Experience Tokyo for Free
On a budget? There are many entertaining places to go in Tokyo that are free of charge.
- 09:00
- The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace / Sannomaru Shozokan (The Museum of the Imperial Collections) + Cycling Course
- 11:30
- Ginza: Showrooms
- 13:00
- Shiodome: Advertising Museum Tokyo
- 14:30
- Odaiba: Panasonic Center and Mega Web
- 16:00
- Shinjuku: Toto Showroom
- 18:00
- Shinjuku: Observation decks in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tower
09:00
Enjoy the tradition and nature of Tokyo at the Imperial Palace!
The atmosphere at Kokyo-Gaien (the outer gardens of the Imperial Palace) is fresh and peaceful. A collection of beautiful art, calligraphy and craft works handed down generation to generation by the Imperial family is on display at Sannomaru Shozokan (The Museum of the Imperial Collections). A section of the street along the palace is closed to cars on Sunday and bicycles can be borrowed free of charge. Enjoy a nice bike ride on a clear day!
15 minutes on foot
11:30
"No Charge" to enter the world-renown, high-end shopping district.
The Ginza, a place full of showrooms, is the best place to experience the latest 3D televisions and single-lens reflex cameras at the Sony Building. And the showrooms of Nikon and Canon both have extensive galleries. Hakutsuru, a Japanese sake maker, also has a showroom. Such sake showrooms are rare and shouldn't be missed if you want to learn about sake.
2 minutes from Yurakucho to Shimbashi by JR Yamanote Line
13:00
Appreciate art at no charge.
Visit the Advertising Museum Tokyo located at Caretta Shiodome, Japan's first museum of advertising. The history of advertising in Japan is on display, from ads using nishiki-e (Japanese multi-colored woodblock prints) in the Edo period (1603-1867) to current TV commercial films.
21 minutes from Shiodome to Kokusai-tenjijo-seimon by Yurikamome Line
14:30
Odaiba, where the sea breeze is comfortable and the atmosphere overwhelmingly liberating!
Be the first to experience the latest 3D entertainment and games at the Panasonic Center Tokyo! At Toyota Mega Web, a car theme park, adults can test drive new model Toyotas and children can ride in carts on a special course.
23 minutes from Tokyo Teleport to Shinjuku by Rinkai Line via JR Saikyo Line
16:00
Washlet toilets are extolled by many, including celebrities.
Toto, the bath and plumbing company that trademarked the name Washlet (a toilet with a built-in bidet) has an amazing showroom in Shinjuku L Tower. Some Hollywood celebrities are known to own and adore their Japanese toilets. Check out the latest models with the newest features at the showroom.
10 minutes on foot
18:00
Panoramic views of the big city for free.
When you come to Tokyo, a good panoramic view of the center of Tokyo is a must. The observation decks on the 45th floor (202 meters high) of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tower commands a 360-degree view of the city. The views are splendid, especially the sunset and the sparkling night lights. The observation decks are open until 11 p.m.
Tips～Other Recommended Free Spots
- ■Stationary/Toys
- Kokuyo (office equipment and supplies)(JR Yamanote Line Shinagawa Station)
- Hobby Center Kato(model trains)(Toei Oedo Line Ochiai-minami-nagasaki Station)
- ■Art Spots
- Fuji Film Square(Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Roppongi Station)
- The Toraya Archives Toraya Bunko (traditional confectionery)
(Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Akasaka-mitsuke Station) - Concerts on Wednesdays and Fridays at small, open-air concert hall in Hibiya Park(Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Hibiya Station)
- ■Factory Tours
- Ozawa Shuzo(Japanese sake)(JR Ome Line Sawai Station)
- Suntory Musashino Brewery (beer) (JR Musashino Line Fuchu-honmachi Station)