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Planning a trip to Tokyo, but on a budget? Here’s a breakdown of our editor’s wallet-friendly week in the Japanese capital, from cheap stays to secret eats!
Tokyo might have a reputation for being expensive, but Japan’s capital is surprisingly kind to budget travellers. Beyond Omotesando and luxury dining, the city offers countless ways to experience its energy and culture while keeping costs low. From budget-friendly eats to free attractions and affordable hangouts, here’s how to spend a week in Tokyo without overspending!
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Where To Stay In Tokyo — Nui Hostel Bar & Lounge
Hostels aren’t for everyone, but they’re practically guaranteed to grant you a budget-friendly stay — especially during peak-travel times, when AirBnb prices soar (not to mention classic hotels). If you’re travelling solo, they’re also a great way to mingle and meet new people, as most guests are also looking to explore the city. The cheapest hostel options always include mixed-gender dormitories (at Nui, a week-long stay is approx $2000 HKD), which come with a bunk bed and a privacy curtain, but there are also all-female dorms and single rooms for those willing to spend a little more!
While there are plenty of hostel options around Tokyo, the serene architecture, comfortable common spaces and community centric vibe at Nui make it stand out. A large shared kitchen, library and rooftop deck, for instance, all create a really homey environment to return to after a long day of travelling or walking around the city. There’s also an in-house cafe and bar, along with all the classic amenities (laundry, toiletries) for free, if not at very reasonable prices.
Nui Hostel Bar & Lounge, 2-14-13, Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan, +81 3 6240 9854, backpackersjapan.co.jp/nuihostel
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What To Do In Tokyo — Shopping, Park & Museum Itinerary By District
Day 1: Thrifting Plus Cafe Hopping In Shimokitazawa & Shibuya
Start your Tokyo trip in Shimokitazawa, where narrow alleys boast vintage treasure troves llike New York Joe Exchange and Flamingo — packed with ’90s band tees, slinky dresses and retro jackets (there are other branches, but the Shimokitazawa outposts have the best pieces). Take a break at Café Trois Chambres, an old-school kissaten with cosy vibes, great cheesecake and the kind of quiet charm you escaped Hong Kong to find, or Ogawa Coffee Laboratory, which serves top-tier single-origin brews in a sleek, minimalist space.
In the late afternoon, you can either stay in Shimokita — head to 440, a cafe by day and live music spot by night, or grab a drink at Never Never Land, another music bar that’s been around for decades — or hop on the Keio Inokashira Line (seven minutes) to Shibuya. There, Miyashita Park‘s rooftop greenery and shops are a welcome respite from the Scramble Crossing chaos. Alternatively, Thermae-Yu is just 10 minutes away! This massive ¥3,000 sento (public bath) has saunas, outdoor baths and even a manga lounge. End your first day with highballs in Nonbei Yokocho, a standing bar alley.
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Day 2: Museums And Eats Through Ueno & Yanaka
Morning in Ueno Park means cherry blossom-lined paths (depending on the season!) leading to the Tokyo National Museum (¥1,000). This is a classic spot to take in some Japanese art and history, but the museum also mixes it up with fun temporary exhibits like the recent Hello Kitty collab. For contemporary art, the free SCAI The Bathhouse gallery occupies a beautifully converted 200-year-old sento.
Take lunch at Ameyoko Market, Tokyo’s former black market, where yakitori skewers are eaten standing at tiny stalls. Alternatively, wander 15 minutes to Yanaka Ginza, where ¥150 cat-shaped taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes) fuel explorations of pottery shops and the Yanaka Cemetery. End at Kayaba Coffee, where the legendary egg sandwich is served in a 90-year-old wooden house with creaky floorboards.
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Day 3: Ningyocho For Old Tokyo Vibes & Edomae Sushi
Start your day at Kizushi, a legendary sushi counter that’s been serving Edomae-style omakase since 1924 (reserve in advance!). Run by third-generation master Ryuichi Yui and his sons, this 100-year-old shop serves $3,000 to $5,000 lunch sets — one of Tokyo’s best sushi deals for quality. After your meal, explore Ningyocho’s nostalgic streets lined with century-old shops. Don’t miss dessert at Shigemori Eishindo, a ningyoyaki (red-bean cake) specialist since 1917!
