visit tokyo cheap

This is how you visit Tokyo on a budget

Mar 23, 2024 • 7 min read

From low-cost air fares to finding cheap places to eat, this budget guide to visiting Tokyo can help you make your money go further © AzmanL / Getty Images

No one in search of a budget city vacation is going to put Tokyo at the top of their list – this incredible city unfortunately comes with some pretty incredible prices.

But there are ways to make your yen go further without compromising on quality and we've got all the best insider tips and tricks you need.

Michelin-star cuisine for less than $10 per meal, nomihoudai (all-you-can-drink) and tabehoudai (all-you-can-eat) options at izakaya (gastropubs), capsule hotels that marry quintessentially Japanese living quirks with cheap prices, and affordable low-season flight fares mean you can experience the best parts of Japan's capital without having to max out your credit cards.

Here is how to travel to Tokyo on a budget.

Daily costs in Tokyo

• Bunk in a capsule hotel: ¥6600/¥8000
• Basic hotel room for two: ¥22,600
• One-day public transport ticket: ¥600 (not all trains included)
• Coffee: ¥400
• Ramen: ¥1200
• Conveyor-belt sushi: from ¥100 per plate
• Pint at a bar: ¥600
• All-you-can-drink menus: ¥2000
• All-you-can-eat menus: ¥1800
• Mid-range dinner for two (with drinks): ¥3600
• Average daily cost: ¥23,000

Fly in low season or take a connecting flight to save on airfares

Tokyo experiences tourism high-season for large stretches of the year, particularly during the spring sakura (cherry blossom) and fall koyo (autumn foliage) seasons, during which flight fares come at a premium in line with the soaring demand.

This is especially true when flying direct from the US or UK. Traveling to Tokyo in winter or during the mid-June to mid-July rainy season will save you a few bucks, while frugal travelers from the UK should look at connecting through the Middle East or central Europe for lower-cost fares.

Learn more about Tokyo's festivals and seasons in our guide to the best time to visit .

Low-season travelers benefit from cheaper accommodations

The aforementioned low seasons also bring about much cheaper accommodations. Though beware, Tokyo is comparatively dead during Shogatsu – the beginning of the New Year – when many businesses close to allow employees to spend time with family and give votive offerings to their hometown shrines.

Opt for a smaller accommodation space

It is perhaps cliché that Japanese living spaces aren’t quite as roomy as their Western counterparts, but if travelers make similar sacrifices they’ll benefit from extra pocket money.

Capsule hotels are the epitome of Japanese spatial austerity, with dorms containing multi-leveled bunk spaces, or pods, for guests to sleep in (these typically come with shelves, charging ports, and reading lights).

Lockers are available for larger luggage and bathroom spaces are communal. Capsules can be as cheap as ¥6600 per night.

Alternatively, popular hotel chains like APA , Dormy Inn , and MyStays have locations across the city, and while your room will be barely large enough to swing a chopstick in, your bank account will thank you.

Also note, that whilst Airbnb isn’t super popular in Tokyo, it tends to offer better accommodation deals than the major hotels.

Use IC cards and day tickets for seamless travel on public transportation

Prepaid rechargeable Suica and Pasmo cards , also known as IC cards, work on all city trains, subways and buses. You can purchase these from machines at any station.

They require a ¥500 deposit, which will be refunded (along with any remaining charge) when you return the pass to any ticket window.

Since June 2023, the availability of the cards has been restricted due to a worldwide chip shortage. You can use digital versions or pick up a PASMO Passport at major airports and train stations – it's a travel card specifically for visitors to Tokyo that also comes with some discounts.

While paper tickets are only a few yen more expensive per journey, it’s also possible to get reimbursements on IC cards when you pass through the wrong barrier in a station (a common occurrence, even for the well-versed commuter); paper tickets don’t offer the same benefit.

Unlimited-ride tickets are also available: the Tokyo Subway Ticket allows unlimited rides on both Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines, with 24-hour, 48-hour, and 72-hour options available. Japan Rail lines, however, are not included.

Take yourself on a walking tour

It’s easy to default towards using trains in Tokyo: the rail network is extensive, efficient, punctual, and pretty affordable. But there’s no cheaper way to travel than your own two feet . Heading from Shibuya to  Shinjuku ?

Make your way through the old cedar forest of Meiji-jingu instead. Going southbound from Asakusa ? Look to the Sumida River promenade to direct you on your way.

Splashing out on dinner in Roppongi , followed by cocktails in Ginza ? Claw some yen back with an illuminated stroll between the two uber-classy neighborhoods .

Taxis are pricey so don’t miss the last train home

Tokyo trains stop around midnight every night of the year, except for December 31. If you miss your last train home, the alternatives can be costly. Tokyo taxis are expensive at the best of times, never mind the late-night surcharges, and Uber is generally no more competitive.

You could walk, but this is likely predicated on the length of the journey and how much sake you glugged with dinner. Or you could pitch up in a karaoke bar or all-night restaurant until the morning’s first train (usually around 5am), whilst incurring the requisite fees.

Google Maps features a last-train option when determining your best route home – embrace it.

Tokyo has many fantastic cheap places to eat

With some of the finest haute cuisine on the planet, Tokyo restaurants certainly know how to rack up a bill: a timeslot in Sukiyabashi Jiro is an infamously brief sushi-eating experience costing several hundred dollars. But with some estimations reckoning Tokyoites have around 150,000 restaurants to choose from, yen-saving options abound.

At many izakaya throughout the city, particularly chains such as chicken specialists Torikizoku and Showa-style diner Hanbey, nomihoudai (all-you-can-drink) options are available – the nomihoudai menu usually includes beers, mixers, highballs and soft drinks.

Other chains, like the cheap and cheerful Kin no Kura, have tabehoudai (all-you-can-eat) options, which tend to feature everything the kitchen has to offer, from sashimi and edamame to yakitori (grilled chicken) and pizza slices.

Dining on kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi is a cheap alternative to omakase (chef’s choice) sushi tasting menus.

Dine out on Michelin-starred ramen

As of 2023, 263 restaurants in Tokyo were awarded at least one Michelin star. But perhaps surprisingly, some of the city’s highest-quality restaurants are also among its cheapest.

For Michelin-starred ramen, head to Nakiryu (The Crying Dragon) for its spicy dandamen soup, or grab a seat at  Konjiki Hototogisu for an umami-filled broth pork and fish stock topped with truffle sauce – both restaurants offer signature dishes for less than ¥1400 a bowl.

Convenience stores serve cheap, tasty meals

Convenience store food around the world often leaves much to be desired, but quick and tasty meals are standard fare at the 7-Elevens, Family Marts, and Lawsons of Tokyo – you’ll find one on nearly every street corner.

For a few hundred yen, you can grab a Cup Noodle and add boiling water from the in-store kettles, purchase a selection of onigiri (rice balls), or indulge in hot chicken and steamed buns at store counters.

Tokyo konbini , as convenience stores are locally known, are open 24/7 making them perfect stop-offs for late-night repasts.

Watch out for cover charges in bars

In certain nightlife areas, most notably the warren of Showa-period alleyways in Shinjuku known as Golden Gai, cover charges up to ¥1500 per head are commonplace.

If you plan on bar-hopping – as most imbibers in Golden Gai do – this can add up throughout the evening.

Keep your eyes peeled for outdoor signage stating "No Cover Charge" or try asking the bartender before taking a seat.

Picnic when the weather’s on your side

Belying its tag as a concrete metropolis, Tokyo has some beautiful green spaces . At public gardens, such as Rikugie-en or Shinjuku-gyoen, however, all visitors are required to pay an entrance fee.

During  the hanami (flower-watching) season in spring, you can save a few hundred yen plonking yourself under the drifting petals in free-to-enter parks, like Yoyogi-koen or Inokashira-koen.

Public drinking is also permitted in Japan, so you can partake in a liquid lunch without splashing the cash.

Shop at Japan's best thrift stores

Japan is one of the best places on earth to buy retro goods. Second-hand stores exist all across Tokyo, with items that are usually impeccably maintained, and if you know where to look, bargains abound.

For consumer electronics and musical instruments, check out mega chains Hard Off and Book Off . For video game hardware and software, Super Potato and Retro Game Camp in Akihabara are the places to be.

Shimokita is Tokyo’s hipster hub of vintage clothing stores: Stick Out sells every item at ¥700, Mode Off is a hive of bargain hunting (albeit with sometimes questionable quality), while Flamingo specializes in Americana and usually has some pretty good deals.

This article was first published April 2022 and updated March 2024

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Complete Guide to Visit Tokyo on a Budget

There are three main ways to see Tokyo on a budget: 

• Find affordable accommodation that’s close to the action
• Use Tokyo’s excellent subway networks or explore the city on foot
• Discover the thousands of cheap eateries and restaurants from convenience store ready-meals, conveyor belt sushi trains, to izakayas (Japanese pubs)

Tokyo is a massive city. 

With over 22 million residents, a visit to Tokyo is sure to make even the most seasoned traveler’s eyes boggle. There is literally so much to see and explore that a week really isn’t enough. 

And Tokyo is an expensive city to visit (the average daily cost for a visitor is ¥19,392 or US$169). But fortunately, there are a few tips and tricks to visit the Japanese capital on a budget. 

What to Look for in Budget Accommodation

Finding somewhere to stay in Tokyo on a budget can be challenging, but there are a few options for the thrifty traveler looking to bed down in Tokyo. 

• Super Budget Accommodation

When you’re looking for the cheapest prices for accommodation in Tokyo, you should know there are a few no-frills super-budget options available. 

Costing as little as ¥2,000 (US$17.00) per night, hostels allow you to nab a bunk bed in a dorm room. While you may have to share the space, most hostels are near the main sights and attractions, so you can easily save on transportation costs too. 

You can even choose to work a few hours a day to cover your room costs. 

• Budget Room Rental in Tokyo

Websites such as Airbnb are super popular for travelers looking for budget accommodation options without having to stay in crowded hostel dorm rooms. Renting a room from a local also comes with some perks too, as many can offer excellent trip advice. 

The rooms can be cozy compared to western standards, but you can view rooms and book them conveniently online. Overall, you can expect to pay between ¥2,500-¥4,000 (US$22-34) per night for a room with a double bed. 

Also, you should note that some of these places want you to have a valid driver’s license or ID to check-in. 

• Budget Hotels in Tokyo

If you are traveling alone and can stretch the budget to around ¥2,500 (US$22) per night, you can find a private room with a double bed in a budget 1-star hotel or hostel in the center of Tokyo.

If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese experience, you can get a bed in one of Tokyo’s many capsule hotels for around ¥2,000-¥4,000 (US$17-34). Just be aware that when you stay in a capsule hotel, you usually have to check out each morning.

Additionally, many capsule hotels are same-sex occupations only, so they’re also not ideal for traveling couples. But, if you’re a couple looking for a bit of comfort at an affordable price, hotel websites such as Booking.com offer some excellent deals.

Plus, many hotels offer free breakfast, which can help you save money. 

Getting Around on a Budget

Tokyo is a vast sprawling city, and you’ll need at least a few days to scratch the surface of sights and things to do. Ideally, you’ll need at least a week in Tokyo alone, and be prepared to hit the footpaths and use public transport to get around if you’re on a budget. 

• Explore Tokyo on Foot

Tokyo is huge, but it’s also pedestrian-friendly, easy to navigate (the street signs are in Japanese and English), and a pretty safe city. Exploring Tokyo on foot takes a little longer, but it’s well worth it as there’s so much to see. 

You can start by exploring the famous Shinjuku and Shibuya areas. There’s an excellent walking route connecting these two parts of Tokyo that takes you through some stunning urban areas, including two huge parks: Yoyogi Park and the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden . 

• The Tokyo Metro System

When you’ve worn the heels off your shoes and need a break from walking, Tokyo has one of the most affordable, safe, and clean local transportation systems in the world. 

The Tokyo subway map can look a little daunting at first (it’s huge with over 280 stations), but it’s pretty easy to work out as long as you follow each train line correctly. Plus, the interactive multi-language ticketing machines are simple to use. 

There’s also a great route planner and fare calculator available online. 

Overall, it’s better to make trips under a mile on foot, but if you’re looking for a cheap and quick way to explore central Tokyo, then one of the train system tickets below is an affordable and convenient solution. You can buy these at Narita Airport. 

• Tokyo Subway 24-hour Ticket – Adult: ¥800 (US$7.00)
• Tokyo Subway 48-hour Ticket – Adult: ¥1,200 (US$10.50)
• Tokyo Subway 72-hour Ticket – Adult: ¥1,500 (US$13.00)

You should also know that many of the stations with the most tourist attractions include:

• Shibuya Station
• Tokyo Station
• Harajuku Station
• Shinjuku Station
• Ueno Station
• Oshiage Station

Furthermore, you can try out transportation like the Tokyo Sakura Tram or the JR lines (JR Yamanote and JR Chuo line), which can take you between multiple locations. 

Finally, you may have heard that sexual assault is an issue on train cars in Japan. So, if you are a woman traveling alone, it may be better to take one of the women-only cars that travel during rush hour. 

• Cheap and Free Things to Do in Tokyo 

Some of the cheapest things to do in Tokyo when traveling on a budget include: 

• Visiting the Tokyo National Museum
• Seeing the Tokyo Imperial Palace and the Imperial Palace east gardens
• Viewing the skyline at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Better option than the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower, also called the Tokyo Eiffel Tower)
• Seeing the blooms during cherry blossom season
• Walking around Tokyo Bay
• Visiting old-fashioned arcades where you can play games like Mario Kart
• Exploring the Tsukiji Fish Market (only the outer market is open now). Also, markets are much cheaper than shopping malls overall, but you should show up early for the best deals. 
• Walking Yebisu Museum of Beer (although guided tours may be a little expensive)
• Eating at cafes where you can interact with cute animals
• Walking around Ueno Park 
• Taking a day trip to Mount Fuji
• Seeing Kyu Furukawa Teien, just a short walk from Kami-Nakazato Metro Station. 

Plus, you can access most of these places from many of the same train lines. 

Read Also >> Guide to the Cherry Blossom Festival

Eating Out on a Budget

Tokyo is, without a doubt, one of the world’s most exciting places to eat out. And, just like any major city, there are literally thousands of eateries, bars, and restaurants to explore. 

Tokyo also has hundreds of Michelin-star restaurants (212 in 2021) scattered throughout the city. But, you don’t need to spend big bucks on fine dining or at places like the Robot Restaurant or a Maid Cafe to experience good Japanese food. 

• Super Budget Eating Out – Convenience Stores

There are over 2,800 Seven-Eleven stores dotted all over Tokyo, and food-thrifty travelers looking to eat on a shoestring budget will become acquainted with this humble grocery store. There are also other convenience stores such as Family Mart and Lawson, which are at pretty much every train station in Tokyo.

In Japan, Seven-Eleven stores are not just convenience stores, but they’re also snack bars serving a great range of hot and cold ready meals and other exciting food options. Many even have comfortable eating counters in-store. 

Convenience stores are open all hours and sell everything from US-style hamburgers and hotdogs, pizza slices, and even cheese dogs that you can heat up in-store. There are also hot and cold pastries, salads, cold pasta dishes, and sushi and sashimi mixed plates.

And these stores have great prices:

• A New York-style slice of pizza is around ¥100-150 (US$0.90-$1.30). 
• A sushi box meal is about ¥500 (US$4.50). 
• Mitarashi Dango (dumplings with a sweet soy glaze) goes for around ¥135 (US$1.10). 

Also, make sure you keep some room for desserts, as many of the ready-made desserts in the local convenience store have garnered cult status over the years with tourists and locals. Plus, you can get these cheap eats for under US$1.00. 

Similarly, sometimes you can find cheap street food while exploring the city. Furthermore, fast food is always an inexpensive option, but you may not get to experience as much of the local culture at a place like McDonald’s. 

Or, you can visit ramen shops, where you can grab some cheap meals after purchasing a ticket from a vending machine. 

• Budget Sushi Bars in Tokyo

You can’t go to Tokyo without sampling some sushi, and you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to this Japanese classic. You can find budget sushi restaurants everywhere, and they are an excellent opportunity to try some of the best sushi you’ll ever have.

Head to a ‘kaitenzushi’ or conveyor-belt sushi restaurant where you can get a sushi plate for as little as ¥77 (US$0.67). Another bonus for those on a budget is matcha green tea served free of charge at virtually every ‘kaitenzushi’.

One super high-tech and affordable kaitenzushi is Uobei , where you order from a touchscreen (in any language), and a conveyor belt brings your meal to you. There’s virtually no human contact, which can make for a fun new experience.  

• Affordable Izakayas in Tokyo

Izakayas are like the equivalent of a bar or pub. 

They’re fun, rowdy, and serve incredible Japanese food and drinks. And, best of all, they’re affordable, and you can easily get to them off the JR line.

Most izakaya’s offer an extensive menu of sushi, sashimi, seafood and fish dishes, noodle dishes, fried food, and plenty of meat to choose from too. A meal for two, including a few sushi dishes, a noodle dish, a meat dish, and some drinks, will set you back around ¥ 4000 (US$35.00). 

From hunting for the cheapest digs in town to saving money on transport and dining out for dimes, there are plenty of opportunities to visit one of the world’s most expensive cities without blowing even the most meager of travel budgets. So, if you follow the budget tips above, you will definitely love Tokyo, even if you’re on a tight budget. 

However, just remember that it’s a good idea to splurge on travel insurance, so you don’t have to spend more on emergencies.

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Leyla’s love for travel started from childhood with her family trips around the world.

Happiest when she’s living out of her backpack, she’s currently based in Liverpool. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her reading on the beach, bartending, or planning her next trip abroad.

Leyla has been working with the team since early 2020, editing, optimizing, and keeping our content tasty fresh.

Once the world has gone back to normal, she’ll be bouncing around the globe with her laptop in hand.

Tokyo on a Budget – How to Travel Without Breaking the Bank

Written By: ThePlanetD Team

Updated On: December 27, 2022

Looking for tips to travel to Tokyo on a Budget?  Who wouldn’t want to get lost in the head-spinning maze of neon-drenched streets of Tokyo?

One moment you’re dazzled by the ultra-modern skyscrapers and the next, sipping green tea at a centuries-old temple, disturbed only by the soft sound of sozu .

Table of Contents

Visit Tokyo On A Budget

Tokyo is a global powerhouse with an old spirit, bustling with energy and the promise of adventure and excitement which it most certainly delivers.

Just like a lot of great things in life, visiting Tokyo comes, quite literally, at a price – for many years now, the city’s been considered one of the world’s most expensive capitals, a major put-off for budget-conscious travellers. You may also like: The Best Day Trips from Tokyo

Tokyo: Not As Expensive as you Think

That being said, while the Japanese capital most certainly isn’t cheap, its costs are often exaggerated. In fact, I find them comparable to those of Paris or London and it is possible to travel to Tokyo on a Budget.

If visiting Tokyo has been on your bucket list, but you’re worried about the impact on your wallet, fear not as I’m about to show you how to enjoy Tokyo on a tight budget!

It’s perfectly doable and surprisingly easy. Let’s just jump straight into it!

Where To Eat In Tokyo On A Budget

Tokyo is quite possibly the world’s most exciting dining destination.

From the irresistibly cute, or kawaii , eats at Akihabara’s Maid Cafes to mouth-watering street food to the top-notch fine dining, Tokyo is most certainly not short of options when it comes to food.

The good news is, the choice extends to budget dining. You will be surprised how easy it is to eat in Tokyo on a budget!

• Read: Why I travel for food, and so should you!

Street food

You can’t go wrong with Japanese street food – it’s delicious, filling and cheap!

Some of the most popular options are:

• yakitori (grilled chicken skewers)
• dungo (dumplings on a stick)
•   shioyaki (baked fish served on a stick)

All will cost you around ¥150-700 (€1.00-5) depending on the portion size.

If you love Tokyo, you are also going to enjoy Shanghai

Chain Restaurants

Tokyo is filled with food chains, offering delicious and authentic, although not overly healthy, meals.

Typical dishes include gyudon (shredded beef) or tempura (fried meat) served over a bowl of rice. They are often paired with a bowl of miso soup.

Japanese-style chicken curry and noodle soup are also available for a bargain.

The dishes often come as a set which not only makes it easier to decide what to pick (the choice can be overwhelming!) but also offers a great value for money.

A meal at a chain restaurant will cost you around ¥500-900. ( About €4-7)

Go where the locals go

Save your precious pennies and enjoy a truly authentic experience by visiting local spots.

Known as Izakaya Alleyways, these usually small bars with unassuming, traditional decor serve some of the most delicious and very cheap meals.

Some cost as little as ¥350-400. (around €3.00).

• Read: How Japan Changed the Way We Travel

Shop at supermarkets

You can never go wrong with shopping at a supermarket when you’re on a budget, but Japan somehow managed to turn this mundane experience into something comparable to a walk in a theme park.

Where browsing through aisles packed with irresistible goodness makes you want to ditch restaurants altogether.

Here’s a handy tip: all seafood/sushi meal sets (whose quality and presentation resembles an actual restaurant meal) are freshly made in the morning and get discounted up to 50% by the end of the day, simply because they are no longer considered fresh by the Japanese standards.

This means that you can buy a perfectly delicious and filling meal for as little as little as ¥300-900 (€2-7), depending on the size.

Staying In Tokyo On A Budget

Tokyo has an exciting choice of ultra-cheap hotel alternatives.

It wouldn’t be Tokyo if they weren’t all slightly quirky and unusual.

These are two things you have to be ready to embrace during your stay in Japan’s capital.

Capsule hotels

Let’s start off with my personal favourite – capsule hotels!

As the name would suggest, capsule hotels offer tiny, capsule-like sized rooms, or sleeping pods to be precise, large enough to fit a bed, a small ceiling-mounted TV and a radio.

These are immaculately clean and modern.

Some have access to sauna facilities and sometimes even a room filled with comic books.

A night at a capsule hotel will set you back a mere ¥2-4,000 (€15 -31).

These type of hotels are extremely popular and are scattered all over Tokyo.

A simple Google search is all you need to book a room, erm, pod!

Manga / Internet Cafes

If you happen to be a manga or comic enthusiast travelling to Japan on a budget, then you’re definitely in luck.

Manga cafes started off as a place where you could read the endless supply of manga and surf the internet, but they soon became a response to the expensive hotel and accommodation costs.

Manga cafes have private cubicles equipped with a desk, a computer with unlimited internet access and a large chair (some manga cafes offer a sleeping matt).

While crashing at a manga café is not exactly as comfortable as a night at a hotel and you’ll probably want to limit your stay to 1, max. 2 nights, it’s endlessly cheaper (¥1,500 – 2,500, so around €11-19).

Staying at a manga cafe will also give you a fantastic sneak peek into the Japanese youth culture while being a place where you can meet other travellers. The two biggest manga cafe chains are Gera Gera and Manboo .

Airbnb and Hovelstay

If none of the above options sounded appealing, then there’s always the more conventional Airbnb and Hovelstay, were you can find rooms varying from €40 to €150/night.

Read: Tips to start house sitting.

SHOPPING On A Budget

It’s hard not to be tempted to shop when every perfectly packaged product, from skincare to chopsticks screams “buy me!”. Surprising enough, you can actually shop till you drop in Tokyo, without breaking the bank.

If you want to stock up on souvenirs and accessories while brushing shoulders with the famous Harajuku girls, head to Daiso on Takeshita-dori, Harajuku’s main shopping street.

Most things there cost only around ¥100 (€1) . There are many other 100 Yen stores all over Tokyo, stocking pretty much everything under the sun, from cosmetics and snacks to kitchenware.

You don’t have to limit yourself just to the discount stores though – a lot of shops have sales on and stock budget-friendly products.

If you’re looking for a more traditional and a meaningful gift, most temples in Tokyo sell talismans – they can cost anything from ¥500 – 1,500, depending on the size, type and the temple you’re buying them from.

FREE TOKYO ATTRACTIONS

Tokyo offers endless opportunities for those who want to see it for free. A stroll down Takeshita-dori or the famous Shibuya crossing is an eclectic feast for the senses and an experience in its own right – you don’t actually have to buy anything to enjoy it!

