Three days in Tokyo: eastern, central and western areas

Plan three days in Tokyo around eastern cultural sites, a flexible central day and western shopping areas, with alternative stops, rainy-day options and arrival-time adjustments.

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  • Tokyo
  • Independent travel
  • Rainy-day options

A common mistake on a three-day Tokyo trip is travelling between opposite sides of the city in one day. This itinerary is divided into three modules: an eastern culture day, a flexible central day, and a western shopping day. Stops within each module can be rearranged, with adjustments for rain and early or late arrival. Information on places and stations comes from Tokyo’s official tourism website. The official information does not provide opening hours, journey times or fees for these stops, so this page does not list those figures. Check each facility’s website before departure. Whether three days is enough for every location depends on walking pace and queues, and is not guaranteed. For area comparisons, see Tokyo attractions by area; return to the Tokyo travel guide.

Key points

  • Eastern day: Asakusa to Ueno for traditional streets, parks and shopping streets.
  • Central day: Tokyo Station, Marunouchi and Ginza, suitable for Shinkansen transfers and indoor activities.
  • Western day: Harajuku to Shibuya to Shinjuku, from daytime shopping to evening districts.
  • Keep one main area per module, with other stops as optional additions.

Module 1: Eastern culture day (Asakusa and Ueno)

Time Location Official information
Morning Sensoji Temple (): walk from Kaminarimon through Nakamise Sensoji is Asakusa’s main temple; Kaminarimon is the gateway to the temple
Midday Kappabashi Kitchenware Street, Rokku Broadway (optional) Listed officially as nearby places that can be combined with a visit
Afternoon Ueno: park, museums, Ameyoko Ueno has museums, a boating pond, shrines, a zoo and Ameyoko shopping street
Evening (optional) View from the top floor of Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center The official itinerary suggests going to the top floor for the view
  • Transport: Asakusa Station serves the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line and Tobu Skytree Line.
  • Rainy-day alternative: Ueno has museums to visit; the Sensoji area is mainly outdoors, so focus on Ueno in rain.
  • Early arrival: Visit Asakusa on the first morning. Late arrival: Visit only Sensoji from evening to night, moving Ueno to another day.

Module 2: Flexible central day (Tokyo Station, Marunouchi and Ginza)

Time Location Official information
Morning Marunouchi: red-brick station building and the Imperial Palace direction The Marunouchi exit faces west towards the Imperial Palace
Midday Tokyo Ramen Street and Yaesu Underground Mall Tokyo Ramen Street includes Rokurinsha; Yaesu Underground Mall has about 180 shops
Afternoon Ginza: department stores and boutiques Ginza and Nihonbashi are a few minutes’ walk from the Yaesu exit
  • Use: This is the most flexible day. Shinkansen travel, changing hotels or collecting luggage can all be arranged here. In rain, you can spend the day exploring station shopping streets and underground malls.
  • Transport: Official information gives about 14 minutes between Shinjuku and Tokyo Station on the JR Chuo Rapid Line. For Tokyo Station to Asakusa, see Getting around Tokyo.
  • Early arrival: See Haneda and Narita airports to central Tokyo for transport to Tokyo Station.

Module 3: Western shopping day (Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku)

Time Location Official information
Morning Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu Shrine The official sample itinerary starts at these two places
Midday Harajuku: Takeshita Street and backstreets; walk along Cat Street towards Shibuya Harajuku is known for youth fashion and vintage clothing shops
Afternoon Shibuya: crossing, Miyashita Park and Shibuya PARCO Shibuya Crossing symbolises the city’s energy
Evening Shinjuku Gyoen, or head straight to Shinjuku Drinking, smoking, sports equipment and musical instruments are prohibited in Shinjuku Gyoen
Night Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai and projection shows at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building The official itinerary lists Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai; the Metropolitan Government Building has year-round projections
  • Rainy-day alternative: Switch to indoor shopping centres and facilities in Shibuya. The official sample itinerary mentions the SHIBUYA SKY observation deck but does not list its admission fee or opening hours.
  • Late arrival: Visit Shinjuku only, from evening through night.
  • For a quieter option: Official information mentions the Ota Memorial Museum of Art in Harajuku, and architecture worth seeing in Omotesando.

Linking the three days

Your situation Suggested order
Staying in Asakusa or Ueno Eastern day to central day to western day
Staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya Western day to central day to eastern day
Arriving in the morning and wanting to rest in the afternoon Only the flexible central day on day one (activities inside the station)
Bad weather Do the central day first and save the more outdoor-focused eastern day for better weather

The official three-day sample itinerary visits Asakusa and Ueno on day one, Yoyogi, Harajuku and Shibuya on day two, and Shimokitazawa and Shinjuku on day three. This itinerary retains the eastern and western areas but replaces Shimokitazawa on the original third day with a flexible central day to make Shinkansen transfers easier.

Useful reminders

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