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Wednesday 7 September 2011

Tokyo on the cheap

As per the previous post, Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities to be a tourist or traveller. My friend Alice lived there for about 4 years. Here are her tips on cheap or free fun times.


This half day plan for Tokyo is especially good for Sundays & a good remedy to museums. Apart from train tickets, food & drink, it is all free. It is worth a mention that these are based on my time there in 2006.

Take the train to Shibuya station & get out at the Hachiko exit. Have a look at the loyal dog statue and check out the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. There is a Starbucks with a great view over the crossing - a great spot for people watching.

Next up, walk to Harajuku station (or train it) - there is an elevated walkway towards the park. On Sundays this is where you'll find heaps of dressed up teenagers looking all Gothic or manga - like & loving the attention. Keep going and you'll find Meiji jinga (shrine) in Yoyogi Park. The shrine has a lovely long entrance that includes walking under the torii gates - it is a nice shady place to be in summer. The shrine is great to look at and you'll often see a traditional wedding.   

Head back out and spend some time in Yoyogi park - on the weekend there's some awesome people watching, pet watching (dressed up dogs, rabbits … crazy stuff) plus people doing kendo, singing or dancing.

Hungry?  If you are happy at the park, grab an ice-cream from one of the vending machines (Y100) or head back to Harajuku station and grab something from the convenience store (beer, rice ball, sushi, spaghetti ... there's a high turnover so there's a fair range and fresh Y300+).  If you are happy to leave the park, walk into Harajuku, on to the main drag - Omotesando dori/street. Opposite Zara, there is a cheap but good sushi train place on the first floor - plates from Y100, plus all the wasabi, ginger & tea you can eat & drink.  

There you go - a nice chilled out day so you will be all rested up for karaoke or dancing! 

Other places I'd suggest: Kichijoji Park during cherry blossom time, pizza delivered to your picnic blanket- need I say more?

Catholic themed bar/restaurant
Day/weekend trip to Hakone
Rail & Train tickets
Guest house with hot spring
Great Izakaya pub food nearby and just down the road from the Petit Prince museum.



Free things in the world’s most expensive cities

Another great tip list from Lonely Planet. Sign up for their email newsletter to get more great tips in your inbox.