What can be said about Tokyo that hasn’t been said before? It’s one of the largest and most populated metropolises in the world. And this is obvious when walking its streets and crowded subway stations, where during peak hours you can see swarms of people coming and going, with hurried steps, no time to lose. For the tourist not accustomed to this hustle and bustle, it’s quite an adventure trying to go with the flow while checking Google Maps to find your way, or which exit to take, as getting lost in the larger stations is quite likely.

Since we are talking about the subway, we can start to focus on how to save on transportation, as being such a large city, attractions are a bit far from each other. As this article is extensive, feel free to use the Table of Contents to jump to different sections.

Getting from/to Haneda Airport

Luckily, transportation from Haneda International Airport to the city center, and vice versa, is not a rip-off in Tokyo. One of the most convenient and cheap ways is to take the monorail, which stops at all three terminals and goes to Hamamatsucho station. From there, you can transfer to the JR Yamanote line to go to popular stations like Shinjuku, Tokyo, or Shibuya; as well as the Keihin-Tohoku line. The fare to Hamamatsucho costs 500 yen ($3.42).

There’s also the Keikyu train line heading northeast to Shinagawa, which is on the JR Yamanote line, also known as “the loop”, from which you can access several of Tokyo’s main stations. This trip costs approximately 410 yen ($2.80). On the other hand, the southwest line towards Yokohama is priced at 450 yen ($3.07).

Both the monorail and the Keikyu line can be taken at Terminal 3’s arrival gate. To pay for the monorail, you can use an IC card like Suica, or buy paper tickets from vending machines next to the monorail entrance. The trip on the Keiyu line from the airport to Shinagawa station costs about 300 yen ($2.05), and from there, you can transfer to the Yamanote line and others. The most convenient way to pay is with a Suica or Pasmo card (read in the section below about the current status of IC cards).

Travel Tip: Keep in mind that the train and monorail lines only operate until midnight (11:48 p.m. and 11:44 p.m. respectively, to be precise).

A good alternative for those traveling with luggage is the limousine buses: Airport Limousine Bus and Keikyu Limousine Bus, which go to various main stations and hotels around Tokyo.

In Terminal 3, there is a bus ticket counter next to the arrival gate, as well as vending machines to purchase the fares. You can pay with cash, credit card, or IC card.

One advantage of the Airport Limousine Bus is that tickets can be purchased online, making the departure process from the airport easier. Prices vary depending on the destination, but generally range between 700 and 1300 yen ($4.78-$8.89), with a 50% discount for children and disabled individuals.

The Airport Limousine Bus used to have late-night and early morning services, but they were suspended due to the pandemic, and it’s uncertain when they will resume. Read more here.

The Keikyu Bus goes to Yokohama, Kamakura, Shibuya, Omori, and other stations. Tickets cost between 1000 and 1400 yen ($6.83-$9.56) and can only be bought at the counter or from vending machines. This line offers late-night and early morning bus services. Check here for updated information.

Transportation

The most efficient way to get around the city and its surroundings is by subway, which is paid by distance, meaning the farther you go, the more you will pay. Therefore, it is recommended not to stay too far from the metropolitan area if you want to make the most of your days in the city and save money on transportation.

The transportation system in Tokyo is not centralized, that is, managed by a single entity. The huge network of subways, buses and trains is operated by various private companies, in addition to the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation.

To begin with, it is more convenient to pay for your subway trips with a Suica or Pasmo card. These cards correspond to the JR East and the Tokyo lines, respectively, and can be purchased at select stations, as well as at convenience stores (which can be found on almost every corner!). Another option is to add the Suica or Pasmo card to your Apple Wallet to pay with Apple Pay. We found this to be the most practical way because you don’t need to take out your card every time you use it at the station or recharge it at one of the machines; you can simply use your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay. Another advantage is that you can pay even if your phone runs out of battery! There is also an option to add the Suica or Pasmo card to Google Wallet, but only for Japanese Android devices. Read more here.

