First time in Tokyo: a 4-day itinerary by area with day-trip options

Getting in from the airport

• Narita: the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno or Nippori, or JR's Narita Express to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku and Shibuya. Cheaper slower trains and airport buses also run.
• Haneda: much closer. The Keikyu Line or the Tokyo Monorail connects to the city in well under an hour.

Getting around

• IC cards: Suica and PASMO work on almost all trains, subways and buses, and at convenience stores. After a chip shortage, physical card sales resumed in 2025. Visitors can also buy the Welcome Suica at the airports, and iPhone users can add a Suica to Apple Wallet. Check JR East's site for the current options.
• Tokyo Subway Ticket: a 24, 48 or 72-hour pass for Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines, sold to visitors. Worth it if you ride a lot.
• Japan Rail Pass: rarely worth it for a Tokyo-only trip; do the maths before buying.
• Google Maps works well in Japan for train routes and platforms.

Day 1: Asakusa and Ueno

• Morning at Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo's oldest temple, through Kaminarimon gate and the Nakamise shopping street. Arrive early before the crowds.
• Walk to the Sumida River for views of Tokyo Skytree, or go up it.
• Afternoon in Ueno: Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum, and the Ameyoko market street under the railway tracks.
• Evening: Akihabara, two stops away, for electronics, anime and arcades.

Day 2: Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku

• Morning at Meiji Jingu, a shrine in a forest right next to Harajuku station.
• Takeshita Street for youth fashion and crêpes, then Omotesando's architecture and shops.
• Shibuya: the Scramble Crossing, the Hachiko statue, and a rooftop observation deck such as Shibuya Sky (book a sunset slot ahead).
• Evening in Shinjuku: Omoide Yokocho's tiny yakitori bars, Golden Gai, and the free observation floors at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (check opening hours).

Day 3: Ginza, Tsukiji and Odaiba

• Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market: sushi, tamagoyaki and grilled seafood at stalls. The wholesale market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but the outer market's shops stayed.
• Walk to Ginza for department stores, flagship shops and food halls in the basements (depachika).
• Afternoon in Odaiba, reached on the driverless Yurikamome line across the Rainbow Bridge: seaside park, shopping malls and night views back to the city.
• Alternative: the Imperial Palace East Gardens and Tokyo Station area, or teamLab digital art (Planets in Toyosu, Borderless in Azabudai Hills; book ahead).

Day 4: a day trip

• Nikko: shrines and temples in the mountains, including the ornate Toshogu, a World Heritage Site. Tobu limited express trains from Asakusa take around two hours. JR passes do not cover Tobu trains.
• Kamakura: the Great Buddha, Hasedera temple and a seaside town. About an hour from Tokyo Station on the JR Yokosuka Line; add Enoshima island on the Enoden railway.
• Hakone (longer): hot springs, Lake Ashi and, on clear days, Mount Fuji views. Easier as an overnight.

Tips

• Carry some cash. Cards are widely accepted now, but small restaurants, shrines and older shops may be cash only.
• Keep your voice down and avoid phone calls on trains.
• There are few public bins; carry a small bag for rubbish.
• Many popular restaurants have queues or need reservations; lunch is often cheaper than dinner for the same food.
• Avoid the morning rush hour, roughly 7:30 to 9:30 on weekdays, if you have luggage.
• Check train times on the day; fares and timetables change.