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"Tokyo the most expensive city in the World" - nonsense is what we at JTIO say to that! It's simply not true. The cost of accommodation is less than most major European cities and restaurant food is consistently cheap and top quality. But what about the sights we hear you cry. Well, armed with little more than some loose change for the subway you can spend a couple of fascinating days exploring the best that this amazing city has to offer at a cost of....well.... nothing at all! If you are concerned that your time in Tokyo will be too much of a financial drain then read on for JTIO's guide to seeing Tokyo for free.
	Views
The sheer size and scale of Tokyo is astounding and there is no better way to get a feel of the city then to head up high and take advantage of the high-rise buildings and enjoy a free view of the city. In Shinjuku, visit the Government Metropolitan Building where you can enjoy a 360° panorama of the city for free. On a clear day you can often see Mt Fuji out to the west. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
	Temples and Shrines
Nearly all of the city’s temples and shrines can be visited for free. The Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa and the Meiji Shrine in Shinjuku are two of the most visited but there are a whole host of smaller local shrines in most Tokyo neighbourhoods. Slightly different from all the rest of the shrines is Yasukuni Jinja which was founded after WW2 to commemorate the Japanese fighters who died during the war. The entrance is marked by a giant iron torii gate. Sensoji info / Meiji Jingu
	Parks and Gardens
Arguably the most important garden in Tokyo, the Imperial Palace East Gardens are free to visit. These extensive strolling gardens are open on Tuesday – Thursday and Saturday and Sunday. Much more secluded are the Dembo-in Gardens associated with the Senso-ji temple in Asakusa. A visit must be booked in advance but the gardens are free to enter. On a Sunday visit Yoyogi Park in Harajuku when the area is turned into a free live stage hosting buskers and the “Cos-Play-Zoku” kids who exhibit their eccentric fashion sense and pose and pout for the benefit of tourists. Imperial Household official website (English)
	Early morning Tokyo
If you feel a little jet-lagged and are awake at 5am then head to Tsukiji Fish market to see the tuna auction and wander around the tiny stalls selling a whole host of sea creatures some recognisable and some less so. A great breakfast option (though not free!) is to head to one of the sushi shops just outside the market where a course of the freshest sushi will cost from 2000JPY. If you are in Tokyo on the first weekend of the month then get up early and visit one of the city’s flea markets. They are held at Iidabashi on the first Saturday and Togo Shrine in Yoyogi on the 1st Sunday. The markets offer a whole gamut of goodies you never new existed and are great hunting grounds for Japanese ceramics, used kimono and old photographs. They are also great place to soak up the atmosphere and people-watch. http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm
	Food!
All department stores in Japan have a basement food market where all the stalls offer free samples of their wares. On a busy lunchtime it is easy to enjoy a free lunch by snacking on the samples on offer. The richest pickings can be found at Takashimaya in Ginza or Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi. Be careful not to visit the same stall too many times.
	Showrooms
For technophiles, check-out the Sony Building in Ginza where the latest gadgets and technical wizardry are exhibited and can be viewed for free. Car fans will enjoy a visit to the Toyota Mega Web showroom on the Odaiba island where Toyota show off the cars of past and present whilst also looking to the future!. Sony Building / Toyota Mega Web

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