Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so it is not a surprise that many travelers feel nervous about visiting. If you are worried about how far your money will stretch here however, you can always check out a range of activities that are absolutely free.
Here are the best free activities that you can do in Tokyo...
Sumo wrestling is the ultimate Japanese sport, and anyone who wants to learn more about it should head to the Sumo Museum. This facility sits in the wider Kokugikan Sumo Stadium in the Ryogoku district and is free to enter. At the museum you will find a wealth of sumo related products as well as historical collections of artifacts that include block prints, paintings, and other period memorabilia. There are also rotating exhibitions held throughout the year that tell the story of all things sumo related.
Odaiba Island sits in Tokyo Bay and is actually constructed from reclaimed land that was used to make this manmade beach. Once here you will find the beach itself as well as other attractions like a replica of the Statue of Liberty and some shopping and dining options. You can get to Odaiba Island via the charmingly named Rainbow Bridge which is also lit up at night as part of the nightly illuminations here. It is free to travel to and enter Odaiba Island.
You may not immediately think of cycling as one of the premium things to do in Tokyo, but actually this is a great city to see from the comfort of a bicycle. You can rent bikes all over the city for a fee but if you want a free ride then you will find it at the Palace Cycling Course. The course is located at Uchibori-dori next to the spectacular Hibiya Park and runs to the Imperial Palace. You can choose from one of 250 bikes if you come here on a Sunday and you can use them until 3pm free of charge.
Asukayama Park sits close to Oji Station and this is where you will also find the Asuka Park Monorail. This train is free to ride and will take you to the top of this hillside park, offering you gorgeous scenic views as you go. The journey takes around two minutes to get to the top but it is especially moving in the spring or the autumn time when the surrounding flora is a riot of color.
Shibuya Crossing is probably the most famous sight in Tokyo so it is amazing to think that it is free to visit. This is one of the main intersections in Tokyo and hundreds of people pour out onto the street to cross over here- a genuinely amazing spectacle. You can either go down to the actual crossing itself or you can watch the phenomenon from above from the bridge across from Shibuya Station.
Not only is this attraction free in Tokyo but it also has to be one of its quirkiest locations. Basically Komorebi no Ashiyu is a man made hot springs that uses water heated by a waste processing factory that is located close by. The water is pumped from a local well before being warmed up to the right temperature and this makes a wonderful place to soak your feet at the end of a long day in Tokyo. Amazingly it is absolutely free to use, although there is an adjacent gift shop if you feel like spending some money.
To learn all about how Suntory beer is made, head to the Suntory Musashino Beer Factory where you can follow an hour long tour. This is a free tour and you will learn all about the history of the beer and the brewing process. You can even try some samples of the malts on offer here, also all for free.
If you want to get a bird’s eye view of the city for free then look no further than the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories. Here you can ascend to a height of over 200 meters and enjoy the free observation deck. The views over Tokyo are spectacular and there is even a small park here for children.
This fish market is perhaps the most famous market in the entire world. Every day the market sells tones of fresh fish destined to become sushi for hungry customers in Tokyo. To get a look at the action you will need to get here in the early hours of the morning and register at around 5am to be allowed into the viewing areas of the market. Still, despite the early start it is free to visit this amazing attraction so make sure not to miss it off the itinerary.
This Buddhist temple is known for being one of the premium attractions in Tokyo and it is also absolutely free to visit. Sitting in the picturesque Asakusa area of Tokyo, this is also one of the oldest sightseeing options in the city and a great way to get a look at the less modern side of Tokyo. If possible try to come here in the late afternoon when the temple is bathed in golden light from the setting sun.
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