By 101 Holidays newsdesk
Tokyo may regularly appear on the ‘most expensive cities in the world’ lists but one of the most common misconceptions is that Japan is an expensive country to visit.
Armed with the insider knowledge, experience and expertise of InsideJapan Tours, Japan can offer excellent value and many sights and attractions, both well-known and hidden gems, are absolutely free – including some in Tokyo itself.
Here are InsideJapan Tours’ insider tips for things to do in and around Tokyo without spending a single yen.
FREE: experience the hustle and bustle of the world’s biggest fish market, Tsukiji. The atmosphere is frantic and exhilarating. Arrive before 7am to see the tuna market and indulge in the freshest sushi breakfast (from £17).
FREE: visit a sumo stable for early morning training in Asakusa – get up close and personal with huge sumo wrestlers (7-10am). You need to book the visit in Japanese (which InsideJapan Tours will do for you) and to obey strict rules, but this is a fantastic – if slightly daunting – experience.
FREE: visit some of Tokyo’s most important temples such as Sensoji Temple in the old Asakusa district and Meji Jingu Shrine in Harajuku, one of Tokyo’s ‘cooler’ districts. It’s set in 175 acres of evergreen forest right in the city centre.
FREE: the staggering view over Tokyo and beyond to Mt Fuji from the 48th floor viewing galleries of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings, Shinjuku.
FREE: discover techno heaven. Visit the huge electronic department stores in Akihabara, known as an electronics town; Shinjuku’s Yodobashi Camera store with floor upon floor of gizmos; the Sony showroom in Ginza for a glimpse of tomorrow’s gadgets; and Shibuya district with its neon and Bladerunner-esqe environment.
FREE: a two-hour sacred mountain hike through forest and past shrines to the top of Mt. Takao - Takao San sits in Hachijoji on the edge of Tokyo. Great panoramas of the metropolis await. Other free options include visits to Tokyo’s parks and gardens, museums and galleries.
Tokyo has the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world but there is also an array of cheap eateries: try sushi (from 70p per plate), bento boxes (from £2.80), ramen noodles (from £3), 3-course lunches (from £7) or an Izakaya dinner with drink (from £12).
InsideJapan Tours offers a range of small group tours, self-guided adventures and tailor-made itineraries to suit all budgets and tastes and has an exclusive 101 Holidays offer.
