Here’s how we spent our first 3 days in Tokyo

Day 1

• Arrive in Tokyo Haneda.
• <6:30 PM> Take cab from airport to Hotel Gracery Shinjuku.
  • Van for 6 pax ($70) – booked from Klook
  • Monorail trains from terminals 1 and 2 leave every 5 minutes and the journey takes between 10 and 15 minutes. Upon arriving at Hamamatsuchō you’ll be able to change onto the JR Yamanote Line. From there it’s just 10 stops to Shinjuku which will take around 20 minutes.
  • Airport Limousine Bus – 45-minute ride (1300 Y for adults 650Y for kids~ $55) Multiple buses leave from the airport and will drop directly at Shinjuku West Station (6 minute walk to Hotel Gracery)
• <7:15 PM> Check into Hotel Gracery Shinjuku and freshen up

Day 2

• <8:30 AM> Have breakfast at/near the hotel.
• <9:00 AM – 10:30 AM> Take the Yamanote line from Shinjuku Station and head to Shibuya (after 2 stops). Shibuya is Tokyo’s version of Times Square. Check out the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, and statue of Hachiko (the most loyal dog in the world statue) at the crossing. For the best view above, head to Starbucks (we’ll need to order something before going upstairs) or find the Keio Inokashira Line at Shibuya Station for another perfect view. Address: 21-6 Udagawacho Q Front Bldg. B1F, Shibuya 150-0042
• <11:00 AM – 12:30 PM> Head to Harajuku. (We can take the Yamanote line to Harajuku Station (next stop) or walk directly from Shibuya). Short walk from Harajuku Station is the Meiji Shrine – this is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. Chances of seeing a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony here. Surrounded by a huge expanse of forest, this superb Shinto shrine is one of Tokyo’s top attractions.  After visiting the shrine, head to Takeshita Dori/ Omotesando for shopping and food. Admission to the shrine is free, and it is open from sunrise to sunset. The Meiji Jingu Museum is open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and admission is 1,000 yen per person.
• <1:00 PM – 3:00 PM> Head back towards Harajuku and walk down the famous shopping street of Takeshita Dori, where you’ll find a whole mess of fun stores and fun cafes. Have lunch here. (Option to visit Harajuku Taproom – Craft beer local and international with yakitori). Try a crepe – the unofficial street food of Harajuku, which you’ll find all over Takeshita Dori. On Sundays, you can see traditional Harajuku Girls dressed in elaborate costumes and anime in the area.
• <3:30 PM – 5:30 PM> Take the Yamanote line from Harajuku station and get to Shinjuku (after 1 stop). Visit the free observation deck on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Location: 2-8-1, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokio. Hours: North Observatory: from 9:30 am to 11 pm (closed on the first and third Tuesday of the month). South Observatory: from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (closed second and fourth Monday of the month). On the building’s first floor you’ll find a tourist information office with maps, area plans, as well as being able to take free guided tours in English. Option to hand around here for sunset pics.
• <5:30 PM – 7:00 PM> (Optional) Next door is the Shinjuku Gyoen (a large public park near Shinjuku Station being a perfect cherry blossom spot – need to check on hours). There’s also a great view of the area from the pedestrian overpass near the northwest corner of the Shinjuku station.
• <7:00 PM – 8:30 PM> Have dinner at Omoide Yokocho (also commonly known as Piss Alley!). Just by the west gate of Shinjuku station is a small network of alleyways along the tracks northwest of Shinjuku Station filled with dozens of tiny eateries serving ramen, soba, sushi and yakitori.  Just pick one with open seats and go in – they’re all worthy of some stomach real-estate. Starting out as an illegal drinking quarter in the late 1940s, this narrow side street quickly became a prime spot for cheap drinks, yakitori and cabaret-style hostess bars. Due to the lack of restroom facilities, patrons would wander off and relieve themselves on the nearby train tracks, and it didn’t take long for Piss Alley to earn its name.
• <9:30 PM – > Nightlife in the Shinjuku entertainment district.
• Spend the night at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku.

Day 3

• • <7:30 AM> Have breakfast at/near the hotel.
  • <8:30 AM – 11:00 AM> Take the Chuo line from Shinjuku Station to get to Kanda station, take Ginza line from here and get to Asakusa. This is the spiritual heart of Tokyo and a good place to start our day.

