Tokyo 3-Day Itinerary Recommendation | Complete Guide to Landmarks & Key Spots Without Disney (Route & Budget Summary)
TokyoMate
Tokyo 3-Day Itinerary Recommendation! A complete guide to Tokyo Tower, Skytree, Sensoji landmarks and Shibuya, Ginza, Shinjuku key districts with optimized routes—the ultimate independent travel course.
Hello! I’m TokyoMate, designing fail-proof travel experiences.
“Is it okay to visit Tokyo without going to Disney?"
Of course! Tokyo itself is overflowing with attractions.
The Tokyo 3-day itinerary I’m introducing today boldly excludes theme parks and focuses on the ‘landmarks’ and ‘key commercial districts’ that travelers from around the world visit most—a classic 3-night 4-day Tokyo course.
I highly recommend this for first-time Tokyo visitors or those traveling with parents or friends who want the ‘most Tokyo-like’ experience.
🗓️ Tokyo 3-Night 4-Day ‘Landmark-Focused’ Overview
To avoid tangled routes, I’ve arranged it in the order: West (Day 1) → East (Day 2) → Center (Day 3) → Near Accommodation (Day 4).
| Day | Area | Main Destinations |
| Day 1 (West) | Shibuya/Shinjuku | Shibuya Scramble, Shibuya Sky, Shinjuku |
| Day 2 (East) | Asakusa/Ueno/Tokyo | Sensoji, Skytree (view), Ameyoko Market, Tokyo Station Character Street |
| Day 3 (Center) | Tsukiji/Ginza/Tokyo Tower | Tsukiji Market, Ginza Shopping, Tokyo Tower (night view) |
| Day 4 (Wrap-up) | Shinjuku | Shinjuku Gyoen, Don Quijote, Airport Transfer |
1️⃣ DAY 1: Conquering the Bustling West (Shibuya/Shinjuku)
“Feel Tokyo’s vibe in the busiest streets”
1:00 PM | ✈️ Arrive in Tokyo & Check-in
Take the N’EX (Narita Express) from Narita Airport to Shinjuku, a major transportation hub, and drop off your luggage at the hotel.
👉 Book Klook N’EX (Narita Express) Round-Trip Discount Ticket
✅ Narita Airport to Shinjuku Guide | N’EX vs Limousine Comparison
✅ Tokyo Narita Airport Arrival Guide: Transportation Card (Suica) Issuance, ATM
3:00 PM | 🚶 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
The world’s most famous intersection! Feel that you’ve “arrived in Tokyo” among the crowds pouring out when the light changes. A photo in front of the Hachiko statue is a must. Explore Shibuya Parco (Nintendo/Pokemon) and more.
✅ Shibuya Shopping Mall #1 Parco | Floor Guide, Tax-Free, Restaurants, Brands Complete Summary
5:00 PM | 🌇 Shibuya Sky (Reservation Required!)
Currently Tokyo’s hottest observation deck. The views of Tokyo Tower and Mt. Fuji (on clear days) from here are spectacular. 🚨 Note: Sunset time slots sell out as soon as reservations open, so book early. On-site purchases are nearly impossible.
👉 Book KKday Shibuya Sky Observatory Discount Ticket
✅ Shibuya Attractions, From Shibuya Sky Reservations to Restaurants - Complete Course
7:00 PM | 🌃 Shinjuku Night View & Dinner
Return to Shinjuku where your accommodation is. Explore Kabukicho wrapped in dazzling neon signs, or end your first day with yakitori and beer at Omoide Yokocho.
👉 Book Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku Main Store Online
✅ Shinjuku Attractions, Restaurants, Shopping - Complete Course Summary
✅ Shinjuku Golden Gai vs Omoide Yokocho Complete Comparison
2️⃣ DAY 2: Exploring Traditional East Tokyo (Asakusa/Ueno/Tokyo Station)
“The day to encounter Tokyo’s most Japanese scenery”
🚃 Transportation Tip: Activate your 48-hour subway pass this morning to use it fully until tomorrow (Day 3) evening. (Excludes JR)
- Shinjuku → Asakusa (Toei Shinjuku Line S + Asakusa Line A)
- Asakusa → Ueno (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line G)
- Ueno → Tokyo Station (JY Yamanote Line) ◀ Use transportation card for this section only
- Tokyo Station → Shinjuku (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line M)
👉 Book Klook Tokyo Subway Pass (24/48/72 hours) at Best Price
✅ Tokyo Subway Pass Purchase, Exchange Locations, Usage, Routes Complete Summary
10:00 AM | 🏮 Asakusa Sensoji (Landmark)
An essential Tokyo travel course! Take photos in front of the giant red lantern (Kaminarimon) and enjoy menchi-katsu and matcha ice cream on Nakamise Street.
📌 View Point: From the free observation deck on the 8th floor of Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, you can capture both Sensoji and Skytree in one view.
👉 Book Hinatomaru Sushi Online
👉 Book Asakusa Gyukatsu Branch Online
➡️ Tokyo Asakusa Attractions & Restaurants Complete Summary (Sensoji, Demon Slayer, Gyukatsu)
2:00 PM | 🐼 Ueno Park & Museums
Take the subway (Ginza Line) to Ueno. Ueno Park, famous for cherry blossoms, is filled with attractions including the National Museum and Western Art Museum.
➡️ Ueno Attractions, From Ameyoko Market Restaurants to Ueno Park - Complete Course
4:00 PM | 🛍️ Ameyoko Market
Right in front of Ueno Station, experience the lively atmosphere at Ameyoko Market, similar to Korea’s Namdaemun Market. Filled with affordable drugstore shopping and street food.
6:00 PM | 🚉 Tokyo Station Marunouchi
Take the JR Yamanote Line to Tokyo Station. The red brick station building, over 100 years old, is most beautiful at night when illuminated. I highly recommend the view from the Shin-Marunouchi Building Terrace.
👉 Book Manten Sushi Brick Square Branch Online
3️⃣ DAY 3: Delicious and Beautiful Day (Tsukiji/Ginza/Tokyo Tower)
“A day to eat delicious food and see beautiful sights”
🚍 Transportation Tip: The 48-hour subway pass activated yesterday is still valid! Continue using the subway today.
- Shinjuku → Tsukijishijo (Toei Oedo Line E)
- Tsukiji → Ginza (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line H)
- Higashi-Ginza → Daimon (Toei Asakusa Line A)
- Daimon → Shinjuku (Toei Oedo Line E)
👉 Book Klook Subway Pass (Tokyo Subway Ticket) Discount
✅ Tokyo Subway Pass Purchase, Exchange Locations, Usage, Routes (24, 48, 72 hours)
9:00 AM | 🐟 Tsukiji Outer Market
Start your morning at Tsukiji, ‘Tokyo’s Kitchen’. Fresh sushi, 200-yen tamagoyaki, grilled scallops, and more food abound.
⚠️ [MUST CHECK] Avoid ‘Wednesdays’ and ‘Sundays’!
- Sundays & Holidays: Entire market closed
- Wednesdays: Many shops close following the wholesale market’s day off (practically like a closure)
※ Operating hours are also short. Most close by 2 PM, so visit in the morning without fail!
👉 Book Tendon Kaneko Hannosuke Tsukiji Main Store Online
👉 Book Tsukiji Sushi Omakase Online
✅ Tokyo Tsukiji Market Restaurant Guide, Operating Hours, Closed Days Complete Summary
12:00 PM | 🛍️ Ginza Shopping & Pedestrian Paradise
The center of luxury, Ginza. Filled with attractions like Ginza Six, Mitsukoshi Department Store, and Itoya (stationery). On weekends, it becomes a pedestrian paradise (car-free street), perfect for strolling.
👉 Book Sushi no Midori Ginza Branch Online
👉 Book Sumiyaki Unafuji Yurakucho Branch Online
5:00 PM | 🗼 Zojoji Temple & Tokyo Tower (Night View)
The highlight of this course! Moving here after dining in Ginza is perfect timing for night views.
The harmony of the ancient temple Zojoji with the glowing Tokyo Tower behind it is one of Tokyo’s best photo spots.
- Recommended Route: Tsukiji (morning) → Ginza (afternoon) → Daimon Station (evening/Tokyo Tower night view)
✔️ If you want to capture Tokyo Tower in the morning
- You can change the order to: Daimon (Tokyo Tower morning) → Tsukiji (midday) → Ginza (afternoon)
If you have time, you can also visit nearby Azabudai Hills or Roppongi.
✅ Tokyo Azabudai Hills Must-Visit Places, From Observatory to Restaurants, teamLab - Complete Course
✅ Roppongi Attractions Complete Summary (Observatory, Art Museum, Shopping, Restaurants A to Z)
4️⃣ DAY 4: Final Shopping (Shinjuku)
“Make the most of your last shopping”
10:00 AM | 🌳 Shinjuku Gyoen
Stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen, a massive garden hidden among the skyscrapers. Relieve your travel fatigue at this place, famous as the setting for the anime The Garden of Words.
👉 Book Klook Shinjuku Gyoen Admission Ticket Discount
✅ Tokyo Shinjuku Gyoen Complete Guide | Admission Fee, Starbucks, Picnic
12:00 PM | 🐧 Don Quijote Shopping & Airport Transfer
After spending your remaining yen on souvenirs at Don Quijote, take the N’EX to the airport.
✅ Japan Don Quijote Shopping List & Discount Coupons, Tax-Free Tips
✅ Narita Airport Duty-Free Shop 5% Discount Coupon & Whisky, Sake Shopping List
💰 Estimated Budget (Per Person)
- Accommodation: Business hotel 3 nights (approx. 150-225 USD / per person in double room)
- Transportation: N’EX round-trip + Suica top-up (approx. 50-60 USD)
- Admission Fees: Shibuya Sky, Shinjuku Gyoen, etc. (approx. 20-30 USD)
- Meals: 3 meals per day + cafe/snacks (approx. 185-265 USD)
👉 Total Estimated Budget: Approx. 375-565 USD (excluding airfare and personal shopping)
✅ Tokyo Shinjuku Hotel Recommendations BEST 10 | Value & Large Bath Comparison
✅ Tokyo Transportation Card Complete Guide (iPhone Suica, Pasmo)
📌 Discount Coupons to Save on Travel Expenses
✅ Japan Travel Discount Coupons Complete Summary (Don Quijote, Bic Camera, Department Stores)
🎒 Essential Travel Tips
📱 Recommended Apps
- Google Maps (navigation)
- Tokyo Subway Navigation (subway routes)
- Tabelog (restaurant searches)
🎫 Must-Have Passes
- 48-hour Subway Pass (Days 2-3)
- N’EX Round-Trip Ticket (airport transfer)
🛍️ Shopping Tips
✅ Japan Kaldi Shopping List & Tax-Free Recommendations
✅ Japan Convenience Store Shopping List Fail-Proof BEST 10
✅ Japanese Whisky Yamazaki, Hibiki Official Price Complete Summary & Purchase Tips
Editor's Note
This article is based on the author's actual experiences and original content from blog.naver.com/tokyomate. It has been translated and adapted to provide authentic travel information about Tokyo for global readers.