Traveling to Tokyo on a budget this 2024? Check out this list of free things to do, tourist spots, and best places to visit in Tokyo, Japan!
Tokyo is the bustling capital of Japan. It is considered as "one of the most visited cities" and the "most heavily populated metropolitan area in the world." There are plenty of things that you can do and tourist spots to visit in Tokyo, Japan. In this Tokyo Travel Guide, I listed some of the interesting places to visit, paid attractions and experiences, and some free things to do in Tokyo, Japan. Whether your a first-timer or not, I hope this will help you plan your Tokyo DIY Itinerary for an amazing and memorable trip to Japan.
Things to do, Tourist Spots and Attractions in Tokyo Japan 2024
1. Experience the madness of the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Many people consider that the busiest intersection in the world is the Shibuya Crossing. As a matter of fact, during peak hours, people crossing this intersection could reach to over a thousand. It is so popular in Tokyo for visiting tourist that you should not forget to experience walking or crossing this famous Shibuya Crossing during your stay.
Nearest Station: Shibuya
Admission: Free
Travel Tip: To get a top view of Shibuya Crossing, you can go up to the Starbucks Coffee Shop Tsutaya and enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the scramble crossing from the windows of the coffee shop. If you don't want to spend for a coffee, you can also go up the mall next to the train station near Hachiko Memorial Statue.
SHIBUYA SKY
You may also experience the 360-degree panoramic view of SHIBUYA SKY, an observation area on top of Shibuya Scramble Square rising 229m above Shibuya. On the rooftop, observe Tokyo from the "Sky Edge," where you can look down at the cityscape without any obstruction. It is a great photo spot! Shibuya Sky is the only place in Tokyo where you can have a 360 panoramic view of all the major spots in Tokyo, such as Mt. Fuji, the national stadium, Tokyo Skytree, the scramble crossing, Roppongi Hills, etc.
2. Have a photo with Hachiko
Hachiko statue is a bronze statue erected in memory of the loyal Akita dog named Hachiko. The statue is located in front of Shibuya Station where Hachiko is patiently waiting for his owner every day to come back from work. Unfortunately, his owner died but Hachiko remained loyal and continued to wait at the station for 10 years until his last breath. This true to life story became a legend, and it became more popular around the world when a movie was created to tell the story of this loyal Akita dog.
Nearest Station: Shibuya
Admission: Free
3. Visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji Jingu Shrine is located near Harajuku Station in Tokyo. It is a Shinto shrine that is devoted to the sacred spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. Meiji Jingu Shrine is a 70 hectares forest, where 120,000 trees of 365 different species were planted and donated by the people of Japan when the shrine was established. Admission is free and is open daily.
Nearest Station: Harajuku (JR Yamanote Line)
Admission: Free
4. Stroll at Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo's largest city parks. It has a clean pond, wide lawns where you can comfortably sit, and forested areas where you can stroll. The park is a great place if you want to do outdoor activities such as biking, jogging, have picnics, and do sports like badminton, volleyball etc. Yoyogi Park is also popular for its ginkgo tree forest, which turns golden during the autumn season. You can also find some cherry blossoms here during spring time.
Nearest Station: Harajuku (JR Yamanote Line)
Admission: Free
5. Summon your inner Otaku addiction at Akihabara
Akihabara is a district in Tokyo that is popular because it has plenty electronic shops lining up its streets. As years passed by, it gained more attention especially to Otaku (diehard fan of anime and manga) as they have countless shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga. Many anime lovers are dreaming to visit this place at least once in a lifetime.
Nearest Station: Akihabara
Admission: Free
6. Enjoy a bowl of Ramen
Who would not love ramen? Ramen is a well-known dish in Japan and is loved by many around the world. There are numerous restaurants that offer ramen in other countries but the experience of eating an authentic ramen in Japan is a different story.
7. Climb the world’s tallest tower - Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower located in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo Skytree is considered as the world's tallest tower with a height of 634.0 meters (2,080 ft) above the ground. It has a lot to offer. Aside from enjoying the view from the observation deck which is absolutely stunning, you can also enjoy other activities at the tower. That includes an intense 3D space with a 360-degree panoramic view, lightening of the tower, a restaurant that is 345 meters up, and a wide variety of original merchandise available at the shop.
