Would you stay in the city or take a Mount Takao day trip?
Choose the city route to combine the garden, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya on one day, with Asakusa and Skytree on another. For a mountain walking day, visit Mount Takao’s middle slopes and see Senso-ji and Ueno Park on your city day. Both stay three nights in Shinjuku and return to the same hotel.
Choose a 3 nights, 4 days itinerary
Shinjuku and Shibuya on one day, Asakusa on another
Stay in Shinjuku and combine the garden, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya on one day, with Asakusa and Skytree on another. Visit the government building on arrival day. Choose a final-day park walk only with an afternoon departure flight.
Shinjuku and Shibuya on one day, Asakusa on another →3 nights, 4 days BMount Takao’s mid-slope views and an Asakusa walk
Stay in Shinjuku, spending a day on Mount Takao’s middle slopes and visiting Asakusa and Ueno Park on another day. Choose the final-day government observatory only with a late-afternoon departure flight and enough time for airport travel.
Mount Takao’s mid-slope views and an Asakusa walk →Shinjuku and Shibuya on one day, Asakusa on another
Stay in Shinjuku and combine the garden, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya on one day, with Asakusa and Skytree on another. Visit the government building on arrival day. Choose a final-day park walk only with an afternoon departure flight.
Day 1 | City views from the government building
From Narita Airport, choose a Narita Express (N’EX) service stopping at Shinjuku and reserve a seat. Get off at JR Shinjuku Station and use the exit recommended by your hotel.
- Airport arrival station → Around Shinjuku Station
From Haneda, compare Keikyu to Shinagawa, then the JR Yamanote Line towards Shibuya and Shinjuku. At Shinjuku, use your hotel’s recommended exit.
N’EX stopsJR metropolitan area route mapKeikyu airport access guide
- Shinjuku Station west exit → Government building’s South Observatory and the same hotel
Walk about 10 minutes from JR Shinjuku’s west exit to the 1st floor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1. Take the dedicated lift to the free South Observatory. Busy days can involve admission queues. Hours are 09:30–22:00, with last admission at 21:30; check closures including the first and third Tuesdays. Afterwards, return towards the west exit for dinner and your hotel. Skip this visit after a late arrival or on a closure day. Advance reservations are not accepted.
Official operation informationAdditional official information
If the observatory is closed, eat and rest in Shinjuku.
Day 2 | Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya
Walk in Shinjuku Gyoen in the morning, worship at Meiji Jingu in the afternoon and have dinner in Shibuya. From your hotel, head towards JR Shinjuku’s south exit and walk about 10 minutes to the garden’s Shinjuku Gate.
- Shinjuku Gyoen → The same gate → lunch in Shinjuku
After the morning garden visit, leave through the same gate and have lunch in Shinjuku.
- JR Shinjuku Station → Harajuku Station → shrine’s south entrance and main sanctuary
Take the JR Yamanote Line towards Shibuya and Shinagawa to Harajuku, then go to the shrine’s south entrance. Allow about 1 minute to the entrance and at least another 10 minutes to the main sanctuary.
- Meiji Jingu and Harajuku Station → Dinner in Shibuya → Shinjuku hotel
After worship, take a train from Harajuku in the same direction to Shibuya for dinner, then return to Shinjuku on the Yamanote Line towards Shinjuku and Ikebukuro. Shrine gates close at 16:40 in October, so worship before shopping. If the garden is closed, choose a Shinjuku Central Park walk or a meal near your hotel instead. Choose the park walk around weather and local controls. In peak seasons, check reservation requirements for your date and complete any required booking first.
JR metropolitan area route mapShrine accessGate opening informationMinistry of the Environment informationOfficial operation informationOfficial access
Day 3 | A day for Senso-ji and Skytree
From JR Shinjuku, take the Yamanote Line towards Ikebukuro and Ueno to Ueno.
