See the below guide for further details on tips and tricks for navigating your time in Tokyo 🗼
Morning - Ueno Park and Museums
Start your day at Ueno Park, a sprawling green space ideal for a serene morning stroll. It's home to several museums, but the Tokyo National Museum stands out with its extensive collections showcasing Japanese and Asian art and artifacts. This museum provides a deep dive into the cultural history of Japan.
Ueno Park
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Ueno Park (上野公園, Ueno Kōen) is a large public park next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo. The park grounds were originally part of Kaneiji Temple, which used to be one of the city's largest and wealthiest temples and a family temple of the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo Period.
Details
Take the JR Yamanote Line to Ueno Station and head out the shinobazu exit. The park and museum are a short walk from the station's park exit. See below for some recommendations of things to check out around the park.
Starbucks Coffee - Ueno Park
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This is one of my favourite Starbucks in all of Tokyo. It is a refreshing space where you can see the fountains and rich natural surroundings in the park from the big windows in the café. If you feel like something a bit different check out their seasonal specials like my favourite the Gingerbread Latte in December. There is also often events, markets and festivals in the opposite Takenodai Square
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Ueno Zoological Gardens
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ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PLACES IN TOKYO & ONLY Y600.
Opened in 1882, Ueno Zoo is Japan's oldest zoo. Its most popular residents are giant panda bears, which first moved here in 1972 on the occasion of the normalization of Japan-China relations.
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Tokyo National Museum
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The oldest and largest museum in Japan, the Tokyo National Museum is made up of multiple buildings, each like a separate museum in itself. They house the largest collection of national treasures and important cultural items in the country. Entry is 1000 Yen.
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Kiyomizu Kannon-dō Temple
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Kiyomizu Kannondo was originally built in 1631 as part of Kaneiji Temple. Its design, including a wooden balcony extending from the hillside, was inspired by Kiyomizudera in Kyoto. The temple is home to an image of Kosodate Kannon, the goddess of conception, and is particularly popular among women hoping to have children.
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Ueno Toshogu Shrine
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Ueno Toshogu Shrine was built in 1616 and is one of numerous shrines across the country that are dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo Shogunate. The shrine used to be incorporated into Kaneiji Temple until 1868. The shrine's peony garden is open from January to mid February and from mid April to early May (1000 yen).
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National Museum of Nature and Science Global Gallery
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This museum covers both science and natural history with hands-on physics and robotics experiments, an impressive collection of mounted animals and a 360 degree virtual theater.
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Afternoon - Asakusa
Head over to Asakusa to explore Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest and most significant temple, followed by some time at Nakamise Shopping Street, which leads up to the temple. It's a great place to buy traditional Japanese crafts, snacks, and souvenirs.
Asakusa
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Asakusa (浅草) is the center of Tokyo's shitamachi (literally "low city"), one of Tokyo's districts, where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives.
Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries.
Details
From Ueno Station, take the Ginza Subway Line (not covered by the JR Pass - Will need to use the suica card or purchase a ticket) for 5 min directly to Asakusa Station. Head out exit 2 and the temple is a 5-minute walk from the station.
Kaminarimon
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The Kaminarimon is the outer of two large entrance gates that ultimately leads to the Sensō-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. The gate, with its lantern and statues, is popular with tourists and a great spot for a selfie. It stands 11.7 m tall, 11.4 m wide and covers an area of 69.3 m²
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Nakamise-dori Street
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Nakamise is the most famous shopping street in Asakusa. The street runs for 250 meters on the main approach to Sensoji Temple and is lined on both sides with shops selling traditional souvenirs, snacks, and sweets.
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Sensō-ji
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Sensoji (浅草寺, Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular temples.
The legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.
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Evening - Sumida River and Tokyo Sky Tree
After Asakusa, a short walk will take you to Sumida Park, located along the banks of the Sumida River. This park offers a quiet escape with beautiful views and walking paths. This is on the way to Tokyo Skytree. Alternatively if you don't feel like walking you can jump back on the subway and go one more stop to Tokyo Skytree Station.
Sumida Park
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Stroll under the trees between the Azumabashi and Sakurabashi bridges, and stop to take in the modern sculptures around the park. Green Planet, which resembles a colander, is a popular spot to capture an unusual shot of Tokyo Skytree . There is also a big playground, perfect for kids. Across the river you can see the Asahi Beer Tower building, designed to resemble a mug of beer, overflowing with foam.
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Asahi Group Head Office Building
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Across the river you can see the Asahi Beer Tower building, designed to resemble a mug of beer, overflowing with foam. A great spot for a photo op. Furthermore, several restaurants can be found in the complex. Behind both the Beer Tower and the Super Dry Hall is the Asahi Craftmanship Brewery. The restaurant and brewery offers diners decently priced lunches as well as Asahi craft beer on tap.
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Tokyo Skytree
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Plan your departure so that you arrive at Tokyo Tower in time for the sunset. This timing will allow you to witness the city as it lights up at dusk—an unforgettable view.
The highlight of the Tokyo Skytree is its two observation decks which offer spectacular views out over Tokyo. The two enclosed decks are located at heights of 350 and 450 meters respectively, making them the highest observation decks in Japan.
With a height of 634 meters (634 can be read as "Musashi", a historic name of the Tokyo Region), it is the tallest structure in Japan and was the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. A large shopping complex with an aquarium is located at its base.
Details
Reservations can be made on the the official website or through Klook for a specific time slot on a specific date and at a discount of a few hundred yen.
From July 2024:
First observatory: 2100 yen (weekdays), 2300 yen (weekends/holidays)
Both observatories: 3100 yen (weekdays), 3400 yen (weekends/holidays)
Getting Back to Ueno Station
Start at Tokyo Skytree Station: This is located right next to the Tokyo Skytree complex. Make sure you're at the Tobu Skytree Line's station and not the Oshiage Station, which serves other lines but is integrated into the same complex.
Board the Tobu Skytree Line Train: Take a train bound for Asakusa (some trains might also indicate Tokyo as their final destination via the Tobu Skytree Line). These are typically local or express services. If an express service is available, it will make fewer stops and the journey will be quicker.
Arrival at Asakusa Station: The journey from Tokyo Skytree to Asakusa Station is very short, typically around 2 minutes.
Transfer to the Ginza Subway Line: Once at Asakusa Station, you need to transfer to the Ginza Subway Line. Follow the signs in the station to change from the Tobu Skytree Line to the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line.
Take the Ginza Line towards Shibuya: Board the Ginza Line train heading towards Shibuya. You can either get off in Ueno if you are staying in the northern, central or eastern Tokyo or continue to Shibuya if you are staying in western Tokyo.
Evening - Dinner in Minato
Check out some popular eats around the area below ⬇️
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