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