Nearest Station: Tokyo Skytree Station
ALSO READ: TOKYO SKYTREE: Blog, How to Get There, Ticket Prices, Travel Tips and More!
For ease and convenience, I recommend the following if you want to see the city of Tokyo from above:
- TOKYO SKYTREE® & Sumida Aquarium Combo Ticket
- Roppongi Hills Observation Deck ”Tokyo City View“
- SHIBUYA SKY Observation Deck
8. Take a picture at the Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is communication and observation tower located in Shiba-Koen district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is the second tallest structure in Japan with a height of 332.9 meters (1,092 ft) above the ground. The structure is Eiffel-inspired but is 13 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower.
Nearest Stations:
- Akabanebashi Station on the Oedo Subway Line
- Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya Subway Line
9. Visit the Tokyo Imperial Palace
The Tokyo Imperial Palace is where the Emperor of Japan lives. It is located at Chiyoda ward of Tokyo. The place has many buildings inside and it consists of museums, private residences of the Imperial Family, main palace, and administrative offices. If you like to visit historical places, then drop by at the Tokyo Imperial Palace.
Nearest Stations: Tokyo Station (Marunouchi Central Exit), Otemachi Station (Exit D2), or Nijubashi-mae Station (Exit 6).
10. Visit different museums at Ueno Park
Ueno Park is a huge public park situated near Ueno Station in central Tokyo. It is popular because of its many museums inside the park. Some of its museums include National Museum for Western Art, Tokyo National Museum, and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Aside from that, it is also the home of the first zoological garden in Japan - the Ueno Zoo. Admission is free for the park. But there is an admission fee if you want to visit the museums.
Nearest Station: Ueno Station
11. Visit the Senso-Ji Temple in Asakusa
Asakusa Kannon Temple, also known as Senso-Ji Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. The temple is popular in Tokyo and is considered as one of the most visited attractions in Tokyo. Many tourists go here to see the Asakusa Shrine that was built in the year 1649 by Tokugawa Iemitsu. This is also a good place for souvenir shopping.
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station
Admission: Free
12. Enjoy at the Tokyo Disneyland Resort
They say Disneyland is "the happiest place on Earth." So if you are in Tokyo, do not miss the chance to experience Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea which is one of its kind in the world. Go shopping, enjoy the rides, watch live performances, meet your favorite Disney characters, watch the fireworks display, and get stunned with the beautiful float parade. You'll get to experience all of these when visiting Tokyo Disney Resort.
Nearest Station: JR Maihama Station (Keiyo Line)
ALSO READ: Top 10 Things You Should Not Miss at TOKYO DISNEYLAND + Tipid Travel Tips
TRAVEL TIP: You can skip the queue at the ticket booths and get discounted tickets by booking it via Klook.com.
13. See the Iconic Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji is an active volcano in Japan. It is included in the World Heritage List as a Cultural Site. If you're lucky, Mt. Fuji can be seen in some parts of Tokyo. In fact, you can get astonishing pictures of it even you are in Tokyo. The almost perfect cone of Mt. Fuji makes it so wonderful to stare and also a great background for your Instagram photos.
You can get up close to Mt. Fuji by getting a Mt. Fuji Tour. That's what we did and we got to climb up to the mountain's 4th station.
ALSO READ: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Tour from Tokyo
14. Avail a Hakone Day Tour
Hakone is 2 hours away from Tokyo if you are taking the train. But you can also join a Hakone day tour just like what we did. After visiting Mt. Fuji, we traveled to Hakone and cruised along Lake Ashi. We then took the Komagatake Ropeway to Fuji Hakone Isu National Park located on the summit of Mt. Komagatake which offers a magnificent views of Mt. Fuji and Lale Ashi. This is a tour you shouldn't miss when in Tokyo.
TRAVEL TIP:
To visit Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi, and Fuji Hakone Isu National Park, I highly recommend that you book your Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Tour via Klook.com. The packaged tour also includes transportation from Tokyo, lunch buffet, English-speaking guide, free unlimited WiFi onboard, and transportation back to Tokyo. With this packaged tour, all you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy your trip to Mt. Fuji and Hakone. You don't have to worry getting lost, how to get there, and where to eat - because everything is well-covered.
OTHER OPTIONS: Mt. Fuji Tours
- Mount Fuji Classic Route Day Tour from Tokyo Budget-friendly option!
