Tokyo
At a Glance
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| Dates | Monday, March 30 - Monday, April 6, 2026 |
| Nights | 7 |
| Base | Asakusa |
| Focus | Museums, temples, sento, getting oriented |
| Status | ✓ Hotel Booked |
Accommodation ✓ BOOKED
APA Hotel Asakusa Ekimae
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| Address | 1-12-16, Komagata, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0043 |
| Map | Google Maps |
| Check-in | March 30, 2026 |
| Check-out | April 6, 2026 |
| Room | Standard Room, 2 guests, Non-smoking |
| Cost | $1,384.31 (incl. taxes & Stay Protection) |
| Booking | Hotels.com #73356302853436 |
Location: 5 min walk to Asakusa Station, near Senso-ji Temple and Sumida River. Ueno museums are 2 metro stops away.
Getting There
From Haneda Airport (HND):
- Arrive 5:10 PM on March 30
- Option 1: Keikyu Line → Asakusa Line (direct, ~45 min, ~¥600)
- Option 2: Tokyo Monorail → JR → Metro (~60 min, ~¥700)
- Option 3: Taxi (~45-60 min, ~¥7,000-8,000)
Recommend Option 1 — straightforward after a long flight.
Suggested Itinerary
By Geography (minimizes travel)
| Day | Date | Area | Activities |
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| 1 | Mon 3/30 | Asakusa | Arrive 5:10 PM, check in, Senso-ji evening walk, first ramen |
| 2 | Tue 3/31 | Ueno | Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum, Nat’l Museum of Western Art |
| 3 | Wed 4/1 | Ueno/Nezu | Nat’l Museum of Nature & Science, Nezu Shrine, Nezu Museum |
| 4 | Thu 4/2 | Central/Jimbocho | Imperial Palace East Gardens, Jimbocho bookstores, Kanda Myojin |
| 5 | Fri 4/3 | Shibuya | Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky sunset |
| 6 | Sat 4/4 | Roppongi/Odaiba | National Art Center, Miraikan (robots/AI), waterfront |
| 7 | Sun 4/5 | Asakusa/Skytree | Tokyo Skytree ⚠️ book ahead, flex/revisit favorites |
Daily: End each day with sento
Optional Swaps
- Shinjuku evening: Golden Gai bars, Tokyo Metropolitan Building (free night views)
- Akihabara: Electronics, anime — fit in with Jimbocho day (nearby)
- Shinjuku Gyoen: Swap for Yoyogi if you want a quieter garden
- Yanaka: Old Tokyo atmosphere, temples, cat street — add to Ueno/Nezu day
- Sumida River Cruise: From Asakusa Pier to Hamarikyu Gardens (~35 min, ~¥1,000)
Day Trip Options
- Kawagoe (“Little Edo”): Historic warehouse district, candy street, 30 min from Ikebukuro. Good half-day if you want a break from Tokyo intensity.
- Enoshima: Beach town with island shrine, caves, views of Mt. Fuji on clear days. ~1 hour from Shinjuku via Odakyu Line.
Museums (Priority Order)
Must-See (★★★)
| Museum | Focus | Hours | Cost | Links |
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| Tokyo National Museum | Japanese art, samurai, ukiyo-e | 9:30-17:00 | ¥1,000 | Map · Site |
| National Museum of Nature & Science | Evolution, biology, Japanese science | 9:00-17:00 | ¥630 | Map · Site |
| Miraikan | Robots, AI, emerging tech | 10:00-17:00 | ¥630 | Map · Site |
Strong Interest (★★☆)
| Museum | Focus | Cost | Links |
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| Nat’l Museum of Western Art | Le Corbusier building, Impressionists | ¥500 | Map · Site |
| National Art Center | Roppongi, no permanent collection, rotating exhibitions, stunning Kurokawa building | ¥varies | Map · Site |
| Edo-Tokyo Museum | Edo-period life, modernization | ¥600 | Map · Site |
| Showa Memorial Museum | WW2 daily life, personal connection | ¥300 | Map · Site |
| Nezu Museum | Pre-modern Asian art, beautiful garden | ¥1,500 | Map · Site |
| Artizon Museum | French Impressionists, modern | ¥1,800 | Map · Site |
Local History Museums (add to nearby days)
| Museum | Near | Focus | Cost | Links |
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| Shitamachi Museum | Ueno | Recreated Edo-era shops/homes, hands-on | ¥300 | Map |
| Shinjuku Historical Museum | Shinjuku | Local history from prehistoric to modern | ¥300 | Map |
| Sumida Heritage Museum | Skytree | Sumida ward history, ukiyo-e woodblocks | ¥300 | Map |
