Where should you go in Tokyo?
Consider Asakusa and Skytree for temples and views, or Ueno for animals and park walks. Group gardens, shrine visits, and street walks around Shinjuku, Harajuku, and Shibuya. For mountain scenery, take a day trip from Shinjuku to Mount Takao's mid-slope area. Give it a separate day from city sightseeing so you have time to walk and return.
Choose attractions beyond the itineraries
Sensoji Temple
浅草寺
For temples and shopping streets in Asakusa, visit Senso-ji. Walk from Kaminarimon along Nakamise to the Main Hall for worship. Check Main Hall hours separately from shop hours if you also plan shopping or meals. Paid special openings, prayer services, and souvenirs are excluded from itinerary costs.
- HoursThe Main Hall opens 6:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. from April–September and 6:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. from October–March.
- Getting thereWalk from Asakusa Station on the Ginza or Toei Asakusa Line. Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station is in a different location.
Official Senso-ji Main Hall hoursSenso-ji rail and walking access
TOKYO SKYTREE
東京スカイツリー
Head up Skytree for a view over Tokyo's buildings and streets. Tickets differ depending on whether you visit only the 350-meter Tembo Deck or also the 450-meter Tembo Galleria. Clouds or rain may obscure distant scenery.
- AdmissionAdult web tickets start at JPY 1,800 for the Tembo Deck and JPY 3,000 for the Deck–Galleria combination. Counter purchases add a JPY 500 issuance fee per ticket. Check actual dates and child categories on the purchase screen.
- Hours and reservationsCheck the operating calendar and entry times for your date before reserving. Do not apply another date's hours unchanged.
- 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 elephants, giraffes, and other animals. Exhibits are split between the East and West Gardens; locating your preferred animals first helps plan the walking order. Check date-specific notices for each animal's availability.
- AdmissionGeneral admission costs JPY 600. Visitors ages 65 and older pay JPY 300, and junior high school students pay JPY 200. Children through sixth grade enter free. The exemption for junior high students living or studying in Tokyo requires evidence and does not apply to every visitor.
- HoursThe zoo opens 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with admission until 4:00 p.m. It usually closes Mondays and December 29–January 1. If Monday is a public holiday, the next day is closed; check calendar exceptions.
- Getting thereThe official walk from JR Ueno Station's Park Exit to the main gate is about five minutes.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
新宿御苑
Leave time for a relaxed garden walk at Shinjuku Gyoen between city sightseeing stops. A morning arrival lets you combine walking and breaks. For flowers or fall foliage, check seasonal updates around your visit.
- AdmissionAdmission costs JPY 500 for adults and JPY 250 for visitors ages 65 and older and students ages 16 and older. Visitors ages 15 and younger enter free.
- HoursFrom October 1–March 14, the garden opens 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., with admission until 4:00 p.m. From March 15–September 30, it closes at 6:00 p.m., except June 11–July 31, when it closes at 7:00 p.m. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. The garden usually closes Mondays and December 29–January 3, with flowering-season exceptions and advance-reservation conditions.
- Getting thereShinjuku Gate is about a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station's south exit, or five minutes from Shinjuku-gyoenmae Exit 1 or Shinjuku-sanchome Exit E5. Other gates have different access routes.
Ministry of the Environment informationGarden access by gate
Meiji Jingu
明治神宮
Stop at Meiji Jingu for forest paths and worship near Harajuku. The main shrine also requires a walk from the entrance. Finish your forest walk and worship before continuing to Harajuku's shops.
- AdmissionWorship on the grounds is free. The garden and museum charge separately; shrine itineraries here omit them.
- HoursGate hours change monthly. October hours are 5:40 a.m.–4:40 p.m.
- Getting thereUse the south entrance from JR Harajuku or subway Meiji-jingumae Exit 2. It is about one minute from the station to the entrance, followed by at least another 10 minutes to the main shrine.
Official Meiji Jingu FAQ and free worshipOfficial Meiji Jingu Museum informationGate opening informationShrine accessOfficial shrine access illustration
Mt. Takao Cable Car
高尾山ケーブルカー
For mountain scenery without a summit hike, compare Mount Takao's cable car and a mid-slope walk. The cable car only reaches mid-slope. Reaching the summit requires more walking on mountain paths, unlike the mid-slope itinerary here.
