30 free things to do in Tokyo

It may not be the city's highest observation deck, but you won't get further into the sky for free than by ascending TMG No.1, the 48-storey, Kenzo Tange-built monolith that makes up part of Tokyo's city hall. The building itself is 240m in height, while the observation deck tops off at 202m. The views are predictably spectacular, and there's a restaurant and kids' toy park up there too, just in case you're easily bored.

The top floor of this extremely orange-coloured 26-storey building is a great place to enjoy amazing views toward the Bay Bridge while lounging on one of the comfy sofas. You'll have to get something at the restaurant to see Shinjuku, the Skytree, and Odaiba, but the free section is impressive enough in itself.

This 25th-floor 'lounge' sits 105 metres above the ground, and features great views of Tokyo Skytree, Shinjuku, and as far as Mt Fuji and the Chichibu Mountains. The 330-degree panorama is especially spectacular at night, when the non-reflective windows really make a difference.

Ebisu is one of Japan's most popular brews, and this 'amusement space' is the place for learning all there is to know about the brand's history and product. The museum itself is free, but the guided tours and samplings on tap require a small fee (still far cheaper than at bars in the area, mind you!).

Take a free one-hour brewery tour and find out how Suntory's Premium Malts is produced at this operational beer factory, where free samples are of course also available. Tours take place every 30 minutes between 10am and 4pm (with a minimum of two people participating), while special 'Premium Malts Lectures' can be attended by serious fans.

Also known as 'Sake Plaza', the Japanese Sake Information Centre makes available an abundance of information about Japanese alcohol. As well as being able to search for particular brands by computer, there is also a library with around 6,000 books on the topic of sake. You're welcome to give all that a miss, of course, and move swiftly on to the tasting area. Need we say more?

This impressive public library hosts the Tokyo Magazine Bank, a collection of 16,000 issues of everything from weeklies to art publications, including an interesting collection of inaugural issues. The magazines are not available to borrow, but can be browsed freely on the premises.

Located in Myogadani, Bunkyo's best public library earns the title on the strength of its extensive collection of CDs, DVDs, vinyls, and sheet music. All CDs and records can also be played on the premises.

Specialising in travel- and tourism-related materials from all over the world, this library is one Tokyo's best-kept secrets. The collection of 34,000 guidebooks, rare books, antique books, and more contains quite a few true gems, while the travel magazine selection is also impressive. Perfect for planning your next trip, but also treacherous - it's difficult to return to the real world once you really dig in.

Rest your tired feet in some pleasantly warm water at this unique facility in Kodaira. Ground water is diverted up through a 250-metre deep well and then warmed with leftover heat from the neighbouring waste processing plant, resulting in a man-made 'hot spring'. If you did bring your wallet, the shop here sells special towels (¥100) and handkerchiefs (¥200) designed by students from nearby Musashino Art University. 

Weather's not too favourable? Head indoors and learn about the history of Japanese animation at this Nishi-Ogikubo museum, where you can immerse yourself in a number of exhibits. It's not all standing and staring, mind – if you're the sort who wants to get involved, you can join one of the museum's anime production workshops or pick up tips at the regular talks given by industry professionals (all in Japanese, natch).

The entrance to this wooded hilltop park is right next to Oji Station, from where you can take the Asuka Park Rail, a free train that takes you all the way to the summit. Despite the one-way trip being only a two-minute adventure, the beauty of the spring flowers below makes it worth your while.

Built on reclaimed land by the Yokojikken River, this waterside park has an active group of volunteers who bring out their traditional, wooden Japanese-style boats once every week. Jump on board for free, or get there early (from 10am) to apply for the right to try your hand at steering.

Himonya Dobutsu Hiroba is a great little place for families with young 'uns. Aimed at children below junior high school age, the kids get the chance to bother guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs and even ponies. The latter come with a nominal price tag (¥150 per ride), but the others are subject to a real live free-for-all. Renting a rowing boat on the nearby lake is so cheap it's almost free, too, costing a mere 100 yen per 30 minutes for a boat.

Sega's arcade game emporium is justifiably renowned for its virtual-reality hang gliders and white water raft rides, though the 'real-world' attractions like the Spin Bullet rollercoaster are equally thrilling. Present proof of your birth date on arriving, and you'll get free admission and a ticket for unlimited rides, plus a portion of Dippin' Dots ice cream and other stuff that's clearly only meant for kids.