On this page, we pick up spots in Tokyo that can be enjoyed without admission fees. From gardens that will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city to unique museums, we present a variety of facilities that can be accessed without admission fees. These spots are great alternatives when you have unplanned time or when your plans unexpectedly change. Explore Tokyo’s attractions to get a closer look at culture, nature, and art with free fee!
*Before visiting, it is recommended to check the facility’s official website to see business hours.
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Edogawa Natural Zoo (江戸川区自然動物園)
Admission to the Edogawa Nature Zoo is free! This zoo offers visitors the chance to see about 60 different kinds of animals, including giant anteaters, Humboldt penguins, and wallabies. The petting zoo space is also popular for its petting animals where you can touch rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small animals.
You can also see other animals that are rare in Japan, so if you are in the neighborhood, please stop by and be healed by the cute animals!
Official website: https://www.edogawa-kankyozaidan.jp/zoo/
Anime Tokyo Station (アニメ東京ステーション)
Opened in 2023 in Ikebukuro, “Anime Tokyo Station” is a spot to introduce Japanese anime culture. There are three floors from the first basement to the second floor, and admission is free. Visitors can encounter masterpieces and popular anime works from Japan.
The first basement floor, which introduces the animation production process, houses approximately 50,000 animation materials owned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. On display are scenarios, planning documents, and actual celluloid drawings, which have recently become unseen due to the shift to digital technology.
The second floor is a special exhibition space where anime-related special exhibitions are held. Exhibitions change regularly, so please check the official website when you visit!
The location is a 4-minute walk from the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station on the JR Line, making it easy to access. It is a must-see spot for anime fans!
Official website: https://animetokyo.jp/
Ad Museum Tokyo (アドミュージアム東京)
Opened in 2002, Ad Museum Tokyo is the only museum in Japan dedicated to advertising. With a collection of approximately 330,000 items from the Edo period to the present, it is a place where visitors can learn about the history of advertising and deepen their understanding of the social and cultural value of advertising.
You can also search the digital archives of advertising works in the library and browse through advertising and marketing related books. Admission is free, so be sure to stop by this unique museum and discover the fascinating world of advertising!
Official website: https://www.admt.jp/en/
Meguro Parasitological Museum (目黒寄生虫館)
A museum recommended for those seeking an unusual Tokyo attraction is the Meguro Parasitological Museum in Meguro-ku, Tokyo! This spot is one of the few museums in the world specializing in parasites and attracts many visitors from overseas. The permanent exhibition features about 300 specimens and related materials collected from Japan and abroad. Admission is free (Donations are welcomed). There is also a museum store in the museum where you can buy original goods, so please stop by together!
Official website: https://www.kiseichu.org/e-top
Hotel New Otani Japanese Garden (ホテルニューオータニ 東京 日本庭園)
The Japanese Garden at Hotel New Otani Tokyo, which is open to anyone, even non-hotel guests, free of charge, is a vast garden with a history of approximately 400 years. Visitors can enjoy the seasonal flora and fauna, and the beautiful scenery enchants each season, with cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall. This is a healing spot where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and refresh yourself in a space rich in nature, even though it is located in the center of the city. With carp swimming in the pond, you will be able to enjoy a truly Japanese landscape. If you want to relax during your trip, please stop by.
Official website: https://www.newotani.co.jp/en/tokyo/garden/
KITTE Garden (KITTEガーデン)
KITTE is a commercial facility located in front of the Marunouchi South Exit of JR Tokyo Station, and the KITTE Garden on the 6th floor is an open-air rooftop garden of approximately 1,500 square meters. It is a relaxing space with lush greenery and a night view. The night view of the red-brick Tokyo Station Marunouchi and the lights of the Marunouchi buildings in the background is particularly breathtaking. Crowded with shoppers and diners, it is a popular place to enjoy the beauty of nature and history in the heart of the city. Especially on weekday evenings, the many lights leaking from the surrounding office buildings create a more luxurious atmosphere!
*May be closed due to weather conditions.
Official website: https://marunouchi.jp-kitte.jp/gb/information.jsp#googtrans(en)
Bank of Japan Currency Museum (貨幣博物館)
The Currency Museum is a museum that showcases coins and their historical and cultural materials. The museum opened in 1985 to commemorate the Bank of Japan’s centennial in 1982, based on a rich collection of Japanese and East Asian coins collected by the old currency collector and researcher Tanaka Keibun. The museum is a facility where visitors can deepen their understanding of the history of coins and their relationship to culture and society.
When entering the building, they ask for your cooperation in inspecting your belongings for security reasons.
Official website: https://www.imes.boj.or.jp/cm/english/
