17 Best Things To Do In Tokyo On A Budget | Expatolife (2024)

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a must-visit destination in the Land of the Rising Sun. However, a trip to Tokyo, or Japan in general, can be very costly.

How to have an awesome trip to Tokyo without spending all your money? What are the best things to do in Tokyo on a budget? Read here to find out.

Visit Senso-Ji Temple

I came here a couple of times on my trips to Tokyo. Sensoji temple is the largest and oldest temple in Tokyo, built in645.

From the outer gate –Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) – to the temple’s second gate, a 200-meter long shopping street named Nakamise leads to the temple.

Nakamise has a lot of beautiful products to offer and different Japanese food to try.

Before entering the main temple, you should wash your hands in the traditional Japanese way. The purpose of this is to both wash away the dirt from the physical body and cleanse the spirit of sins and transgressions.

Senso-Ji temple is always full of tourists in the morning, so you could try to avoid the crowds by visiting at night.

How to get to Sensoji temple?

Sensoji Temple is located just a few steps from Asakusa Station. You can get there by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line, and Tobu Railways.

Note: I stayed at The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon, so it took only 2 minutes to get to Senso-Ji temple.

Admission fee: Free

Open hours:

• Main hall: 6 am ~ 5 pm (from 6:30 am from October to March)
• Temple grounds: Always open

Tips: The best way to explore the old Asakusa and Senso-Ji temple is while wearing a kimono. You can experience what it’s like to wear an authentic kimono while strolling the historic streets of Asakusa.

Stay at the “Bookstore”

Have you ever dreamed of staying in a bookstore?

You can do it NOW atBook and Bed Hostel.Book and Bed Tokyo is a great place for book lovers and travelers seeking an extraordinary experience.

Books are in plentiful supply in these hostels, and the wide variety guarantees there’s something for everyone. Plus, you can order a bagel and maybe a drink or two while enjoying a brilliant book.

What is better than sipping tasty co*cktails, listening to lovely, relaxing music while reading some books?

Get a breathtaking view from Tokyo Skytree

Viewing the city from Tokyo Skytree is a great way to get a sense of Tokyo’s size, scope, and layout.

As one of the highest towers in the world, Tokyo Skytree offers visitors panoramic views of the surrounding metropolis.

When the weather is clear (and if you’re lucky), you can even see Mt. Fuji on the distant horizon.

After visiting the observation deck, you should perhaps peruse the aisles of the shopping complex or visit the aquarium, both situated at the base of the tower.

Tips: If the line is long, you might consider paying extra to skip the line. The best time to visit Tokyo Skytree is around sunset, as this urban metropolis seamlessly transitions from day to night.

Why you should visit Tokyo Skytree

• Enjoy a stunning view of Tokyo in thesunset
• Take great photos of Tokyo from above
• Get a glimpse of Mount. Fuji
• Experience one of the world’s fastest elevators that takes you to the top like a rocket

How to get to Tokyo Skytree?

If you are around the Asakusa area, you can easily walk to Tokyo Skytree by crossing the Sumida River. Alternatively, you can get toTokyo Skytree Stationon the Tobu Isesaki Line or Oshiage Stationon the Asakusa Subway Line, Hanzomon Subway Line,and Keisei Oshiage Line.

Admission fee:Entrance fee:2060 yen(1st observatory, regular);1030 yen(2nd observatory); +510 yenfor reservations in advance

Open hours:8 am ~ 9 pm

Tips for budget travelers

If you are traveling to Japan on a budget, you may be interested in viewing Tokyo from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku (FREE).

Note: Please read Japan On A Budget Guide for more budget tips.

Try sushi at Tsukiji Market

Tokyo is an ideal destination for travelers who love sushi.

Although the internal market of Tsukiji Market was closed on October 6, 2,018, and moved to a new site (Toyosu Market), the outer market of Tsukiji remains open.

With the fresh fish delivered directly from Toyosu Market, Tsukiji Outer Market is one of the best places in Tokyo to try sushi.

Breakfast or lunch at one of these local restaurants will undoubtedly provide a memorable experience on your trip to Tokyo.

Besides having different sushi restaurants, Tsukiji Outer Market has different shops selling seafood and other dishes on narrow roads.

