17 free things to see and do in Tokyo

Explore Tokyo for free with this list of the best things to see and do in Japan’s capital!

Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world, and it can be overwhelming at first. Moreover, Japan is not the most affordable travel destination. However, sometimes it is difficult to cut-off expenses when it comes to things to visit. Yet, Tokyo is full of many free things to do and see. From its classical and historical side to the modern and vibrant neighborhoods, free options are everywhere. The best part of it is that you won’t feel like you are missing something but that you are discovering a new side of Tokyo! These are my 17 free things to see and do in Toyko.

Discover Tokyo’s best free parks and gardens

No trip to Japan is complete without visiting some of its fantastic gardens and parks. Some of them have an entry fee, but others are completely free! These are my 2 favorite ones, plus a non-free but worth visiting option.

Yoyogi

Yoyogi Park is enormous, and one of the places to relax after a busy morning in the city. It is a perfect place to observe how Japanese people socialize. On weekends or during summer, it is very common to see groups of friends having a picnic, practicing sports, or just chatting.

It is during the sakura, also known as the cherry blossom season that the park reaches its peak. This also applies to the two other parks and gardens listed below. Yoyogi park is by the Meji Jingu Shrine (see below), but note that it is not possible to access the Shrine from the gardens or vice versa.

Ueno

Ueno park is probably the park I spent less time in Tokyo, and I regret it. The weather wasn’t optimal, and I just walked around and took some photos. However, I loved what I saw. The first cherry blossoms, the famous pond full of boats with a very characteristic swam shape and lots of people.

Although the parks in Tokyo are huge, so is the number of inhabitants of the city. Get ready to find parks packed with people, especially if visiting during the most touristy seasons, Spring and Summer.

Extra: Shinjuku Gyoen

This is NOT a free garden, but if I am recommending gardens, I have to recommend it. The 500 yen fee is so worth it. Gardens in Japan are build so that there are things to see throughout the whole year, and this is the case of the Shinjuku Gyoen Park.

Look at the timetable, the garden closes at night, and if you visit it too late, you may pay the entire fee for just a short period of time. It takes 2-3h to visit the gardens and see most of their attractions.

Explore its most iconic neighborhoods

Sometimes walking and getting a little bit lost is the best way to grasp the essence of a city. This is what I recommend doing in Tokyo. The contrast and differences between the neighborhoods are impressive.

Shinjuku and the neon district

My favorite Tokyo district is without any doubt Shinjuku. Together with Akihabara (see below) it has a futuristic vibe, with its neon lights, especially present in the Kabuchiko district, one of the most famous spots in Tokyo. Its red illuminated gate marks the entry to a street with many attractions, like the Robot Restaurant, well-known for its shows with robots (although I believe it is a tourist trap).

Harajuku, fashion and street art

Some people say that Japanese people are boring. After visiting Harajuku it is impossible to believe such a thing. Tokyo’s fashion district (although not the luxury shopping area) is Harajuku. This is the district where people have weird hair colors and wear unusual clothes. Moreover, it has plenty of very original shops, and a couple of other attractions such as the Meiji Jingu Shrine (see temples section below) and the Samsung shop (see modern attractions section below). Don’t miss the Omotesando area, with the Tokyu Harajuku entrance (photo below).

Akihabara, anime and video games

When I was 16 I wanted to visit Japan only because of this street. It took me 8 years to get there, and fortunately for my bank account, I was no longer interested in Anime. However, I really enjoyed getting lost in the streets of Akihabara. Visiting this area is essential to understand what video games and anime mean to the Japanese culture.

Even if you are no longer a video game /anime fan, it is easy to get caught by the beautiful figurines, t-shirts, and other merchandise. Don’t miss it at night, together with Shinjuku, it is one of the areas with more lights and activity!

Asakusa, culture with views

If video games and figurines are not your things, Asakusa might be. This area is famous for the Senso-Ji temple (see temples section below), but it has much more than that. The views of the Tokyo Sky Tree, a walk by the river, the street food, or the many souvenir shops make it a perfect day plan in a city that is usually more enjoyable during nighttime.

Ginza, shops, shops, and shops

Need to buy something? Ginza is your district! From exclusive shops of the most recognizable brands all over the world to the largest Uniqlo store in the world. Explore the nearby alleys to the main streets, there are some hidden culinary gems, it was there where I had one of my favorite ramen bowls (perfect price-quality relationship), exactly here.

Make sure to visit the Tokyu Plaza Ginza, one of the largest shopping centers in Japan, and with a fantastic view from its completely free viewing point! (see Tokyo free viewpoints below)

Shibuya, the scramble crossing

Despite not being my favorite neighborhood, it is impossible to make a list of the best free things to do and see in Tokyo without mentioning the Shibuya crossing. Known as the busiest crossing in the world, it is a must-visit spot for any first-time Japan visitor.