If you want to escape the chaos, visit one of the Tokyo’s many gardens and parks (I recommend Ueno) or do a bit of temple hopping – a lot of temples (such as the famous Senso-ji in Asakusa or Meiji Shrine) are free to visit!

And there you have it – who knew visiting Tokyo on a budget could be this easy!

Do you have any budget tips of your own? Feel free to share in the comments.

Marta is a digital nomad and the creator of A Girl Who Travels , where she writes about budget , solo and female travel as well as location independence . You can also follow her adventures on Instagram .

• Inspiration – How Japan Changed the Way We Travel
• Top 10 Things to Do in Kyoto, Japan
• Memoirs of the Nomadic Male Geisha in Tokyo, Japan
• 50 Awesome Things to do in Tokyo, Japan

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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20 thoughts on “Tokyo on a Budget – How to Travel Without Breaking the Bank”

A conversation in English can be difficult because many Japanese students learn conversational English from non-native speakers of English. In effect, they have their own dialect, which means that a native English speaker might have a difficult time understanding two Japanese people speaking English to one another. It’s not all that different from trying to understand English as spoken by Scots with strong brogues.

Long before the arrival of translation apps, I discovered a useful trick. Bring a notebook and pen and print your question in the notebook. A large percentage of people under 30 will have no problem reading the written English and then writing a response.

We spent 2 weeks (no way near enough!!) in Japan in 2012, with 5 days of this in Tokyo. We had concerns about how expensive it was going to be…. But, we we pleasantly surprised. Yes, you could make Tokyo very very expensive, but as you have shown, it can be a cheaper destination than people think.

We stayed in low cost Ryokans and capsule hostels (a very interesting and fun experience), travelled on overnight coaches and most of our lunches were bento boxes. This allowed us to save money for some of the more expensive stuff that we wanted to do – like a trip on the Shinkansen.

If you are sensible with your money, Tokyo is an affordable city!

When I was in Tokyo I love to eat on street foods because I got to experience authentic Japanese food without hurting my pocket. I also got fascinated with so many vending machines there whether it is for coffee or snacks!

I absolutely loved Japan although it’s definitely the most challenging place I have ever been too from a budget point of view; my budget was a paltry 20 euros a day which really didn’t stretch very far… Luckily the couchsurfing community came to my rescue so that was accommodation sorted! I found hitching in Japan to be relatively easy and like you guys most survived on street food (and food from 7/11s – usually awful but truly cheap!) – my favourite thing about Tokyo, and Japan in general, is that there were so many cool sites to visit for free that you didn’t have to break the bank to actually get to grips with the culture, which I loved. As a martial arts enthusiast, Japan had pretty much everything I wanted 🙂

You’ll love it Tina, it’s a wonderful place and there’s SO much to do!

Great post, thanks for the information. The sleeping pods are a very interesting idea indeed!

This is awesome…i thought that Tokyo is too expensive..

Very nice Marta. Thanks a lot. Planning to visit Tokyo this July. 🙂

You’ll absolutely love it Victoria! As for the language barrier…Japanese appear to speak their own version of English, so it’s kind of like English mixed with Japanese..for example, instead of “street” they’d say “streeto” and instead “right” , “righto”! haha. This is basically how I started speaking to everyone and I was just fine! Also, Japanese are always happy to help, regardless of their level of English – I had people giving me lifts, printing out maps for me or even calling up their friends if they weren’t sure of the direction I should take – amazing!!

So great to hear that the post gave you new ideas about visiting Tokyo! I visited it a year and a half ago by the way.

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, surely deserves a visit for so many reasons and you have mentioned some in the article. But it really is not affordable for many being one of the most expensive cities on earth. So, one has to be very tricky when he or she wants to visit Tokyo on budget……. and your post gives some great ideas to be tricky in doing everything but spending less… I love being a regular reader of your posts…. I always find informative and useful stuff here……

It’s great to know that Japan is becoming more affordable and truth tbe known, my neighbours who are young lawyers, backpacked around Japan a few years ago, and really raved about it. Language was a problem though as they’re German LOL! They told us that it was mamageable but we didn’t believe them. I do have to roll my sleeves up though as I have a young son who is a Manga addict AND is learning Japanese just so that we can take him there one of these days. OMG!

I have been to Tokyo many years ago and it was expensive then. I enjoyed my stay very much, but refrained from returning because of the cost. This posting has opened my eyes. Have things changed over the years since I have been there or did I just not know about it? Either way, I am excited about your posting. I may find the really compact stay at capsule hotels or manga cafes a little too small for me, but Airbnb sure sounds like a great way to go.

Haha Well, you never know until you try 😉

In my creative energy, the thought sounds awesome – sort of the ideal blend of kitsch and sentiment. Be that as it may, I think in actuality, I would have dreams about being covered alive.

Ha! Well, if you suffer from bad claustrophobia the experience may turn out to be more terrifying than romantic as it literally IS just a capsule! Here’s a link to a photo to give you an idea: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6d/CapsuleHotel.jpg (not all capsule hotels look exactly like this one but this is pretty much the amount of space you’ll have) . Airbnb or a managa cafe may be a safer option! 🙂

I would love / hate to stay at a capsule hotel. In my imagination, the idea sounds great – kind of the perfect combination of kitsch and romance. But I suspect in reality, I would have dreams about being buried alive. What do you think Marta? Are capsules OK for claustrophobes or not so much?

Travel cost don’t think a big issue anytime, lots of traveling offers running over the year on the net & almost all are very cheep. Just search google. Have a memorable trip.

Yes, it’s a common misconception that Tokyo’s expensive! 🙂 As for the flights, try booking as far in advance as possible, use price comparison sites like Skyscanner for research and subscribe to airline newsletters to stay up to date with the latest discounts – this should help you cut the costs down a bit! Safe travels!

well it’s not expensive as I thought it would be, though my main problem would be the flight itself!

TOKYO TRAVEL GUIDE with Sample Itinerary & Budget

Here is our most comprehensive TOKYO TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG with sample Tokyo itineraries, breakdown of expenses, list of things to do, tour and hotel recommendations, and other useful tips!

Over the past six years, I had set foot in Tokyo six times, each lasting as long as my visa allowed. That alone should tell you just how much I adore the Japanese capital. I’m not even sure why. You know how you grew up building on your mind a list of qualities you want your THE ONE to possess? Then you meet someone who doesn’t meet any of those requirements, but for some strange reason, you know they’re the one for you. To me, that’s Tokyo.

Any attempt to search for reason leaves me nauseated. The things that I would normally hate in any other city are things I love about Tokyo. I dislike big urban capitals; Tokyo is a humongous urban capital. I abhor big crowds; Tokyo is overcrowded. I despise too many rules; Tokyo has many unwritten codes that locals and guests are expected to abide by. Yet, with each visit I find myself falling deeper and deeper even though she’s confusing af. She’s zen but wacky, chaotic but organized, minimalist but vibrant, traditional but futuristic, efficient but absolutely insane.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING TOKYO

We often think of Tokyo as a single city, but it’s actually a lot more complicated than that. It’s a metropolitan prefecture. (Wait, what? Uhm, let me explain.) It’s not a single city but not your usual Japanese prefecture either. It’s something that is unique to Tokyo. Think of it as a cluster of cities, municipalities, and special wards. It’s vast and dense. Together, it is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with over 37 million residents.

But let’s focus on one area in particular — the 23 special wards. What many refer to as Tokyo is actually what used to be Tokyo City, which is now broken down into 23 Special Wards, each operating as an individual city. (If you’re familiar with Metro Manila, it’s a similar concept. What we call Metro Manila is actually composed of separate, independent cities.) There’s a big chance that most of the attractions you want to see are confined within the collective boundaries of these 23 special wards.

The good news is, if you’re in Tokyo for only a short visit, you wouldn’t even feel the division. All 23 special wards seem to function as one giant urban hub, connected by the most impressive transportation system I have ever seen in my life.

Here are a few more facts you need to know:

• Time Zone : UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time). Japan is one hour ahead of the Philippines and Singapore
• Language : Japanese (Nihongo). English isn’t widely spoken. However, most signs have English translations.
• Currency : Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥). JPY 1000 is roughly USD9, EUR8.15, SGD12.23, PHP 462 (as of January 2020).
• Modes of payment : Many establishments accept credit cards, but most still prefer cash.

WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO

Hmmm, tough question. Before I answer that, let me first explain to you the JR Yamanote Line. (I’ll answer this, I promise. Just bear with me.)

The JR Yamanote Line is a train loop that runs around Tokyo, connecting the city’s key areas including Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa. It also marks the boundary of Central Tokyo. The area within the loop is considered Central Tokyo.

It is important to be familiar with this because most key attractions in Tokyo are situated along this loop. If it’s your first time, you’ll probably want to see the Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, Shinjuku, Imperial Palace, Ueno, and Akihabara. All of these are connected by the JR Yamanote line. It’s something to take into consideration when choosing a place to stay.

Best Area to Stay in Tokyo

The truth is, as long as the hotel you choose is near a station, you should be fine because most tourist spots are accessible by train/subway. But when it comes to convenience, some areas are far better than others in terms of accessibility and number of accommodations.

Most online sources recommend three locations: Shinjuku , Shibuya , and the Tokyo Station area . I agree with these recommendations. They’re all close to Yamanote Line and direct airport bus services. There are also numerous shops and restaurants around.

However, I prefer Ueno for a lot of personal reasons.

• Ueno is only 40-70 minutes away from the airport by train (via Keisei as mentioned above). It is important to me because I dislike switching trains and walking long distances when I have 30 kilos of baggage on my shoulders.
• Ueno is also closer to Akihabara than any of the three other locations. Akihabara is my absolute favorite place in Tokyo.
• Ueno harbors a number of budget hotel chains including Hotel Mystays , which I frequent.

Even my sister and another friend who both used to live in Tokyo recommend Ueno. But that’s just us.

If the overall vibe is important to you, Asakusa and Akihabara are neighborhoods to consider too. Akihabara is great for otaku and gadget-happy tourists.

Asakusa, on the other hand, may not be along Yamanote Line and it’s not a shopping district, but it has an Old Tokyo feel around it that you might appreciate. Staying here also means you’re close to Senso-ji (Asakusa Kannon Temple).

Wherever you choose to stay, here are some budget accommodation types and usual off-peak rates:

• Bed at Capsule Hotel : as low as USD 20
• Bed at a Dormitory : as low as USD 28
• Single Room : as low as USD 55
• Twin/Double Room : as low as USD 78

Top Budget Hotels in Tokyo

Here are the top ranking budget and capsule hotels in Tokyo as scored by Agoda customers (regardless of neighborhood).

• JR-EAST HOTEL METS AKIHABARA. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• MyCUBE by MYSTAYS Asakusa Kuramae. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Tokyo Akihabara. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• GLANSIT AKIHABARA COMFORT CAPUSULE HOTEL. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Premier Tokyo Shinjuku Station. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• KEIKYU EX INN Akihabara -Tokyo Akihabara. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Dormy Inn Premium Tokyo Kodenmacho – Nihonbashi. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Hotel Wing International Select Asakusa Komagata. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Top Tokyo Hostels

Based on online scores given by Agoda customers.

• Oakhostel Sakura. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Citan Hostel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Sheena and Ippei Guesthouse. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• BUNKA HOSTEL TOKYO. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• WISE OWL HOSTELS TOKYO. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Search for more: Tokyo Hotels

Pocket wifi & local sim in tokyo.

There are a lot of FREE wi-fi spots throughout Tokyo, but if you want to stay connected 24/7, you can rent a mobile wi-fi or get a local 4G SIM.

Pocket Wifi Rental can accommodate multiple users so if you’re a group, you just need one and split the cost. You’ll find a lot of them around, even at the airport. However, based on experience, they are so in demand that every time I try to get one, there’s always none left. Fortunately, with Klook, you can reserve one and just pick it up at the airport !

If you opt with a 4G Data SIM , you can choose between unlimited 4G data and 3GB data for 8 days. If you’re a heavy data user, best to go with the Unlimited Plan. You can pick up the SIM card at Narita Airport.

HOW TO GET TO TOKYO

Tokyo is one of the most visited cities in the world, so accessibility isn’t an issue. In fact, it is served by two airports: Narita, for international flights, and Haneda, for domestic flights mostly.

Located 70km from the city center, Narita Airport is farther from the city than Haneda. Narita Airport has 3 terminals and has more transfer options. Here are your cheapest bets:

Search for Cheap Flights!

Narita airport to tokyo by bus.

Keisei Bus transfer passengers from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station. If your hotel is near Tokyo Station or any of its very few stops, good for you. If not, you might still need to take the train.

Here are the rates:

Regular Hours (5am-12mn) Adult: ¥900 if you reserve in advance, ¥1000 if you book at the airport Child: ¥500

Late Night/Early Morning (12mn-5am) Adult: ¥900 if you reserve, ¥2000 if you book at the airport Child: ¥500 if you reserve, ¥1000 if you book at the airpot

To book in advance, visit the Keisei Bus website and click on the ENGLISH tab in the upper right corner. On the next page, click on TOKYO SHUTTLE. Follow the steps detailed on the next page.

If you’re more comfortable booking with Klook instead, they have bus services from Narita Airport Terminal 1 or 2 to Tokyo City Air Terminal or Tokyo Station.

Narita Airport to Tokyo by Train

Only Terminals 1 and 2 have their own train station. If you’re landing at Terminal 3, you need to make your way on foot to Terminal 2. You just need to follow the signs. Plenty of ’em around.

The cheapest train option is the Keisei Main Line Limited Express . Depending on where your hotel is located, your route will change and you might need to make a few train switches. To check, visit the Hyperdia website and enter the train station closest to your hotel.

Assuming your hotel is in Ueno, this is how much this train will take you to Keisei-Ueno Station.

Fare : ¥1030 for adult (¥520, child) Travel time : 70 minutes Seat : Free seating

Do not confuse this with the Keisei SKYLINER, for which seats are paid and reservations are mandatory. The great thing about the Skyliner though is that it can take you to the city in almost half the time (but for double the price).

Fare : ¥1240 Reserved Seat : ¥1230 (additional fee) Travel time : 40 minutes (to Ueno)

More transfer options: To Shinjuku, Tokyo Station and Ueno

How to get around tokyo.

Taxis are expensive, and buses can be confusing for first-timers. The train is the most efficient mode of transportation. Tokyo has an expansive railway system. Wherever it is you’re going, there is most likely a train station very close to it.

Tokyo by train can be a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it. First, bear in mind that the network is used by almost a dozen operators, including those serving the suburbs. However, in this article, let’s focus on the three companies that serve Central Tokyo: JR East , Toei Subway , and Tokyo Metro Subway . Each of them operate multiple lines that get so entangled, it’s amazing how the Japanese make it work.

JR East controls the all-important JR Yamanote Line . Expectedly, this line is used by a good fraction of the population (which is me saying that it’s often crowded, hehe). Aside from Yamanote, JR also runs other lines including Chuo Main, Chuo-Sobu, and the Shinkansen (bullet train).

The subway lines are operated by Tokyo Metro and Toei . Although separate companies, these two are in great synergy. Often, you don’t need to exit the gates and buy new tickets even if you switch from Toei to Metro lines. (There are cases when you do, though.) Subway lines are marked with an assigned letter in a color-coded circle. For example, Shinjuku Line’s mark is an S in a leaf green circle. Mita Line’s mark is a the letter I in a blue circle. Remember these marks and the companies’ logos because this is how you’ll find them.

Tokyo Metro Subway Lines

Toei Subway Lines

You might be thinking, “Oh cool. That looks easy.” Wrong. It seems easy to understand now, but if you’re a Tokyo newbie, it’s a lot more difficult in practice. These lines are so entangled, and when they meet in major stations like Shinkuku or Tokyo, things get even more complicated. Even I, who have been to Tokyo four times, and my sister, who has been living in Tokyo for years, sometimes get awfully lost.

Aside from the lines, you also might need to know the different train types:

• Local Trains are those that stop at every single station of the line. EVERY. SINGLE. STATION. If your stop is 20+ stations away, it can take a lot of time.
• Rapid Trains are those that skip some stations. Same price as local trains. Same platforms, too.
• Express Trains skip even more stations.
• Limited Express stop only at major stations. Additional fee is usually required.

If it entails waiting only a few minutes on the platform, I would usually just choose a rapid or express train even when the a local train is already approaching. WARNING, though: Board the non-local trains only if you’re sure it will make a stop at your station. You don’t wanna skip your stop. True story. Hahaha.

How to Travel By Train using Single Tickets

• On your web browser, go to Hyperdia.com/en/ . Enter your origin and the station where you’re going. It will then display possible route options including how much the ride costs and transfers needed to get there. At the train station, you can double check the price. Just look at the route map, usually above the ticket machines. The map displays the price based on distance. Sometimes, the map is in Japanese characters only, which is why Hyperdia is useful.
• Once you know how much you’re gonna pay, approach the ticket machines. By default, these machines display everything in Japanese characters. But there is a button there that reads ENGLISH. Press that button and you will hear a voice saying “All train information will be displayed in English.” (I said it out loud in the right intonation when I typed that. Totoo.)
• Follow the steps onscreen . Usually, you will need to press the button (next to the screen) that displays how many passengers you are and then press the corresponding price on the screen. Yep, you should know how much you should be paying before using these machines, hence the first two steps. It will then ask you to confirm your booking.
• Get the tickets that the machine will release . (If after getting the ticket you realize you made a mistake or you just change your mind, don’t worry. Just use the same ticket. Fare adjustment machines are installed at every station. Make the adjustment at the destination.)
• Feed your ticket to the ticket slots at the gate . It will emerge at the end of the gate. Pick it up again. The ticket is small so try your best not to lose it.
• Go to the right platform . To check if you’re in the right direction, check the list of stations usually displayed on a wall before the platforms. There is also a more detailed timetable in the middle of the platform.
• Wait for the right train . The estimated time of arrival of the next few trains and the train type (Rapid, Local, etc) are displayed on electronic screens above the platform.

That’s it! If you get lost or you encounter any problem, don’t hesitate to approach the staff at the window. Every station has one.

Also, if you’re an adult, don’t even try getting a ticket meant for kids just to get a discount. Children’s tickets make a distinct birdy sound when used at the gates to let the staff know that it’s really being used by kids. Yep, birdy.

How to Buy and Use Suica or Pasmo Card

Prepaid IC Cards are also available. It seldom offers discounts, but the beauty of it is that you don’t need to get a ticket each time you’re using the train. You just need to quickly hover the card over the reader and you’re through.

What’s the difference between Suica and Pasmo? The companies offering it, mainly. Suica is sold by JR while Pasmo by Toei and Tokyo Metro. However, both cards work in any Tokyo Metro, Toei, or JR line. As far as the user experience is concerned, it’s very similar.

To get one, you just need to approach one of the PASMO or SUICA machines at the station. There’s no use for me to enumerate the steps here because it’s so easy. Just choose ENGLISH on the welcome screen and follow the instructions.

These cards can also be used on buses. An increasing number of shops and other establishments are also accepting these cards as mode of payment. You can even use it to buy drinks or snacks from vending machines.

Tokyo Passes

But if you only have a very limited time in Tokyo and your itinerary is super packed, then go ahead. There are a lot of options. But one of the most convenient is the Tokyo Subway Ticket.

Tokyo Subway Ticket grants you unlimited access to all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo metro, NOT JR). Cost: ¥800 for 24 hours, ¥1200 for 48 hours, and ¥1500 for 72 hours. Available for pickup at Narita and Haneda airport.

THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO

Tokyo is bursting with attractions. There’s no running out of things to do. Like I said, I have been to Tokyo 6 times, but I haven’t been to even half of all the spots I want to visit.

The list below contains some of the city’s key highlights. I also indicated the nearest train station for your reference. I also provided links to Klook for those who want to book tickets in advance.

I will be making a separate post with more options.

Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea

Nearest Station : JR Maihama Station (Keiyo Line)

This resort complex comprises Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

We have created a separate article about these, with details on how to get there, ticket prices, etc.

More info here: Tokyo Disney Resort Guide

Tokyo SkyTree

At 634 meters, this is Japan’s tallest structure, offering a panoramic view of the megalopolis. The entrance to the tower is on the fourth level of SkyTree Town. The place is usually packed. If you didn’t make advance reservations, approach the staff by the entrance and they will usually assign a time slot. Sometimes, you’re in for a long wait. We went there at 3pm and was assigned a 5pm slot. Fast tickets are available but they’re double the regular price.

Admission Fee : First observatory, 2060 yen; Second observatory: additional 1030 yen Nearest Stations : Tokyo SkyTree Station, Oshiage

You can make an advance reservation online. Klook offers a SkyTree observatory ticket with Asakusa Tour, which will take you to Sensoji Temple and other attractions in Asakusa area.!

TeamLab Borderless and Planets

teamLab Planets and teamLab Borderless are two digital art museums that tickle your senses. Both are body immersive so you can actually interact with the installations! I haven’t been to Borderless, but I have visited and thoroughly enjoyed the Planets site.

Ghibli Museum

Nearest Station: Mitaka (JR Chuo Main Line)

It showcases the work of Studio Ghibli, the Japanese animation studio that produced unforgettable movies like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro and was co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki.

Because of its massive popularity and limited number of visitors per day, it’s incredibly difficult to snag a ticket so you need to book in advance. They don’t sell tickets at the museum Book here.

Admission Fee: ¥1000 adult, ¥700 for ages 13-18, ¥400 for ages 7-12, ¥100 for ages 4-6, FREE for under 4yo

If there is nothing available on your date, you can try Klook. The price is higher, but you might still want to consider.

Sensō-ji (Asakusa Temple)

Tokyo’s oldest temple, it was built in 645 as a tribute to Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

Admission : FREE Nearest Station : Asakusa

The Harajuku neighborhood is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the city including:

• Meiji Shrine. A Shinto shrine completed in 1921 in honor of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken.
• Takeshita-dori (Takeshita Street). The epicenter of Tokyo’s teenage culture and an extremely popular shopping street flanked with boutiques and restaurants.
• Yoyogi Park. Where locals meet and socialize, play sports, dance or just hang. There are cherry blossoms here, too, but not as many as those in other parks.

Admission Fee: Entrance to all of the sites above is FREE of charge. However, the teahouse garden next to the Meiji Shrine charges ¥500 per person.

Nearest Station : Harajuku (JR Yamanote Line)

Shibuya Crossing & Hachiko

Many consider this the world’s busiest intersection. It still baffles me how an intersection became a famous tourist spot, but hey whatever floats your boat. One thing I love doing here though is watch people. Get a seat at nearby Starbucks and go for it.

And oh, the statue of Hachiko , the faithful dog, is just in front of Shibuya Station. You’ll know you’re there when you see a crowd building up for their turn to take a photo.

Admission Fee : FREE Nearest Station : Shibuya

It is surrounded by several museums including the Tokyo National Museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the National Science Museum, and the National Museum for Western Art, and temples including Kaneiji Temple and Kiyomizu Kannon Temple. But Ueno Park is most popular during sakura season! The park nurtures 1000 cherry trees flanking its main pathway.

Admission Fee : The park itself is FREE, but charges apply if you enter the museums. Nearest Station : Ueno

The otaku’s ultimate mecca and Tokyo’s quirkiest destination. Here you’ll find several electronic stores, manga shops and cafes, maid cafes, Gundam Cafe, and Tokyo Anime Center.

Nearest Station : Akihabara

Tokyo Kimono Rental

Wear an authentic kimono or yukata! They will also style your hair appropriately. Once you’re all set, you can explore the streets of Asakusa and go selfie-crazy! Kimono units must be returned before 4:30pm, though.

Tokyo One Piece Tower

One Piece is one of the most legendary manga/anime in the world. In Tokyo, you can get lost in its action-packed world in this one-of-a-kind amusement park. Key attractions include Luffy’s Endless Adventures, Brook’s Horror House, and the Soul Edge of Zoro. There’s also a live stage show.

