Sensō-ji 浅草寺
Enter through Kaminarimon and follow Nakamise shopping street to the temple grounds.
- Important Cultural Property
Tokyo Travel Guide
See how different neighborhoods feel, from Asakusa’s traditional shopping streets to the movement and lights of Shibuya.
- First visit
- 4–5 days
- Airports
- Haneda (HND) · Narita (NRT)
- Common fares
- Suica or PASMO for everyday rides
- Easiest route plan
- One side of Tokyo each day
Before you go
When to go and how long to stay
Allow four or five days. Pair Asakusa with Ueno, and Shibuya with Harajuku, to spend less time crossing the city. Leave some flexibility for spring flower season and humid summer weather.
Entry documents
Check Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs short-stay visa rules for your passport. Visit Japan Web can be used to prepare arrival and customs information. Save the accommodation address, including its Japanese spelling.
Getting to the city
| Arrival point | Train / transfer | Use it if you’re heading to |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda (HND) | Keikyu to Shinagawa or Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsuchō, then connect to a city train if needed. | Shinagawa, the Yamanote Line, or a short hotel connection from the interchange. |
| Narita (NRT) via JR | Reserve the Narita Express for your station. JR East gives about one hour to Tokyo Station from the airport. | Tokyo Station or Shinjuku. Check which city stations your particular departure serves. |
| Narita (NRT) via Keisei | Skyliner to Nippori or Keisei-Ueno. The quickest published run to Nippori from the T2/T3 station is 36 minutes. Pay for the reserved seat as well as the base fare. | Ueno and the east side, or a JR transfer at Nippori. |
Narita and Haneda are separate airports. Check the code on every flight, and do not use an airport plan that leaves you at the wrong terminal. If catching a Shinkansen, match its station name to your ticket.
Getting around
- For most urban trains, tap a compatible IC card at entry and exit. A reserved airport express or Shinkansen uses its own ticketing rules. A subway pass does not replace those tickets.
- Check operator names in your route. The Tokyo Subway Ticket covers Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. JR lines, including the Yamanote Line, fall outside that ticket.
- Save the exit number for large stations. Before a late dinner, check the last useful connection for the route back to your hotel.
Payments and mobile data
Keep yen for small shops, temple admission and cash-only machines. A compatible IC card is convenient for most urban trains and buses, while some limited express and intercity services require a separate ticket. Save offline maps and station names before arrival.
Where to stay
Ueno suits the east of the city and Narita connections. Shinjuku works for western Tokyo and nightlife. Tokyo Station is practical if you have frequent intercity rail trips.
Things to do in Tokyo
Shibuya Crossing 渋谷スクランブル交差点
Step out near Hachikō and watch the crossing from street level before exploring the surrounding lanes.
View attraction detailsWhat to eat in Tokyo
Nigiri sushi 握り寿司
Hand shaped rice topped with fish or other ingredients. Try a few pieces at a sushi counter or around Tsukiji Outer Market.
Photo: N509FZ · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Suggested route
- Day 1, east side: start in Asakusa at Kaminarimon, visit Sensō-ji, then continue to Ueno or stop by the Sumida River.
- Day 2, west side: begin around Meiji Jingū and Harajuku, then continue to Shibuya for the crossing and dinner.
- Day 3, central Tokyo: combine Tokyo Station, Marunouchi and a Ginza or Nihonbashi stop. Leave a fourth day for the area you want to explore in more depth.