{"id":501,"date":"2025-01-13T16:07:05","date_gmt":"2025-01-13T08:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/07\/19-best-free-things-to-do-in-tokyo\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T09:56:03","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T01:56:03","slug":"19-best-free-things-to-do-in-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gagner-des-cadeaux.org\/?p=501","title":{"rendered":"19 best free things to do in Tokyo"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Exploring Japan’s capital is a mind-blowing experience, but it can also blow your budget.<\/p>\n

Don’t despair \u2013 there\u2019s an abundance of things to do and see in Tokyo that don\u2019t cost a single yen. From gardens and temples to contemporary art, sumo practice and a world-famous fish market, here’s a list of Tokyo’s best free attractions.<\/p>\n

1. Stroll the grounds of the Imperial Palace<\/h2>\n

Follow the moats and paths surrounding Tokyo\u2019s central point, the Imperial Palace, for views of its famous bridges and remnants of the old medieval keep. It\u2019s 5km (3 miles) around the palace grounds \u2013 a popular local jogging course if you want to fit in some cardio while admiring the scenery.<\/p>\n

Take a detour through the accompanying gardens without dipping into your wallet. The Imperial Palace East Garden encompasses the Honmaru<\/em> and Ninomaru<\/em>, the former innermost circles of the castle, featuring broad lawns, small stretches of woodland and seasonal flora (check out what\u2019s in bloom on the Flower Calendar).<\/p>\n

Kokyo Gaien National Garden marks the area in front of the palace\u2019s Sakuradamon Gate, where Ii Naosuke, a controversial proponent of opening Edo-period Japan to the outside world, was assassinated in 1860.<\/p>\n

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Kitanomaru Park is the pick of the bunch, home of the Budokan, Japan\u2019s premier martial arts arena, and the Chidorigafuchi Moat. In spring, the path encircling the moat is enlivened by blooming cherry blossoms.<\/p>\n

Read more: Discover the best time to visit Tokyo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

2. Follow the pilgrim route to Sens\u014d-ji<\/h2>\n

Follow in the footsteps of countless pilgrims by approaching Sens\u014d-ji, Tokyo\u2019s most famous Buddhist temple, in Asakusa.<\/p>\n

The way is lined with colorful stalls selling all manner of souvenirs, from giant rice crackers to washi<\/em> (handmade paper) fans. Senso-ji is Tokyo\u2019s most-visited religious monument, so prepare for swarms of photo-snapping tourists and a smattering of locals decked out in traditional kimono.<\/p>\n

Planning tip:<\/strong> Visit at the crack of dawn \u2013 the temple is open from 6am \u2013 for a quieter excursion.<\/p>\n

\"Colourful
Tokyo’s Harajuku neighborhood is an explosion of all things colorful and \u201ckawaii\u201d (cute) \u00a9 StockStudio Aerials \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Explore the streets of Harajuku<\/h2>\n

The Harajuku neighborhood is probably the world’s greatest eye candy; its main street, Takeshita Dori, bursts forth in a maelstrom of vivid colors, kawaii<\/em> (cute) motifs and the constant babble of frivolous consumers.<\/p>\n

Stroll tree-lined Omote-sand\u014d, a glam boulevard of upscale boutiques housed in contemporary buildings, or hang out in Yoyogi-k\u014den (Yoyogi Park). The sprawling green space hosts frequent international festivals celebrating cultures from Ireland to India, Spain to Thailand, Brazil to Sri Lanka, and many more.<\/p>\n

Read more: Tokyo’s best neighborhoods <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

4. See the tuna auction at Toyosu Market<\/h2>\n

Want to witness Tokyo\u2019s famous tuna auction at Toyosu Market? A limited number of visitors who apply in advance can watch the hour-long quick-fire bidding from a viewing platform near the market floor; check the website for details.<\/p>\n

Although Toyosu Market may lack the rustic charm of its predecessor in Tsukiji, visitors are nevertheless welcome to wander the sprawling complex. Infographics and exhibition spaces detail the storied history of the world\u2019s greatest fish market; scan the clearly indicated QR codes for multilingual interactive tours.<\/p>\n

Planning tip:<\/strong> If you’ve secured tickets for the tuna auction, you’ll need to set your alarm early because it starts around 5:30am.<\/p>\n

\"Young
Visit a sumo stable to see wrestlers training \u2013 it’s free to watch \u00a9 Lottie Davies \/ Lonely Planet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Watch sumo wrestlers training<\/h2>\n

