Where should I go in Tokyo?
Consider Asakusa/Skytree for temple and views, or Ueno for animals and park walks. Combine gardens, shrine and streets in Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya. For mountain scenery, take a day trip from Shinjuku to Takao's middle slopes. A separate day from city sights leaves time to walk and return.
Choose sights independently of an itinerary
Senso-ji
Sensoji Temple浅草寺
Visit Senso-ji to combine Asakusa's temple and shopping street. Walk from Kaminarimon through Nakamise, then worship at the main hall. If shopping or eating too, check worship times separately from shop hours. Paid special openings, prayers and souvenirs beyond ordinary 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 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's observation decks for Tokyo's buildings and streets from above. Tickets differ for the 350-metre Tembo Deck alone or also the 450-metre Tembo Galleria. Cloud or rain may obscure distant views.
- AdmissionAdult web prices start at 1,800 yen for Tembo Deck and 3,000 yen for the deck-and-galleria combination. Counter purchases add a 500-yen issuing fee per ticket. Check actual dates and child age bands on the purchase screen.
- Hours and reservationsCheck the operating calendar and admission times for your date before booking. Do not apply another date's hours.
- Getting thereFrom Asakusa, take Tobu to Tokyo Skytree Station, or use Oshiage Station if it suits your hotel route.
Ueno Zoo
上野動物園
Include Ueno Zoo if you want time observing animals such as elephants and giraffes. Exhibits are divided between east and west areas; locate your preferred animals first to plan your walking order. Check the day's notices for individual animal exhibits.
- AdmissionGeneral admission 600 yen; ages 65 and above 300 yen; junior high school students 200 yen; free through elementary school year 6. The exemption for junior high pupils living or studying in Tokyo requires evidence and does not apply to every visitor.
- HoursHours 09:30–17:00, admission until 16:00. Usually closed Mondays and 29 December–1 January. If Monday is a public holiday, closed the next day; the calendar has exceptions.
- Getting thereOfficial directions give about 5 minutes on foot from JR Ueno's Park Exit to the Main Gate.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden新宿御苑
Allow time in Shinjuku Gyoen for garden paths between city visits. A morning entry leaves time for walking and rest. For flowers or autumn colours, check seasonal reports around your visit.
- AdmissionAdults 500 yen; ages 65 and above and students aged 16 and above 250 yen; ages 15 and below free.
- Hours1 October–14 March: 09:00–16:30, last admission 16:00. 15 March–30 September: closes 18:00, except 11 June–31 July, when it closes 19:00. Last admission is 30 minutes before each closing time. Usually closed Mondays and 29 December–3 January; flower seasons have exceptions and advance-reservation conditions.
- Getting thereShinjuku Gate is about a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station's South Exit, or about 5 minutes from Shinjuku-gyoemmae exit 1 or Shinjuku-sanchome exit E5. Other gates have different routes.
Meiji Jingu
明治神宮
Visit Meiji Jingu for wooded paths and worship from Harajuku. There is still a walk from the entrance to the main sanctuary. Afterwards, continue to Harajuku's shopping streets.
- AdmissionWorship in the grounds is free. The garden and museum charge separately and are excluded from the shrine itinerary.
- HoursOpening and closing times change by month. October hours are 05:40–16:40.
- Getting thereReach the southern entrance from JR Harajuku or Meiji-jingumae subway exit 2. Allow about 1 minute from the station to the entrance, then at least about 10 minutes more to the main sanctuary.
Meiji Jingu official FAQ: free worshipMeiji Jingu Museum official informationGate opening timesShrine accessShrine official access diagram
Mount Takao Cable Car
Mt. Takao Cable Car高尾山ケーブルカー
Compare Mount Takao's cable car and middle-slope walks if you want mountain scenery without a walking summit climb. The cable car reaches only the middle slopes. Reaching the summit requires further mountain walking after getting off; distinguish it from the middle-slope itineraries.
