Free Zoos, Museums And Parks In The City! Free Entry Day Calendar

Children's Day (May 5th)

Miraikan
On May 5th, Children's Day, facilities that cater to children have free admission; as such, adults traveling without kids should be careful when planning trips on this day. The age limit for free admission differs from place to place, so make sure to confirm what the age requirements are before visiting any of these spots on Children's Day.

Major Facilities with Free Admission:

Inokashira Park Zoo (Mitaka)
Shinjuku Gyoen (Shinjuku ward)
Tama Zoological Park (Hino)
Ueno Zoo (Taito ward)
Miraikan (Koto ward)

International Museum Day (May 18th)

Tokyo National Museum

International Museum Day is a holiday celebrated around the globe. Just as its name indicates, on this day many museums have free admission - that is to say, certain special areas of the museum will be free to the public.

Major Facilities with Free Admission:

Tokyo National Museum (Taito ward) (*culture exhibit only)
National Museum of Nature and Science (Taito ward) (*permanent exhibitions only)

Respect-for-the-Aged Day (the third Monday in September)

Ueno Zoo

Respect-for-the-Aged Day is a day where the senior members of society are celebrated. As its name states, on this day entry to many different facilities will be free for the elderly. However, depending on which facility you visit, the age cut off may be either 60 or 65 years old.

Major Facilities with Free Admission:

Hamarikyu Gardens (Chuo ward)
Rikugien Gardens (Bunyko ward)
Ueno Zoo (Taito ward)
Edo-Tokyo Museum (Sumida ward) (*permanent exhibitions only)

City Day (October 1st)

Edo-Tokyo Musem

City Day is a special, Tokyo-specific day wherein various facilities around the city are free to the public. Although the day in Japanese translates to "Citizen's Day", non-residents are of course able to take advantage of these free entry sites as well.

To learn more about this day and the facilities with free admission, please see Not Just For Tokyo Citizens! City Day: When Zoos And Gardens Are Free .

Major Facilities with Free Admission:

Rikugien Gardens (Bunyko ward)
Ueno Zoo (Taito ward)
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum (Kogane)
Edo-Tokyo Museum (Sumida ward)(*permanent exhibitions only)

Culture Day (November 3rd)

Japan Open Air Folk House Museum
Cultural Day (November 3rd) is a day where culturally-based facilities are free to the public. As galleries and museums are free of charge on this day, numerous cultural experience events are held across the country, so those who want to experience Japanese culture firsthand should definitely visit Japan at this time.

Major Facilities with Free Admission:

Japan Open Air Folk House Museum (Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture)
National Museum of Nature and Science (*permanent exhibitions only)
The National Museum of Western Art (*permanent exhibitions only)
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (*permanent exhibitions only)

In Conclusion

What do you think? Were you surprised by how many holidays there and by the number of facilities that have free admission?

Other than these national holidays, on anniversaries and on opening days, some of these facilities may also have free admission or discount events. For more details on this, please take a look at each facilities' website.

Have fun and see the sights in Tokyo free of charge by visiting on these and other special days all year long!