Tokyo has so much to do, but where do you start on your first day? You may be jet-lagged, or if you are anything like me, you will be up bright and early at 4:30 am, ready to see anything and everything. This is my favorite first-day in Tokyo plan, and it can be tailored to see what you want in these specific places!

Asakusa

Asakusa is probably on your list of places to visit. You are likely looking to see Senso-ji, which you should definitely see. It’s gorgeous! However, Senso-ji can be extremely busy; it’s a prime tourist location.

I suggest starting your day early in Asakusa, before 9 am. Begin your day by exploring the Senso-ji area to see Kaminarimon, Hozomon, and Sensoji. Early morning will be calm, and you can get some fantastic photos without 1,000s of other people bustling around you.

TIP: pick up a goshuincho at Senso-ji and start collecting stamps from various shrines and temples during your stay in Japan.

Consider stopping in a convenience store and picking up some breakfast snacks to eat on a bench while you admire the area around Sensoji.

If you visit this area early, you will likely miss the opening of Nakamise shopping street. If Nakamise is an essential stop for you, start a little later in the morning and finish viewing the Senso-ji area around 9:00 am when the shops start to open. You can hit the shops up on your way out!

If you want to get your shop on, you can also hit up Shin-Nakamise, a covered shopping street perpendicular to Nakamise, or you can hit up Kappabashi shopping street.

After exploring the Senso-ji area, you can branch out and tackle any other places you wish to stop in Asakusa! If you want a great view of Asakusa, visit the Asakusa Tourist Culture Information Center.

Tokyo Sky Tree

When you are done exploring Asakusa, it’s time to walk to the Sky Tree. You’ve probably been eyeing it from Senso-ji, you can’t exactly miss it.

A bridge right outside of Senso-ji will take you across the Sumida River. Walk along the river, and you will reach Sumida Park. You can either turn here and head straight to the Sky Tree or go deeper into the park and visit Ushijima Shrine. It’s very peaceful and has a great view of the Sky Tree. I highly recommend the visit!

TIP: If you are in Japan during cherry blossom season, the Sumida River and park are great areas to see the cherry blossoms

After finishing up in Sumida Park, keep heading towards the Sky Tree. Once you arrive, you can decide whether to ascend or not; it’s up to you! There is also a mall with many cute shops and restaurants underneath the Sky Tree. I tend to stick with the mall and food!

For those of you who may want to get your nerd on early, there is a Pokemon Center in the Sky Tree Mall.

Ueno

After you’ve finished at the Sky Tree, hop on the train, take the Asakusa Line, and return to Asakusa. Then, you can grab the Ginza Line and go over to Ueno! You can take the Yamamoto line around Tokyo to wherever you want to go next. I suggest taking this time to explore Ueno.

If you want to try the popular ramen restaurant Ichiran, there is one just outside of Ueno station.

Ueno Park is also right outside of the train station. It’s a beautiful park with so much to do! The park has shrines, temples, multiple museums, and a zoo. While in Ueno, I’ve personally visited the National Museum of Nature and Science and highly recommend it; there is a wide variety of exhibits. It is a good choice if you are traveling with kids!

We also recently visited the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park and found it rather interesting, but you definitely need a reasonable amount of time to dedicate to that particular museum. There are many exhibits covering a wide variety of topics. Kids may not find it as interesting as the zoo or nature and science museum.

You can also head across the street from Ueno Station to Ameyoko, a bustling shopping street with a ton of tasty street food! This is a great place for lunch or dinner. Don’t miss Ishibashiinari Shrine as you walk through the area. It is located above the main shopping street, with the entrance just off the main walkway.

Walking all the way down Ameyayokocho, you will find yourself at the Ueno-okachimachi Station, making it easy to hop on a train to your next destination.

Akihabara

Once you hop on that train, head to Akihabara and explore all of the shops in Electric Town!

You are also probably hungry at this point, so pick one of the many restaurants in the area for Dinner. If you are having trouble picking somewhere, you should know that the top floor of most large shopping centers is all restaurants. That may help you limit your choices and make it easier to pick something to eat!

After you have more energy, you can continue exploring the Akihabara area, such as Kanda Myojin and Hijiribashi. Hijiribashi is a bridge with a fun view of the red trains going in and out of the station—it’s a great photo spot!

Finishing Up Your First Day

You are likely to feel that jet lag by now. Head back to your hotel to rest, and make sure you stop at a convenience store on the way to pick up some snacks!

If you still have some energy, explore the area around your hotel and get yourself lost down alleyways! If you happen to be staying in Asakusa, head out to Senso-ji to see the area lit up at night; it’s really gorgeous!

Are you planning a trip to Japan?
Check out my Detailed Two-Week Japan Itinerary for more helpful information!