Japan 3 Day Itinerary: Easy Tokyo Route for First-Timers

JGO! editorial team — WEBMARKS Inc. (Fujisawa, Kanagawa)

With only three days, the best plan is to stay in one city. Pick Tokyo and group nearby areas together. Day 1 is Asakusa and Ueno. Day 2 is Harajuku and Shibuya. Day 3 is Shimokitazawa and Shinjuku. This is the route Tokyo's official tourism site suggests (GO TOKYO). You spend your time seeing places, not sitting on long train rides.

1Why stay in Tokyo for a 3-day trip

GO TOKYO's 3-day plan groups areas that are close to each other (GO TOKYO). It is a Tokyo-only plan. It is not a tour around all of Japan (GO TOKYO).

This matters for a short trip. Less moving means more time to walk, eat and look around. You also only need one hotel.

Many video creators also choose one city for three days. The Ultimate Travel Guide shows a step-by-step 3-day Tokyo plan.

Kyoto or Osaka are other one-city choices. Inaka Adventure shows how to spend three days in Osaka.

2Getting from the airport

Haneda Airport connects directly to the Keikyu Line and the Tokyo Monorail ⓘ Haneda Airport. Rough times from the airport: Shinagawa about 15 minutes, Hamamatsucho about 20 minutes ⓘ Haneda Airport.

Tokyo Station is about 30 minutes away. Asakusa is about 40 minutes away ⓘ Haneda Airport. The airport site did not confirm which lines or how many changes you need. Check before you go.

At Terminal 3, the Keikyu gates toward central Tokyo and Yokohama are in the 2nd-floor arrivals lobby. The monorail gates are in the 2nd-floor arrivals lobby and the 3rd-floor departures lobby ⓘ Haneda Airport.

Narita Airport suggests the JR Narita Express for Tokyo, Shibuya and Shinjuku. It suggests the Keisei Line for Ueno and Nippori ⓘ Narita Airport. Stops vary by train, so check the official site.

Terminal 1 uses Narita Airport Station. Terminals 2 and 3 use Airport Terminal 2 Station ⓘ Narita Airport.

3Day 1: Asakusa and Ueno

Start at Kaminarimon, a large temple gate. Fujin (the wind god) and Raijin (the thunder god) are placed at the gate (GO TOKYO).

Walk through Nakamise-dori, a shopping street about 250 meters long (GO TOKYO). It leads to Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple. The address is 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City (Senso-ji).

The main hall opens 6:00–17:00. From October to March it opens at 6:30 (Senso-ji).

Shops around Asakusa sell traditional crafts and sweets (GO TOKYO). Nearby is Kappabashi, a street of kitchen tools and food samples. Food samples are the plastic models of dishes you see in restaurant windows (GO TOKYO).

In the afternoon, walk west to Ueno (GO TOKYO). Ameyoko is a street with food and clothing shops (GO TOKYO). The Ginza Line also links the two areas. From Ueno to Asakusa takes about 5 minutes. It costs 178 yen with an IC card or 180 yen with a paper ticket ⓘ Tokyo Metro.

Howzit Japan shares a 3-day Tokyo guide for first-time visitors.

4Day 2: Yoyogi, Harajuku and Shibuya

Begin at Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine. A shrine is a holy place for Japan's Shinto religion. This one honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken (Meiji Jingu). It is near Harajuku Station and Meiji-jingumae Station ⓘ JNTO.

From each entrance, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the main hall (Meiji Jingu). The gates open at sunrise and close at sunset. So times change each month. In November it is 6:10–16:10. In June it is 5:00–18:30 (Meiji Jingu).

This day also includes Yoyogi Park (GO TOKYO). Then head to Harajuku. Takeshita-dori has fashion, small goods and snacks (GO TOKYO).

Walk along Cat Street, which runs from the Harajuku side toward Shibuya (GO TOKYO). End in Shibuya. See the famous scramble crossing, where people cross in all directions at once. There are many shopping buildings too (GO TOKYO). Another GO TOKYO plan says Shibuya to Yoyogi Park is about a 20-minute walk (GO TOKYO).

Hannah JY Moon's full 3-day Tokyo vlog shows what to do in the city.

5Day 3: Shimokitazawa and Shinjuku

Start in Shimokitazawa. It has used-clothing shops, cafes and record stores (GO TOKYO).

Take the Odakyu Line to Shinjuku (GO TOKYO). Note that the Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket does not cover the Odakyu Line ⓘ Tokyo Metro. An IC card is simpler today.