Robot Restaurant

Be entertained by high-tech laser displays and high-energy robot shows! Food is not included in the rates, but if you book the first performance (4:00pm) on a Saturday or Sunday, you’ll get a JPY500 drink coupon and photo op with the Robots for FREE!

Other Attractions

• Tokyo Tower is the second tallest structure in Japan, next only to Tokyo Sky Tree. It is a communications tower that was built in 1958 and was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Today, tourists are welcome to climb to the top observatory to enjoy magnificent views of the city. Admission Fee to the observation decks: ¥900 yen (main deck), ¥2800 (both decks). Nearest Stations: Onarimon Station (Toei Mita Line), Akabanebashi (Toei Oedo Line)
• Imperial Palace. It remains the official residence of the Imperial Family. Located at the site where Edo Castle used to stand, the Imperial Palace sits at the center of a large park, scribbled with wide green moats and colossal stone dykes. On January 2 and December 23, the Emperor makes an appearance and greets the audience throughout the day. Nearest Stations: Otemachi Station (Exit D2), Nijubashi-mae Station (Exit 6), or Tokyo Station (Marunouchi Central Exit).
• Tsukiji Fish Market. This used to be the city’s main fish market until it was moved. But today, it remains a food destination where you can enjoy sushi or sashimi. Admission Fee: FREE Nearest Station: Tsukiji Shijo (Oedo Subway Line)
• Odaiba . Composed of man-made islands off the coast of the city. Attractions here include a view of the iconic Rainbow Bridge, Fuji TV Building and Leisureland (with a giant arcade, haunted house, ninja illusion house, bowling alleys and more). It’s also a shopping haven with malls like DiverCity Tokyo Plaza and AquaCity, which also houses a ramen theme park on its 5th floor (offering a taste of varieties of ramen from different parts of Japan). Nearest Station: Daiba

• Ryōgoku is the sumo neighborhood of Tokyo. Here stand the Kokugikan sumo stadium and Sumo Museum. The stadium is where the three Tokyo tournaments are held in January, May and September, each running for 15 days. Although limited number of same-day tickets are available, it is best too book in advance on their official website . General Admission Ticket costs: ¥2200. If there are no sumo tournament at the time of your visit, you may still check out the Sumo Museum. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 16:30. Closed on weekends and national holidays. Admission Fee: FREE Nearest Station: Ryōgoku (JR and Toei)
• Tokyo Metropolitan Goverment Building (aka Tokyo City Hall, Tōkyō Tochō) has FREE observation decks that provides one of the best vistas of the city. From you can see the Tokyo Tower and the SkyTree! This is the one I recommend because I believe that the best view of Tokyo isn’t FROM the Tokyo Tower or SkyTree but has either of these structures in the frame. You can even see Mt. Fuji on a clear day! And did I mention it’s FREE. Nearest Station: Tocho-mae Station (Oedo Subway Line)

DAY TOURS OUTSIDE TOKYO

Outside of Tokyo but easily accessible are several destinations that may be worth your time, although a trip may set you back a few thousand yen. If you can’t visit all of these, I highly recommend to pick the best at the time of your visit. For example, I went to Lake Kawaguchi in December because I also wanted to ski on the slopes of Mt. Fuji. If I visited during summer, it would have been closed.

Anyway, here are some suggestions. I’ll be writing a separate article for each of these so I could discuss them in detail.

Hakone offers a closer look at Mt. Fuji. Located 100km from Tokyo, it is one of the favorite day tours among foreign tourists staying in Tokyo. It is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, whose map is shaded with hot springs!

How to get there: From Shinjuku Station, take the train to Hakone-Yumoto Station (2 hours, ¥1190). There are faster trains that could take you there for only 85 minutes but costs ¥1190.

You can also join a group tour! The tour comes with hotel pick up and FREE unlimited wifi! It will allow you to do the following:

• Enjoy a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji
• Cruise around Lake Ashi
• Take a 50-minute ropeway up Mt. Komagatake

Lake Kawaguchi

Kawaguchiko is the second largest, the most popular, the most developed, and the most easily accessible of the Fuji Five Lakes. Located in Yamanashi, it is one hour and 20 minutes away from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station by direct express train, and two hours by bus or local train. The town is part of the Fujisan Cultural Site, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. From here, you can have a great view of Mt. Fuji. It is also a jump off point for Fujiten Ski Resort, one of the only two resorts on the slopes of Mt. Fuji itself.

How to get there: From Shinjuku Station, take the bus to Kawaguchiko (2 hours, ¥1700, one-way) and Tokyo Station (3 hours, ¥1700, one-way). Visit the Fujikyu Bus official website for the schedule and other details.

If you don’t want to DIY it, you can also join a group tour from Tokyo! Stops include Arakurayama Sengen Park, Oishi Park, Lake Sai Iyashi no Sato Gemba Village, and Shiraito Waterfall.

Fuji-Q Highland

This is for adrenaline junkies and kids at heart. Fuji-Q Highland is an amusement theme park at the base of Mt. Fuji. Not only do you get spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, you also get treated to thrilling rides.

Fuji-Q Highland has four crazy rollercoasters, a haunted hotel, lots of carnival games and other attractions!

A ticket will give you unlimited rides within the theme park.

Kamakura is often called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan because of its countless shrines, temples, and monuments including a giant bronze statue of Buddha. I also did a bit of trekking in its mountains and had my first glimpse of Mt. Fuji along the way. Kamakura was also home to the greatest samurai swordsmith named Masamune, whose descendant Tsunahiro Yamamura (Masamune XXIV) has been carrying the 700-year sword-making tradition and showcasing it at Masamune Sword and Blade Workshop, which you can visit. You may also buy souvenirs at a 100-year-old sword shop here called Sankai-do.

How to get there: From Tokyo Station, travel by train to Kamakura Station (1 hour, ¥920)

How to get there: Use the Tokyu Toyoko Line and board the Express or Limited Express train to Yokohama Station or Minato Mirai Station.

WHERE TO EAT CHEAP IN TOKYO

It is impossible to talk about Tokyo without a mention of its food. The Japanese take their food very seriously. It has more Michelin-star restaurants than any other city in the world (although most of them are pricey and require reservations months in advance).

Unless you’re cooking, the easiest way to save money on food is to hit the supermarket. Japanese supermarkets sell not just raw ingredients but also cooked ones that you can simply heat or eat right away. Convenience stores serve good meals, too.

But you probably didn’t go to Tokyo just to raid their supermarkets and convenience stores (not that something’s wrong with that, if that’s your thing). Even if you’re running on limited fuel (money!), you can still eat out!

I’ll be writing a separate article listing down some of the city’s more-than-good but (relatively) affordable food places.

Please check back soon.

WHERE TO SHOP IN TOKYO

We created a separate post for this.

Read it here: 10 Places to Shop in Tokyo

SAMPLE TOKYO ITINERARY WITH BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES

To save time, energy, and money, build your itinerary well. Visit attractions close to each other on the same day. For example, the Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Yoyogi Park, and Shibuya Crossing area can all be explored on foot in one day.

Here’s a sample Tokyo itinerary that I think is great for a first-timer. This itinerary assumes the following:

• For breakfast, hit the convenience store for some cheap food like onigiri (rice balls with filling) or sandwich. Don’t worry, you’ll be eating at proper food places for lunch and dinner.
• For lunch or dinner, your food budget is ¥1000-¥1500 per meal. That’s actually too much. You can find ramen places that offer ¥500-800 per bowl. But let’s add some allowance. You can go over the budget, but make sure you make up for it next time.

It includes a visit to the city’s key attractions as well as a day trip to Lake Kawaguchi to admire Mt. Fuji OR Tokyo Disneyland.

Day 1: UENO & AKIHABARA 10:30 am – Airport to Tokyo, ¥1030 12:00 nn – Check-in or drop baggage 01:00 pm – Lunch at Ichiran, ¥1250 02:00 pm – Ueno Park + Tokyo National Museum, ¥620 04:30 pm – Train to Akihabara, ¥140 04:10 pm – Explore Akihabara 07:00 pm – Walk to Ameyoko Market 07:30 pm – Dinner at Ameyoko, ¥1000 09:00 pm – Back to hotel, sleep!

Day 2: SHIBUYA 08:00 am – Ueno to Harajuku Station, ¥200 08:30 am – Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park – FREE 11:30 am – Takeshita Dori (Harajuku) – FREE 01:00 pm – Lunch at Harajuku Gyoza Ro, ¥1000 03:00 pm – Shibuya Crossing + Hachiko + shop around 07:00 pm – Afuri Ramen, ¥1500 09:30 pm – Back to Hotel

Day 3: ASAKUSA & ODAIBA 09:00 am – Ueno to Sensoji (Asakusa) – ¥170 09:30 am – Sensoji Temple 11:30 am – Daikokuya Tempura, ¥1500 12:45 pm – Train to Aomi Station, ¥610 02:00 pm – teamLab Borderless, ¥3200 05:30 pm – Explore Odaiba 07:00 pm – Dinner, ¥1200 08:00 pm – Train to hotel, ¥480 09:00 pm – Back to hotel

Day 4 Option A: TOKYO DISNEYLAND OR DISNEYSEA 08:00 am – Ueno to Maihama Station – ¥390 08:40 am – Disney Resort Monorail – ¥260 09:00 am – Disneyland/DisneySea* – ¥7400 + ¥3000 food budget 10:00 pm – Monorail to Maihama – ¥260 10:20 pm – Maihama to Ueno – ¥390

Day 5: DEPARTURE 10:00am – Check out 11:30am – Tokyo to Narita – ¥1030

If your lodging budget is ¥4200 per person per night, the itinerary above will set you back a total of ¥47,000 (USD 427, EUR 384, SGD 574, PHP 21,720) , excluding airfare, travel taxes and shopping expenses.

If you’re able to snag roundtrip airfare for only PHP 6000, the above itinerary will cost a total of PHP 29,500 (including airfare and travel tax).

The total figures above budget already include some allowance for miscellaneous incidentals but it’s best to add more to make room for price adjustments and other expenses that we might have missed.

Note that the biggest chunk of the budget goes to Disneyland or Mt. Fuji/Lake Kawaguchi. If you replace it with a cheaper destination, the total will drop significantly.

MORE TIPS FOR THE POOR TRAVELER

• Tipping is not common in Tokyo. To settle your bill, you are expected to approach the cashier on your way out. The cashier is usually stationed by the entrance/exit.
• Some restaurants and eateries have a ticket machine by the entrance. The menu is displayed and you just need to press the buttons corresponding your order and enter payment, and it will dispense your tickets.
• Many vending machines serve both cold and hot drinks. Most people are surprised to learn about the hot options. Really helpful when you’re out in the cold.
• Japanese bills look alike (same color). What varies is the size of the bill. The ¥1000 and ¥10,000 can be confusing so be careful. However, the Japanese are highly UNLIKELY to take advantage. They will even be the first to tell you.
• When using the escalator, keep left if you’re not moving.
• Be quiet inside the train. It’s seldom that you find people having loud conversations onboard. When it happens, they’re usually tourists.
• If you have a cold or cough, wear surgical masks in public. Locals wear those not because they don’t want to get sick but because they don’t want to pass on the illness to others.
• Learn a few Japanese phrases. The most useful would be Sumimasen (Excuse me, sorry) and Arigatoo gozaimasu (Thank you).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT TOKYO

How to apply for a japan visa.

• How to Apply for TOURIST Japan Visa
• How to Apply for a Visa for VISITING FRIENDS or RELATIVES
• How to Apply for a MULTIPLE Entry Japan Visa
• Japan Visa Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Tokyo

I may be biased here because I’ve lived in the tropics all my life so I always want to visit Japan when it’s a bit cooler. Summer in Japan can get too hot, even for an island guy like me.

• Spring (March-May) is the best time to visit for two reasons: The weather is often pleasant and comfortable. And if your timing is right, CHERRY BLOSSOMS! In Tokyo, the first bloom usually happens in March Week 3-4, full bloom at the end of March, and the last fall within Week 1 of April. Emphasis on usually . These days, you can never be too sure. Make sure you check Cherry Blossoms forecast before you book your flight.
• Fall (September-October) is great, too. Not too cold. I find the autumn colors to be a nice treat.
• Winter isn’t really a bad option. Tokyo winter has its market (me!), but it has its pros and cons. Flights and hotels are cheaper. Most attractions are not as crowded. Shopping districts go on NEW YEAR SALE (January Week 1), offering amazing deals. But it can get super cold outside, so you will need to prepare. Days are also shorter. If you love taking photos, it’s something you need to consider. Daylight is gone as early as 4pm. Establishments close earlier, too.

For more tips on how to enjoy Japan in winter, READ: JAPAN WINTER TIPS!

How many days is ideal for Tokyo?

At least a week. Like I said, I have been to Tokyo several times but I still have a lot to see.

If you don’t have that much time, 5 days should let you see the highlights.

If you have only 2-3 days, it’s going to be a challenge to see much of what the city has to offer. But we have a sample itinerary.

Watch the video below.

Do I need a JR Pass to explore Tokyo?

It depends on your itinerary. If you will be staying in Tokyo the entire trip, a JR Pass isn’t really worth it.

It only makes sense to get a JR Pass if you’re on a multi-city journey around Japan. If your itinerary involves taking long-distance trains often and you’re staying for 7 days, you can save money by getting a Train Pass. For example, if you would be visiting Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka in 7 days, it could be a great deal.

Is tipping customary in Tokyo?

No. Tipping is not common in Tokyo.

To settle your bill, you are expected to approach the cashier on your way out. The cashier is usually stationed by the entrance/exit.

What type of power plug / socket is used in Tokyo?

Electricity Info : 100V, 50-60Hz. Sockets are Type A. Plugs have two flat pins.

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Is this post helpful to you?

Related Posts:

• JAPAN MULTI-CITY TOUR: How to Plan a Budget Trip
• 10 Photos of Cherry Blossoms in Japan
• TOKYO IN WINTER: 7 Awesome Things to Do and Places to Visit
• WHERE TO SHOP IN TOKYO: 10 BEST AREAS!
• SAPPORO ON A BUDGET: Travel Guide & Itinerary
• SHIRAKAWA-GO ON A BUDGET: Travel Guide & Itinerary
• FUKUOKA TRAVEL GUIDE: Budget Itinerary, Things to Do
• THE BEST OF TOKYO in 5 DAYS: Sample Itinerary for First Timers

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Thanks for the this! :) Will use this in my future travel!

Thanks for reading! :D

Really??? with less than Php 25,000 you can travel around tokyo? I never expect it to be this affordable. this is so helpful. Thanks for the tip. :)

Great post Yoshke! You’ve given great detail to almost anything I can think of any traveller would need. Plus your pictures are gorgeous.

Thanks, John!

Appreciate your information, we plan only to visit Tokyo Disneyland, and a bit of tokyo, plan to be in Tokyo Disneyland on a Sunday, will it be good to arrive Friday or Saturday and leave on Monday? Would you suggest a good itinerary and cheap and reasonable expenses to go with? thank you so much

Very informative thanks for sharing!

Great post and with detailed itinerary within budget! Can I ask what is the recommended itinerary for senior persons first time travelers? Thanks!

Hi Bing! If you have seniors traveling with you, I’d suggest you pick a hotel near Yamanote line and just visit attractions along Yamanote (Akihabara, Sugamo, Ueno, Shibuya, Harajuku, Yoyogi, Shinjuku), although I would probably just insert a visit to Disneyland too haha.

Thanks very much Yoshke! Yes will definitely recommend the senior couple the theme park , and they will only go as a couple as what they wanted :) Have read your blogs and the Ueno area is the most appropriate area for you to stay. May i ask … sorry have many questions though …

1.) When i tried checking the Hyperdia site , when entering the Ueno there are choices of = Ueno , Ueno-Hirokojii, Ueno-Okachimachi.. which one to choose? 2.) Should they buy Tourist Train Pass or per ride ticket is for the suggested attractions that you mentioned? 3.) Are there decent hotels in Ueno area in their front desk that can offer tours or day tours for the couple also? as they are not that techie in searching places via smartphones? 4.) Would you recommend the Smart travel wifi? I have seen ads they started the service for traveller, for the couple to use :) 5.) Can you recommend few cheap and decent hotels in Ueno? , the couple plans to stay for 4 days 6.) Are there cheap shops in areas that is for pasalubong and good stuffs to buy? :) Thanks again :)

1.) When i tried checking the Hyperdia site , when entering the Ueno there are choices of = Ueno , Ueno-Hirokojii, Ueno-Okachimachi.. which one to choose? — Ueno. Ueno only. :)

2.) Should they buy Tourist Train Pass or per ride ticket is for the suggested attractions that you mentioned? —- If you’re referring to the Tokyo Free Kippu (Tokyo Tour Ticket), no. Hehe.

3.) Are there decent hotels in Ueno area in their front desk that can offer tours or day tours for the couple also? as they are not that techie in searching places via smartphones? — Hmmm, I’m not sure, I never asked any reception because I always traveled DIY. What I can tell you though is that you can book tours online as early as now. Just make sure HOTEL PICKUP is included.

4.) Would you recommend the Smart travel wifi? I have seen ads they started the service for traveller, for the couple to use :) —- We haven’t tried that yet. :(

5.) Can you recommend few cheap and decent hotels in Ueno? , the couple plans to stay for 4 days —– I love staying at Hotel MYSTAYS Ueno East because it’s clean, cheap, and not too far from the train station. (There’s still a bit of walking involved, though.) If they’re fully booked, there’s another Hotel Mystays branch in an adjacent street, just a block away. Here’s Hotel MYSTAYS Ueno East: https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?cid=1771694&pcs=1&hid=926801

6.) Are there cheap shops in areas that is for pasalubong and good stuffs to buy? :) — Yep, Takeya is also in Ueno. They sell discounted chocolates and other products at a discounted rate. And if they spend more than 5000 yen, they can opt with tax-free. May mga katabi ring ibang similar stores ang Takeya. Takeya lang yung natatandaan ko na name right now. It’s located here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/%E5%A4%9A%E6%85%B6%E5%B1%8BTAKEYA.CO .,LTD/@35.707338,139.7744132,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x60188ea1bfbdcdb9:0x88d64d6002df7d48!8m2!3d35.707338!4d139.7766072

Thanks again :)

Hi Yoshke thanks much for answering all questions ! The couple is now more excited if the trip will push through this coming december :)

And i told them the apps you recommended for them to familiarize before going. More blessings to you guys for having a great blog ! :) Bing

Do you recommend buying disnet tickets from Klook? Thanx

Hi Kristianne! Yep, we discussed exploring Disneyland using a Klook ticket here: http://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/05/tokyo-disney-resort-travel-guide-tips/

Hi! Just want to ask if you bought a ticket first then to follow na lang yung visa? ok lang ba yun?

Hi Hannah! Ideally, dapat mauna yung visa para if madeny, hindi sayang. But if you’re confident you’re in good standing (has a full-time job, may funds sa bank, etc.), oks lang if mauna ung ticket. Pero syempre may risk yun pa rin. :)

Thanks for your blog my planning was made 100x easier. I’m planning to just copy one of your suggested itineraries, since we’re also staying 5 nights, 6 days, but was wondering if we can go to Mt. Fuji instead of the Yokohama destination. Would you recommend that too?

Thanks a lot!

Yep, that’s cool too. :)

This is really cool. I’m planning to insert mt. Fuji in the itinerary but I just wonder if you ever had blogged or discussed abouth going there? How-to and how-much, i mean. This blog made me feel more confident to explore Tokyo! So friendly and budget-wise. Thank you!

Thank heavens for a blog like yours, Yoshke! Leaving for Tokyo this Friday, took note of your suggested itineraries and if weather permits we’ll do it all, plus a trip to Mt Fuji :)

I learned alot in reading this guide. Thank you sir for this detailed guide.

Hi! I think i need help haha! Im planning to go to Japan in December and I might book a flight from Manila to Nagoya, my problem is, i need to meet someone at Haneda airport and i dont know how am i going to get there (the cheapest way possible). Im thinking about taking the bus but im not sure if there’s a bus station outside nagoya airport or i need to ride a train first or if the bus will drop me at haneda airport it will be my first time in Japan and I’ll be traveling alone from manila to nagoya thats why im so nervous

Hi Eds, I’m afraid we don’t know the answer to this. :(

Hi, What will I search in Klook if i want to buy the JR Yamanote line pass? Thanks

Would you know if the 4G Wifi rental can be picked up at Kansai and returned at Narita?

Hi! If I already purchased a JR Pass. is it advisable to still purchase an IC card or ICOCA card for Osaka to ride the trains? Because there are local trains that are not JR lines. Same with Tokyo, do I need to purchase SUICA? Please enlighten me. We’re leaving soon! Thank you!

It really depends on your itinerary. if your itinerary involves a lot of destinations near subway lines, then yes. SUICA and ICOCA are both refundable too.

Hello! We are going to Tokyo end of May- first week of June. I was thinking of going to Hakone or Lake Kawaguchiko but I’m afraid that we may not see Mt. Fuji. Is it advisable to try to go and try our luck (a lot of it?) Thank you very much again for all that you do.

Hi Laarni. Just check the weather forecast. Pero usually, kita ang Mt. Fuji kapag morning and late afternoon. Kapag around noon, maulap.

Eitherway, I would still recommend going to Lake Kawaguchi kasi maganda ung lugar with or without Mt. Fuji. :)

Hello po. Magkano budget need pag mga 10 days in Tokyo japan for 2 people?

Hello! Your blog is super helpful though I’m still confuse sorry, what train tickets do you recommend I buy. I will be staying only for 4 days and plan to go to maybe the top 10 destinations in Tokyo only? Also staying near Shinjuku station. Thanks in advance :)

Depends on your itinerary. I don’t know what you mean by top 10 destinations.

But most likely, the Tokyo Subway Ticket. https://affiliate.klook.com/jump/activity/1552-metro-ticket-tokyo/?adid=4976&af_wid=825

Hi there Yoshke. Ok b ang suica card if um planning to travel in ueno, shibuya, asakusa ung loop ng yamanote loop. Thanks alot

Hi Bhe, yep, okay lang yung Suicard kasi di naman sya pass talaga. It’s just a stored value card that will make your train travel easier. :)

Hi Yoshke, planning to go to Tokyo fro 4 days come November (2nd week). Is it wise to use Pasmo card if 1 day will be spent in Hitachi Seaside Park, 1 day Mt. Fuji Tour (book through klook), 1 day disneysea, and the last day just shopping around Tokyo and Shinjuku Gyoenmae? Thanks.

Hi Mei, PASMO isn’t a pass. It’s simply a pre-purchased stored value ticket. So no savings there.

If you really want to save and you want to see Hitachi Seaside Park, drop the Klook tour and visit Mt. Fuji DIY style. Then purchase the Tokyo Wide Pass, which covers both sites and the two airports for 10,000 yen. The only catch is, the pass is valid for 3 consecutive days. This means you need to rearrange the itinerary and visit farther destinations (Hitachi, Mt. Fuji, and Disneyland) within 3 days.

Thanks for the reply Yoshke. Will take your advice. Can you please lead me to the link of the DIY to Mt. Fuji. Thanks.

Hi Mei, we haven’t written about it in detail yet, haha.

Hi sir. Im a first-timer sa japan om an 8-day solo trip..inquire ko lang. I have an 8 day trip in japan.. osaka-kyoto-tokyo ang plano ko po. 3 days in osaka 1 day in kyoto and 4 days in tokyo.

Mostly city sightseeing lang po gagawin ko. And sa tokyo po option 3 ng itinerary nyo ung halos kapareho ng akin but naka-base ako sa asakusa. Do you think a combination of ICOCA and tokyo subway metro is the best option for transpo. Pag sa unli ticket ng subway, okay po ba ang 72 hour ticket? Or 2 days unli ticket will do? Dahil pabalik nko s 4th day ko po via narita airport naman. Would highly appreciate your advise po dahil hindi biro mahgawa ng itinerary for japan Thank you.

Hi Cha, I don’t think okay sayo yung subway ticket kasi mukhang mas magagamit mo yung JR lines.

