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.
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/restaurantDay/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.
Excellent tips! Tokyo doesn't have to be that expensive if done right. I'll also vouch for the fresh and tastiness of convenience store food there. Totally different concept than a 7/11 in the US.
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