough time to get back to your platform at Tokyo Station.
Asakusa, Tokyo
Tempura · Grilled eel
After Senso-ji, look around the temple area or toward Asakusa Station for a meal. If a Sumida River walk is next, choose somewhere on that side of the neighborhood.
Read the local food guide →Affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying bookings.Find restaurants on AutoReserve ↗Shinjuku, Tokyo
Ramen · Izakaya dishes
In Shinjuku, the station exit matters almost as much as the restaurant address. Pick the side that suits your plans for Kabukicho or Shinjuku Gyoen so you don’t have to double back.
Read the local food guide →Affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying bookings.Find restaurants on AutoReserve ↗Shibuya, Tokyo
Yakitori · Ramen
Stay near Shibuya Station for dinner after shopping, or eat in Harajuku or Omotesando if your day takes you farther north.
Read the local food guide →Affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying bookings.Find restaurants on AutoReserve ↗Narita and Haneda airports to Tokyo
First check whether your flight lands at Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND). From Narita, N’EX serves Tokyo and Shinjuku; the Skyliner serves Nippori and Ueno. From Haneda, Keikyu runs via Shinagawa and the monorail via Hamamatsucho.
Narita Airport (NRT)
In Chiba, east of central Tokyo. Compare N’EX for Tokyo, Shibuya or Shinjuku with the Keisei Skyliner for Ueno or Nippori.
Official airport transport guide ↗Haneda Airport (HND)
A separate airport south of central Tokyo. Keikyu runs towards Shinagawa; the Tokyo Monorail runs towards Hamamatsucho. Choose by your hotel station, and do not buy a Narita-only ticket for Haneda.
Official airport transport guide ↗Narita Express N’EX → Tokyo Station or Shinjuku
Narita Airport → Tokyo Station from 53 min
Some services continue beyond Tokyo Station to Shibuya and Shinjuku without a transfer. N’EX does not stop at Ueno: use the Keisei route below for that area. If you are considering the Tokyo Wide Pass, see how it applies to N’EX below.
Check the operator’s current timetable and route ↗Keisei Skyliner → Nippori and Ueno
From Terminal 2·3 Station: Nippori from 36 min, Keisei-Ueno from 41 min
Convenient without a transfer for Nippori or Ueno. It does not go directly to Tokyo Station or Shinjuku.
Check the operator’s current timetable and route ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check Keisei Skyliner ticket options ↗Airport bus → Tokyo Station or Shinjuku area
Varies by airport, stop and traffic
Useful if the stop is near your hotel. Select Narita or Haneda carefully when booking.
Check the operator’s current timetable and route ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check Tokyo Airport Limousine Bus ticket options ↗Haneda Keikyu or monorail → via Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho
Depends on destination and transfer
Compare the transfer at Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho for Tokyo or Shinjuku. A Tokyo Subway Ticket does not cover these airport lines.
Check the operator’s current timetable and route ↗Tokyo, Shinjuku and rail trips farther out
The JR TOKYO Wide Pass is a three-day regional pass, not just a Shinjuku airport ticket. Check whether your arrival and out-of-town rail days fall together.
Narita Airport → Tokyo, Shibuya, Shinjuku
Some N’EX services continue through Tokyo Station to Shibuya and Shinjuku. Ordinary-class travel is covered during the pass validity; N’EX does not serve Ueno. Use the Keisei Skyliner for Ueno.
Check the operator’s route and coverage ↗Towards Nikko or Kawaguchiko
Covered options include JR–Tobu through limited expresses towards Nikko and Fujikyu Railway towards Kawaguchiko. Not every Tobu train qualifies, and some Fujikyu sightseeing trains require supplements. Check the exact service before buying.
Check the operator’s route and coverage ↗For a single airport trip, compare the ordinary ticket first. This pass is for non-Japanese passport holders; check seat reservations and the exact coverage with JR East.
Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check JR TOKYO Wide Pass (3 days) options ↗The Tokyo Wide Pass does not cover the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto or Osaka, or Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway.
Check camera views and weather
A camera only shows the area within its frame. Check the view on each camera page and use its forecast for extra context. Video, refreshed images and operating hours depend on the provider.
Tickets and transport passes
Check whether a product fits your itinerary. Dates, inclusions and cancellation rules can differ even for similarly named tickets.
Fuji-Q Highland one-day ride pass
Best for A ride pass is worth comparing if you plan several coasters. For a walk or just a few rides, free park entry with individual ride tickets may fit better.
Before booking Age, height and health requirements vary by ride. Allow time to travel from Shinjuku and check whether the option includes a pass or bus.
Read the official information ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check options and prices on Trip.com ↗Tokyo Subway 24/48/72-hour Ticket
Best for Compare it with ordinary fares if you plan several Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway rides.
Before booking It is not a pass for JR or every private railway. Check who operates each station on your route.
Read the official information ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check options and prices on Trip.com ↗Tokyo Disneyland ticket
Best for Choose it for Disney characters, parades and themed lands. A day with children or fewer rides is possible too.
Before booking DisneySea is a separate park. Check your date, park and any requirements for the rides you want.
Read the official information ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check options and prices on Trip.com ↗Tokyo DisneySea ticket
Best for Choose it for its harbour-themed areas, shows and rides. Couples, friends and families can each plan a different sort of day.
Before booking Disneyland is a separate park. Check the date and admission park, then the requirements and operating status of your chosen rides.
Read the official information ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check options and prices on Trip.com ↗Shinjuku Gyoen admission
Best for For a slower garden walk away from busy Shinjuku streets, not a ride-based attraction.
Before booking It may not fit a late-evening plan. Check opening hours, closures and the admission date.
Read the official information ↗Trip.com affiliate link · We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases.Check options and prices on Trip.com ↗