Last updated on September 14th, 2024

A visit to nostalgic Tokyo can be enjoyed around by an Asakusa Ueno itinerary with all the great sights and best food included.

There are so many things to do and see when you go to Tokyo. While most people will think of the megalopolis of modern skyscrapers when visiting Tokyo. But we recommended spending some time to experience the true local vibes. Located in Northern Tokyo, Asakusa and Ueno are great places to visit where visitors can feel the nostalgic atmosphere of the Edo period.

It’s easy to fill up an one day Asakusa Ueno itinerary by visiting the notable tourist spots and places not many people know about! The Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, is located in Asakusa and must-visit for first-time visitors to Tokyo. Besides, Asakusa and Ueno are only three subway stops from each other, which make them efficient distance-wise for a whole day of sightseeing. We visited Asakusa and Ueno for few times and still love to include them in our itinerary every time we visited Tokyo. Some of the attractions are particularly amazing during the sakura season.

In this Asakusa Ueno travel blog, we introduce the best way to plan your Asakusa Ueno itinerary by visiting the highlights, along with some of the travel tips and best food that we recommended.

Asakusa Ueno Itinerary

Take a look at our one-day Asakusa Ueno itinerary including the great attractions and best food of Asakusa and Ueno in one day!

• Start your Asakusa Ueno itinerary to Sensoji Temple
• Take a popular shot at Kaminarimon
• Shop for a traditional souvenir on Nakamise Street
• Try the traditional Asakusa specialties
• Incense-cleansing with incense smoke for healing effect
• Eat The Asakusa Tendon Rice
• Relaxing stroll in Sumida Park
• Tokyo SkyTree
• From Asakusa to Ueno. Explore Ueno Park
• Shop at Ameyoko Street

Visit Sensoji Temple

Firstly, start your Asakusa Ueno itinerary with a visit to the icons of Asakusa: Kaminarimon, Nakamise Dori, and Sensoji Temple.

From the Asakusa station exit, we walked to the Kaminarimon near the exit. It is the entrance to Sensoji Temple (浅草寺), Tokyo’s largest and oldest Buddhist temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. Founded in 645, Sensoji Temple is one of the most iconic buildings and traditional heritage in Tokyo. 

Take A Popular Shot at Kaminarimon

The enormous red lantern hanging from the Kaminarimon Gate (浅草雷門) has been here since the Kamakura period. It is a popular spot for people to take the customary shot in front of this iconic dignified gate. A symbol of Asakusa.

It’s almost impossible to get an empty shot of Senso-Ji in the daytime unless you arrive very very early in the morning.

Shop for Traditional Souvenir in Nakamise Street

After entering the Kaminarimon Gate, walk down the approach to the Nakamise shopping street (Nakamise-Dori). It is a centuries-old promenade of shops that runs from the iconic Kaminarimon gate right up to the Sensoji Temple.

There are about 90 stores lined along the 250-meter street, offering local souvenirs and street food. It was good to slow down your footstep to experience the historical shopping ambiance that has existed since the Edo period. A great place to look for Japanese gifts and traditional souvenirs in Asakusa.

Try The Traditional Asakusa Specialties

Don’t forget to buy some Japanese snacks to satisfy your hunger. There are a variety of traditional Asakusa specialties, such as senbei (rice crackers),  imo yokan (sweet potato jelly), and ningyo yaki (doll-shaped cookies), on sale at the various store along the street. Just grab one that you like the most!

We bought the ningyo yaki, a cooked pastry filled with sweet red bean paste. It was made into different shapes, such as dolls and birds. Very adorable.

Five-Story Pagoda

The Sensoji Temple’s grounds are a collection of ornately designed buildings including a Five-Story Pagoda. Once entered the Main Hall, you will be impressed by the unique colorful Pagoda standing at 53.3 meters (175 feet) tall as you approach the main hall. It is said to have been built in the 10th century and rebuilt to the original size due to burn-down during WWII.