I understand. So stick na lang po ako sa ICOCA. Pwede naman kung sakali ang ICOCA sa tokyo di po ba. Maraming salamat po at naliwanagan ako

yes po, gumagana yung ICOCA sa Tokyo. :)

Salamat sir ng marami

Hi! Please help me choose Odaiba or Tokyo Tower sa first night namin, bali mga 4pm pa kami aalis sa hotel Thanks po

Hi Ralph, ang hirap naman. Haha.

Ang maganda sa Tokyo Tower, malapit lang sya sa Roponggi so marami pa kayong ibang pwedeng puntahan before or after.

Yung Odaiba naman, medyo malayo pa. So mas pipiliin ko siguro ung Tokyo Tower area kung limited ang time.

Hi! Salamat po sa answer. BTW, safe po ba sa Roppongi? Heard a lot of stories na madami daw touts dun kaya medyo di ako sure about going there

Wala naman akong naexperience na panget when I was there. Just be cautious na lang din as always. :)

Hi, thank you for all the info. Your blog is really helpful. Been actually checking this since i was able to get a piso fare last dec2017 and yes finally our much awaited trip will be next month, hurray for that! But i need help, can you please advise if we need a subway pass or the kippu pass or just buy the stored value? Will be around asakusa, akiba, shinjuku, shibuya, imperial palace on day 1. Day 2 need to be in shinjuku for mt fuji tour, day3 on disneysea. Will be staying in nipori. Thank you so much!

I don’t think you need any pass. Just stick to SUICA/PASMO.

If you want to be sure, go to the Hyperdia website, enter your destinations/stations and compute yourself. If the total cost is lower than the price of the pass, then you don’t need that pass.

Thank you for the advice!

Hi! What’s the best way to get Yen? I have both PHP and USD and I don’t know what option gives the best rates. Did you exchange money in the Philippines or at Japan?

Hi Shen, I usually exchange money in the Philippines. Peso to yen.

Sometimes, we withdraw yen from ATM.

Hi Yoshke! San po pwede ma experience ang snow near tokyo? around end of Dec?

December snow is rare in Tokyo, but it has happened before. I once experienced snow in Tokyo in November. But generally, January is the best bet for first snow.

You can go to Yamanashi prefecture. If you want to experience snow activities, you can visit Fujiten Snow Resort at the base of Mt. Fuji, near Lake Kawaguchi. I have tried it before and it’s great for snow newbies. The view of Mt. Fuji from the resort is also unforgettable.

How about in Gala Yuzawa? it is safe to go there with kid?

Hi! We haven’t been there pero it’s a snow resort so siguro naman.

Hi! Your blog is very helpful. We are going there this December and staying near the Shinjuku area, would you know of any Catholic church that has an English mass near that area? Thanks!

Not sure if they have English mass, but check out St. Ignatius Church, just a short ride from Shinjuku.

From Shinjuku Station, just take JR Line to Yotsuya Station.

Hi! Is it advisable to go by Train to Kawaguchiko lake from Tokyo and ride a taxi going to Fujiten Ski resort? Is it hard to get a taxi ni kawaguchiko?

Hi Mc, what I did was take the bus to Kawaguchiko and then taxi to Fujiten. I think train is okay too.

In Kawaguchiko, it’s easy to find a cab that will take you to Fujiten. It’s just so darn expensive. Haha

hi, may i know how to get back to Narita from Ueno? my flight will be at 10 in the morning , so i have to take the train before the rush hour (maybe around 6.30 am) and i plan to buy the skyliner ticket online but i’m confuse if thats able to redeem the ticket the day before my flight day? i read in some article that i have to exchange the e-voucher in harajuku and ueno, is that correct?

Just go to Keisei-Ueno Station. You can take either the Skyliner or Limited Express. Just buy the ticket at the station so no need to redeem. :)

Hi Yoshke! We will be in Tokyo for 8 days after Christmas until Jan. 2. Travelling with 2 teenagers. Would you know of any New Year’s Countdown celebration in Tokyo? How about in Yokohama? We are planning to go there for the fireworks but not sure of train schedules.

Hi Cathysis, I don’t know anything about fireworks, but most locals go to the temple on New Year’s Eve for “hatsumode”. Meiji Shrine in particular seems to be popular.

Reading this help me to plan our upcoming trip. Thank you so much. Would you know if tokyo wide pass cover hitachi seaside, ashikaga flower park and mt fuji areas? thanks again

Hitachi Seaside and Mt Fuji, yes. I can’t remember if Ashikaga is covered.

Thank you for the helpful post. Quick question, is shopping at Gotemba worth it. Also, do kids below 1 year old have to pay for trains or subways? thanks again and all the best.

Re Gotemba, personally, I don’t really enjoy shopping stops, haha, so it’s not for me.

Kids below 1 year can use the train/subway for free unless they occupy a reserved seat. Otherwise, free of charge.

Hi po, I’m planning to visit Tokyo next January but I’m still ambivalent if I should purchase a roundtrip ticket right now (because idk if it’s still too expensive lol). Any tips on when should I purchase a roundtrip ticket to get the cheapest rate if I want to go to Tokyo in January? Also how will I know if sulit na or okay na ang price ng roundtrip ticket for January? How much po usually ang average or cheapest rate for January? Thanks po. :)

Hi Hope, both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific will have a major seat sale on March 1. Try mo book on that date, at midnight! :)

Really very gud collection What a fantastically useful list. Thank you so much

Nice post thanks for sharing

No prob! And thanks for visiting our blog.

Hello may I ask po regarding sim card? :) pwede po ba hotspot un? Isa lang bibilin. Dalawa lang po kasi kami nung friend ko mag travel. Parang un po ung cheapest option.

Hi Dianne, ang alam ko pwede po.

Thank you po! Sobrang dami ko po natutunan sa blogs niyo. As in kayo ung japan bible ko. Hahaha. Sana maging successful po ang trip namin ng friend ko. ❤️ Thanks for everything ❤️ Saan kami pupulutin kung wala kayoooo ❤️

Salamat po! :)

Hello. I’ll be in Tokyo for 8 days and I’m planning to get a Tokyo subway Ticket pass. Can I buy 3 x 48hr passes in advance? Or do I need to buy everytime a 48hr pass expires? Thanks

Hi Kitty, you don’t have to use a pass for the entire duration of the trip. Use it only on days when you feel like you’re taking a lot of subway rides. Otherwise, just buy single tickets.

Hi! How will we know what stations will the Express/Rapid train stops?

Hi. This blog is very informative. We are planning a trip to Japan this November 2019. My question is…can we change the port of entry to go to Japan from Narita to Haneda? In our Japan tourist visa application form, we stated NRT but I am seeing that the plane fare is cheaper if we fly to Haneda airport plus it is near the Tokyo area. I appreciate your help.

Hi Annie, as far as I know, it’s okay.

I usually check Wikipedia lang.

Hi, I plan to visit Tokyo and go to Ashikaga flower park. I read about Tokyo free kippu (Tokyo combination ticket). Is this ticket valid for my trip from HAneda airport to Ashiakgashi? Can I buy the ticket in HAneda airport? Thank you.

Hi Iin, you will need a Tokyo WIDE Pass for that, not the free Kippu.

Thanks for a everything

Do you recommend going to teamlab borderless?

Hi Froglet, we haven’t tried teamLab Borderless, but we’ve been to teamLab Planets and we loved it!!! ❤️

When will you have the HOW TO GET TO HANEDA AIRPORT TO TOKYO CITY CENTER ?

this blog is super detailed and very informative! kudos to you for making this. i am planning to go to Japan this December. Hopefully i can go to Tokyo and experience what it has to offer. :) Thanks for sharing this!

cha @ littlemisadvencha.com

Many thanks for the tips and infos! I enjoyed the reading from top to bottom.

Thank you! :)

Hi Guys how to buy disneysea ticket online? Tried klook link here but it says they dont have it in our languange

Hi, regarding the tokyo free kippu (1 day tokyo tour ticket). Is the validity of the ticket by time (24 hours, like if I buy it on 3 pm today, is it still valid til 3 pm tomorrow) or by date (will its validity expire by 12:00 AM tomorrow even if I bought it on 3 pm today)

Hi po. In choosing accomodation, should we only consider those near train stations( jr yamanote line) like tokyo or shibuya train stations? Or pwede rin close to subways. Are subways part of the jr yamanote line? Thanks po. We are after kc close to public transport.

Hi Edna, ang subways ay di part ng Yamanote line. BUT check mo yung mga attractions that you want to visit. Baka most of them are near a subway line din (TOEI, Tokyo Metro). If oo, then okay na rin naman yung malapit sa subway station.

Actually, basta malapit ka sa train station, whether subway or JR line yan, you should be fine. Mas preferred ko lang talaga ung malapit sa JR Yamanote line kung ung main attractions ang ivivisit. Pero di sya deal-breaker for me. If may gusto kang hotel/apartment sa city center na malayo sa Yamanote pero malapit sa subway, worth considering pa rin un for me.

Thanks. Are they intervonnected though? We can ride subway then change train to yamanote line? Expensive kc nakikita ko pg near U Yamanote line.

Yes, interconnected naman sila. May interchange sa big stations like Ueno and Shinjuku.

Don’t gravitate too much sa Yamanote line if mahal. Basta within city center and you’re near a station, you should be fine.

Thanks so much for answering my questions. Last na po. Mas ok ba mag klook Hakone tour to see Mt Fuji or mg train n lng po kmi? Is hakone the best option to see mt fuji? Salamat in advance

Great post!! Thank you very much for sharing.

Hi! Where do you exchange your php to yen? Is it better if sa Bank or sa Money Changer? or sa NAIA?

I live in Kenya but I have always wanted to visit Tokyo and experience the technology advancement there. Being a web designer myself, I know they are way ahead of us in online business marketing. I welcome all Japanese people to Kenya.

I love your blogs! I discovered it the first time I went to Japan last year and have been going back to reread it for tips for future travels, and just because it’s so fun to read them! Hope we can travel again soon because I’m excited to apply the things I’ve learned. Stay safe! :)

Thanks, Meagan! Yes, hopefully we all get to travel soon! :)

That’s such an elaborative guide to Tokyo. Loved it. I am definitely referring it when I visit Tokyo.

I am arriving 12 midnight weekday January 12 2023 from Hameda Terminal 3…. is there airport transfer to bring me to Shibuya around this early morning time I only see airport transfers from Narita…Thank you

What place would you suggest to enjoy autumn view near tokyo? We are only stating for 5 days

loads of infos! thank you!

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How to enjoy Tokyo on a budget: hotels, transport, restaurants, attractions and shopping

A Time Out Tokyo editor’s tips for doing Tokyo on the cheap, from free museums and cheap eats to tourist discounts and more

We probably don’t need to tell you this, but things are getting more expensive. Thanks, inflation . On top of that, you’ve most likely heard that Tokyo is a costly city.

If you’re visiting from overseas, you might just be in for a surprise. A pleasant one at that. Because the weak yen has turned Japan into a bit of a steal for those travelling here on holiday. And as for Tokyo’s reputation as an expensive city? Well, simply put, it doesn’t have to be. You can find incredible value for money here.

Tokyo is full of bargains on everything you need for a fantastic trip. You can find reasonably priced hotels, money-saving transport deals, low-cost (but high quality) souvenirs, and delicious meals that will leave both your stomach and wallet smiling.

Here, we’ll help you plan a Tokyo trip that won’t destroy your bank account.

RECOMMENDED: Don’t want to spend any money? Here are the 33 best free things to do in Tokyo

Every yen counts

Hotels and accommodation

First things first, you need a place to stay. You’ll find that most of Japan’s budget-friendly options are in the east of the city. But that’s no bad thing because this is where you’ll come across top Tokyo destinations like Asakusa for Sensoji Temple and Ueno for its park and various museums .

Hostels, of course, offer some of the cheapest rates. One of the most attractive is Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel in a converted 1920s townhouse in Iriya, not far from Ueno. A place in the dorm costs from ¥3,000 per person per night. The same company also runs Nui Hostel & Bar Lounge in cool Kuramae , a stone’s throw from Asakusa. This stylish hostel with a popular bar has dorm room bunks from ¥2,600 per person per night.

If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, there are budget-friendly ryokan (Japanese-style inns) dotted around. A convenient option is Sawanoya Ryokan in Nezu, which caters to international visitors. A one-person room with traditional tatami mats will set you back a minimum of ¥5,940 per person per night.

Another accommodation option synonymous with Japan is the capsule hotel. While not as homely as a ryokan , these sleeping pods can be quite cheap. Expect to pay as little as ¥2,000 per night at places like Tokyo ¥1980 Hotel in Iriya, while capsule hotel chains such as First Cabin and Nine Hours have rates from around ¥3,000 per night.

Be aware that capsule hotels are often used by men and that some are male-only. There are a few exceptions, though. Nine Hours Women capsule hotels in Kanda and Shinjuku are female-only and still offer low-cost accommodation, with rates starting at ¥3,400 per night.

It’s also possible to get hotel rooms with your own bed and en-suite bathroom for a price that still leaves aside plenty of money for your holiday spending. There are four Sakura Hotels in the city ( Ikebukuro , Nippori , Hatagaya and Jimbocho ) and a one-night stay per person can be as low as ¥6,500.

Transport and rail passes

If you’re planning to travel beyond Tokyo to cities like Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Sapporo and even Fukuoka, it's worth considering a JR rail pass . One of the most popular is the Japan Rail Pass , which gets you unlimited travel on almost all JR trains and shinkansen. But note that it will be a lot more expensive from October 2023 , so it may not be that cost effective after that. Currently, the pass is ¥29,650 for seven days, ¥47,250 for 14 days and ¥60,450 for 21 days.

It’s possible to buy the pass once you reach Japan, but it’s much cheaper if you get it before you arrive. The seven-day pass, for example, is currently almost ¥4,000 more expensive if you buy it in Japan.

Once you have the pass, you can make some big savings. A return trip on the bullet train from Tokyo to Hakata Station in Fukuoka city costs around ¥44,000, so even with the upcoming price increase, you can make the Japan Rail Pass work for you. But note that it’s only available to foreign tourists who are visiting Japan as a temporary visitor. (For foreign residents in Japan, check out the rail passes available to you here ).

The Japan Rail Pass  may not be for you if you’re only planning a few day trips from Tokyo. Never fear, though, as there are still plenty of useful money-saving passes for shorter journeys.

You can get to the spectacular mountain retreat of Hakone using the Hakone Free Pass . This two-day ticket (¥6,100) includes the return journey from Shinjuku to Hakone, plus unlimited travel on the Hakone Tozan Railway, the Hakone Ropeway, the Lake Ashi pirate ship and other major forms of transportation in the area.

The beautiful seaside retreat of Kamakura is also a budget-friendly day trip from Tokyo with the Enoshima-Kamakura Free Pass . It costs just ¥1,640 for the one-day pass, which gets you a return journey from Shinjuku Station to Katase-Enoshima Station as well as unlimited trips on the Enoden line between Fujisawa and Kamakura stations.

What if you just plan to travel around Tokyo? No problem, as the city’s metro system also offers some handy passes. Foreign tourists visiting from abroad can get the Tokyo Subway Ticket , which provides unlimited travel on all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines in the city for 24 hours (¥800), 48 hours (¥1,200) or 72 hours (¥1,500).

Eating and drinking

It’s very easy to splurge on food in Tokyo. After all, this is the city with the most Michelin stars in the world. (Psst, you can also enjoy Michelin-star meals on a budget, right here ). But there are cheap eats to be found all over the city.

Your best friend during any trip to Tokyo is the konbini . Japan’s incredible convenience stores are open 24 hours and are stocked full of food and drink to keep you going whatever your budget. It’s possible to get a hot bento meal, dessert and drink for less than ¥1,000.

Tokyo’s glitzy department stores may not seem like haunts for the budget conscious, but there’s a way to make them work for your yen. Head to the depachika (in-house food halls) about an hour before closing for big discounts on bento boxes, salads, sushi and many more delectable delights. 

Don’t ignore Japan’s chain restaurants, either. You can enjoy a warming bowl of gyu-don (beef rice bowl) from Matsuya and Yoshinoya for less than ¥500. Keep an eye out for family restaurant chains, too, for filling meals that will please your wallet.

Italian-Japanese fusion restaurant Saizeriya has a lunch deal of pasta or a hamburger steak with unlimited soft drinks and soup for just ¥500. Multi-cuisine restaurant Gusto , on the other hand, serves up the likes of hamburgers and mixed grills with unlimited drinks at lunch time for less than ¥1,000.

Museums, art galleries and attractions

Tokyo has an incredible array of free attractions that could keep you busy for days on end. You can admire stunning views of the city’s skyline – and even Mt Fuji on clear days – from several free observation decks . One of the best is on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building . Currently only the South Observation Deck is open, but you can still enjoy fantastic views. There’s a cheap cafeteria here, too.

Many of the city’s museums also offer free or reduced-price tickets on designated days . These include Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum near Tokyo Station, Odaiba’s National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation , and Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park. Speaking of Ueno Park , it’s just one of Tokyo’s many green spaces , and most of them are free to enter.

Tokyo also has more than its fair share of beautiful shrines and temples to explore, which are usually free to enter, too. Don’t miss Sensoji in Asakusa, with the giant Kaminarimon Gate at its entrance. Zojoji Temple in Shiba-Koen, meanwhile, has the striking Tokyo Tower looming over it, which makes for fantastic photo opportunities.

When it comes to seeing art in Tokyo, you don’t necessarily need to spend a single yen. You can find brilliant teamLab pieces all over the city for free . These include interactive displays, temporary exhibitions and permanent installations, which might just inspire you to use a bit of the money you’ve saved up to splurge on the fantastic teamLab Planets museum (¥3,200 for adults).

Aside from teamLab, there are some amazing public art sculptures in the city such as a giant spider by Louise Bourgeois, a towering Godzilla and even a huge Studio Ghibli clock.

You can also find free art in the most unexpected of places , such as luxury brand boutiques and omakase sushi restaurants. So keep your eyes open while exploring Tokyo.

You can pick up some excellent souvenirs in Tokyo without emptying your bank account. One of the best places to do this is at Japan’s brilliant ¥100 stores, such as Daiso or Can Do. You’ll find all sorts of souvenirs in these shops, from stationery and kitchen utensils to character goods and even pet toys.

Even Japanese lifestyle chain Muji has budget-friendly options at its Muji 500 store in Mitaka. Everything costs ¥500 or less, including food, stationery, kitchen utensils, socks and towels.

Then there’s Don Quijote , the mega discount store stocked full of a bewildering array of goods, many that will make for great souvenirs. Some stores are even open 24 hours a day, too.

If you’re looking to do some more serious shopping (still on a budget, of course), head to one of the outlet malls just outside Tokyo. You’ll find some impressive bargains at these retail destinations, on everything from designer clothes to home decor.

One of the easiest to reach from the capital is Mitsui Outlet Park Kisarazu in Chiba prefecture, which is 45 minutes by bus from Tokyo Station. On weekdays, there’s even a special return bus ticket for ¥3,150 that includes a ¥2,500 discount coupon for the mall.

There’s also Gotemba Premium Outlets in Shizuoka prefecture, but just a 90-minute bus ride from Tokyo Station (¥3,300 round-trip). Head you can admire close-up views of Mt Fuji while enjoying a spot of discount shopping.

More ways to save

33 of the best free things to do in Tokyo

• Things to do

Live your best life without spending a yen at Tokyo's best museums, attractions, tours, observation decks and more

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• Restaurants

Your ultimate guide to finding the best cheap restaurants and good value food in Tokyo – all for ¥1,200 or less (including tax)

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Tokyo on a Budget

An Expensive city on the cheap

By Ryan McDonald

Although Tokyo is always somewhere in the top three most expensive cities, it can be seen on the cheap. Some of the most interesting places to stay in Tokyo are, coincidentally, the least expensive. You can easily spend a week in Tokyo for less than $2,500 and that includes airfare, hotel, food, and sightseeing. Here are some guidelines for how to travel cheaply in Tokyo.

When to visit (and when not to)

The three major times to avoid are December-January around the New Year, late April-early May, and mid-August. Visiting Japan around early January is possible and I will mention a ‘must see’ during this time in a minute, but it’s not a cheap travel time due to everything shutting down from Christmas time to around January 5th (even the ATMs).

Late April-early May is the time for Golden Week where everyone gets around nine days off. Here’s something interesting about Japanese holidays: if there are two holidays with a work day in between them, that middle day automatically becomes a national holiday called “between day.”

Finally, mid-August is Obon (Oh bone) season where families stay home and celebrate their deceased ancestors.

Although the New Year is an expensive peak time to be in Tokyo, there is something that justifies going during this time. On December 23rd, the Emperor’s birthday, and January 2nd, the Emperor opens his palace and allows several hundred thousand people to enter the grounds.

Most of the Imperial family will come out seven times a day at preset times and greet the crowd behind glass. The most interesting part is seeing the 20-30,000 people at each show go crazy since the Emperor is still seen as divine. Listen for the word “banzai” which means [may you reign for] ‘10,000 years,’ you’ll probably hear it about 10,000 times.

To see the Emperor or the palace in general, get to Tokyo station (all trains go there) then exit the Marunouchi South Exit (mah rue no uu chee) and simply walk straight for a mile or so until you see the palace. On the above dates simply walk straight until you see thousands of people lining up. There is no admission fee.

A good time to go is late March and you can see the famous cherry trees bloom. The actual blooming time varies based on location and weather, but historically for Tokyo, it has been around the end of March from the 20th to the 30th.

My favorite place to hanami (ha nah me – look at flowers) is Ueno Park (uu eh no) or Aoyama cemetery’s (ah o yah mah) long straight tree-lined road. The best time to view them is in the evening as the sun goes down and the tree lights come on.

Japanese people will mark their favorite area with a tarp and sip sake while taking in the wonderful sight. If you are lucky you can see the petals fall from the trees and drift slowly to the ground in the cool breeze.

Pre-planning

The cheapest way to get here is to find a travel agent and say you don’t care when you visit, you just want the cheapest flight. I have flown round trip from Atlanta to Tokyo for $600, and tickets from major hubs, such as LAX or New York, can be even less during off peak times. One good resource is GoNomad.com’s airfare page .

Once you have your ticket you’ll want to buy a JR Rail Pass . JR (Japan Railways) runs about 70% of all trains in Japan, and all of the famous Shinkansen (sheen cahn sin) or bullet trains. The JR Rail Pass allows you to ride any JR train for free with only a few small limitations. It always pays for itself many times over.

A seven-day pass is usually less than $280. Note that you buy an ‘order’ overseas and trade it in for the actual pass when you land in Japan. From there you merely show the pass at each ticket window and go right through. Reserved seats might require a surcharge.

I’m here, now what?

Once you land and change your Rail Pass at the clearly marked window, you’ll want to take the Narita Express or N’EX (Nah ree tah) since it’s free with the pass. It will take you to Tokyo Station or Shinjuku station (sheen jew coo).

You’ll most likely be jet lagged and want to go to sleep. The best way to avoid jet lag is to stay awake until around 9-10 p.m. so your body starts to adjust. You should also stay outside if possible since sunlight is crucial in readjusting our internal clocks.

There are several choices of accommodation for the budget minded. If you insist upon a western style hotel (as in American or Canadian, not wild west style), I sometimes use Toyoko-Inn.com . They start around $50 a night and have an English website and hotels all around Japan.

A cheaper option is the youth hostel . You don’t have to be young or a member, but it’s a bit cheaper if you are. Membership is only around $30 a year and can be purchased at the Hosteling International website .

To be included in the directory, hostels must meet high-quality standards so don’t worry about staying somewhere scary. Hostels in Tokyo are usually around $30-50 per person per night. There is one type of place that is cheaper and far more interesting, but there is one catch…

It’s not for the claustrophobic

If you have no problems with small coffin-sized confined spaces, you must stay in a capsule hotel . For around $25-35 per person per night, you can stay in a hotel where the entire room is smaller than a refrigerator. My favorite capsule hotel is the Asakusa Riverside (ah sah coo sah). It is directly behind exit #4 of Asakusa subway station. Once you exit #4 just look up and to the right and you will see the sign.

