Spend the middle day at an observation deck or the zoo?
For views, spend the middle day at Senso-ji and Skytree; for animals and breaks, choose Ueno Zoo. Both plans stay two nights in Ueno. Finish with Toshogu on the viewing itinerary or the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center on the zoo itinerary, visiting only if there is time before airport travel.
Choose an itinerary for 3 days, 2 nights
Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree, and Ueno Park
Stay in Ueno, with the park on day one, Senso-ji and Skytree on day two, and Toshogu on the last day. Reserve the observation deck for day two and add final-day sightseeing only for an afternoon flight.
Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree, and Ueno Park →3 days, 2 nights BUeno Zoo and a Shibuya walk
Stay in Ueno, visit Shibuya on day one, and spend day two at the zoo. On the last day, make a short visit to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center before returning to your Ueno hotel.
Ueno Zoo and a Shibuya walk →Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree, and Ueno Park
Stay in Ueno, with the park on day one, Senso-ji and Skytree on day two, and Toshogu on the last day. Reserve the observation deck for day two and add final-day sightseeing only for an afternoon flight.
Day 1: Ueno Park and Shinobazu Pond
Walk through Ueno Park and around Shinobazu Pond on day one. From Narita Airport, reserve a Skyliner to Keisei Ueno from your terminal's railway station and get off at the last stop.
- Airport arrival station → Around Ueno Station
Keisei Ueno and JR Ueno are different stations, so follow your hotel's guidance for the correct station and exit. From Haneda, compare a Keikyu ride to Shinagawa followed by a JR train stopping at Ueno. At Haneda Terminal 3, follow the arrivals area's “Keikyu Railways” signs to the ticket gates and platform. At other terminals, follow that terminal's rail guidance.
Skyliner stopsJR Tokyo-area route mapKeikyu airport access guideHaneda Terminal 3 arrivals-to-station guide
- Ueno hotel and Park Exit → Fountain plaza, walking paths, and Shinobazu Pond
Head to the above-ground area outside JR Ueno Station's Park Exit. Enter Ueno Park across from the exit and walk from the fountain plaza → central path → Saigo Takamori statue → Shinobazu Pond.
- Park and Shinobazu Pond → Dinner near Ueno Station → the same hotel
After an afternoon walk, return toward Ueno Station for dinner and your hotel. The park opens 5:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. and admission is free. Museums, the zoo, and boats are excluded. If you arrive late, skip the pond and use only paths near the station.
After a late arrival, skip the pond and walk only on paths near Ueno Station.
Day 2: Senso-ji, then Tokyo Skytree's observation deck
Worship at Senso-ji, have lunch in Asakusa, then head up Skytree to see Tokyo's streets and buildings. From your Ueno hotel, go to Ginza Line Ueno (G16) and ride toward Asakusa to G19.
- Asakusa Station → Senso-ji worship → lunch
Walk about five minutes to the temple and follow Kaminarimon → Nakamise → the Main Hall, then have lunch in Asakusa.
- Tobu Asakusa Station → Tokyo Skytree Station
Walk to Tobu Asakusa Station and board a regular train stopping at Tokyo Skytree Station. The ride takes about three minutes; allow extra time for transfers and waits.
- Tokyo Skytree Station west exit → Fourth-floor main entrance
From the west exit, walk about six minutes to the fourth-floor main entrance.
- Observation deck → Transfer at Asakusa → Ueno hotel
After the deck visit, return through the same exit and take Tobu toward Asakusa, then the Ginza Line toward Shibuya to Ueno (G16), followed by the walk to your hotel. Tobu is excluded from the subway tourist ticket. Allow time for meals and Tobu waits so you reach the entrance by your reserved deck time. If you cannot get tickets, or official service suspensions or admission stops apply, visit the temple and have a meal, then return via Asakusa. Shorten street walks during heavy rain or outdoor crowds.
TicketsHoursOfficial 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 access inside the fence
After the 9:30 a.m. opening, pay JPY 700 for access inside the fence to see the gilded building and fence. Building interiors are not open, and the peony garden is excluded.
- Toshogu and Park Exit → Around Ueno Station
Walk about 10 minutes back toward the Park Exit and Ueno Station. Have lunch here only if there is enough time before airport travel.
- Around Ueno Station → The same Ueno hotel
Return to your Ueno hotel to collect stored bags. Check the station for your chosen airport train; JR Ueno and Keisei Ueno are different stations.
Official access guideCurrent Japanese Toshogu fares, worship, and visiting hoursSkyliner stops
- Ueno hotel → Booked airport train station and flight terminal
For the Narita-bound Skyliner, go to Keisei Ueno and board your reserved service. Get off at Narita Airport Station for Terminal 1 or Airport Terminal 2 Station for Terminals 2 and 3. For Terminal 3, allow additional time from the station to the terminal. For Haneda, compare JR from Ueno to Shinagawa followed by a Keikyu service stopping at your terminal. Work backward from your required airport-arrival time and sightsee only if you have enough time.
Skyliner stopsNarita Airport rail guideJR Tokyo-area route mapKeikyu airport access guide
Paid access at Toshogu begins at 9:30 a.m. Omit it on the last day if there is not enough time before airport travel.
Included: Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck's lowest web price of JPY 1,800, Ueno Toshogu admission of JPY 700, and a Ginza Line round trip. Admission alone starts at JPY 2,500.
Extra costs and conditions: JR, Tobu, airport travel, transportation from the station to your hotel, meals, and accommodation are excluded.
