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Tokyo and Japan, in general, gets a bad reputation for being an expensive place to visit. While I did find accommodation in the city to be on the higher side, there is a surprising amount of things to do for free in the city. Plus, doing all the free things to do, you can save all your yen for the amazing food in Tokyo. Between my two trips to the city, I’ve managed to do a lot of them, but here are 7 free things to do in Tokyo that stood out to me.
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1. Scramble across the Shibuya crossing
You’ve seen it on the internet, you’ve heard rumours of it being the busiest intersection in the world, so of course, when you’re in Tokyo, you need to join in the madness yourself.
Just outside Shibuya station is the famous scramble crossing where when the all traffic lights turn red, pedestrians descend into the intersection from every direction as they make their way across. Join in and cross with the crowds a couple times. The intersection is busiest on Friday or Saturday evenings. It’s surprisingly exhilarating to cross the street with so many people. There’s an art of weaving your way across, dodging everyone coming your way.
To get a bird’s eye view, there is a Starbucks that overlooks the area or you can head to the pedestrian walkway that connects Shibuya Station with to Shibuya Mark City (map view).
2. People watch in Harajuku
Takeshita Dori is the famous pedestrian street of Harajuku filled with trendy shops, boutiques, cafes and street food stalls. You can also spot a lot of lolita and gothic fashion too. Most of the stores along Takeshita Dori are aimed at teens, but the nearby Omotesandō is filled with high-end brands and is nicknamed Tokyo’s “Champs-Élysées.”
While you’re there, pop into Daiso, a well known 100 yen shop in Japan, but this one is one of the largest in the city. Be warned though – you’ll likely not leave empty handed! The store has everything you would ever want and all for a very affordable 100 yen. The quality is generally better than other dollar stores I’ve found anywhere else too which is awesome.
At peak times, the crowds can get unbearable with people walking shoulder to shoulder without much choice as to where to go. Aim to go just as the shops are opening for a better experience. Try to pop down some of the side streets for a quieter experience.
3. Find peace at the Meiji Shrine
When the pace of Tokyo gets’s to be too much, head to the Meiji Shrine inside Yoyogi Park. It’s especially convenient as it’s right outside the craziness that is Harajuku. The Meiji Shrine is aptly dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and only dates back to 1920. Emperor Meiji was the first emperor of modern Japan and is credited for beginning the modernization and westernization of Japan into what it is today.
As you approach the shrine, you walk through a series of wooden torii gates, some of the largest ones in the country. Before entering the shrine be sure to purify yourself using the water basin to clean your hands. There are a number of buildings to explore within the shrine complex and you can take the opportunity to enjoy the quiet and nature around you.
Read more: Inside Yoyogi Park: Tranquility in the Heart of Tokyo
4. Get up high at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
There are a number of places where you can get up high for a view of the city spread out below you: the Tokyo Skytree, the Tokyo Tower and the Mori Tower at Roppongi Hills to name a few. However, they cost an arm and a leg and often come with long lines. Skip the hefty price tag and visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku.
Standing 202 meters tall, the city of Tokyo is spread out below you. On a clear day, you can even spot landmarks like Mt. Fuji in the distance. Alternatively, go at dusk to watch the sunset and the lights of Tokyo come alive.
5. Bid for fish at the Tsukiji Fish Market
Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market is the world’s largest and busiest wholesale fish and seafood market (not to mention one of the world’s largest markets period), handling over 2,000 tons of marine products per day. The market is divided between the inner (wet) market and the outer market. The inner one is where all the fish action happens, but you can only enter after 9 am.
The market has so much more than just fish being sold. You can spot fresh vegetables, kitchen supplies and speciality food items like mochi and bonito flakes. There are also a lot of restaurants in the area where you can grab fresh sushi for breakfast or if you prefer noodles and rice.
Read more: Visiting Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market – A Look Into One of the World’s Largest Wholesale Markets
While some visitors get up in the middle of the night to try their luck at seeing the tuna auction, those who prefer to sleep can still explore the market. If you are interested in seeing the tuna auction, consider staying nearby at the Tokyo Ginza Bay capsule hotel which is walking distance to the market. To make the visit easier consider booking a tour or if you prefer to do it yourself, following the advice in this post. Use your jet lag to your advantage and make your visit during the beginning of your trip.
6. Visit Sensō-ji
Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensō-ji is located in Asakusa. This Buddhist temple is one of the world’s most visited spiritual sites and you can definitely believe it. Throngs of tourist descend on this temple every day so it is best to visit in the early hours or at dusk just as all the nearby shops are closing.
Walk through the outer gate of Kaminarimon or “Thunder Gate” with its huge red and black paper lantern, explore the shops of nakamise-dori as you head towards the temple before walking through the Hōzōmon or “Treasure House Gate.” The shops leading up to the inner complex are filled with souvenirs, traditional sweets and street food.
You can wander through the temple’s main hall, see its five-story pagoda and see the nearby Asakusa Shrine. The temple grounds are quite extensive allowing you to escape the huge crowds of people.
With a suggestion of 100 yen, you can get your fortune at an o-mikuji stall by shaking a metal box while thinking of your wish. When a stick comes out, match the number on the stick with a corresponding box to get your fortune.