Note that most capsule hotels are for men only, but this one allows women. Genders are separated by floors and there are lockers for luggage. You’ll be given a loose-fitting outfit to wear while you are inside.

Capsule hotels are not a novelty to the Japanese people. They are designed for businessmen who work late and miss the last train (which is at 1 a.m.). One downside to this hotel is you have to completely check out each day and carry your bags with you, but there are luggage lockers all around Tokyo.

Must-see sights

Many must-see places in Tokyo are free or the admission is minimal. The Asakusa area has some interesting shrines and a long walkway with around 100 trinket shops.

Tokyo Tower is nice to look at and take pictures of, but with a $15 fee to get to the top I would suggest Shinjuku’s twin tower metropolitan government office. The top floors are free observation decks. You can even see Mt Fuji.

From Shinjuku’s West exit, just look for the twin towers and start walking. If you saw the movie “Lost in Translation” and want to see the famous crossing with thousands of people walking in every direction all at once, get to Shibuya station (she boo ya) and go out the Hachiko exit.

On Sunday mornings go to Harajuku and check out the wild fashions worn by local youth. Then see several nearby shrines .

If you want to take in some culture, I suggest getting a general admission ticket to a sumo match. Sumo takes place in every odd numbered month and matches are in Tokyo in January, May, and September. General admission tickets go on sale each day at 8:30 a.m. at the door and cost around $20.

The matches start at 9 a.m. and end with the grand champion’s match at 6 p.m. The best time to get there is after 3 p.m. That way you’ll see the best fighters and their entrance ceremonies. There are 15 days of matches starting around the 8th, 9th and 10th and ending around the 20th, 21st and 22nd. You can get an English translation radio for $5 and a $10 deposit. The website has a map.

There’s also Kabuki (kah boo key). Seeing a full 4-6 hour show will set you back $100-200, but you can see a single-show matinee for around $10-20. It’s general admission and there are only about 90 seats, plus spaces for 60 people to stand.

The single-show option lets you sit in for just one act. There is an English ear phone guide for about the same price as above. The Kabuki-Za (zah – theater) is located steps away from the Higashi-Ginza station (he gah she geen za) on the Toei-Asakusa (toe A) subway line.

Something unique about both sumo and kabuki is that women don’t participate. In sumo, women can’t even step into the ring. In Kabuki, men play all parts except for a few child roles. Women are technically allowed to be kabuki actors, but part of the essence is the challenge of male actors portraying women.

There are some major western restaurants that aren’t too cheap but will give you that feeling of home. The cheap food will be anything that is native to Japan, such as ramen noodles, gyuudon (beef on rice), and even sushi.

When smaller restaurants are open, they will have a small flag hanging outside the door. There are ramen shops with huge bowls of noodles for $5. The correct way to eat ramen is to use chopsticks for all the noodles then actually pick up the bowl and slurp out the juice. For beef on rice, my favorite place is Yoshinoya.

They sell “gyuudon” (‘gyuu’ means ‘cow/beef’ and ‘don’ means ‘on rice’) for about $5 per big bowl and they are open 24 hours. There is nearly one on every corner.

Kaiten sushi (kigh ten) restaurants are usually $1 a plate, and each plate has two pieces. I can fill up for $7-8 on relatively good sushi. Kaiten means ‘revolve’ so the plates come out on a conveyor belt. You grab what you want and pay per plate at the end. The plates are colored and each color is a different price.

Some places have English menus, but almost all places have either a picture menu or plastic food in the window. On several occasions, I have taken a waitress outside and pointed to something I wanted.

I don’t speak any Japanese….

Don’t worry, most every college-educated Japanese person understands some English. As long as you speak slowly and clearly and use easy words you will be ok. Remember a picture is worth a thousand words. Some people speak great English since they learn English in school from the first grade and then all through college. However, if you don’t want to risk it I would suggest one of these books .

Japanese money is easy to use. There are coins for 1,5,10,50, 100 and 500 yen. The bills include 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 and rarely 2,000. For Americans and Canadians either think about 1 yen as 1 cent, or just forget about the last two zeros. 1,000 yen minus two zeros would be about $10 or 1,000 cents.

For more accurate results subtract about 15% for USD and 5% for CAD. So 1,000 yen would be around $8.50 USD and $9.50 CAD. The 10,000 yen note is like the $100 bill.

This was only a glimpse of how Tokyo can be cheap. Tokyo is so big it cannot be summarized in one article. If you want to visit Japan, don’t let money or language reasons stop you. If you do visit, email me and I’ll show you around.

Ryan McDonald has been teaching English in Fukushima prefecture Japan for more than four years and loves traveling in his spare time.

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17 Best Things To Do In Tokyo On A Budget

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 in 645.

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 at Book 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 cocktails, 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 the  sunset
• 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 to  Tokyo Skytree Station  on the Tobu Isesaki Line or Oshiage Station  on 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 yen  for 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 to  Tsukiji Station from Ginza station or  Tsukiji 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)

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 at the 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 either Ueno 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 of Nijubashi 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 at the Imperial Household Agency   or 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-step staircase 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, a small wooden plaque.

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 Tour  is 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 from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Meiji-Jingu-Mae Station on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Subway Lines.

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

Eat and shop Takeshita street.

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

With colorful but crazy clothes and accessories, Takeshita 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 Takeshita, 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 Takeshita street, continue walking to explore the Harajuku area.

How to get to Takeshita 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 Takeshita 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 advertisement 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 to Shinjuku 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 is Golden Gai, a small but exciting area with over 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 shops specializing 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 Cafe  is 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 any photo here, you can buy a 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 Tour   on my last trip to Tokyo, and it was a memorable experience.

In  Yanaka 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 at Hakkeijima 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 is Book and Bed Hostel.

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Ha is an avid traveler and writer with a background in marketing & hospitality. She's lived in a few countries and traveled to more than 30. When she's not traveling or writing, Ha loves trying new recipes.

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THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Tokyo

Best budget-friendly things to do in tokyo.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Ueno, Asakusa
• Ginza / Tokyo Nihonbashi
• Shibuya / Harajuku / Ebisu
• Odaiba / Shiodome / Shinbashi
• Akasaka / Roppongi
• Yotsuya / Iidabashi
• Haneda / Kamata
• Ochanomizu / Akihabara / Kanda
• Shinagawa / Gotanda
• Akabane / Itabashi
• Akasaka / Roppongi / Azabu / Nagatacho
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

2. Senso-ji Temple

Recommended Experiences (12)

3. Meiji Jingu Shrine

5. Tokyo Tower

6. Ueno Park

7. Owl cafe tokyo Akiba Fukurou

8. Shibuya Crossing

9. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Decks

10. Tokyo Central Railway Station

11. Akihabara

12. Odaiba District

13. Tokyo National Museum

14. Edo-Tokyo Museum

15. Hama Rikyu Gardens

16. Nezu Museum

17. Yoyogi Park

18. Takeshita Street

19. Tokyo City View Observation Deck (Roppongihills)

20. Shinjuku Golden Gai

21. Hachiko

22. Ameyoko Shopping Street

23. Chidorigafuchi

24. The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace (Edo Castle Ruin)

25. The National Art Center, Tokyo

26. National Museum of Nature and Science

27. Zojo-ji Temple

28. Yasukuni Shrine

29. Rainbow Bridge

30. Rikugien Garden

What travelers are saying

Tokyo on a budget: 7 travel hacks to save on your trip

Whether it’s the long flight, currency exchange, or overall investment, it can cost a lot of money to visit Japan. Its capital and largest city, Tokyo, is no exception. Visiting Tokyo is one of the true bucket list items for curious travelers, but it can be hard to save money while you’re there. Budget travel can be easier in Western Europe or South America, where familiarity can help budget travelers steer clear of unnecessary expenses. 

Tokyo is both massive and mysterious to the uninitiated. Getting around can be difficult, as is finding cheaper food to fuel your adventure. Luckily, planning can help you save money on your Tokyo trip. Finding the right luggage storage option , investing in a Japan rail pass, pondering travel insurance, exploring capsule hotels, finding ways to prepare your own meals, and booking a cheap flight can go a long way in preserving funds. 

Here are our budget travel tips for saving money in Tokyo: 

Cheap places to stay in Tokyo 

Hotels in Tokyo can be extremely expensive. Being such a massive economic hub, every major hotel chain in the world has a presence in the Japanese capital. While this can translate to a double room paid in full with hotel points for business travelers, it also means that budget travelers need to get creative for finding affordable lodging. Luckily, Tokyo’s inventive culture has created a few options for finding cheaper places to stay that are entirely unique to Japan, like capsule hotels and even gaming (internet) cafés doubling as hostels. 

Capsule hotels 

One of the most curious aspects of Tokyo as a travel destination has to be the prevalence of capsule hotels. These are smaller facilities, which can be booked day-of or even last minute, which require guests to check in and out each morning. It’s an amazing way to save money on lodging, but that might not even be the best feature of staying at a capsule hotel. 

Tokyo is a massive city, geographically and in terms of population. Most travel veterans estimate that you would need well over a week to fully explore the Tokyo metro area and all of its cultural, historical, and culinary offerings. Being limited to the city center or a specific neighborhood makes it difficult to travel around Tokyo. 

Planning an itinerary by staying at multiple capsule hotels based around geographic clusters of landmarks and activities is highly efficient and cost-effective. Luckily, there are dozens of luggage storage facilities around Tokyo which will pair well with the capsule hotel format of having to check in and out each day. For a room at a capsule hotel, customers typically pay between $30 to $50 per night. 

Hostels, though not as popular in Tokyo as they are in Europe, are a viable option for budget travelers. They are generally located near tourist-heavy parts of Tokyo and are a trendy option for students and travelers in their twenties. A single night at a hostel will cost between $60 and $85 for a double room. 

Vacation rentals 

A newer development in Tokyo has been the rise of vacation rentals like Airbnb or Hovelstay . For a private room in an apartment, you can stay the night for as little as $50. For a full apartment, you can expect to pay between $150 and $250 per night. It isn't the cheapest option, but if you’re splitting with another traveler and want to live like a local, it’s a perfect choice. 

Cheap things to do in Tokyo 

While there are incredible tourist attractions and museums in Tokyo, part of the draw for foreign travelers is the distinct culture of Japan. While this can certainly cost quite a bit, it also means there are plenty of fun activities for travelers looking to save money. Here are the best free and cheap things to do in Tokyo:

Take a day trip to Mount Fuji

This destination is so iconic that budget should have nothing to do with planning a visit. Mount Fuji is arguably the most recognizable mountain in the world, and it’s the perfect day trip from Tokyo. While taking the bullet train is a fun part of visiting Mount Fuji, it is prohibitively expensive for budget travelers at about $500 for a round trip. The Shinjuku bus to Kawaguchiko costs about $130 round trip and takes you straight there. Solo travelers will love hiking through Mount Fuji’s tranquil forests and along Lake Kawaguchiko, where for only $20, you can take a boat ride with spectacular views. 

Cherry blossoms at Ueno Park

Outside of Mount Fuji, Japan’s most famous images have to be their glorious cherry blossoms in full bloom. Tokyo has many amazing public parks, but none as beautiful as the expansive Ueno Park, with its acres of trees and a lovely Shinobazu Pond. The tranquility strikes a nice contrast with the bustle of Tokyo’s urban city center. They should be charging you for the seriously impressive Instagram snaps you’ll take at Ueno Park, but fortunately, it’s free. Can’t make it to Tokyo during spring for the blossom? This is still a worthwhile place to visit.

Explore Yoyogi Park and visit the Meiji Jingu shrine 

Japan’s most famous Shinto shrine was built in the late 19th century to commemorate Emperor Meiji, one of the most important historical figures of the time. Shintoism and distant Japanese history will be unfamiliar to most travelers, but the aesthetic and natural beauty of this shrine and the tranquil Yoyogi Park that surrounds it are breathtaking to behold. 

Japanese gardens are some of the most distinct and beautiful in the world, and in the spring, lucky visitors will experience cherry blossoms. All of this is inexpensive and relatively easy to get to. There are inexpensive walking tours that can guide you through the gardens and park, along with a small (and tasteful) gift shop for souvenirs. However, the Instagrams and pictures you’ll take will be the things you cherish most from this visit. 

Cheap places to eat in Tokyo 

Whether it’s preparing your own meals or eating out of a vending machine, there are ways to save money on food when you visit Japan. In fact, one could argue that Japan has one of the best cultures for inexpensive and convenient food in the world. The street food scene is generally based around drinking and nightlife, but there is a huge culture around instant and accessible snacks and meals, all of which are easy on the wallet. 

Many restaurants in Tokyo are known as “izakaya,” which really just means it’s a bar that serves food. Izakaya is designed for social dining and drinking. It's generally very approachable and affordable. There are a wide variety of dishes on offer at Izakaya throughout the city, yakitori (grilled chicken served on toothpick skewers), noodles, edamame, sashimi, and even western imports like pizza are all available. Pair all these quick bites with some beer or a highball for less than $15 per meal, and you have yourself a perfectly serviceable and delicious cheap dinner. 

Corner convenience stores and vending machines

Japanese culture has a special affection for entire meals from vending machines and convenience stores. Dispel any notions you might have of 7-Eleven taquitos or gas station hot dogs in America or Canada because Japanese convenience stores (known as konbini) and even vending machines are serving up truly delicious authentic dishes. You can get both instant and fresh noodles or ramen. Onigiri (rice balls with fillings) are other higher-end vending machine favorites. Steamed buns, yakitori, and even sushi are all delicacies you can expect at any hour of the day because these stores and machines almost all operate 24/7. 

This global culinary sensation has humble origins as an affordable comfort food, so it makes sense that a bowl of broth, noodles, and toppings shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Ramen, though generally inexpensive, is revered as a pillar of Japanese cuisine, which is why Michelin-starred ramen restaurants are everywhere in Tokyo. While there are upscale ramen restaurants, your average ramen joint will charge less than $10 for one of these magical bowls of joy. 

If you have access to a local, ask them where their favorite spot is. Otherwise, you should be able to find an accessible and affordable ramen spot on any street, alley, or even at train stations. 

Cheap bars in Tokyo 

Drinking in Tokyo can get pricey, so if you’re trying to save money, and explore this city’s legendary nightlife scene, you’ll need to know a few tips and tricks for making it more affordable. 

Avoid bars with cover charges 

There are corner bars all over Tokyo, these are essentially Japanese dive bars where you can get lighter beer, excellent Japanese whiskey, and traditional sake for a few dollars. These are the best spots for drinking on a budget. 

The worst spots for drinking on a budget are bars and nightclubs where they have cover charges for admission. In the nightlife hotspot known locally as Golden Gai , located near Shinjuku Station , the popular alley bars and nightclubs all charge a fee at the door. If you’re really trying to save money, it’s best to avoid these because the covers really add up.

Bonus budget travel tips for Tokyo 

Whether it’s finding a cheap flight, saving on traveler’s insurance, or knowing how to get around, you can never have too much knowledge for your next trip. 

Public transportation 

Japan, and especially Tokyo, has one of the most advanced, efficient, and effective rail and public transportation networks in the world. If you’re familiar with Japanese culture, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. Because the train system is so extensive, seemingly covering every inch of Tokyo, it’s the most reliable way to get around. Taxis and car share services can be reliable last-minute solutions to transit needs, but you can really get by with train travel. 

Because you’ll be using the train system so much, it’s definitely worthwhile to forgo buying individual tickets for each trip and invest in a Japan Rail Pass, often shortened to JR Pass. Train tickets, while cheaper than a taxi, can add up. A JR Pass will afford travelers discounted tickets and the cheapest fares on everything from the airport to Tokyo Station, to even Tokyo to Kyoto. 

Use your feet

The next best way to get around Tokyo? Simply walking. Once you’re in a certain neighborhood, it’s very easy to walk between landmarks and restaurants or bars. Tokyo’s orderly roads and charming side streets and alleys are extremely enjoyable to walk around. Not only is it a great way to get a sense of local culture and daily life, but it will certainly help work off all the ramen and Sapporo. 

Avoid high season

Everyone knows the cheapest fares for flights and even accommodation are during certain seasons. This is especially true in Europe when Western schools are on break, and each capital is swarmed with college students and traveling families. It’s slightly less exact with Tokyo’s travel patterns, but this principle generally applies. Late fall, winter, and early spring are the best times for airfare and a hotel room. There is a rainy season from the middle of June through most of July, where there’s a slight lull as well. One time you won’t want to miss but might be hard-pressed to afford is cherry blossom season, known locally as sakura. This is an unforgettable travel experience for Japan, but flights get expensive due to travel volume. Visit Tokyo when it suits your budget, but if you can make it work, you should.

If you’re going to visit Japan, you’re going to have to spend some money. Whether it’s just getting to the Land of the Rising Sun from your own country or finding reasonable accommodations for your trip, there’s no getting around expenses. But fortunately, there are ways to reduce the overall cost of the trip. All it takes is a little planning. While it may be one of the most expensive cities in the world, it’s an unbelievable experience, and if you pepper in at least a few exciting free things to do , your budget will thank you. There’s a reason Tokyo is a bucket-list travel destination. 

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How to Travel to Tokyo on a Budget (2024)

• Post author By Project Gora
• Post date January 12, 2024

Having explored this mesmerizing city multiple times, I’ve discovered how to travel to Tokyo on a budget. In this post, I will share tips for affordable accommodations, pocket-friendly dining, free attractions, and money-saving hacks. Get ready for your dream Japan trip without breaking the bank!

Table of Contents

How to choose a budget accommodation in Tokyo

How to save on food and drinks in tokyo, how to get around in tokyo, top tourist spots in tokyo that you can visit for free, where to go shopping on a budget in tokyo, how many days is required to explore tokyo, how to travel to tokyo on a budget: 5-day sample itinerary, choose a particular season.

Accommodation is undoubtedly the biggest chunk of your budget, thus it is important to know a few things before making a reservation. First, choose a particular season when to travel. Each season has its own advantages and disadvantages, and whatever you choose will directly impact your budget.

The most expensive times to travel are the Golden Week (end April-early May), Obon (mid August) and Christmas or New year’s. The most pleasant and relatively cheaper seasons are spring and autumn. If you want to go for the lowest possible prices, choose the winter months (mid January to February).

Choose a type of accommodation

Second, you should take into consideration what type of accommodation you prefer. For budget conscious travellers, I recommend shared dormitory (JPY 2,000 per night), followed by capsule hotels (JPY 2,500 per night). Hostels (JPY 2,500 to JPY 3,500 per night) are also excellent choice because some of them have cooking facilities where you can cook your own food, thereby saving money.

Choose a neighborhood

Lastly, you have to find a neighbourhood with several cheap accommodation options which are also close to tourist attractions. My recommendations are Sumida, Arakawa and Taito ward. These areas are close to Tokyo’s famous attractions like Tokyo SkyTree, Sumida River, Asakusa, Akihabara, Ueno Park and Sensoji Temple.

Best Places to stay in Tokyo on a Budget

When booking hotels in Tokyo, it’s advisable to plan and book in advance . Tokyo is a popular destination, and hotels can fill up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. By booking early, you’ll have a wider selection of accommodations and a better chance of securing your preferred hotel at competitive rates. Here are some of the best budget hotels in Tokyo that I recommend for less than USD 100 per night!

Grids Tokyo Ueno Hotel & Hostel

Address: 7-10-4 Ueno, Taito Ku, Tokyo, Japan Nearest Train Station: 2-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line’s Ueno Station

Address: 6-59-3, Nippori, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Nearest Train Station: 5-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line’s Nippori Station

&And Hostel Asakusa Kappabashi

Address: 1-11-4, Asakusa, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan Nearest Train Station: 6 minute walk from Ginza Line’s Tawaramachi Station (Exit1) or 7-minute walk from TSUKUBA EXPRESS Asakusa Station (Exit B）

Artsy Inn Higashinihonbashi

Address: 10-4 Nihonbashihisamatsucho, Chuo City, Tokyo, Japan Nearest Train Station: 6-minute walk from Higashi-Nihombashi Subway Station

Hotel Intergate Tokyo Kyobashi

Address: 3-7-8 Kyobashi, Chuo, Tokyo Nearest Train Station: 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station

In Tokyo, you are spoilt for choices when it comes to satisfying your appetite. Basically, food is great anywhere in Japan. While sampling authentic Japanese food is part of the experience, you will surely run out of money if you are going to dine-in at a restaurant every meal times.

In order to travel to Tokyo on a budget, go and check out a few cheap options. Konbini and DepaChika (basement of a department store) are excellent choice for low-priced goods like fruits, Japanese rice balls, sandwiches, lunchboxes etc. You can also try Japanese food chains like Matsuya , Yoshinoya , Shirokiya , Sukiya , and Osho-Gyoza , where meals are priced from JPY 200 to JPY 800.

In the evenings, Supa (supermarkets) are also good choice when it comes to Bento boxes. Remember to go when it gets close to closing time when discounts are applied. But don’t come too late because people from work usually buy these discounted foods and stocks run out pretty quickly.

Another tip: Alway bring a water bottle/container when you travel in Japan. Instead of buying drinks every meal times and every time you get thirsty, just refill your bottle in the hotel or restaurant before you head out to your next destination. 

Tokyo has a world-class train system and subway infrastructure. But this great accessibility always come with a price. However, there are a number of ways to get around that. If you plan to hit all the city’s spots in Tokyo in one day, then you can purchase one of Tokyo 1-day Passes like Tokyo Metro 24-Hour Ticket, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway Pass, Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass), Tokyo Subway 24-hour Ticket, Toden One-Day Pass (Arakawa Line), etc.

Out of all these 1-day passes offered in Tokyo, I suggest Tokunai Pass (JPY 750 for adult and JPY 370 for children). It provides unlimited rides on local and rapid JR East trains (excluding reserved seats and express trains) within the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo. If this is your first time in Japan , you can stick to the JR Yamanote Line , which offers access to almost all famous attractions in Tokyo.

Walking and biking are also great options when comes to touring Tokyo.

Tokyo offers visitors a lot of worthwhile places to see and things to do for free. As I mentioned earlier, tourist can stick around the JR Yamanote Line to access Tokyo’s famous attractions. Here are some of my recommendation:

• Tokyo Parks (Meiji Jingu, Ueno Park, Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Gyoen)
• Hachiko Statue and Shibuya Crossing
• Harajuku, Omotesando, Akihabara and Roppongi Hills
• Sensoji Temple and Nakamise-dori in Asakusa
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
• Hanami (Cherry Blossom viewing) or Autumn Foliage viewing at Tokyo Imperial Palace and East Gardens

For thrift shopping, head to Harajuku’s Takeshita-dori and Shimokitazawa . Don’t miss out on Japanese drugstores , where you’ll find quality skincare and cosmetic products at budget-friendly prices. There are also several stores offering tax-free shopping for foreigners like Don Quixote (called Donki by the locals). Ameyokocho Market in Ueno is my top recommendation when it comes to souvenir hunt.

While Tokyo is a vast and bustling metropolis with countless attractions, 5 days can provide a good introduction to the city. It allows you to explore some of Tokyo’s iconic landmarks, immerse yourself in its vibrant neighborhoods, experience its unique culture, and indulge in delicious Japanese cuisine. Prioritizing your interests and planning your itinerary accordingly will help you make the most of your time.

If you’re travelling to Japan for only 7 days, then I suggest spending 2-3 days to see Tokyo. This is excluding departure day, theme park day and side-trips out of Tokyo. I made a detailed post about Japan my Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo 7 days Itinerary .

Day 1 (Arrival in Tokyo)

If you are staying in Shibuya/Shinjuku/Harajuku/Shin-Okubo area: 3:00 PM – Check-in hotel 4:00 PM – Meiji Jingu 5:30 PM – Harajuku 6:30 PM – Shibuya or Shinjuku

If you are staying in Ueno/Asakusa: 3:00 PM – Check-in hotel 4:00 PM –Sensoji and Nakamise-dori 6:00 PM – Tokyo Skytree and Sumida Aquarium

Day 2 (Central Tokyo)

6:00 AM – Tsukiji Market 9:00 AM – Imperial Palace and East Gardens 11:00 AM – Ueno Park 4:00 PM – Akihabara

Day 3 (Theme parks)

Whole day Disneyland or Disneysea

You can purchase a  Tokyo Disneyland one-day passport  here.

