Tokyo in 1 Day: The Best One-Day Itinerary

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Researched guide · Checked on Oct 24, 2026

Only one day in Tokyo? You can still see old Tokyo, a forest shrine, the Scramble Crossing at sunset and the lights of Shinjuku, all along one subway route. Here is the plan.

1. MorningSenso-ji and Nakamise-dori, Asakusa
2. Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Asakusa to Omotesando
3. MiddayMeiji Jingu, Takeshita Street and Omotesando
4. Walk down to Shibuya
5. SunsetShibuya Scramble Crossing and SHIBUYA SKY
6. Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line to Shinjuku-sanchome
7. EveningShinjuku: free night view and Omoide Yokocho

This plan at a glance

What to book and what to check for each part of this plan. All of it is based on the official sites listed at the end of this guide.

When	Where you go	Book ahead	Check before you go
Morning	Senso-ji and Nakamise-dori, Asakusa	Nothing	Senso-ji’s main hall closes at 5:00 pm, so the morning is the time to go
Midday	Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Omotesando	Nothing	Meiji Jingu closes at sunset
Sunset	Shibuya Crossing and SHIBUYA SKY	SHIBUYA SKY: web tickets go on sale 2 weeks ahead	Bags can’t go up to the rooftop. Use a locker
Evening	Shinjuku: free night view and Omoide Yokocho	Nothing	The Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatories close on some days

Morning: Asakusa

Start early at Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, before the crowds arrive, and walk Nakamise-dori for snacks. See our Asakusa guide.

Midday: Meiji Jingu and Harajuku

The Ginza Line runs straight from Asakusa to Omotesando. Walk to Meiji Jingu, a shrine in a quiet forest, then dive into Takeshita Street and the cafés of Omotesando. See our Harajuku and Omotesando guide.

Sunset: Shibuya

Walk down to Shibuya, cross the Scramble Crossing and go up to SHIBUYA SKY for sunset. Book your time slot in advance: see our SHIBUYA SKY ticket guide.

Evening: Shinjuku

Ride the Fukutoshin Line to Shinjuku. The 45th-floor observatories of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building are free in the evening, and Omoide Yokocho’s tiny counters are perfect for dinner. See our Shinjuku guide.

Use a Tokyo Subway Ticket for these days: almost every stop is on the subway. See Tokyo transport passes.

Book before you go: your checklist for this plan

Work down this list from the top. The SHIBUYA SKY sunset slot is the one most likely to fill up.

1. As soon as your date is set: your hotel, if you are staying the night. See where to stay below.
2. 2 weeks before: SHIBUYA SKY. Web tickets are sold up to 2 weeks ahead, for a set entry time. Adult web tickets cost ¥2,700 for entry before 3:00 pm and ¥3,400 from 3:00 pm (¥3,000 and ¥3,700 at the ticket counter). If the web tickets sell out, the counter is sold out too. Bags can’t be taken up to the rooftop, so plan to use a locker. SHIBUYA SKY tickets guide Choose an entry time a little before sunset.
3. On the day: start your 24-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket. The 24 hours start from your first ride.
4. Before you head to Shinjuku: check that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory is open that evening.
5. No booking needed: Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatories are free to enter.

Where to stay for this plan

The best base for this plan is Shinjuku or Ueno.

• Shinjuku: the day ends here, so you can stay out late. Hotels in Shinjuku · Best hotels in Shinjuku
• Ueno: the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line runs straight to Asakusa for an early start, and on to Omotesando for Meiji Jingu. Hotels in Ueno · Best hotels in Ueno

Where to eat along the route

Restaurants near the stops, from our restaurant guide. We have not eaten at all of them, so check each page for hours and closing days.

• Daikokuya: a long-established Asakusa restaurant known for tendon (tempura on rice). Cash only.
• Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama: black pork tonkatsu, 3 minutes from Omotesando Station.
• Shinjuku Nakamuraya Manna: Nakamuraya’s Indian-style curry, first sold in 1927.
• Omoide Yokocho: tiny counters serving yakitori by the tracks in Shinjuku.

Not sure how many days you need? Compare every trip length in how many days in Tokyo.

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