Free things to do in Tokyo, Japan
Image credit: @su2un0r1, @ls.mt_, @croissant_3212, @coffee8please
When we think of Tokyo, we think of premium sushi, cleanliness, and shopping. But all these will cost you more than a pretty penny, and it would be a pity to have to limit your experiences because of a tighter budget.
For those who do not wish to sacrifice comfort in a proper hotel or scrimp on your food cravings, here’s a list of free things to do in Tokyo for your stay:
Check out our other articles on Tokyo:
- Weird Tokyo experiences
- New things to do in Tokyo
- Anime-themed cafes in Tokyo
- Themed cafes and restaurants in Tokyo
- Halal cafes and restaurants in Tokyo
1. Watch skilled artisans paint washi paper at Origami Kaikan
Image credit: @misakky510
Art and craft videos can be super satisfying to watch, and to get that therapeutic experience IRL, visit Origami Kaikan where you’ll get to watch a Japanese artisan paint handmade washi (Japanese paper).
Image credit: @burcunimetdumlu
The star of the show though, has to be their impressive gallery that displays Origami masterpieces such as the one above of a Maiko (Japanese apprentice geisha), framed by 1000 orizuru (folded cranes).
This is made entirely out of paper!
Image credit: @randoheruu
Address: 1 Chome-7-14 Yushima, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0034, Japan
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9.30AM-6PM
Telephone: +81 3-3811-4025
2. Check out the art installations at Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo
Image credit: @h_miyao
Travellers on a budget would likely give luxury stores a pass. But that doesn’t mean you can’t check out Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo which is fully funded by LV.
Jesus Raphael Soto’s interactive piece, “Penetrable Bbl Bleu”, made of thousands of thin blue strings
Image credit: @tomboy375
This art gallery sits at the very top of the LV building in Omotesando, and the exhibitions change once every few months. These range from interactive displays to art installations that make a stand on social issues.
Image credit: @naomi_kakiuchi
Address: Louis Vuitton Omotesando Bldg. 7F 5-7-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001
Opening hours: Daily 12PM-8PM
Telephone: +81 3-5766-1094
3. Witness tuna auctions at Toyosu Fish Market, the world’s largest fish market
Image credit: @2lyg2g
Toyosu Fish Market is the upgraded version of the famous Tsukiji Fish Market. It’s twice as large, allowing it to keep the title of “World’s Largest Fish Market” firmly in its grasp, and only 2km away from its previous location.
Image credit: @jimmydashner
Early risers – or night owls – can pick up a visitor’s pass to enter the building and catch the iconic tuna auctions at about 5.30AM. The best way to experience an auction would be to hear and observe it up close from a special deck on the lower floor and to do so, you’ll have to join a lottery to be one of the 120 guests picked daily.
Viewing deck
Image credit: Japan Times
Don’t worry if you don’t get picked, as you can still watch from a gallery on a higher level. You might not be able to hear the auction, but at least there’s a friendly “Language Co-talk Volunteer” who’ll explain everything going on to you in English.
Address: 6 Chome-3 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061, Japan
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 5AM-5PM
Telephone: +81 3-3520-8211
4. Learn how your soda is made at Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Tama Plant
Image credit: @croissant_3212
If you’re the type that needs to drink a bottle of coke almost every day, you need to sign yourself up for a Coca Cola Bottlers Japan Tama Plant Tour. The tour will allow you to witness the manufacturing process where all the magic happens, and you’ll also get to check out different versions of Japanese Coca Cola bottles throughout the years.
Image credit: @berryzcret
Tours are held from Mondays to Fridays at either 10AM, 11.30AM or 2PM and will last about 90 minutes. English guide books are available to ensure that everyone gets a fruitful learning experience.
Image credit: Coca Cola Bottlers Japan
Do remember to make a reservation at least one week in advance with the help of someone who speaks Japanese – you can try asking your hotel concierge for help.
Address: 1-2-9 Nobidome, Higashikurume, Tokyo 203-0041, Japan
Telephone: +81 42-471-1415
5. Watch a life-sized Gundam figure transform at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
Image credit: @jigza
Gundam fanatics check this out – there’s a majestic 19.7m tall Unicorn Gundam from the Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn series standing proudly in front of Divercity Tokyo Plaza.