- AdmissionAdults one way 490 yen or return 980 yen; children 250 yen or 500 yen. The adult ordinary-train fare between Keio Shinjuku and Takaosanguchi is separately 430 yen one way.
- HoursKiyotaki–Takaosan ride: about 6 minutes. Usually starts at 08:00. September–November last services: weekdays 17:45; weekends/public holidays 18:00. Inspections, weather or events can change services.
- Getting thereTake a Takaosanguchi-bound train from Keio Shinjuku; some require a Kitano transfer. Walk about 5 minutes from Takaosanguchi to Kiyotaki, then board the cable car.
Cable car fares and timesKeio faresOfficial cable railway access
Ueno Park
Tokyo Metropolitan Ueno Park上野恩賜公園
Walk in Ueno Park for its fountain plaza, tree-lined paths and Shinobazu Pond. It also offers a break after the zoo. Choose park walks separately from paid museums or zoo visits.
- AdmissionFree. Museums, zoo and boats cost separately.
- HoursHours are 05:00–23:00.
- Getting thereEnter opposite JR Ueno's Park Exit. You can walk via the fountain plaza, central path and Saigo statue to Shinobazu Pond.
Ueno Toshogu
上野東照宮
Choose Ueno Toshogu for gilded buildings and walls in Ueno Park. Distinguish the paid area inside the wall from the separate peony garden.
- AdmissionAdult admission inside the wall: 700 yen. Building interiors are closed to visitors; the peony garden is separate.
- HoursFree worship starts at 09:00; closes 16:30 in October–February or 17:30 in March–September. Paid visits inside the wall start at 09:30; close 16:00 in October–February or 17:00 in March–September. Season and weather can change hours.
- Getting thereWalk about 10 minutes from JR Ueno's Park Exit.
Toshogu current Japanese prices, worship and viewing hoursOfficial access
Hachiko Statue
忠犬ハチ公像
See Hachiko beside Shibuya Station, then continue to the adjacent scramble crossing. JR advises the South Gate instead of the crowded Hachiko Gate. Shorten your stay if the square is busy.
- AdmissionNo facility admission ticket is needed to see the outdoor statue.
- HoursAn outdoor square. Events, crowds and local controls can change access.
- Getting thereThe statue stands in the square on the Hachiko Exit side. To reduce crowding, JR advises using the South Gate and walking about 250 metres to the square. Use the South Gate on your return too.
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
浅草文化観光センター
Visit the free terrace opposite Kaminarimon for views over Asakusa's streets. You can also see exhibitions, either before or after Senso-ji or during a short visit on another day.
- AdmissionFloor 8 viewing terrace: free.
- HoursFloor 8 terrace 09:00–22:00; floor 7 exhibitions 09:00–20:00. Check official notices for maintenance and other changes.
- Getting thereWalk about 1 minute from Ginza Line Asakusa exit 2 to the centre opposite Kaminarimon. 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 free city views in Shinjuku. Allow time to queue for its dedicated lift.
- AdmissionAdmission is free.
- HoursHours 09:30–22:00, admission until 21:30. Check the official calendar for closures including first and third Tuesdays, New Year and 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's West Exit to the government building and take the dedicated observatory lift on floor 1 of No. 1 Building. Queues are extra to the walk.
- When to choose this visit4-day A and 5-day A visit after arrival; 4-day B visits on departure morning. Skip it during closure or long entry queues. On departure day, allow time afterwards to collect hotel-stored luggage and reach the airport.
Shinjuku Central Park
新宿中央公園
Visit western Shinjuku's Central Park for shaded and waterside paths among tall buildings. It also suits a short walk after the government-building observatory. This differs from paid Shinjuku Gyoen.
- AdmissionOrdinary walks are free. Paid sports facilities, shops and activities are excluded.
- HoursThe park is listed as open daily. Management office hours of 09:00–17:00 are not the whole park's opening hours. Walk in daylight and check works and access-control notices.
