Tokyo ₱1,000 / ¥2,500 Day Tour Challenge (Tokyo, Japan)
Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō) is the capital of Japan and one of the world's most populous metropolis. It is one of Japan's 47 prefectures and it consists of 23 central city wards, multiple cities, towns, villages and outer islands.
It offers a mixture of culture, technology, luxury, nature and efficient public transportation plus it's clean and safe. Really, what's not to love?
But Tokyo is one of the most expensive destinations in the world. In fact, it was ranked 3rd in 2013 and 7th in 2014 according to Forbes. Visitors are often warned about this, and some believe that you need a tons of cash to truly enjoy.
We're here to prove that wrong. The challenge is to spend only ₱1,000 / ¥2,500 for a day tour in Tokyo.
¥2,500 = ₱ 1,045.07 | ¥1 = ₱ 0.42
Rules:
1. Lasts one (1) day
2. Must include meals, admission & transportation tickets
3. Must visit major tourist spots
4. Budget is ¥2,500 per person
₱1,000 can take you pretty far in Manila but where will it get you in Tokyo?
Origin: Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is one of Tokyo's largest and most popular parks. The park is located just a short walk from Shinjuku Station and offers a relaxing escape with its spacious lawns, meandering walking paths and tranquil scenery. You'll forget you're actually in the city.
Admission: ¥200 | ₱84
In spring Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city to see cherry blossoms. The park has its own area for cherry blossom trees and a variety of them! If you happen to miss the season for full bloom (early April), you don't need to worry as the park has late blossoming trees that are just as beautiful.
We did miss the full bloom as we arrived mid-April. Some trees were back to their usual green self but the late blossoms did not disappoint. They were still enchanting, beautiful and serene.
Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Japan often involves a picnic to enjoy cherry blossoms as well as food and drinks. People have a Hanami party with friends, family or colleagues under the cherry tree and have fun.
Ice Cream: ¥160 | ₱ 67.2
So we had our own party, bought bread from Family Mart and made sandwiches, brought some snacks and ate them under the trees. I even had ice cream for dessert, perfect for cooling off.
Meiji Jingu is one of the Japan's most popular shrines. It is a shinto shrine dedicated to he deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Less colourful and flashy than other temples/shrines in the city, it offers an air of tranquility.
Origin: Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) ¥ 640 | ₱ 268.8
11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan
How to Get Here: Walk 1.5 KM from Shinjuku Station
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is one of Tokyo's largest and most popular parks. The park is located just a short walk from Shinjuku Station and offers a relaxing escape with its spacious lawns, meandering walking paths and tranquil scenery. You'll forget you're actually in the city.
Admission: ¥200 | ₱84
In spring Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city to see cherry blossoms. The park has its own area for cherry blossom trees and a variety of them! If you happen to miss the season for full bloom (early April), you don't need to worry as the park has late blossoming trees that are just as beautiful.
Ichiyo!
We did miss the full bloom as we arrived mid-April. Some trees were back to their usual green self but the late blossoms did not disappoint. They were still enchanting, beautiful and serene.
Lunch: ¥280 (Bread ¥160 + Snacks ¥0 + Coke ¥120) | ₱ 117.6
Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Japan often involves a picnic to enjoy cherry blossoms as well as food and drinks. People have a Hanami party with friends, family or colleagues under the cherry tree and have fun.
Enjoyed some Kanzan and Ichiyo blossoms!
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) ¥ 500 | ₱ 210
1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan
How to Get Here: Walk 1.1 KM from Shinjuku Gyoen Sendagaya Gate
Meiji Jingu is one of the Japan's most popular shrines. It is a shinto shrine dedicated to he deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Less colourful and flashy than other temples/shrines in the city, it offers an air of tranquility.
Admission: Free
The enter you have to pass through the Torii gate. One of Japan's biggest (in dimension) Torii gates, it is a towering 12m wooden gate created from a 1500-year-old Taiwanese cyprus. Pass through the sides as the middle is reserved for gods. Don't forget to bow your head once when entering or leaving! 
Sake barrels, offering to the gods by various breweries. These are empty but they symbolize the donations and prayers for a blessed business.
Before entering the main shrine, stop at the cleansing station.
Please do not touch the dipper directly with your lips, and please do not throw coins into the water.
Ema/Wooden Wishing Plaques: ¥500 | ₱210
Pay ¥500 for an Ema or buy other charms for love, good health, success and such at the counters of the shrine. It's a good way to support the shrine's finances.
Leave your Ema hanging and hope your prayers come true.
Being a popular shrine, you can see various languages like Korean, Chinese, English, Italian and others which I don't recognize.
Traditional Shinto weddings often take place in the Shrine. We we're lucky enough to see the happy couple after their wedding!
Harajuku (原宿) ¥ 0 | ₱0
Neighborhood in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Harajuku (原宿) ¥ 0 | ₱0
Neighborhood in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
How to Get Here: Exit Meiji Shrine via Harajuku
If you want to see Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, head on to Harajuku. An area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station, it is where food, fashion and passion meet.
Even foreign brands are present here, each with their own store architecture style.
Free! ¥ 0
Isn't it great how free samples transcend even language barriers? A refreshing cup of iced coffee, Arigatou gozaimasu ありがとうございます!
This is a real dog btw.
A cinderella themed coffee shop, perfect for the princess in all of us!
This mental clinic x coffee shop will really spark your curiosity.
Is it sweet? Is it gore-ry? Or is it 6% dokidoki? It's funny how I remembered the professor who told me that doki doki is the sound of the heart beating. Kyaaaaa! <3 <3 <3
Shinjuku (新宿) ¥ 650 | ₱ 273
Special ward of Tokyo, Japan
Shinjuku (新宿) ¥ 650 | ₱ 273
How to Get Here: Take JR Yamanote Line for Shinjuku at Harajuku Station (¥ 140 | ₱58.8 )
After all the walking, reward yourself with a train ride. Head back to base (Shinkjuku) via JR Yamanote Line and enjoy dinner. Yey!
Dinner: ¥650
The Katsu craze has taken Manila by storm so I wanted to know what the real deal tasted like. But I must've picked the wrong restaurant or Manila has the authentic Katsu(s) because my dinner tasted and felt like Manila. The cabbage and mayo combo still makes my heart soar.
End the day with a night stroll in Shinjuku, bask in the neon lights and cold weather.
Admission 200 | 84
Transportation 140 | 58.8
Others 500 | 210
TOTAL: ¥ 1930 | ₱ 810.6
CHALLENGE SUCCESS!
Shinjuku Sta. → Shinjuku Gyoen → Meiji Jingu → Harajuku → Shinjuku Sta.
Happy Travels! xx