  Sensoji Temple (2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan) is 350 meters from Asakusa station and is the main attraction here. It is the oldest temple in Tokyo, and it is the temple of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu). This important center of religious faith draws 30 million worshippers every year. As we walk toward the Kaminarimon Gate and Senso-ji temple buildings, check out the historic Nakamise Dori shopping street, before exploring Sensoji Temple and the surrounding old-fashioned neighborhoods around Asakusa. Sensoji’s main hall is open from 6 am to 5 pm every day from April to September. Admission is free to the Sensoji temple. The temple grounds are always open, and the main building is illuminated nightly from sunset until 11 pm.

  • <11:30 AM – 12:00 PM> Grab a picnic lunch.
  • <12:00 PM – 1:30 PM> Walk to Sumida Park, which is a wonderful spot to see the cherry blossoms (if lucky)! This green space bordering the Sumida River is a relaxing spot that offers great views of Tokyo Skytree rising toward the clouds. Sumida Park’s entrance is a five-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Ginza, Asakusa and Tobu Isesaki lines. The park runs along both sides of the Sumida River. Have lunch here.
  • <2:00 PM – 4:00 PM> Cross the river and head to the Tokyo SkyTree (1 km) – the tallest tower in not only Japan, but the entire world! At 634m (2,080 feet), the complex has two observation decks with great views over the city.  There’s even a glass floor.  Expect a queue, so plan on spending a bit of time here. The Tokyo Skytree is about a 20-minute walk or a 5 minute train ride from Sumida Park, Asakusa area. Adult Ticket – 3,100 yen, Kids Ticket – 2,350 yen (Floor 450). Hours are 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. Book tickets in advance?

  https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/floor/ground/4f.html

  • <4:30 PM – 6:30 PM> Option to spend some more time at Sensoji Temple for evening/night shots. Sunset is around 6:10 pm.
  • <7:00 PM> Take the train back to Shinjuku station and walk to Gracery Shinjuku hotel and freshen up.
  • <7:30 PM – > Dinner Options
    • @ Marugame Seimen (udon)
    • @ Tsurutontan Shinjuku (udon)
    • @ Isetan shopping center (food court) 
  • <9:30 PM – > Nightlife in the Shinjuku entertainment district.

Day 4

• <8:30 AM> Have breakfast at/near the hotel.
• Optional – Visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens – Take the Chuo line from Shinjuku Station to get to Tokyo station. The current Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. The Imperial Palace East Gardens is a spacious, sprawling garden in the center of Tokyo, and it’s the only part of the inner palace area that’s open to the public. Stroll through for a pleasant escape from the surrounding concrete jungle.
• <1:00 PM – 3:30 PM> Take a cab or train to Ueno Park, another large public space located in central Tokyo and another lively cherry blossom spot. Option to visit the Tokyo National Museum (13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-8712, Japan). Adult Ticket – 1,000 yen, Kids Free. (From April 1, 2022, our reservation system for the regular exhibitions will be suspended. From this day onwards, visitors can enter the Museum without reservations by purchasing tickets at the ticket booths by the Main Gate. Please note the number of people in each building will be monitored; visitors may be asked to wait when any of the buildings becomes too crowded). Hours are 9:30 am to 5:00 pm.
• <4:00 PM – 5:00 PM> Close by is the Yanaka cemetery (800 meters). Stroll through the Yanaka district.
• <5:30 PM – 7:30 PM> Visit the Akihabara district. Take the Yamanote line from Uguisudani Station to Akihabara Station (after 2 stops). Spend the evening perusing the many electronic shops, including Yodobashi Akiba – the world’s largest with nine stories stuffed with hi tech equipment. You’ll also find Japan’s diehard fan anime culture here, with stores devoted to anime and manga; just be sure to keep kids away from the adult-only sections! You could easily fill up a whole afternoon and night in Akihabara, from its maid and Gundam cafes, gaming centers (check out Super Potato Retro Shop if you want to be transported into the 90’s), and just gazing at the bright lights. Dinner in the area. (Option to revisit Shibuya in the night).
• <8:00 PM > Take the train – Yamanote line from Akihabara Station to Shinjuku station (after 13 stops), and head back to the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku.