{"id":361,"date":"2026-08-27T15:51:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T15:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/?p=361"},"modified":"2026-10-19T04:56:57","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T04:56:57","slug":"tokyo-bucket-list-walkable-routes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thejapanpro.com\/blog\/ja\/tokyo-bucket-list-walkable-routes\/","title":{"rendered":"The Tokyo Bucket List, Rearranged Into 5 Walkable Routes (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tokyo bucket list is easier than it looks: almost every classic sight sits on one of five compact routes you can walk in half a day to a day, linked by short, cheap train hops. This guide puts Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya<\/a> Sky, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, Tsukiji Outer Market and teamLab Planets into five routes, with times, distances, stations and 2026 prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each route lists the best days to go, because closures decide the order more than anything else. Every price and opening time was re-checked on 18 October 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n

5<\/p>

Walkable routes<\/p><\/div>

\u00a52,700<\/p>

Shibuya Sky from (web)<\/p><\/div>

\u00a51,800<\/p>

Skytree Tembo Deck from<\/p><\/div>

\u7121\u6599<\/p>

Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, East Gardens<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

\"Kaminarimon
Kaminarimon, the gate into Senso-ji and the start of Route 1.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Tokyo bucket list in five routes: overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Route<\/th>Area<\/th>Main sights<\/th>Start \/ end station<\/th>Time<\/th>Entry costs (2026)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1. Old Tokyo<\/td>Ueno, \u6d45\u8349<\/a>, Oshiage<\/td>Ueno Park, Ameyoko, Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree<\/td>Ueno \/ Oshiage<\/td>6\u20137 h<\/td>From \u00a51,800 + \u00a5180 metro<\/td><\/tr>
2. Young Tokyo<\/td>Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya<\/td>Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Street, Omotesando, Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky<\/td>Harajuku \/ Shibuya<\/td>6\u20137 h<\/td>From \u00a52,700<\/td><\/tr>
3. Grand Tokyo<\/td>Marunouchi, Ginza, Toyosu<\/td>Imperial Palace East Gardens, Ginza, Tsukiji Outer Market, teamLab Planets<\/td>Otemachi \/ Shin-toyosu<\/td>7\u20138 h<\/td>From about \u00a54,200 + \u00a5370 transport<\/td><\/tr>
4. Tokyo after dark<\/td>Shinjuku<\/td>Omoide Yokocho, Golden Gai, Kabukicho lights<\/td>Shinjuku<\/td>3\u20134 h<\/td>Pay as you go<\/td><\/tr>
5. Old-town Tokyo<\/td>Yanaka, Nezu, Sendagi<\/td>Yanaka Ginza, Yanaka Cemetery, Nezu Shrine<\/td>Nippori \/ Nezu<\/td>3\u20134 h<\/td>\u7121\u6599<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Walking distances below are approximate street distances. Train times and fares are from NAVITIME route searches made in October 2026; JR East raised fares on 14 March 2026, with the basic fare now \u00a5160 by ticket or \u00a5155 by IC card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Route 1: Old Tokyo \u2013 Ueno, Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is the route for temples, markets and the tallest tower in Japan. Every stop is open every day, so it is the safe choice for a Monday, when other routes lose sights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time<\/th>Stop<\/th>Getting there<\/th>Cost<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
9:00<\/td>Ueno Park: museums, Shinobazu Pond<\/td>Ueno Station, Park exit<\/td>Free (museums extra)<\/td><\/tr>
10:30<\/td>Ameyoko market street<\/td>Walk, about 0.5 km<\/td>Street food<\/td><\/tr>
11:30<\/td>\u6d45\u8349<\/td>Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, 5 min<\/td>\u00a5180<\/td><\/tr>
11:45<\/td>Senso-ji, Kaminarimon and Nakamise-dori; lunch<\/td>Walk<\/td>\u7121\u6599<\/td><\/tr>
15:00<\/td>Walk across Azuma Bridge to Tokyo Skytree<\/td>About 1.5 km, 20\u201325 min<\/td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr>
16:00<\/td>Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck for sunset<\/td>\u2014<\/td>From \u00a51,800<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Senso-ji opening hours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The grounds are open around the clock and free. Senso-ji’s main hall<\/a> opens 6:00\u201317:00, but from October to March it opens at 6:30. Go before 9:00 or after the shops close for the quietest photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tokyo Skytree tickets and hours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tokyo Skytree<\/a> tickets for the Tembo Deck (350 m) start from \u00a51,800 for adults, and a combo ticket that adds the Tembo Galleria (450 m) starts from \u00a53,000. Buying at the 4F counter or ticket machines adds \u00a5500 per ticket, so book online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In October 2026 the tower opens 10:00\u201322:00 on most days and 10:00\u201320:30 on several weekend days, per its opening hours calendar<\/a>. Sunset in mid-October is around 17:05, so a 16:00 ticket catches daylight, dusk and night views. For more, see our best things to do in Asakusa<\/a> guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Route 2: Young Tokyo \u2013 Meiji Jingu, Harajuku and Shibuya Sky<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A forest shrine, Tokyo’s teen-fashion street, a designer boulevard and the famous scramble crossing, ending on a rooftop. Total walking is about 4 km on flat or gently sloping streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time<\/th>Stop<\/th>Getting there<\/th>Cost<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
