So you were able to purchase an affordable ticket to your dream destination and then you realise that you just booked yourself on a holiday in one of the most expensive cities to live in: Tokyo. But all is not lost as there are budget hacks and a tonne of things to do and eat even on a shoestring budget.
Here are a few of my budget-friendly tips of things to experience and enjoy in Japan’s high speed capital city.
Ueno Park
Located right next to JR Ueno station, Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s most popular places to visit. Originally part of the Keneiji Temple, the park is famous for its many museums located on its grounds as well as its temples, pagodas, a pond, and Ueno Zoo, Japan’s first zoological garden. The park is also a popular and lively cherry blossom viewing spot with more than 1,000 cherry trees lining its central pathway.
A visit to the Keneiji Temple, Kiyomizu Kannon Temple, Toshogu Shrine, and Bentendo Temple Hall cost nothing. And while the museums such as the Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, and the National Museum of Western Art all have entry fees, these just range from ¥500 (Php240) to ¥620 (Php298), with the National Museum of Western Art waiving its entry fees after 5PM on Friday and Saturday and on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.
Meiji Shrine
Dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji (the first modern emperor of Japan) and his consort, Empress Shoken, Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park make up a large forested area within Tokyo’s urban landscape. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a relaxing stroll.
The main complex of shrine buildings is located a ten minute walk from both the southern entrance near Harajuku Station and the northern entrance near Yoyogi Station. Entry into the shrine grounds is marked by a massive torii gate, after which the sights and sounds of the busy city peel away and are replaced by a tranquil forest.
One of the Japan’s most popular shrines, it is common to see a traditional Shinto weddings as well as various rituals and ceremonies throughout the year within the shrine’s grounds.
Train Station Cuisine
Tokyo’s food scene is one of the best in the world with a wide range of food options ranging from affordable to crazy-rich-Asian expensive. But fret not as dining in Tokyo can be friendly to the wallet if you know where to eat.
Tokyo’s many convenience stores are the first go-to for budget conscious travellers. Offering a wide array of eats from Onigiri (Japanese rice balls), to Dons (rice toppings), to Karaage (fried chicken), and baked goodies all well-made and of high quality that it is hard to imagine it came from a convenience store.
Another option is to find good eats around a train station. It is not hard to find establishments that serve set meals of rice and a viand for around ¥680 (Php326), the cold or warm service tea is also free. Ramen joint also serve cheap eats with the most basic bowl of ramen between ¥500-¥800 (Php240-Php383).
For the really hungry traveller, why not experience a Japanese “Tabehodai” or “all you can eat”? Tokyo is dotted with many such Tabehodai and the food choices are endless ranging from BBQ(Yakiniku), Sushi, Sukiyaki and Shabu-shabu, and even Pizza. Tabehodais usually charge from ¥1,380 (Php662) excluding taxes for 90 minutes of eating to ¥2,400 (Php1,151) for 120 minutes but of course the prices differ per restaurant and lunch service is usually cheaper then dinner.
There you go! Although I still would advise to prepare a proper budget for any international trip and not scrimp on enjoying your adventures, these are just a few simple things to do that can help you balance your travel spending in Tokyo.
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