Tokyo in 3 days: a first-timer's walking itinerary (2026)
This is the route we would hand a friend visiting Tokyo for the first time. Each day is eight stops in walking order, timed so the busy places come before the tour groups and the viewpoints land near sunset. Prices were checked in November 2026; where a price is older or not published, we say so.
Open the interactive 3D route →Day 1 · Asakusa, Ueno & Skytree: Senso-ji in the morning, Skytree at sunset
Old Tokyo on foot and two short Ginza Line rides. Senso-ji before the crowds, the kitchenware street of Kappabashi, lunch in Ameyoko, Ueno Park and the National Museum, then across the Sumida River to watch the city light up from Tokyo Skytree.
Kaminarimon & Nakamise-dori
The giant red lantern of the Thunder Gate, then 250m of snack and souvenir stalls leading to the temple.
Price: Free · Hours: Gate open 24 hours · most stalls about 9:30am–7pm
Tip: Take the lantern photo before 9am, then walk up as the shutters open. Eat snacks at the stall, not while walking.
Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo's oldest temple, with incense smoke at the main hall and a five-storey pagoda beside it.
Price: Free · Hours: Grounds open all day · main hall about 6:30am–5pm (Oct–Mar)
Tip: Draw an omikuji fortune for ¥100; if it's bad, tie it to the rack and leave it behind.
Kappabashi Dougu Street
Knives, ceramics and the plastic food samples you see in every restaurant window, under the giant chef's head.
Price: Free · Hours: Most shops about 10am–5pm · many close Sundays
Tip: Knife shops can engrave your name and pack blades for checked luggage.
Ameyoko · lunch
A loud market street under the train tracks: seafood bowls, skewers, fruit on sticks and cheap snacks.
Price: Free entry · pay per dish · Hours: Shops about 10am–8pm
Tip: Kaisendon (raw seafood rice bowl) stalls are near the south end; pay cash at the small ones.
Shinobazu Pond & Bentendo
A lotus pond with a red octagonal temple hall on its island, the calm side of Ueno Park.
Price: Free · Hours: Open all day
Tip: Rowing and swan boats run in the north part of the pond if you want a break.
Tokyo National Museum
Samurai armour, swords, kimono and ink paintings in Japan's oldest museum, at the top of Ueno Park.
Price: ¥1,000 adult (collection galleries) · Hours: 9:30am–5pm, Fri & Sat to 8pm · last entry 30 min before · closed Mondays
Tip: Stick to the Honkan (main building) ground floor to keep it to about an hour; special exhibitions cost extra.
Sumida River & Azuma Bridge
The red bridge, the golden flame on the Asahi building and Skytree behind it, all in one frame.
Price: Free · Hours: Open all day
Tip: Stand in Sumida Park on the Asakusa side for the classic photo, then cross on the river walk next to the railway bridge.
Tokyo Skytree at sunset
Watch the sun set (around 4:30–4:45pm in November) behind Mount Fuji on clear days and the whole plain of lights switch on.
Price: Tembo Deck from ¥1,800 adult (date-based; 450m Galleria +¥1,400) · Hours: About 10am–10pm, from 9am on weekends (check)
Tip: Buy a dated ticket online for a slot before 4:30pm; same-day tickets cost more. Dinner in Solamachi mall below.
Day 2 · Harajuku, Shibuya & Shinjuku: Forest shrine to Shibuya Sky and Shinjuku by night
Meiji Jingu in its forest, Takeshita Street and Omotesando, lunch on Cat Street, the Scramble Crossing, sunset from the open-air roof of Shibuya Sky, then the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku for Godzilla, yakitori in Omoide Yokocho and a free night view from the Metropolitan Government Building.
Meiji Jingu
Walk under a giant wooden torii and through a planted forest of 100,000 trees to the shrine of Emperor Meiji.
