A trip to Japan is characterized by an oriental atmosphere, immersed in the parks of the most important cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto , from which you can move to numerous fascinating destinations. This itinerary was really short but also very intense, an unexpected and short journey between the ancient world and the contemporary world, so if you want to find out how to visit Tokyo in 2 days this article is for you.

Even if you have little time available, it is still possible to visit the land of the Rising Sun in a few days, exploring the most important and famous destinations.

By buying the Japan Rail Pass, travel will be faster, and less expensive, I often found myself going back and forth without worrying about having to pay the ticket, I recommend it especially to those who have to move between Tokyo and Kyoto, and Tokyo and surroundings, to learn more click here on: Japan Rail Pass

Tokyo

Where to sleep: There are different types of hotels in which to stay in Tokyo, from capsules, to hostels, to super luxury hotels. Choose a strategic place, quite in the center, I stayed in the Shinjuku district, a quiet neighborhood, full of life, the classic Tokyo style district. To move, download the city mapper application and set Tokyo as a city.

Day 1

Santuario Hanazono (Shinjuku)

A stone’s throw from the skyscrapers of Shinjuku , a totally unexpected Shinto shrine, you will find it perfectly inserted between buildings and modernity. It was built in 1600 and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The revered deity is that of Inari, deity of fertility and economic success.

admission is free

Address: 5 Chome-17-3 Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Santuario Meiji 

Shinto shrine located in Yoyogi Park, Shibuya, was completed in 1920 in honor of Emperor Meiji . The Gardens are lovely, and the atmosphere is relaxing. The main entrance is adjacent to HArajuku station.

admission is free

How to get there: from Shinjuku station – take the Yamanote line – East line – after 2 stops – you will arrive at Harajuku station.

Tokyo Tower

It is the most famous tower in Tokyo, it vaguely reminded me of the Eiffel tower, but the Tokyo tower is taller with its 333 meters high, it is the second tallest structure in Japan, and it is the twenty-third highest in the world. Inside it has many entertainment, you can book online to avoid the long lines, or alternatively you could head early in the morning to avoid queues.

Opening time:

Intermediate floor : (150 m) from 9.00 – 23.00 (the last entry is for 22.30 .

Upper floor tour : (150 m & 250 m) from 9.00 – 22.45 (Last tour at 22.00-22.15).

For those who go upstairs, a tour is available that includes both the intermediate floor and the upper floor.

If you are a One Piece lover, you will find One Piece tower inside. I recommend booking online well in advance because it sells out easily.

How to get to Tokyo Tower : From Harajuku station – take the Yamanote line, East – stop in Ebisu (2 stops). – Walk to Ebisu Metro Station and enter via the elevator on the sidewalk. Wait for the H- Hibiya line (Kita Senju) – after 3 stops stop at Kamiyacho.

Harajuku station — Yamanote line, East — after 2 stops get off at Ebisu.

Ebisu metro station- —- H-Hibiya line – after 3 stops get off at Kamiyacho.

Imperial Palace

It is the main official residence of the Japanese emperor. It is located near Tokyo station. I recommend to book the tour online in advance, the entrances are currently impossible, during the year it is forbidden to access the areas near the palace with the exception of the emperor’s birthday, December 23rd, and January 2nd for the wish of the new year.

From this link you can book the tour for the imperial palace .

How to reach the Imperial Palace:

  • 15 minutes from Tokyo station
  • From Shibuya wait for the Z Honzomon line – Oshiage, towards Honzomon (4 stops).

Senso-ji – Goddess Mercy Temple

Really cool, it’s a Buddhist temple complex in the Asakusa neighborhood. The temple is truly impressive, its portal proves it, characterized by a Japanese lamp placed in the center. Once you pass the portal you will find yourself in the famous Nakamise-dori a long street (about 230 meters) where on both sides you will find typical local shops selling Japanese products of all kinds. After passing the Nakamise-dori you will have access to the temple.

Admission is free.

How to get there : 6 minutes walk from Asakusa Station. To get to Asakusa take the Ginza line.

Ueno

Ueno Park, the most famous in Tokyo and one of the largest, where in the flowering period you can admire hundreds of cherry trees. Inside you will find:

  • Tokyo national museum – open from 9.30-17.00, closed on Mondays – cost: 600 Yen- 4.89 Euro)
  • National museum of Western Art
  • Shitamachi history museum
  • National science museum
  • Tokyo Metropolitan teien art museum

Ueno zoo : open from 9.30 – 17.00, closed on Mondays, cost: 600 Yen – 4.89 Euro.