How to get to the Tsukiji market?

You can get toTsukiji Station from Ginza station orTsukiji Shijo Station from Shinjuku station.

Admission fee: Free to enter the Tsukiji market

Open hours: 5 am ~ 2 pm (Closed on Sunday and National holidays)

Tips for budget travelers

If you are traveling to Tokyo on a budget, you might want to check out the Tsukiji market restaurants.

I had a tasty lunch at a lovely little restaurant named Sushi Katsura (すしかつら), and it was delightful and very affordable.

Chill at Ueno Park

Ueno is a lovely park located near Ueno Station in the heart of Tokyo with different sections, including a zoo. Ueno Park is home to numerous statues, shrines, and especially the beautiful Shinobazu Pond, where you can rent a boat and row around.

The beautiful trees and other surrounding nature make the park a remarkable place to escape the urban congestion of Tokyo.The tranquil serenity of this park offers a stark contrast to the outside commotion.

This park is a great spot to see Sakura – the infamous Japanese cherry blossom trees – in full glorious bloom during springtime.

Also, Ueno park has a great collection of museums that you cannot miss.

There are four museums, namely the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum for Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and the National Science Museum.

I had a lovely time atthe National Museum of Nature and Science on my first solo trip to Tokyo.

Admission fee: It’s free to enter the park, but you need to pay if you’d like to visit the Museums.

Open hours: 9:30 ~ 5 pm for the museums, while the park always opens.

How to get to Ueno park?

As Ueno park is located next to JR Ueno station, you can walk there after taking a train or subway.

Explore Ameyoko Market

If you’re into shopping and want to find a good deal, Ameyoko Shopping Street is one of the best places to go in Tokyo.

Located near Ueno park, Ameyoko market is a busy shopping street offering different products from fresh veggies and seafood to souvenirs and clothing.

If you are hungry, different food stalls sell mouth-watering dishes, from Kebab to Korean food and Chinese dishes. These stalls are always full of people, so you should hurry and get your order.

Open hours: 10 am ~ 8 pm (some stalls close on Wednesday)

How to get to the Ameyoko market?

You can get to eitherUeno or Okachimachi Station from the JR Yamanote Line and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line. The market is also accessible from a short walk from Ueno-Okachimachi Station.

Wander around Tokyo Imperial Palace

Tokyo Imperial Palace is located on the former Edo Castle in the heart of Tokyo.

Although you cannot visit the private ground of the Palace (except on January 2 (New Year’s Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor’s Birthday)), you can get a beautiful view ofNijubashi Bridge.

While the Imperial Palace is not the most impressive by Japanese standards, the gardens around the Palace are worth wandering around.

There are two guided tours for the palace ground starting at 10:15 and 1:15 daily except Sundays and Mondays. Each visit is conducted in English and Japanese and takes 75 minutes to finish.

As there are only 300 slots available, you should register online atthe Imperial Household Agencyor the Kikyo-mon Gate on the same tour day.

How to get to Tokyo Imperial Palace?

After arriving at Tokyo station, you can walk to the Imperial Palace within 10 minutes.

Visit Tokyo Tower

Do you know that Tokyo Tower is higher than the Eiffel Tower?

Built in 1958, Tokyo Tower was the tallest structure in Tokyo until Tokyo Skytree was built.

After climbing a 600-stepstaircase or using the escalator, you can get to the main deck at 150 m. You can also go up further to the top deck at 250m high and enjoy an amazing birds-eye view of Tokyo.

Below the tower is the Foot town-building featuring One Piece Tower with different cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops below the building. Nearby Tokyo Tower in Shiba Park, a lovely park where you can get nice pictures with Tokyo Tower in the background.

How to get to Tokyo Tower?

Open hours: 10 am to 10 pm

Admission fee

• 900 yen (main deck only)
• 2800 yen (both decks)
• Free to enter Foot town building

You should get your ticket online to skip the line and go directly to the elevator.

Visit Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi Park

Meiji Jingu is Tokyo’s most famous Shinto shrine built to commemorate Emperor Meiji – the late 19th-century king of Japan.

