Four-Day Tokyo City Itinerary
Tokyo highlights
. Meiji Shrine — Harajuku; begin with a peaceful forested shrine visit, morning, ~1 hour.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Decks — Shinjuku; enjoy free panoramic city views, late morning, ~1 hour.
- Omoide Yokocho — Shinjuku; explore its atmospheric lanes and have a casual lunch, midday, ~1.5 hours, approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person.
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden — Shinjuku; unwind among landscaped gardens and broad lawns, afternoon, ~2 hours.
- Tokyo Tower — Minato; finish with an iconic skyline view, evening, ~1.5 hours.
Morning
Start early at Meiji Shrine, entering through the broad torii near Harajuku Station and following the gravel path through the cedar forest. Allow about an hour for the shrine grounds and the main sanctuary; it’s generally open from sunrise until sunset, and visiting before 9:00am keeps the atmosphere quiet and avoids the warmest part of the day. From Meiji-Jingumae Station, take the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line to Shinjuku-sanchome, then walk or continue to Tochomae Station for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building—roughly 20–25 minutes overall. The observation decks are free; hours can vary by tower and day, so check the official schedule that morning.
Lunch and Afternoon
After the view, walk downhill toward Omoide Yokocho, the compact alley district beside Shinjuku Station. Its yakitori counters and tiny izakaya are at their most atmospheric later, but several places serve lunch; expect about ¥1,500–3,000 per person, and bring cash because some small establishments remain cash-only. Then walk 15–20 minutes west to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for a slower afternoon among the Japanese, French formal, and English landscape gardens. It usually opens at 9:00am and closes at 6:00pm in the warmer months, with last entry about 30 minutes earlier; admission is around ¥500. Check the seasonal closure day before setting out, and buy a drink near the entrance since food options inside are limited.
Evening
For the final stop, take the Marunouchi Line from Shinjuku-sanchome toward Kasumigaseki, change for the Hibiya Line to Kamiyacho, and walk about 10 minutes to Tokyo Tower—allow 25–35 minutes depending on the connection. Arrive around 5:30–6:00pm so you can see Minato shift from daylight into its evening lights. The main deck costs roughly ¥1,200, while the higher Top Deck requires a pricier timed ticket; reserve ahead if you want that upper level. Afterward, stroll through nearby Shiba Park for one of the best ground-level tower views before dinner, rather than rushing straight back onto the train.
Shibuya and Harajuku
- Yoyogi Park — Shibuya; start with a relaxed walk through one of central Tokyo’s largest parks, morning, ~1 hour.
- Takeshita Street — Harajuku; browse youth fashion, sweets, and colorful shops, late morning, ~1 hour.
- Nezu Museum — Aoyama; see its refined Japanese and East Asian collection and garden, early afternoon, ~1.5 hours.
- Koffee Mameya Kakeru — Shibuya; enjoy a carefully prepared coffee experience, afternoon, ~1 hour, approximately ¥1,000–3,000 per person.
- Shibuya Scramble Crossing — Shibuya; experience Tokyo’s famous crossing and surrounding neon, evening, ~1 hour.
- Shibuya Sky — Shibuya; take in an open-air sunset or nighttime panorama, evening, ~1.5 hours.
Morning
Begin at Yoyogi Park, arriving around 8:30–9:00am while the paths are still pleasantly quiet. Spend about an hour wandering beneath the trees, where joggers, dog walkers, and occasional street performers give the park a relaxed local feel. From the park, it’s roughly a 10-minute walk to Takeshita Street via the pedestrian lanes around Harajuku. The shops generally open from about 10:00am, so arrive as the street comes to life rather than too early; allow an hour to browse its fashion stores, character goods, crepes, and colorful sweets. It will be busy, especially on a Friday, so keep bags close and step into side streets when the main pavement feels crowded.
Afternoon
Walk south toward Nezu Museum in Aoyama—about 20–25 minutes, or take the short train connection from Meiji-jingumae to Omote-sando if you prefer to save your legs. Plan to arrive around noon or 12:30pm; the museum is usually open 10:00am–5:00pm and closed Mondays, with admission commonly around ¥1,500–¥2,000. Its collection of Japanese and East Asian art is beautifully displayed, but the real pleasure is the quiet garden, an excellent contrast to Harajuku’s bustle. Afterward, continue by train or taxi toward Koffee Mameya Kakeru in Shibuya, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes depending on the connection. Reserve ahead if possible: this is a tasting-led coffee experience rather than a quick café stop, and the ¥1,000–¥3,000 range reflects the carefully prepared flights and brewing styles.
Evening
Make your way to Shibuya Scramble Crossing as daylight fades, about a 10-minute walk from the café or a short local train ride if you are farther west. Watch the first crossing from street level, then take in the surrounding neon from the Shibuya Mark City pedestrian walkways before heading to Shibuya Sky. Timed admission is required, and sunset slots often sell out, so book online in advance; allow 1–1.5 hours and check the weather, since the open-air rooftop can close temporarily in strong wind or rain. Aim to arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset for the changing light, or choose a later slot for Tokyo’s full nighttime sparkle. Bring a light layer—September evenings can still feel warm, but the rooftop is breezier than street level.
Asakusa and Ueno
- Senso-ji — Asakusa; visit Tokyo’s oldest temple and its landmark Kaminarimon Gate, morning, ~1.5 hours.
- Nakamise-dori — Asakusa; browse traditional crafts and snacks on the approach to Senso-ji, late morning, ~1 hour.
