4-Day Tokyo Itinerary with Kamakura Day Trip and Tokyo Tower

Morning

Start at Zojo-ji Temple around 8:30 AM, when the grounds are peaceful and the temple’s vermilion details stand out beneath Tokyo Tower. Allow about an hour to see the main hall, gate, and rows of Jizō statues at the Unborn Children’s Garden. From there, walk roughly 10 minutes through Shibakoen to Tokyo Tower. The Main Deck generally opens at 9:00 AM; admission is about ¥1,200, with an additional fee if you continue to the Top Deck. Set aside 1–1.5 hours, and arrive early if you want clearer views before the late-morning crowds.

Midday and Afternoon

Walk or take a short taxi ride—about 10 minutes—to Azabudai Hills Market for lunch. Its food counters and specialty shops are convenient for a relaxed meal, typically ¥1,500–3,000 per person; check individual stall hours, as they vary. After lunch, continue by taxi or subway toward Nezu Museum in Minami-Aoyama—allow around 15–20 minutes by taxi, or use Kamiyacho and Omote-sando stations with a walk at either end. The museum usually opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 5:00 PM, with last admission around 4:30 PM; admission is commonly about ¥1,500–1,800. Spend 1–1.5 hours with the Japanese and East Asian collection, then leave time for the beautifully landscaped garden, especially if the September heat has eased.

Evening

Head to Conrad Tokyo in Shiodome for dinner or a skyline drink; a taxi from Nezu Museum takes roughly 15–20 minutes, while trains via Shimbashi are usually quicker during traffic. Expect approximately ¥5,000–12,000 per person depending on whether you choose a restaurant meal or drinks, and reserve ahead for a window table. Finish at 7-Eleven Akabanebashi-ekimae, about 10–15 minutes by taxi from Shiodome or a short walk from Akabanebashi Station. The familiar convenience store, framed by Tokyo Tower after dark, is the classic photo stop—be discreet, keep the entrance clear, and buy a drink or snack while you’re there.

Morning

Take the Toei Asakusa Line from Daimon or another convenient Minato station to Asakusa, allowing about 25–35 minutes with a Suica or PASMO. Arrive around 8:30 AM and begin at Kaminarimon before the crowds build. Walk through Nakamise-dori, where stalls sell ningyō-yaki cakes, rice crackers, folding fans, and small traditional souvenirs, continuing toward Senso-ji. The temple grounds are open around the clock, while most shops generally open from about 9:00 or 10:00 AM; give the area roughly two hours, including time for the main hall and quieter side lanes. From there, walk about 15 minutes west to Kappabashi Dougu Street, a wonderfully practical and slightly quirky stop lined with specialist shops selling knives, ceramics, lacquerware, restaurant signs, and remarkably realistic plastic food. Most stores are open roughly 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, though individual closing days vary, so go before lunch.

Lunch and Afternoon

For lunch, return toward Asakusa—about a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride—to Asakusa Imahan, a venerable sukiyaki restaurant known for beautifully marbled wagyu. A set lunch typically costs around ¥4,000–8,000 per person; reserve if possible, or arrive near opening time to avoid a long wait. After lunch, take the Toei Asakusa Line from Asakusa to Oshiage, usually about 5 minutes, and spend the afternoon at Tokyo Skytree. The Tembo Deck gives broad views across the Sumida River and the Kanto Plain, while the adjoining Tokyo Solamachi complex is useful for a coffee break or small shopping detour. Advance timed tickets are sensible on clear or busy days; expect roughly ¥2,100–3,500 depending on the observation levels and ticket type.

Evening

Return to Asakusa by the same line and wind down on Hoppy Street, just west of the temple area. Its compact izakayas are at their liveliest from late afternoon onward, with grilled skewers, stewed dishes, and the neighborhood’s namesake Hoppy drink; budget about ¥2,000–4,000 per person. Choose a table facing the street if available, and keep cash handy because smaller establishments may not accept cards. This is a good evening to wander without another major sight planned—continue through the nearby backstreets around Asakusa after dinner, when the temple lights and quieter lanes feel much more atmospheric than during the daytime.

