One day in Tokyo: an itinerary in the best order
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 3 of 5 free; paid: Meiji Jingu, Tokyo Imperial Palace
- Duration
- 7 h 20 min · 09:30–16:47
- Start and finish
- Shibuya Crossing → Senso-ji
- On foot
- ≈ 13 min in total
- Transport
- 3 rides, ≈ 1 h 19 min
- Lunch
- around 12:17
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- Late March–early April for cherry blossom, and November for autumn leaves. Summer is hot and humid.
The plan, stop by stop
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Tokyo09:30–16:47 · 5 places · 7 h 20 min
Shibuya Crossing
· 30 min · Free
- 19 min · transport or taxi
Takeshita Street
· 45 min · Free
- 13 min on foot
Meiji Jingu
· 1 h · Free; Gyoen garden paid
- Lunch · 1 h
- 29 min · transport or taxi
Tokyo Imperial Palace
· 1 h 30 min · Free
- 31 min · transport or taxi
Senso-ji
· 1 h · Free
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
3 of 5 are free; 2 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Shibuya Crossing | 57 | 30 min | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Takeshita Street | 49 | 45 min | Free |
| 3 | Meiji Jingu | 50 | 1 h | free; Gyoen garden paid |
| 4 | Tokyo Imperial Palace | 62 | 1 h 30 min | free |
| 5 | Senso-ji | 51 | 1 h | Free |
| Total | 4 h 50 min | 3 of 5 free |
Tips for each stop
- 1
Shibuya Crossing. The famous scramble crossing: 1,000–3,000 people cross on one green light. Free; the view from above is from Shibuya Sky.
- 2
Takeshita Street. Harajuku's 350 m street of youth fashion: kawaii clothes, crêpes, rainbow candy floss. Free.
- 3
Meiji Jingu. Tokyo's main Shinto shrine in a 70-hectare forest by Harajuku station. Free, sunrise to sunset.
- 4
Tokyo Imperial Palace. The Emperor's residence on the site of Edo Castle. The East Gardens are free; closed Mondays and Fridays.
- 5
Senso-ji. Tokyo's oldest temple in Asakusa: Kaminarimon Gate with its giant red lantern and Nakamise street. Free.
Who this route is for
- First time in Tokyo
- Independent, by metro
- City and temples in a day
- Mondays and Fridays: the palace East Gardens are closed
- Mount Fuji takes a full day
Late March–early April for cherry blossom, and November for autumn leaves. Summer is hot and humid.
What to do in Tokyo in one day
Shibuya and Harajuku are in the west, the palace is central by Tokyo Station and Asakusa is in the north-east. Shibuya is at its best lit up at night — drag it to the end of the day with ≡ and start in Asakusa if you prefer.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Getting around Tokyo
The metro and the JR Yamanote line link every stop. Get a Suica or PASMO card — it pays for trains and for shops by the station. Signs are in English and stations are numbered.
Where to see Tokyo from above
For free, from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building decks at 202 m. Paid: Tokyo Tower, the 634 m Skytree and the Shibuya Sky rooftop above the crossing.
Is one day in Tokyo enough?
For a first taste, yes. Tsukiji Market and Ginza are day two, Akihabara and Ueno day three, and Mount Fuji day four.
How to do it right
- Get a Suica or PASMO card on day one: trains and shops.
- At shrines, rinse your hands and mouth at the water basin before entering.
- Keep quiet at temples and shrines and take your shoes off before entering halls; photos inside halls are often not allowed. There is no tipping in Japan.
- Japan uses the yen. Foreign cards work almost everywhere, but temples, markets and small cafés want cash. A Suica or PASMO card pays for trains, metro and shops by the station.
- Rush hour, 8:00–9:30, packs the metro — start a little later.
Questions
What can you do in Tokyo in one day?
Shibuya Crossing, Takeshita Street, Meiji Jingu, the Imperial Palace and Senso-ji.
Can you see Tokyo without a tour?
Yes: the metro and JR are easy, with English signs.
Is Meiji Jingu free?
Yes; it is open from sunrise to sunset.
When are the palace East Gardens closed?
On Mondays and Fridays.
How much does the day cost?
Every stop is free; you pay only for the metro and food.
Where is the best view of Shibuya Crossing?
From the Shibuya Sky rooftop — about 2,700–3,400 yen.
Is it good with kids?
Yes; there is also a separate Tokyo with kids itinerary.
Do I need a Suica card?
It helps: it pays for the metro, trains and shops by the station.
When is the best time?
Cherry blossom season and November.
How do I pay in Japan?
Japan uses the yen. Foreign cards work almost everywhere, but temples, markets and small cafés want cash. A Suica or PASMO card pays for trains, metro and shops by the station.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
- Wikipedia: Senso-ji, Meiji Shrine