Visit Shinjuku Gyoen, a garden in the Shinjuku area (GO TOKYO). Entry is 500 yen for adults. It is 250 yen for people 65 and over and for students of high school age or older. Junior high age and younger enter free ⓘ Ministry of the Environment. You can pay at the gate with an IC card ⓘ Ministry of the Environment.

In the evening, go to Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai. Many places to eat and drink gather here (GO TOKYO).

Becky Mae's Japan vlog shows a 3-day trip with vintage shopping, cafe hopping and sightseeing.

Shinjuku Gyoen opening times

ⓘ Ministry of the Environment

6Swap days and backup plans

GO TOKYO offers other day plans too. One pairs Ueno Park with Akihabara (GO TOKYO). Ueno Park has several museums, including the Tokyo National Museum (GO TOKYO). From Ueno, you walk south to Akihabara (GO TOKYO).

Another plan mixes Asakusa, the Tokyo Station area, Ginza and Yurakucho (GO TOKYO). Trains are short here. Shinjuku to Tokyo on the Marunouchi Line takes 18 minutes, 209 yen by IC card. Tokyo to Ginza takes 2 minutes, 178 yen by IC card ⓘ Tokyo Metro. Times are only a guide and can be longer ⓘ Tokyo Metro.

7How to pay for trains: step by step

1. Get an IC card. Suica and PASMO are rechargeable cards. They work at train gates, vending machines and convenience stores (GO TOKYO).
2. Decide if you need a day ticket. The Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket is 700 yen for adults and 350 yen for children ⓘ Tokyo Metro.
3. Know what it covers. It covers all Tokyo Metro lines only. It does not cover JR, Odakyu or Toei subway lines ⓘ Tokyo Metro.
4. Need Toei lines too? The Tokyo Metro and Toei one-day ticket is 1,100 yen for adults and 550 yen for children ⓘ Tokyo Metro.
5. Buy it. Same-day tickets are sold at Tokyo Metro station machines. If you do not use it by the last train that day, it becomes invalid ⓘ Tokyo Metro. Advance tickets are online only. You must start using them within 6 months of buying ⓘ Tokyo Metro.
6. Start the clock. A paper ticket works for 24 hours from your first gate ⓘ Tokyo Metro.

8Other cities for three days

Tokyo is not your only choice. Sunny in Japan shares things to do, places to eat and travel tips for 3 days in Kyoto.

PhatLife Project shares a realistic Kyoto plan and the creator's biggest mistakes. We have no official facts for Kyoto or Osaka in this guide. Check official sites for times and prices.

9Mistakes first-timers make

• Trying to see three cities in three days -> Stay in one city and group nearby areas (GO TOKYO).
• Arriving at Meiji Jingu after sunset -> Gates close at sunset. Check the month's time first (Meiji Jingu).
• Going to Shinjuku Gyoen on a Monday -> It is usually closed on Mondays. Swap Day 3 with another day ⓘ Ministry of the Environment.
• Using a Metro day ticket on the Odakyu Line -> It does not cover Odakyu, JR or Toei. Use an IC card ⓘ Tokyo Metro.
• Walking into Meiji Jingu's forest for photos -> Do not enter the forest (Meiji Jingu).

10FAQ

Is 3 days enough for Japan? It is enough for one city. GO TOKYO's 3-day plan covers Tokyo only (GO TOKYO).

What time does Senso-ji open? The main hall is open 6:00–17:00. From October to March, it opens at 6:30 (Senso-ji).

How much is Shinjuku Gyoen? Adults pay 500 yen. Children of junior high age and under are free ⓘ Ministry of the Environment.

Should I buy the Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket? It costs 700 yen for adults. It helps on Metro-heavy days. It does not cover JR or Odakyu ⓘ Tokyo Metro.

How long is Haneda Airport to Asakusa? About 40 minutes, according to the airport. Line details vary, so check the official site ⓘ Haneda Airport.

Can I walk between areas? Yes, often. Asakusa to Ueno and Shibuya to Yoyogi Park are suggested walks (GO TOKYO).

11Related guides

• Tokyo itinerary: 3 days
• Japan 5-day itinerary
• Haneda Airport to Tokyo
• Narita Airport to Tokyo
• Japan IC card guide
• Where to stay in Tokyo

Related guides

Akihabara Guide: Anime, Electronics and Planning Your Visit

Aomori Nebuta Festival: Dates, Seats and Haneto Guide

Arashiyama Guide: Bamboo Grove, Bridge, Temple and Trains

Asakusa Guide: Senso-ji, Station Exits and Local Walks

Atsuta Jingu: Shrine Access, Museums and Prices

Awa Odori Festival: Tokushima Dates and Tickets

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