Morning

Leave Tokyo early—ideally around 7:00 AM—so you reach Kamakura Station close to 8:00 AM. Store luggage in the station lockers if needed; larger cases may require a staffed storage counter. Walk along the broad approach to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura’s principal Shinto shrine. The grounds are generally open from around 6:00 AM and free to enter, with a ¥500 fee for the museum if you choose to add it. Allow about 1½ hours for the shrine, ponds, subsidiary buildings, and the main stairway before the midday crowds arrive.

From the shrine, follow Komachi-dori Street back toward the station, allowing roughly an hour to browse its small shops and try local treats such as pigeon-shaped Hato Sabure biscuits, matcha sweets, or freshly grilled rice crackers. It is a lively tourist street, so keep valuables secure and step into side lanes when you want a quieter coffee break. For lunch, eat before continuing across town—small restaurants around Komachi-dori often fill by noon, while a light meal is easier to fit around the temple schedule.

Afternoon and Evening

Take a local bus from the Kamakura Station area toward Hokokuji Temple—roughly 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic—or use a taxi if the bus is crowded. The temple is usually open about 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, with entry around ¥400; the bamboo grove takes only 30–40 minutes, but leave 1½ hours for the garden and traditional tea service. The tea is an additional charge and is best enjoyed slowly rather than treated as a quick stop. Continue by bus or taxi toward Kamakura Hasedera, generally another 15–20 minutes. Its hillside gardens, caves, and coastal outlook are especially pleasant in the late afternoon; allow about 1½ hours, with admission typically around ¥400 and closing time often near 5:30 PM. Finish at the nearby Great Buddha of Kamakura, a short walk from the temple. Entry is usually around ¥300, and the grounds generally close around 5:30 PM; arrive before 5:00 PM to avoid rushing. From there, walk to Hase Station and take the Enoden back to Kamakura Station, then board a JR Yokosuka Line train toward Tokyo. Check the final return departure before leaving the Great Buddha, and expect the trip back to take roughly an hour.

Morning

After arriving at Shibuya Station from Kamakura, walk north toward Meiji Jingu—the shrine’s Harajuku entrance is about 10–15 minutes from the station. Allow roughly 1½ hours for the broad gravel paths, towering forest, and the main shrine buildings; even in the city, this feels remarkably quiet. The grounds open from sunrise until sunset, with no admission fee. Keep voices low near the worship buildings, and bring water, as the walk from the torii to the shrine is longer than it first appears. Around 10:30 AM, exit toward Harajuku and spend about an hour browsing Takeshita Street. It is busiest late morning, so expect a lively, crowded atmosphere rather than a relaxed shopping street. Set aside ¥800–1,500 for a crepe, rainbow-colored sweets, or a quick snack, and keep valuables secure in the densest sections.

Afternoon

From Harajuku, walk about 15 minutes south through stylish Minami-Aoyama to the Nezu Museum Garden Café. The museum and garden are generally open Wednesday–Monday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though the café follows museum hours and may stop taking orders before closing; the garden requires museum admission, typically around ¥1,500–2,000 depending on the exhibition. This is a good place for an unhurried coffee and a stroll among ponds, stone paths, and seasonal greenery—reserve about an hour, and check the museum’s exhibition calendar if you want to go inside. Later, take the Ginza, Hanzomon, or Fukutoshin subway route from Omote-sando toward Shibuya, or walk roughly 25 minutes if the weather is pleasant. Spend about 45 minutes around Shibuya Scramble Crossing, watching the waves of pedestrians from the crossing itself or from a nearby upper-floor café.

Evening

Head into Shibuya Scramble Square for Shibuya Sky, whose open-air observation deck is best timed for late afternoon into sunset. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for sunset; tickets are usually around ¥2,000–2,500, and the rooftop can close temporarily in strong wind or rain. Allow 1½ hours, including time for the indoor observation levels and the 360-degree views over western Tokyo. Afterward, walk approximately 8–10 minutes through Dogenzaka to Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka for dinner. The touchscreen-ordered sushi arrives on individual express lanes, making it quick and affordable at roughly ¥1,500–3,000 per person. Expect a queue at peak dinner time; put your name down, then browse Dogenzaka nearby while waiting.