Price: Free · Inner Garden ¥500 · Hours: November: about 6:10am–4:10pm (gates follow sunrise and sunset)
Tip: Bow once at each torii. At the hall: two bows, two claps, one bow. Weekend mornings often have a wedding procession.
Takeshita Street
Crêpes, rainbow candy floss, idol goods and loud fashion in one narrow 350m street.
Price: Free · pay per snack · Hours: Shops about 10am–8pm
Tip: Weekends are packed by noon; go straight through and save shopping for Omotesando.
Omotesando
Tokyo's grand shopping boulevard: zelkova trees turning gold in late November and flagship stores by famous architects.
Price: Free · Hours: Shops about 11am–8pm
Tip: Walk the avenue one way and come back through Cat Street, the quieter lane of small brands.
Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko
Up to 3,000 people cross at once when all the lights turn green; say hello to the loyal dog Hachiko first.
Price: Free · Hours: Open all day
Tip: Cross it once yourself, then watch from the Shibuya Mark City walkway. Shibuya Parco (Pokémon, Nintendo) is 5 minutes away.
Shibuya Sky at sunset
An open roof above the crossing with no glass in the way; the sun sets (around 4:30–4:45pm) towards Mount Fuji.
Price: ¥3,400 adult web ticket from 3pm (¥2,700 before 3pm; counter ¥3,000 / ¥3,700) · Hours: About 10am–10:30pm (check) · web tickets on sale 2 weeks ahead
Tip: Sunset slots sell out first; book the day sales open. Bags go in free lockers before the roof.
Kabukicho & Godzilla Head
Neon signs, giant screens and a life-size Godzilla looking over the Toho building.
Price: Free · Hours: Street open all day
Tip: See it from Godzilla Road (Central Road). Ignore touts who try to pull you into bars.
Omoide Yokocho · dinner
A smoky postwar alley of tiny counters grilling yakitori next to the tracks.
Price: Free entry · pay per dish (some bars add a seat charge) · Hours: Most stalls from about 5pm
Tip: Many places seat 6–10 people; if it's full, try the next one. Look for menus with prices posted.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Free 202m views over the night city, and a projection show on the building's own wall.
Price: Free · Hours: South deck entry 9:30am–9:30pm (closed 1st & 3rd Tue) · light show every 30 min from 5:30pm
Tip: Watch a projection show from the plaza on the east side first, then go up; queues are short after 8pm.
Day 3 · Tsukiji, Ginza & Toyosu: Market breakfast to digital art on the bay
Breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market, a tea-house garden on the bay, lunch in Ginza, the stone walls of Edo Castle in the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Tokyo Station lit at dusk, then the Yurakucho Line to Toyosu for teamLab Planets, dinner and the bay at night.
Tsukiji Outer Market · breakfast
Tamagoyaki on a stick, fresh sushi and grilled scallops in the lanes of the old fish market.
Price: Free entry · pay per dish · Hours: Best 9am–2pm · many shops close Sundays and some Wednesdays
Tip: Leave big bags at the hotel, don't haggle, and eat at the stall where you bought it.
Hama-rikyu Gardens
A shogun's seaside garden with a tidal pond and a tea house on the water, in front of the Shiodome towers.
Price: ¥300 · Hours: 9am–5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Tip: Matcha and a sweet at the Nakajima tea house is a lovely 15-minute stop (paid separately).
Ginza · lunch
The Wako clock tower on the 4-chome crossing, department-store food halls and a good-value lunch set.
Price: Free · pay per dish · Hours: Shops about 11am–8pm
Tip: Many restaurants offer lunch sets for a fraction of the dinner price. On weekends Chuo-dori becomes a pedestrian street.
Imperial Palace East Gardens
Huge stone walls and the base of Edo Castle's keep, with a Japanese garden and autumn leaves below.
Price: Free · Hours: November 9am–4pm (last entry 3:30pm) · closed Mondays & Fridays
Tip: Enter by Ote-mon gate and take a free entry token. On Mondays and Fridays walk to the Nijubashi bridge view in the outer garden instead.