| Fukagawa Edo Museum | Kiyosumi | Walk through recreated 1840s Edo street | ¥400 | Map |
| Ota Memorial Museum | Harajuku | Ukiyo-e woodblock prints | ¥700-1000 | Map · Site |
Fit with itinerary:
- Day 2-3 (Ueno): Shitamachi Museum
- Day 5 (Shibuya): Ota Memorial (Harajuku side)
- Day 7 (Skytree): Sumida Heritage Museum
- Shinjuku evening: Shinjuku Historical Museum
If Time Allows (★☆☆)
| Museum | Focus | Links |
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| Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT) | Japanese contemporary art, Kiyosumi area | Map · Site |
| Samurai Museum | Armor, swords, samurai history, Shinjuku | Map |
| Ueno Royal Museum | Rotating exhibitions, Ueno Park | Map |
| Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum | Special exhibitions, Ueno Park | Map |
| teamLab Planets | Immersive digital art (book ahead) | Site |
| Yasukuni/Yushukan | WW2 memorial (controversial but significant) | Map |
| Museum of Roadside Art | Quirky outsider art collection, weird Japan | Map |
Landmarks
| Landmark | Notes | Links |
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| Tokyo Skytree | 634m tower, observation decks at 350m/450m — BOOK 1 MONTH PRIOR | Map · Site |
| Shibuya Crossing | World’s busiest intersection, must-see chaos | Map |
| Hachiko Statue | Loyal dog statue, Shibuya meeting point | Map |
| Shibuya Sky | Rooftop observation deck, sunset views | Map · Site |
| Tower Hall Funabori | Free observation deck, off-the-beaten-path views | Map |
Temples & Shrines
| Site | Type | Notes | Links |
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| Senso-ji | Buddhist | Tokyo’s oldest (645 AD), 5 min walk from hotel | Map · Site |
| Meiji Shrine | Shinto | Emperor Meiji, forested oasis in Shibuya | Map · Site |
| Nezu Shrine | Shinto | 1706, azalea garden, quieter | Map |
| Kanda Myojin | Shinto | 1,300 years old, Akihabara area, tech blessing | Map · Site |
| Zojo-ji | Buddhist | Tokugawa tombs, Tokyo Tower backdrop | Map · Site |
| Hie Shrine | Shinto | Tunnel of torii gates, near Akasaka | Map |
| Matsuchiyama Shoden | Buddhist | Hilltop temple, daikon radish offerings, near Asakusa | Map |
Parks & Gardens
| Park | Notes | Links |
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| Ueno Park | Museums, zoo, cherry blossoms, shrine | Map |
| Yoyogi Park | Wide open space near Meiji Shrine, Sunday performers | Map |
| Shinjuku Gyoen | 58 hectares, Japanese/French/English gardens — ¥500 | Map · Site |
| Imperial Palace East Gardens | Free, former Edo Castle grounds, includes Ninomaru Garden | Map |
| Koishikawa Korakuen | Edo-period stroll garden, one of Tokyo’s oldest | Map |
| Hamarikyu Gardens | Waterfront Edo garden, tidal pond, teahouse, boat access | Map |
| Sumida Park | Cherry blossoms along river, Skytree views, near hotel | Map |
| Denboin Garden | Hidden gem at Senso-ji, seasonal openings only | Map |
| Meiji Jingu Gyoen | Inner garden at Meiji Shrine, iris garden — ¥500 | Map |
Neighborhoods to Explore
| Area | Vibe | What to See | Links |
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| Shibuya | Youth culture, energy, iconic | Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko, Shibuya Sky, Center-gai | Map |
| Shinjuku | Neon, nightlife, skyscrapers | Kabukicho, Golden Gai bars, Tokyo Metropolitan Building (free views) | Map |
| Jimbocho | Books, books, books | 170+ used bookstores, vintage manga, curry restaurants | Map |
| Harajuku | Fashion, youth, quirky | Takeshita Street, Cat Street, vintage shops | Map |
| Roppongi | Art, nightlife | National Art Center, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Tower | Map |
| Yanaka | Old Tokyo, quiet, nostalgic | Temple alley, Yanaka Cemetery, cat street, retro shopping | Map |
| Nezu | Historic, residential | Nezu Shrine, traditional houses, quiet strolls | Map |
Activities
Sumida River Cruise
Scenic boat ride from Asakusa to Hamarikyu Gardens — a relaxing way to see the city from the water.