Day 4 (Sidetrip out of Tokyo)

Mt. Fuji Classic Tour Mt Fuji & Hakone Day Tour: Lake Ashi & Ropeway Hitachi Seaside Park, Kamakura or Nikko

Day 5 (Departure)

• Morning visit to TeamLab Planets or last minute shopping in Ameyokocho Shopping Street
• Travel from hotel to Narita or Haneda Airport

So, there you have it! I hope you found some useful stuff here on how to travel to Tokyo on a budget! Have you been to Tokyo? Do you have other suggestions? Comments? Insights? I’m all ears! Let’s chat down below.

p.s. I also have a Facebook fan page where I’d love to chat with you and answer your Questions! 

By Project Gora

Hey there! My name is Milet Miranda, and I'm a full-time corporate employee during weekdays and a traveler during weekends (and holidays...you get the picture). I'm a foodie at heart and I love joining food tours. When I'm not traveling, you'll find me walking my dogs or biking around my neighborhood.

A Guide to Tokyo on a Budget

With a bit of planning, it’s possible to experience one of the world’s most expensive cities on a budget. Here are some tried and tested tricks to help you save money during your next trip to the sprawling metropolis that is Tokyo.

Getting around.

Japan is famous for its extensive network of efficient and relatively affordable public transportation – but depending on where you want to go and how frequently, costs can easily add up. Luckily for tourists, there are a variety of heavily discounted transit passes on offer.

For those looking to do some long-distance travel, the Japan Rail Pass offers fantastic deals such as round-trip excursions from Tokyo to Kyoto. But if you want to stay more locally around the Tokyo area, the seven-day JR Pass is the best one for you. For train travel, most tourists will find using a reusable IC credit card to be the easiest and cheapest option.

Airport transport is often the biggest transit-related expense incurred by tourists, but there are plenty of ways to cut down on costs here as well. Visitors flying in and out of Narita Airport who are staying in Japan for 14 days or less should consider purchasing the N’EX TOKYO Round Trip ticket . If the N’EX is a bit pricey for your budget, the Keisei Bus company offers one-way transport from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport.

But the easiest way to save on transportation costs? Walking. Tokyo is surprisingly pedestrian-friendly, and walking between major tourist spots is often the best way to explore the city. Instead of taking the train, it’s easy to walk between areas like Harajuku and Shibuya or Ueno and Asakusa – and you’ll probably find a few hidden gems along the way.

Where to stay

Since the city enacted regulations in 2018 restricting the number of minpaku , or privately owned lodging facilities, finding affordable lodgings in Tokyo can be difficult. But a few options remain for thrifty travellers.

Capsule hotels are an interesting and viable option in a pinch – but choosing to stay in one long-term during a Tokyo visit requires a bit of pre-planning and flexibility. These facilities generally require guests to check out every morning, and most don’t offer a place to leave your personal belongings. To avoid this, leave your luggage in one of the many public lockers that are located in major train stations and available for daily use. While many capsule hotels are utilitarian and lacking in ambience, nine hours , in the busy Shinjuku neighbourhood, offers stylish lodgings perfect for travellers looking for Instabai (‘Instagrammable’) vibes.

If lugging bags around every day seems like a hassle, consider staying in one of the many hostels located in major tourist neighbourhoods around the city. For a few yen more a night than capsule hotels, hostels offer more stylish amenities and a bit more space, in addition to the luxury of being able to leave belongings behind during the day.

Where to eat

Tokyo has the most Michelin-star restaurants in the world – but it has some of the best cheap eats, too. While travellers often sing the praises of Japan’s famous konbini , or convenience stores, there are plenty of affordable options hiding in plain sight at restaurants throughout the city.

The best deals can be found at lunch, when many restaurants offer set meals featuring smaller portions of dinnertime mains at a slightly cheaper price. Japanese set meals, called teishoku , offer a cheap way to experience authentic Japanese cuisine and can feature mains such as tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet), grilled or fried fish, donburi (rice bowls topped with meat or fish) or noodle dishes.

For cheap sushi , locals flock to Tokyo’s many kaitenzushi , or conveyor belt sushi restaurants. Ranging from nationwide chains like Kappa Sushi and Uobei to small local joints, kaitenzushi is the quintessential Japanese budget-conscious dining experience.

To put together an impromptu picnic, try hitting up a grocery store and picking up a bento box or sushi set, which are usually quite reasonably priced.

For an even better deal, show up shortly before dinnertime hours or just before closing, as many of the prepared food items will be heavily discounted.

Where to shop

Japan’s plethora of shops, second-hand goods retailers and thrift stores make souvenir shopping on a budget a breeze. Daiso is the most well-known chain in Japan, and the company’s Takeshita Dori location in the heart of Harajuku is a must-visit location for travellers looking for items like magnets, keychains, stationery and other Japan-themed souvenirs. The store also sells kitchen gadgets and homewares, as well as snacks and other foodstuffs.

Looking for a vintage item? Tokyo’s numerous flea markets are a veritable treasure chest of antiques and oddities, including kimonos, tea sets and Japanese pottery. While the vintage market in Tokyo is competitive, bargains are to be found and haggling to be expected. Dedicated shoppers should plan to show up as soon as the markets open for the best deals. The weekly Ohi Racecourse Flea Market is the city’s biggest, while fashion lovers flock to the Yoyogi Park markets, which take place irregularly.

Where to go in Tokyo

After spending cash on hostels, trains and snacks, the average budget traveller may not be able to splurge on a ticket to the top of Tokyo Skytree or admission to the popular teamLab Borderless interactive art exhibit – but luckily, Tokyo has plenty of free attractions to offer, too.

The city’s many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines are almost always free, with the exception of charged admission to gardens or museums located at some of the larger or more famous facilities.

Strolling the grounds at a shrine or temple is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the rhythm of Japanese life – and for a few hundred yen (¥100 is less than £1), you can purchase a small ormanori , or charm, to remember your visit. The Meiji Jingu complex, located immediately adjacent to Harajuku Station, is Tokyo’s most important shrine, built to honour the spirit of the Emperor and Empress Meiji at the turn of the 20th century.

For those looking for fun, rejoice, for beer is here. Beer lovers can head to Ebisu in Shibuya Ward for a visit to the Yebisu Museum of Beer . While paid guided tours of the facility’s small museum are available, visitors can partake in a self-guided tour for free. In nearby Meguro Ward, the Meguro Parasitological Museum is perfect for tourists interested in scientific marvels and creepy creatures. For something uniquely Japanese, the Sumo Museum in Ryogoku offers a comprehensive overview of the history of the sport.

The best way to cap off a day of sightseeing is to take in Tokyo from one of the city’s many free observation decks. While the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku is the most popular lookout, the Sky View Lounge at the Bunkyo Civic Center offers the best uninterrupted views of the city.

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49 Insanely cheap and free things to do in Tokyo 

I fell in love with Tokyo on my first trip and it has firmly cemented its place on my list of ‘favourite places I’ve ever been.’ The only thing I didn’t like about Tokyo, was the way my wallet seemed to be leaking cash! There are a lot of ways to spend a lot of money, very quickly, in Tokyo. Thankfully there are a lot of free and cheap things you can do too. To help you visit Tokyo without breaking the budget, I’ve rounded up 49 of the very best free and cheap things to do in Tokyo . If there are any I’ve missed, please share them in the comments below. #SaveDatMoney

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1/  Visit Yoyogi Park on a Sunday, it’s when the park comes alive with locals wearing costumes, dancing, playing games and just hanging out

2/  Catch a festival! There’s always a fun, weird, wonderful or interesting festival on somewhere in Tokyo .

3/  Be sure to check out the unique space and home to amazing food, Commune 246 , and be sure to eat at Antenna Wired Cafe.

4/  It’ll only cost $3AU to hit 20 balls at the Oslo Batting Cage and it’s so much fun!

5/  Make sure you visit Sens?-ji , the most incredible and easily recognised Buddhist shrine in Tokyo

6/  Get stuck into a cheap but delicious bowl of Japanese Ramen at Afuri in Ebisu

7/  For a cheap meal, visit the weird and wonderful shute sushi restaurant, Uobei (sushi-train is for chumps)

8/  It is totally free to go see the huge Tokyo Sky Tree, though it will cost you to get up to the top, marvelling at it from below is $0

9/  Head out to  Ueno  and stroll through the very busy, very cool markets, perfect for trying lots of food and snapping great photos

10/  Take a trip to the Jimbocho neighbourhood where you can geek out over the 180-ish second-hand bookstores

11/  For the best views of Tokyo and Mt Fuji, totally free, take a trip to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

12/  Watch Sumo practice (totally free!) by taking a visit to the very friendly  Arashio Stable   (local hostels in Tokyo may have tips on other good ones)

13/  If you LOVE old-school 80s video games, you have to visit 8Bit Cafe

14/   Ride bikes (or just walk) around the Imperial Palace , they even have an allocation of 150 free bikes available from 10am to 3pm on a Sunday

15/  Push your food boundaries by taking a visit to Akitaya and eating their yakitori-style chargrilled organ meats (down with lots of Sake!)

16/  Dedicate some time to walking around Harajuku and just getting lost, there are some amazing hidden stores waiting to be discovered in back streets

17/  Even if ya broke, visit massive department store Tokyu Hands and marvel at the huge range of weird and wonderful stuff they sell

18/  Take a late-night stroll through the incredible little streets of Golden Gai , famous for the 200 tiny bars packed into the small area

19/  Now that the famous Tsukiji Market has closed, consider heading over to the  Toyosu Fish Market to watch the auctions. Admission is free.

20/  Take a free one-hour tour of the Suntory Musashino Beer Factory ! Yes!

21/  Get your hands on a ridiculously life-like plastic replica of food at the hilarious Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya 

22/  Check out the man-made hot spring and soak those tired legs at Komorebi no Ahsiyu

23/  It’s totally free to visit the Tokyo Anime Centre in Akihabara and the Suginami Animation Museum 

24/  For free art, in a space with awesome views, it’s worth seeing the latest display at ESPACE Louis Vuitton 

25/  It’s a small fee to gain entry to the beautiful Kyu Asakuru House , straight out of your Japanese dreams

26/   Hire bikes in Ginza and spend a few hours riding around the local area

27/  It won’t cost you a cent to visit the famous Shibuya Crossing , but for the best views set yourself up at a coffee shop overlooking the madness

28/  Join a free walking tour of Tokyo 

29/  Love dumplings? Be sure to visit Anda Gyoza   and Harajuku Gyoza Lou for a bite that won’t break the bank (but will still taste amazing!)

30/  Pop up to the Sky Carrot (Carrot Tower) and enjoy the totally free views from the top of the building

31/  Find cheap beers and even cheaper bar snacks at Fujiya Honten in Shibuya

32/  Explore the risqué side of Tokyo by wandering the ‘ Love Hotel ‘ scene where guests rent rooms for, erhm, intimate moments with bae

33/  If you love art and the hit serious ‘Mad-Men’, take in the fantastic collection at the Advertising Museum Tokyo 

34/  Spend a few hours exploring the Meiji-jing? shrine , where it’s free to wander and you get to soak in the charm of this beautiful, serene place

35/  Walk across the bridge, around 1km, or catch the above-ground rail over to Odaiba where you’ll find arcade games and a giant robot

36/  Spend 100 Yen at a  Coffee Boss  vending machine for one of the rainbow cans of coffee

37/  If you love Japanese culture and art, try visiting the Origami Kaikan , a space dedicated to origami!

38/  Love a good spud? I do! Get a budget-friendly bite to eat at And The Friet

39/  It won’t cost anything to scope out Tokyo’s red light district,  Kabukich? 

40/  It’s free to get into the  Tokyo National Forum  and wander around, marvelling at the stunning and unique architecture

41/  Wander the picture-perfect Shinjuku Gyoen gardens , especially if you’re there in cherry blossom season

42/  Check out the Bank of Japan Currency Museum  and the Meiji-jing? Treasure Museum   (both closed Mondays)

43/  Visit the gorgeous gardens of Hotel Chinzanzo , which won’t cost you anything to scope out

44/  Make sure you eat at least 1(00) unforgettably delicious Portuguese egg tarts from Nata de Cristiano’s 

45/  If you love books and libraries as much as I do, you may want to check out the Tama Library Tokyo Magazine Ban k and the Koishikawa Library 

46/  Take a peek through the National Art CentreTokyo , in Roppongi (the building is super cool too!)

47/  Visit the Marunouchi area and wander the Kitte  shopping complex for a spot of window shopping, there’s also a cool garden

48/  If you want to feel like a little kid again, visit the  kiddyland toy shop  in Harajuku

49/  Make sure you take a trip to Don Quijote , the weird and wonderful variety store that sells… weird and wonderful EVERYTHING

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17 Unmissable Things to do in Tokyo, Japan

Discover the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo, the capital city of Japan — home to weird and wonderful sights, neon flashing lights, expansive gardens, tavern-filled alleys, and sensory food markets. This exciting city is hard to beat, offering a myriad of unforgettable adventures: peer through glass floors at the top of the city’s tallest skyscraper, wade through water in abstract art museums, devour rainbow-spun candy as you peruse cosplay shops, or enjoy moments of peace at sacred shrines. Experience it all with the top things to do in Tokyo!

Best Things to do in Tokyo

Tokyo is an enormous city, and there’s so much to see that you’ll definitely want to return again. Although busy, it doesn’t have the hectic feel of other Asian capital cities like Bangkok or Beijing.

This is mainly because of the unique Japanese culture, which centers around respect and good manners. In fact, it’s one of the safest cities in the world, meaning you can explore at any hour — although after dark is when the city really comes to life, with thousands of neon flashing lights leading the way to music-pumping restaurants and high-rise bars. 

Tip: Tokyo offers a good mix of city and nature activities, particularly as it has so many amazing green spaces. The city is also a great jumping-off point for day trips into nature, where you can really see the ‘authentic Japan’.

1. Tokyo Skytree

Discover the tallest tower in the world! Yes, the Tokyo Skytree is not only the tallest structure in Japan but also the tallest tower globally, standing at a mammoth height of 634 meters. You can ascend the building to see breathtaking panoramic views of the city. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji in the distance!

Begin your trip to the pinnacle via the four different elevators (rocketing to the top at a speed of 50 seconds per section!). The Tembo deck is the first viewpoint you’ll reach at 350 meters with a knee-shaking glass floor, giving you fantastic views of Tokyo from a different perspective. ( Get your tickets here )

At 450 meters, you’ll reach the Tembo Gallery, the Skytree’s highest viewpoint. Here, you’ll find 360-degree panoramic views — an unmissable thing to do in Tokyo!

We recommend visiting just before sunset so you can see the city transition from day to night. After dark is special when bright neon lights illuminate the sidewalks and buildings.

Hotels in Tokyo 😴

Opening Times and Tickets for Tokyo Skytree

It’s best to book your tickets in advance so that you can get them at a slightly cheaper price.

• Advance tickets for both decks (Tembo Deck and Tembo Gallery) cost 2,700 yen (19 USD)
• Tembo Deck (the lower viewpoint) costs 1,800 yen (12 USD).
• Don’t worry if you forget to book tickets in advance; you can buy tickets at a slightly higher price on the same day.
• Please also keep an eye on the weather, as high winds can lead to closure.
• Decks are open from 10 AM to 9 PM (last entry 8.20 PM)

Book your tickets for Tokyo Skytree in advance

Budget tip : On a budget? Head for the free observation deck in the metropolitan building at Shinjuku. 

2. Shinjuku Gyoen

Welcome to Shinjuku Gyoen – a tranquil oasis at the heart of bustling Tokyo, once only reserved for royalty. Escape the bright lights and crowds and enter a natural garden of 144 acres full of trees, traditional Japanese gardens, flowers, and unique plants.

Situated right in the middle of the city, Shinjuku Gyoen is often compared to New York’s Central Park, providing an escape for Tokyo residents throughout different seasons of the year. See 900+ trees burst into color during the cherry blossom season and majestic oranges, yellows, and reds in the fall. 

Here are all your hotel options in Tokyo.

Don’t miss the incredible greenhouse, which feels like an indoor jungle, like a small Cloud Forest in Singapore . It’s home to many tropical plants, some of which are rare and close to extinction. 

There are plenty of cafes and tea rooms throughout the park for refreshments. However, Starbucks deserves a special mention as it’s entirely made of windows and has a fantastic view of the park. 

Opening Times and Entry Fee: 500 yen (4 USD). Opening times are 9 AM – 5.30 PM (earlier in the winter season) and closed on Mondays. You can buy tickets on the day at the entrance or buy in advance here .

3. Teamlab Planets

One of the best things to do in Tokyo is to experience the magic of Teamlab Planets : a sensory museum experience with large-scale art spaces. Move through a series of rooms, each home to a unique experience, from giant glowing orbs and lights to water spaces filled with flowers and mirrors. ( reserve your tickets in advance here )

As you move through the abstract art experience, you’ll be accompanied by classical music. This, combined with the 3D visuals, makes for an awe-inspiring yet tranquil experience. 

What to Wear to Teamlab Planets

Each room in Teamlab Planets offers a different sensory experience. The most important things to note are:

• You walk through the rooms barefoot. In two rooms, you’ll walk through water, one up to your ankles and the other up to your knees. For this reason, we recommend wearing loose trousers that you can roll up above your knees.
• You can also rent shorts at the start if you prefer. 

• We don’t recommend wearing a skirt to Teamlab Planets due to the many floor mirrors (for obvious reasons!). 
• The rooms can get warm, so leave your sweater in the lockers at the beginning.
• You can take your phone or camera with you. However, because of the water, do so at your own risk.

Tickets for Teamlab Planets, Tokyo

This is one of the most popular experiences in Tokyo, and tickets get booked quickly, so we recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment. Additionally, tickets are only released a couple of months in advance. Best is to choose one of the earliest time slots.

The ticket price is 3,800 yen (27 USD), and you can reserve your tickets in advance online .

4. Sensō-ji

Sensō-ji is one of the most sacred sites in the world and the most visited temple in Japan! The traditional red temple, home to a stunning 5-story pagoda, is particularly important to the Japanese and Tokyo residents. It is also the location of many important festivals throughout the year. 

Legend has it that two brothers found a Kannon statue in the river, and when they let it go, it kept returning to them. The area’s chief at the time recognized this phenomenon and wanted to house the statue in his home. He even remodelled it to become a place of worship — which is now Sensō-ji. 

Visiting Sensō-ji

As you enter the main gates, you’re greeted by gigantic red pillars and Japanese lanterns, making for a great photo. There are also many food and souvenir stalls if you want to take something away to commemorate your visit.

Once inside, you’ll see the main temple, which you can enter. However, if you’re not religious, the interior itself is not as attractive as the external grounds, although it is special to see people praying.

Please note that the pagoda interior is fenced off, and you cannot take photos.

Entry and Opening Times: Admission is free. The main hall is open from 6.30 AM to 5 PM every day from October to March. In the summer, opening hours are extended to 5.30 PM. 

Tip: The temple is lit up at night from sunset until 11 PM, and the temple grounds are always open, making it a lovely spot to hang out in the evening. Alternatively, the Tokyo Skytree overlooks the site, offering a great view of the illuminated temple.

5. Kōkyo Castle / Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace of Tokyo is an icon of the city — a fortified castle that sits high up on a stone embankment surrounded by a moat. The imperial family live here, giving it extraordinary importance in Japan. 

Although the palace itself is not open to the public in general, it’s surrounded by a vast park, so there’s plenty to explore. There is the option to apply to join a free guided tour of the palace grounds to learn more about its interesting history (10 AM and 1.30 PM daily). Otherwise, simply wander among the beautiful Japanese gardens, cross the pretty stone bridges, or relax in the grassy park. 

Note: The palace is not open to the public as it’s still the official residence of the imperial family. However, on important days of the year, the public can enter the external sections to wave at important family members who greet visitors from the balcony.

Chidorigafuchi Park

On the other side of the moat, on the west side, you will find another small park called Chidorigafuchi Park. This relatively undiscovered spot is home to some of the best cherry blossom viewpoints in the city.

Rent a rowboat (open from March to November) and explore the waters surrounding the palace. This is particularly impressive in Spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

6. Shibuya Crossing

Think of Tokyo, and the incredible setting of Shibuya Crossing immediately jumps to mind. This is the busiest crossing in Japan, if not in the world, where surrounding skyscrapers, huge glowing advertisements, and flashing traffic lights bathe pedestrians in a neon glow as they cross the intersection.

Prepare for all your senses to be sparked as you move among the many people, with music coming from all directions (shopping malls, advertisements, and music).

Although this area is one of the busiest in the city, in true Japanese fashion, it’s still exceptionally organized and respectful, with traffic lights and the politeness of Japanese people (you won’t experience any beeping here!). 

Tip: Want to see Shibuya crossing from above? Head for Shibuya Sky (reserve far in advance), an observation deck that costs 2,200 yen (15 USD) to enter. Another option is MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 , a good viewpoint on the top of a shopping mall. Tickets cost 1,500 yen (10 USD), including a drink.

7. Shinjuku

Exploring the liveliest neighborhood in the city is one of the top things to do in Tokyo! Shinjuku offers the real Tokyo experience: streets full of neon flashing lights, shiny 3D advertising, such as the iconic 3D cat, and small alleyways filled with tiny bars. 

Also read: Best Things To Do in Osaka, Japan .

Head for Kabukicho, the famous entertainment district that never sleeps, where you’ll find the brightest lights in the city and Japan’s renowned karaoke bars. For this reason, we recommend visiting Shinjuku at night, when you’ll be able to make the most of the themed restaurants (like Alice in Wonderland), nightclubs, and quaint drinking holes. 

Tip: If you’re looking for something more upmarket, Shinjuku also has plenty of luxury bars, including the Park Hyatt Hotel . This hotel is famous for its incredible city view, especially at sunset. It was also the setting for some of the scenes in the Hollywood movie ‘Lost in Translation’ with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johanson. 

The Godzilla Head

Fans of Godzilla, or just those who want to see something truly out of the ordinary, should look out for the Godzilla head. This life-size scale model of the fictional character looks like he’s attacking a colossal building — just like in the movies!  Here is the exact location .

Tip: Want an incredible view of Shinjuku for free? Take the elevator to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, where the viewing deck is free to visitors. It’s a budget alternative to the Sky Tree, and you can still see Mount Fuji on a clear day!

The unique area of Golden Gai in Shinjuku is an absolute must-see in Tokyo! This authentic area comprises narrow streets and many cozy taverns, some hidden away, making exploring fascinating. It’s entertaining to visit at night when it comes to life with locals and tourists. Grab the location from our Japan map or see the location . 

Tip: Golden Gai is the best place to make friends since all the bars are so tiny. Most only fit 10-15 people, so you’ll have to sit very close to each other. Order a soju and simply drink in the typically Japanese atmosphere.

Omoide Yokocho

Explore another vibrant and traditional area in Shinjuku: Omoide Yokocho! The small timeworn buildings are home to various BBQ joints — billowing out smoke — that starkly contrast with the towering nearby skyscrapers.

Did you know? Omoide Yokocho translates as ‘memory lane’ because it gives everyone who visits a nostalgic feeling.

8. Shimokitazawa

What better way to spend an afternoon than vintage shopping in the trendiest district of Tokyo: Shimokitazawa! This spiderweb of streets is made up of thrift stores, record shops, street art, and plenty of aesthetic cafes — frequented by all the most stylish people of the city, each hunting through the shops to find their vintage treasures. 

In true Japanese style, vintage shopping in Tokyo is exceptionally well organized, with various styles and sizes. However, as thrift shopping has become a ‘culture’ of its own in Japan, its popularity is reflected in the prices. Because of this, it’s not easy to source ‘cheap finds,’ but all the pieces are so beautiful it’s worth the price tag! 

