Enjoy free foot spas or amazing views of the cityscape and save money while you’re at it.
With soaring housing costs and relatively high-priced consumer goods, it is no wonder that Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
But having fun in this sprawling metropolis need not always involve huge amounts of cash if you know where to look. In fact, tourists can have a ball of a time at these 12 places without paying a single yen.
We have provided the nearest train stations to these attractions for convenience sake, and unless stated otherwise, the activities described below are available free of charge. But to avoid disappointment, remember to check out their respective official websites for details before departing.
1. Suntory Musashino Brewery
(Bubaigawara Station, Fuchuhommachi Station)
ご近所すぎてなかなか行く機会がなかった、府中のサントリー武蔵野ブルワリーで工場見学してきました。スチームパンク&近未来っぽさ、良い。 pic.twitter.com/GxbQuW2qEd
— 林あや (@Hayashi_AYA) November 19, 2018
Although prior reservation of the free tour is required, visitors get to learn about the intricate steps of beer making in this city brewery. You can sample and smell hops, peek into the bottling process, and best of all, partake in a session of beer tasting free of charge.
2. Coca-Cola East Japan Tama factory
(Kiyose Station, Higashi Kurume Station)
コカ・コーラ多摩工場に見学に来た!
60分程の見学と説明のコースだったが、
製造行程などが見れて勉強になった😄
後、瓶で飲むコーラって美味しいね🎵 pic.twitter.com/lEbkdKxKaa— ちくわぶ@仲晴キット隊長 (@tikuwa_bu_man) May 10, 2016
If you have children in tow, then a better option would be this Coca-Cola factory. Aside from being able to see how everyone’s favorite fizzy beverage is bottled, you can see various other products like coffee or tea cans being made. Here you can sample some Coca-Cola for free, too, and in glass bottles no less!
3. Kamiyacho Open Terrace in Komyoji
(Kamiyacho Station)
神谷町駅近くにある光明寺さんです。
境内には写真のようなオープンテラスがあります。
食べ物、飲み物持込OKで、散歩中の休憩に助かります。
今度はお客様にもご案内しようと思います。 pic.twitter.com/L25O9L4gFd— TOKYO歩るっく (@TOKYO_alook) December 26, 2018
Open from spring to autumn, visitors to this airy temple terrace can enjoy free tea, coffee and sweets while listening to the preaching of Buddhist monks.
4. Kimchi Museum
(Yotsuya Sanchome Station)
本日は #韓国 の #仁寺洞 というところにある、#ミュージアムキムチ間 という博物館をご紹介します🇰🇷
この博物館は韓国の食品メーカーの #プルムウォン によって運営されています。#キムチ の作り方や歴史を、タッチパネルなどを通して楽しく学ぶことができ、また本物のキムチも展示されています! pic.twitter.com/wJY8UclECq— クロスカルチャー研究会 (@cross_culture_k) September 28, 2018
Many people love kimchi, Korea’s signature preserved vegetable dish, but not many know its deep history or how to actually make it. Learn all of this and more at the Kimchi Museum.
5. Japanese Traditional Boat Ride
(Toyocho Station, Sumiyoshi Station)
【和船乗船体験】
2015年12月〜2016年2月 毎週日曜日
10時~14時15分までに要受付
横十間川親水公園・海砂橋際(東京都江東区)
無料https://t.co/VNm3KZw6pu pic.twitter.com/cLzTy5S02Q— にゃんとこ (@nyantokonyan) December 2, 2015
Experience how ancient Japanese people traveled along rivers on traditional boats in Yokojukken Gawa Shinsui Park. A total of seven boats are available, each making a 20-minute round trip down a river for a tranquil ride like no other.
6. Shimizuike Park
(Gakugei Daigaku Station, Musashi Koyama Station)
清水池公園
つり日和 pic.twitter.com/XtXMZnQUdu— デリカシー細井 (成人済み) (@posoi) May 14, 2013
Very few parks in the city allow fishing, but if catching Japanese carp is your idea of fun, then look no further than this popular spot.