- AdmissionAdult cable-car fares are JPY 490 one way or JPY 980 round trip. Children pay JPY 250 one way or JPY 500 round trip. Regular Keio trains from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi cost a separate JPY 430 one way per adult.
- HoursThe Kiyotaki–Takaosan ride takes about six minutes. First service is usually at 8:00 a.m.; September–November last departures are 5:45 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays. Inspections, weather, and events may change service.
- Getting thereTake a Keio train from Shinjuku toward Takaosanguchi, transferring at Kitano if needed. Walk about five minutes from Takaosanguchi to Kiyotaki before boarding the cable car.
Cable-car fares and hoursKeio fare tableOfficial mountain railway access
Tokyo Metropolitan Ueno Park
上野恩賜公園
Walk through Ueno Park for its fountain plaza, tree-lined paths, and Shinobazu Pond. It is also a place for a break after the zoo. A park walk and paid museum or zoo visits are separate choices.
- AdmissionWalking in the park is free. Museums, the zoo, and boats cost extra.
- HoursThe park opens from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Getting thereEnter across from JR Ueno Station's Park Exit. You can follow the fountain plaza, central path, Saigo statue, and Shinobazu Pond.
Ueno Toshogu
上野東照宮
Choose Ueno Toshogu to see gilded buildings and fencing in Ueno Park. Distinguish paid access inside the fence from the separate peony garden.
- AdmissionAccess inside the fence costs JPY 700 per adult. Building interiors are not open, and the peony garden is separate.
- HoursFree worship starts at 9:00 a.m., ending at 4:30 p.m. in October–February or 5:30 p.m. in March–September. Paid access inside the fence begins at 9:30 a.m., ending at 4:00 p.m. in October–February or 5:00 p.m. in March–September. Seasons and weather may affect hours.
- Getting thereUeno Toshogu is about a 10-minute walk from JR Ueno Station's Park Exit.
Current Japanese Toshogu fares, worship, and visiting hoursOfficial access guide
Hachiko Statue
忠犬ハチ公像
See Hachiko beside Shibuya Station, then continue to the adjacent Scramble Crossing. JR advises using the south ticket gates rather than the crowded Hachiko gates. Shorten your stop if the square is crowded.
- AdmissionNo facility admission ticket is needed to view the outdoor statue.
- HoursThis is an outdoor square. Events, crowds, and on-site restrictions may affect access.
- Getting thereThe statue is in the square on the Hachiko Exit side. To reduce congestion, JR advises leaving through the south ticket gates and walking about 250 meters to the square. Use the south gates for the return too.
Official visitor informationJR Shibuya south ticket-gate guidance
Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
浅草文化観光センター
For views over Asakusa's streets, visit the free observation terrace at the information center opposite Kaminarimon. You can also see exhibits, stop before or after Senso-ji, or make a short visit another day.
- AdmissionThe eighth-floor observation terrace is free.
- HoursThe eighth-floor terrace opens 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., and the seventh-floor exhibits open 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Check official notices for maintenance and other changes.
- Getting thereThe center is about a one-minute walk from Ginza Line Asakusa Exit 2, opposite Kaminarimon. Luggage storage ended March 31, 2026.
Official visitor informationAccess informationEnd of luggage-storage service
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 wait for its dedicated elevator.
- AdmissionAdmission is free.
- HoursThe observatory opens 9:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m., with admission until 9:30 p.m. Check the official calendar for closures such as the first and third Tuesdays, New Year's, and building inspections. Follow guidance for the next weekday's closure when a regular closure falls on a public holiday.
- Getting thereWalk about 10 minutes from JR Shinjuku's west exit, then use the dedicated observatory elevator on Building No. 1's first floor. Waiting time is extra.
- When this stop fits the itineraryFour-day A and five-day A visit after arrival; four-day B visits on departure morning. Omit it on closure days or when entry waits are long. On departure day, allow time afterward to collect hotel luggage and reach the airport.
Official operating informationAdditional official information
Shinjuku Central Park
新宿中央公園
Stop at Shinjuku Central Park on the station's west side for shaded and waterside paths among tall buildings. It also works as a short walk after the government-building observatory. This is different from paid Shinjuku Gyoen.
