Spending money in a beautiful city like Tokyo is easy, but while participating in The Nanostructured Materials: Synthesis, Modeling, and Energy & Biomedical Applications Study Tour, using your spare time to visit free attractions is much better to get the most out of your trip. Here are some of the best free activities in the capital city.
Stroll the Grounds of the Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace East Garden features the Honmaru and Ninomaru, which are the castle's oldest innermost sections. The garden includes expansive lawns, small wooded areas, and seasonal flowers (refer to the Flower Calendar to see what is currently in bloom). You can follow the moats and trails that encircle Tokyo's main attraction, the Imperial Palace, to view the city's iconic bridges and remnants of the ancient medieval castle. This three-mile route is a popular choice for locals who enjoy jogging while taking in the scenic beauty.
Watch Sumo Wrestlers Train
Sumo stables like Arashio Stable allow spectators to view the morning practice session (asa-keiko) via street-facing windows, so even if you miss a sumo tournament, you can still see the wrestlers in action during their training exercises.
Except for March, July, and November, as well as the week after a big tournament, most weekday mornings, practice is held from 7:30 to 10:00. Check the stable's website for the most up-to-date training schedule.
Visit Tokyo's Quirky, Free Museums
Tokyo has some of the most eccentric museums in the world, and many provide free admission to attract tourists' curiosity. At the Meguro Parasitology Museum, the only one like it globally, suspended in formaldehyde-filled shells, are a range of horrifying parasites. With interactive displays, the Rainbow Sewerage Museum investigates architectural feats needed to drain sewage from the most populous metropolis on Earth. Ironically, the Bank of Japan Currency Museum is free of cost as well, hence it's a great place for coin enthusiasts and collectors. If you would like a more graphic tour of Japan's advertising past during the last century, stop by the Tokyo Advertising Museum.
Hotel New Otani Tokyo's Landscaping Garden
The Hotel New Otani Tokyo's landscape garden is open to everyone, not just hotel guests. This expansive garden dates back approximately 400 years and features a vermillion bridge that spans a large pond, a serene rock garden adorned with stones from Sado Island, and stunning Momiji maple leaves that turn a brilliant scarlet in the autumn. The garden exemplifies traditional Japanese landscape design. Throughout the year, it is beautifully illuminated after dark to help visitors find their way.
Walk the Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba
The 798-meter Rainbow Bridge connects this reclaimed island in Tokyo Bay to the city and is lighted in its distinctive hues at night. Cross this single-span suspension bridge to get to Odaiba. In this very modern business area, you can lay on an artificial beach (if the weather permits), and even see a replica of the Statue of Liberty.
Wander the Ameya-yokocho Market
One of the most popular marketplaces is just outside the Ueno Metro Station. This large market draws more locals than tourists and offers a variety of items, from groceries to home goods. It's a great place to explore if you're looking for something non-touristy, and simply walking around is a worthwhile experience.
Between these and other attractions, there is much to see and do in Tokyo for free. When you're ready to explore this stunning city, schedule a consultation with an SAF counselor to learn more.
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