In addition, the Suica is a multipurpose card because you can also use it to pay in convenience stores, vending machines, coin lockers, and restaurants, not only in Tokyo but also in other cities such as Osaka and Kyoto.

Travel Tip: Sales of the physical Suica and Pasmo physical cards are temporarily suspended due to a global semiconductor shortage.

Now, if you want to save even more on your journey, you can buy a Tokyo Subway Ticket (exclusive for tourists), which is valid for unlimited travel for 24 (800 yen), 48 (1200 yen) or 72 (1500 yen) hours. The prices are half for children 6 to 11 years old. This pass allows unlimited subway rides on the Toei and Tokyo Metro lines, and can be purchased at Narita and Haneda airports, major subway stations, tourist and information centers, and stores like Bic Camera, Sofmap, and Laox.

You can buy it online on Klook.com, but to activate it you must go to a station that has a machine capable of scanning barcodes. But beware, this pass is not valid for other lines such as the Odakyu or the JR. For example, when we went to the Shimokitazawa station and inserted the pass to exit, a red light came on and we had to go see an agent. That’s how we found out that the pass wasn’t valid for that line, and we had to pay the difference in cash (always carry some cash!). Interestingly, there was a flyer in the office indicating this situation, so we assumed it happens quite frequently. After paying, the agent gave us tickets that we inserted into the machine to exit.

Travel Tip: If you have a JR pass, you can also use it for unlimited travel on JR train lines and buses.

On this trip, we didn’t take any buses in Tokyo, but we saw some very cute small buses in Shibuya (the Hachiko Bus) and Shinjuku (the WE Bus) that cost only 100 yen to ride. There are also some free bus lines that connect different areas of interest.

Travel Tip: If you are planning to stay late night in Tokyo, be sure to check the subway operating hours because the system generally closes around midnight or 1 a.m.

Navigating subway stations can be quite a challenge, especially the larger and busier ones, as in many cases it is necessary to transfer from one line to another, for which you must scan your card or your phone, walk a lot, go up or down stairs, and pay attention to which direction or exit to take. Fortunately, Google Maps works very well to guide you on where to go.

Accommodation

If you’ve seen the movie Lost in Translation, starring Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray, you may dream of staying at the magnificent Park Hyatt in Tokyo, with spectacular city views. Unless you can afford a minimum of about $800 per night… you’ll continue dreaming about staying there! Fortunately, Tokyo has accommodation options for all budgets.

While the Japanese capital is known to be expensive, we were pleasantly surprised to be able to find quite affordable hotels and apartments in the metropolitan area, not too far from the busiest tourist hubs. To give you an idea, an apartment in Ota City, an area near Haneda Airport, can be found starting from $65 per night. The key factor is to find a place that is close to a subway station, as this is the most convenient way to get around.

As for hotels, besides the global brands, consider Japanese chains, since they offer very good service at affordable prices. For example, during our recent trip to Japan we stayed at the Tavinos Hamamatsucho, the “manga” hotel; and Henn na Tokyo Nishikasai, the “dinosaur” hotel.

The first one is located in Minato City, a beautiful area of Tokyo, with easy access to the subway line and amazing views of the Takeshiba Pier and Sumida River. While the rooms are small, at least they are private and with their own bathroom, at an average price of $35 per night! (in May). We call it the “manga” hotel due to its decoration and the availability of books and magazines of this genre in the lobby for guests to use. Likewise, in the lobby, they had a self-serve area with coffee, tea, and water dispensers, as well as microwaves and toaster ovens to heat up food, which can be bought from the FamilyMart next door.

