Three days, your kind of Tokyo

A flexible route through eastern and western Tokyo, designed as a starting point rather than a race.

This suggested sequence draws on GO TOKYO's three-day route. The pacing and tradeoffs below are our editorial suggestions. Swap days to suit the forecast, your hotel's location, and attraction opening days. There are no fixed restaurant bookings or ticket reservations built into this plan.

Day one: Asakusa and Ueno

Morning: Begin around Sensoji in Asakusa. Leave time to wander nearby streets rather than making the temple a quick photo stop. If shopping matters to you, verify store hours; an early temple visit does not mean every shop is open.

Afternoon: Move to Ueno and choose either a museum visit or a more relaxed park afternoon. Check the museum's opening calendar and any exhibition booking requirements. Add Ameyoko if you still have energy, then eat nearby or return to your home base.

Tradeoff: If you enjoy spending hours with art or history, remove a shopping stop. This is a day to sample eastern Tokyo, not complete every museum in the park.

Day two: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, and Shibuya

Morning: Start with Meiji Jingu, following current visiting hours and on-site guidance. Continue toward Harajuku for shopping or a break. Keep your route flexible enough to stop when something interests you.

Afternoon and evening: Head toward Shibuya for the crossing and surrounding streets. Choose a restaurant nearby, or make dinner the point at which you return toward the hotel. Book any specific viewpoint or performance separately after checking the operator's requirements.

Tradeoff: A long shopping session can easily fill the afternoon. Make an indoor attraction optional rather than adding another fixed deadline.

Day three: Shimokitazawa and Shinjuku

First half: Browse Shimokitazawa at a comfortable pace. GO TOKYO includes this neighborhood in its three-day itinerary; it offers a change of scale from the busiest hubs. Check the opening times of any particular shops you want to visit before planning an early arrival.

Later: Travel to Shinjuku for shopping, dinner, or city views. Pick one side of the station to explore first and save your return route. Leave extra time if you need to collect luggage or catch onward transport.

Tradeoff: On a departure day, keep the final activity close to your luggage and transport. Cut a stop instead of relying on a perfectly timed sequence of connections.

Adapt the plan to your stay

If you are based in Asakusa or Ueno, start locally. If you are in Shibuya or Shinjuku, reverse the order. With children or limited walking tolerance, reduce each day to one main neighborhood and plan breaks in advance. Check accessibility for the exact stations and venues you choose.