[Sangetsu]

If you are staying near Ueno, you must visit the Tokyo National Museum, which is next to Ueno park. The museum has many artifacts, from old pottery from the Joemon period, to samurai swords and armor from later times. It also has a great collection of traditional Japanese art.

From Ueno, you can visit Asakusa, which is not far away. Asakusa is home to the Sensoji temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan. It is also the best place to buy souvenirs. Near Asakusa is the new Tokyo Skytree tower, you can walk to the skytree, or take a taxi. There are numerous shops and restaurants around the skytree. Next to Asakusa is the Sumida River, and you can take a boat tour to the Odaiba area, which is also interesting to see.

For shopping and eating, you should visit Ginza and Tsukiji. Ginza has many overpriced brand name shops, but it is a good place to watch people, and it is easy to get to. Have lunch at Sushi Zanmai in Tsukiji, they have the best sushi for the price, and their service is great, they have menus in English, so you can understand what you are ordering. Walking distance from Tsukiji is Hamarikyu park, which has beautiful gardens, bridges, and a nice tea house, where you can have a cup of hot tea while enjoying a view of the pond.

If you want to hustle and bustle, visit Shibuya. For people watching, it is the best place in Tokyo, and a great place for feeling the energy of the city. Near Shibuya is Yoyogi park, which is very large, and which is home to Meiji Jingu shrine. The park is a great place for photographs, and on weekends there are often musicians performing and dancing.

Tokyo is a great city to see on foot, I recommend getting used to walking at least a couple hours a day before your visit, so you are able to spend a lot of time on your feet. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and warm clothes. It sometimes snows in January, so be prepared just in case it happens.

Enjoy your trip!