Japan: Five free things to do in Tokyo

I've told you about four (paid) fun things you can do in Tokyo, but if you're on a budget, here are five free things you can do:

1. Pay your respects 
Tokyo is full of shrines and temples, but here's three we visited whilst in Japan's sprawling capital city. First up, Gōtokuji Temple, a Buddhist temple that you might heard referred to as the beckoning cat (maneki-neko) temple. The story is il Naotaka was beckoned over to the temple by a cat and ended up avoiding a dreadful thunderstorm so he dedicated this temple to the cat and paid for the temple to survive as it was in financial difficulties. Cool story. The temple is a bit out of the way, but it's a must if you're a cat lover! And you can buy one of the beckoning cats to either take away with you or leave at the temple as a dedication. 

    

Next up, Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, the most well known, and also the oldest temple in Tokyo. Dedicated to the goddess Kannon, Senso-ji Temple dates from 645 AD - the likelihood is it's going to be busy whilst you're there. It was a bit quieter when we went around 8.30am on Sunday, straight off our flight from London (our hotel was literally two minutes away). When we returned during our second stint in Tokyo to sample some of Asakusa's street food, it was heaving.  

      

     

Finally, we popped to Kameido Tenjin Shrine - not because of the shrine, but because around mid-April every year there is a wisteria festival and it's one of the best places to see wisteria in Tokyo. This shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a 9th century scholar, if you're interested. And the wisteria is quite impressive. 

    

2. Hunt out Godzilla
Godzilla, the fictional Japanese monster (kaiju) is a pop culture legend, and you'll find him all over Tokyo. You might even luck out and see a Godzilla show projected on the Metropolitan Government Building, like we did. Super cool.

    

3. Visit the 3D cat
Next up, and only a quick walk from the Godzilla Head in Shinjuku, right by the station, is the 3D cat. It's super cute and, yes, really does look like it is coming out of the building. (If you're exiting the station, you want the east exit.)

4. Cross the Scramble
Shibuya Scramble Crossing is the busiest crosswalk/zebra crossing in the world, and one that is world famous. I'll be honest, I somehow expected it to be bigger? But, nevertheless, make sure you tick this off your Tokyo bucket list! 

5. Visit the Imperial Palace
Okay, so if you want to do a guided tour of the Imperial Palace it'll cost you, but it's free to wander over to have a squiz from the outside. Japan has had a royal family for around the last 1500 years, and they've resided here in Tokyo since moving out of Kyoto in 1868. 

(If you do want to do a guided tour, the only way you can see the palace, you need to get there early to queue for ticket - tours run at 10am and 1.30pm.) x