Planning an itinerary is not easy. Often, you have to consider geographical distance, topological connectivity, and temporal factors at the same time. Add to that the complexity of a super dense Tokyo with over 500 train stations in its central region alone, and you have a bit of a nightmare.
In an attempt to make sense of things, we have created a map with zones of attractions. The zones represent groups of attractions you should consider planning to visit on the same day. The map also shows the direct train routes between the zones. In this article, you will also find summarized information of the main attractions in each zone.
| Area | Best time of day | Best time of year | Description |
| Shinjuku Zone | |||
| Shinjukugyoen | 0900-1630 | spring, autumn | huge park, picnics |
| Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building | 0800-1845 | all year | panoramic view |
| Isetan depachika | 1030-2000 | all year | food marketplace |
| Kabukicho | night | all year | nightspot |
| Golden Gai | night | all year | nightspot |
| Ikebukuro Zone | |||
| Sunshine City | 1000-2000 | all year | huge mall, panoramic view, pokemon center, aquarium |
| Tokyu Hands | 1000-2100 | all year | shopping |
| Takadanobaba | evening | all year | Korea town |
| Chinzanso | night | May – June | fireflies! |
| Shibuya Zone | |||
| Scramblewalk | all day | all year | famous intersection |
| Hachiko | all day | all year | famous dog statue |
| Harajuku, Takeshita-dori | all day | all year | fashion, teen hangout |
| Omotesando / Aoyama | all day | all year | classy shopping avenue |
| Meiji Shrine | 0500 – 1800 | all year | shrine, traditional weddings! |
| Yoyogi Park | daytime | spring, autumn | huge park, picnics |
| Ebisu Zone | |||
| Daikanyama T-site | 0700-0200 | all year | super bookstore with afterhours |
| Meguro River | all day | spring | day and night sakura viewing along the river |
| Roppongi Zone | |||
| Roppongi crossing | all day | all year | pubs, nightlife |
| Azabu-juban | all day | all year | trendy neighbourhood |
| Roppongi Hills | 0700-2100 | all year | shopping, view |
| Tokyo Midtown | 1100-2100 | all year | shopping, illumination (X’mas) |
| Tokyo Tower | 0900-2300 | all year | panoramic view |
| Gonpachi | 1130-0330 | all year | the “kill bill” restaurant |
| Tokyo Zone | |||
| Tsukiji Fish Market | 0500-1400 (~0300 for auction queue) | all year except holidays | sushi, tuna auction |
| Imperial Palace East Gardens | 0900-1630 | all year except holidays, Mondays and Fridays | garden |
| Ginza pedestrian paradise | 1300-1700 | sundays | shopping with roads closed |
| Uniqlo / GU flagship stores | 1100-2100 | all year | value-for-money shopping |
| Ginza corridor | evening to wee hours | all year | pubs, nightlife |
| Tokyo Dome City Zone | |||
| Koishikawa Botanical Gardens | 0900-1630 | spring | cherry blossoms |
| Koishikawa Korakuen | 0900-1700 | spring, autumn | seasonal colours |
| Bunkyo Civic Center | 0900-2030 | all year | free panoramic view |
| La Qua | 1100-2100 | all year | mall with roller coaster and spa complex |
| Tokyo Dome Theme Park | 1100-2100 | all year | amusement park |
| Tokyo Dome | varied | all year | baseball games, concerts, and events like the Furusato Matsuri |
| Kagurazaka | evening | all year | food, geisha |