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| Departs | Tokyo Cruise Asakusa Pier (5 min from hotel) |
| Route | Asakusa → Hamarikyu Gardens |
| Duration | ~35 minutes |
| Cost | ~¥1,000 |
| Links | Map |
Tip: Take the cruise one-way to Hamarikyu, explore the gardens, then walk to Ginza or take metro back.
Tokyo Station Marunouchi
The red-brick Tokyo Station building is beautifully restored. Worth a stop for photos and the upscale underground shopping.
Sento (Public Baths)
Plan to visit one each evening — they’re everywhere and cheap (~¥500).
| Sento | Area | Highlights | Links |
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| Daikoku-yu | Asakusa | Tattoo-friendly, open all night, closest to hotel | Map · Site |
| Kotobuki-yu | Ueno/Asakusa | Open-air bath, 2 saunas | Map |
| Hagino-yu | Uguisudani | Tokyo’s largest, 4 bath types, restaurant | Map |
| Mikoku-yu | Near Skytree | Skytree views from open-air bath | Map |
| Misuji-yu | Asakusa | Traditional neighborhood sento, very local | Map |
| Hinode-yu | Asakusa | Classic sento, walking distance from hotel | Map |
| ROX Matsuri-yu | Asakusa | Modern spa complex in shopping center | Map |
Food & Drink
Near Asakusa
- Nakamise-dori — Traditional snacks, ningyo-yaki
- Hoppy Street — Izakaya alley, local vibe
- Kappabashi Street — Kitchen supplies, plastic food samples
- Mont Blanc Azumabashi — Japanese-Western, near hotel, ¥1,000-2,000 | Map
- HATCOFFEE — Specialty coffee, good for morning, ¥1,000-2,000 | Map
Restaurants (Book Ahead)
| Restaurant | Type | Price | Area | Links |
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| MO-MO-PARADISE | Shabu-shabu (hot pot) | $ | Shinjuku | Map |
| Kobe Beef Daia | Wagyu steak | ¥10,000+ | Shinjuku | Map |
Ramen
- Research specific shops closer to trip
- Ichiran (chain but reliable)
- Many excellent options in every neighborhood
Markets
- Tsukiji Outer Market — Seafood breakfast/lunch (inner market moved to Toyosu)
- Ameyoko — Near Ueno, food stalls, street food
Practical Info
Transit
- Get Suica/Pasmo at Haneda on arrival
- Works on all trains, buses, and konbini
- Metro is color-coded and English-friendly
Areas Near Your Base
| Area | Distance | What’s There |
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| Asakusa | Walking | Senso-ji, traditional shops, sento |
| Ueno | 2 stops | Museums, park, zoo |
| Akihabara | 3 stops | Electronics, anime, robots |
| Ginza | 15 min | Upscale shopping, Sony showroom |
| Shibuya/Harajuku | 25 min | Youth culture, Meiji Shrine |
| Odaiba | 30 min | Miraikan, waterfront |
Budget (Tokyo Leg)
| Category | Estimate |
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| Accommodation (7 nights) | $1,384 ✓ |
| Museums (~8 venues) | ~$70 |
| Sento (7 visits) | ~$25 |
| Food (7 days) | ~$300-400 |
| Local transit | ~$40 |
| Subtotal | ~$1,820-1,920 |
Luggage Delivery to Nagoya
Send luggage April 5 (day before departure) for next-day delivery.
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| Service | Yamato Transport (Kuroneko Takkyubin) |
| How | Ask APA Hotel front desk — they’ll handle it |
| To | Your Nagoya hotel (have name/address ready) |
| Cost | ~¥1,800 per bag |
| Keep | Day bag with 1 change of clothes, toiletries |
Tip: Confirm with Nagoya hotel they can receive luggage before you arrive.
Departure: April 6
- Check out of APA Hotel (luggage already sent!)
- Travel light to Nagoya
- Take Shinkansen to Nagoya (~100 min, ~¥11,000)
- Book via SmartEX for discounts