- Ueno Station and Ginza Line → Asakusa Station → Senso-ji and lunch
Change to the Ginza Line towards Asakusa, G16 → G19. Walk about 5 minutes to the temple, worship and have lunch.
Asakusa Station timetableSenso-ji rail and walking accessTemple guide
- Tobu Asakusa Station → Tokyo Skytree Station → main entrance, 4th floor
From Tobu Asakusa, take a regular train stopping at Tokyo Skytree. Get off after about 3 minutes, then walk about 6 minutes from the west exit to the main entrance on the 4th floor.
- Observation deck → Change in Asakusa and Ueno → Shinjuku hotel
After the observation deck, return via Tobu towards Asakusa → Ginza Line towards Shibuya to Ueno → JR towards Ikebukuro and Shinjuku → your hotel. Allow meal and Tobu waiting time 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 severe crowding or heavy rain.
TicketsOpening hoursOfficial Skytree rail accessAsakusa Station timetableJR metropolitan area route map
Day 4 | A short walk in Shinjuku Central Park
Walk in Shinjuku Central Park before travelling to the airport.
- Shinjuku Station west exit → Central Park and the same hotel
Walk about 10 minutes from Shinjuku’s west exit to the park and return the same way. This is a different park from day 2’s Gyoen. After your morning walk, collect hotel-stored luggage and go to your reserved airport train or bus boarding point. Have lunch only if travel time allows. Skip the walk in rain or during works or access controls.
Official operation informationOfficial accessTourism association admission information
- Shinjuku hotel → Booked airport train’s departure station and your terminal
For Narita, board your reserved airport-bound Narita Express at JR Shinjuku. Get off at Narita Airport Station for Terminal 1, or Airport Terminal 2 Station for Terminals 2 and 3. For Haneda, take the JR Yamanote Line towards Shibuya and Shinagawa, then change at Shinagawa to an airport-bound Keikyu service. Confirm it stops at your terminal. Sightsee only if you can meet your airline’s airport arrival guidance after allowing for hotel-to-platform travel and Terminal 3 access.
N’EX stopsNarita Airport rail guideJR metropolitan area route mapKeikyu airport access guideJR works and service suspension information
An optional short morning walk when airport travel allows.
Included: Shinjuku Gyoen JPY 500, Skytree Tembo Deck’s minimum web price of JPY 1,800 and Ginza Line return travel. Admission alone totals from JPY 2,300.
Extra costs and conditions: JR, Tobu, airport travel, station-to-hotel transport, meals and accommodation are excluded from this subtotal.
Ministry of the Environment informationTicketsGinza Line journey table
Mount Takao’s mid-slope views and an Asakusa walk
Stay in Shinjuku, spending a day on Mount Takao’s middle slopes and visiting Asakusa and Ueno Park on another day. Choose the final-day government observatory only with a late-afternoon departure flight and enough time for airport travel.
Day 1 | A short walk in Shinjuku Central Park
From Narita Airport, choose a Narita Express (N’EX) service stopping at Shinjuku and reserve a seat. Get off at JR Shinjuku Station and use the exit recommended by your hotel.
- Airport arrival station → Around Shinjuku Station
From Haneda, compare Keikyu to Shinagawa, then the JR Yamanote Line towards Shibuya and Shinjuku. At Shinjuku, use your hotel’s recommended exit.
N’EX stopsJR metropolitan area route mapKeikyu airport access guide
- Shinjuku Station west exit → Central Park and the same hotel
Walk about 10 minutes from JR’s west exit to the free Central Park for a daytime walk along shaded and waterside paths, then return the same way. The 09:00–17:00 hours are for the management office. Plan walking by day and check works and access notices for your visit. Skip it in rain, during works or controls, or after a late arrival, and eat in Shinjuku instead. Rest at the same hotel after dinner.
Official operation informationOfficial accessTourism association admission information
Recheck weather and cable car operation the day before visiting Mount Takao.