Tokyo Station Marunouchi
The 1914 red-brick station front, best when its lights come on at dusk.
Price: Free · Hours: Open all day · KITTE roof garden about 11am–11pm (check)
Tip: See it from the free KITTE rooftop garden across the road, then look up inside the domed south hall.
teamLab Planets
You walk barefoot through knee-deep water and a garden of floating orchids while the art reacts to you.
Price: ¥3,800 adult (date-based pricing; check your date) · Hours: 8am–10pm in November (last entry 9pm) · closed 5 Nov
Tip: Book a timed slot ahead. Wear shorts or trousers you can roll up; lockers and free shorts are provided.
LaLaport Toyosu · dinner
An easy dinner by the water after the art: ramen, sushi, food court or a family restaurant.
Price: Free · pay per dish · Hours: Restaurants to about 10pm
Tip: Restaurant floors facing the water have the best view of Rainbow Bridge.
Toyosu Park by night
A quiet lawn on the water with the Harumi towers, Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge lit across the bay.
Price: Free · Hours: Open all day
Tip: Toyosu station (Yurakucho Line and Yurikamome) is about 8 minutes' walk.
Top 10 places for a first visit
| # | Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Senso-ji Temple Tokyo's oldest temple, founded in the 7th century, with a five-storey pagoda and incense at the main hall. | Asakusa | Free |
| 2 | Shibuya Scramble Crossing The world-famous crossing where every light turns green at once and crowds pour in from all sides. | Shibuya | Free |
| 3 | Meiji Jingu A Shinto shrine to Emperor Meiji in a planted forest right next to Harajuku station. | Harajuku | Free |
| 4 | Tokyo Skytree At 634m the tallest tower in Japan, with decks at 350m and 450m. | Oshiage | Tembo Deck from ¥1,800 (date-based) |
| 5 | Shibuya Sky An open-air rooftop 229m above the Scramble Crossing. | Shibuya | Web ¥2,700 before 3pm · ¥3,400 from 3pm |
| 6 | teamLab Planets Walk barefoot through water and light in this immersive digital art museum. | Toyosu | ¥3,800 adult (date-based) |
| 7 | Tsukiji Outer Market Hundreds of stalls selling sushi, tamagoyaki, seafood and kitchen knives beside the old fish market site. | Tsukiji | Free entry · pay per dish |
| 8 | Kaminarimon & Nakamise-dori The Thunder Gate's huge red lantern and a 250m lane of snack and souvenir stalls. | Asakusa | Free |
| 9 | Omoide Yokocho A smoky lane of tiny yakitori counters by the tracks at Shinjuku's west exit. | Shinjuku | Free entry · pay per dish |
| 10 | Tokyo Tower The red-and-white 333m tower from 1958, still Tokyo's favourite night icon. | Shiba | Main Deck ¥1,500 · Top Deck Tour ¥3,300 web |
Before you go
Entry
- Visa-free stays: Korean and Singaporean passport holders can visit Japan for tourism without a visa for up to 90 days. There is no pre-travel authorisation yet; Japan's planned JESTA system is not expected before 2028, so ignore sites selling one.
- Visit Japan Web (free): Register your passport and flight on the official Visit Japan Web site before you fly and show the QR code at immigration and customs. It is free; don't pay a look-alike agency.
- Departure tax: The International Tourist Tax rose to ¥3,000 per departure from 1 July 2026. It is added to your air ticket, so there is nothing to pay at the airport.
SIM & eSIM
- eSIM before you fly: A data eSIM installed at home works on landing at Narita or Haneda. Compare days and data, not just price.
- At the airport: Counters and vending machines in the arrival halls sell tourist SIMs and rent pocket Wi-Fi; bring your passport.
- Maps: Google Maps works well in Tokyo for trains, platforms and walking, so data matters more than a local number.
