Tokyo Things to Do

As the weather heats up, and summer promises a quick arrival, I can almost smell grilled yakitori, or chicken kabobs, on the street. I step outside and nearly feel the rush of a light sea breeze, and I can almost see women in yukatas – light, cool summer kimonos, with their hair pinned up. Every year, summer takes me back to Tokyo, Japan and to the festivals that define the season.

As with all museums in Japan, free museums are often closed on Mondays and opening hours can differ. It is also worth remembering that some of Tokyo’s larger museums offer free entry to selected exhibitions or on certain days of the month.

If you need some time out from the hustle and bustle of central Tokyo, the serene Zoshigaya cemetery (Zoshigaya Reien) is a quiet, green space close to one of Tokyo’s busiest train stations.

Ippan Sanga is a time for citizens to exchange New Year’s greetings and see the Imperial Family, who make several appearances throughout the day to wave to the public from a palace balcony facing the East Garden.

Despite the long history and importance of sake in Japan’s drinking culture, beer is much more widely consumed throughout Japan. Thanks to its introduction by the Dutch in the 17^th century and the discovery of hops growing wild on the island of Hokkaido, local beer production was in full swing by the late 1800s.

Yoyogi Park is a welcome green lung in the heart of Tokyo. One of the city’s largest parks, it abuts the busy Harajuku district in Shibuya and is a popular place for young people to hang out on the weekends.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography is Tokyo’s only large museum devoted solely to photography. Its twenty thousand strong collection is of course never on display in its entirety but with four floors of still and moving images and an ever-changing collection, there is always something new to see.

Every year in May Tokyo hosts its own ‘Oktoberfest’ in Hibiya Park. Exactly why it’s held in May we’re not quite sure but the date anomaly does not stop thousands of Japanese and tourists heading down to Hibiya Park for ten days of drinking and merriment.

Some of the best experience sin the neon city don’t cost a dime. Here are our top 5 free things to do in Tokyo.

Spring and autumn are the most popular seasons to visit Japan and to see the country’s natural beauty at its best. Spring is of course cherry blossom season while autumn brings Kōyō (red leaves). Locals celebrate this event with viewing parties across Japan as the palette of the surrounding foliage changes from green to deep reds, rich gold and fiery orange.