Day 2 | Cable car and a mid-slope Mount Takao walk
Take the cable car to Mount Takao’s middle slopes, enjoy views near the station and return. This day uses a short walk rather than a summit climb. Board a regular Keio train towards Takaosanguchi at Keio Shinjuku.
- Keio Shinjuku and Kitano → Takaosanguchi Station
If your train is not direct, change to the Takao Line at Kitano.
- Takaosanguchi Station → Kiyotaki Station → cable car and Takaosan Station
Walk about 5 minutes from Takaosanguchi to Kiyotaki, then take the cable car for about 6 minutes. It reaches Takaosan Station, not the summit.
Cable car operator’s official accessCable car fares and hours
- Cable car Takaosan Station → Viewing point near the station
After leaving the cable car, follow signs to the nearby viewing point. This is different from the summit viewing point. Clouds or rain can obscure distant scenery.
Cable car operator’s guide to the viewing point near the station
- Viewing point near the station → The same cable car Takaosan Station
After the view, retrace your route to the cable car station. This short walk does not continue along trails to Yakuoin or the summit. If the viewpoint path is closed or rain and strong winds make walking difficult, take the cable car down. For a mid-slope meal, check descending services and waiting time first.
Cable car operator’s guide to the viewing point near the stationCable car fares and hours
- Optional meal: near mid-slope Takaosan Station → Return to the cable car station after your meal
For a mid-slope restaurant, check its location, hours and queues. If you would not have enough time after eating to return to the cable car and descend, go down first and eat at the foot of the mountain.
Check your restaurant’s location, hours and queues, plus descending cable car services
- Cable car Takaosan Station → Descend to Kiyotaki Station
Check descending services for your date before taking the cable car. The official one-way ride takes about 6 minutes; queues and waiting are extra. Finish your meal and walk in time to descend before the last service.
- Kiyotaki Station → Keio Takaosanguchi Station
Retrace your route from Kiyotaki to Takaosanguchi, about 5 minutes on foot. Allow separate time for meals, cable car waits and reaching the Keio platform.
- Takaosanguchi Station → Train towards Shinjuku → hotel
Take a regular Shinjuku-bound train. If it is not direct, change towards Shinjuku at Kitano and return to your hotel. Adult Keio return and cable car return travel total JPY 1,840. Check both operators before setting off and choose the descending service first. During peak periods, shorten the mid-slope walk around cable car queues. In rain, strong winds or a suspension, do not replace the visit with a summit hike. Eat and rest in Shinjuku, or swap with a city visit after confirming it is open.
Keio fare tableCable car fares and hoursCable car operator’s official access
Day 3 | Senso-ji and Ueno Park
From Shinjuku, take the JR Yamanote Line towards Ikebukuro and Ueno to Ueno.
- Ginza Line Ueno Station → Asakusa Station → Senso-ji
Take an Asakusa-bound Ginza Line train to G19, then walk about 5 minutes to the temple.
Asakusa Station timetableSenso-ji rail and walking accessTemple guide
- Asakusa Station → Ueno Station → lunch and a park walk
After worship, return from Asakusa towards Shibuya to Ueno (G16) for lunch and a park walk.
- JR Ueno Station → Shinjuku Station → hotel
Finish by taking JR towards Ikebukuro and Shinjuku, getting off at Shinjuku and returning to your hotel. This route has no observation deck admission fee.
Day 4 | Government observatory, then the airport
Walk from Shinjuku Station’s west exit to the government building’s South Observatory.
- Shinjuku Station west exit → Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building South Observatory
Walk about 10 minutes from JR Shinjuku’s west exit to the 1st floor of Main Building No. 1. After the 09:30 opening, take the dedicated lift and enjoy free city views. Shorten or skip the visit if admission queues are long.
Official operation informationAdditional official information
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building South Observatory → The same Shinjuku hotel
Retrace your route to the Shinjuku hotel and collect your bags. Have lunch only if airport travel allows. This route does not add a paid observation deck.