Even if you can’t make a sumo tournament, you can see sumo wrestlers going through their training drills at a sumo stable, such as Arashio Stable, where visitors can watch the morning practice session (asa-keiko<\/em>) through windows on the street.<\/p>\n

Practice typically takes place between 7:30am and 10am on weekday mornings, except in March, July, November and on the week following a major tournament. Check the stable\u2019s website for the up-to-date training schedule.<\/p>\n

6. Follow the crowd at Shibuya Crossing<\/h2>\n

Every few minutes a wave of humanity washes across Shibuya Crossing, thought to be the world’s busiest intersection. Join the masses or stand back and watch.<\/p>\n

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An ideal vantage point is Mag’s Park, on the roof of the Shibuya 109-2 department store. A couple of floors down, at the entrance to Mark City, check out the Myth of Tomorrow, a monumental 1967 mural by artist Okamoto Tar\u014d.<\/p>\n

7. Visit Yasukuni Shrine<\/h2>\n

To some, Yasukuni-jinja is Tokyo\u2019s most controversial religious monument. To others, it\u2019s a source of pride. Then there\u2019s the argument that removing it would amount to revisionist history.<\/p>\n

Yasukuni Shrine commemorates Japan\u2019s approximately 2.5 million war dead (moral ambiguities notwithstanding), including the kamikaze pilots of WWII and convicted war criminals.<\/p>\n

Along its flagstone entranceway, you\u2019ll find locals paying homage to their fallen ancestors indicated by a procession of paper lanterns \u2013 all 30,000 of which are illuminated during the summer Mitama Matsuri festival \u2013 while the comparatively humble shrine building is surrounded by blooming groves of sakura <\/em>(cherry blossoms) in spring.<\/p>\n

\"A
Godzilla puts on a show in Shinjuku with hourly roars between noon and 8pm \u00a9 Shutterstock \/ DerekTeo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Hear Godzilla roar<\/h2>\n

Fans of kaij\u016b <\/em>(strange beasts from Japanese monster flicks) will want to pay their respects to the giant Godzilla that lords over the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku. Amateur videographers should head down between noon and 8pm when Godzilla belts out thunderous roars on the hour.<\/p>\n

Planning tip:<\/strong> While you\u2019re here, wander around the electrified Kabukicho neighborhood, Tokyo’s red-light district, or head to nearby Golden Gai, a warren of Showa-period alleyways housing hundreds of shoebox bars.<\/p>\n

9. Visit Tokyo’s weird, wonderful (and free) museums<\/h2>\n

Tokyo has some of the most bizarre museums in the world, and in a bid to attract curious eyes, many offer free admission. The Meguro Parasitology Museum, thought to be the only institution of its kind globally, displays a range of sinister parasites suspended in formaldehyde-filled casings.<\/p>\n

The Rainbow Sewerage Museum delves into the engineering feats necessary to flush excrement from the world\u2019s most populous metropolis \u2013 interactive exhibitions included.<\/p>\n

For coin collectors and enthusiasts, head to the Bank of Japan Currency Museum, which is (ironically) also free. Or check out the Advertising Museum Tokyo, where montage displays of old ads illuminate the visual history of commerce in Japan over the last century or so.<\/p>\n

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Stand in awe of the giant torii (gate) at Meiju-jing\u016b \u00a9 enzozo \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

10. Walk the forests of Meiji-jing\u016b<\/h2>\n

Escape to the densely wooded grounds that envelop the capital\u2019s premier Shint\u014d shrine, Meiji-jing\u016b. The walking path is particularly ethereal on misty and drizzly afternoons and, if you\u2019re lucky, you might spot a traditional wedding procession or robe-clad priest.<\/p>\n

11. Walk the Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba<\/h2>\n

This island of reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay is linked to the city by the Rainbow Bridge, which is illuminated in its eponymous colors come nightfall.<\/p>\n

Walk over the 798m-long (2618ft) single-span suspension bridge to Odaiba, an uber-modern commercial district, where you can sunbathe on an artificial beach (weather permitting), see a Statue of Liberty replica, and gaze upon a larger-than-life Gundam statue.<\/p>\n

12. Take a tour of the National Diet<\/h2>\n

Art and anime not your thing? Then how about a free tour of Japan\u2019s seat of governance, the National Diet, to view the wood-panelled, leather-bound and gilded interiors and the gardens planted with species from across the country.<\/p>\n

