Tokyo free eats

The first few months of the year can be bit of a downer as your wallet recovers from the effects of holiday excesses and the impending tax season. Don’t let that be a reason to stay at home, though, as there are a lot of opportunities for fun in Tokyo eating for free. We have lined up the perfect weekend food activities that are simple fun for anyone, from morning coffee to food ideal for chatting with friends. There are even some chances to contribute to the community too. Take a look at our list of free eats all over Tokyo.

Free Cafe: Harimaya Honten Station

When you hear the words ‘free café in Tokyo’ Free Cafe Hariyama Honten Station is the first place on everyone’s minds. With its main branch in Ikuno Machi in Hyogo Prefecture, which boasts as being Japan’s most popular okaki (rice snack) spot, the free café is using its profits to give something back to society. At two of its stores in Tokyo, customers can enjoy a selection of different rice snacks from the ‘Okaki Bar’, as well as coffee made from freshly ground beans, green tea, roasted green tea and juice at the drink bar – all at no cost.

The café, which can be packed for days at a time, is popular among women in their twenties and thirties, as well as men who work in the area. Good for a break or meeting up with others, Free Cafe Hariyama Honten Station it also a fun place to enjoy making your selection and savouring the taste of their rice treats.

Kasumigaseki (Tokyo) café

Address: Toranomon Mitsui Bldg 1F, 3-8-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda, Tokyo

Open: 10am-7pm

Telephone: (03)5512 4747

Ginza (Tokyo) café

Address: Ginza Yonchome Tower 2F, 4-9-13 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo

Open: 10am-7pm

Telephone: (03)5550 6110

Website: www.harimayahonten.co.jp/pc_english/

Suntory Premium Malts Course

This is the most popular of all brewery tours offering beer tasting. This special course is the way to go for those who want a proper lesson in beer that is fun and covers all the important points. Learn about the ingredients and production process of their top selling item ‘The Premium Malts’ as well as the little known history of its development and the passion of the technical staff behind it. Tour members also have an opportunity to see a mini-brewery, which is not usually included in regular tours. There is also a tasting session of ‘The Premium Malts’ and ‘The Premium Malts Black’. Once you know about the beer, then you will be shown how to taste and pour a good beer, and find out coordinate best with the beers. This course makes sure you will look at your next beer in a completely new light.

Place: Suntory Musashino Brewery
When: Mon, Sat, Sun, nat. holiday from Mon Mar 1-Sun Mar 28
Reservations can be made from one month in advance. Reservations for April will open on March 1.
Telephone: (042)360 9591
Website: www.suntory.co.jp/factory/musashino/event/2007m_02.html

Blood donation centres – 13 locations across town

It is a well-known fact that there is a generous supply of donuts, rice crackers, ice cream and other treats at the Tokyo’s blood donation centres. This service was originally provided to help donors stay well hydrated and feel relaxed, but the food also serves as an effective way to entice younger donors and get donors to keep coming back. Recently, blood donation centres are holding events such as fortune telling and nail care events, providing hamburgers or monthly dessert menus, and planning special services in fitting with the local area to draw people in. This means that even just comparing the offerings at different donation centres can be an unusual experience. With the colder weather meaning that there are fewer donors due to many people getting sick or taking medicine, this is a great opportunity to get out there and get giving. Below are the main donation centres around town.

Red Cross Tocho Blood Donation Centre

Address: Tocho Tominhiroba B1, 2-8-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Telephone: (03)3343 2231

Open: Apheresis Donation 10am-12noon, 2-5pm, Whole Blood Donation (200/400ml) 10am-12.45pm, 2-5.45pm, closed Sat-Sun, nat. holidays, Dec 29-Jan 1

Shijuku East Exit Blood Donation Centre

Address: Kawase Bldg 6F, 3-17-5 Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Telephone: (03)5269 1431

Open: Apheresis Donation 10am-7pm, Whole Blood Donation (200/400ml) 10am-6.30pm, closed Dec 31-Jan 1

SHIBU2 Blood Donation Centre

Address: Village 101 Bldg 8F, Sakuragoaka-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo

Telephone: (03)3770 0820

Open: Apheresis Donation Mon-Fri 10-11.30am, 1.30-5pm, Sat-Sun, nat. holidays 10am-12.15pm, 1.30-5.45pm, Whole Blood Donation (200/400ml) 10am-12.15pm, 1.30-5.45pm, closed Dec 31-Jan 1

Akiba F Blood Donation Centre

Address: Asakaze Ni Go Kan Bldg, 1-16-9 Soto Kanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo

Telephone: (03)3251 8201

Hours: Apheresis Donation Mon-Sun 10-11.30am, 1.30-5pm, Whole Blood Donation (200/400ml) Mon-Sun 10am-12.15pm, 1.30-5.45pm, closed Dec 31-Jan 1

Ikebukuro East Blood Donation Centre

Address: Takase Central Bldg 8F, 1-1-4 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo

Telephone: (03)3988 9000

Hours: Apheresis Donation Mon-Sun 10-11.30am, 1.30-5pm, Whole Blood Donation (200/400ml) 10am-12.15pm, 1.30-5.45pm, closed Dec 31-Jan 1

Website: www.tokyo.bc.jrc.or.jp/

Related articles:
・Tokyo cheap eats report card
　When ‘B’ grade is perfectly fine
・Tokyo for free
　Enjoying the city for nothing
・Free beauty spots
　Stay beautiful for free in cash strapped times