9:00<\/td>Meiji Jingu<\/td>JR Harajuku Station, then the forest approach (about 10 min walk to the shrine)<\/td>\u7121\u6599<\/td><\/tr>
10:30<\/td>Takeshita Street<\/td>Opposite Harajuku Station<\/td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr>
11:30<\/td>Omotesando<\/td>Walk, about 0.5 km<\/td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr>
13:00<\/td>Cat Street to Shibuya<\/td>Walk, about 1.5 km<\/td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr>
14:30<\/td>Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko<\/td>\u2014<\/td>\u7121\u6599<\/td><\/tr>
16:30<\/td>Shibuya Sky<\/td>Shibuya Scramble Square<\/td>\u00a53,400 from 15:00 (web)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Meiji Jingu opening hours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meiji Jingu<\/a> is free and opens at sunrise and closes at sunset: 5:40\u201316:40 in October and 6:10\u201316:10 in November. Some buildings inside keep shorter hours, mainly 9:00\u201316:00, so do not leave it for late afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shibuya Sky tickets: book early<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shibuya Sky (adult, 12+)<\/th>Online<\/th>At the counter<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Entry before 15:00<\/td>\u00a52,700<\/td>\u00a53,000<\/td><\/tr>
Entry from 15:00<\/td>\u00a53,400<\/td>\u00a53,700<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shibuya Sky<\/a> sells online tickets up to two weeks ahead, and if the web sells out, the counter is sold out too. On 18 October 2026, a Sunday, the day’s tickets were already gone. It opens 10:00\u201322:30 with last entry at 21:20, and bags are not allowed on the rooftop, so use a locker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Shibuya guide map<\/a> covers the crossing and the backstreets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Shibuya
Shibuya Crossing from above, the finish of Route 2.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Route 3: Grand Tokyo \u2013 Imperial Palace, Ginza, Tsukiji and teamLab<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Edo Castle’s ruins, Tokyo’s smartest shopping street, its best-known food market and the digital art museum everyone books. This route has the most closures, so plan the day carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time<\/th>Stop<\/th>Getting there<\/th>Cost<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
9:00<\/td>Imperial Palace East Gardens (Otemon Gate)<\/td>Otemachi Station, about 5 min walk<\/td>\u7121\u6599<\/td><\/tr>
10:30<\/td>Walk through Marunouchi to Ginza<\/td>About 2 km<\/td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr>
11:30<\/td>Tsukiji Outer Market: brunch<\/td>Walk from Ginza, about 1 km<\/td>Street food<\/td><\/tr>
13:00<\/td>To teamLab Planets<\/td>Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line from Shintomicho + Yurikamome to Shin-toyosu, about 25 min<\/td>\u00a5370 \/ IC \u00a5367<\/td><\/tr>
13:30<\/td>teamLab Planets<\/td>Shin-toyosu Station<\/td>From about \u00a54,200<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Stuck with a Monday or Friday? Start at Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi side instead, walk the outer palace moat and Kokyo Gaien plaza, which are outside the East Gardens, and carry on to Ginza as planned. You lose the castle keep foundations but keep the rest of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imperial Palace East Gardens hours and closed days<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The East Gardens<\/a> are free. They are closed every Monday and Friday (except some national holidays), from 28 December to 3 January, and on days of Imperial Court functions. There is a bag check at the gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Period<\/th>Hours (last entry)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
1 Oct \u2013 31 Oct<\/td>9:00\u201316:30 (16:00)<\/td><\/tr>
1 Nov \u2013 end of Feb<\/td>9:00\u201316:00 (15:30)<\/td><\/tr>
1 Mar \u2013 14 Apr<\/td>9:00\u201317:00 (16:30)<\/td><\/tr>
15 Apr \u2013 31 Aug<\/td>9:00\u201318:00 (17:30)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tsukiji Outer Market: when to go<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Tsukiji Outer Market<\/a> asks the public to shop from 9:00, after the professional buyers’ hours of 6:00\u20139:00, and many shops wind down from 14:00. It follows the central wholesale market calendar, so check that calendar for closed days before you go; shops set their own schedules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

teamLab Planets tickets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

teamLab Planets<\/a> in Toyosu runs until the end of 2027. Prices change by date: on the official ticket store<\/a>, adult tickets for late October and November 2026 start between \u00a54,200 and \u00a54,800. You walk through water, so wear shorts or trousers you can roll up. January 2027 tickets go on sale from late October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Route 4: Tokyo after dark \u2013 Shinjuku<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shinjuku is the bucket-list night out: tiny bars, smoky yakitori alleys and neon. Do it on any evening, after Route 2 or Route 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n