Idea

Tokyo’s attractions are spread out. Organizing them into four areas—East, West, South, and North—and focusing on one area per day can save a lot of commuting time.

Day 1: Asakusa + Ueno (East Side)

Senso-ji Temple → Nakamise Shopping Street → Sumida River Walk → Ueno Park & National Museum of Western Art → Ameyoko Night Market. Arrive at Senso-ji’s Kaminarimon Gate before 9 AM to avoid crowds.

Day 2: Shibuya + Shinjuku (West Side)

Meiji Shrine → Harajuku’s Takeshita Street → Shibuya Sky or the Shibuya Scramble Crossing → Shinjuku Gyoen Garden → Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck (free) → Kabukicho.

Day 3: Odaiba + Ginza (South Route)

Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market → Mitsukoshi and UNIQLO flagship stores in Ginza → Odaiba Seaside Park → teamLab or Fuji TV Building → Rainbow Bridge night view.

Day 4: Mitaka + Kichijoji (North Route)

Ghibli Museum in Mitaka (book one month in advance) → Inokashira Park → Kichijoji Shopping Street → Nakano Broadway. Return to the airport in the evening.

Tips

• Tokyo Metro 72-Hour Pass (for foreign tourists only) costs around 1,500 yen and is great value.
• Tickets for Ghibli Museum, teamLab, and Disney parks must be purchased in advance on their official websites; very few are available on-site.
• To get from Narita Airport into the city, choose Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner; from Haneda, take the Monorail or Keikyu Line.