Reichstag’s Dome
Free: All time The Reichstag building is today home to the Bundestag, the Federal German Parliament. This infamous building caught fire in 1933 – known as the Reichstag fire. The incident gave a pretext for the Nazis to suspend most basic rights provided for by the Weimar Constitution. The building has since been remodeled in...
Abandoned Berlin Urban Exploration
Free: All time With the name “Abandoned Berlin” and tagline “If it’s verboten (forbidden) it’s got to be fun,” you probably have a rough idea of what you’re getting yourself into if you decide to check out suggested places from this website. Abandoned Berlin is an attempt to document the past, reveal a hidden history...
Trusted Housesitters
Free: All time (US$79 / year membership) As the name suggests, the site Trusted Housesitters’ goal is to connect homeowners with trustworthy people who want to housesit for them while they’re away (usually for free). Typically, the housesitters’ task involves some pet care and carrying out a few chores like watering the plants or collecting...
What The Dickens’ Music Gigs
Free: All time In the British pub “What The Dickens,” local bands perform most nights of the week… for free! Music style ranges from Jazz to Rock, oldies to new. Find out the exact schedule on the website. What else would you rather do in Tokyo than going to a brit-themed pub with wide selection...
Gotoku-ji Cat Temple
Free: All time If you take the train a few minutes away from the busy Shinjuku, you’ll find yourself in the Setagawa suburb. When you’re there, you’ll probably end up roaming into Gotoku-ji Temple. Why? Because the Maneki-Nekos are beckoning you to visit. The Gotoku-ji Temple is the origin of these Beckoning Cats. Legend has...
Imperial Palace Grounds Guided Tour
Free: All time The Imperial Palace Grounds is located in what was originally the site of the Edo castle. The grounds are now home to many offices, as well as the residence of the Emperor of Japan. The inner grounds of the palace is only open to public on January 2 (New Year’s Greeting) and...
Birthday at Tokyo Tower
Free: On your birthday! If you happen to be in Tokyo during your birthday, head over to Tokyo Tower since you’ll be able to score a couple free things. Bring along a proof of your birth date, and you’ll get to visit the tower’s 150m observatory platform (normally costs about $6) free of charge. Furthermore,...
Asakusa Tourist Center
Free: All time Asakusa Tourist Center is housed in a newly built building designed by renown Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. While looking completely modern, the building effortlessly incorporates traditional design into it. (Think a modern version of the bathhouse in the anime Spirited Away). The eight-story Tourist Center has English-speaking staffs, free wi-fi, bathroom, currency...
Asakusa Ueno Panda Bus
Free: All time If you’re a tourist in Asakusa district of Tokyo, chances are you’d be tempted to take the expensive rickshaw ride through the neighborhood. Do reconsider, and hop on the free Panda Bus instead. Yes, buses with panda heads in the front of them and panda ears sewn onto the seats’ headrests. Why,...
Imperial Palace Cycling
Free: All time Every Sunday, when it’s not raining, Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute provided 250 free bicycles for visitors to cycle along the Imperial Palace Cycling Course. The bicycles are lent out on a first-come-first-served basis and can be picked up next to the Babasakimon police box. Surrounded by castle moats and pine trees, this...
Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Museum
Free: All time The Sumo Museum is located on the first floor of the Ryogoku Kokugikan (the largest indoor sumo hall in Tokyo). This small museum is dedicated to the history of sumo, particularly artifacts and ceremonial clothings. Admissions to it is free when tournaments are not in session. When it is in session, the...
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatories
Free: All time Tokyo Tower’s observatory has a superb view of Tokyo but it charges a fee for it. What do Broke Tourists do? They go to Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s observatories instead. Yup, plural, there are two observatories (north and south), and both for free. Perched up on the 45th floor of the twin buildings,...