7. Explore the shops of Akihabara
For lovers of all things anime and manga, head to Akihabara to explore the multi-level shops lined from top to bottom with merchandise and collectables. Even if you’re not a huge fan of these things, wandering through the maze of shops can provide endless hours of entertainment. Also called “Electronic Town”, Akihabara is also well known for its video games and computer goods.
The free Tokyo Anime Center on the 4th floor of the Akihabara UDX building hosts special anime exhibits and events and also has a shop. Pop into Mandarake, one of the largest manga and anime stores in the world. It’s 8 floors is filled with collectables and pre-owned items making it a good place to find rare items.
So there you have it, my favourite free things to do in Tokyo. It involves a lot of walking so be prepared! It also gives you a really great overview of the mini-cultures and unique aspects of the different areas of the city. Be sure to include these activities on your next visit to Tokyo!
Where To Stay
As mentioned previously, I found accommodation to be the highest expense while in Tokyo, however it is possible to find some good deals. As I was passing through the city, here are the places that I stayed and would recommend:
Unplan Kagurazaka – A comfortable hostel following a capsule model in the middle of Tokyo. It’s quiet and modern. While further away from many attractions, you don’t feel like you’re in such a huge city at all. You can see my full review here. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor.com and book your stay at Booking.com.
Book and Bed Tokyo – Sleep in a bookcase at this capsule style hostel. Relax and read a book or two. While more expensive than the average hostel in Tokyo, you get the novelty and experience of sleeping in a bookcase. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor.com and book your stay at Booking.com.
Tokyo Ginza Bay Hotel – Get an authentic capsule hotel experience at the Ginza Bay Hotel. It’s conveniently located near the Tsukiji Fish Market making it easy to head to the tuna auction early. Check out reviews on Tripadvisor.com and book your stay at Booking.com.
Have you been to Tokyo? Did I miss anything free that you loved?
P.S. The Best Of Everything I Ate in Tokyo, Japan & Comfort and Quietness at Unplan Kagurazaka – Tokyo Hostel Review
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This is a great list. We travel with a little one and when you take a kid you are expected to do stuff all day everyday. This is why having some free options is a big deal to us. Really useful tips for our trip to Tokyo
For sure! Tokyo will have so much to keep your little one entertained.
I think my trip would end with me spending money at the fish market and at the shops haha! and yes I’ve seen the crossing everywhere. dying to do it myself. and also to take photos of it. there’s some amazing shots out there
The crossing is unreal. I actually found it exhilarating to cross. Just so many people!
holy crap! Didn’t expect that tokyo can be so crowded! But somehow it almost has the same vibe as South Korea, am I correct? 🙂
Yes, the two cities are very similar. I felt there are a ton more tourist in Tokyo than South Korea though. I went to both back to back and the tourist sites in Japan in general were way more crowded.
I’m dying to get Japan off my bucket list sooner rather than later, and this post has only made me want it more.
While none of these were new ideas to me, I like how you’ve got them all in one place as a kind of ‘to do list’ for the visit. The ‘free’ price tag doesn’t hurt either.
I’m all about the free!
I’ve been living in China for YEARS and I still haven’t made it to Japan. I really want to go when I have a few weeks to get a high speed rail pass and travel around (NOT during a Chinese holiday). I definitely want to eat at the Tsukiji Fish Market and go people watching in Harajuku. I’m hoping to ask some of the lolitas to pose for photos and make a really cool photo essay!
Yes! Definitely, make it a priority to go too. Make sure it’s not a holiday week in Japan otherwise I hear it gets even busier. I didn’t see any lolitas when I was out and about, but hopefully, you get lucky!
Wow, Tokyo must be really crazy! I have seen quite bit of Asia but I am still looking for my first time to visit Japan. I am curious to visit the fist market that you mention. The fresh salmon must be soooo tasty!
All of the sushi was amazing! Definitely go sooner rather than later since they’ve been considering moving the market away from its original location.
I’ve been to Tokyo but only for a day so I was just able to do your #1, then we checked out the Rikugien Garden and DisneySea the next day. You missed out on the Hachiko statue at Shibuya though! Hopefully when I return to Tokyo I could do all the items on your list, esp. the Asakusa shrine.
I saw the Hachiko statue from afar. There is always a massive crowd around it! I’ve heard great things about DisneySea and how different it is from the other parks. Would love to check it out one day.
Free is a good price! Every city has a lot of free activities, I can’t say I don’t seek those out any chance I get. Good to know Tokyo is one of them.
I’ve never been to Tokyo, and I’ve heard it’s expensive. It’s good to know there are some free things to do in the city. The Tokyo Anime Center looks like a really cool place to visit. And I would love to find tranquility at the Meiji Shrine.
I must be the only person in the world that I never heard about Shibuya crossing and wow, on your picture it looks a madness! Tokyo or Japan never were on my wishlist but I could change my mind reading posts like yours 😉 Thanks
When you’re in the thick of it, it definitely feels like madness!
Great tips! Such a pity the fish market moved, but I enjoy the shops in Akihabara!