The second one we call the “dinosaur” hotel because check-in is performed by two robot dinosaurs that, in addition to welcoming guests, guide them through the hotel check-in and check-out processes. As for the rooms of this peculiar accommodation, they were a bit larger than those at the “manga” hotel, although they did not have space for suitcases (at the “manga” hotel they could be stored under the bed). However, the bathroom was more spacious, and the room had a minibar, electric kettle, and even an LG Styler! In the lobby, in addition to the friendly “dinosaurs,” they had vending machines for hot and cold drinks, a water dispenser, and a laundry room. This hotel, located in the Edogawa neighborhood, also offers a free shuttle bus to the Maihama station for guests going to Tokyo Disney Resort.

As usual, the best advice for saving money when looking for accommodation in Tokyo is to do so in advance. Local hotel chains are generally smaller and, therefore, availability is limited. The same happens with apartments, although it is possible to find last-minute opportunities in case of cancellations.

Travel Tip: If possible, try to book reservations that can be canceled without penalties, so as not to lose your hard-saved money if any setbacks arise in your plans.

Agoda, Booking.com, and Rakuten Travel have great offers for accommodation in Japan. You can also look for deals in other Japanese travel sites such as Japanican.com, Jalan.net, and Travelko.com.

Free attractions

 The Japanese capital is a haven for travelers, boasting a myriad of free and affordable attractions. From parks and temples to observatories offering panoramic views of the sprawling city, Tokyo has plenty to explore and admire without breaking the bank.

While some of the most famous observatories, such as Shibuya Sky, Tokyo Tower, or Skytree, might be a bit pricey, there are other spots where you can feast your eyes on the urban jungle without spending a dime. One popular choice is the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, located in the bustling Shinjuku district. In fact, there are two observatories—one to the north and another to the south—with separate entrances.

Travel Tip: When planning a visit to the Government building, it’s a good idea to check the opening hours (typically from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and closing days, and be prepared for potentially long wait times.

Another option is the Asakusa Culture and Tourist Information Center. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., it offers a splendid view of the illuminated Tokyo Skytree at night. For sunset and evening views, Toyosu Gururi Park is a treat, as well as Odaiba Maritime Park, with vast open grassy areas for leisurely strolls, a replica of the Statue of Liberty, and the Rainbow Bridge in the background.

To take a break after shopping, or just to visit a free terrace, the Shibuya Parco building -where the Nintendo and Pokémon stores are located- is a great idea. Similar alternatives are the Takashimaya Shinjuku department store building, with three floors of gardens and restaurants, especially the White Garden on the 13th floor; and the modern building of the Tokyo Midtown Hibiya shopping center, in Yurakucho, with large windows and a terrace with magnificent views of Hibiya Park.

One of the charms of Tokyo is the prevalence of temples scattered throughout the city. The most popular among tourists is the Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa area, which can be visited entirely for free. Similarly, the Meiji Jingu Shrine in Shibuya, the Zojoji Temple in the Minato district, the Kanda Myojin Shrine in Akihabara, the Suitengo Shrine in the Nihonbashi area, and many more welcome visitors without charging any entrance fees.

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace are open to the public generally from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., except Mondays and Fridays, depending on the time of the year. In addition, admission is free. There are also free tours to some of the areas adjacent to the palace, with prior reservation. These tours have limited spots and take place at 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Shopping

Tokyo is a shopping paradise. With a variety of malls, department stores, specialty shops, all kinds of businesses, and even second-hand and recycling stores, the options are varied in both style and price.

Among the whole range of stores we saw, the ones that caught our attention the most were the “megastores,” premises extending upwards and occupying several floors, offering everything imaginable.

Some of the most popular megastores are the discount store chain Don Quijote, and the electronics stores Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera, especially those located in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Akihabara.

Don Quijote is not a bookstore and has nothing to do with the Spanish “knight of the sad figure.” Its logo is a penguin and its product offering is as random as its name. And that’s because there you can find a floor of groceries, drinks, and souvenirs, another floor of beauty and home items, as well as other floors of appliances, sports items, camping, fishing, famous brands and designers, varied clothing, shoes, stationery, children’s and even adult toys (18+), as well as the inevitable manga merchandise and other characters from Japanese popular culture. The striking thing is that everything is overloaded, that is, there is so much to see that one cannot help but leave the place feeling dizzy.

