Question:I used to spend a lot of time down in Tokyo when I first came over, but haven’t done much down there in a long time. I’ve been refreshing myself with a few old travel books, talking to friends and browsing the net, but I was wondering if any of you frugal peeps would have some good suggestions for us (me and a 15 year old boy). Thanks in advance. By the way, I found some good “free and cheap” suggestions at Tokyo Essentials.
Frugal Hive says:
Answer 1
Here are some ideas for fun and frugal stuff to do. Sorry, I don’t have the exact details off the top of my head but they can be easily found by searching.
1. Wandering through the small streets of Harajuku and Shibuya is free and fun, and people-watching is great there. And Yoyogi Park is just there as well.
2. There is a free 1-hour guided tour of Asakusa once a week and Ueno twice a week given by Tokyo Goodwill Guides. See: http://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=357&pID=1067
3. Pick up a copy of the Tokyo Metropolitan Guide Book (orange in colour). Available at Tokyo Metropolitan tourism info counters and major stations. It has coupons for all the major museums, parks, and some theme parks.
4. Odaiba is good for a day of strolling. There’s the miniature Statue of Liberty there.
5. Rent a bicycle from the Asakusa bicycle-rent place and cycle along the Sumida River.
6. Visit the Metropolis magazine events listing for matsuri (local festivals) and free exhibitions.
Answer 2
Walk Akihabara. Haven’t spent time there in years; used to be all tech stuff, but I understand it’s more of a pop culture mecca now.
Walk from Omote-Sando, through Harajuku, to Meiji Shrine, maybe Yoyogi Park.
Head to the top of the Tokyo government building; last I checked, the observation deck is free. Same view as Tokyo Tower, without the ridiculous fee. (And Tokyo Tower is pretty inconvenient to get to, too.) Lots of electronics shops on the way, on the west side of Shinjuku Station.
Do a Gin-bura (walk around Ginza): traditional craft shops, dept stores, Apple Store… Nearby in Yurakucho, the huge Bic Camera electronics shop and smoky yakitori joints under the tracks, with
Hibiya Park and Imperial Palace not far away… Don’t know whether that’s all of interest to a teen, though. (And I don’t think there’s much to see at the Palace – mostly moat.)
Shibuya is fun for people-watching, but massively crowded. Some tourists love the Tokyu Hands store – pretty fun. (Ikebukuro has one too; also a small one in Takashimaya shopping center at Shinjuku south exit.)
Don’t plan the traditional tour of the Tsukiji fish market; I heard that they finally stopped letting the tourists disrupt work. (Anyone know the truth of that?)
Answer 3
Free guided tours in Tokyo. The guides speak English and are really nice. I sent my parents on a few of these when they were visiting and they enjoyed them a lot
See: http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/tourists/guideservice/guideservice/index.html
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