Researched guide · Checked on Oct 24, 2026
Two days in Tokyo is enough to see both sides of the city: the old east with Asakusa and Ueno, and the busy west with Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku. Group the sights by area and you will not waste time on trains.
Quick answer
Day 1 (east): Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Ueno and Akihabara. Day 2 (west): Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku.
Get a 48-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket (¥1,500).
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.
| Day | Where you go | Book ahead | Check before you go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Ueno, Akihabara | Nothing essential. Skytree tickets are also sold at the 4th-floor ticket counter on the day | Senso-ji’s main hall closes at 5:00 pm |
| Day 2 | Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku | SHIBUYA SKY: web tickets go on sale 2 weeks ahead | Meiji Jingu closes at sunset. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatories close on some days |
Day 1: Asakusa, Skytree, Ueno and Akihabara
- MorningSenso-ji and Nakamise-dori
- Toei Asakusa Line to Oshiage
- Late morningTokyo Skytree
- Subway to Ueno
- AfternoonUeno Park and Ameyoko
- Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Akihabara
- EveningAkihabara
See Asakusa, Skytree tickets and Ueno and Akihabara.
Book Skytree tickets
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Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku
- MorningMeiji Jingu
- Walk
- Late morningHarajuku and Omotesando
- Walk down to Shibuya
- SunsetShibuya and SHIBUYA SKY
- Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line to Shinjuku-sanchome
- EveningShinjuku: free night view and Omoide Yokocho
See Harajuku, SHIBUYA SKY tickets and Shinjuku.
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. Hotels and SHIBUYA SKY time slots can fill up, so do those first.
- As soon as your dates are set: your hotel. See where to stay below.
- 2 weeks before Day 2: 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
- On Day 1: start your 48-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket. The 48 hours start from your first ride, so use it for the first time on the morning of Day 1.
- No booking needed: Senso-ji and Meiji Jingu are free to enter. Tokyo Skytree tickets can also be bought at the 4th-floor ticket counter on the day.
Where to stay for this plan
The best base for this plan is Ueno. It is closest to Day 1, and the Ginza Line takes you straight to Omotesando for Day 2.
- Ueno: the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line runs straight to Asakusa and Omotesando, and the Hibiya Line runs straight to Akihabara, Ginza and Tsukiji. Hotels in Ueno · Best hotels in Ueno
- Shinjuku: if you want nightlife. Day 2 ends here. Hotels in Shinjuku · Best hotels in Shinjuku
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.
Day 1: Asakusa and Ueno
- Daikokuya: a long-established Asakusa restaurant known for tendon (tempura on rice). Cash only.
- Tempura Sansada: tempura right next to the Kaminarimon gate.
- Ueno Seiyoken: a Western-style restaurant in Ueno Park, founded in 1872.
Day 2: Omotesando and Shinjuku
- 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.
Want more time in Ueno? See our Tokyo National Museum guide for tickets and hours.
FAQ
Is two days enough for Tokyo?
Two days covers the classic sights at a steady pace. A third day lets you add Tsukiji, Ginza and teamLab: see our 3-day plan.
What should I book in advance?
Book SHIBUYA SKY for sunset and any timed attractions such as teamLab or the Ghibli Museum. See all tickets to book ahead.
Where should I stay?
Choose a base near the subway or the JR Yamanote Line, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ginza or Ueno. See Where to stay in Tokyo.
Keep reading
Sources
The booking rules, opening hours and prices in this plan come from the official sites below. Checked on October 24, 2026. They can change, so please check before you go. Our area and day trip guides list their own sources.