Both Yodobashi and Bic Camera have a style similar to that of Don Quijote, but focus more on electronic items and, of course, cameras of all kinds.

Saving Tip: These and other stores offer tax-free purchases for tourists starting at 5000 yen. You just have to look for the cash registers set up for this and present your passport.

Although Don Quijote is famous for offering low prices, this is not always the case. For example, KitKat packs can sometimes be found cheaper in supermarkets like Seiyu and even in pharmacies or beauty stores (in Japan you never know what you can find in a store!). We also found KitKat for sale at a convenience store near the entrance of Haneda Airport. However, the advantage of Don Quijote is the variety of KitKat it has, including flavors inspired by Japanese specialties such as “royal milk tea”, matcha green tea, and the traditional sake.

Saving Tip: Look for the containers of products with big discounts in Don Quijote. For example, in Osaka, we found a variety of Japan souvenirs on clearance for just 10 yen!

Known for its cheap prices, Daiso is a popular shopping choice in Japan. This chain resembles American dollar stores, which are becoming rare in the U.S; even Dollar Tree now sells products from $1.25. Daiso’s business model is to offer a variety of items starting at just 100 yen, which would be approximately 75 cents, depending on the current exchange rate. In its aisles, which extend over several floors in the largest premises, you can find accessories, jewelry, beauty products, household cleaning products, kitchen items, decorations, footwear, groceries, stationery, useful umbrellas for the frequent rain in Japan, and even novel or quite particular products such as disposable underwear! Some of the largest stores, and therefore with the most variety, are those in Shibuya, Harajuku, and Kinshicho.

The good news is that Daiso has an online store and stores in some U.S. states like New York, California, Texas, and Washington. The bad news is that the prices are not as low as in Japan.

For those interested in manga books, comics, and video games, a store that cannot be missed is BookOff. Most of these stores have an extensive collection of books (mostly in Japanese), CDs, DVDs, and pre-owned video consoles and games, at reduced prices. However, this is not a donated items store with charitable purposes like “thrift shops,” but rather a place where people can get some money in exchange for their items. Both in the larger neighborhoods and in the outskirts of the metropolitan area of Tokyo (and other Japanese cities), you can find different BookOff stores, such as BookOff Plus and BookOff Super Bazaar. The latter is larger and has a variety of items such as clothing, shoes, bags, appliances, musical instruments and even designer brands.

Saving Tip: Stores located outside the more touristic areas, like Akihabara and Shinjuku, generally have more items and better prices.

When looking for souvenirs to remember your precious trip to “Nippon”, the options range from street stalls to stores specializing in delicate Japanese crafts. In addition to the already mentioned Don Quijote and Daiso, other good alternatives are stores such as Can-Do (where almost everything costs 100 yen), Hands (with a variety of stickers or decals, stationery and household items), Loft (also with a fantastic selection of stationery and accessories), Akomeya Tokyo (not so cheap, but with an excellent variety of Japanese food, household and gift items) and Nakano Broadway (for those interested in anime and manga products).

Saving Tip: Look for clearance tags in Loft. For example, we found umbrellas with Japanese designs at a 75% discount on a rainy day!

In the vicinity of the Sensoji temple, in Asakusa, is the Nakamise shopping street, where you can find not only all kinds of food but also typical Tokyo souvenirs. However, with so many vendors, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the range of prices, so it is recommended to compare the different options.

Museum shops, like the one at the Meiji Jingu, sell a variety of souvenirs ranging from small keychains to fine handcrafted pieces. Although the prices are not as cheap as in some of the previously mentioned places, the items are very beautiful and of high quality. 

Food

There is no shortage of eating choices in Tokyo! Of course, Japanese food prevails, unsurprisingly, but American fast-food chains are dotted across the city as well. So, if you don’t like the local options, you can visit McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Starbucks, etc.

