10 things to do for free in Tokyo

13 Jan 2006 Category: Features, Japan, Products

“I’d love to come visit but I don’t have any money and Tokyo is so expensive…”

This is the most frequent excuse I hear from people who claim that they always wanted to see Tokyo but never show up in the end.

You don’t need money to find out what Tokyo is at! All you need is to know where to find the fun things for free.

PingMag will show you how:

1) Taxi designs

In case you are in Tokyo for the first time, simply stand next to any road and see how many different Taxi designs you can count. Unlike New York, London or Berlin, you won’t find one color dominating, but discover that there are many different taxi companies with their own, significant designs. Some of them look like retro-racing-car designs, some play with patterns and others keep it elegant in one single color. I just love this variety!

There are about 50 000 Taxis driving around Tokyo alone.

2) Manhole cover designs

Continue to walk slowly and have a search on the road itself for an incredible variety of designed manhole covers!

Japanese manhole cover design vary dramatically from city to city, town to town and street to street. This is partly to announce the variety of tunnel services beneath, but also to give a symbolic or figurative indication of the areas’ activities, or to reflect a sense of local identity.

Australian artist Scott Campbell discovered these for his purposes in 2000 when he started using traditional woodblock printing techniques to create works on paper from the vast variety of manhole covers found throughout Japan. (He’s been on Fuji TV news, Shin-Hiroshima TV… and whenever he changes his mind about being a very, very analog artist, I will update with some images ;-)

3) Tissues for free

Depending on the season (peak time around hay-fever- and constant-cold-nose-running-months) you can spot people giving away free tissues with a little commercial message - almost everywhere. One of the most frequently distributed ones is the Takefuji-pack (yellow flowers - blue sky), which I even knew before I ever set foot in Japan.

Spotting the nice ones can be quite a challenge, besides some are only for women or men or young or old or Japanese only….. try your best and see what you can gather!

4) Stamp tour

Japanese love rubber stamps of any kind. Therefore it’s no surprise that they have beautiful stamp designs all over the place. Most big, public places like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office in Shinjuku (free view across Tokyo by the way), the Earthquake Learning Centre, the Tokyo International Forum, Temples, Shrines even train stations or post offices have their own rubber stamp for you to use freely in your diary to prove that you were there, or simply to collect a stamp print of Japan’s handicrafts.

5) Free events

But now enough collecting! Maybe you want to start going somewhere and looking at things. Tokyo Art Beat, Tokyo’s online Art&Design Events Calendar dedicates a full section to Free Events. Take a look at Tokyo’s galleries and museums, discover contemporary Japanese and foreign artists exhibiting all over the city for 0 Yen.

6) Graffiti and Streetart trail

Want to study Tokyo’s urban art or maybe even post a sticker or two yourself? Follow the Toyoko and JR train racks from Nakameguro or Ebisu station towards Shibuya to discover local and international heros who left their mark and unique styles in the streets of Tokyo.

7) Latest mobile phones

In case you are into mobile phones, there are plenty of opportunities to test those everywhere in Tokyo. Those who prefer a quiet, stylish atmosphere can visit some of the countless showrooms in Tokyo: the Vodafone building in Shibuya, the KDDI designing studio in Harajuku - just to name a few. Plenty of electronics stores, however, have their newest mobile phone models displayed on the ground floor, so passers-by are tempted to stop and play with a real size phone.

8) Videogames non-stop

Love games? Want to check out the newest ones or just sink in a cozy seat and dive into a different world? Try the consoles at electronic stores like Bic Camera, Yodobashi, Sakuraya or Ishibashi… or again for stylers: the Sony Design Centre in Ginza or the new X-Box cafe in Omotesando. New releases and a posh atmosphere make you forget that you are actually saving money as you are playing.

9) Anime and Manga characters

Japan is crazy about Manga, it’s characters and dolls. Akihabara is probably the best area to check out everything on that theme from original vintage figures to the newest, currently hyped character. Take a walk in the tiny side streets and discover character worlds to touch - only to be found here!

10) … and a free massage

Being in Akihabara, Tokyo’s “electric town”, you might as well go to any of the big stores and listen to the latest records, play with the newest DJ or VJ kit and indulge everything newly released - slightly earlier than elsewhere.

