
Today (October 1) is Citizen’s Day in Tokyo, celebrating the independence and welfare of the area’s residents. And what better way to do that than by giving them free access to over 20 of Tokyo’s cultural attractions from museums to art galleries to gardens and even zoos.
Now, considering it’s Citizen’s Day you might be thinking that such a deal is only open to people living in Tokyo, but no! Anyone who can get out here today and today only can get free admission to the following places.
Zoos and Aquariums
Ueno Zoo
Tama Zoological Park
Inokashira Park Zoo
Port of Tokyo Wild Bird Park
Tokyo Sea Life Park
Botanical Parks
Jindai Botanical Gardens
Yumenoshima Tropical Greenhouse Dome Park Administration
Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens
Art and History Museums
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
Edo-Tokyo Museum (regular exhibits only)
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Musem (garden entrance fee)
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Thematic Exhibitions only)
Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo
Gardens
Hama-rikyu Garden
Rikugien Garden
Kiyosumi Garden
Kyu-Shiba-rikyu Garden
Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Garden
Kyu-Furukawa Garden
Koshikawa Korakuen Garden
Tonogayato Garden
Again, these 21 places listed above are not only offering free admission to Tokyo citizens but to people from everywhere. So, if you’re in one of the neighboring prefectures like Saitama feel free to hop a train in and take advantage of these deals. And even if you just happen to be visiting from abroad, today is your lucky day!
There are also other locations around Tokyo celebrating Citizens Day with special deals such as the Arakawa Amusement Park giving general admission for free. Asakusa’s Hanayashiki is even giving some limited free admission to special Tokyo-based work or study groups.
So if you’re planning to do anything in Tokyo today, check and see if you can get a Citizen’s Day deal too!
▼ “Citizen’s Day, October First Ueno Zoo is open with free admission! Of course we offer free admission to non-residents too!”
上野動物園開園しました\(^o^)/
— 上野動物園[公式] (@UenoZooGardens) September 30, 2015
モォ~、9月も終わりですね。ちなみに、明日10月1日は「都民の日」で、上野動物園は無料開園日ですよ!モォ~ちろん、都民じゃなくても無料でご入園いただけます。 pic.twitter.com/YXm4Rf8vAI
▼ “October First is Citizen’s Day, so admission is free. Also check for more events this month!”
【多摩動物公園のご案内】
— 日野市観光協会 (@hinonavi) September 30, 2015
明日10月1日(木)は都民の日で、入園料が無料。10月から催し物がいろいろと開催されますので、詳しい情報はコチラ⇒http://t.co/7KlvXKbR2R pic.twitter.com/fUssrqih2K
▼ “October First is Citizen’s Day. Everyone, citizen or not, can get free admission! Please come to our garden.”
【旧岩崎邸庭園】10月1日(木)は、都民の日。都民の皆様も都民ではない皆様も、入園料無料でご入園できます!!是非、ご来園ください。 pic.twitter.com/QtoV3I5s29
— 都立庭園 園長の採れたて情報 (@ParksTeien) September 29, 2015
Source: Tokyo Metropolitan Government [1], [2] Twitter/@UenoZooGardens, Arakawa Amusement Park, Hanayashiki
Original Article by Meg Sawaii
[ Read in Japanese ]

The top 20 places to visit in Tokyo, as chosen by travelers
Visiting Ueno Zoo for the first time as an adult shows our reporter the true appeal of the place
Tokyo National Museum seeking donations to pave over pond, create space for beer and music events
Traveling to Japan on a budget – the best FREE places to visit in the country
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Japan has a cute Pokémon menu you probably don’t know about yet
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Tokyo has a cafe lounge that’s for negative people only
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
The Times They are a-Changin’: Our reporter reflects on the changing landscape of Ebisu
Starbucks Japan offers special sakura picnics at Reserve Roastery Tokyo beside Meguro River
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Mister Donut unveils new sakura doughnuts for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Temples, views and whiskey — TripAdvisor releases its Top 20 “Free Attractions in Japan” in 2015
Japan’s 20 best free sightseeing spots
Guinea pigs in Tokyo zoo get pampered in the cutest video of 2020
Tokyo’s Ghibli museum to reopen this month, but only for one group of people
Small trees, big beauty await at Japan’s Bonsai Art Museum【Photos】
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Japan’s best rose gardens to visit in 2025
Harry Potter permanent exhibition museum to open in Tokyo
Tokyo’s coolest open-air museum gets even cooler with hot summer nights event
No Ghibli Museum, Tokyo Disneyland, or Universal Studios Japan as coronavirus closures extend
Bill Gates effect works its magic at Parasitological Museum in Tokyo
TeamLab Planets: Walk up a waterfall and catch koi fish at new digital art museum in Tokyo
Japanese village converted into gorgeous open-air museum makes an easy day-trip escape from Tokyo
Free Admission – Twelve of Tokyo’s Best Kept Secrets
Crimson-covered Hitachi Seaside Park: Beautiful, awesome, and easy to get to from Tokyo【Photos】
We check out the local flavors of the commonly confused Ome and Aomi areas of Tokyo in one day