Image credit: @herbyjai
But just seeing the Gundam in its normal mode is no kick. The real show starts when the gigantic figure transforms into Destroy mode – its antenna expands, and you can see it come to life as it starts to glow and move for 5 minutes.
Address: 1 Chome-1-1O Aomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0064, Japan
Showtimes: Daily 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, 5PM and every 30 minutes between 7.30PM-9.30PM
Telephone: +81 3-6380-7800
6. Enjoy a flower-viewing picnic at the Imperial Palace’s East Garden
Image credit: @travelwizards
The Imperial Palace in Tokyo is a must-visit especially during Spring and Autumn, where a sea of cherry blossoms and orange leaves offer a breathtaking view.
While some areas of the palace are only accessible if you pay a small fee, you can visit the East Garden at no cost for a refreshing morning walk or hanami (cherry blossom viewing) picnic.
Image credit: Justgola
You can also have a volunteer guide bring you around and tell you about the palace’s history while you admire the seasonal flora and fauna. The gates to the Imperial Palace close quite early at 4PM, so do head down way before that to avoid a rushed experience.
Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111, Japan
Opening hours: Tue-Thur 9AM-4PM | Sat-Sun 9AM-4PM
Telephone: +81 3-3213-1111
7. Dive into the history of anime at Suginami Animation Museum
Image credit: @justvcreative
Japan is the birthplace of anime, and you’ll know how big of a thing it is there when you see anime characters plastered all over train stations and giant billboards. It’s such an iconic part of the country’s culture that there’s a Suginami Animation Museum in Ogikubo.
Stretch of wall filled with doodles by famous artists
Image credit: @udadagram
There’ll be exhibits of familiar anime like Doraemon and Studio Ghibli’s Totoro, as well as more obscure ones which have only been aired in Japan. Besides that, there are super rare preserved original sketches of your favourite characters as well as the actual tools the artists used.
Image credit: @pyat_napo
And if you understand Japanese, you can even join a workshop about anime production, or listen to a talk given by professional animators.
Address: Japan, 〒167-0043 Tokyo, Suginami City, Kamiogi, 3 Chome−29−5 杉並会館
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10AM-6PM
Telephone: +81 3-3396-1510
8. Observe sumo wrestlers practise in Arashio-beya
Image credit: @psicopatricko
Japan is the only country where Sumo wrestling is performed professionally, and there are even grand tournaments where hundreds and thousands of people attend just to witness this magnificent sport in stadiums.
Image credit: @citra393
While tournaments tickets are rather pricey and can cost over a hundred dollars, you can watch sumo wrestlers practise for free at Arashio-beya. Drop by and peer into the large window along the roadside from 7.30AM to 10AM any day of the week except in March, July and November, as well as one week after tournaments.
Don’t be shy if you’d like a picture them because they’re very friendly – just wait till practice is over and ask politely.
Address: 2 Chome-47-2 Nihonbashihamacho, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-0007, Japan
Telephone: +81 3-3666-7646
9. Take a scenic boat ride at Yokojikken Gawa Shinsui Park
Image credit: @su2un0r1
Head over to Yokojikken Gawa Shinsui Park for a relaxing boat ride along the river in a wasen (traditional Japanese boat). This would usually cost you some, but here, there’s a “Wasen Tomo no Kai” volunteer group that offers 10 minute rides to visitors completely free of charge.
Image credit: @katsuchann3910
If you have kids, bring them to the small play area sitting above the river to splash about. With floating platforms to obstacle courses and a rope bridge spanning from one end of the river to the other, this place is perfect for some fun in the sun.
Image credit: @parkful
Address: Japan, 〒136-0076 Tokyo, Koto City, 1, 扇橋3-22-9
10. Stroll down Japan’s oldest shopping street, Nakamise-dori
Image credit: @dorissimod
Enter the giant Thunder Gate in Asakusa and you will be welcomed by a 200-metre shopping street called Nakamise-dori. From traditional Japanese handicrafts like folding fans and wooden dolls to handmade yukatas, there’ll be tons of unique trinkets you bring home as souvenirs.