In case you are tired, though, look for the furniture department and have a little nap in one of the expensive and effective massage chairs on display.

We hope you enjoyed our tour! Your PingMag team

75 Comments

1. this is a great article! i love reading something and notice that the person who is writing knows whtat is talking about. wonderful, you made me want to go to tokyo.

   Posted by: paula on January 13th, 2006 at 9:34 pm

2. Amazing. I like the Japanese culture, though there are very weird things ;)

   Posted by: Jens Meiert on January 13th, 2006 at 10:20 pm

3. Also, you can just observe people… for example the Sunday morning at Yoyogi Park

   Posted by: Marco on January 13th, 2006 at 11:40 pm

4. ha ha, sometimes I go into best denki for the free massage chair tryouts too!

   Posted by: Claytonain on January 14th, 2006 at 4:30 am

5. thanks! next time i will check these things out - espesially the stamps!

   Posted by: tim t. on January 14th, 2006 at 5:19 am

6. sweet! This is my new guide for my second trip to Tokyo.

   Posted by: bentong on January 14th, 2006 at 10:31 am

7. What exactly is Judith Holofernes, lead singer of the German band “Wir sind Helden”, doing in that upmost photo? Quite odd!

   Posted by: Thomas Valen on January 14th, 2006 at 2:54 pm

8. Nice site! Could you please do a similar page, but for those of us in Osaka? Arigato.. :)

   Posted by: GeorgeK on January 14th, 2006 at 4:30 pm

9. aaaaand a quick google search later for the benefit of people like me who don’t follow German rock music…

   Judith Holofernes

   Hmm, you’re right. Sort of. Uleshka are you moonlighting? Will you sign my breasts?

   Posted by: yongfook on January 14th, 2006 at 11:37 pm

10. Been there, enjoyed all that free things, it’s truly amazing.
    Plus: http://www.tokyoessentials.com/free.html

    Posted by: i_L on January 15th, 2006 at 2:01 am

11. And nothing can beat RICE REFILLS!

    Posted by: i_L on January 15th, 2006 at 2:02 am

12. Great article! Other free things: Free hot green tea refills at many J-style fast food restaurants like Ootoya, Hanamaru-udon etc.

    Free internet at Takashimaya Yahoo BB Net Cafe in Shinjuku.

    And free Capoeira events at Bantus Capoeira Japan!!!

    Posted by: Cacapa on January 15th, 2006 at 12:58 pm

13. Don’t forget the free drunk salaryman tour.

    http://www.jdesign.com/gallery/tokyo_asleep

    Posted by: Jdesign on January 15th, 2006 at 4:00 pm

14. ahhh, i’m a pendant, but its “motifs” not motives…

    Posted by: Anonymous on January 15th, 2006 at 9:11 pm

15. Also check out the Sony Bldg in Ginza. It’s a showcase of 5 floors worth of new and current gadgets and gizmos. It’s free and a blast.

    Posted by: DD on January 15th, 2006 at 9:12 pm

16. Wow, what a cool list—wish some of the pictures could be clicked on and enlarged for greater detail. Thanx for sharing!

    Posted by: Torley Linden on January 15th, 2006 at 9:47 pm

17. finally, a guide to the useless things that many of us prefer on vacation! when is the book coming?!

    Posted by: Jake on January 15th, 2006 at 10:29 pm

18. [...] 10 free things to do in Tokyo. If only I could figure out the free airfare… TrackBack [...]

    Posted by: richardgoodwin.com » 10 free things to do in Tokyo on January 16th, 2006 at 12:01 am

19. [...] 10 free things to do in Tokyo. If only I could figure out the free airfare… TrackBack [...]

    Posted by: richardgoodwin.com » 10 free things to do in Tokyo on January 16th, 2006 at 12:01 am

20. “people giving away free tissues… some are only for … Japanese only”.

    It’ll take more than tissues to treat xenophobia!

    Posted by: xenos on January 16th, 2006 at 1:50 am

21. aren’t these tissues really being distributed as toilet paper?

    “Toilet paper is usually but not always available. Often, Japanese carry small packets of tissue for use as toilet paper. Such packets are routinely passed out to pedestrians as advertisements. Coin-operated toilet paper vending machines are sometimes installed outside bathrooms as a last resort for the desperate or ill-prepared.”