- Kappabashi Dougu Street — Asakusa; explore Tokyo’s specialist kitchenware district, midday, ~1 hour.
- Asakusa Imahan — Asakusa; have a classic sukiyaki lunch in a historic setting, midday, ~1.5 hours, approximately ¥4,000–8,000 per person.
- Ueno Park — Ueno; stroll through museums, ponds, and temple grounds, afternoon, ~1.5 hours.
- Ameyoko Shopping Street — Ueno; finish with lively market browsing and casual street food, late afternoon, ~1.5 hours.
Morning
Take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Shibuya to Asakusa, allowing about 35 minutes; leaving around 8:00–8:30am gets you to the temple before the tour groups and hottest part of the day. Start at Kaminarimon Gate and walk through the lantern-lined approach to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple. The grounds are open around the clock, although the main hall is generally accessible from about 6:00am (6:30am from October through March) until 5:00pm. Give yourself roughly 1½ hours, including a quiet detour around the outer grounds and nearby Asakusa Shrine. On the way out, spend about an hour browsing Nakamise-dori; shops usually open around 9:00–10:00am, and this is a good place for ningyo-yaki cakes, rice crackers, and small traditional souvenirs. Avoid eating while walking—step aside near the shop where you bought a snack.
Midday
From Senso-ji, it’s a pleasant 10-minute walk west to Kappabashi Dougu Street, where the specialist shops sell everything from lacquered chopsticks to restaurant knives and remarkably realistic plastic food samples. Most stores keep roughly 10:00am–5:00pm hours, though individual businesses vary and some close on Sundays, so window-shopping is perfectly fine. After about an hour, walk back toward the river for lunch at Asakusa Imahan, a long-established restaurant known for finely sliced wagyu sukiyaki. Reserve if possible, or arrive shortly before lunch service; set meals commonly run about ¥4,000–8,000 per person, with higher prices for premium beef. Expect a leisurely meal of around 1½ hours rather than a quick stop.
Afternoon and Evening
After lunch, take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Asakusa Station to Ueno-Hirokoji or Ueno, depending on which entrance is easiest, usually about 5 minutes plus station walking time. Spend the afternoon in Ueno Park, allowing 1½ hours for its tree-lined paths, lotus ponds, and temple grounds; choose a museum only if you are happy to shorten the stroll, since the major museums close around 5:00pm and are typically closed on Mondays. Finish at Ameyoko Shopping Street, a lively 10-minute walk from the park, where market stalls, discount shops, izakaya, and casual food counters stay active into the evening. Browse without rushing, then settle into one of the small standing bars or seafood spots for a snack; prices vary, but ¥1,000–2,000 is enough for a casual bite and drink.
Ginza and Tokyo Bay
- Tsukiji Outer Market — Tsukiji; sample fresh seafood and browse market stalls, morning, ~2 hours, approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person.
- Hamarikyu Gardens — Shiodome; walk through a historic garden beside Tokyo’s skyscrapers, late morning, ~1.5 hours.
- GINZA SIX — Ginza; browse upscale shops and enjoy its architecture and rooftop garden, afternoon, ~1.5 hours.
- Tsukishima Monja Street — Tsukishima; try Tokyo’s distinctive monjayaki for lunch, midday, ~1.5 hours, approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person.
- teamLab Planets TOKYO — Toyosu; experience its immersive, walk-through digital art installations, afternoon, ~2 hours.
- Odaiba Seaside Park — Odaiba; end beside Tokyo Bay with Rainbow Bridge views, evening, ~1.5 hours.
Morning
Take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Asakusa to Ginza, then change for Tsukijishijo Station or walk about 15 minutes toward Tsukiji Outer Market. Leave around 7:30–8:00am; the market is liveliest in the morning, with many food stalls and shops opening from roughly 8:00am. Spend about two hours sampling tamagoyaki, grilled seafood, sushi, and fruit—allow ¥2,000–4,000 per person, and carry cash since some small vendors still prefer it. From there, walk or take the Toei Oedo Line one stop to Shiodome, where Hamarikyu Gardens makes a calm contrast to the market: allow 1–1½ hours for the ponds, teahouse, and elevated views of the surrounding towers. Admission is about ¥300; the garden generally opens at 9:00am and closes at 5:00pm.
Lunch and Afternoon
For lunch, continue to Tsukishima Monja Street—about 15 minutes by train from Shiodome via the Toei Oedo Line—and choose one of the neighborhood’s long-running monjayaki restaurants, such as Monja Kura or Monja Marutoku. Each table cooks the savory batter on its own hotplate, and staff will usually help if you are unsure how to spread it; budget ¥2,000–4,000 per person and allow 1½ hours. After lunch, ride the Oedo Line or walk toward Ginza for GINZA SIX, roughly 1½ hours of browsing its design-led shops, atrium, and rooftop garden. The complex is typically open from 10:30am to 8:30pm, with restaurants operating later, so there is no need to hurry.
Evening
Head from Ginza to teamLab Planets TOKYO in Toyosu by the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line—about 25–30 minutes including the walk from Toyosu Station. Reserve a timed ticket in advance; admission commonly costs around ¥3,800–4,200, and the barefoot, water-filled rooms are part of the experience, so wear shorts or trousers that can be rolled above the knee. Allow about two hours, then take the Yurikamome from Shin-Toyosu to Odaiba-Kaihinkoen for Odaiba Seaside Park. Finish with a relaxed walk along the bay and views of Rainbow Bridge; sunset is especially good here, while the park itself remains accessible around the clock. endif
