10 Things To Do for Free in Tokyo, Japan

Many people assume that touring Japan's capital city, known for its thriving tech industry and endless shopping, will break the bank, but we say otherwise! You may be skeptical, especially given that Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but believe it or not, there are many free things to do and see during your visit!

Continue reading to learn about our favorite free activities in Tokyo, as well as how you can save big on all of your transportation needs!

How to Get Around

Although the activities in this article can all be done for free, you will still need to pay for transportation. Fortunately for you, I am back to save you from your financial woes by taking advantage of these 10 free activities while on vacation!

• Sumo Practice
• Tsukiji Outer Market
• Ueno Park
• Meiji Shrine
• Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko’s Statue
• Yoyogi Park
• Senso-ji Temple at Asakusa
• Akihabara
• Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba
• Tokyo Imperial Palace

1- Sumo Practice

Despite being regarded as a must-do activity by many, attending a sumo match can be costly. Why not instead watch a sumo practice? We recommend Musashigawa Beya in Uguisudani, Kasugano Beya near Ryogoku Station, and Takasago Beya near Asakusa Station among the 45 sumo stables in Tokyo.

Make sure to check the practice schedule ahead of time! The majority of practices take place during the week, in the early morning hours of 6-7 a.m.

2- Tsukiji Outer Market

The market opens as early as 5 a.m., and if you have enough energy in the morning, you might just be able to witness the fascinating auction of seafood vendors for the freshest produce!

Here's how to get there - To get to the Tsukiji Outer Market, take the Hibiya Subway Line to Tsukiji Station and walk three minutes.

3- Ueno Park

Ueno Park, a public park in Tokyo's Taito district, is another attraction to consider. It was built as an extension of Kaneiji Temple, which explains its grand scale. You can go for a run, have a picnic, and even visit several of the surrounding temples, including Kaneiji Temple, Kiyomizu Kannon Temple, Toshogu Shrine, and Bentendo.

THere's how to get there - Take the JR Ueno Station's Ueno Park Exit.

4- Meiji Shrine

The entrance to Meiji Shrine, one of Japan's most famous attractions, is located directly across from Harajuku. Fortunately for us budget travelers, admission is free, so you can easily spend an entire day strolling through the grounds. Visitors to the Meiji Shrine can tour attractions such as the Meiji Jingu, Meiji Jingu Treasure House, and the Inner Garden.

Here's how to get there: Exit Tokyo Metro Meiji Jingumae Station and walk one minute across the bridge to the Meiji Jingu entrance.

5- Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko’s Statue

Two of Tokyo's most photographed attractions are completely free to visit – and the best part? They're right next to each other!

As soon as you exit Shibuya Station, you'll see the iconic Hachiko statue, which is surrounded by tourists eager to take photos. After you've had your turn, you'll only need to walk a few steps to reach the world's most famous pedestrian crossing. For the best views, go to Starbucks in Tsutaya and watch the action unfold from there!

Here's how to get there - Take the Hachiko Exit from Shibuya Station.

6- Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park is located near Harajuku and Meiji Shrine. For some, the hustle and bustle of Tokyo can be quite stressful, so this is a great place to visit to get away for a while. Grab some takeout food and a good book, and you're ready for a relaxing afternoon in this tree-lined park!

Here's how to get there - Take the JR Yamanote Line train to Harajuku Station and exit 200 meters to the right to reach the park's entrance.

7- Senso-ji Temple at Asakusa

The Sensoji Temple, Asakusa's main attraction, is right in the heart of the bustling Nakamise market, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a unique cultural experience of old and new traditions.

After you've had your fill of culture and history at Tokyo's oldest temple, head to Nakamise's shop-lined streets for Japanese food and souvenirs.

Here's how to get there - Exit the Ginza Line Asakusa Station at Exit 1 and walk 1 minute to Nakamise Shopping Street. Sensoji Temple is located at the end of the street.

8- Akihabara

Whether or not you're a fan of all things tech, a visit to Akihabara's vibrant scene is at the top of our list. Although it is still enjoyable during the day, Akihabara at night is a one-of-a-kind Japanese experience that should not be missed. When the sun goes down, thousands of neon lights turn on, and cosplayers come out to play, resembling scenes from a real-life video game!

Here's how to get there - Exit the JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Sobu Line, or Tokyo Metro's Hibiya Line at Akihabara Station.

9- Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba

Tourists typically flock to the Statue of Liberty's location to take pictures of the Rainbow Bridge from a distance, but did you know that you can actually walk across the bridge?

To walk across the bridge, enter the Rainbow Bridge Promenade from the Shibaura side pier; it's a 25-minute walk to Odaiba from there! We also recommend going at night to see the rainbow lights light up!

Here's how to get there - Walk 10 minutes from Shibaura-futo Station (Yurikamome Line) to the Rainbow promenade. Take the elevator up to the 7th floor of the promenade and start walking across the bridge.

10 - Tokyo Imperial Palace

Have you ever wanted to go to a royal palace? This is your chance! The Tokyo Imperial Palace is home to Japan's Imperial Family, and visitors can enter the grounds for free! Despite the fact that the inner grounds are closed to the public, visitors are welcome to walk through the Kokyo Gaien, past the iconic Meganebashi bridge, and through the Imperial Palace East Gardens!

Here's how to get there - Take the JR Line to Tokyo Station and walk for about 10-15 minutes to the Imperial Palace area.