Japan is not one of those cheap budget-friendly Asian countries – things here are a little more expensive.
Overall, I’d say it’s on par with Australia. So having a few free things to do in Tokyo to sprinkle in amongst all the other activities can really help with the budget.
Here are some ideas we tried during our recent trip to Tokyo that won’t cost a cent (or just a few yen if you feel like donating).
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Shrines & Temples
You could fill a whole trip with shrines and temples in Tokyo and still not see them all. Many are free to enter, though some have small museum sections or gardens that may charge a fee. Here are four we visited:
- Sensō-ji Temple – Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, located in Asakusa. The shopping street leading up to it (Nakamise-dori) is also worth a wander.
- Meiji Shrine – Tucked into a forested area beside Yoyogi Park, this Shinto shrine feels worlds away from the busy streets of Harajuku just outside.
- Konno Hachimangu Shrine – A quiet little find in Shibuya with beautiful trees and stone lanterns — and barely a tourist in sight.
- Gōtokuji Temple (Cat Temple) – Said to be the birthplace of the maneki-neko (beckoning cat). You’ll find hundreds of cat statues dotted around the temple grounds.
Free Walking Tours
Okay, these are not entirely free, but they are cheap and a great way to get to know Tokyo.
We did three free (tips-based) walking tours and found them all worthwhile – two were especially good.
- Tokyo Free Walking Tour – Asakusa
- Explore Shibuya, Harajuku and Meiji shrine
- Shinjuku Night Tour: Discover the Hidden Secrets of Tokyo
You can find even more free walking tours – and reserve your place on these ones – on Guruwalk.
If you’d rather explore at your own pace, try a walking tour app like GPSmyCity which offers free self-guided routes through some of Tokyo’s most popular areas.
Tour the Tokyo Stock Exchange
One of my followers suggested this – it was something that wouldn’t have crossed my mind, but I decided to give it a go. Unfortunately, when we got there it was closed for the day!
If you want to check it out for your trip, you can find the info here >> Tokyo Stock Exchange Tours
Tokyo City Views
I’m sure there are dozens of places in Tokyo where you can enjoy free views over the city. Here are a few we visited:
- Asakusa Culture Tourist Centre Observation Terrace – Opposite the main entrance to Sensō-ji Temple, this 8th-floor terrace gives you lovely views over the temple complex and Tokyo SkyTree. Just enter the information centre and take the lift straight up.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – Head to the 45th floor for 360-degree views across Tokyo. On a clear day (not the case for us!) you can even see Mt Fuji in the distance.
- Shibuya Scramble from Starbucks – Get a bird’s eye view of the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing. We went to the Starbucks overlooking the crossing. Don’t expect a comfy seat – this is a grab-a-coffee, snap-a-photo and move on kind of place. It was the only time in Tokyo we walked with food or drink – something generally frowned upon here.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Light Show
If you’re planning to visit the Government Building for the city views, I recommend going around sunset.
Not only could you catch some golden hour light, but afterwards there’s a light show projected onto the buildings, so you may as well stay for that.
Explore the Neighbourhoods
Honestly, I could (and did) keep busy for days just wandering the streets of different Tokyo neighbourhoods.
Each one has its own vibe, and simply walking around is a great way to soak up the culture – no ticket required.
- Shinjuku – A lively mix of skyscrapers, shopping centres, alleyway bars and neon lights. Visit Omoide Yokocho or Golden Gai for old-school atmosphere.
- Shibuya – Home to that famous scramble crossing, huge fashion stores, quirky cafés and youth culture.
- Asakusa – A more traditional part of Tokyo with old-world charm, famous for Sensō-ji Temple and rickshaw rides through the historic streets.
- Ginza – Upscale shopping, glossy department stores, and luxury boutiques. Even if you’re not buying, the architecture and window displays are worth a look.
- Harajuku – The place for bold fashion, colourful sweets, and Takeshita Street’s buzzing teen energy. Step into Yoyogi Park or Meiji Shrine nearby for a calmer contrast.
- Akihabara – Tokyo’s hub for anime, manga, gaming and all things electronic. Great fun to browse even if you’re not a die-hard fan.
Three More I Didn’t Get To
While I didn’t make it to these, you might be able to fit them into your itinerary
Browse Toyosu Fish Market (Without a Tour)
While the inner market of Tsukiji has moved to Toyosu, parts of the fish market are still open to the public for free.
There’s an observation gallery where you can watch the famous tuna auctions (go early!), plus a rooftop garden with views of Tokyo Bay.
Visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens
The Imperial Palace itself isn’t open to the public, but the East Gardens are — and they’re completely free.
These beautifully maintained gardens sit within the old outer walls of Edo Castle and make a peaceful escape from the buzz of the city.
You’ll see stone walls, moats, historic guardhouses, seasonal flowers, and expansive lawns. They’re open most days, but closed Mondays and Fridays — no booking needed.
Yoyogi Park on the Weekend
We wandered through Yoyogi Park on our walking tour, but didn’t get to see it on the weekend.
Yoyogi Park is a green oasis in the city, and on weekends it becomes a gathering place for all sorts of local groups – think cosplayers, street performers, dance troupes, and musicians.
It’s a great place to see Tokyoites just doing their thing.
I Hope That Helps with Your Tokyo Budget!
You don’t have to spend big to enjoy this incredible city.
Mix in some of these free activities with your bucket list experiences and you’ll get the best of both worlds – culture, views, quirky finds, and a bit more room in your wallet for ramen, souvenirs or that once-in-a-lifetime splurge.
TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Find flights – I always use Skyscanner as my starting point when searching for flights. One search will give many options including airlines I may not have thought of. This means I can find the best possible flights to suit my needs
Book accommodation – my go to is always Booking.com for the best places to stay. It’s not just hotels anymore, but hostels, apartments, B&Bs and more. I love that the bookings are usually cancellable, and that I can book now and pay later.
Hire a rental car – RentalCars.com is my go to here. It allows me to do just one search and it finds cars from many of the different supplies, so no checking multiple websites to compare.
Get travel insurance – you would have heard by now that saying “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel”. If we’ve learnt anything from the last couple of years it should be how essential travel insurance is. I use CoverMore for my insurance.
Pick up an eSIM – I tried an eSIM on my last trip and it was fantastic. I set it up before I went so it was ready as soon as I landed, and I still had access to my home number for emergencies. Get your own eSIM at Airalo.
Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator and Get Your Guide tend to be the first places I look. In Asia, Klook often has more options, and in Australia it’s Experience Oz.
Manage your money – the best way to manage your different currencies is with an account from Wise. You can hold money in many different currencies, and use them with the ATM card or from your phone.
