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What to see in Tokyo in 3 days: day-by-day itinerary

  • 3 days
  • 12 stops
  • 11 audio guides along the way
  • Planned for May 18 – 20
Travel view of Tokyo
Photo by Alex on Unsplash

Quick answer. Day 1: the Kaminarimon gate, a snack walk down Nakamise-dori and Senso-ji, Tokyo's best-known temple, in Asakusa. Day 2: Ueno Park and the Yanaka old town on foot, then Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing and dinner in Shinjuku. Day 3: the Imperial Palace East Garden and a Marunouchi stroll before departing from Tokyo Station.

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What you will see each day

A short version of every day. Stops with a Mappu audio guide link straight to it, so you can listen on site or before you go.

Walking times are estimates: the walking route between stops, from OpenStreetMap, at 4.5 km/h. A stop with no walking time is right next to the one before or a ride away; the full itinerary below has the details.

  1. Day 1 · Arrival, Ueno Base and Senso-ji at Golden Hour

    Arrival near Ueno Station, the Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise-dori, Senso-ji, then street snacks in Asakusa.

    On foot today: ≈ 10 min · 0.8 km

    Self-guided walk for this day

    Walk it live with Mappu when you're there: ask, steer, wander.

  2. Day 2 · Ueno and Yanaka by Morning, Meiji Jingu to Shinjuku by Night

    Ueno Park and the Yanaka old town on foot, Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing and dinner in Shinjuku.

    On foot today: ≈ 62 min · 4.6 km

    Self-guided walk for this day

    Walk it live with Mappu when you're there: ask, steer, wander.

The full itinerary, with the map and travel notes

Every stop with its notes, the route on the map, and tips on transport, budget and packing.

Tokyo 3-Day Itinerary
Senso-ji in Asakusa, Ueno Park and Yanaka, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, Shinjuku and the Imperial Palace gardens

Planned with Mappu

Tokyo from an Ueno Base

🚄

Train

May 18 | Tue

Arrival, Ueno Base and Senso-ji at Golden Hour
Arrival in Tokyo and Hotel Check-in near Ueno Station

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Ueno Station, TokyoGoogle Maps
Season Snapshot: mid-to-late May in Tokyo is mild and often warm by afternoon, with some chance of rain, so today uses light layers and an easy walking pace. Once you land, make your way to the Ueno area, which is the base for all three days. Ueno Station is a major rail hub, so it works well for arrivals and departures. Check the timetable for your preferred route into the city before you go. Drop your bags at your hotel and check in at your own pace, then freshen up and head out for the afternoon. Ueno is a wonderful base: old-Tokyo energy, the museums of Ueno Park a short walk away, and Yanaka and Asakusa close enough that none of your days needs a big crossing. Keep the first hours relaxed, because tomorrow is the biggest walking day of the trip.

Notes

Hotel check-in times vary, so ask the front desk to hold your bags if you arrive early.
Kaminarimon and Nakamise Street Stroll, Asakusa
Kaminarimon, Asakusa, TokyoGoogle Maps
14:30
60

minutes

Head to Asakusa for the first afternoon, and let the giant red lantern of Kaminarimon be your welcome to the old shitamachi side of Tokyo. Beyond it runs Nakamise-dori, the shopping street leading to Senso-ji. It is said to date from around 1685, when neighbours who swept the temple grounds were allowed to set up stalls near the gate. Today roughly 90 shops line it, selling sweets such as ningyo-yaki and kaminari-okoshi, so snack lightly as you walk and save a proper meal for later. The lanes around the temple are also full of retro kissaten coffee houses if you want a sit-down. This is your first taste of the neighbourhood-walk side of Tokyo, with plenty of shopfront detail to enjoy at a strolling pace.

Notes

It gets busy in the early afternoon, so walk the side lanes for a calmer feel. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Senso-ji Temple Visit, Asakusa

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Senso-ji, Asakusa, TokyoGoogle Maps
15:45
90

minutes

Pass through the gate and walk to Senso-ji, Tokyo's best-known temple, with a history of around 1,400 years. The grounds are large and include the main hall, the five-storey pagoda and several smaller halls. Follow the usual route: pause to cleanse your hands, approach the main hall quietly, and make an offering if you wish. Roughly 30 million visitors come each year, so linger at the quieter side halls and the pagoda, where the mood softens. For your love of temples and shrines, this is the essential first stop, and the late-afternoon light on the vermilion buildings is lovely.

Notes

Dress modestly and keep your voice low near the main hall.

Suggested restaurant

Nakamise-dori, Asakusa, TokyoGoogle Maps

Japanese street snacks and sweets

$

Nakamise-dori has around 90 shops, from long-established names to newer ones. For a tasting-style dinner-lite, try freshly made ningyo-yaki, small cakes with a sweet filling that are an Asakusa classic, and kaminari-okoshi, a crunchy sweet. Look for colourful fruit dango and monaka too. It suits the first evening because you can graze on the move before an early night. For something more filling, the retro coffee houses around the temple make a nice stop.
Dress in light layers, as May evenings can cool down, and carry a compact umbrella in case of rain. Stay on foot or take a short ride between Ueno and Asakusa, and check the timetable before you go. Then head back to your hotel for an early night. Tomorrow is a long day.

