Free Things to Do in Tokyo 2024

Nothing in this world is free, or is it? You will be surprised to find many free things to do in Tokyo. These activities help cut down the cost of your Tokyo trip and are best for our travelers with tight budgets. Moreover, they are satisfying and are worth doing at least once.

Tokyo is a year-round destination that is quite expensive. However, you can save a few yen or dollars with our handpicked free activities. So, grab your bag and get ready to explore these fantastic budget-friendly things to do in Tokyo.

Also Read:

• Best Fun Things To Do In Tokyo 2024
• Best Day Trips From Tokyo
• Top Romantic Restaurants In Tokyo

Bask in Spiritual Atmosphere at Sensō-ji

• Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 6 AM – 5 PM
• Social Media: Official Website

Tokyo’s oldest temple, Sensō-ji, is Japan’s pride. It is the temple of Sho Kanzeon Bosatsu, aka Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, and its origin dates back to 628. Moreover, this shrine welcomes millions of worshippers annually. It is conveniently located in Asakusa and is accessible from Ueno, Akihabara, and Shinbashi.

The temple is free to enter, and visitors can freely explore Main Hall, Yogodo Hall, Awashimado Hall, Five-storied Pagoda, Denboin, Niten-mon Gate, Hozo-mon Gate, Kaminari-mon Gate, and Bentendo Hall. You can shop for souvenirs from Nakamise Shopping Street. Also, if you want to participate in festivity, visit this shrine in Hatsumode between January 1 and 7.

Take a Walk in Ueno Park

• Address: Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 5 AM – 11 PM
• Places To Visit: Ueno Zoological Gardens, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, National Museum of Nature and Sciences

You will be surprised to find that a simple walk in Ueno Park can lead to many tourist activities. First, this public park offers free entry to visitors and is jam-packed year-round, especially during the cherry blossom season. The park grounds will be full of locals enjoying lunch with their friends and family.

Ueno Park is home to Ueno Zoological Gardens, which provides sanctuary to 3,000 animals, including the Giant Pandas. While you must pay an entry fee to explore this zoo, it only costs ¥600. Furthermore, this public park has many historic museums, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo National Museum, and National Museum of Nature and Science. There are many statues of famous figures like Anthonius Franciscus Bauduin.

Follow the Pilgrim Route to Meiji Shrine

• Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonochō, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Google Map
• Opening Hours: From Sunrise to Sunset
• Social Media: Official Website

We are adding another Buddhist shrine to our list of free things to do in Tokyo. The iconic Meiji Shrine is a year-round destination open from early morning to sunset. You don’t have to be a Shinto believer to visit this Shinto shrine; everyone is welcome to explore and learn about this temple’s history and culture.

The Meiji Shrine takes one hour to visit. You can extend your expedition to two hours by visiting the inner garden and the Meiji Jingu Museum. The latter charges ¥900 (students) and ¥1,000 (adults) for entry. It houses items and articles related to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Finally, you can also participate in Nikku-sai, which occurs daily at 8 AM and 2 PM.

Window Shopping at the Harajuku Streets

• Address: Jingumae, Located Between Shibuya and Shinjuku; Google Map
• Opening Hours: Early Morning to 11 PM
• Things To Do: Shopping, Dining, Watch Cosplay

If you thought Shibuya and Shinjuku were the major shopping hubs, wait until you reach Harajuku. The streets of Harajuku are filled with youths donning kawaii and street fashion, making it the perfect place for street fashion photography. Visitors can also dress up in Harajuku style and explore the neighborhood.

If you can’t afford to shop in Harajuku stores and boutiques, simply stroll around the market and window shop. It doesn’t cost to look at available fashion items. You can also visit Harajuku’s Cat Street thrift stores for budget-friendly deals. Don’t forget to stop by the Daiso Harajuku Store for clothing below $1.

March with Thousand Others at Shibuya Crossing

• Address: Shibuya City, Tokyo; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 24 hours
• Things To Do: Walking, Sightseeing, Food Tour

It will be a pity if you don’t cross the world-famous Shibuya Crossing during your Tokyo trip. This busiest pedestrian scramble crossing sees as many as 3,000 people crossing simultaneously. It will be a lively scene to see people from different directions crossing the street simultaneously.

Visitors can simply stroll around the area and enjoy the lively atmosphere. They can also explore the nearby cafes and restaurants; Shibuya Crossing has many highly-rated establishments with window views. You can enjoy your meal while watching the hustle and bustle of Tokyo residents and tourists from your window seat.