7. Asukayama Koen Monorail
(Oji Station)
開業9年目の飛鳥山公園モノレール。満開の桜に彩られた都内最低峰の飛鳥山山頂(25.4m)を目指し、満員のアスカルゴが445‰の急勾配をゆっくりと登って行く。これが無料で乗れるとは🌸 pic.twitter.com/mydeEIzSXV
— 電車を撮ろう。 (@tentenw) March 31, 2018
This free monorail will take visitors from the entrance of Asukayama park to the top of the hill in two minutes, and though the ride may be rather short, the wheelchair-accessible cabin is outfitted with heating and air conditioning for a comfortable ride.
8. Komorebi no Ashiyu
(Higashiyamatoshi Station, Tamagawa Josui Station)
こもれびの足湯:玉川上水沿いにある足湯
この時期に毎年無料開放していて毎年お世話になってます!
寒い時期に嬉しいぴったりな場所です!😃 #ミックウェア pic.twitter.com/7aaNp5b79H— とうや@ガオラー (@toukunLGM) November 26, 2016
After a long day’s walk, this little foot spa is the perfect place to rest tired feet. Underground piping draws up mineral water, which has been warmed up with excess heat from an incinerator. Once you have revitalized yourself, a walk on the nearby pebble pathway will do wonders.
9. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Room
(Tochomae Station)
いい景色だね #東京都庁 #展望室 #夕陽 #富士山 #東京スカイツリー #東京タワー pic.twitter.com/VRku5isfHb
— お さ か な や さ ん 🤐 💌 🐟 (@o_sakanayasan) January 8, 2019
Enjoy the spectacular panoramic view of Tokyo city afforded by this observation room located 202 meters (662 feet) high. If the weather is clear, which is often the case in winter, you can even see the iconic Mt. Fuji from here.
10. Imperial Palace
(Otemachi Station, Nijubashimae Station)
皇居⑧《桔梗門(内桜田門)》
— 寺井 半兵衛 (@historyTeraiHan) January 2, 2019
江戸城本丸南口の通用門。枡形門。慶長19(1614)年、桔梗濠沿いの石垣は元和6(1620)年造築。#皇居 #江戸城
1枚目:桔梗濠と門
2枚目:枡形内から見た櫓門
3枚目奥:枡形内から見た高麗門
4枚目:濠内側から見た櫓門 pic.twitter.com/heddRbLyyQ
Take free one-hour guided tours of the Imperial grounds starting from Kikyomon Gate and to various history-steeped locations within. Held in both English and Japanese, prior registration for the tours are a must.
11. Jidayubori Park Conserved Traditional Houses
(Seijogakuen Mae Station)
おはようございます。
昨日のお散歩
🍂次大夫堀公園 民家園🍂
秋の山里 🍁❓
みたいでしょ😊
東京もようやく紅葉の季節🍁 pic.twitter.com/1zh6pa21Jk— 浅間しおん (@shuna2004) November 27, 2018
Authentic traditional houses preserved through the ages, these relics of the past offer a peek into the lives of those in the Edo Period. Many primitive tools and items are also showcased here, whisking people back into an ancient Japan seldom seen.
12. Meiji University Museum
(Ochanomizu Station, Jimbocho Station)
御茶ノ水の明治大学博物館『中国革命宣伝画廊展』油断して行ったら部屋中を埋め尽くす凄いボリュームで鼻血が出そうに。革命初期からの宣伝画、革命劇ポスター、書籍バッヂ、文革期の北京の道路名地図などなど…入場無料で写真撮り放題、30日までなので、今日行ける人は今日行って!17時まで開いてます pic.twitter.com/ga7Y5KP8UJ
— 在華坊 (@zaikabou) January 28, 2018
Amassing huge collections of historical artifacts, one would have thought that access to this treasure trove would require a fee at least. But for the grand entrance fee of zero yen, its impressiveness is such that it has been featured on television programs multiple times.
Tokyo may be an expensive place to live and explore, but perhaps it is due to its immense size that we can find little pockets of secrets to enjoy for free. But if you long to explore the rest of Japan without breaking the bank, we too have an exhaustive list for you to peruse.
Top image: ©SoraNews24
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