May 19 | Wed

Ueno and Yanaka by Morning, Meiji Jingu to Shinjuku by Night
Ueno Park Morning Walk

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Ueno Park, TokyoGoogle Maps
08:30
90

minutes

Start right outside your door with Ueno Park, the green heart of Tokyo's museum district, which keeps this morning gentle. In late May the trees are in full leaf and the air is still comfortable before the day warms up. Wander the broad avenues and shaded paths, and if a museum catches your eye, check the exhibition listings and opening days on the official site first, since many museums keep their own closing days. The park suits your interest in museums and neighbourhood walks equally well, and it sets you up for the short stroll into Yanaka without any train ride.

Notes

Check museum opening days on the official sites before choosing one.
Yanaka Old Town Walk
Yanaka, Taito, TokyoGoogle Maps
10:15
120

minutes

From Ueno Park, stroll north on foot into Yanaka, one of the Tokyo districts where old-town lanes survive. Expect small temples, quiet alleys, craft shops and neighbourhood snack stalls. Take it slowly: this is a place for turning down side streets, peeking into small galleries and pausing for a coffee or a sweet. The area also has an art scene, so you may stumble on exhibitions as you go, and it is worth checking exhibition listings before you set out. For your interest in temples and shrines, let the small temple precincts set the pace rather than a checklist. Look for lanes lined with wooden houses, quiet cemeteries and the little shrines tucked between homes, and let the neighbourhood's rhythm carry you. Many small shops keep their own closing days, so wander rather than plan a specific stop, and treat any sweet or coffee you find as a bonus. This walk is a fine counterpoint to the glitz you will see tonight. Yanaka feels like a different Tokyo, lower-rise and slower, and it sets up a relaxed lunch before the afternoon's cross-city move. Allow the full two hours, and keep an easy pace in the warmer hours of late May.

Notes

Many small shops keep their own closing days, so wander rather than plan a specific shop.
Meiji Jingu Shrine Walk

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Meiji Jingu, Shibuya, TokyoGoogle Maps
14:00
75

minutes

Cross the city once for the afternoon (your first of two crossings today) and arrive at Meiji Jingu, the forested shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Walk the gravel approach under the great torii, a surprisingly hushed passage so close to Harajuku. Pause to cleanse your hands, bow at the main hall and look for the wooden ema prayer plaques, which visitors write and hang with their wishes. The shrine sits inside a large forest that was planted deliberately, so the trees feel older and deeper than the surrounding city. Walk slowly and let the sound of gravel and leaves take over from the traffic. Keep your voice low near the main hall and follow any posted signs about where to walk and stand. Allow a quiet hour here, as it is a lovely contrast to the busy morning and will calm you before Harajuku's crowds. Getting here from Yanaka takes a transit leg or a long walk, so leave a flexible buffer after lunch and check the timetable for your route before you go.

Notes

Walk the approach slowly; check the timetable for the route from Ueno before you go.
Takeshita Street and Harajuku Wander

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Takeshita Street, Harajuku, TokyoGoogle Maps
15:30
75

minutes

Step out of the shrine forest and into Harajuku, where Takeshita Street is the louder, brighter side of Tokyo youth culture. Browse the quirky fashion shops and crepe stands, then slip onto the quieter side streets for a calmer look at the neighbourhood. The contrast with Meiji Jingu is half the fun, and it is all within a few minutes on foot. Takeshita Street is a short, narrow pedestrian lane packed with small boutiques, accessory stalls and sweet shops, so it rewards slow browsing rather than a fixed shopping list. Many of the shops are small, so take your time at each window rather than rushing through. Crepes and other snacks are part of the appeal, and a light snack here fits the moderate pace of the day. For a more relaxed view, turn off the main lane into the surrounding streets, where the buildings are lower and the crowds thin out. This is a good place to decide whether you want a longer look at the area or to head on toward Shibuya. Keep an eye on the time, and allow a little extra for the walk to Shibuya.

Notes

Takeshita Street is narrow and crowded in the afternoon, so go in single file and keep bags in front.
Shibuya Crossing Moment

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Shibuya Crossing, TokyoGoogle Maps
17:15
45

minutes

Continue on to Shibuya for the famous scramble crossing, where pedestrians cross from several directions at once when the lights change. Watch it from street level or from a nearby vantage point, then walk a few of the surrounding streets to feel the neon building up as the day fades. It is pure Tokyo energy, and it works well as the early-evening bridge between the shrine and Shinjuku. Give yourself a few minutes to find a good spot and avoid rushing, since the crowds can be dense in the early evening. If you want a calmer view, look for a quieter place nearby rather than pushing to the front. Cross at least once yourselves, keeping an eye on the signals and the people around you, and enjoy the feeling of the crowd moving as one. This stop is short by design so that the evening still has room for Shinjuku. Use the surrounding streets for a slow wander, and treat the crossing as a moment to pause rather than a checklist item. After dark, the signs and storefronts give the area its signature glow, which makes it an ideal transition into the next part of the evening.