Stroll the Imperial Palace Gardens

• Address: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-8111; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 9 AM – 11:15 AM; 1:30 – 2:45 PM
• Places To Visit: Kyuden, The East Gardens, Kitanomaru Park

Let’s break from city life and head to the peaceful Tokyo Imperial Palace. This palace is the official residence of Japan’s Imperial family and is free to visit. While visitors can’t access the inner palace grounds, they can explore the gorgeous East Gardens. Spread across 2,300,000 sq. ft; it houses many administrative buildings, such as the Imperial Tokagakudo Music Hall and the Archives and Mausolea Department Imperial Household Agency.

The palace grounds also have Kitanomaru Park. This public park is only five minutes from Takebashi Station and Tokyo Metro Kudanshita Station. In addition, the best time to visit this park is during the spring and fall, when cherry blossoms and red leaves make it look picturesque.

Snap Couple’s Pictures on the Rainbow Bridge

• Address: Minato City, Tokyo 105-0000; Google Map
• Opening Hours: 10 AM – 6 PM
• Things To Do: Sightseeing, Photography

If you want to take memorable pictures with your loved one, head to the Rainbow Bridge. This bridge spans Tokyo Bay to connect the Shibaura Pier and Odaiba. It looks impressive at night, illuminated in rainbow lights, making it perfect for night photography. You must take pictures with your significant other in front of the bridge.

Likewise, the Rainbow Bridge offers panoramic views of Tokyo Bay, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, and Odaiba Waterfront. If the skies are clear, you might even glimpse Mt. Fuji. Furthermore, visitors can jog or walk across the suspension bridge. Signs guide pedestrians on their journey.

Go For a Walk at Odaiba Seaside Park

• Address: 1 Chome-4 Daiba, Minato City, Tokyo 135-0091, Japan, Google Map
• Opening Hours: 24 Hours
• Things To Do: Hiking, watching the sunset, going for a walk

If you are crossing the Rainbow Bridge, you might as well cross over to the man-made island of Odaiba. You can stroll around Odaiba Seaside Park, aka Odaiba Marine Park, which offers free entry. Moreover, visitors get panoramic views of Tokyo Bay and Rainbow Bridge from the park. They can also try water sports such as windsurfing.

You will see the breathtaking sunset views from the park. It also has a beach where you can enjoy fishing and gathering seashells. Furthermore, Odaiba offers many shopping, dining, and entertainment options. You can shop till you drop at one of the island’s stores or enjoy a delicious Japanese meal at one of Odaiba’s restaurants. Overall, you can enjoy many things at a low cost here.

Explore the National Diet Library

• Address: 1 Chome-10-1 Nagatachō, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan, Google Map
• Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 7 PM
• Social Media: Official Website

If you want to learn about the history of the Japanese legislature, you must visit the National Diet Library in Tokyo. It has numerous materials related to Japanese history and is made to assist members of the National Diet of Japan in their research. You can find another NDL library in Kyoto.

The National Diet Library issues free registered-user cards that allow entry to the Tokyo Main Library and Kansai-kan Library. Visitors can get registered user cards at the entrance counter. However, visitors under 18 are not allowed to enter these libraries. Instead, they can access the International Library of Children’s Literature to get materials for their research.

See What the Fuss is All About Toyosu Market

• Address: 6 Chome-6-1 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061, Japan, Google Map
• Opening Hours: 5 AM – 3 PM
• Things To Do: Watching seafood auctions, shopping

Have you heard of tuna auctions? They are a massive event at the wholesale fish market, the Toyosu Market. Visitors from far and wide arrive early to watch the tuna auction. You can watch this market action from a passageway overlooking the auction hall or the Tuna Auction Observation Deck. However, you must book a reservation for the latter, as only 27 people are allowed there.

The applicants must submit their applications a month before the deadline. Participants are decided by lottery and informed within a few days after the submission deadline. Don’t worry; all this hassle will be worth watching at the live tuna auction. Some fish are even sold for millions of yen. For instance, a 238 kg Oma bluefin tuna was sold for ¥114.24 million on January 5, 2024.

