With its reputation as being one of the most expensive cities in the world, Tokyo can discourage many travellers who fear for their budget! While flat renting or transport within the city can be very expensive, you may be extremely surprised with the cost of some activities and the low cost of the food that is, most of the time, extremely delicious. For travellers who want to enjoy this great city while on low-budget, here is a list of 10 free or cheap things to do in Tokyo.
If it is your first time in Tokyo, you might want to have a general look at the different areas and sights of the city. The best way to do so is to ride the Yamanote line train that circles within Tokyo. Go to one of the stations, pay the cheapest fare (about 130 yen), find a seat and enjoy the ride. The Yamanote line passes through all of the major areas of Tokyo, such as Shinjuku, Akihabara or Ginza, so you will have a good idea of how the city looks like. The complete loop of Tokyo takes about an hour.
When you have more time on your hand, don’t hesitate to take long walks in the city. Tokyo is a perfect place to get lost because you will always find your way back. Avoid the major sights and wander the narrow streets where you will be sure to find small temples and traditional houses.
If you are an early bird and enjoy fish, you will be tempted to visit the Tsukiji Fish Market, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. The market is now only open to the public between 5:00 am and 6:15 am for the tuna auction. About 120 people are allowed to visit the market every day on a first-come, first-served basis, so do not be late. If you are lucky enough, you might even taste some raw tuna for breakfast!
Harajuku is the most popular place for fashion among Japanese youngsters and going shopping with them on the week-end is likely to be an interesting experience. All styles can be seen in Harajuku and don’t be surprised if you are walking behind a girl dressed like a doll, or a Rocker back from the 50’s. Many like to pose just outside Harajuku train station, so bring your camera to capture their eccentric clothes and hairstyles. You can even join them in the picture.
While visiting Shinjuku, stop by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and head to the 45th floor to have one of the best views of the city, for free. Try to spot the major sights of Tokyo and, if the weather is good enough, you can even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji.
A summer in Japan is not a real summer without fire flowers, Hanabi in Japanese. Every year, fire flowers festivals are held in all parts of the city, mostly along the river for security reason. Japanese people dress with yukata, sort of light kimono for the summer, and buy their fireworks to have a festival on their own. If you have the budget, get some fireworks in a supermarket and set up your fire flowers festival: it is the best way to make contact with the local habitants.
There are a lot of bookstores in Tokyo and most of them have a foreign book section with titles in English, French, Spanish and German. After a long and tiring day visiting the city, find yourself a table and read some books. Do not feel guilty about it as most of the Japanese are doing the same. You can even learn more about Japanese language and culture with a large selection of books on these subjects. The Kinokuniya Bookstore in Yoyogi is, without a doubt, the best one in town.
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