Getting around
- Suica / PASMO: Tap-on IC cards for every train, subway and bus, and many shops. Add Suica or PASMO to an iPhone or Apple Watch wallet, or buy a Welcome Suica at the airport.
- Tokyo Subway Ticket: Unlimited Tokyo Metro and Toei subway rides: ¥1,000 for 24 h, ¥1,500 for 48 h, ¥2,000 for 72 h (2026). It does not cover JR lines such as the Yamanote Line.
- Airport to city: From Narita: Keisei Skyliner to Ueno or Narita Express to Tokyo, Shinjuku and Shibuya. From Haneda: Keikyu Line or the Tokyo Monorail, about 30 minutes to central Tokyo.
- Taxis: Doors open automatically. Apps like GO and Uber work in Tokyo; a late-night surcharge applies from 10pm.
- Rush hour: Avoid trains around 7:30–9:30am with big bags; these routes start after the morning peak.
Local tips
- Closing days: Many museums close on Mondays; the Imperial Palace East Gardens close on Mondays and Fridays. Tsukiji shops often close on Sundays and some Wednesdays.
- Book ahead: Shibuya Sky sunset slots, teamLab and Skytree time slots sell out. Book online a few days to two weeks ahead.
- Manners: Queue in line at platforms, keep quiet on trains, don't eat while walking in temple streets, and carry your rubbish: public bins are rare.
- Shrines & temples: Bow at the torii, wash your hands at the basin, and at a shrine bow twice, clap twice, bow once.
Money & tax-free
- Cards and cash: Cards and IC cards work almost everywhere in central Tokyo, but keep some cash for market stalls, small bars and shrine charms. 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards.
- New tax-free system (from 1 Nov 2026): You now pay the 10% consumption tax at the till and get it back when you leave. Spend at least ¥5,000 before tax in one shop on one day, keep the goods unused, and before check-in at the airport scan your purchases at the customs kiosk or on Visit Japan Web; then claim the refund the way the shop explains.
- Tipping: There is no tipping in Japan; good service is included.
Weather in November
- Cool and clear: Days are mild and dry, about 17°C at midday and below 10°C at night; bring a light coat for rooftops and the bay.
- Sunset and leaves: Sunset is around 4:30–4:45pm, so the routes put the observation decks in the late afternoon. Ginkgo and maple leaves turn in late November.
Sources
- Senso-ji (Asakusa Kannon) — official site
- Tokyo National Museum — admission & hours (¥1,000, closed Mondays)
- Tokyo Skytree — official ticket page (Tembo Deck from ¥1,800)
- Meiji Jingu — opening hours & admission
- SHIBUYA SKY — official ticket page (web ¥2,700 / ¥3,400 from 3pm)
- TMG Building observatories — free, hours & closing days
- TOKYO Night & Light — projection mapping schedule
- Tsukiji Outer Market — official visitor hints
- Hama-rikyu Gardens — Tokyo Metropolitan Park Association
- Imperial Household Agency — East Gardens hours (closed Mon & Fri)
- teamLab Planets TOKYO — official site
- Shinjuku Gyoen — admission & hours
- Tokyo Tower — fees & hours
- Tokyo Metro — Tokyo Subway Ticket (24/48/72 h)
- GO TOKYO — official Tokyo travel guide
- JNTO — Japan National Tourism Organization
- JNTO — Japan's new tax-free shopping system (from 1 Nov 2026)
- JNTO Korea — International Tourist Tax ¥3,000 from 1 Jul 2026
- MOFA Japan — visa exemption list
- Visit Japan Web — official (free)
- Illustrated draft map by 3DAYS · real-data 3D map in preparation
Prices are for adults and can change; always check the official site on the day. Some ticket, hotel and eSIM links on 3DAYS are affiliate links: your price is the same and we may earn a commission. Rankings and routes are not paid placements.