Incense Cleansing with Incense Smoke

There is a large incense burner is placed in front of the main hall of Sensoji Temple. Don’t forget to do the incense cleansing with incense smoke that is said to have a healing effect. You can purchase the incense for 100 yen, light it on fire stones, and put it in the urn to bless your body with the smoke. A really humbling experience.

There are also many things to see in Sensoji Temple. The surrounding artwork, including statues that reflect much of the history surrounding this temple. Sensoji Temple is always crowded most of the time. We recommended spending about one to two hours just exploring Tokyo’s most popular sightseeing area.

Sensoji Temple (浅草寺)

• Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito Ward, Tokyo 111-0032
• Opening Hours: Always open.
• Entrance Fee: Free!

How to get to Asakusa Sensoji Temple: There are four stations in Asakusa and the Ginza Line is the closest to the Sensoji Temple. Take Exit 1 and look for signs for Sensoji Temple.

Wandering Around Asakusa Area

Besides, please allocate more time to wandering around the Asakusa area near the Sensoji Temple. There are a lot of restaurants, shops, and stalls that are worth exploring.

You’ll see many offers for a rickshaw tour for riding around the Asakusa area. Or consider renting a kimono to wear during your visit. It is a popular activity for young and beautiful Tokyo residents or foreign visitors walking around wearing kimonos. A good photography opportunity.

Eat The Asakusa Tendon Rice

A good place for lunch after a visit to the Asakusa temple is looking for Asakusa must eat food, tendon rice. In fact, there are many popular tempuras restaurants in Asakusa, but Daikokuya Tempura probably is the most famous among all.

Daikokuya Tempura served the mouthwatering Tempura and Tendon dishes for many decades. There are two stores located in Asakusa, while the Daikokuya Honken is located a stone’s throw away from the main temple area. Be prepared to queue as long lines always.

We tried the tendon rice in Daikokuya Tempura and highly recommended it. Read on our food review in Daikokuya Tempura to know more in detail.

More Info: Daikokuya Tempura: Asakusa Must Eat Food

Relaxing stroll in Sumida Park

After the filling lunch, it’s time to burn off some calories and head to Sumida Park. Tokyo has plenty of beautiful parks where you can take a walk down the riverside and enjoy the beautiful scenery. 

The Sumida Park (墨田公園) is a beautiful park lined with thousands of cherry trees along the Sumida River, connected by the Azuma Bridge. It is about 5 minutes of scenic walk by foot from Asakusa station to Sumida Park. Enjoy the relaxing roll along the Sumida River. Many locals walk and relax here.

In Spring, it is particularly beautiful and must visit during the cherry blossom season. We admired the blossoms on hundreds of cherry trees in spring.

Sumida Park also offers some of the best views of the Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Tower. You wouldn’t miss the Asahi Beer Tower because of its golden shaped-like pseudo gourd. Although it’s peculiar, it represents Asahi’s golden flame of passion.

Walk along the west side of the river and enjoy views of lovely sights with beautiful cherry trees.

Sumida Park (墨田公園)

• Address: 1-1 Hanakawado, Taito Ward, Tokyo 111-0033
• Price: Free.
• Opening Hours: Always open.

How To Get To Sumida Park: 5 minutes walk from Asakusa Station.

Tokyo Skytree

If you are interested, consider visiting the Tokyo Skytree, the new symbol of the city after the Tokyo Tower. It is only about 20 minutes to walk from Sumida Park to Tokyo Skytree. Constructed in 2012, Tokyo Skytree is the highest building in Japan with a height of 634 meters.

There is two observation deck that is open for viewing in the amazing Kanto region, located at 350 and 450 meters respectively. One of the best places to view the landscape of Tokyo city, especially the night view.

We did not include Tokyo SkyTree into our Asakusa itinerary and have another plan for the best night view in Tokyo. But Tokyo SkyTree is highly recommended for those who love to view on city view when getting around in Asakusa.