- Mt. Fuji Flower Festival Tour with Mt. Kachi Kachi Ropeway Experience from Tokyo
- Mt. Fuji and Bright Red Kochia with Matsutake Mushroom Gozen & Fruits Basket
- Mt Fuji, Five-storied Pagoda, The Illumination & Riding Kachi-kachi Ropeway
15. Take a photo with the locals
Japanese people are widely known as the most disciplined people in the world. They are punctual, polite, respectful, hard-working, and repectful. On top of that, they are also kind and approachable. They would love to help you if you need some help. Japanese people are known to be shy, but they won't mind if you ask them a photo with you. It would be a great souvenir if you have photos with them as well as to remind you the great memories you had on your trip to Japan.
16. Experience the convenience of a Vending Machine
Vending machines are popular not only in Tokyo but to the whole country to the point that you can see it in all corners of Japan. Aside from that, they have the most creative vending machines where almost everything you can imagine has a vending machine. Some of the weird things you can find in a vending machine are flowers, sunglasses, ice cream, umbrellas, hot and cold drinks, and even toys!
17. Shop for Pasalubong and Souvenirs
Of course, your trip isn't complete without souvenirs! Filipinos are fond of asking "pasalubong' from friends and loved ones who are going to other places - especially abroad. We also love to collect souvenirs from different places as a remembrance of our trip. Some of the most recommended souvenirs from Japan are fans, chopsticks, yukata, furoshiki, figurines, incense, ref magnets, and mamny more!
18. Ride the trains
Rail transport is the major transportation in Japan. Their trains are undeniably great and advanced in technology. The best example of it are their bullet train also known as Shinkansen trains. The bullet trains offer the passengers an unforgettable experience with speeds reaching up to 320 km/hr. Taking the bullet train is so expensive. But if you have a JR Pass, you can have unlimited train ride, which also includes the Shinkansen. The JR Pass is very useful and an economical way to travel around Japan. So, don't miss to have one, especially if you're traveling from one city to another.
But if you're traveling to only one city - let's say Tokyo - an unlimited Tokyo Subway Pass is what you need. Since you'll be taking the train most of the time to around the city, this card will give you unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
19. Walk around
Tokyo is certainly safe and walk-able city. Walking is ideal here to enjoy the clean surroundings. Tourists are confident to walk alone even in the busiest streets of Japan because it is no secret that Tokyo is listed as one of the safest cities in the world. As a matter of fact, you'll see bicycles parked without any locks on it and it is ordinary to leave your bicycles unattended without the risk of losing it.
20. Learn a few Japanese words
Japanese words are beautiful and interesting to study. During your vacation at Tokyo, it is more fun if you can learn a few Japanese words from the locals. Do not hesitate to ask them politely as they are very approachable and kind.
Here's a list of the basic Japanese words and phrases for travelers to Japan
- sumimasen - to say excuse me / call the staff in a restaurant or shop
- doko- where?
- wakarimasen- I don't understand
- ohayou gozaimasu- Good morning
- konnichiwa- hello
- konbanwa - Good evening
- arigatou gozaimasu- Thank you
- domo arigatou gozaimasu- Thank you very much
- ikura desuka?- How much is it?
- wi-fi arimasuka?- Do you have Wi-fi?
- dÅzo- please
- gomennasai- sorry
- hai- yes / best translated "I'm satisfied"
These are only a few of so many exciting and interesting things to do when traveling to Tokyo, Japan. First-timer or not, I hope it will help you plan your trip because you deserve to explore the beauty of this amazing city and make the most out of it.
ALSO READ:
Tokyo Travel Essentials
- 4G WiFi Device or a Japan 4G SIM Card for your Instagram moments and also for navigating the streets of Tokyo.
- Tokyo Subway Ticket for unlimited subway ride to get to Tokyo's famous tourist spots and attractions. Discover the sights of Tokyo with a 1, 2 or 3 day unlimited pass.
- Japan Rail Pass for 7 days unlimited travel around Japan including bullet trains!
Cheap Flights to Japan
Local airlines such Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines, and Air Asia Philippines, and other international airlines have daily flights from Manila to Tokyo (Narita and Haneda), Osaka, and Nagoya, Japan.
ALSO READ: Japan Visa Requirements and Application Process
This article was first published on April 2018 and was updated several times.
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