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Toilet

    Posted by: Anonymous on January 16th, 2006 at 3:00 am

22. Hey this is a great list. A super post. You made http://www.boingboing.net

    Now i want to go to Tokyo. But how can i EAT for free? :)

    Posted by: EP on January 16th, 2006 at 5:49 am

23. [...] Folk brukar klaga på att allting är så dyrt i Japan. Här tar PingMag tagit upp tio gratis saker som du kan göra när du reser till Tokyo. [...]

    Posted by: Cesar’s blogg och nyheter » tio gratis saker att göra i Tokyo on January 16th, 2006 at 6:34 am

24. This is very funny.
    I think most things listed here are true. Although I have lived in Japan most of my life, I still love massage chairs! Hehe.

    I live in Kyoto. I like to see a list for Kyoto, if there is one.

    Posted by: shin on January 16th, 2006 at 8:07 am

25. Over here now, you forgot to say that if you go to department stores they have free samples of food. A great way to try lots of diffrent Japanese food for free!! Just remeber to pretend your going to buy!

    Posted by: Marc on January 16th, 2006 at 9:40 am

26. Apparently Tokyo, Japan has a lot of exciting things going on.

    Ask the Gaijin that wrote this
    http://thestoriesyoucannottell.blogspot.com/2006/01/14-tips-to-follow-when-having-affair.html

    Posted by: The Stories You Cannot Tell on January 16th, 2006 at 10:01 am

27. how can you eat for free? well… maybe try the food samples at department stores like TOKYU….?

    Posted by: Uleshka on January 16th, 2006 at 11:10 am

28. During the warmer months, around the areas that people are giving out tissue, you can find the ice coffee drinks. In Osaka, I would walk around Namba station and collect as many cans as I could from the different entrances.

    Posted by: Bob Dobbs on January 16th, 2006 at 11:17 am

29. [...] Link… [...]

    Posted by: » Blog Archive » PingMag - 10 things to do for free in Tokyo on January 16th, 2006 at 12:43 pm

30. [...] o outro, um bocadinho mais parvinho, onde podem ficar a conhecer 10 coisas que se podem fazer em tokyo sem pagar. se estiverem numa onda de contar modelos de taxi, olhar para tampas de esgoto (que sao lindas) ou testar os novos modelos de telemoveis, podem dar lah um salto e ficar a saber tudo o que se faz na capital, sem gastar um centavo. [via boingboing] [...]

    Posted by: maiqueguide to japan, update at quintal do xanato on January 16th, 2006 at 1:41 pm

31. [...] Se state per partire per la capitale del Giappone, o anche solo ci state pensando, vi consiglio una lettura di questa simpatica guida a dieci cose che si possono fare gratuitamente a Tokyo (personalmente credo che finirei a giocare con i gundam … ) [...]

    Posted by: Capitano Uncino » Dieci cose gratis da fare a Tokyo on January 16th, 2006 at 7:59 pm

32. [...] PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about “Design and Making Things” » Archive » 10 things to do for free in Tokyo Having lived in Japan, I know it can be expensive - but I also know there are some incredible free and inexpensive tricks that you can quickly learn to make life less expensive. (tags: japan tokyo free fun travel) [...]

    Posted by: desparoz On The Go » links for 2006-01-16 on January 16th, 2006 at 9:27 pm

33. [...] Here is a list of 10 things to do in Tokyo for free. I like number 3 where during hayfever season people hand out packs of tissues for free with company adverts on the packet. [...]

    Posted by: Netweb » Tissue Spam on January 17th, 2006 at 1:16 am

34. [...] 10 things to do for free in Tokyo from PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about “Design and Making Things” » Archive » (tags: travel japan) [...]

    Posted by: pocket change»Blog Archive » links for 2006-01-16 on January 17th, 2006 at 3:22 am

35. i’d like to see where they made tubgirl

    Posted by: mr man on January 17th, 2006 at 10:57 pm

36. We used to play the tissue game all the time in Osaka. It was super happy exciting fun time extreme! This makes me miss O-town a lot!

    Posted by: Marc on January 18th, 2006 at 2:41 am

37. [...] Ten Things to do in Tokyo for free! [...]

    Posted by: The Polenblog - Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Polenberg Twins. » Someone knew! on January 18th, 2006 at 3:08 am

38. [...] — “10 things to do for free in Tokyo”; [...]

