Tokyo Subway 24/48/72 Hourly pass
Unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway; worth it if you ride many times a day.
≈ US$6and up · checked 10/22
Tokyo 4 days 3 nights: a first-timer's itinerary
Last checked 10/23Sample itinerariesTokyo
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The short answer
On a first trip to Tokyo, one hotel is enough for 4 days 3 nights: via Narita stay in Ueno or Asakusa, via Haneda stay in Shinagawa or Asakusa. Day 1: from the airport to the hotel, then Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree; day 2: start the Tokyo Subway 72-hour ticket (adult ¥2,000) for Toyosu, Ginza and Shibuya; day 3: Meiji Jingu and Shinjuku, or Disney; day 4: a stroll around Ueno before heading to the airport. The popular SHIBUYA SKY goes on sale 2 weeks before the visit date at 0:00 Japan time, so book pre-sunset slots early.
- Narita → Keisei Ueno
- Skyliner 41 min, ¥2,580
- City transport pass
- Tokyo Subway 72-hour ticket ¥2,000
- SHIBUYA SKY tickets go on sale
- 2 weeks before the visit date, 0:00 (Japan time)
- Senso-ji Main Hall
- 6:00–17:00 (opens 6:30 in months 10–3)
- teamLab Planets
- 8:00–22:00, last entry 1 hour before closing
How to plan 4 days: one table
This sample itinerary assumes flying in and out of Narita Airport and staying in Ueno. Ueno has the Keisei Skyliner direct to Narita and is on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, so Asakusa, Ginza and Shibuya need no transfer.
If you're flying via Haneda, swap the airport transport on days 1 and 4 for the Keikyu Line: Haneda to Shinagawa 14 min, ¥330, or a Keikyu through train onto the Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa in 37 min with no transfer (Keikyu official site). The two middle days stay the same.
The Tokyo Subway 72-hour ticket runs for 72 hours from your first entry: tap in for the first time on the morning of day 2, and it's still valid until you head to the airport on day 4; it only covers Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway, not JR, Keisei or the Yurikamome.
| Day | Main areas | Transport pass | Book ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Airport → Ueno → Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree | Skyliner + single ticket or IC card | Skyliner, Tokyo Skytree |
| Day 2 | Toyosu teamLab → Ginza → Shibuya | Subway 72-hour ticket (starts) | teamLab Planets, SHIBUYA SKY |
| Day 3 | Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shinjuku (or Disney) | Subway 72-hour ticket (buy JR separately for Disney) | Disney tickets (if you choose Disney) |
| Day 4 | Ueno Park, Ameyoko → airport | Subway 72-hour ticket + Skyliner | — |
Skyliner Narita Airport ⇄ Ueno, Nippori
Keisei express train from Narita Airport to Ueno and Nippori, e-ticket.
≈ US$13and up · checked 10/22
Compare areas: Shinjuku, Ueno, Ginza · Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Asakusa, Maihama (Disney area)
Super Hotel Shinjuku KabukichoSuper Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho (Enbu no Yu)
Good for: tight budgets, a hot spring bath within walking distance of Shinjuku Station
- JR Shinjuku Station East Exit (Kabukicho exit), about 8 min walk
- Double rooms about 12㎡
- Large public bath on site
- Breakfast: free buffet, 7:00–9:00 (venue closes at 9:30)
Good to know:Rooms 12㎡; the large public bath has separate hours for men and women, so it's not always available; 8 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station East Exit.
Source:Hotel's official website(checked 10/22)
Dormy Inn Ueno OkachimachiDormy Inn Ueno Okachimachi (Okachi no Yu)
Good for: those who want a hot spring bath every day, staying next to Ameyoko
- Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Ueno-hirokoji Station / Toei Oedo Line Ueno-okachimachi Station Exit A8, about 1 min walk
- Double rooms about 13.8㎡
- Large public bath on site
- Breakfast: Japanese-Western buffet (official site: Japanese-Western buffet + small-dish alley + made-to-order eggs) 6:30–9:30, adults ¥2,000 (incl. tax)
Good to know:Double rooms about 14㎡; the official site says guests with tattoos can't use the large public bath.
Source:Hotel's official website(checked 10/22)
Day 1: Narita → drop luggage in Ueno → Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
From Narita Airport, take the Keisei Skyliner to Keisei Ueno; the Keisei website says from 41 min, fare ¥2,580 (fare ticket ¥1,280 + Skyliner ticket ¥1,300). In Ueno, drop your luggage at the hotel or check in first.
From Ueno, take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line to the last stop, Asakusa. Senso-ji Main Hall is open 6:00–17:00, opening at 6:30 from month 10 to month 3 (Senso-ji official site), so see Kaminarimon, Nakamise and the Main Hall in the afternoon and go to Tokyo Skytree in the evening.
Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck (350m) online adult tickets from ¥1,800, Tembo Deck + Tembo Galleria (450m) from ¥3,000; buying at the floor 4 ticket counter or machines adds a ¥500 counter fee per ticket (Tokyo Skytree official site). Hours vary by date, e.g. 10:00–22:00 on 2026/10/23; check the official calendar before you go.
| Suggested time | Itinerary | Transport & tickets |
|---|---|---|
| After arrival | Narita Airport → Keisei Ueno | Skyliner 41 min, ¥2,580 |
| Afternoon | Ueno → Asakusa: Kaminarimon, Nakamise, Senso-ji Main Hall | Tokyo Metro Ginza Line (single ticket or IC card) |
| Before the Main Hall closes | Senso-ji Main Hall | Months 10–3 6:30–17:00 |
| Late afternoon to evening | Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck | Online adult tickets from ¥1,800 |
| Evening | Back to Ueno | Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway |
Don't start the subway 72-hour ticket on day 1: it runs 72 hours from your first entry, so starting on the afternoon of day 1 means it expires on the afternoon of day 4.
Skyliner Narita Airport ⇄ Ueno, Nippori
Keisei express train from Narita Airport to Ueno and Nippori, e-ticket.
≈ US$13and up · checked 10/22
Tokyo Skytree observation decks
Observation deck next to Asakusa; combine it with Senso-ji.
≈ US$13and up · checked 10/22
Day 2: teamLab Planets → Ginza → SHIBUYA SKY for sunset
In the morning, tap in with the subway 72-hour ticket for the first time. The closest station to teamLab Planets is Shin-toyosu on the Yurikamome (1 min walk from the North Exit), but the Yurikamome isn't covered by the subway ticket; with the ticket, take the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line to Toyosu Station, 10 min walk from Exit 7 (teamLab official site).
teamLab Planets is open 8:00–22:00, with last entry 1 hour before closing; tickets use variable pricing, with the official site listing adults ¥3,800, junior/senior high school students ¥2,800, ages 4–12 ¥1,500; entry requires a set time.
At midday, take the Yurakucho Line to Ginza-itchome for Ginza, then in the afternoon take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line from Ginza straight to Shibuya. SHIBUYA SKY tickets come in 20-minute slots: adult online tickets ¥2,700 for entry before 14:59, ¥3,400 after 15:00 (official site). The official homepage posts daily sunrise and sunset times; sunset on 2026/10/23 is 16:59, so for the sunset book a slot before it.
| Suggested time | Itinerary | Transport & tickets |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Ueno → Toyosu: teamLab Planets | Start the subway 72-hour ticket; 10 min walk from Exit 7 of Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Line |
| Midday | Toyosu → Ginza-itchome: Ginza | Yurakucho Line (subway ticket) |
| Afternoon | Ginza → Shibuya | Ginza Line direct (subway ticket) |
| Pre-sunset slot | SHIBUYA SKY | Online ticket for entry after 15:00 ¥3,400 |
| Evening | Shibuya → Ueno | Ginza Line direct (subway ticket) |
At SHIBUYA SKY, bags, hats and selfie sticks aren't allowed on the rooftop; leave them in the dedicated lockers on floor 46 first. Suitcases and other large luggage aren't allowed inside.
teamLab Planets TOKYO (Toyosu)
Immersive exhibition where you walk barefoot through water; time-slot reservation required.
≈ US$24and up · checked 10/22
SHIBUYA SKY Shibuya observation deck
Open-air observation deck on the roof of Shibuya Scramble Square; book sunset time slots early.
≈ US$17and up · checked 10/22
Tokyo Subway 24/48/72 Hourly pass
Unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway; worth it if you ride many times a day.
≈ US$6and up · checked 10/22
Day 3: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shinjuku (or Disney instead)
Option A: take the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda or Fukutoshin Line to Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku) Station. Meiji Jingu's opening hours follow sunrise and sunset and change monthly: month 10 5:40–16:40, month 11 6:10–16:10; it's about 10 min on foot from each entrance to the main shrine (Meiji Jingu official site). In the afternoon, take the Fukutoshin Line to Shinjuku-sanchome for Shinjuku; the whole day stays within the subway ticket.
Option B: Tokyo Disney Resort instead. From Tokyo Station take the JR Keiyo Line to Maihama; per the JR East timetable for 10/2026, the local train leaving Tokyo at 11:11 departs Maihama at 11:27, about 16 min. JR isn't covered by the subway ticket, so pay the fare separately; Disney tickets are date-specific with prices varying by date, so book before you go.
If you choose Disney, the 72-hour ticket goes unused for a whole day; using a 24-hour ticket on day 2 and paying per ride with an IC card on day 4 is usually cheaper.
| Option | Itinerary | Transport & tickets |
|---|---|---|
| A morning | Meiji Jingu | Meiji-jingumae Station, Chiyoda / Fukutoshin Lines (subway ticket) |
| A afternoon | Harajuku → Shinjuku | Shinjuku-sanchome Station, Fukutoshin Line (subway ticket) |
| B full day | Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea | Tokyo Station → Maihama, JR Keiyo Line about 16 min (fare paid separately) |
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea tickets
Date-specific e-ticket; weekends and holidays cost more.
