Should you spend the middle day on views or the zoo?
For views, spend the middle day at Senso-ji and Skytree; for animals and breaks, choose Ueno Zoo. Both routes stay two nights in Ueno. Finish with Toshogu on the views route or Asakusa’s information centre on the zoo route, visiting only if airport travel allows.
Choose a 2 nights, 3 days itinerary
Senso-ji, Skytree and Ueno Park
Stay in Ueno, visiting the park on day 1, Senso-ji and Skytree on day 2, and Toshogu on the final day. Reserve the observation deck for day 2. Choose final-day sightseeing only with an afternoon departure flight.
Senso-ji, Skytree and Ueno Park →2 nights, 3 days BUeno Zoo and a Shibuya walk
Stay in Ueno, visiting Shibuya on day 1 and spending day 2 at the zoo. On the last day, make a short visit to Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, then return to your Ueno hotel.
Ueno Zoo and a Shibuya walk →Senso-ji, Skytree and Ueno Park
Stay in Ueno, visiting the park on day 1, Senso-ji and Skytree on day 2, and Toshogu on the final day. Reserve the observation deck for day 2. Choose final-day sightseeing only with an afternoon departure flight.
Day 1 | Ueno Park and Shinobazu Pond
Walk through Ueno Park and around Shinobazu Pond on day 1. From Narita Airport, reserve a Skyliner to Keisei Ueno from your terminal’s railway station and get off at the final stop.
- Airport arrival station → Around Ueno Station
Keisei Ueno and JR Ueno are separate stations; use the station and exit recommended by your hotel. From Haneda, compare Keikyu to Shinagawa followed by a JR service stopping at Ueno. At Haneda Terminal 3, follow “Keikyu Railways” signs from arrivals to the gates and platform. At other terminals, follow that terminal’s railway directions.
Skyliner stopsJR metropolitan area route mapKeikyu airport access guideHaneda Terminal 3 arrivals-to-station directions
- Ueno hotel and Park Exit → Fountain square, walking paths and Shinobazu Pond
Go to street level at JR Ueno Station’s Park Exit. Enter Ueno Park opposite the exit and walk via the fountain square → main path → Saigo Takamori statue → Shinobazu Pond.
- Park and Shinobazu Pond → Meal near Ueno Station → the same hotel
After the afternoon walk, return towards Ueno Station for dinner and your hotel. The park opens 05:00–23:00 with free admission. Museums, zoo and boats are excluded. After a late arrival, walk only the paths near the station instead of continuing to the pond.
After a late arrival, walk only the paths near Ueno Station instead of going to the pond.
Day 2 | Senso-ji worship, then Skytree views
Worship at Senso-ji and have lunch in Asakusa, then go up Skytree for views over Tokyo’s streets and buildings. From your Ueno hotel, go to Ginza Line Ueno (G16), take an Asakusa-bound train and get off at Asakusa (G19).
- Asakusa Station → Worship at Senso-ji → lunch
Walk about 5 minutes to the temple, following Kaminarimon → Nakamise → main hall, then have lunch in Asakusa.
- Tobu Asakusa Station → Tokyo Skytree Station
Go to Tobu Asakusa Station and board a regular train stopping at Tokyo Skytree Station. The ride takes about 3 minutes; transfers and waiting need extra time.
- Tokyo Skytree Station west exit → Main entrance, 4th floor
After getting off, walk about 6 minutes from the west exit to the main entrance on the 4th floor.
- Observation deck → Change in Asakusa → Ueno hotel
After your observation deck visit, return through the same exit and take Tobu towards Asakusa → Ginza Line towards Shibuya to Ueno (G16) → your hotel. Tobu is excluded from the subway tourist ticket. Allow time for your meal and Tobu waits to reach the entrance for your reserved slot. Without a ticket, or during an official suspension or admission closure, finish your temple visit and meal and return via the same Asakusa route. Reduce outdoor walks in heavy rain or severe crowding.
TicketsOpening hoursOfficial Skytree rail accessAsakusa Station timetable
Day 3 | Ueno Toshogu, then the airport
Walk about 10 minutes from JR Ueno Station’s Park Exit to Ueno Toshogu.
- Ueno Toshogu → Paid visit inside the fence
After the 09:30 opening, pay JPY 700 to see the gilded buildings and fence from within the enclosure. Building interiors are closed to visitors. The peony garden is excluded.
- Toshogu and Park Exit → Around Ueno Station
Walk about 10 minutes towards the Park Exit to return to Ueno Station. Have lunch here only if airport travel allows.
- Around Ueno Station → The same Ueno hotel
Return to the same Ueno hotel to collect your bags. Check your airport train’s departure station: JR Ueno and Keisei Ueno are separate.
Official access guideCurrent Japanese Toshogu fees, worship and visiting hoursSkyliner stops
- Ueno hotel → Booked airport train’s departure station and your terminal
For the Narita-bound Skyliner, go to Keisei Ueno from your hotel and board your reserved service. Get off at Narita Airport Station for Terminal 1, or Airport Terminal 2 Station for Terminals 2 and 3. Allow extra time from the station to Terminal 3. For Haneda, compare JR from Ueno to Shinagawa, then a Keikyu service stopping at your terminal. Work backwards from your required airport arrival time and sightsee only if time allows.
Skyliner stopsNarita Airport rail guideJR metropolitan area route mapKeikyu airport access guide
Toshogu’s paid area opens at 09:30. Skip it on the final day if there is not enough time for airport travel.
Included: Skytree Tembo Deck’s minimum web price of JPY 1,800, Ueno Toshogu JPY 700 and Ginza Line return travel. Admission alone totals from JPY 2,500.
