Super Cheap Japan: Budget Travel in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima and Surrounding Areas (Super Cheap Guides Book 1)

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (東京都美術館) A prefectural art museum, largely built underground so as not to stand out too much in the green park.

7. Tokyo Metropolitan Observation Decks Skip the pricey SkyTree and head to this free observation deck for a spectacular view over the city.

Caterium (キャットカフェ キャテリアム) Chilled out cafe, with the difference being all the cats walking about!

A surprisingly interesting (and free!) museum, showcasing Japanese advertising over the centuries. From Kimono ladies selling beer to retro packaging, the museum is a fascinating change from the usual museums in Tokyo. FREE

Koenji, like Shimo-Kitazawa, is a trendy town with many cheap shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Known as Tokyo’s main counter-culture area,

Shimo-Kitazawa is a trendy district with plenty of second-hand shops, bars, record shops, interesting fashions and nice cafes and restaurants. If you are into buying cheap clothes,

Design Festa Gallery (デザインフェスタギャラリー) A host of small galleries, more than 70 when at full capacity, showing off the latest up-and-coming artists. All sorts of styles, and ever changing exhibitions on display. Design Festa has become a bit of an institution in Harajuku, and makes going to an expensive gallery unnecessary for most. FREE • Times vary

National Museum of Nature and Science (国立科学博物館) Split into a Japan Gallery and a Global Gallery, this museum thankfully has English explanations for large number of exhibits. As well as having standard exhibitions on dinosaurs and nature, visitors can also learn about the history of humans in Japan and the ecologically diverse islands. Definitely r

Mount Takao The essential hiking day trip from Tokyo. Super cheap to access, easy to navigate and all you can drink beer at the top!

Meguro and Ebisu (目黒と恵比寿) Well known to expats and fashionable Japanese, Meguro and Ebisu are not tourist hotspots, but places that everyday people love to hang out at.