Tokyo is known as one of the best family-friendly destinations in the world. Although Japan is also known as a country with the highest living costs in Asia, traveling around Japan doesn't have to be expensive.
From Nagoya to Osaka, it's relatively easy to plan a travel itinerary to Japan without breaking the bank. While the capital city in Tokyo is quite steep when it comes to accommodation, it's not difficult to find some budget-friendly areas to stay in Tokyo.
This time, Thais from World Trip Diaries will share some tips to explore Tokyo on a budget, particularly some family-friendly activities that you can do when traveling to Japan with kids.
So, what are some family-friendly activities to do in Japan on a budget?
Even though Tokyo is always being ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world, I'd have to disagree.
Well, accommodation, electricity, water, they are pricey. But as a tourist, you'd only have to worry about the first one. There are many activities and meals for less than $10 in Tokyo, and I'm gonna list a few below.
Visiting the Ghibli Museum
To start, visit the Ghibli Museum. Sitting at ¥1000 (around $9.5 USD), it's the maximum, but it's one great day out for anime lovers.
Exploring Shinjuku Gyoen
If you're not into anime, well then, a visit to Shinjuku Gyoen costs ¥200 (around $1.8 USD) per adult. It's an enormous park in Tokyo, and it's stunning!
It's full of cherry and plum trees – it's absolutely gorgeous when they bloom! For ¥700 (around $6.5 USD), you can also try a wagashi (Japanese sweet) and a green tea in one of their tea houses, so that's another day for less than $10!
Shinjuku Gyoen
Getting a Yurikagome day pass
Also, for ¥820 (around $7.8 USD), you can get a one day pass for the Yurikagome. Yurikagome is the driverless tram that goes from many places in Tokyo to many places in Odaiba.
You can then enjoy the day around the many sights in Odaiba, like the giant Gundam robot, the beach, the Statue of Liberty (yes, there IS one!!!). Odaiba is stunning and definitely deserves a day. 🙂
Sightseeing at Miraikan
If you skip the Yurikagome, you could also go to Odaiba with the regular trains or the city bikes and visit Miraikan for less than $10. Miraikan is a pretty cool Technology Museum full of the things you'll only find in Japan.
There's always the option to walk around any neighborhood (yes, ANY!) to see Tokyo as it is and grabbing one of the delicious crepes or any of the other street food you find. They're mostly good, I promise!
Tokyo, Japan.
Enjoying the authentic Japanese ramen
And then, if all else fails, you could just eat. It won't go wrong!
In most restaurants, an adult can easily eat for less than $10. One of myfavorite is the ramen shops (do try Ikkei Ramen behind Odakyuu in Shinjuku, they're the best!), they're often between ¥500 and ¥900 (around $6.5-8.5 USD). Hence, one delicious and cheap meal!
And for those wanting to try a Japanese homestyle meal, I highly recommend Ootoya. It's so good, I could live there! 😛
Rice, soup, vegetable, pickles, a main dish, and even green tea. You could probably add a dessert there and it'd still be under $10. I hope you'll enjoy your budget trip to Tokyo, because it's absolutely doable! 😀
Contributor: Thais from World Trip Diaries
Thais is a mom of 4, traveling the world with her family for the last 2 years. Besides the family, she loves to eat, the beach, and to watch movies. Introvert by nature, travel lover, and wanna-be photographer on the free time. She can be found at World Trip Diaries.
I had no idea there was a tram that went around Odaiba. That would have saved me a lot of time and walking through the blazing hot Tokyo summer when I went. Personally, I don’t like ramen, but I know it’s a cheap and delicious eat for those who do. I also think that Tokyo is expensive having traveled there before. One way to save money would be to bring your own filtered water bottle.
I love parks and natural places. Shinjuku Gyoen looks like a wonderful place to explore on the budget. And I am amazed there are things in Tokyo doable for such low budget. I always thought of it as a very expensive city
I loved Tokyo, unfortunately my visit was too short the first time, but since l want to go back l will definitely check this out, Tokyo seemed super expensive at first being used to korea, but you found so many great inexpensive options ^^ thank you for all the info ❤
hahaha. yes, as indonesian myself, i am still yet to actually plan out a trip to tokyo because of it being so expensive. but some of these options from thais are definitely something to look for if you ever set a trip around there. 🙂
I lived in Japan for a little while and it was interesting what I could do with my money. Fun fact is that the convenience stores are so much better there, so you can get a quick meal for a nominal price if you wanted!
I had no idea there was a tram that went around Odaiba. That would have saved me a lot of time and walking through the blazing hot Tokyo summer when I went. Personally, I don’t like ramen, but I know it’s a cheap and delicious eat for those who do. I also think that Tokyo is expensive having traveled there before. One way to save money would be to bring your own filtered water bottle.
Interesting read because Tokyo is on my bucket list this year. I’ll be sure to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ghibli Museum
I love parks and natural places. Shinjuku Gyoen looks like a wonderful place to explore on the budget. And I am amazed there are things in Tokyo doable for such low budget. I always thought of it as a very expensive city
I loved Tokyo, unfortunately my visit was too short the first time, but since l want to go back l will definitely check this out, Tokyo seemed super expensive at first being used to korea, but you found so many great inexpensive options ^^ thank you for all the info ❤
hahaha. yes, as indonesian myself, i am still yet to actually plan out a trip to tokyo because of it being so expensive. but some of these options from thais are definitely something to look for if you ever set a trip around there. 🙂
I lived in Japan for a little while and it was interesting what I could do with my money. Fun fact is that the convenience stores are so much better there, so you can get a quick meal for a nominal price if you wanted!
Convenience stores are definitely a go-to stop because they basically have everything. All hail 7-11! 😛