9 Things to Do in Tokyo on a Small Budget

The Asakusa Culture and Tourist Information Center is located near the Buddhist Senso-ji temple in Tokyo. The centre opened in 2012 and has become a place for tourism advice and a sightseeing attraction. Stand across the street and admire the contemporary architecture. The building comprises a stack of 8 tiny 'houses' made of timber and glass with sloping roofs that rise horizontally.

Inside, you'll find a cafe, an information counter, an exhibition space and an observation deck. All the facilities are free to enter. Every weekend, the tourist centre hosts free English guided walking tours of Asakusa.

Ginza has many art galleries worth visiting, which you can appreciate artwork for free. The Shiseido Gallery, which opened its doors in 1919, is the oldest art gallery in Japan. There are always exhibitions to enjoy and gallery talks to participate. 

Galerie Nichido is known for its collection of Western-style oil paintings. While its main gallery is located in Ginza, there are several branches in Paris and Taipei. Ginza Maison Hermès Le Forum is an art gallery with a large collection of contemporary art. Elsewhere, Chanel Nexus Hall holds many interesting photo exhibitions. If you fancy a bit of luxury and high-brow culture, Ginza is the place to be.

The narrow alleys and nostalgic streets of Yanesen are perfect for leisurely walks while admiring temples and shrines such as Nezu-jinja Shrine, Otome Inari Shrine, Kanei-ji Temple and Saigyo-ji Temple. The area has the traditional and cosy atmosphere of Tokyo's old town. There’s also a stone stairway leading to Yanaka Shopping Street, otherwise known as Yuyakde Dandan ('sunset stairs') as you can see beautiful sunsets from here.  

At the Yanaka Cemetery many famous people are laid to rest, and it’s also famous for its cherry blossoms. Grab some takeaway croquettes and sweets at Yanaka Shopping Street before heading there. JR Nippori Station is the best place for you to start a walking tour of the Yanesen area. 

A guided walking tour through the meticulously maintained Tokyo Imperial Palace grounds is an unforgettable experience. The Palace offers tours every weekday morning and afternoon. The tour is free, and only 300 walk-in and 200 pre-registered visitors can join in. Numbered tickets are distributed in front of the Kikyo-mon gate about 1 hour before the start of each tour. 

To get to the Kikyo-mon gate, it will take about 10 minutes on foot from Nijubashimae Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line or from Otemachi Station on the Toei Mita Line, and about 15 minutes from the Marunouchi Central Exit of Tokyo Station on the JR Line. Note that valid ID is required for entry, photocopied IDs are not accepted.

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) offer tours of their Haneda Airport maintenance facilities. Since both are very popular courses, you’ll need to book ahead but this is not to be missed if you’re keen on aeroplanes. 

You can participate in both tours for free. They allow you to take a close look at actual plane maintenance in a huge industrial setting, which you’re never likely to see anywhere else. From Shin-Seibijō Station, the nearest station on the Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line, it will take about 2 minutes on foot to the JAL facility and about 15 minutes to the ANA facility.

Suntory Musashino Brewery offers free guided tours (70 minutes), lectures (90 minutes) and of course, a beer tasting during your visit. Suntory Musashino Brewery is a well-renowned beer factory where you can enjoy a top-quality pint. At Suntory's first beer factory, which was established in 1963, The Premium Malts brand is brewed using spring water. 

To reach the brewery, take the free shuttle bus from Bubaigawara Station on the JR Nambu Line or the Keio Line. A from Fuchuhommachi Station on the JR Line to the brewery takes around 15 minutes. Don't forget to make a reservation in advance, either via its official website or by phone.

The Toden Arakawa Tram Line, commonly called the Tokyo Sakura Tram, takes about 1 hour to travel between Minowabashi Station in Arakawa ward and Waseda Station in Shinjuku Ward. This is the only tramline operating in Tokyo and it offers a delightful glimpse into Tokyo’s history when there were tens of tram lines in the city. 

This historic tram line boasts 30 stations and several attractions within an easy distance from them. For example, Asukayama Park is popular as a cherry-blossom viewing place and at Arakawa Furusato Bunkakan you can learn about the history of Arakawa. Get a one-day ticket if you’d like to ride the tram as long as you like and visit interesting spots along the way. 

Head to Okojyukkengawa Water Park in the waterfront area of Koto Ward to enjoy a ride on a Japanese-style ship to experience the city’s unique history of water transportation. In the Edo era, Tokyo was a city of waterways developed along rivers and canals.  

To get to the park, it takes around 20 minutes from Sumiyoshi Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line or the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, or Toyocho Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line. You can even board a ship for free on designated days. Besides boarding a wooden Japanese-style ship, you can also try rowing if you want to.

Single-act tickets for seats on the 4th floor in the Kabuki-za Theatre’s auditorium are often available at reduced rates on the day of the performance. Tickets for non-reserved seats (usually about 90 seats) are sold on the left side of the entrance for a limited time. Tickets will be individually numbered, and a staff member will call out the numbers to allow you to enter the auditorium. 

Headphone guides are available, so you’ll be able to follow what’s going on even if you’re not really familiar with kabuki. The theatre is located just outside Higashi-ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.