Visiting Tokyo on a budget? Here are some of the free things to do in Tokyo so you can have a great time without denting your resources.
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Free Things to Do in Tokyo – Be Entertained with the Street Art and Youth Fashion in Harajuku
Harajuku is a neighborhood in the Shibuya area of Tokyo that is well-known for its vibrant street art and remarkable youth fashion. If you’re up to see some Kawaii (Japanese culture of cuteness) and cosplay, this neighborhood is a must-visit.
street art in Harajuku – photo by Dale Ellerm under CC BY 2.0 
Cosplayers at Harajuku Bridge – photo by Roger Price from Hong Kong, Hong Kong under CC-BY-2.0
Free Things to Do in Tokyo – Delight in the Sakura Season
Cherry blossoms are among the most popular associations that people have with Japan. And during the Sakura Season, from the end of March to early April, you don’t have to spend a penny to appreciate the charm of cherry blossoms up close. Simply head to one of Tokyo’s famous parks and you can find yourself bathed in the scent and beauty of the renowned blossoms. To up your experience, you can head to the Meguro River Cherry Blossoms Promenade.
Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival – photo by Guilhem Vellut under CC BY 2.0
Free Things to Do in Tokyo – Drop by The Ad Museum Tokyo
When in Tokyo, do not fail to visit this museum dedicated to Japanese advertising. Here, you can learn about the Japanese advertising history, view advertising paraphernalia from an analog table and a digital table, and step inside its audio-visual booth. Admission is free, so there is no reason to miss the sole advertising museum in all of Japan.
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Ad Museum Tokyo – photo by 妖精書士 under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Experience the Shibuya Crossing Scramble
You might have seen it in a lot of movies and television shows, and nothing should stop you from visiting the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Whether you want to to experience the scramble first-hand or you are content to simply watch it from a safe distance, you need not shell out a penny to do so.
Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan – photo by Ben & Gab under CC BY 2.0
Explore the Otaku World of Akihabara
A famous shopping hub for geeks, Akihabara in the Taito area of Tokyo is a bustling electronics marketplace. It is also a venue for anything anime, manga and video games. From exhibits to souvenirs to the curiously-dressed staff of shops and cafes, there is simply so much to see in Akihabara, even if you don’t plan to buy anything.
Akihabara District at Night – photo by IQRemix under CC BY-SA 2.0
Feel the Vibe of Shinjuku
Shinjuku is a sought-after destination for those looking for nighttime fun and entertainment in Tokyo. Even if you just simply wander the streets of Kabukichō, you will easily find yourself entertained with all the lights and sounds barraging your senses.
a street in Kabukichō at night – photo by Kakidai under CC-BY-SA-3.0
Relax in the Parks in Tokyo
There are several beautiful parks in Tokyo that the public can access without a fee. One of them is Inokashira Park – a century old city park that has a pond and trails. Sumida Park is a great place if you want green space with lots of cherry trees. If you want to have some bit of history woven with beauty, visit The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Ueno Park is spacious, with several walking paths. Yoyogi Park has a lake and forest that make a spectacular sight in autumn.
the pond at Inokashira Park – photo by KimonBerlin under CC-BY-SA-2.0 Sakura Season at Sumida Park – photo by Yoshikazu TAKADA under CC BY 2.0 Imperial Palace East Garden – photo by Guilhem Vellut under CC BY 2.0 Sakura Season at Ueno Park – photo by Gavin Anderson under CC BY-SA 2.0 autumn at Yoyogi Park – photo by kcomiida under CC-BY-SA-3.0
See Tokyo from Above
It is definitely a different experience to see the metro from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Decks. Set 202 meters from ground level, the observation decks allow you to view Tokyo from above. And the best part? Admission is free!
View from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building North Observation Deck – photo by Kenneth Lu under CC BY 2.0
Take a Walk over the Rainbow Bridge
You can stroll down the pedestrian walkway of Tokyo’s “Rainbow Bridge” to Odaiba and back. At night, the bridge sparkles with solar-powered rainbow-colored lights.
Rainbow Bridge (Tokyo Bay Connector Bridge) at night – photo by Luke Ma from Taipei, Taiwan ROC under CC-BY-2.0
Visit Sensō-ji
Known to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Sensō-ji is dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kannon. It is also a fascinating complex, lined with traditional shops from its outer gate up to its second gate. Beyond the second gate, you can find a five-storied pagoda, the main temple hall, and the Asakusa Shrine.
Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the outer gate of Sensō-ji – photo by そらみみ (Soramimi) under CC-BY-SA-4.0 Nakamise, the shopping street that connects the Sensō-ji outer gate to the main hall – photo by Gorgo under PD-self Hōzōmon, inner gate of Sensō-ji – photo by Daderot under PD-self 
five-storied pagoda at Sensō-ji – photo by Daderot under PD-self Sensō-ji main hall at night – photo by Leng Cheng under CC BY 2.0 Asakusa Shrine at Sensō-ji – photo by そらみみ under CC-BY-SA-3.0
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