If you are a fan of the Hachi: a dog’s tale movie, there is a statue of Hachiko at one of the ends of the crossing. Look for the queue of people taking waiting to take a photo with a dog statue!

Admire its towers and find free viewpoints

Tokyo is massive, more than what words can describe. It is an endless jungle of concrete that extends as far as your eyes can see. Watching the city from above is one of the essential things to do in Tokyo. However, most of its tallest viewpoints are not free, and neither cheap. Moreover, what is the point of getting to the top of a tower if the view of the tower is the attraction itself? With this in my mind, I firmly recommend going to the top of one of Japan’s free observatories and get views of the other towers from other viewpoints. There are my favorite free viewpoints and (not free) towers to see in Tokyo.

Government metropolitan building

This is the FREE one and the one I recommend the most. Not only it has a fantastic view over the city, but it is also a very beautiful building from below, especially because of its symmetry.

Luck will play a very important role in what you see. From views over Mount Fuji on very clear days to just fog and pollution on overcast conditions. Either way, it is worth going up, as it is free!

Tokyo tower

Eiffel Tower meets Japan. This would be one of the ways to describe the Tokyo Tower. It is not the tallest in Tokyo, but it is my favorite one. Due to its color, it makes sense to visit it both during day and night, while others (Sky Tree below), are most enjoyable during night time.

SkyTree

Japan’s tallest building is the Tokyo Sky Tree. With a total of 634 meters, it can be seen from almost every point in the Asakusa area. It is very expensive to climb to the top, so unless you didn’t enjoy the Government Metropolitan building views, admire it from below! After sunset, it lightens up, and on special occasions, there are light shows.

Shibu Niwa

Despite being a free place to visit, to understand the magnitude of the activity of the Shibuya crossing, it has to be seen from above. There are plenty of viewpoints to do it, but not many of them are free. My favorite one is Shibu Niwa, a public “garden” at the top of a nearby building. Although it might look like you are trespassing, don’t be afraid, take the elevator to the 17th floor of the Tokyu Plaza (Shibuya), and enjoy the views over the crossing for free!

Tokyu Plaza Ginza

Another Tokyu Plaza building to visit is the one located in Ginza. Not only it is a fantastic shopping area, but it has amazing views from its open-air terrace. Like all the viewpoints mentioned here, it is completely free!

The cultural and spiritual side: temples & shrines

Tokyo is not only a futuristic / neon-light vibes city. It is also full of history, and one of the best ways to understand it is by visiting its temples. These are probably the 2 most well-known Tokyo temples, completely free to see and visit.

Meiji Jingu shrine

This shrine is exactly at the heart of Harajuku and next to the Yoyogi park. As a shrine, it is not the most beautiful one in Japan. However, it has a very special vibe. Dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken its entrance is indicated by an enormous torii, followed by a long path that ends up leading to the shrine itself. On this path, there are the famous sake barrels and the less famous (nut equally interesting) wine barrels. Visiting the shrine is free, although for the gardens a small fee is charged (500 yen).

Senso-Ji temple

Tokyo’s oldest temple is also one of its top free attractions. Located in the heart of Asakusa, it is an iconic spot, perfect to visit both during day and night time. Enjoy the alley that leads to the temple, full of souvenir shops, and for an aerial view of the temple, head to the Asakusa Tourism and Culture Centre and take the elevator to the 7th floor.

Architecture & modern attractions: the best free spots

Among my favorite free (and non-free) things to see and do in Tokyo, its modern architecture and other curious attractions are very high on the list. Weird buildings are everywhere, and it is possible to get some unique experiences for free.

Samsung Harajuku

A non-free Tokyo attraction that is very well-known is the Borderless Team Lab Museum. Although I really recommend visiting it, another place where it is possible to get a modern (and very Instagrammable) experience is the Samsung Harajuku shop. Located within a walking distance of the Meiji Jingu Shrine, it has plenty of modern and very interesting experiences. My favorite one is the room full of mirrors with photos of your own Instagram feed projected on it. Crazy, right?

Tokyo International Forum

The Tokyo International Forum is a building that has nothing special from the outside. However, entering it is a whole new experience. I believe an image is worth a thousand words, so this is how the Tokyo International Forum looks like from inside. Take the elevator to get this view. Of course, it is free!

Tokyo has many free places to see and visit. It is possible to enjoy all the places above without spending a single yen. If you have any other free spot recommendations make sure to share them in the comments! What was your favorite one? What are you looking forward to visiting the most? Find more Japan travel guides here.

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