More info: Fast Tickets to the 2nd Highest Point in the World

Explore Ueno Park

Next, we took the train to Ueno with only 3 metro stops from Asakusa. The Ueno Park (上野公園) is a large public park located near JR Ueno station. It has some of Tokyo’s top sites and much to explore.

You can take a walk in the park including temples, shrines, museums, ponds, fountains, and the garden. Ueno Park also has Tokyo’s best and oldest zoo. It’s really a good place for kids as they do have a big space for them to explore and exhaust their energy!

Besides, Ueno Park is also extremely popular during the cherry blossom season. We were here during the cherry blossom season and thoroughly enjoyed walking around. Massive boozy picnics and hundreds of cherry blossom trees are in full bloom.

There are some food stalls selling food during the sakura celebration. We also bought some Japanese street food while wandering around. A great place to stroll and relax.

Shop at Ameyoko Street

After the relaxing stroll in Ueno Park, we headed down to the Ameyoko shopping street which is well-known for lots of cheaper shopping stuff and food. The Ameyoko Street (アメヤ横丁) is a busy street that extends along the JR Yamanote line near Ueno station. It is a great place for a different experience in Tokyo to feel the chaotic, true Asian spirits when visiting here. It was originally a place of shopping for local people, but now it becomes a tourist attraction and many foreigners come to visit.

There are various products sold here such as clothes, shoes, watches, toys, and even souvenirs. All at a bargain price and reasonable compared with other places in Tokyo. It is also the cheapest place to buy a souvenir in Tokyo. It a colorful, vibrant, and full of fun.

Even if you don’t want to buy anything it’s fun to check out the food in Ameyoko Street. There is a variety of street food and many great restaurants serving typical Japanese cuisine as well as fast food outlets. Good place for a food tour to try the taste of locals.

Overview: Asakusa Ueno Itinerary

All in all, we hope our travel tips help you better divide your time in Asakusa and Ueno so you can make the most of your visit. Properly planning your Asakusa Ueno itinerary will take away a lot of stress and help you feel like a regular visitor.

Many visitors try to plan a lot of attractions in one day. The nostalgic old town Asakusa and Ueno can easily spend about 5 to 6 hours. You can squeeze in the Akibahara which is located nearby if you still have more energy. Or take a cuisine ride to Odaiba. But be aware that most of the attractions are eateries and are very crowded. Remember to spare more time to taste some of the local specialties and relaxing strolls in Asakusa and Ueno. Enjoy your trip to Asakusa and Ueno!

Tokyo Itinerary For 1, 2, 3 or 5 Days: A Complete Travel Guide Blog

More detail on Tokyo Travel Blog:

• Where To Stay in Tokyo? The Best Neighborhoods and Hotel
• A Guide For Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya Itinerary
• Asakusa Ueno Itinerary: A Travel Tips Guide For Visitor

Tokyo Food Blog:

• Tokyo Food Guide: What and Where to Eat in Tokyo
• Mutekiya Ramen: Must Eat Tokyo Best Ramen
• Ichiran Ramen Ueno: Best Ramen Shop in Ueno Tokyo
• Daikokuya Tempura: Asakusa Must Eat Food
• Chuka Soba Tomita Ramen: Tokyo Best Tsukemen

Tokyo Transport Guide:

• From Narita Airport To Tokyo: How To Decide Your Best Transport

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Last updated on September 14th, 2024

A walking guide for Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya itinerary that shows you how to plan your visit including things to do and what to eat within one day.

The popular Harajuku and Shibuya are the most popular attractions in Tokyo city. These two places are known for Japanese youth culture, trendy fashion, Anime cosplay, and the world-famous scramble crossing. 

If this is your first visit to Japan, then consider spending a day in Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya, and its many other sightseeing spots. A good combination itinerary is Meiji Shrine in the morning, have a look at Takeshita street, walked to the Shibuya, admire the busiest Shibuya Crossing, and spend your time in Shibuya in the afternoon and evening.