Meiji Shrine is surrounded by a beautiful park named Yoyogi and its gardens.

A walk from the entrance of Yoyogi park to the shrine will bring you a relaxing and enjoyable experience while trolling along the road with lots of greeneries.

The best time to visit Yoyogi park is probably around autumn when you can see the leaves’ changes or during spring when you can get a beautiful view of cherry blossom.

In Meiji Shrine, you can also buy souvenirs and write your wishes and prayers on Ema, asmallwoodenplaque.

This historic place is often used for traditional wedding ceremonies, so you might see some if you’re lucky.

If you’d like some explanation of Tokyo’s history, joining Tokyo Walking Touris a great idea.

Admission fee: There’s no entrance fee, but you will need to pay to enter a few places.

How to get to Meiji Jingu?

You can get to Meiji Jingu fromHarajuku Station on theJR Yamanote Lineor Meiji-Jingu-Mae Station on the Chiyoda and f*ckutoshin Subway Lines.

There’s a short walk fromHarajuku Station to the entrance of Yoyogi park before you can get to Meiji Shrine.

Eat and shop Takesh*ta street.

Located in the Harajuku area, Takesh*ta Dori, or Takesh*ta street, is one of the busiest shopping streets in Tokyo, offering trendy but sometimes weird things.

With colorful but crazy clothes and accessories, Takesh*ta Street is a fantastic place if you’re into alternative fashion.

Although it’s just about 400-meter long, the road is full of trendy shops,used clothes stores,and fashion boutiques. You may spend hours checking out shops here as every shop is unique.

Also, this street is a food paradise with different stores selling crepes,rainbow cotton candy, and especially the yummy “Zaku Zaku” – a crunchy cream puff stick similar to churros but not churros.

I remember the first time I visited Takesh*ta, and I was utterly overwhelmed by the crowd. I spent hours checking all the shops. It was fun but maybe exhausted if you’re not used to crowded areas.

Travel tips: While you’re near Takesh*ta street, continue walking to explore the Harajuku area.

How to get to Takesh*ta street?

Harajuku station is on JR Yamanote Line, two stations from Shinjuku station, or one from Shibuya station. After arriving at Harajuku station, you should cross the street and continue walking a short distance to get to Takesh*ta Dori.

Be amazed at Shibuya Crossing Street

Shibuya is my favorite place to visit in Tokyo. The area is a trendy hub for young people with unique fashion and culture, packed with different shopping malls, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Shibuya Crossing

One of the most famous attractions in Shibuya is its intersection in front of the Hachiko Exit. There are thousands of people crossing the streets at once, making it a chaotic but impressive moment.

Where to have the best view of the Shibuya crossing?

The best place to enjoy the Shibuya crossing’s view and video are Starbucks Coffee Shibuya Tsutaya. The window seats of this shop offer a stunning view of this landmark.

Other things to do in Shibuya

Besides joining the busy crossing street, I also love wandering around the area to try different Japanese dishes. Shibuya has various cheap eats for budget travelers, and one of them is Uobei Sushi.

The area lightens up with Neon panels and giant advertisem*nt screens with many people at night, so it’s fun to walk around and enjoy the metropolis experience.

How to get to the Shibuya crossing?

You can get to Shibuya station and then find Hachiko Exit. Alternatively, you can walk out of the stations and see the most crowded area. You can’t miss it!

Relax at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Are you looking for a relaxing place in Tokyo? Head to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden!

Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the largest parks in Tokyo, offering a nice break from the city’s busy streets. The park has different gardens, including English Garden, Japanese Garden, and French Garden, with a Greenhouse and impressive lake system.

It costs 200 Yen to enter (~$1), and you can explore and enjoy the tranquil environment surrounded by a multitude of flora and fauna systems.

Shinjuku Gyoen is home to different varieties of cherry blossom, making it one of the best Hanami spots in Tokyo during cherry blossom viewing season.

Travel tips:

The Gardens at Shinjuku Gyoen are pretty large, so you should wear comfortable shoes and pack some snacks with you. There is a central cafe and a rest area if you’d like to take a break. Also, there are several benches and picnic spots around the park, so it may be a good idea to go picnic with your family and friends here.