    Posted by: Newley Purnell » Blog Archive » Not to Be All-Japan-All-the-Time, But… on January 18th, 2006 at 4:16 am

39. [...] PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about "Design and Making Things" » Archive » 10 things to do for free in Tokyo – Ten free things to do in Tokyo!Tagged as: geek tokyo travel [...]

    Posted by: bettner.org » Paul’s del.icio.usness on January 19th, 2006 at 10:51 am

40. [...] Segundo día de nieve y resfriado… buena forma de comenzar las vacaciones. Por suerte el viernes encontré tirado de precio un Korg Electribe RMKII, que me está haciendo la encerrona mucho más llevadera. (Vete preparado J, porque con este cacharro üno se podrá estrenar en directo el próximo año!) Ese mismo día nos fuimos hasta Omotesando y Aoyama, para visitar el X-Box Lounge antes de que lo cierren en febrero. Una tarde muy freak, con visita a una mega tienda de manga incluida (aún no he conseguido encontrar la camiseta del New Team) y una horita en la tienda de instrumentos probando todos los cacharros; dios, que gustazo da tocar una batería electrónica. Una tarde muy al estilo de 10 cosas que hacer gratis en Tokio, si no hubiera sido por la compra del cacharro y porque Carol volvió a acertar con la cafetería. Tiene ojo clínico para meternos en las más caras de la ciudad jejejejejej No me refiero al X-Box Lounge, que estaba bastante bien de precio. [...]

    Posted by: trastienda » X-Box Lounge on January 22nd, 2006 at 3:00 pm

41. thanks but tell me something i dont know.

    nice post though.

    Posted by: HOMELESS™ on January 23rd, 2006 at 7:34 pm

42. YAY EVA!

    Posted by: jay on January 26th, 2006 at 12:27 pm

43. [...] • The Slanket - link • 10 Free Things to do in Tokyo - link • How to Get Laid in Japan - link • Crime of the Century - link • Japanese Don’t Get Fat - link • Queen Mum’s Tasteless Joke - link • Anime Deathwatch: Naruto • Beej’s Webcomic of the Week - Dr. McNinja [...]

    Posted by: Dai-Cast 004 - Joke Goes On Too Long… at tiltyhouse on January 26th, 2006 at 9:21 pm

44. Yeah,,,Muy completa…lo de las alcantarillas..un detalle..

    Posted by: Sien on January 27th, 2006 at 2:52 am

45. yep, its a real myth that tokyo is so expensive - iv’e always been a budget traveler. and i found tokyo had plenty of options for very little money - just walking around and exploring a neighborhood for instance - i’ll be back in early april - and i’m sure i’ll have a few days when i only spend 35 - 40 bucks or so - but it doesn’t mean that those days won’t be possibly wonderful ones…

    Posted by: tim t. on March 7th, 2006 at 8:36 am

46. I have always tried to get as many as pocket tissues for free ! haha. Thanks to it. I have not needed to buy handy tissue for ages!!! Your weblog is so interesting~~~ mirai

    Posted by: mirai on March 10th, 2006 at 6:16 pm

47. [...] [...]

    Posted by: oskar lewis weblog » things to do in tokio, when your broke… on May 31st, 2006 at 6:53 am

48. nice tips!

    Do you have these kind of tips for other cities?

    bartholomeus

    Posted by: bartholomeus on May 31st, 2006 at 6:54 am

49. Wow I am definitely coming to visit

    Posted by: flimbo on August 5th, 2006 at 4:39 am

50. I used to take plenty of manhole cover photos in Japan. That is truly very fascinating as every city has their owns!

    Posted by: ヤーッコ on August 10th, 2006 at 4:26 pm

51. thanks for the read :D hehe love the 1:1 scale of rei (anime and manga) :D

    Posted by: Mark on September 13th, 2006 at 4:08 pm

52. gotta get some stamps next time!

    Posted by: tim t. on September 30th, 2006 at 11:36 am

53. Damn nice, i love the Pocky Bonbons. You too? Do you taste it?

    Posted by: zcfgsvc on December 13th, 2006 at 12:37 am

54. Good site :)

    Posted by: emc online because music matters on March 23rd, 2007 at 5:46 am

55. uhh.. listen to music in music store?! well done genius

    Posted by: fuzzition on March 23rd, 2007 at 5:23 pm

56. worst list ever

    Posted by: fuzzition on March 23rd, 2007 at 5:24 pm

57. ping!

