Free tastings and samples anyone can walk into, and the cheap local classics that keep a day of sightseeing going.
FreePublic drinking fountains and bottle fillers run by the city waterworks, about 1,000 of them in parks, stations and public buildings. Tokyo tap water is clean and tastes fine.
Year-round. The waterworks page has a map of locations.
FreeStalls selling pickles, dried fish, seaweed and tea put out samples. The market's own rule is that they are for people who are thinking of buying, so take one, not a lunch.
Market days from 9:00 to about 14:00. Many shops close Sundays, holidays and some Wednesdays.
From ¥100 a cupThe brewers' association runs a tasting bar with around 50 sakes, shochus and fruit liqueurs from across Japan, poured by the small cup from ¥100. Three-cup sets cost a little more.
Weekdays 10:00–18:00. Closed weekends and national holidays.
¥450A bowl of buckwheat noodles in hot broth from the stand-and-slurp chain found beside stations all over Tokyo. Buy a ticket at the machine, hand it over, eat in five minutes.
Most branches open early until late, and many never close. Prices vary slightly by area.
Source: Fuji Soba
¥460Thin-sliced beef and onion simmered in sweet soy over rice, regular size, at one of the three big beef bowl chains. Order from a touch screen with an English menu.
Most branches are open around the clock.
Source: Matsuya Foods
From about ¥171Rice balls wrapped in crisp seaweed, filled with tuna mayonnaise, salmon or pickled plum. Two make a breakfast, and they travel well to a park bench.
24 hours a day. Most fillings cost between ¥171 and ¥215 with tax.
Source: Seven-Eleven Japan
The free city hall observatory gives you the height, but through glass and from Shinjuku. Shibuya Sky is an open-air roof directly above the scramble crossing, with wind, no reflections and the whole city turning on its lights around you. Book the sunset slot well ahead, since it sells out first.
Everything above is free. This is the only paid pick on the page, chosen because no free option replaces it.
