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10 FREE Things to do in Tokyo: Off the beaten path!

10 FREE Things to do in Tokyo: Off the beaten path!

Published on May. 27, 2019 by

Are you are traveling on a budget to Japan? You are in luck! These are my 10 FREE Things to do in Tokyo from hidden gems to cool activities including Hinokicho Park, National Diet of Japan, Hie Shrine, Magnet Shibuya Observatory, Nakameguro Awaodori, Nakano Broadway, Suginami Anime Museum, Parasite Museum.

Tips & Advice
  • Accommodation: Airbnb ($46 OFF), stay in Shibuya, Meguro or Ikebukuro.
  • Japan WiFi: Stay online in Tokyo with NINJA Wifi for just $6 USD (30% OFF)  

best photo and selfie location of the kabukicho district of Shinjuku in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanrandom FREE events in Tokyo, this chanel matsuri promotional campaign in Roppongi in Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanHinokicho Park in Roppongi in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanred torii gates at the Hie Shrine in Chiyoda ward in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

I've been to Tokyo 6 times and always had a bucket list full of FREE items I never ended up visiting due to time constrains so I decide to make a special list for these special attractions which are FREE to visit in Tokyo.

Places

  • 1. Hinokicho Park

    Gorgeous FREE park hidden behind the tall skyscrapers of Tokyo.

  • 2. National Diet Building

    Location of the Japanese parliament, house of representatives and house of councilors. A guided tour is FREE, but only in Japanese.

  • 3. Hie Shrine

    If you don't have time to visit Kyoto, you can still visit a long red torii gates tunnel at Hie Shrine.

  • 4. FREE Popup Events

    Tokyo has plenty of FREE popup promotional events around the city, especially during summer at which they give out FREE goodies.

  • 5. Harajuku Glass Mirror Entrance

    One of the most iconic places for a great selfie, the mirror entrance at Tokyu Plaza on Omotesando Street.

  • 6. Magnet Shibuya Observatory

    Brand new FREE observatory rooftop deck provided by MAGNET, a new bar in Shibuya.

  • 7. Nakameguro Awaodori

    One of the best summer festivals in Tokyo. Watch the crazy Japanese parade go through the streets of Nakameguro for FREE.

  • 8. Public Tuna Cutting

    Witness public tuna cutting at the Tsukiji outer fish market.

  • 9. Nakano Broadway

    Unleash your inner nerd at the Nakano Broadway, one of the best locations for oldskool Anime, Manga, game arcades and super cheap food.

  • 10. Suginami Animation Museum

    Visit the FREE anime museum in Suginami to learn more about the animation industry of Japan.

  • 11. BONUS: Shinjuku VR Zone

    Perhaps the coolest new attractions in Tokyo, it is FREE to watch people freak out in VR or you can join the fun which is not FREE but still lots of fun.

  • 12. BONUS: Parasite Museum

    FREE bizarre museum in Meguro documenting everything that has to do with parasites in the human body and beyond.

 in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanbecoming a member of the National Diet in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanexcellent selfie at the national diet of Japan in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japangorgeous national diet of Japan in Tokyo in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Start in the heart of Roppongi at Hinokicho park, a small cozy park hidden behind the skyscrapers of Tokyo for a little walk than take the subway one stop over to the National Diet of Japan, one of the most impressive buildings of Tokyo built in 1920 and took 16 years to complete. The National Diet houses the parliament of Japan including the house of representatives and the house of councilors. A few blocks from the National Diet you'll find the Hie Shrine which has an amazing red torii gate tunnel in the back which is often overlooked by tourists. This place is especially perfect if you are not able to make it to Kyoto but still want to make a selfie in a red torii gate tunnel.

drinking beers at the FREE Magnet observatory rooftop in Shibuya in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japandrinking beers at the FREE Magnet observatory rooftop in Shibuya

A cozy place for drinks is Magnet in Shibuya, if you do not have a budget for beers you can still visit the FREE observatory deck on the rooftop for an epic view of the Shibuya crossing, the busiest intersection of the world.

cool looking Izakaya's in Shibuya in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanmain street in Kabukicho, the red light district of Tokyo in Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanHie Shrine in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japangreat FREE selfie spot at MAGNET Shibuya in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanplaying Evangelion at VR zone Shinjuku in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanplaying Evangelion at VR zone Shinjuku in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanplaying Evangelion at VR zone Shinjuku in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanplaying Evangelion at VR zone Shinjuku in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

After spending time in Shibuya I recommend checking out the VR zone in Shinjuku for the most epic VR arcade games ranging from Evangelion VR to Mario Kart VR to Dragonball Z VR. Another great FREE place for epic selfies is the mirror entrance of the Tokyu Plaza on the Omotesando street in Harajuku.

best FREE selfie spot in Tokyo, mirror entrance at Tokyu Plaza on Omotesando street in Harajuku in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanbest FREE selfie spot in Tokyo, mirror entrance at Tokyu Plaza on Omotesando street in Harajuku

Due to the massive influx of tourists into Tokyo prices have been skyrocketing for attractions thus I believe having a FREE Things to do Travel Guide for Tokyo is very important for the budget travelers among us.

National Diet of Japan in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanpolice car at National Diet of Japan in Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanHie Shrine entrance in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japankabukicho in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japankabukicho in Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanVR zone shinjuku in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japanmy YouTube office in Tokyo in Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanVR zone in Shinjuku in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Also keep in mind that you can honor your budget by not eating at fancy restaurants but buying your lunches and dinners at convenience stores 711, Lawson and FamilyMart which can be found on almost every street corner and are open 24/7. Additionally, for other budget items visit Donki Hote, considered the Walmart of Japan for insanely cheap household items.

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