In this travel blog, we’ve put together a complete walking guide with Meiji Shrine, Shibuya, and Shibuya itinerary within one day. Together with some must-eat food and travel tips, this little travel guide will help you to visit these popular attractions in Tokyo. Make sure to read this before you plan your visit!

Planning on Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya Itinerary

Here is my walking route for One Day itinerary to Meiji Jingu Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya:

• Start your itinerary at Meiji Jingu Shrine
• Walk along Takeshita Street
• Try the Harajuku Must Eat: Crepe
• Walk from Harajuku to Shibuya: Cat Street, Omotesando Street
• Find Hachiko Statue outside Shibuya Station
• Photographing at Shibuya Crossing
• Lunch at Shibuya
• Shopping at Shibuya Center Gai

If you’re visiting Tokyo for sightseeing, stay at Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku (my favorite place to stay). It’s the perfect base to explore the city with a superb strategic location (JR Shinjuku station is located just about 3 minute’s walk from the hotel).

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is the most famous and largest shrine in Tokyo. Located in Shibuya, Meiji Shrine was founded in 1920, primarily to honor the Meiji Emperor and the Empress. It is surrounded by lush green forests and gardens even though situated in the heart of the city.

For visitors, Meiji Shrine is the best place to learn about the history of Japan. But, it is also an important religious place that locals will gather to pay their visit at the start of every New Year. 

Start your Meiji Shrine itinerary by taking the JR train to Harajuku station. The entrance of the Meiji Shrine is only a minute’s walk from the JR Harajuku Station on the Yamanote line. Continue to walk toward the shrine and cross over a bridge, there will be thousands of trees lining its entrance with a massive wooden torii gate that will guide you into the Yoyogi Park.

Serene Yoyogi Park

It is a very peaceful walk towards the shrine that immediately helps you relax whilst passing through the torii gates. The serene Yoyogi Park is a huge park with a wide walkway. It covers about 73 hectares and contains about 100,000 trees donated from around the country creating a tranquil setting that makes you forget you are in one of the largest cities in the world. Enjoy a pleasant walk in nature!

On the way to the main shrine, there is a teahouse, cultural hall, large stacks of sake and wine barrel, and a lot of displays with explanations about the shrine and its history. 

Some of them required 500 yen each for the entrance fees. You can enter the Treasure House and view many of their belongings, including their personal carriage. Or visit the Inner Garden to upgrade your spiritual status. 

Temizuya Meiji Shrine

When you get to the main shrine, it is important to respect the Shinto religion. Perform the ritual washing by rinsing your hands and mouth at Temizuya before entering the shrine and offering prayers and wishes.

The Meiji Jingu Shrine is a beautiful architectural structure of the Japanese emperor’s history. Walk into the main courtyard and enjoy traditional timber construction and craftsmanship, along with the tactile sensations.

If you are lucky, you can see babies being blessed or even a traditional Shinto wedding. During our visit, we were very lucky to see a traditional Japanese Shinto wedding in procession. What a great experience indeed!

Don’t forget to make a wish for Health, Good companionships, success in studies, or good fortune. You can buy one of the prayer boards for ¥500, write a prayer on it and place it on the hanger. The monks will take the requests and pray for you. Or purchase a small charm for best luck.

In short, it is a good start to start your day in Tokyo with the Meiji Shrine itinerary. I felt positively serene walking through the tall trees on the approach to Meiji-Jingu Shrine. It has to be on everyone’s must-see list to feel the tradition of Japan.

Meiji Shrine Itinerary Travel Tips: Come early and be sure to get there before sunset. The park will be closed and you’ll be asked to return when it re-opens the next day. Expected to spend 60 – 120 minutes including the serene walk.

Getting to Meiji Shrine: Get off at JR Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote line) or Sangubashi Station (Odakyu Odawara Line).

Takeshita Street

After praying for good fortune in Meiji Shrine, now let’s continue our exploration to the Harajuku itinerary. Takeshita-Dori Street (原宿竹下通り) is one of the main reasons that make Shibuya such an exciting and hip place. It is a popular busy street with colorful shops offering unique, quirky, and trendy fashions. The atmosphere is totally different at the tranquil Meiji Jingu Shrine. It will be an eye-opener for the first-timer here.