English tours take place on Mondays at 2pm, and Tuesday to Friday at 3pm (excluding national holidays). Reservations, with some stipulations, are necessary.<\/p>\n

\"In
Locals and visitors alike can marvel at the spectacle of cherry blossom season in Tokyo’s parks and gardens \u00a9 kanzilyou \/ Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

13. Crack open a beer at one of Tokyo’s parks and gardens<\/h2>\n

Admire beautiful foliage and horticultural skills in Tokyo\u2019s traditional gardens. Free-to-enter gardens include those attached to the Hotel New \u014ctani in Akasaka and the Hotel Chinzanso, as well as the lush grounds of Happ\u014d-en, near Shirokanedai Station.<\/p>\n

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Tokyo also has excellent public parks, from Ueno-k\u014den in the north, to Inokashira-k\u014den in Kichij\u014dji (where the not free-to-enter Studio Ghibli Museum is also located).<\/p>\n

Planning tip: <\/strong>Parks are prime spots for joining beer-fueled hanami <\/em>(flower-watching) parties during the spring cherry blossom season.<\/p>\n

14. Travel back to pre-WWII Tokyo in Yanesen<\/h2>\n

The streets of Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi \u2013 three areas collectively known as Yanesen \u2013 offer a lens into pre-WWII Tokyo.<\/p>\n

These areas were collectively spared by firebombings, so you’ll find narrow walking streets, small temples and shrines, craft shops, galleries, and cafes, and Yanaka-reien, one of the city\u2019s oldest graveyards. Interesting galleries include SCAI the Bathhouse, in a 200-year-old public bath.<\/p>\n

\"Hundreds
Festive illuminations light up Tokyo’s parks and commercial streets in wintertime \u00a9 Shawn.ccf \/ Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

15. Traverse Tokyo\u2019s winter wonderlands<\/h2>\n

Tokyo embraces the festive spirit every winter with seasonal illuminations in parks and commercial complexes, many of which are free of charge.<\/p>\n

Around 600,000 crystal blue lights create Shibuya’s Ao no Dokutsu (blue cave) along a pedestrianised street leading to Yoyogi Park, while the barren zelkova trees lining fashion-focused boulevard Omote-sand\u014d are wrapped in champagne gold.<\/p>\n

Admire a glimmering LED display in view of Tokyo Tower from the observation bridge at Roppongi Hills. Or head to the Yebisu Garden Place Christmas Market presided over by a 10m-tall Christmas tree and Baccarat crystal chandelier.<\/p>\n

16. Get arty in Roppongi<\/h2>\n

This fabled nightlife neighborhood is also a treat to explore in daylight. There\u2019s plenty of public art scattered around the glitzy commercial complexes of Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, as well as dazzling contemporary architecture at the National Art Center Tokyo.<\/p>\n

Tokyo Tower \u2013 the Eiffel-esque symbol of the modern metropolis \u2013 is nearby; there\u2019s an admission charge, but a free stroll around the base gives a real sense of its imposing stature.<\/p>\n

17. Take in the views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building<\/h2>\n

Survey the city 202m (663ft) above ground from the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building \u2013 on a clear day you may even catch a glimpse of Mt Fuji. Come at dusk to see spectacular sunsets and to witness the city bursting into neon-lit action.<\/p>\n

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Browse the culinary products at Tsukiji Market \u00a9 Guillermo Olaizola\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

18. Peruse the stalls and street food vendors at Tsukiji Market<\/h2>\n

Tsukiji Market has a bunch of stalls selling culinary products such as dried aonori<\/em> (edible seaweed), pickles, bamboo rolling mats, kitchen knives, and more. Come early to get breakfast (at a price) from the food vendors and to bask in some old Tokyo ambience.<\/p>\n

Planning tip:<\/strong> If the weather is on your side, embark upon a lengthy (approximately 6km\/4-mile) stroll along the Sumida River promenade to Asakusa in the north, where Sens\u014d-ji resides. Expect to find afternoon joggers, lone musicians practicing their craft, and river taxis chugging along the way.<\/p>\n

19. Climb Mount Takao<\/h2>\n

Deep in the west Tokyo suburbs sits Mt Takao, a 599m-tall (1965ft) peak topped by an observation area, beer garden and Buddhist temple.<\/p>\n

There are several walking trails to the top, all of which are manageable with a moderate level of fitness.<\/p>\n

Planning tip:<\/strong> Head during k\u014dy\u014d <\/em>(autumn foliage season) for the best views \u2013 but be prepared for crowds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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