Board a JR Yamanote Line train from Shinagawa Station to Shinjuku Station (20 mins) - the busiest train station in Japan. Change trains to the Metro Lines and use your Pasmo Cards to board a Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line train from Shinjuku Station to Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station. (3 mins)

Take Exit 1 for Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden (09:00 – 16:30/JPY200). This large park features more than one thousand cherry trees of over a dozen varieties in Western and Japanese style gardens. The many varieties of cherry trees means that the park benefits from a long blooming period from mid-March to late April.

Return to Shinjuku and take time to explore some of the great shopping that surrounds the station. A walk to Takashimaya Times Square and an exploration of a shop called Tokyu Hands which sells a range of unique gadgets is recommended.

From the West Exit of Shinjuku Station walk 10 minutes through the high-rise business district to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building to view the city skyline which is best seen at night (9:30am-10:30pm / free entry).

Return to Shinagawa from Shinjuku on the JR Yamanote Line. (20 mins)

Stay: Shinagawa Prince Hotel - 3/3