From Meiji Shrine, a short walk will lead you to the famous Takeshita Street in Harajuku. It is the most visited place by young shoppers and teenagers. You can find many teenagers dressed in costumes like Anime cosplayers, lolita, and punk musicians, hanging around at Takeshita Street, especially on weekends and holidays.

There are many things to see and buy along Takeshita Street. If you’re into 100 yen shopping, the three-story Daiso sells everything including home decor, stationery, kitchenware, cosmetics, and all sorts of things you may (or may not) need.

Alternatively, hook into the animal-themed cafes where you can meet adorable animals including owls, dogs, cats, and even a hedgehog. You will need to pay to enter for a session of time duration with a drink. It is one of the unique and interesting spots when visiting Harajuku. Worth popping in if you are an animal lover.

The 300-meter street takes about 10-15 minutes to walk from one end to another. But there are tons of fun at Harajuku Takeshita-dori street that can easily spend one or two hours here.

Getting to Takeshita Street: Get off at JR Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote line).

Harajuku Must Eat: Crepe

Strolling along Takeshita street, there’s a good chance you’ll be struck by the must-eat food in Harajuku. The trendy Takeshita Dori street has been known for selling the Calbee, rainbow candy floss, ice cream, and also the most popular crepe.

There are numbers of crepe stands gathered along Takeshita street. These are stores where you can get mouthwatering crepe with any topping you could think of. Two popular crepe stores that have garnered much attention are Angel Crepes and Marion Crepes.

We had the opportunity to try the Harajuku must eat at the oldest crepe store in Marion Crepe. All the crepes are delicately prepared and super delicious. Choose from a million different kinds of crepes or create your own crepe from a wide range of toppings. A must-eat food in Harajuku.

If crepe is not your thing, you can also try another dessert at ZakuZaku for a long stick puff with delicious creamy milky Hokkaido cream. Or get the friend fresh potato chips at the Calbee+ with various flavors.

Walk From Harajuku To Shibuya

Next on our itinerary is to proceed to Shibuya. You can choose to get to Shibuya from Harajuku via subway or on foot. The walking journey from Harajuku to Shibuya takes approximately 30 minutes on foot.

Harajuku is connected to Shibuya by ‘Cat Street’. It used to be many cats here. But it is now the coolest street in Tokyo with stylish stores, boutiques, and galleries. Feel free to pop into any of these shops during your walking journey.

Continue the walk to Omotesando Street, the Champs Elysees of Japan were many trendy and famous international brand-name stores lined along the street. A leisure walk to experience the shopping culture in Tokyo.

Find Hachiko Statue Outside Shibuya Station

It is always easy to tie in your Shibuya itinerary with a short visit to the Hachiko statue outside Shibuya Station. The Shibuya station is a busy station that served almost all the important train lines in Tokyo. You can meet the Hachiko statue once exit from the Hachiko exit.

The Hachiko statue is an iconic gathering spot for the people of Tokyo. It’s also become a popular photography spot recently. Many people come here to see how most of the time some cats rest under the protection of Hachiko.

It is a good royal story behind the Hachiko statue. A faithful dog waiting for his diseased owner, Professor Ueno in front of Shibuya station after its own death. Many people lined up to take pictures with the Hachiko dog statue. Not a must-see in the Shibuya itinerary but worth spending a few minutes to take a selfie with this signature statue.

Photographing at Shibuya Crossing

A short walk from Shibuya station is the home of the world’s busiest intersection in the world, “Shibuya Scramble Crossing”. This iconic Tokyo landmark is where 7 crossroads come together and the lights all turn green at the same time.

It is really a sight to see whether it’s day or night. Large crowds of pedestrians can be seen crossing the roads in different directions without colliding with one another at these times. We have never seen a crossing such as this anywhere in the world. It’s amazing to watch and join the crowd by crossing the intersection together. Busy day and night.