≈ US$62and up · checked 10/22
Mt. Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi day trip (from Tokyo)
Bus tour from central Tokyo covering sights around Lake Kawaguchi; itinerary depends on the package.
≈ US$44and up · checked 10/22
Day 4: Ueno Park, Ameyoko → back to Narita
In the morning, stroll Ueno Park and Ameyoko; the subway ticket stays valid until 72 hours after your first entry on day 2. In the afternoon, collect your luggage at the hotel and take the Skyliner from Keisei Ueno back to Narita, again 41 min, ¥2,580.
If you're flying back from Haneda, Keikyu takes 14 min from Shinagawa, or 37 min on a Keikyu through train from Asakusa. With an early flight, staying in Shinagawa or Asakusa saves time.
Skyliner Narita Airport ⇄ Ueno, Nippori
Keisei express train from Narita Airport to Ueno and Nippori, e-ticket.
≈ US$13and up · checked 10/22
Japan eSIM (KDDI 5G)
Buy before you go and get online as soon as you land; check that your phone supports eSIM first.
≈ US$5and up · checked 10/22
Where to stay for this itinerary
Flying via Narita and want to save on hotels: stay in Ueno. The Skyliner runs direct to Keisei Ueno, and the Ginza Line goes straight to Asakusa, Ginza and Shibuya.
Via Haneda: stay in Shinagawa (Keikyu 14 min to Shinagawa) or Asakusa (Keikyu through train 37 min, no transfer).
Choosing Disney on day 3 and want two days there: you can move to Maihama for the last two nights, but trips back into the city take longer each day. For room sizes, minutes to the station and breakfast at hotels in each area, see Compare areas.
Compare areas: Shinjuku, Ueno, Ginza · Tokyo Station, Shinagawa, Asakusa, Maihama (Disney area)
Shinagawa Prince HotelShinagawa Prince Hotel
Good for: families with kids (aquarium, bowling and cinema on site), those using Haneda or the shinkansen
- JR / Keikyu / Shinkansen Shinagawa Station Takanawa Exit, about 2 min walk
- Double rooms about 21㎡
- Breakfast: LUXE DINING HAPUNA, adults ¥4,100 (from 2025/4/1, incl. tax, plus 13% service charge)
Good to know:The hotel has several buildings, and room sizes vary by building (13.2–21㎡), so check which building when booking; breakfast carries an extra 13% service charge.
Source:Hotel's official website(checked 10/22)
FAQ
Should I buy a JR PASS for 4 days 3 nights in Tokyo?
Not if you're only exploring central Tokyo. The nationwide JR PASS 7-day is ¥50,000 on the official site and only has a chance of paying off with long Shinkansen trips; in the city, a Tokyo Subway 72-hour ticket (¥2,000) plus single JR tickets is enough.
Should I get the 24, 48 or 72-hour Tokyo Subway Ticket?
With this itinerary you're on the subway from day 2 to the morning of day 4, so buy the 72-hour ticket; if you go to Disney on day 3, use a 24-hour ticket on day 2 and pay per ride with an IC card on day 4 instead. For rides to break even, see the table in “Tokyo Subway Ticket: worth it?”
Which area is most convenient for a first trip to Tokyo?
Go by airport: via Narita, stay in Ueno (Skyliner direct); via Haneda, stay in Shinagawa or Asakusa (Keikyu direct). If your plans center on Shinjuku and Shibuya, stay in Shinjuku for the most transfer options.
Which day is best for Disney?
Put it on the middle day (day 3). Days 1 and 4 include flights, so time is limited; Disney tickets are date-specific with prices varying by date, so decide when you plan the trip.
How far ahead should I book a SHIBUYA SKY sunset slot?
The official site says tickets go on sale 2 weeks before the visit date at 0:00 Japan time; when online sales sell out, adult tickets aren't available at the on-site counter either, so book on the day sales open.
Read next
Done reading? Still to book for this trip
Hotels, airport transfer, eSIM: click to book directly on the platform.
Sources
- Keisei: Skyliner tickets (fares)
- Keisei: Skyliner introduction in Chinese (from 41 min)
- Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation: Tickets (Tokyo Subway Ticket prices and coverage)
- Tokyo Subway Ticket official QR ticket sales page (validity and conditions)
- Senso-ji: Main Hall (opening hours)
- Tokyo Skytree: tickets and prices
- Tokyo Skytree: opening hours
- teamLab Planets TOKYO: opening hours, prices, access
- SHIBUYA SKY: tickets on sale
- SHIBUYA SKY: FAQ (release dates, entry rules)
- SHIBUYA SKY official homepage (today's sunrise and sunset)
- Meiji Jingu: opening hours
- Meiji Jingu: access
- JR East timetable: Keiyo Line local departing Tokyo 11:11
- Keikyu: travel times from Haneda Airport to major stations
- Keikyu: fare table
- JAPAN RAIL PASS official site: prices
Figures are from official announcements checked on 10/23; fares, timetables and opening hours may change, so check the official websites again before you go.