TicketsCurrent Japanese Toshogu fares, worship, and visiting hoursGinza Line fare table
Ueno Zoo and a Shibuya walk
Stay in Ueno, visit Shibuya on day one, and spend day two at the zoo. On the last day, make a short visit to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center before returning to your Ueno hotel.
Day 1: Hachiko Square and Shibuya streets
Explore the Hachiko statue and crossing area in Shibuya. From Narita Airport, reserve a Skyliner to Keisei Ueno from your terminal's railway station and get off at the last stop.
- Airport arrival station → Around Ueno Station
Keisei Ueno and JR Ueno are different stations, so follow your hotel's guidance for the correct station and exit. From Haneda, compare a Keikyu ride to Shinagawa followed by a JR train stopping at Ueno. At Haneda Terminal 3, follow the arrivals area's “Keikyu Railways” signs to the ticket gates and platform. At other terminals, follow that terminal's rail guidance.
Skyliner stopsJR Tokyo-area route mapKeikyu airport access guideHaneda Terminal 3 arrivals-to-station guide
- Ueno hotel and JR Ueno Station → Shibuya Station
From JR Ueno, take the Yamanote Line toward Tokyo and Shinagawa to Shibuya.
- Shibuya Station south ticket gates → Hachiko Square and crossing → dinner
Follow JR's crowd guidance through the south ticket gates, then walk about 250 meters to Hachiko Square. See the statue and cross the adjacent Scramble Crossing. Walk around the square and streets, then have dinner near Shibuya Station. This outdoor square has different access from shop opening hours; shorten your visit when on-site restrictions or crowds require it.
JR Shibuya Station guideOfficial visitor informationJR Shibuya south ticket-gate guidance
- Shibuya Station → Ueno Station → the same hotel
Return toward Shinagawa and Tokyo to Ueno and stay at the same hotel. This plan excludes paid observation decks.
If you arrive too late for a Shibuya round trip, eat and rest in Ueno on day one.
Day 2: animals and breaks at Ueno Zoo
Spend today observing the animals you want to see and taking breaks at Ueno Zoo. Walk from your hotel toward the above-ground Park Exit area at JR Ueno, then about five minutes to the zoo's main gate.
- Ueno Zoo main gate → Animals and rest breaks
Enter after the 9:30 a.m. opening and take breaks between animal exhibits. Check official notices for individual animals' availability. For a Monday closure, you can swap this day with day one's Shibuya trip, provided you arrive before the 4:00 p.m. admission cutoff with enough visiting time. If day one also does not work, omit the zoo and choose a Ueno Park walk and meal. If weather or on-site restrictions prevent using the park too, rest at your hotel.
Official visitor informationZoo main-gate accessOfficial visitor information
- Zoo main gate → A meal near the park
Leave through the main gate and have a meal near the park.
- Around the park → Ueno hotel
Walk back to your Ueno hotel after the meal.
Day 3: city views from the Asakusa terrace
Take the Ginza Line from Ueno (G16) toward Asakusa and get off at G19.
- Asakusa Station Exit 2 → Culture Tourist Information Center
Walk about one minute from Exit 2 to the information center opposite Kaminarimon.
- Culture Tourist Information Center → Eighth-floor terrace and seventh-floor exhibits
See the eighth-floor observation terrace and seventh-floor exhibits in the morning. The terrace is free and opens 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; seventh-floor exhibits open 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Luggage storage at the center has ended, so do not plan to leave suitcases there.
Access informationEnd of luggage-storage serviceOfficial visitor information
- Asakusa Station → Ueno Station and the same hotel
Take the Ginza Line toward Shibuya back to Ueno and collect stored bags at your hotel. Then go to the departure station for your booked airport train.
- Ueno hotel → Booked airport train station and flight terminal
For the Narita-bound Skyliner, go to Keisei Ueno and board your reserved service. Get off at Narita Airport Station for Terminal 1 or Airport Terminal 2 Station for Terminals 2 and 3. For Terminal 3, allow additional time from the station to the terminal. For Haneda, compare JR from Ueno to Shinagawa followed by a Keikyu service stopping at your terminal. Work backward from your required airport-arrival time and sightsee only if you have enough time.
Skyliner stopsNarita Airport rail guideJR Tokyo-area route mapKeikyu airport access guide
The information center does not store luggage. Return to your Ueno hotel after the visit.
Included: Ueno Zoo admission of JPY 600 plus the last day's Ginza Line round trip between Ueno and Asakusa. Day one's JR round trip to Shibuya costs extra.
Extra costs and conditions: JR, Tobu, airport travel, transportation from the station to your hotel, meals, and accommodation are excluded.
Frequently asked questions
Do these itineraries visit both Skytree and Ueno Zoo?
They offer a choice for the middle day. The viewing itinerary visits Senso-ji and Skytree; the zoo itinerary spends the day at Ueno Zoo. To visit both facilities, adjust another sightseeing day. Check zoo closures and Skytree tickets for your date before choosing.
Official sources and dates checked
- Asakusa Station timetable ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Ginza Line fare table ·
- Senso-ji rail and walking access ·
- Zoo main-gate access ·
- Official Skytree rail access ·
- Route to the fourth-floor entrance ·
- Temple visitor guide ·
- Tickets ·
- Hours ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Official access guide ·
- JR Shibuya Station guide ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Access information ·
- End of luggage-storage service ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Skyliner stops ·
- JR Tokyo-area route map ·
- Keikyu airport access guide ·
- Haneda Terminal 3 arrivals-to-station guide ·
- Narita Airport rail guide ·
- Current Japanese Toshogu fares, worship, and visiting hours ·
- JR Shibuya south ticket-gate guidance ·