Official operation informationAdditional official information
- Shinjuku hotel → Booked airport train’s departure station and your terminal
For Narita, board your reserved airport-bound Narita Express at JR Shinjuku. Get off at Narita Airport Station for Terminal 1, or Airport Terminal 2 Station for Terminals 2 and 3. For Haneda, take the JR Yamanote Line towards Shibuya and Shinagawa, then change at Shinagawa to an airport-bound Keikyu service. Confirm it stops at your terminal. Sightsee only if you can meet your airline’s airport arrival guidance after allowing for hotel-to-platform travel and Terminal 3 access.
N’EX stopsNarita Airport rail guideJR metropolitan area route mapKeikyu airport access guideJR works and service suspension information
The government observatory opens at 09:30. Return straight to your hotel if it is closed or the queue is long.
Included: Ginza Line return travel plus Mount Takao return transport of JPY 1,840. Mount Takao costs comprise regular Keio return trains JPY 860 and return cable car JPY 980; paid exhibition admission is excluded.
Extra costs and conditions: JR, Tobu, airport travel, station-to-hotel transport, meals and accommodation are excluded from this subtotal.
Cable car fares and hoursKeio fare tableGinza Line journey table
Frequently asked questions
How does a Mount Takao day change the city itinerary?
The mountain route walks on the middle slopes on day 2, then visits Senso-ji and Ueno Park on day 3. Choose the city route to combine Shinjuku Gyoen, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya, with Skytree on another day. Both stay three nights in Shinjuku and avoid combining the mountain and several city sights in one day.
Cable car fares and hoursKeio fare tableMinistry of the Environment informationShrine accessTickets
Does the 72-hour subway ticket cover the airport and Mount Takao?
It covers Tokyo Metro and Toei subways only. Airport railways, Keio, Mount Takao’s cable car and JR require separate payment.
Official Tokyo subway tourist ticket guideChange notice for 14 March 2026
Should an Echigo-Yuzawa day trip use GALA Yuzawa Station?
Distinguish Echigo-Yuzawa from GALA Yuzawa Station. Echigo-Yuzawa is reached by Joetsu Shinkansen, but GALA Yuzawa operates only in winter and spring. Do not assume GALA-bound trains for autumn; check return trains and local facilities for your date separately.
Echigo-Yuzawa tourism organisation’s Shinkansen accessJR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three consecutive days
Does Tokyo Wide Pass cover the bus for a Kusatsu day trip?
Distinguish the applicable JR rail journey to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi from the bus to Kusatsu. Tokyo Wide Pass excludes JR buses, so the bus fare is extra. A day trip is possible if return buses and trains fit bathing facility hours. Also compare individual tickets for your actual sections.
JR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three consecutive daysJR East access to Kusatsu Onsen and Yubatake
Official sources and dates checked
- Asakusa Station timetable ·
- Ginza Line journey table ·
- Senso-ji rail and walking access ·
- Ministry of the Environment information ·
- Gyoen access by gate ·
- Shrine access ·
- Official Skytree rail access ·
- Route to the 4th-floor entrance ·
- Cable car operator’s official access ·
- Temple guide ·
- Tickets ·
- Opening hours ·
- Gate opening information ·
- Cable car fares and hours ·
- Keio fare table ·
- Official guide ·
- Official operation information ·
- Additional official information ·
- Official operation information ·
- Official access ·
- Tourism association admission information ·
- Official Tokyo subway tourist ticket guide ·
- Change notice for 14 March 2026 ·
- JR metropolitan area route map ·
- Keikyu airport access guide ·
- Narita Airport rail guide ·
- N’EX stops ·
- JR works and service suspension information ·
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass routes, price and three consecutive days ·
- Karuizawa tourism association transport and local buses ·
- Echigo-Yuzawa tourism organisation’s Shinkansen access ·
- Kusakaru Kotsu 2026 buses, crowding, delays and operating periods ·
- JR East access to Kusatsu Onsen and Yubatake ·
- Cable car operator’s guide to the viewing point near the station ·