Arrive at your Tokyo hotel (Narita/Haneda → central Tokyo by train or airport limo). Drop luggage and refresh; adapt to time zone and plan afternoon light activities.
Great free panoramic view of Tokyo and Mount Fuji on clear days; quick orientation to the city and easy to reach from many hotels in Shinjuku. Observatory typically open 9:30am–11:00pm (check site for seasonal times).
Tokyo's oldest temple with lively Nakamise shopping street — temple grounds are open early (grounds effectively open from dawn until dusk; shops typically 9:00am–6:00pm).
Ueno Park has museums, a pond and seasonal trees; Tokyo National Museum (usually 9:30am–5:00pm, closed Mon) houses Japan's best historical collections — a compact cultural deep dive.
Meiji Shrine is a peaceful shrine in a large forested area (typically open 5:00am–6:00pm depending on season); then walk to Takeshita Street for youth fashion and sweets.
Take Romancecar (Odakyu) or shinkansen+local to Odawara; Romancecar takes ~85–90 minutes and requires seat reservation. Book in advance for busy season.
Pirate-ship cruise on Lake Ashi plus ropeway over Owakudani valley for scenic views; ropeway and cruise usually run 9:00am–5:00pm but check for volcanic activity closures.
Enchanting museum of Studio Ghibli films; tickets are tightly timed (billing slots) and must be bought in advance — museum hours typically 10:00am–6:00pm with set entry times.
Make sure JR Pass (if used) is activated and you have shinkansen reservations for the Tokyo→Kyoto trip tomorrow. Buy ekiben for the journey if desired.
If you love theme parks, USJ is a full-day experience (typical opening 9:00am–8:00pm but vary by season). Buy tickets/reservations in advance and plan for crowds.