Some of our favorite shops:

• Little Trip to Heaven
• New York Joe

9. Trip to Fuji

No trip to Tokyo would be complete without a visit to Mount Fuji , and the good news is that it’s easily accessible on a day trip! The incredible area around Mount Fuji is home to five beautiful lakes, which you can visit for stunning views of the active volcano.

See our travel guide to Best Things to do at Mount Fuji .

The natural beauty here is exceptional, and in each season, you’ll find something different to look at, whether it’s the reds of the fall forests, the cherry blossom hues in Spring, or the snow-capped peak of the volcano in winter. Mount Fuji is truly our favorite part of Japan! 

See tickets and availability for a tour to Fuji from Tokyo

Tip: Mount Fuji is doable on a day trip from Tokyo (a 2.5-hour drive). However, if you have more time, we recommend doing a multi-day trip to enjoy all the fantastic things to do in the Fuji region. There are stunning waterfalls to explore and multiple beautiful shrines that bask in the shadow of the volcano.

We recommend to rent a car in Japan through Rentalcars.com with many rental locations and flexible cancellation. Book your rental car here .

10. See the Snow Monkeys

Seeing snow monkeys in their natural habitat is a bucket list experience and, without a doubt, one of the best things to do on your trip to Tokyo! Just a 3-hour drive away is the city of Nagano, which is a jumping-off point to see these remarkable animals.

More about: Snow Monkeys Park and its Hot Springs

Frolicking in the woodland, discover the cheeky red-faced creatures who come into their element in the winter when the snowy conditions motivate them to kick back and relax in the nearby hot springs.

Tickets for the natural park are 800 yen (6 USD) which you can purchase at the entrance. See opening times and ticket prices here .

There are other onsens (springs) in Yudanaka town that are accessible to humans. You’ll find plenty of them on your trip to this area, so do as the locals do and wear the traditional Yukata robe and Geta sandals as you make your way to the bathhouses. 

Please note that you are prohibited from entering Onsens if you have tattoos, this is due to the long-running stigma of tattoos in Japan.

Tip: Visiting in winter? The area where the snow monkeys live (Jigokudani Valley) is in the mountains, where you’ll find fantastic snow conditions and some of Japan’s best ski resorts.

Join this day tour to see the snow monkeys, which leaves from Tokyo and includes entrance and return transportation.

11. Trip to Kamakura

A world away from the bright neon lights of Tokyo, but just 1.5 hours by car, is the charming fishing village of Kamakura. Quite unexpectedly, this Japanese seaside town is a favorite for surfers and city slickers who come here for their beach holidays. 

Enjoy some downtime here — explore the hiking trails, take in the views of the sea (with Mount Fuji visible inland), and swim during the summer months. The town is also home to some fantastic ancient architecture and beautiful temples and shrines, making it exceptionally peaceful. 

Tip: Started your trip from Tokyo early? Get your breakfast + coffee at the Delifrance bakery at the train station in Kamakura. From here, you can take the bus or the train to other spots in the city.

Get a Japan Rail Pass to use throughout your trip!

12. See a Sumo Game

Seeing Japan’s national sport take place in real-time is one of the top things to do in Tokyo! The country is famous worldwide for the unusual and ancient sport of Sumo wrestling (Basho), which has been practiced in Japan for thousands of years. During the game, each athlete attempts to push the other out of the circular ring while wearing the traditional loincloth called a mawashi. 

Buy your tickets for a Sumo wrestling tournament here

Buy tickets for one of the arenas in Tokyo and watch this epic game unfold! We recommend joining a tour that includes tickets, reserved seating, and a guide who can explain more about the game’s history and how it works.

For something a little different, join a tour to see the morning practice. Watch the wrestlers’ rigorous training routine and snap a photo or two with your favorites!

Join this popular tour to see the Sumo morning practice

13. Go Kart through Tokyo

Experience one of the most popular things to do in Tokyo: an exhilarating Go Kart ride through the city ! Ditch the typical tour bus and get behind the wheel of this adrenaline-pumping car, making your way down the fast-paced roads of Tokyo. A guide will lead you and tell you all about the most iconic sights as you go.

To make this experience even more memorable, you can pick from various fun costumes to brighten the day — and create incredible photos for your trip. 

See availability for a Go Kart tour through Tokyo!

14. Koishikawa Korakuen

Located in the district of Koishikawa, discover the botanical gardens of Koishikawa Korakuen, which is also thought to be the oldest Japanese garden in Tokyo! Traditional Japanese gardens throughout the country are designed with ponds, stones, and bridges to mimic the natural beauty of the landscapes, and Koishikawa Korakuen is no different. 

Opening Times and Entrance Fee: 9 AM – 5 PM. Entrance 300 yen (2 USD)

The maple and cherry trees in this botanical garden burst into different colors according to the season. We visited in the fall when we had a vibrant mixture of reds, oranges, and yellows. The trees also attract some incredible bird species, making the botanical gardens popular for bird watchers. You might even have the chance to spot the graceful Kingfisher.

15. Takeshita Street in Harajuku

At the heart of the Harajuku district, you’ll find the most colorful and busy street in Tokyo! Takeshita Street is weird and wonderful, with various stores selling bright, eccentric clothing — everything from anime costumes to platform heels and velvet bows. It’s overwhelming but brilliant all at the same time, with loud music, strange candy vendors, crepes, and fluorescently colored shopfronts. 

Although Takeshita Street is the most famous in the area, we recommend crossing the street and wandering around the rest of Harajuku. It’s much more chilled, home to contemporary art galleries, vintage stores, collectible sneakers, and luxury brands — a complete mix!

16. Meiji Shrine

After the hustle and bustle of Harajuku, visit the neighboring peaceful oasis of Meiji. This stunning Shinto shrine is set in the middle of Tokyo in a tranquil forest of over 100,000 trees. 

The park’s entrance is close to Harajuku station. First, pass through the Torii Gate (traditional gates that mark where the ordinary world ends and the sacred world starts) and then enjoy a relaxing 15-minute stroll through the parkland to reach the Meiji Shrine.

Once there, you’ll see people cleaning, performing religious tasks, and praying to the gods. You can also write out your wishes for the gods on the wooden tablets (Ema) placed near the shrine — a beautiful and spiritual moment during your time in Tokyo. 

Note: Because the shrine is sacred, photos are prohibited at the main Meiji Jingu.

If you want some refreshments, we recommend visiting a small garden inside the park, where you’ll find an old tea house that you can enter for the price of 500 yen (3.50 USD)

Opening Times and Entrance Fee : The shrine is open from sunrise to sunset with no entrance fee. If you wish to visit the museum, tickets cost 1000 yen (7 USD).

One of the best things to do in Tokyo, the Hie shrine is definitely worth a stop on your city trip. If you’ve already visited Kyoto , you’ll notice it looks similar to the famous red shrine of Fushimi Inari Taisha. 

Also read: Things to do in Kyoto, Japan

This sacred spot sits on a hilltop in the city, with a gigantic cherry tree at the entrance, which makes the shrine look extra special in spring. Although the shrine is lovely, the most beautiful element of the whole site is at the back entrance. Here, you’ll find 90 exquisite red torii gates, each painted with Japanese characters, that form a long tunnel.

Opening times: 6 AM to 5 PM. Free entrance.

17. Tsukiji Outer Market

Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Tsukiji Outer Market – Tokyo’s famous fish market! Sprawling over a few blocks, the fish market is enormous, filled with hundreds of stalls, all selling different kinds of seafood, complete with bright signs and price markers. It’s a great spot to see what local life is like as you watch restaurants and locals buying their fish for dinner.

Tip: The busiest streets are Tsukiji Nishi-dōri and Tsukiji Naka-dōri, so head there for the liveliest experience.

We recommend trying some of Japan’s delicacies: fresh, thinly sliced sashimi, oysters, sushi rolls, or BBQ-ed fish. The best way to do so is to join a food tour, as the tour guide will recommend the best stalls to visit and also give you some fun facts about the market.

See availability for a tour of Tsukiji Outer Market

Top Tips for Visiting Tsukiji Outer Market 

• Opening times 9 AM – 2 PM (closed on Sundays and Wednesdays)
• Arrive before 10 AM (afterwards, it gets crowded)
• Prepare yourself for the strong fish smell – it’s not for the faint of heart! 
• Wear closed-toes shoes as the floor is wet. Avoid wearing sandals or high heels.
• Some stalls don’t accept credit cards, so take cash just in case.

Best Restaurants & Cafes in Tokyo

Tokyo has to be one of the best places to eat in the world! You can look forward to dining on all the Japanese favorites like Sushi, Ramen, and Soba noodles, whether you purchase from market vendors or dine at high-end fusion restaurants.

In reality, every kind of food you can imagine is sourceable in Tokyo; you’ll also find plenty of Italian and French restaurants and plentiful bakeries serving freshly baked pastries – most delicious when eaten warm first thing in the morning. Some of our favorites are:

• Bricolage Bread & Co
• Sushi Ishii
• Citron Aoyama
• Fuglen Asakusa
• Palermo Akasaka
• Falafel Brothers
• & sandwich.
• Afuri Ramen

Top Tip: It’s no secret that Tokyo is expensive, so if you’d like to have a quick snack or an affordable takeaway lunch, we recommend going to the supermarkets 7-Eleven, Family Mart, or Lawson. You can find delicious Onigiri (a rice ball with fish inside and packed in crunchy seaweed) or even mix a cup of frozen fruits into a smoothie.

Make sure to bring your reusable water bottle with you; you can drink water from the taps in most places in Japan! This is a good way to save money and travel plastic-free .

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Tokyo is a massive city with neighborhoods to suit every kind of traveler. Even if you choose to stay further out, the fantastic metro system makes it easy to travel between districts. 

We stayed in the neighborhood of Akasaka , which is close to many of the top things to do in Tokyo and has great restaurants and cafes. It also has excellent train connections, yet it is still away from the main crowds.

Hotels near Shinjuku station are also a good option (particularly good for nightlife and restaurants). The same is true for the area surrounding Tokyo Station , which provides the most connections to the rest of the city.

• Hotels near Shinjuku Station
• Hotels at Tokyo Station
• Hotels at Akasaka

How Many Days in Tokyo?

There are so many incredible things to do in Tokyo that we recommend spending at least two days exploring. Three to four days would be perfect (this excludes day trips), allowing you to visit all the main sites and leave plenty of time for dining, nightlife, and museums. 

Tokyo is an excellent jumping-off point for day trips in Japan, primarily because of the superfast bullet trains that can take you out of the city in a matter of minutes. 

How to Visit Tokyo

Tokyo has two international airports that serve the city, Haneda and Narita. Narita is further away (60 KM east of the city), so we recommend flying into Haneda for ease.

From here, it’s just a 30-minute train into the city center, or you can arrange a private transfer if you have a lot of luggage.

Book your airport transfer in advance

There is a lack of elevators and escalators in Tokyo’s metro stations, making it more challenging to maneuver your suitcase when traveling into the city. Because of this, luggage transfer services are very common. For example, Yamato Transport can arrange to bring your luggage from the airport to your hotel and vice versa.

Tip: It’s best to get an eSim in advance so you’re directly connected when you land in Japan. Buy your sim online here .

Getting Around

Getting around Tokyo is super easy; the organized Japanese public transport system makes traveling a dream! Metros and trains reach every corner of the city, and best of all, they’re super affordable. 

Note: Because the travel network in Tokyo is so organized, you’ll never experience delays; trains and metros depart precisely at the minute specified.

Walking around the city is highly recommended. It’s the best way to take in the vibe of Tokyo, and there’s something out of the ordinary to see on every street corner. When you get tired, you can download a taxi app (Uber and GoTaxi are the best, with GoTaxi being the cheaper option).

Is the JR Pass worth it? ( Calculate it here ) The Japan Rail Pass gives you unlimited access to all public transport throughout Japan, so it’s a great option if you plan on taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) several times. It’s also multi-use for other trains, ferries, and buses throughout the country. 

Buy your Japan Rail Pass in advance

How Much Does Tokyo Cost?

Like most of Japan, Tokyo upholds its reputation as one of the most expensive cities in the world. However, we were pleasantly surprised that entrance tickets, food and public transport cost much less than anticipated. The higher costs were for accommodation, which is more expensive than anywhere else in the country. Because of this, we recommend booking well in advance to try and score the cheapest deal. 

Tip: Capsule hotels are very popular in Tokyo, offering a budget alternative to the traditional hotel experience. 

Costs of Traveling in Tokyo

Travel on a budget in Tokyo, from $480 − $950 USD weekly per person, mid-range $2100 − $4230 USD, and high-end from $3880 − $6030 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here

• Hotels: $150 − $500 USD Check available hotels
• Hostels: $20 − $85 USD Check available hostels
• Transport: $5 − $50 USD Book public transport
• Car Rental: $35 − $150 USD Book a rental car
• Food: $30 − $150 USD
• Activities: $10 − $50 USD See tickets & tours
• Sim: $1 − $5 USD Get an eSIM or SIM here
• Travel Insurance: $2 − $6 USD Get Travel Insurance

Best Time to Visit Tokyo

With so many things to do in Tokyo, you can visit at any time of the year and be spoilt for choice. However, the most beautiful season is Spring when the cherry blossoms are out, covering the city in pink flowers. Bear in mind that this is also the most popular time to visit, raising prices and demand for accommodation. 

Note: Although many sights in Tokyo can get busy, it’s rarely hectic as a result of the fantastic organization and good manners of the Japanese people.

Fall is an excellent alternative. It’s still busy, but it’s a little less expensive than Spring. You’ll still get to see the maple trees burst into the typical fall colors, which creates a fiery backdrop to Tokyo’s towering skyscrapers and neon lights.

Tip: In both seasons, fall and spring, you’ll need to book ahead for tours, tickets, and accommodations to avoid disappointment.

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Getting around

There are lots of ways to get around the sprawling megapolis that is Tokyo and the Greater Tokyo area. Which is best however, depends on where you’re going, how much you money you want to spend and whether or not you like taking the scenic route. So let’s talk options.

Public transport

Tokyo is a great city for public transport with a strong network of train, subway and bus routes criss-crossing the city. While not as cheap as other countries the system is (almost) always on time, and will get you where you need to go. Don’t know the difference between Bullet trains, local trains and limited express trains? We’ve got you covered, read on.

Fun Fact: With the exception of Toei operated services, all other ‘public’ transport providers in Tokyo are actually privately owned.

Bullet Trains

The shinkansen is a super-fast, easy way of getting from Tokyo to other parts of Japan. Yes, we’re talking about the world renowned Bullet Train. You can be in Kyoto in under three hours — and even back the same day if you like. If you’re going to be doing a lot of domestic travel, buying a Japan Rail Pass is probably a good idea — have a look at our JR Pass guide to see whether a countrywide or regional pass works best for you. Also see our guides on getting from Tokyo to popular destinations such as Osaka , Hiroshima , Kanazawa and Nagoya .

Trains & subways

To the uninitiated, the train and subway system in Tokyo can seem incredibly complicated. To help get your head around them we’ve put together a handy beginner’s guide to Japan’s rail system.

If you’re in town for more than 24 hours, we recommend buying a Suica/Pasmo IC card . These are credit card size cards that you charge up with credit and use instead of tickets to get on/off public transport. They are usable on all lines and they work all across Japan. This will save you so much hassle as you don’t have to think about which ticket to buy. You can even use them to pay for items from a vending machine and in some shops!

Some operators have one-day tickets that are a good deal, but read this guide  so you know which ones should be avoided (some are only useable on one subway company, which makes them pretty much useless).

For travel within the city, the bus system can be useful for making those trips that the subway doesn’t handle well — like Roppongi to Shimbashi. Fares are cheap and you can use Pasmo/Suica IC cards to pay. Working out which bus goes where and where you should get off however, is quite a task. We recommend asking a local and telling the driver where you’d like to go. For long distance travel out of Tokyo, highway buses are almost always the cheapest (and least comfortable) option.

Private transport

With such a well developed public transport system it’s not entirely surprising that many people living in Tokyo don’t have their own cars. That being said there are still private transport options around, but they often more expensive than public transport.

Taxis have a flag-fall of ¥ 730 , so even if you catch one for 100 m, this is how much it will cost. Once your trip reaches the ¥ 730 threshold, the figures on the meter will start to spin like the fruit on a one-arm bandit. Generally taxis are only a good deal if there are 4 of you. They can, however, be useful (and your only choice) if you’re stranded after last train or if you have too much luggage that you’d rather not take on public transportation. Read our step-by-step guide on  catching a taxi in Tokyo, including Uber and other ride sharing apps .

Some places or situations really will be easier if you have a car. Your choice in this case is whether to buy or rent. Luckily for you we have handy guides for both, here’s one for buying a car and one for rentals . Oh, and if you’re planning on heading out of town for a road trip, don’t forget about the road tolls .

After spending some time in Tokyo you’ll quickly realise that the bike culture here is strong. From a mother somehow balancing 3 children and herself on a single bike, to a high school student casually holding an umbrella in one hand while cycling through the rain, there’s no shortage of cyclists on the streets. If you want to join them you can once again choose to buy or rent .

No really, not only is this the most cheapo friendly option but it’s actually a great way to see the city. Central Tokyo is quite compact and as you can see from our walking map of the Tokyo subway system it won’t take you too long to walk from one station to another. If you need a little more convincing let 1 of these 6 routes inspire you.

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Cost of a Trip to Tokyo, JP & the Cheapest Time to Visit Tokyo

The average price of a 7-day trip to Tokyo is $1,858 for a solo traveler, $3,337 for a couple, and $6,256 for a family of 4 . Tokyo hotels range from $63 to $439 per night with an average of $94, while most vacation rentals will cost $170 to $490 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Tokyo International Airport ( HND ) are between $1,067 and $1,514 per person for economy flights and $3,348 to $4,751 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $42 to $113 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Tokyo, JP

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to HND and stay in a Tokyo hotel:

• January 8th to April 8th
• September 3rd to December 9th (except the week of October 8th)

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Tokyo is usually late November to early December .

Average Tokyo Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Tokyo for a week is $1,325-$2,798 ($189-$400 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $42 to $113 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $623 to $1,287 for economy

Lodging : $68 to $80 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $98 to $120 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Tokyo for a week is $3,130-$5,330 ($447-$761 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $84 to $226 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,246 to $2,574 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Tokyo for a week is $4,484-$9,464 ($641-$1,352 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $168 to $452 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $2,492 to $5,148 for economy

Lodging : $136 to $160 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $147 to $192 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Tokyo

How cheap can you make a vacation to Tokyo? The cheapest trip to Tokyo is about $131 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $21 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $53.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Tokyo for a week is $917-$1,994 ($131-$285 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $24 to $47 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $53 to $63 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $21 to $61 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Tokyo for a week is $1,708-$3,610 ($244-$516 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $48 to $94 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Tokyo for a week is $3,338-$7,220 ($477-$1,031 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $96 to $188 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $106 to $126 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $29 to $92 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is very difficult to travel to Tokyo cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Tokyo Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Tokyo.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Tokyo for a week is $3,188-$10,560 ($455-$1,509 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $84 to $215 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,514 to $2,587 for first class

Lodging : $181 to $439 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $490 to $1,078 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Tokyo for a week is $5,290-$14,652 ($756-$2,093 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $168 to $430 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $3,028 to $5,174 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Tokyo for a week is $10,580-$26,718 ($1,511-$3,817 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $336 to $860 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $6,056 to $10,348 for first class

Lodging : $362 to $878 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $735 to $1,725 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Tokyo Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Tokyo is much higher than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Tokyo due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Tokyo Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Tokyo hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Tokyo.

Flight Costs to Tokyo

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,514 average in early August to a low of $1,067 in late November to early December. Median flight price is $1,158. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Tokyo our data includes 376 originating airports, and 151 airlines. The area has average variance in price compared with other locations. Flying to Tokyo from an airport like Knox County Regional ( RKD ) in Rockland, ME (the United States) for an average $8,070 trip fare will obviously cost a lot more than from an airport like Yamagata ( GAJ ) in Yamagata (Japan) at an average of just $178.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Tokyo, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $447, so you can easily save about 42% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Tokyo can easily cost $360 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $24 per person. Private tours can cost $711 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other Tokyo Guides

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Vacations in Tokyo

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Cheap Tokyo package deals

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• There are loads of types of vacations in Tokyo and the cost will depend on what type of trip you’re taking and for how long you’d like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travelers: Top vacation $664; Family vacation $562; Romantic vacation $854; Luxury vacation $857; Budget vacation $455.

Why should you book a vacation package to Tokyo?

Add in the snazzy restaurants that make Tokyo the most Michelin-starred world city, a vibrantly rich pop culture scene and the majestic Skytree, the world's tallest tower, and the city is unmissable.

When should you book a vacation package to Tokyo?

The months of March, May, October, and December offer the best weather while March, April, October, and November are best for sightseeing. Romantic Tokyo trips should be taken in spring (cherry blossom glory) and late fall (foliage season).

Where should you stay in Tokyo during your vacation?

For any vacations in tokyo:.

Next to the museums at Roppongi Hills is the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. Its sleek rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and DVD players, free Wi-Fi and desks. The suites feature separate sitting quarters. Club level rooms have lounge access with free evening appetizers and breakfast.

Visiting the iconic Tokyo Tower is a highlight for Tokyo getaways, and the high-end Westin Hotel, just 2 miles from this landmark, offers amazing city views. Standard but elegant European-styled rooms feature minibars, flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi (for a fee) while upscale rooms offer workstations, free breakfast, and private lounge access.

For family vacations in Tokyo:

Rooms at the sprawling Imperial Hotel in Tokyo's Uchisaiwaicho neighborhood feature mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, plus tea and coffee makers. Sitting areas in the upgraded rooms are standard, and suites come with a kitchen. With free breakfast, free stays for kids under 4 years, and in-room massages, this is a perfect pick for Tokyo package deals.

All-inclusive Tokyo vacation deals at the Intercontinental Tokyo afford you cozy and tastefully furnished rooms with minibars, coffee and tea stations for standard rooms, city views and access to a lounge complete with free breakfast and cocktails in the evening for upgraded rooms, and espresso machines, Blu-ray players, and living rooms for suites.

For romantic vacations in Tokyo:

Romantic Tokyo vacation deals should include a spa, fine dining, loads of pastries, and a swimming pool. The Andaz Tokyo Hotel at Toranomon Hills has it all, with rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows allowing panoramic city views, free Wi-Fi and minibars, soaking tubs in all bathrooms, and an open terraced rooftop cocktail bar.

With free breakfast and parking, room and laundry service, elegant restaurants and a rooftop terrace with sweeping city views, the Claska Hotel makes romantic Tokyo trips worth every dime. The rooms are equipped with desks and sitting areas with some having tatami floors, dining tables, and even a terrace. Flat screen TVs and free Wi-Fi are standard.

For luxury vacations in Tokyo:

The kid-friendly Mandarin Oriental is the epitome of class, luxury, and opulence in Tokyo. With chic, sophisticated rooms featuring panoramic city views, minibars, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, this hotel located on the upper floors of a 34-level tower has it all. Suites offer additional living areas and freestanding tubs.

Over in the Marunouchi business district is the upscale Peninsula Tokyo. To dressing rooms, city views, tea and coffee makers, and free Wi-Fi in their standard contemporary rooms, suites add living rooms, and some even provide a balcony, grand piano, and a complimentary tea ceremony.

For budget vacations in Tokyo:

With cozy rooms, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, washers/dryers, modern family rooms with living quarters and bunk beds, some complete with terraces and/or kitchenettes, the Centurion Hotel Residential Akanaka is an ideal pick for cheap Tokyo vacation packages.

Ryogoku View Hotel features unassuming standard rooms with free Wi-Fi, balconies, bunk beds with sitting areas underneath, and panoramic city views, sofas or tatami mats, and traditional Japanese tables. This child-friendly establishment also boasts hot tubs, a laundry service, and a cozy restaurant.

Where to stay in Tokyo

Tokyo vacation information, other popular package vacation destinations.

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Is Tokyo Expensive to Visit?