Watch Street Performances at Yoyogi Park

• Address: 2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan, Google Map
• Opening Hours: 24 Hours
• Things To Do: Take a walk, have picnics, sightseeing

Tokyo has many public parks that offer visitors free entry. Yoyogi Park is conveniently located adjacent to the Meiji Shrine and Harajuku Station. This pet-friendly park is also wheelchair accessible. Anyone can stroll around and enjoy a relaxing time with friends and family.

You might even come across dance crews, martial arts club members, cosplayers, and fashionistas on the weekends. It will be a lively atmosphere with people from all walks of life. Moreover, visitors can rent bicycles and cycle around the park. They can also have family picnics and enjoy hanami during late March and early April.

Learn a Thing or Two About Yasukuni Shrine’s History

• Address: 3 Chome-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-0073, Japan, Google Map
• Opening Hours: 6 AM – 6 PM
• Social Media: Official Website

Do you know that the Japanese temple Yasukuni Shrine is a controversial shrine? Emperor Meiji built this temple to honor those who died during the Boshin War and the Sino-Japanese Wars. Later, it became the memorial site for soldiers, factory workers, and Japanese citizens who died in service of the empire.

However, this Shinto shrine also lists the names of over 1K war criminals, 14 of whom were Class A criminals. This inclusion of WWII criminals has made this place controversial. Keeping that fact aside, Yasukuni Jinja is a historic landmark that is worth visiting. Visitors will find names, origins, and places of death of 2.5 million enshrined at Yasukuni.

Take a Train to Gotokuji Temple

• Address: 2 Chome-24-7 Gotokuji, Setagaya City, Tokyo 154-0021, Japan, Google Map
• Opening Hours: 6 AM – 5 PM
• Social Media: Official Website

You will never find a temple similar to the Gotokuji Temple anywhere worldwide. Cat lovers must visit this iconic Buddhist shrine that houses thousands of figurines of beckoning cats. You will find all sorts of figurines, from wood, stone, and metal to porcelain. This temple is also known as the origin of Maneki-Neko.

Legends say a cat invited Hikone domain lord li Naotaka inside a temple to escape from a thundershower. To express his gratitude, Noataka dedicated the temple to the Li clan and rebuilt it in 1633. Today, thousands of visitors worship at Gotokuji temple for luck, happiness, and prosperity. They buy a Maneki-Neko from a souvenir shop on the temple grounds and offer it to the temple.

Tour the Iconic Hanazono Shrine

• Address: 5 Chome-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan, Google Map
• Opening Hours: 24 Hours
• Things To Do: Sightseeing, Attending festivals

You might be surprised to find a free attraction like Hanazano Shrine in the commercial district of Shinjuku. This temple is dedicated to Inari, the god of fertility and worldly success, and is a favorite place for those wishing for successful ventures. It was founded in the Edo period in the mid-17th century.

This shrine is lively during the Tori no Ichi festival on November 11 and 23. The temple grounds are decorated with lanterns and are full of vendors selling food and kumade bamboo rakes. Many people purchase kumade rakes to bring good commercial luck. In addition, visitors will find an antique market at the shrine almost every Sunday.

Find Out About Myths Surrounding Aokigahara Forest

• Address: Narusawa, Fujikawaguchiko, Minamitsuru District, Yamanashi 401-0300, Japan, Google Map
• Opening Hours: 24 Hours
• Social Media: Official Website

The famous Aokigahara Forest is just a two-hour drive from Tokyo. If you have watched the 2016 horror The Forest, you must have heard of it. While the movie was filmed in Japan’s forest, visitors decide whether Aokigahara is haunted. However, it will be one hell of a trip to this sea of trees in Narusawa, Minamitsuru District.

Aokigahara Forest has also become known as Japan’s suicide forest. Hence, visitors will come across two signs describing the importance of life right after entering. Keeping aside the spooky facts, this jungle is perfect for hiking and exploring wildlife. You can also visit several caves, such as Narusawa Ice Cave and Fugaku Wind Cave.

Tokyo, Japan’s iconic cultural center, mixes the ultramodern with the traditional. The city’s ancient shrines and neon-lit modern skyscrapers offer the best of both worlds. If you are on a short trip and want to explore the most famous attractions, check out our four-day itinerary. Likewise, this blog offers the best places to stay with your family in Tokyo.

Overall, there are tons of free things to do in Tokyo, which you will find as you continue exploring this metropolitan city. Its free attractions and activities add to Tokyo’s charm and increase visitor popularity. Have a great time on your tour.