This place requires spending at least 3 or 4 hours, so you may want to skip it if you only have a day or two in Tokyo.

How to get toShinjuku Gyoen National Garden?

After arriving at Shinjuku station, you can reach there quickly after a 10-minute walk from the station.

Admission fee: 200 Yen

Open hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm (entry until 4 pm)

Enjoy the streets and nightlife of Shinjuku

Shinjuku is a popular area to enjoy the nightlife in Tokyo. Kabukicho in Shinjuku is Japan’s largest red-light district offering plenty of restaurants, bars, clubs, and pachinko. You can also find lots of love hotels in the area.

One of the most famous areas in Kabukicho isGolden Gai, a small but exciting area withover 200 small bars and eateries.

Visit the Robot Restaurant

Although it is probably not a budget thing to do in Tokyo, this famous and INSANE tourist attraction is a once-a-lifetime experience on your trip to Tokyo.

The combination of lasers, lights, live music, special effects, and enthusiastic performances followed a theme that will bring you a unique but weirdly fun experience.

It’s expensive. Yes. It’s crazy. Yes. But it’s something you should try out!

Tips: You must show up 30 minutes before the show starts. It can be deafening, so you may want to bring earplugs.

Explore the Anime district of Akihabara

Are you a big fan of Anime or Manga? Even if you’re not, don’t forget to stop by the busy Akihabara district.

Known as the center of Otaku culture, Akihabara has different shopsspecializing in manga, anime, retro video games, figurines, and card games.

Akihabara is also famous for its electronic stores, ranging from small stalls to giant retailers. People say if you cannot find an electric good here, it means it hasn’t been invented yet!

Primarily, you can find different anime-related entertainment in Akihabara, such as Maid Cafe – a cafe where waitresses dress up and act super cute like maids or anime characters.

You should also visit Manga Kissa – an internet cafe where you can read comic books and play video games all day and night. (I stayed in a few Manga Kissa in Japan, and they were safe).

Be “Kawaii” at Maid Cafe

If you’re looking for a quirky thing to do in Tokyo, visit the maid cafe in Akihabara.

Established in 2001, Cure Maid Cafeis the first maid cafe ever in Akihabara. Although the waitresses here are less cute than others, the shop offers a more sophisticated atmosphere. The food is not good though, but the staffs are friendly.

@Home is another famous maid cafe chain in Akihabara. You will do cute things together with the maid, like clapping and singing.

Although you cannot take anyphoto here, you can buya souvenir photo with your meal, either a Polaroid or on your mobile phone. (You cannot take pictures in Cure Maid Cafe if there’s someone in it).

Note: If you’d like to play with cute animals, you should visit a cat/bunny/hedgehog/owl café. They’re easy to find in Tokyo.

Join Tokyo food tour

Joining Tokyo food tours is a great way to learn about Japanese food and explore hidden restaurants that the locals go to. I joined Shinbashi Food Tour and Yanaka Food Touron my last trip to Tokyo, and it was a memorable experience.

InYanaka Food Tour, I got a great chance to explore the old town with different stops for sweets and sake while exploring varied Izakaya with Shinbashi Food Tour.

More things to do in Tokyo (or nearby)

• Experience Tokyo in Kimono
• Enjoy one day atHakkeijima Sea Paradise
• Visit the Ghibli Museum in one day
• Enjoy ultimate rides at Fuji-Q Highland

How to get around Tokyo on a budget?

Tokyo is a large city, so the best way to get around is by taking a subway or metro.

You can buy a Tokyo Subway ticket to get unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. You may want to purchase a 24, 48, or 72-hour pass, depending on your trip.

Instead of buying separate tickets, it helps save money and time on your trip to Tokyo. You can pick it up at Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, and this ticket is suitable for adults and children above 12 years old.

Where to stay in Tokyo on a budget?

There are plenty of cheap hostels in Tokyo, ranging under 3000 Yen (~$30) per night. Hostels in Shinjuku and Shibuya areas may be more expensive than others due to the location.

Asakusa is an excellent area if you’re looking for a quiet stay, although it can be far from other attractions.

I stayed in several hostels across Tokyo, and my favorite one isBook and Bed Hostel.

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