Tokyo has a reputation as an expensive city, but is Tokyo really expensive to visit? The reality is that Tokyo can be very cheap if you know what you’re doing! Sure, you could eat all your meals at fancy restaurants and stay in five-star hotels, but Tokyo is also friendly to backpackers! But what is cheap in Tokyo? First, we need to define “expensive” and “cheap”. If you’re comparing Tokyo to other cities in Asia, you’ll probably find the costs significantly higher than in other cities. If you’re comparing Tokyo to major cities in the West (such as London, Paris, or New York), I think you’ll find things are much, much cheaper!

A good rule of thumb is to think about what is considered cheap in a major Western city. Spending $5 on a full meal or spending $20 for a night in a hostel is relatively low. These prices would also be considered cheap in Tokyo!

To answer the question of “is Tokyo expensive to visit?”, I’ll be breaking down the Tokyo travel budget to the prices of food, hotels, transport and hotels.

Table of Contents

Food and restaurant prices in Tokyo

The thing that I found most surprising about Tokyo was how cheap it can be to eat out. If you know where to go, the cost of food in Tokyo (and also Japan) is reasonable; you can easily spend under ¥500 ($4.60) per meal.

Places to check out if you’re looking to eat for cheap:

• Family restaurants such as Saizeriya, Gusto, and Royal Host
• Convenience stores such as Seven Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson
• Gyudon (or “beef bowl”) restaurants such as Yoshinoya, Matsuya, and Sukiya

If you’re looking for “authentic” Japanese meals, however, those tend to be more expensive. Kaiseki is a multi-course meal steeped in tradition and it’s never cheap. Upper-level sushi restaurants will also hit your wallet harder than low-cost conveyor-belt chains .

Cost of hotels in Tokyo

Hotels in Tokyo are just as expensive as hotels in other major cities. You can expect to pay at least ¥10,000 ($92) a night, but your final cost will vary widely on the hotel. So where can you stay affordably?

Unlike much of Europe, Japan seems to do hostels right. Many of the hostels in Tokyo have received reputation awards for being clean and having decent service. A typical hostel bed will set you back by about ¥3000 ($27.50) or so. Capsule hotels are a uniquely Japanese option if hostels aren’t your thing. You rent a private space that’s secured with either a door or a curtain. Prices usually vary between ¥2000–3000 ($18–27) for a bed. The K’s House Hostel chain blurs the line between capsule hotel and hostel in many of their facilities, so I definitely recommend them!

If you’re travelling with others, staying in an Airbnb is another good option. The price varies widely, but many hotels and hostels in Japan charge per person instead of a set fee for private rooms. Airbnbs also come with kitchens, so you further lower your costs by cooking your food yourself! If you’re feeling particularly thrifty, you might consider looking into a stay at an internet café. These places usually offer free internet access and some even feature manga (Japanese comics). Many have showers and laundry facilities as well. Net Maru is known for being a decent option. Expect the room prices to be between ¥1500–2500 ($13–23) for eight hours.

Transportation costs in Tokyo

Using public transportation in Tokyo is pretty affordable. You’re unlikely to spend more than ¥1000 ($9.20) one way if you’re within city limits and fares under ¥300 ($2.75) are much more typical.

Taxis and other forms of private transportation can get very expensive in Tokyo. The city prioritizes people who walk. If you have issues getting around in daily life, you may find your trip to Tokyo will be much more expensive than able-bodied people.

You may hear people recommending the JR Pass for travelling around Japan. Personally, I’ve found the JR Pass is only worth it if you’ll be doing a lot of intercity travel. If you plan to only visit Tokyo and one other major city, like Kyoto, I do not recommend the JR Pass .

Why? Because it’s incredibly expensive and getting your money’s worth out of it requires a lot of fast-paced travel. You’ll find it’s much cheaper to use local area passes if you plan on just staying in the Tokyo area.

For day trips from Tokyo, you should look into passes with Odakyu Railways , JR East , Seibu Railways , and Tobu Railways . Each one has its own set of positives and drawbacks, but I think they’re all much better for trips in the Kanto area than the JR Pass. The Hakone Freepass with Odakyu Railways is an especially good deal! Getting around Hakone is shockingly expensive when compared to other areas of Japan due to its popularity with the wealthy elite. Another good deal is the Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass , which allows unlimited travel within the Tokyo city limits for just 750 yen ($6.90)!

An important thing to note is that alternative passes often allow foreign residents to purchase them, whereas the JR Pass is only available to foreign tourists.

Cheap souvenirs in Tokyo

I get scandalous looks when I say I don’t buy many souvenirs for people. I prefer to send postcards when I can get away with it. But if you feel like you must get gifts for people back home, you should check out ¥100 Shops ($0.95 Shops) or “One Coin” shops where everything is under ¥500 ($4.60).

These places are filled with all sorts of goodies that you can bring home. I find chopsticks, nail stickers, face masks, and stationery kits all make decent gifts.

Also Read: Guide to Thrift & Recycle Shops in Tokyo for Secondhand Shopping

Free things to do in Tokyo

Most of the attractions in Tokyo aren’t free, but there are a handful of things to do that won’t hurt your wallet. Just to name a few:

• Visiting the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building’s free observation decks. They offer a great view of the skyline for free and you might even see Mt. Fuji on a clear day!
• Visiting Meiji Shrine. Despite being in the centre of Tokyo, the shrine is surrounded by a dense forest and offers a reprieve from the bustling city atmosphere.
• Walking along Takeshita Street in Harajuku. You’ll be able to see the awesome Tokyo street fashions here for free!
• Experience the Chofu Aerospace Center of JAXA. This Japanese space agency facility has all sorts of attractions, but you’ll need to schedule your tour in advance!
• Check out the Imperial Palace Grounds . You used to have to reserve a tour in advance, but now they offer same-day tours!

Tokyo budget per day

Personally, I find budgeting to be a pretty personal thing. It’s impossible for me to guess how much you should estimate per day. Do you like fancy food? Are you the kind to pack as much into a day as possible? Do you only do free things?

In general, for a thrifty traveller, I recommend a base food budget of at least ¥1000 ($9.20) a day. I also estimate a minimum of ¥3000 ($27.50) per night for accommodation in a hostel. For transportation and entrance fees, most people won’t spend more than ¥2000 ($18) per day in Tokyo.

The food budget includes lunch out, but you’ll have to eat dinner and breakfast at your accommodation. Raise it by ¥1000 ($9.20) for each restaurant you want to eat at. If you prefer hotels or Airbnb to hostels, your cost per night might be ¥10,000 ($92) or more. On top of that, inflate the budget if you’re visiting expensive attractions like Tokyo Sky Tree .

So… is Tokyo expensive to visit?

For myself, I usually estimate around ¥6000 ($55) per day I spend travelling in Tokyo. That includes my food and hostel accommodation.

Would this be considered expensive for you? Having an answer to that would answer the question of “is Tokyo expensive to visit”. Hopefully, it’ll also give you a baseline for your trip.

Also Read: What is the Cost of Living in Tokyo Per Month?

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Tokyo Travel Guide: Tokyo on $30/day!

Last Updated on June 7, 2023 by Christine Kaaloa

I’ve long been waiting to visit Japan. But I kept holding myself back. Why?

The truth is that everyone I’ve spoken to came back reporting one thing,  “ Japan is expensive .”  How expensive?  One  brave friend recommended a budget of $100/day in Tokyo.  Someone else termed it wallet rape.

I may come across as sorta brave for being a woman traveling alone , but one thing I’m not courageous about is cutting a hole in my wallet, during economic recession or when I’m relatively unemployed. I thought about avoiding Tokyo altogether… or doing a chicken run of something short, like two days.

If you’ve  read my Japan posts , you know  traveling budget Japan has led to an adventure! But my Tokyo Budget Travel guide was the start of it.

Table of Contents: Tokyo Travel Guide: Tokyo on $30/day!

• 1.1 Top 10 Free Tokyo attractions 
• 1.2 1.   Asakusa
• 1.3 .2.  The Sumo Museum at Ryogoku Kokugikan
• 1.5 3.  Tsukiji Fish Market
• 1.7 Watch my experiential video of the Foods to Eat at Tsukiji Market 
• 1.8 4.   A view Tokyo from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
• 1.9 5.  Shibuya Crossing
• 1.10  6.  Kiddy land
• 1.11  7.  Omotesando
• 1.12 8.  Harajuku
• 1.13 9.  Akhihabara
• 1.14  10.  Visit parks, temples, cemeteries
• 2  Budget Eats in Tokyo
• 3  Getting Around Tokyo cheaply
• 4  Where to Stay in Tokyo for Cheap
• 5.1 48 Hours : Japan on $30/day
• 5.2 I WANT IT!!

Tokyo Budget Travel Guide

My fear turned into a challenge. I had a feeling Tokyo could be traveled for cheaper. My travel needs are simple.  So I booked five days in Tokyo and the rest split with Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka .  My budget cost me on the average $30/day . 

Top 10 Free Tokyo attractions 

The good news is there’s a lot you can do in Tokyo, cheaply or for free.  Not everything in Tokyo costs money and there’s budget deals to help you get around Tokyo on the cheap and easy.

Watch my top 20 Instagrammable Tokyo Spots

1.   asakusa.

Asakusa  (pronounced Asah-kusa) is known for its old world charm. You can wander some of the streets in the old district to take you back to a time when Tokyo felt more Japanese vs. the sprawling modern, corporate, shopping mall it is today.

Tokyo’s biggest and oldest Buddhist temple, the Senso-ji is the popular attraction, along with the marketplace of souvenirs and Japanese delicacies. Watch food craftsmen create culinary snacks with care and watch your wallet. There’s a lot of cute Japanese souvenirs, kimonos, keychains and nom -cious snacks to  tempt your splurge!

Where to stay in Asakusa: There are many options in Asakusa from hostels, capsule hotels to hotels in the area, starting from $22. I stayed at Asakusa Smile Hostel , but wouldn’t recommend it. (It’s cheap but very old facilities with cigarette scent from the bar below).

Khaosan World Asakusa.  Trendy feel. Tokyo cool.

Bunka Style Hostel  Fun find and rave reviews. Bunka Style Hostel is a boutique? hostel with unique capsule-like bunk beds for a comfortable, private sleep experience and a story to tell your friends back home.

. 2.  The Sumo Museum at Ryogoku Kokugikan

Tokyo has a handful of free museums for the backpacker budget. The Sumo Museum  at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Ryogoku is simple, humble and more like a Sumo Hall of Fame , but this little museum topped the list of interests for me. Of course, this is nothing compared to seeing an actual sumo tournament and if your trip falls in sumo season, you might just want to splurge for a ticket. Sumo season is two weeks in Jan, May & Sept.

Otherwise, you might be able to catch a glimpse of sumo wrestler trainees (I saw one biking down the street in a yukata ) in the area, as the neighborhood houses sumo stables, where the athletes train and live. The museum is free, small and showcases wrestlers in the Sumo Hall of Fame.

3.  Tsukiji Fish Market

Want to watch tuna bidding at the largest fish market in all of Japan? The Tsukiji Fish market opens at 5 am but come earlier. Only 120 people are allowed into the bidding. Afterwards, the market is open to all.  Subways don’t open that early however, so you’ll either need to take a taxi or stay somewhere nearby. There are sushi restaurants outside the market so you can sample fresh catch.  Location: Take the Oedo line to Tsukiji-Shijo station, exit A1. Or take the Hibiya line of the Tokyo Metro to Tsukiji station.

Places to stay in Tsukiji: As subways don’t open at 5:00am, it’s best to stay in the area if you can. Here’s a map of accommodations near Tsukiji Fish Market .

Watch my experiential video of the Foods to Eat at Tsukiji Market 

4.   a view tokyo from the tokyo metropolitan government building.

Forget paying to see a view of the city from Tokyo Tower!  There are  other alternative spots  for a good city view.The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, spans 243 meters high and offers sprawling views of Tokyo for FREE.  Read more of best things to do in Shinjuku .

Location:   JR Shinjuku Station west exit requires a 10-15 minute walk to the building and note, Shinjuku Station is big and crowded.

5.  Shibuya Crossing

 Shibuya Crossing  is dubbed the Times Square of Tokyo , it’s a crossing that’s lit up big and bright by surrounding stores and a great spot to capture one of the premiere photo shots of Tokyo. It’s known for  its massive crowd and intersection, which allows multiple pedestrian crossings to take place when the traffic light hits red.

Location:  Outside Hachiko Station , an interesting nearby landmark is a memorial statue of a dog,  Hachiko . The story goes that Hachiko was a faithful dog, who waited for his master at the station each day, long after his master’s death. Hence, that’s what the station is named after, Hachiko station .

  6.  Kiddy land

One of the favorite stores for tourists  to visit is Kiddy land . Five floors of cuteness from Hello Kitty to favorite Japanese character dolls and anime colllectable figurines. Kiddies will love it, but so will adults.

Location: On Omoetaesando Street, between two stations- Omoetaesando and Meiji Jingumae .

  7.  Omotesando

The walk from Shibuya to Harajuku is known as Tokyo’s Champs Elysees . Lined with trees, it’s packed with tons of shopping and flagship stores, but the architectural designs can be impressive. Some side streets spin-off into pockets of cute cafes, boutique stores and hair salons.

Location: Harajuku Station to Omotesando Station.

8.  Harajuku

Harajuku is a popular  fashion hangout district in Japan, known for its quirky cosplay, anime and goth fashion.  The weekends are especially crowded and that’s when the trends and quirks of fashions come out. Dip into a  Tokyo idol shop , to see what stars hold Japanese hearts. Or get a surreal beauty makeover at a photo booth shop  and see what you’d look like if you were your own plastic surgeon.

Where to stay: Here’s a map of  hotels in Harajuku .

Rea d  Japan Culture Shock: Cute or Crazy?

9.  Akhihabara

Have you ever felt possessed by a personal hobby? Akhihabara is the home of otaku culture and nerd central.

Those obsessed with manga , electronic stores, pachinko parlors and maid cafes all gravitate here to live in a world outside the norm. Home of the girl group, AKB48, this area is said to have some of the best maid cafes in Tokyo . But the back alleys can feel a little seedy as you see those workers solicit male customers. Unless you’re into manga or electronics, there’s little to see or do here other than shop and look at manga magazines.

Read   Akihabara and the Fetish Otaku Culture 

Where to Stay in Akihabara:

Akihabara Bay Hotel. An all female capsule hotel which will leave you well-rested and pretty. Great location 5 minutes from the Akihabara stations. More hotels in Akihabara .

 10.   Visit parks, temples, cemeteries

  Budget Eats in Tokyo

Surprisingly, not only can you sightsee Tokyo for cheap, but you can also eat  inexpensively too. What are some budget eats in Tokyo to enjoy?

•   Street shops and 7-11s sell bowls of ramen or udon for around 500 yen.

•  Onegiri  (aka rice balls, filled with fish, meat or seaweed) is often goes for 100 -150 yen.

•  Basement food floors in the department store and supermarket ‘Take Out’ sections sell pre-made meals for discount prices.      Tip:   After 8-9pm grocery stores do a mark down on foods in the take out section.

•  Shop at a grocery store and cook at your hostel.

•  100 Yen shops and stores, like  Daiso  sell drinks, Japanese knick-knacks and snacks for 100 yen.

•   Japanese food machines   also offer meals in the 500 yen range. They have pay machines out front (see photo below), where you order your meal, pay for it, then eat it inside.

Read  Budget Travel Tips: Japan

 Getting Around Tokyo cheaply

Transportation is a silent killer of budgets in Japan. But there’s a way to get around that. Buying unlimited or tourist day passes help immeasurably and taking the slower local trains will reduce your travel expenses, over  express and bullet trains. While there may be more transfers involved, you’ll get to where you’re going all the same.  If you’ve already bought a JR pass to get around Japan, you can use it for the subway system.

Passes are sold at 7 day, 14 day and 21 day categories, includes all trains ( shinkasen, express, local, etc..) and a  few highway buses  .  You must pre-purchase your passes in advance. Also big note: you can only buy these passes  outside  of Japan .

Unlimited day passes or tourist day passes

These handy passes are a godsend. If you buy one, you can get unlimited transportation for anywhere from one day to three. The catch is that 1) you can only buy these tourist passes at the airport (Haneda or Narita Airport) and 2) you can only use the local metro trains (not express trains). Why is the latter a big deal? The express routes, zip direct to the main districts that most tourists want to go, while to get to main districts, you may need to transfer a couple of times.

 Where to Stay in Tokyo for Cheap

Obviously, hotels in Tokyo are going to run your budget higher than what I quoted. But there are other places where you can sleep for cheap. Some examples are business hotels (such as Toyoko Inn chains), hostels , ryokans (traditional styled guesthouses) ,  manga internet cafes  (I stayed at a friend’s house, a hostel and a manga cafe when I was in Tokyo. Manga cafes were the cheapest option!) and AirBnB ($40 off if you use my code!).

Tokyo for Solo Travelers (video playlist)

If you enjoyed this post, why not buy the eGuide. Packed with information from this post Travel Survival Guides are a travel cheat sheet, breaking down the essentials of traveling with information, maps and directions to take on-the-run.

48 Hours : Japan on $30/day

I WANT IT!!

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More From Forbes

15 affordable places to travel in 2024, ranked in a new report.

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Want to take an affordable vacation in 2024? You’ve come to the right place. Although travel costs are on the rise this year ( up 3.1% ), it’s still possible to save money in 2024—if you know where to go.

A new travel report from the U.K.’s Post Office —a British-based mail and financial services company — has just unveiled some of the most budget-friendly destinations for 2024. And although the annual report is aimed at U.K. travelers, it’s a helpful list for Americans, too.

By analyzing currency strengths, local prices and essential tourist expenses in 40 popular vacation destinations around the globe, the Holiday Money Report 2024 highlights some of the cheapest places to travel. The report ranks the destinations based on a barometer that takes the local price of eight tourist essentials into consideration—including coffee, beer, cola, wine, water, sunscreen, insect repellent and a three-course meal. And while the report doesn’t include factors like hotels and airfare, it helps give a good sense of where your dollars will stretch the furthest.

This is the 18th year that the Post Office has done this report. And the good news: Prices have fallen since last year in 25 spots on the list. (A note that the original report included prices in pounds sterling, which have been converted into dollars here, using the exchange rate on the date of publication of 1.26.)

An aerial view of Hoi An, Vietnam, the most affordable destination to travel in 2024, according to a ... [+] new report.

Leading the list as the cheapest place to travel right now is Hoi An, Vietnam. According to the Post Office report, a total estimated cost of just $64.51 a day for the travel essentials makes this charming gem the ultimate bang-for-your-buck destination that won’t break the bank. Located on the central coast of Vietnam, Hoi An entices visitors with its UNESCO -recognized Ancient Town, a picturesque spot where lantern-lit streets lead to quaint shops and street food stalls. It is also convenient to stunning white-sand beaches—some of the most beautiful in Asia .

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

Following closely behind in the second spot is Cape Town, South Africa, where an outlay of $68.48 a day for the essentials promises an unforgettable experience against the backdrop of Table Mountain and pristine coastlines. Here, you can dive into the vibrant culture and indulge in world-class dining (a three-course meal for two people averages less than $44.140) without denting your travel fund.

The coastline of Mombasa, Kenya, with a pair of camels on Diani Beach.

Mombasa, Kenya takes the third spot on the list. This beachfront destination on the east coast of Africa beckons with its white-sand shores, vibrant markets and rich Swahili heritage, offering an immersive experience for travelers seeking both relaxation and cultural exploration.

In a surprising twist, Tokyo, Japan—a bustling metropolis where tradition meets modernity—secures the fourth spot on the list. According to the Post Office, just $74.43 a day is needed for essential tourist purchases. Helping drive this ranking was the cost of a glass of wine (an average of only $4.56) and a bottle of water (averaging 77¢).

The cliffs of the Algarve overlooking the Atlantic Ocean above the Benagil cave in Lagoa, Portug.a

Rounding out the top five is the Algarve in Portugal, which combines culture, history and natural beauty at a fraction of the cost compared to previous years. With its sun-drenched beaches, charming villages and delectable seafood, the Algarve offers an idyllic escape for travelers seeking an affordable yet enriching getaway.

Here are top 15 best-value spots from the 2024 report. You can also download the full Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer for more locations and more details.

Overlooking a pristine beach in Hoi An, Vietnam.

• Hoi An, Vietnam - $64.51
• Cape Town, South Africa - $68.48
• Mombasa, Kenya - $69.96
• Tokyo, Japan - $74.43
• Algarve, Portugal - $75.33
• Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt - $77.36
• Sunny Beach, Bulgaria - $79.73
• Kuta, Bali, Indonesia - $79.79
• Marmaris, Turkey - $83.27
• Paphos, Cyprus - $92.49
• Penang, Malaysia - $93.98
• Phuket, Thailand - $97.97
• Delhi, India - $98.05
• Costa del Sol, Spain - $102.67
• Montego Bay, Jamaica - $109.76

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8 places with the cheapest hotel rooms, Bengaluru is on the list

Love travelling but have budget problems here are eight destinations offering the cheapest accommodations..

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• Bengaluru has turned out to be the most affordable tourist destination in India
• The city offers an average room rate of Rs 4,584
• You can also head to Thailand and Indonesia for the cheapest accommodations

2024 is a joyful year for all travel enthusiasts as it is packed with multiple long weekends. But while many of us wish to be on the road all the time, our pockets don't always allow us to splurge on the 'really want to tick this off my list' vacations.

Enter budget accommodations! Digital travel platform Agoda recently revealed a list of eight tourist destinations with the cheapest hotel rooms on average.

So, if you are planning an international trip, you can get some of the best deals in Thailand.

Meanwhile, in India, you can head to Bengaluru and score yourself a good stay, all credit to the competitive room rates in April and May.

This year, Bengaluru has secured the spot as the most affordable tourist destination in India, surpassing Puri, which topped the cheapest destinations ranking a year ago.

Yokota Air Base in the suburbs of western Tokyo is home to U.S. Forces Japan, 5th Air Force and the 374th Airlift Wing. (Kelly Agee/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — A B-52H Stratofortress diverted Tuesday evening to this airlift hub in western Tokyo, the second such visit in less than a year.

The bomber landed at 5:22 p.m. safely and without incident, a spokesman for 374th Airlift Wing, Master Sgt. Nathan Allen, said by email Wednesday.

The Stratofortress is assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., he said. The bomb wing is the largest in Air Force Global Strike Command, whose mission is to provide strategic deterrence, global strike and combat support.

Allen did not say what caused the bomber to divert to Yokota, and the wing denied Stars and Stripes’ request to photograph it. Amateur photographers, in fits and starts, approached the base’s east-side perimeter fence, attempting to get shots of the aircraft behind a row of trees.

A B-52 took part in an exercise Tuesday over South Korea along with Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, South Korean F-15 Slam Eagles and Japan Self-Defense F-2 fighters, according to a news release from the South Korea Ministry of National Defense.

The drill near Jeju Island south of the Korean Peninsula was held to “improve the ability to deter and respond to North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile threats,” the ministry said.

The flight took place the same day that North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile that flew roughly 370 miles before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, according to South Korea’s military.

The airpower demonstration was only the third time the three countries have ever flown a bomber escort drill together. The first was Oct. 22, the second on Dec. 20.

Stars and Stripes could not immediately confirm that the same bomber landed Tuesday evening in Japan.

B-52s rarely touch down at Yokota, which also serves as headquarters for 5th Air Force and U.S. Forces Japan. A Stratofortress landed at the base on July 12 due to an in-flight maintenance issue.

That aircraft, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., was in the region to support a training exercise. Its arrival at Yokota occurred a week after four B-52s deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of the Air Force’s ongoing bomber task force missions intended to project U.S. air power in the region.

Prior to July, a B-52 landed at Yokota in 1989 during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival.

For more than 60 years, the B-52 has been the backbone of the U.S. strategic bomber force, according to the Air Force. It can carry the widest array of weapons in the service’s inventory, including nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance.

The Air Force regularly sends B-52s to Guam on bomber task force missions to demonstrate its capacity for global delivery of air power.

Stars and Stripes reporter David Choi contributed to this report.

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