Best Free Things to do in Tokyo
Japan is a country that is a testimony of modernity and tradition. From towering skyscrapers to historic temples and bustling cities to the most serene of environments, the country has it all. And its capital city Tokyo is its pinnacle. In this article, we will look at the best free things you can do during your next visit to the city. Make sure to stick to the end for a special Tokyo travel tip.
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- Visit the Imperial Palace:
Right in the heart of Tokyo city is the Emperor of Japan’s castle: The Imperial Palace. Yes! You heard it right. That’s where the King of Japan lives. Imperial Palace is a huge area, spread across 1.15 square kilometers, roughly 15 times bigger than the White House. While the main palace remains private only to the royal family, outdoor gardens are free to explore to the public. The East gardens, Kokyo Gaien National Garden, and Kitanomaru Park are amazing free spaces you can enjoy. They are easily accessible from the train stations nearby.
If you want to get closer to the actual palace, you can request a guided tour online. It starts from Kikyomon Gate and takes you through the Imperial Household Agency, Palace Porch, Nijubashi Bridge, and back out through Kikyomon again. The tour happens twice daily, and the tickets are extremely limited. You have to request it through their website. And yes, it’s free.
2. View Tokyo city from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building:
Did you know you can have one of the best views of Tokyo city from a government building? That too for free? It happens only in Japan. Tokyo Metropolitan Building is a 202 meters (662 ft) high skyscraper with two observatories, one in each tower, on the 45th floor. It is the highest you can get in the city for free.
It’s your go-to place if you want free admission, few lines, a fast elevator, helpful customer service, and no time restrictions at the top. You can see 360-degree views of the city, and if you’re lucky, Mount Fuji is visible in the distance on a clear day. I recommend visiting here at sunset. Tokyo truly comes to life when it’s night. Watching the transition from above is really magical.
3. Experience the Shibuya Crossing:
We just said that Tokyo comes alive at night. And what best place to see it than at the Shibuya Crossing? It’s Japan’s most iconic landmark, located just outside Shibuya Station. All the lights turn red simultaneously, and as many as 3000 people scramble to cross this iconic intersection.
You can sit at the Starbucks on the second floor, just across the station, and see people moving in all directions. If you want to feel the rush, go up there and mingle with the crowd. And did you know it has been featured in movies like Lost in Translation and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift?
4. Window Shopping at Ginza:
New York has 5th Avenue, Paris has the Champs-Élysées, and Tokyo has Ginza. It is home to any high-end luxury brands that you can think of. If you are a shopping fanatic, it’s heaven for you. There are also reasonably-priced shops like Uniqlo and GU if you wanna do shopping. Even if you are not a shopper, Ginza has many things to do. You can go window shopping for the exquisite items on display. The neighborhood is an arts hub housing over 200 galleries and theaters.
What’s the best time to visit here? After dusk through the night. Each building has its architectural quality, and when they light up, it looks fantastic.
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5. Watch the Sakura Season:
What best place to watch the cherry blossom than Tokyo? During late March and early April, Tokyo parks look magnetic, with pink cherry flowers blooming all over, called the Sakura season. The peak blooming period is called Hanami, which lasts only for a week. You can expect Tokyo parks to be crowded during this period.
Where to watch the cherry blooms? Ueno Park, Chidorigafuchi park, Inokashira Park, Yoyogi Park, and Asukayama Park are some free parks to watch the cherries bloom. While it might be hard to get a space at the park, you can have a romantic picnic with your partner under the full-blooming cherry trees if you do manage to get it.
6. Visit the Chureito Pagoda:
You can see the pagoda in Tokyo’s iconic pictures with Mt. Fuji in the background. It’s considered to be one of the best pagodas in Tokyo, and it is absolutely free to explore. It is a five-storied pagoda on the mountainside overlooking Fujiyoshida City and Mount Fuji off in the distance. Climb 400 steps from the Arakura Sengen Shrine main area up to the viewing deck. Once at the summit, you can experience the breathtaking beauty of the area and take photos of the Pagoda with Mount Fuji in the background and think of yourself to be a pro photographer.
Getting here is easy. Arakura Sengen Shrine is a ten-minute walk from Shimo-Yoshida Station along the Fujikyu Railway Line. The pagoda is an additional five-minute walk up the hill.
💡 A bonus tip on when the best season is to visit Tokyo. March and April and September and November are considered to be the best time for your travel. You not only skip the crowded summer but also get to watch either peak spring or peak autumn. Cherry flowers are in full bloom during spring, and the fall foliage is at its peak during autumn. It’s up to you which one you like.
So these are the top free things to do in Tokyo. There are many other fantastic free things to do, but let’s keep them for future articles. Which one of these did you like the most? Let me know in the comments. Have a good day. Keep traveling!!!