- AdmissionGeneral walking admission is free. Paid sports facilities, shops, and activities are excluded.
- HoursThe park is listed as open every day. The management office's 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. hours do not represent whole-park access. Walk during daylight and check construction and restriction notices.
- Getting thereThe park is about a 10-minute walk from JR Shinjuku's west exit. On departure day, return the same way to collect bags at your hotel.
- When this stop fits the itineraryFour-day A and five-day A offer a short walk on departure morning. Choose it only if you have enough time afterward to collect luggage at the same hotel and reach the airport.
Tourism Association admission informationOfficial operating informationOfficial access
Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens
旧岩崎邸庭園
Choose Kyu-Iwasaki-tei to see a Western-style mansion's decoration, a large Japanese-style room, and a lawn garden. In the wooden Western-style building designed by British architect Josiah Conder, look for the wallpaper and veranda columns.
- AdmissionGeneral admission is JPY 400.
- HoursThe gardens open 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with admission until 4:30 p.m. They close December 29–January 1. Check official guidance for events and temporary changes.
- Getting thereThe gardens are about a 15-minute walk from JR Okachimachi. Wear socks inside the building. Separate guided visits to the underground passage and billiards building are excluded.
- When this stop fits the itineraryFive-day B visits on arrival day. Arrive before last admission with enough time to explore. Add time if stopping at your hotel first; omit the visit after a late arrival.
Official operating informationAdditional official information
Yushima Tenmangu
湯島天満宮
Visit this shrine associated with academic success to see the bronze torii and cypress-built main shrine. It suits a short stop around Ueno and Okachimachi. To avoid stairs, check the sloping route on the official access map.
- AdmissionWorship on the grounds is free. The treasure museum, prayer services, and charms are excluded.
- HoursGates open 6:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Prayer services and the treasure museum have separate hours.
- Getting thereThe shrine is about an eight-minute walk from JR Okachimachi's north exit. The grounds are elevated; choose stairs or the sloping approach using the official access map.
- When this stop fits the itineraryFive-day B makes a short shrine visit on departure morning. Choose it only if there is time afterward to collect luggage at your Ueno hotel and reach the airport.
Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau Bunkyo PDF guideYushima Tenmangu access by station
Frequently asked questions
Are both Ueno Zoo and Shinjuku Gyoen closed on Mondays?
Both usually close Mondays, with exceptions for public holidays and certain periods. Check each facility's opening calendar separately. If closures coincide, move each visit to a day when that facility opens. You can use the closed day for Senso-ji worship and Nakamise browsing; shop hours differ from Main Hall worship hours.
Official visitor informationMinistry of the Environment information
Does the Mount Takao cable car go straight to the summit?
No. It reaches Takaosan Station at mid-slope. Reaching the summit requires additional walking on mountain paths. The itineraries here stay near the cable-car station and return; they exclude summit hiking. Check the last downhill cable-car departure first.
Does a Skytree ticket include the Tembo Galleria?
There are separate tickets for the 350-meter Tembo Deck and for both the Deck and 450-meter Tembo Galleria. Adult advance web tickets start at JPY 1,800 for the Deck and JPY 3,000 for both. Prices vary by date, age, and purchase method; choose the coverage you want. Itinerary subtotals use the lowest advance-ticket price for the Deck.
Official sources and dates checked
- Official visitor information ·
- Senso-ji rail and walking access ·
- Zoo main-gate access ·
- Ministry of the Environment information ·
- Garden access by gate ·
- Shrine access ·
- Official Skytree rail access ·
- Official mountain railway access ·
- Tickets ·
- Hours ·
- Gate opening information ·
- Cable-car fares and hours ·
- Keio fare table ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Official access guide ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Access information ·
- End of luggage-storage service ·
- Official visitor information ·
- Official operating information ·
- Additional official information ·
- Official operating information ·
- Official access ·
- Tourism Association admission information ·
- Official operating information ·
- Additional official information ·
- Yushima Tenmangu access by station ·
- Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau Bunkyo PDF guide ·
- Official Senso-ji Main Hall hours ·
- Official shrine access illustration ·
- Current Japanese Toshogu fares, worship, and visiting hours ·
- JR Shibuya south ticket-gate guidance ·
- Official Meiji Jingu FAQ and free worship ·
- Official Meiji Jingu Museum information ·