Tokyo has a reputation for being expensive, but day-to-day costs can be surprisingly low. Transport is efficient, food is excellent at every price, and many of the best experiences are free.
Get an IC card on day one
A Suica or PASMO card works on trains, subways and buses, and in convenience stores. Inside Tokyo, a rail pass rarely pays off; tap as you go instead.
Eat well for less
- Ramen counters, conveyor-belt sushi and set-meal restaurants offer filling meals at low prices.
- Convenience stores sell fresh onigiri, salads and hot snacks around the clock.
- Department store food halls discount bento boxes in the evening.
Free things to do
The observation decks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku are free. Walk through Senso-ji temple in Asakusa early in the morning, cross the Shibuya scramble at night, and spend an afternoon in Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Shrine forest.
Where to stay
Choose a hotel near a station on the JR Yamanote loop line. It connects most of the neighbourhoods you will want to visit, which saves both time and fares.
Book tours and tickets
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