Getting to Shibuya Crossing: About a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station.

Lunch at Shibuya

The best spot to view the Shibuya crossing is from some of the shops and cafes nearby the Shibuya junction. There are a couple of places with a wide variety of good food to dine in. Some are very popular due to providing a good vantage point for Shibuya Crossing. It’s recommended to go to the second floor of one of the buildings where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the intersection.

The Starbucks coffee shop is one of the popular choices for viewing Shibuya Crossing if you’d be very lucky to get the table. It is always crowded with people, especially during the weekend.

Originally we plan to have our lunch at one of the ramen shops on Shibuya Gai Street. However, we were lazy and decided to have our lunch at Loccitane Cafe Shibuya. It is located on the first floor above the L’Occitane shop at the Shibuya junction, with a great view of this famous scramble crossing. There are multiple floors and we were lucky to sit right against the windows. 

The menu is mostly served in western styles. We had our drink and also a lunch meal with good quality ingredients and attractive planting. It is fun to enjoy your lunch while watching the organized chaos of Shibuya Crossing at each 2-minute interval. Enjoy!

Shopping at Shibuya Center Gai

For those who love shopping, Shibuya Center Gai is the place you must drop by when visiting Shibuya. There are countless shops. restaurants, and expansive malls located in this iconic street of Shibuya. From shopping for clothing, trendy cosmetics, or a great place to eating ramen and sushi, there are many things to do in Shibuya Center Gai.

The Shibuya 109 is definitely worth visiting in Shibuya. It is also the most iconic building in Shibuya and popular among locals for the latest trendy fashion items. Alternatively, LOFT and Shibuya Mega Donki is also a great place to look for a variety of goods.

For shoppers who love Japanese clothing at a cheaper price, walk into the most famous Japanese clothing brand, Uniqlo which is located at the edge of the street. There are also many Japanese drug stores in Shibuya, that offer a variety of medicines and high-quality cosmetics products. Some even offer a better deal for shoppers at a bargain price. Shop till you drop!

Truly an amazing shopping experience for all ages in Shibuya.

Overview: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya Itinerary

All in all, a visit to Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, and Shibuya itinerary is a must-do list if you are in Tokyo for some cultural satisfaction. The historical shrine, amazing people, Neon lights and media billboards, unique stores, and excitement make it a great place to see. We enjoyed the moments walking along the street from Harajuku to Shibuya. Definitely worth including the above itinerary and making a couple of hours of it when you get to Tokyo.

You may be wondering what to do in Tokyo with your limited travel time. Here are some of the useful travel guides with itinerary planning, things to do, and what to eat in Tokyo. Feel free to continue to read below Tokyo travel guide:

Tokyo Itinerary For 1, 2, 3 or 5 Days: A Complete Travel Guide Blog

More detail on Tokyo Travel Blog:

• Where To Stay in Tokyo? The Best Neighborhoods and Hotel
• A Guide For Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya Itinerary
• Asakusa Ueno Itinerary: A Travel Tips Guide For Visitor

Tokyo Food Blog:

• Tokyo Food Guide: What and Where to Eat in Tokyo
• Mutekiya Ramen: Must Eat Tokyo Best Ramen
• Ichiran Ramen Ueno: Best Ramen Shop in Ueno Tokyo
• Daikokuya Tempura: Asakusa Must Eat Food
• Chuka Soba Tomita Ramen: Tokyo Best Tsukemen

Tokyo Transport Guide:

• From Narita Airport To Tokyo: How To Decide Your Best Transport

Planning on an easy trip from Tokyo? Here is our travel guide:

• Hakone One Day itinerary with Hakone Free Pass
• Where To Stay in Hakone: Best Ryokan and Hotel Guide
• Best Ryokan Stay in Hakone: Ichinoyu Honkan
• Kamakura Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog
• Nikko Itinerary: A Travel Guide Blog