- Getting thereWalk about 10 minutes from JR Shinjuku's West Exit. On departure day, return the same way and collect luggage at your Shinjuku hotel.
- When to choose this visit4-day A and 5-day A include a short departure-morning walk. Choose it only if you have time afterwards to collect luggage from the same hotel and reach the airport.
Tourism association: admissionOfficial operationsOfficial access
Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens
旧岩崎邸庭園
Choose this garden for a Western-style mansion's decoration, a large Japanese-style room and a lawn garden. Look at wallpaper and veranda column details in the wooden Western-style residence designed by British architect Josiah Conder.
- AdmissionGeneral admission is 400 yen.
- HoursHours 09:00–17:00, admission until 16:30. Closed 29 December–1 January. Check official information for events and temporary changes.
- Getting thereWalk about 15 minutes from JR Okachimachi. Wear socks inside the buildings. Separate guided visits to the underground passage and billiard room are excluded.
- When to choose this visitVisit on day 1 of 5-day B. Arrive before last admission with enough time to view the residence. Add hotel travel time if stopping there first. Omit it after a late international arrival.
Yushima Tenmangu
湯島天満宮
This shrine is associated with academic success. Worship and see the bronze torii and cypress-wood main sanctuary during a short visit near Ueno or Okachimachi. To avoid stairs, look at the sloping path in its official access map.
- AdmissionWorship in the grounds is free. Treasure hall, prayers and amulets are excluded.
- HoursGates open 06:00–20:00. Gate hours differ from prayer and treasure-hall hours.
- Getting thereWalk about 8 minutes from JR Okachimachi's North Exit. The grounds are elevated; choose stairs or a sloping path using the official access map.
- When to choose this visitIn 5-day B, make a short visit on departure morning only if time remains afterwards to collect luggage from your Ueno hotel and reach the airport.
Tokyo tourism foundation: Bunkyo PDFYushima Tenmangu access by station
Frequently asked questions
Are both the zoo and Shinjuku Gyoen closed on Mondays?
Both usually close on Mondays, but public holidays and specific periods have exceptions. Check Ueno Zoo and Shinjuku Gyoen calendars separately. If closures overlap, move each to an opening day. You can choose Senso-ji worship and Nakamise browsing instead that day; shop hours differ from main-hall worship hours.
Does the Mount Takao cable car reach the summit?
It reaches Takaosan Station on the middle slopes. The summit requires further mountain walking. These itineraries walk near the cable car station and return; they exclude a summit hike. Check the last descending cable car first.
Does a Skytree ticket include Tembo Galleria?
There are separate tickets for the 350-metre Tembo Deck alone or both the deck and 450-metre Tembo Galleria. Adult advance web prices start at 1,800 yen for the deck or 3,000 yen for both. Prices vary by date, age and purchase method. Choose the areas you want; itinerary subtotals use the lowest advance deck price.
Official sources and dates checked
- Official operations ·
- Senso-ji rail and walking access ·
- Zoo Main Gate access ·
- Ministry of the Environment information ·
- Gyoen access by gate ·
- Shrine access ·
- Skytree official rail access ·
- Official cable railway access ·
- Tickets ·
- Hours ·
- Gate opening times ·
- Cable car fares and times ·
- Keio fares ·
- Official information ·
- Official access ·
- Official information ·
- Access information ·
- Luggage storage closure notice ·
- Official information ·
- Official operations ·
- Further official material ·
- Official operations ·
- Official access ·
- Tourism association: admission ·
- Official operations ·
- Further official material ·
- Yushima Tenmangu access by station ·
- Tokyo tourism foundation: Bunkyo PDF ·
- Senso-ji main-hall hours and official information ·
- Shrine official access diagram ·
- Toshogu current Japanese prices, worship and viewing hours ·
- JR Shibuya Station: South Gate guidance ·
- Meiji Jingu official FAQ: free worship ·
- Meiji Jingu Museum official information ·