There are also Japanese fast-food chains like Mos Burger and Sukiya, with good menu options at affordable prices. At Mos Burger, we tried the burger topped with delicious Hokkaido cheese. The burger was tasty, but there can be differences from one location to another. For example, the one we ate in Osaka was much better than the one we had in Shibuya (although it could be that the Shibuya location was closing when we ordered our burgers, so perhaps they were prepared in a rush).

As for Sukiya, we visited the one in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo’s “bohemian” neighborhood which seemed more affordable for eating than for buying vintage clothes. In that location, we tried gyudon, a bowl of rice topped with sliced beef and other options (we chose the three-cheese topping). It was very good both in taste and value, as the serving size is generous.

Saving Tip: Take advantage of the free water and green tea at Sukiya locations.

Other cheap eats in Tokyo include Ichiran (ramen!), Curry House CoCo Ichibanya (Japanese-style curry; also available in the U.S.), GoGo Curry (a curry franchise with some locations in the U.S.), Gindaco (takoyaki), Matsuya (Japanese fast-food chain), Sushiro (100 yen sushi), Kura Sushi (another 100 yen sushi), Wakaba and Naruto Taiyaki (fish-shaped pastry).

Generally, one of the best ways to save on food is to purchase ingredients at a supermarket and prepare your meals. This strategy, however, depends on the type of accommodation chosen and whether you have access to a kitchen. Let’s be real: after a day of wandering around Tokyo—up and down countless stairs, enduring packed subway rides, and navigating the city on sore feet—the last thing anyone wants to do is cook. A practical solution? Opt for pre-made meals that only require a quick heating in the microwave. Many hotels, including the budget ones we stayed at, provide microwaves in the lobby for guests.

Saving Tip: Some supermarkets slash prices on takeaway meals before closing time. We snagged deals with discounts as steep as 50% on everything from sandwiches to bento boxes!

Now, honestly, our go-to-places, especially during late-night hunger attacks, were convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson. They really live up to their name. Unlike 7-Elevens elsewhere, their Japanese counterparts offer a great assortment of food, both ready-to-eat and those that require some prep. You’ll discover sandwiches of all kinds -including quirky varieties like whipped cream or whipped cream and fruit (yes, sweet sandwiches!). There is also an array of pastries, soups, drinks, desserts, and so on, all reasonably priced. Family Mart and Lawson offer a similar options.

We can’t fail to mention the iconic Don Quijote (don, don, don, Donki!). This store is a treasure trove of snacks and drinks, all at affordable prices. Its popularity is undeniable, especially in bustling areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku. Navigating the store’s cramped aisles, packed with merchandise and shoppers, requires a bit of patience. If you’ve loaded your basket with unique-to-Japan Kit Kat flavors, and your bill is likely to exceed 5000 yen, remember to request the tax-free benefit. A heads-up: Tokyo’s sales tax stands at 10%.

Forgot to buy a drink? Fear not. Tokyo, and Japan in general, is packed with vending machines. Some streets even have multiple vending machines! They not only accept coins, but some are also set up for credit card and IC card (such as Suica) payments. From cold beverages (including alcohol) to hot coffee, tea, and chocolate, the selection is vast. What is truly amazing? Their prices! Unlike vending machines in the U.S., where prices are often high, those in Japan offer items at low cost -a real win for thrifty travelers.

For the food aficionados with deeper pockets, Tokyo is a culinary paradise. Japan’s capital boasts more Michelin-starred establishments than any other city in the world. However, as we here at Saving Adventures are focused on frugal travel, fancy restaurants as well as Tokyo’s great rooftop bars are way beyond our budget! Maybe with a discount coupon?

In Summary

Tokyo is a destination that may seem expensive, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a variety of affordable accommodations, great public transportation, cheap eats, discount shopping, and free attractions, Japan’s capital has something special for every budget.