Image credit: @hirahx
Of course, a shopping street can’t do without street food. Check out all the authentic Asakusa snacks like age-manju (fried bun with sweet bean paste filling) or ningyo-yaki (small snack cakes) if you have a few dollars to spare.
Image credit: @ls.mt_
If you continue walking down the street, you’ll wind up at the entrance to Senso-ji. It’s an ancient temple more than 1300 years old – the oldest in Tokyo – and many visit to pray for good luck and happiness.
Address: 1 Chome-20 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Opening hours: Daily 10AM-5PM
11. Go on a brewery tour and sample beer at Suntory Musashino
Image credit: @shiro_nirasawa
Suntory Musashino is one of Japan’s oldest and most popular beer brands, and they offer a free 40-minute tour of their brewery every day.
Image credit: @silslib
Throughout the tour, you’ll get to explore the massive factory and witness the actual brewing process. Don’t worry if you don’t understand Japanese, because you’ll be provided with English audio guides.
Image credit: @coffee8please
Because they believe in leaving the best for the last, you’ll get to round your trip off by visiting the in-house bar and sampling not one, but 3 free glasses of their famous beer.
To get here, simply take a free shuttle bus from Bubaigawara Station.
Address: 3-1 矢崎町 Fuchu, Tokyo 183-0025, Japan
Opening hours: Daily 9.30AM-5PM
Telephone: +81 42-360-9591
12. View Mt Fuji from the 48th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Image credit: @madameyap14
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku is the tallest free observatory tower in Japan, and it stands at a staggering height of 243m. Ascend to the 48th floor at the very top of the South tower and you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the city.
If the sky is clear and you’re there early in the morning when the sun is shining brightly, you might just be lucky enough to see Mt Fuji’s tip shyly peeking out in the far distance!
Image credit: @haileyip8
But if you can’t make it for an early morning visit, don’t be disappointed because this metropolitan city also offers spectacular night views from the North tower. By night time, you’ll be greeted by a landscape sprinkled with dazzling lights from all the surrounding buildings.
Address: 2 Chome-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-11PM (South tower is closed by 6.45PM)
13. Be inspired by the quirky fashion in Harajuku
Image credit: @tokyofashion
Take a short walk around Harajuku and you’ll notice that there are tons of people – mainly youngsters – decked out in bold outfits and colourful hair. It’s quite an unusual sight you won’t easily find elsewhere in Japan.
Image credit: @tokyofashion
This shopping district is basically a giant runway where people express themselves through fashion. Many of the fashion styles you might spot here like gyaru, goth, and lolitaoriginated as a form of rebellious expression – a refusal to conform with Japan’s strict conventions.
Image credit: @dazai_des
While you’re there, go window shopping and browse through the myriad of stores selling a quirky variety of Japanese street fashion.
14. Pet cute animals at Edogawa City Shizen Zoo
Image credit: @sundaysoundtrack
Compared to a regular zoo in Japan, Edogawa City Shizen Zoo is relatively small, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less impressive because it still houses a wide range of animals. And since entry is free, we can’t really complain.
Image credit: @grskus_tk
Wave hello to some giant anteaters or spot an adorable red panda just chilling up in a tree – the latter is an endangered species so don’t miss this opportunity.
Image credit: @dra_dralin
Besides that, there are other animals such as seals, penguins, goats, squirrels and many more that call this cosy city zoo their home. You can even get up close to some of them in the petting zone!
Address: 3 Chome-2-1 Kitakasai, Edogawa City, Tokyo 134-0081, Japan
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10AM-4.30PM | Sat-Sun 9.30AM-4.30PM
Telephone: +81 3-3680-0777
Free things to do in Tokyo
For all who’ve yet to visit Japan, this culturally-rich country needs to be on your travel bucket list. Scratch the misconception that you have to splurge to have a whale of a time here. As long as you dig a little, you’ll find that there are a ton of fun things you can do there without forking out a single dollar, even in Tokyo.
For ideas on where to stay in Tokyo, check out these articles:
- Hotels in Tokyo near major train stations
- Capsule hotels in Tokyo under $70/night
- Crazy themed hotels in Tokyo from $18/night
For more things to do near Tokyo, check out these articles:
