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.