Day 2

Trip out of town to Nikko

Nikko :

A destination not to be missed if you are in Japan, wonderful landscapes and sanctuaries in the mountains declared a UNESCO heritage. You can visit Nikko without problems in the day from Tokyo if you don’t leave too late in the morning. The duration of the train journey is about a couple of hours, and it takes 10 minutes by bus or a half hour walk to get to the shrine area from Nikko station. The major sanctuaries are all close together, this will make travel easier and you will most likely have free time in the afternoon to visit Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzèn-ji before taking the train back to Tokyo.

Shinkyo Bridge : Located at the entrance that precedes the shrine complexes, one of the most striking wonders of Nikko, bright red in color.

Cost: 300 Yen (2.42 Euro).

Toshogu Temple: Nikko’s main attraction, the dimensions are really huge, Shrine of 1617 dedicated to Tosho Gongen. Here the three little monkeys are especially famous (I don’t see, don’t hear, don’t speak).

Cost :

  • adults: about 1300 Yen / 10.59 Euro
  • children: 450 Yen / 3.67 Euro

Hours: From 8.00 to 17.00 (from November to March from 8.00 to 16.00)

Rinno-ji Temple : Large Buddhist temple, a thorough visit takes at least 1 hour. You can find the tallest Buddha statues in Japan.

Cost: about 500 Yen / 4.07 Euro.

  • What else to see:
    Taiyuinbyo
    Mausoleum of Iemitsu, third shogun of Tokugawa.
    Futarasan Shrine
    Dating back to 767 it is the oldest religious complex in Nikko.
  • Tamozawa Villa
  • Former residence in Nikko of the imperial family.
  • Kanmangafuchi Abyss
  • Path along which a series of jizo statues are arranged.
  • Botanical Garden
  • Belonging to the University of Tokyo.
  • Chuzenji Lake
  • Lake at the foot of Mount Nantai.
  • Yumoto Onsen
  • Spa complex near Lake Yunoko.
  • Kegon Falls
  • Nikko’s most famous waterfall.
  • Ryuzu waterfall
  • Always wonderful

The destinations are really many, if you have a time limited to one day, make a selection of what you are interested in seeing more.

How to get there: If you have previously bought the Japan Rail Pass, you can get there without paying anything, with one of the JR fast trains. From Ueno station it is possible to take the SHINKANSEN line to UTSUNOMIYA station. From Utsunomiya wait for the connection with the JR NIKKO LINE train.

Duration of the trip about 2 hours (depending on the connection) For timetables and information consult the application or the HYPERDIA website.

For more information on the Japan Rail Pass click here: JAPAN RAIL PASS

If you don’t have the Japan Rail Pass , you can take the Tobu Skytree Line from Asakusa to Tobu station towards Nikko at a cost of 1,360 Yen (11.08 Euros) each way, the travel time will be longer. You want to take the Shinkansen and then the JR nikko line, with a shorter travel time the price will be 5,780 Yen (47.10 Euros) each way.

Tokyo Sky-Tree:

Its height is impressive at 634 meters, the tallest tower in the world, and it is possible to enjoy breathtaking views. In the evening the Tokyo Sky Tree is colored with lights using three different styles called respectively: -IKI; – MiIYABI – NOBORI. IKI represents the blue color and refers to the SUMIDA river; MIYABI is represented with the bluish-violet color; NOBORI represents the color mandarin, considered a lucky color since ancient times and is synonymous with prosperity.

The tower is divided into two parts:

  • the 1st Observatory located at 350 meters called TEMBO DECK , to reach it you need to take the “ Tembo Shuttle ”, the fastest lift in Japan capable of reaching the 340th floor in less than 50 seconds.
  • the 2nd Observatory located at 450 meters is called TEMBO GALLERIA ,

No closing days.

Timetables
From 8:00 to 22:00 (admission until 21:00)

For foreign tourists (non-Japanese) it is also possible to buy a ticket, including skip the line.

Neighborhoods not to be missed:

  • Asakusa
  • Odaiba
  • Shibuya
  • Shinjuku
  • Hakihabara
  • Ginza

You may also be interested in the trip to Kyoto , and the magic of Ryokan accommodation .

For more detailed information or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.