Tate Modern
Free: All time Housed in a former Bankside Power Station, Tate Modern was founded in 2000. It is the United Kingdom’s national gallery of international modern and contemporary art. Together with Tate Britain, Tate Liverpool and Tate St Ives, Tate Modern forms the entire Tate group. It is the most visited modern art gallery in...
Climbing Big Ben
Free: Mon – Fri 9:15am, 11:15am and 2:15pm Big Ben is a must-see sight in London and you can climb up this cultural landmark for free. Free guided tours are offered every Monday to Friday at 9:15am, 11:15am and 2:15pm. Book in advance. You will get to climb 334 stone spiral steps up top to...
Japanese Lesson
Free: All time Fancy learning some basic Japanese from locals? A non-profit organization, Klexon (Kyoto Language Exchange Salon), runs free language exchange meetings every Tuesday. Foreigners are paired up with locals to learn about each other’s culture. Beginners are welcome. Address: Wings Kyoto building 2F (detailed info on the website) Opening hours: 7pm – 9pm...
Kyoto Volunteer Guide
Free: All time There are plenty of clubs that provide free guidance for tourists in Kyoto. “Good Samaritan Club” are made up of university students;”Sakura Volunteer Guide Club” not only shows you around Kyoto but also the neighbouring town Nara and Shiga. There are many other clubs so choose away!
Nishiki Market
Free: All time Nishiki Market is four-hundred-year-old. It’s a narrow, five-block long shopping street lined by hundreds of shops and restaurants. It’s known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen.” Rich with history and tradition, the market is renowned as the place to obtain many of Kyoto’s delicacies and goods. Almost everything sold here are locally produced. Some of...
Sagano Bamboo Forest
Free: All time The famous Sagano bamboo forest is located in outskirt of Kyoto, in a district called Arashiyama (30 mins from central Kyoto). The district itself is a popular tourist destination since the Heian Period (8th century). In the bamboo forest is interestingly a natural site. Walking along the path within the Sagano bamboo...
Kyoto Station
Free: All time Kyoto Station is more than just a train station. It is the most prominent transportation hub of Japan”s ancient capital of Kyoto. It is accepted as one of the largest railway stations in the world and considered to be the most striking. Wander inside it and enjoy its stunning architectural beauty. Best...
Kyoto Visitor’s Guide
Free: All time Published since 1987, Kyoto Visitor’s Guide is a highly useful, 24 page monthly English guide. The guide contains detailed color maps, accommodation, shopping and dining information. There’s also a complete listing of what is on at Kyoto’s temples, shrines, museums, theaters and other important cultural institutions. KVG are available free-of-charge at Kyoto...
Hattori Ryokuchi Park
Free: All time Hattori Ryokuchi Park is a large, hilly park in the northern part of Osaka. The park is most for its Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses (admission fee required), which contains examples of rural architecture from various parts of Japan. However, there are plenty other things to do in the park. It...
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Free: All time Built in the 3rd century, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Tokyo. It’s dedicated to three gods and worshipped by many as the guardian deities for sailors and prosperity. It is the headquarters of over 2000 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan. The complex is surrounded by woods and...
National Bunraku Theatre
Free: All time Bunraku is a traditional Japanese puppet theatre. It’s an quintessentially Japanese art form. The National Bunraku Theatre hosts many performances (admission fee required). However, the building also houses an exhibition center where it has a wealth of knowledge about bunraku. Admission for this is free. Address: 1-12-10 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, Osaka...
Asahi Beer Suita Brewery
Free: All time The guided tour for the brewery takes visitors from the raw materials used to brew beer to the production steps of making beer. At the end of the tour, you’ll even get to sample 3 of Asahi’s beer for free. Winning!Address: 1-45 Nishinnoshocho, Suita, Osaka Pref. Opening hours: Daily 9:30am – 3pm...