For a cafe break, try 10 Dixans Ningyocho for coffee and light bites in a cosy atmosphere, or Kissako Kaiseiken, a traditional coffeehouse open since 1919. If you’ve got room left, explore local bars such as Chikuzenya, a popular izakaya near Ningyocho Station.
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Day 4: Explore Local Subcultures In Koenji & Nakano
Start your afternoon digging through Record Boy’s extensive collection of Japanese jazz and punk vinyl, a Koenji institution since 1982. Browse the neighbourhood’s shotengai arcades, where vintage clothing stores overflow with military surplus and secondhand finds. Refuel at Gyoza-dokoro Tachibana (opens at 5pm), a beloved izakaya where any drink order comes with free gyoza! Nearby, the NamNam Space collective hosts regular cultural events — just check their social media in advance.
After, take the JR Chuo Line (one stop) to Nakano, or walk 20-30 minutes to fully browse each neighbourhood’s lively shopping streets. Once there, check out Nakano Broadway, which boasts vintage pop culture memrobilia. As night falls, return to Koenji for TKA4’s experimental performances (check its social media for events), or explore the vibrant bar scene.
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Day 5: Slow Down With Temple Walks Through Asakusa & Sumida
Start at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa for the magical morning light through Thunder Gate’s giant lantern — arrive early to beat the crowds! After drawing a fortune (¥100), grab a warm melon pan from the famous shop Kagetsudō. Then, take the scenic route along the Sumida River, passing the Azuma Bridge to the Sumida Hokusai Museum, showcasing Hokusai’s ukiyo-e masterpieces like The Great Wave.
Alternatively, spend the afternoon relaxing in Sumida Park or wandering Kappabashi Dougu Street’s kitchenware shops (Kappabashi Dougu Street is about a 20-minute walk from Senso-ji, in the opposite direction of the Sumida Hokusai Museum). Unwind at Hoppy Street’s izakaya and standing bars for drinks and yakitori – super affordable options, and many have outdoor seating!
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Day 6: End Your Trip With Harajuku & Shinjuku Must-Sees
Start your morning wandering through the gorgeous Yoyogi Park or the neighbouring Meiji Shrine. Just a five-minute walk alway is the famous Takeshita Street in Harajuku, where the scent of freshly baked, multi-topping crêpes from dozens of stands (all of similar quality and quite overpriced) mingles with the neon chaos of rainbow cotton candy stalls and accessory shops. For vintage hunters, detour to Cat Street for curated finds at RAGTAG (designer consignment) or BerBerJin (vintage flannels and denim).
As afternoon fades, hop on the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku for Shinjuku Gyoen‘s tranquil blend of French formal gardens and English-style lawns. Come evening, have a final nightcap in the iconic Golden Gai bar alley, whether that means splurging on Albatross’ whisky highballs or squeezing into the medical-themed Bar Tachibana Shinsatsushitsu.
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Final Tokyo Tips & What To Keep In Mind
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Travel during the off-season: Visiting Tokyo in late winter or early spring (before cherry blossom season) or during the rainy season (mid-June to mid-July) can help you save on surge prices.
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You’ll save the most on your accommodation: If hostels are really not for you, capsule hotels are another affordable option. While slightly pricier, they offer more privacy with individual “pods”, so you don’t have to share a room with others.
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Utilise public transportation: The Tokyo Metro and JR train lines are efficient and relatively inexpensive. Purchase a Suica or Pasmo card for easy travel on trains and buses. Tourists can also buy a Tokyo Subway Ticket for unlimited metro rides!
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Not every meal needs to be the best you’ve ever had: There’s no shame in saving through budget-friendly eats at conveyor-belt sushi, convenience stores or gyudon chains. When you compromise on some meals, you can splurge on a few really good experiences.
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Be mindful of hidden costs: Watch out for cover charges in bars and restaurants, and avoid sit-down meals in known tourist areas. Grab an onigiri or sandwich at 7-Eleven before heading out on long walking days so you can always have a snack at hand.
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Try to be respectful: Tokyo is obviously a popular destination, so locals are used to tourists. Still, respect local culture and the environment. For instance, while there aren’t many street-side trash cans (Japan has a strict recycling and disposal system), that doesn’t give you an excuse to litter!
Image courtesy of Redd Francisco, Sebastian Hages and Tim D via Unsplash.