Extra costs and conditions: JR, Tobu, airport travel, station-to-hotel transport, meals and accommodation are excluded from this subtotal.
TicketsCurrent Japanese Toshogu fees, worship and visiting hoursGinza Line journey table
Ueno Zoo and a Shibuya walk
Stay in Ueno, visiting Shibuya on day 1 and spending day 2 at the zoo. On the last day, make a short visit to Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, then return to your Ueno hotel.
Day 1 | Shibuya’s Hachiko Square and streets
Explore Shibuya’s Hachiko statue and crossing on day 1. From Narita Airport, reserve a Skyliner to Keisei Ueno from your terminal’s railway station and get off at the final stop.
- Airport arrival station → Around Ueno Station
Keisei Ueno and JR Ueno are separate stations; use the station and exit recommended by your hotel. From Haneda, compare Keikyu to Shinagawa followed by a JR service stopping at Ueno. At Haneda Terminal 3, follow “Keikyu Railways” signs from arrivals to the gates and platform. At other terminals, follow that terminal’s railway directions.
Skyliner stopsJR metropolitan area route mapKeikyu airport access guideHaneda Terminal 3 arrivals-to-station directions
- Ueno hotel and JR Ueno Station → Shibuya Station
From JR Ueno, take the Yamanote Line towards Tokyo and Shinagawa to Shibuya.
- Shibuya Station south ticket gate → Hachiko Square and crossing → dinner
Follow JR’s crowding guidance, leave through the south ticket gate and walk about 250 m to Hachiko Square. See the statue and cross the adjacent scramble crossing. Walk around the square and streets, then eat near Shibuya Station. This outdoor square has different access conditions from shop hours. Reduce your visit if local controls or crowding require it.
JR Shibuya Station guideOfficial guideJR Shibuya south-gate guidance
- Shibuya Station → Ueno Station → the same hotel
Return from Shibuya towards Shinagawa and Tokyo to Ueno and stay at the same hotel. Paid observation decks are excluded.
If a late arrival makes Shibuya impractical, eat and rest in Ueno on day 1.
Day 2 | Animals and breaks at Ueno Zoo
Spend today seeing the animals you want at Ueno Zoo, with breaks. From your hotel, go to street level at JR Ueno Station’s Park Exit, then walk about 5 minutes to the main gate.
- Ueno Zoo main gate → See animals and take breaks
Enter after the 09:30 opening, see your chosen animals and take breaks. Check official notices for individual animal display availability. For a Monday closure, you can swap with the Shibuya visit on day 1, provided you can arrive before 16:00 last admission with time to look around. If day 1 is also unsuitable, replace the zoo with a Ueno Park walk and a meal. If weather or local controls also prevent the park visit, rest at your hotel.
Official operating informationZoo main-gate accessOfficial guide
- Zoo main gate → Eat near the park
Leave through the main gate, then eat near the park.
- Around the park → Ueno hotel
Walk back to your Ueno hotel after the meal.
Day 3 | City views from Asakusa’s viewing terrace
Take the Ginza Line from Ueno (G16) towards Asakusa and get off at G19.
- Asakusa Station exit 2 → Culture Tourist Information Center
Walk about 1 minute from exit 2 to the information centre opposite Kaminarimon.
- Culture Tourist Information Center → 8th-floor viewing terrace and 7th-floor exhibitions
Visit the 8th-floor viewing terrace and 7th-floor exhibitions in the morning. The free terrace opens 09:00–22:00; exhibitions open 09:00–20:00. The centre’s luggage storage has ended, so do not plan to leave suitcases there.
- Asakusa Station → Ueno Station and the same hotel
Return from Asakusa to Ueno on a Shibuya-bound Ginza Line train and collect your luggage at the hotel. Then go to your booked airport train’s departure station.
- Ueno hotel → Booked airport train’s departure station and your terminal
For the Narita-bound Skyliner, go to Keisei Ueno from your hotel and board your reserved service. Get off at Narita Airport Station for Terminal 1, or Airport Terminal 2 Station for Terminals 2 and 3. Allow extra time from the station to Terminal 3. For Haneda, compare JR from Ueno to Shinagawa, then a Keikyu service stopping at your terminal. Work backwards from your required airport arrival time and sightsee only if time allows.
Skyliner stopsNarita Airport rail guideJR metropolitan area route mapKeikyu airport access guide
You cannot store luggage at the information centre. Return to your Ueno hotel after the visit.
Included: Ueno Zoo JPY 600 plus the final day’s Ginza Line return between Ueno and Asakusa. Day-1 JR travel to and from Shibuya costs extra.
Extra costs and conditions: JR, Tobu, airport travel, station-to-hotel transport, meals and accommodation are excluded from this subtotal.
Frequently asked questions
Does one route include both Skytree and Ueno Zoo?
These routes offer a choice for the middle day: Senso-ji and Skytree, or a day at Ueno Zoo. To see both facilities, adjust another sightseeing day. Check zoo closures and Skytree tickets for your date first.
Official sources and dates checked
- Asakusa Station timetable ·
- Official operating information ·
- Ginza Line journey table ·
- Senso-ji rail and walking access ·
- Zoo main-gate access ·
- Official Skytree rail access ·
- Route to the 4th-floor entrance ·
- Temple guide ·
- Tickets ·
- Opening hours ·
- Official guide ·
- Official access guide ·
- JR Shibuya Station guide ·
- Official guide ·
- Access guide ·
- End of luggage storage service ·
- Official guide ·
- Skyliner stops ·
- JR metropolitan area route map ·
- Keikyu airport access guide ·
- Haneda Terminal 3 arrivals-to-station directions ·
- Narita Airport rail guide ·
- Current Japanese Toshogu fees, worship and visiting hours ·
- JR Shibuya south-gate guidance ·