Tokyo in 3 Days — Practical Itinerary

Day 1 — East Tokyo tradition

Morning: Senso-ji and Nakamise in Asakusa before tour buses peak. Walk or subway to Tokyo Skytree if views interest you—book official observation deck tickets if required.

Afternoon: Ueno Park museums (pick one: Tokyo National Museum or National Museum of Nature and Science) rather than both if time is tight.

Evening: Ameya-Yokocho snack street or return toward your hotel ward for izakaya dinner near a major JR hub.

Day 2 — West Shibuya axis

Morning: Meiji Jingu forest shrine, then Harajuku Takeshita Street contrast (youth fashion vs shrine quiet).

Afternoon: Shibuya Crossing viewpoints and Shibuya Sky or Hikarie observation if tickets booked. Walk Omotesando's architecture stretch toward Aoyama.

Evening: Shinjuku neon district—Tokyo Metropolitan Government free observation decks if Skytree/Shibuya views already covered.

Day 3 — Central polish or day trip

Option A (central): Imperial Palace East Gardens morning walk, Ginza depachika lunch sampling, teamLab or Mori Art Museum if contemporary art appeals—verify venue tickets officially.

Option B (day trip): Kamakura temples and coastal walk via JR Yokosuka Line, or Nikko UNESCO shrines via Tobu/JR depending on departure station—start early.

Final evening: Return to a favorite ward for a focused dinner reservation rather than adding new distant sights.

Pacing notes

Activate Suica/Pasmo on arrival; avoid cross-town returns to hotel mid-day unless needed—cluster sights by rail loop segments.

Swap days for weather: indoor museums on rainy days, outdoor shrines on clear days.

Leave souvenir shopping until Day 3 afternoon to reduce carried weight earlier.

Official sources

• JR East (rail planning)
• Tokyo Metro