Quick answer

Do Harajuku (Takeshita Street, Cat Street) in daylight, cross Shibuya Scramble, then end at the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck in Shinjuku. Expect a lot of walking.

Shibuya, Shinjuku and Harajuku are a short ride apart, but they feel like different cities. We covered them in one busy day, and my legs remember it.

The short version:

  • Harajuku → Takeshita Street for the crowds, Cat Street for a calmer walk.
  • Shibuya → the Scramble Crossing. Fun, but a short stop.
  • Shinjuku → big, busy, and home to a free observation deck.
  • Tokyo is huge, but even crowded places stay organised.

Harajuku: Takeshita Street and Cat Street

  • Takeshita Street → packed, colourful, youth fashion and snacks.
  • Cat Street → calmer, with independent shops and a slower pace. A good break from the crowd.
  • Tokyu Plaza Harajuku → a shopping building at the Omotesando crossing.

Nearby, in Omotesando Hills, we ate at Mother India. Good food and good ambience. More in my vegetarian food guide.

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

When the lights turn green, traffic stops in every direction and people cross from all sides at once. From above, it’s impressive.

It’s a five-minute stop, not a destination. Cross it, watch it, move on.

Shinjuku and the free view

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has free observation decks on the 45th floor of both towers, about 202 m up.

  • Views over huge parts of Tokyo.
  • Mount Fuji on clear days.
  • A cafe and souvenir shop up there.
  • In the evening, Tokyo Night & Light, a free projection-mapping show on the building itself.
Asakusa · Free Senso-ji in the evening Packed in the day. We went in the evening and it was calm and peaceful. Open in Google Maps
Asakusa · Free Sumida River walk A slow walk right after Senso-ji. Tokyo without the intensity. Open in Google Maps
Shibuya · Free Shibuya Scramble Crossing Everyone crosses from every side at once. Best seen from above. Open in Google Maps
Harajuku · Free Harajuku, Takeshita Street & Cat Street Loud Takeshita Street, then calmer Cat Street and Tokyu Plaza next door. Open in Google Maps

Tokyo feels big, but organised

At first, Tokyo can feel overwhelming: the size, the train lines, the giant stations, the people. But even very crowded places stay organised. People follow signals and queues, and nobody pushes.

  • Meiji Shrine → a quiet forest shrine right next to Harajuku station. A good break from the crowds.
  • Shibuya Sky → a paid rooftop observation deck above Shibuya. Book ahead for sunset.
  • Omoide Yokocho → tiny old bars and eateries along narrow lanes near Shinjuku station.
  • Hachiko statue → the famous dog statue at Shibuya station, a common meeting point.

How I’d plan the day

  1. Harajuku in daylight, when browsing is best.
  2. Shibuya Crossing in the afternoon.
  3. Shinjuku’s free deck around sunset, then stay for the evening show.

It’s a lot of walking. Wear good shoes and take vending machine breaks.