Notes

Cross at least once yourselves for the full effect.
Shinjuku Evening Lights and Dinner
Shinjuku Station, TokyoGoogle Maps
19:00
150

minutes

Finish in Shinjuku, where the evening is all neon, narrow lanes and izakaya glow. Stroll the area around Shinjuku Station, pick a lively spot for dinner, and soak up the atmosphere at a relaxed pace. It is a romantic, buzzing finale for a couple, and the perfect counterpoint to the morning's quiet lanes. Izakaya are casual Japanese drinking-and-dining spots, and many have a visible menu or plastic food display that makes ordering easy. Look for a place with a good flow of people, and take your time with small plates and a drink. The narrow lanes near the station offer plenty of options, so you can compare a few before you settle. Afterwards, head back to Ueno for the night, which is your second crossing of the city today. Check the timetable for your last ride before you set out, and leave comfortable time to get back. Wear comfortable shoes, since the day has involved a lot of walking, and keep a light rain layer handy.

Notes

Choose a place with a visible menu or plastic food display for easy ordering.
Today uses just two cross-city rides: Ueno to Meiji Jingu and Shinjuku back to Ueno. Everything between is on foot or a short hop. Wear very comfortable shoes, carry a light rain layer, and check the timetable for your last ride back.

May 20 | Thu

Palace Gardens, Marunouchi and Departure from Tokyo Station
Imperial Palace East Garden Morning

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Imperial Palace East Garden, Chiyoda, TokyoGoogle Maps
09:00
75

minutes

After checking out of your Ueno hotel and sorting out your luggage, make your single cross-city move to the Imperial Palace East Garden. The garden preserves part of the former Edo Castle's main, second and third compounds and has been open to the public since 1968. Look for the surviving historic structures and the landscaped garden within. Spring-green late May is a lovely time to stroll the wide lawns and old stone walls at an easy pace. Check the official Imperial Household Agency page for opening days and entry rules before you go, since temporary closures are announced there.

Notes

Check the Imperial Household Agency page for opening days and the rules for entry and photography.
Marunouchi Stroll and Departure from Tokyo Station

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Marunouchi, Tokyo Station, TokyoGoogle Maps
10:30
75

minutes

Walk out of the garden into Marunouchi, the business district beside Tokyo Station, where red-brick architecture meets glass towers. Browse the elegant streets, pick up a last coffee or a gift, and take a last look at the station building. Then settle in at Tokyo Station for your departure, leaving yourselves a comfortable buffer. The plan ends here, with no evening activities. The brick station building is one of Tokyo's best-known landmarks, and the area around it is full of shops and cafes that are easy to fit into a short window. Choose one or two stops rather than a long list, so that you keep an easy pace after the palace visit. The streets are wide and clean, which makes walking between them simple. Keep this stroll flexible around your departure time. Allow a generous buffer for the station, which is large and busy, and check the timetable before you go. Once you reach the station, you can take your time with bags and tickets without feeling rushed.

Notes

Allow a generous buffer for the station, which is large and busy.
Check out of the hotel before heading to the gardens, and plan your station arrival around your own departure time. Check the timetable before you go and keep a comfortable buffer.

Wishing you an absolutely incredible adventure!

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Nov 2, 2026
Reviewed
Nov 2, 2026
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Common questions

Is 3 days enough for Tokyo?

For a first visit, yes: one afternoon for Asakusa and Senso-ji, one long day from Ueno and Yanaka across to Meiji Jingu, Shibuya and Shinjuku, and a morning at the Imperial Palace East Garden. Leave Ginza, Odaiba, Tsukiji's outer market and day trips such as Nikko or Kamakura for a return visit.

How do you get around Tokyo by subway and IC card?

Tap a rechargeable IC card (Suica or PASMO, as a physical card or in your phone's wallet) on both the subway and JR lines. From Ueno, the Ginza Line runs straight to Asakusa, the JR Yamanote Line from Nippori or the Chiyoda Line from Nezu takes you west to Harajuku and Meiji Jingu, and a short JR ride reaches Tokyo Station. Tokyo's subway tickets for visitors cover Tokyo Metro and Toei lines only, not JR, so add up your rides before buying one.

Where to stay in Tokyo for 3 days?

Near Ueno Station: the Ginza Line reaches Asakusa directly, Ueno Park and Yanaka are on foot, JR trains reach Tokyo Station in minutes, and Keisei trains to Narita leave from Keisei Ueno. Asakusa is quieter but less well connected; Tokyo Station and Marunouchi suit the departure morning but cost more.

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