    Posted by: Anonymous on May 10th, 2007 at 12:00 am

58. you suck ass!
    japan people suck my left flap!

    Posted by: Anonymous on May 10th, 2007 at 12:02 am

59. japan people suck my left flap!

    Posted by: Anonymous on May 10th, 2007 at 12:03 am

60. Dehumidifier suppliers from China and around the world, Dehumidifier, Dehumidifier Manufacturers, Dehumidifier Factories, Dehumidifier Manufacturing, Dehumidifier Manufacturer, Factory, Company, Dehumidifier Exporters, Companies, Dehumidifiers Producers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Dehumidifiers, China Dehumidifiers. CHUANJING Electric Co. Ltd, the largest source of products made in China and Chinese OEM manufacturers.

    Posted by: Dehumidifier on June 14th, 2007 at 5:10 pm

61. wtf, this is so stupid! why the f u people just don’t go to the atm get some cash out and have some fun with it, im so tired of people not having money to do stuff for. get some cash then go somewhere! or just watch cabs and f”’ing manhole covers, what the f is that about

    Posted by: alex on June 25th, 2007 at 10:25 am

62. Hey,
    it’s pretty cool!,these are really very interesting 10 ways of spending some nice time in Tokyo for free. nice work once again!

    Posted by: Mishal on July 16th, 2007 at 10:41 am

63. [...] Boing mentions a pretty cool site offering ten rather quirky things to do in Tokyo. Rather than spend your time wanering aimlessly or (god forbid) in a sake-induced [...]

    Posted by:   Ten Things to Do in Tokyo - Travel on August 30th, 2007 at 2:42 am

64. I believe that Tokyo… Not Paris… I the new cutting edge genre on fashion.. This site is fantastic because it introduces so many aspects of Japanese culture in a “young generational” way… Keep up the good work….
    Law Bunnie in Iowa [USA]

    Posted by: Lynne Lewis on September 18th, 2007 at 10:39 pm

65. Thanks for this article i`m search many weeks,but now i found this information here.
    Thanks for help!
    Peter

    Posted by: Peter on October 4th, 2007 at 4:36 am

66. Thanks for this article i`m search many weeks,but now i found this information here.

    Posted by: kurye on February 22nd, 2008 at 6:57 am

67. thanks for subject. it is very intersting post

    Posted by: nakliyat on February 28th, 2008 at 4:06 am

68. I live here and found the article funny.
    You can walk around the numerous food halls in the department stores like “Isetan” etc.

    That’s fun if you are wondering around.

    Posted by: Anonymous on April 6th, 2008 at 8:44 am

69. japaness is one of the kawaiiiiii country.. someday i’m gonna go to japan… so, japan wait for me..
    okay….

    love
    ratih

    Posted by: ratih on June 30th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

70. That’s great! You’ve hit the nail on the head! (…and I can’t believe I found someone else who photographs Japanese sewer covers…)

    Posted by: Sarah on July 27th, 2008 at 4:14 am

71. [...] 10 cosas que hacer gratis en Tokio [...]

    Posted by: Cosas que hacer gratis en otras ciudades del mundo on October 30th, 2008 at 6:43 pm

72. Going to Japan in 2009. Thanks for the insight. Now I look forward 2 my trip.Cant belv Japan is so interesting.

    Posted by: mam(middleageman) on December 29th, 2008 at 12:44 pm

73. [...] have always loved Ping Mag’s 10 Things to Do for Free in Tokyo article because it really shows how entertaining the city can be when we take the time to look [...]

    Posted by: Busting A Move in Tokyo « Sushi Zume Tokyo on January 10th, 2009 at 12:58 pm

74. [...] chicos de PingMag dicen que ya no hay excusa para no visitar Tokyo, ya no vale la excusa de que es la ciudad más [...]

    Posted by: 10 cosas que hacer gratis en Tokyo | Noticias on February 21st, 2009 at 8:28 am

75. I have always wanted to visit Tokyo, and this all seems like a great way to have fun and save money on my trip.

    Posted by: luggage on October 23rd, 2009 at 5:30 am

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