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A month after the Brexit referendum, these are tight times for the UK. But I’m not here to make political chit-chat (there’s been enough of that in the past few weeks, I think) – my point is that in these times of uncertainty, a holiday to somewhere as famously ‘expensive’ as Japan might not be at the top of your to-do list. But think again! We’ve said it so many times over the past 16 years that we’re blue in the face. Japan is not as expensive as you think. In fact, it can even be cheap! You don’t have to believe me, I’ll show you. Here are a few cheap & free things to do in Tokyo.
1) Head up the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Skytree Schmytree. It may be the tallest tower in the world, but the Tokyo Skytree ain’t exactly cheap – so why not head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building instead? The views are just as good (in fact, they’re actually better – because you get to see the Skytree itself) and it’s utterly and completely free.
2) Relax in Tokyo’s green spaces
For a city that’s famous for skyscrapers and technology, Tokyo sure does have a lot of green spaces. Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the capital’s best parks, with wide open green fields and beautiful Japanese gardens to boot. It’s the perfect place to escape the crowds and have a (very cheap, and very delicious) convenience store picnic. Entrance is just 210 yen (about £1.50/$2). Who could argue with that?
Ueno Park is well-known among Tokyoites for the beautiful lotus flowers on Shinobazu Pond, and the proliferation of temples and museums found there. All the temples are free to visit, as is the park itself, and the museums charge from 300-620 yen (£2.20-£4.50/$2.90-$5.90) each for entrance. Nearby Ameyoko Market also makes an excellent place to wander!
Finally, Tokyo’s Imperial Palace Gardens are completely free to visit and offer another lovely green space – with the added benefit that you can still view the moat, guardhouses, entrance gates and walls of old Edo Castle – once home to Japan’s Tokugawa Shogun.
3) Free festivals at Yoyogi Park
After wandering through candy-coloured Harajuku for a bit of window-shopping and stopping off at peaceful Meiji Shrine (two more great free things to do in Tokyo), head to nearby Yoyogi Park – where there’s an awesome free festival or event nearly every weekend.
4) Hike up Mount Takao
A mountain? In Tokyo? Yes, your eyes do not deceive you. On the outskirts of Tokyo is Mount Takao, a popular spot for Tokyoites to escape the big city and get a little greenery (or orange-and-reddery if you go during autumn leaf season). Entrance is just 390 yen (about £2.90/$3.75), and you’ll have fabulous views over the countryside and the city from the summit.
5) Admire modern architecture
Walking – and looking – are both free, and the Tokyo’s architecture (particularly that in Omotesando and Aoyama) is some of the finest in the world, if you care to look for it. Luckily we’ve done the research for you: read tour leader David’s blog post about Tokyo’s awesome architecture for a few clues.
6) Explore the department stores
Department stores? What could be more boring, right? Wrong. Japanese department stores are a wonderland of the hi-tech, the beautiful, and the downright odd – and as such they’re one of the best free things to do in Tokyo. Whether you’re after a square watermelon or a massage chair, you’ll find it (and so much more) in one of the capital’s department store. Tokyu Hands and Don Quijote are two of our favourite chains – read tour leader Brett’s blog post to find out more!
7) See giant robots and test-drive cars on Odaiba
Odaiba is a manmade island located out in Tokyo Bay, reachable by taking the monorail or walking over Rainbow Bridge from the mainland. Originally built as a set of manmade forts to protect Tokyo from the encroachment of the West, then redeveloped as a futuristic residential area during the 1980s, it has now been revitalised as one of Tokyo’s most popular shopping, leisure and dining spots.
Free things to do include viewing the life-sized Gundam Wing suit and replica Statue of Liberty, admiring the futuristic architecture, watching neon light shows, relaxing on an artificial beach, and Mega Web – a giant Toyota showroom and museum packed with cutting-edge new technology and historical exhibits. If you have an international driver’s permit, you can even test-drive the cars for 300 yen (around £2.20/$2.90)!
8) Explore Tokyo’s temples
Tokyo’s two most famous temples, the vermilion Senso-ji and the quiet, forested Meiji Shrine, are absolutely free to the public. Explore the market streets and traditional restaurants of Asakusa around Senso-ji (stop for a super-cheap plate of okonomiyaki), or head through the great wooden gate at Meiji Shrine in the hopes of glimpsing a Shinto wedding ceremony.
9) People-watch
Japan is home to some world-class people watching – and Tokyo is one of the best spots to indulge in this completely free pastime. Explore the boutiques of Harajuku to spot some of the city’s trendiest teens, head to Shibuya’s famous scramble crossing and watch the world go by, or duck into one of Akihabara’s arcades to see Tokyo’s otaku in their home territory. Keep your eyes peeled for the next issue of East magazine for some more of our favourite Tokyo haunts!
10) Watch sumo wrestlers in training
Tickets to Japan’s seasonal sumo tournaments are pretty pricey, but you don’t need to stump up a fortune to get a sneak peek at Japan’s national sport. Head to one of Tokyo’s sumo ‘stables’ (called sumo beya) and you can sit in on morning training – just be careful to be respectful and quiet throughout proceedings (seriously, you don’t want to get on the wrong side of these guys).
BONUS: Tsukiji Fish Market
There’s not long left now before the world’s largest fish market ups sticks and moves from its current city-centre location to a new site in Toyosu. The new market is still shrouded in mystery, and it’s not 100% certain whether tourists will be allowed to visit or not – but what is certain is that you only have until November to appreciate one of Tokyo’s most fascinating sights in its original form. For more info, check out our blog on how to visit Tsukiji Market.
This month we’re all about saving money, so keep your eyes peeled for more great-value recommendations to come. Next up: Cheap & delicious foods to eat in Japan!