How to Tour Tokyo and Save Money Using the Grutto Pass

Tokyo Culture Tokyo

2019.04.16

The Grutto Pass from The Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture

Japan is a country packed full of museums, galleries, zoos, and other cultural facilities, just waiting to be visited. So today we're excited to tell you about a great way to get access to a huge number of these places in Tokyo. The Grutto Pass is a 2,200 yen ticket book that gets you into 95 different location; an amazing deal for travelers and Tokyoites alike! If you're planning to spend more than a day or two in the city, this might be a great way to save a few bucks and check out some cool new places.

The Tokyo Museum Grutto Pass 2019

The Tokyo Museum Pass, or Grutto Pass, for 2019 is a booklet giving free or discounted access to 95 different cultural facilities. This 2019 edition is available from April 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020, and is valid for two months after the date of first use. The 95 facilities include 47 art galleries, 36 museums, 3 zoos, 1 aquarium, and 5 botanical gardens! With such variety, there is sure to be something for everyone. (And most people will have fun things to do every day for the whole 2 months, if they have the time.)

Where to get it:

The Grutto Pass is available at the ticketing windows of all 95 participating facilities, so you can pick one up when you start your adventure. If you'd like to purchase yours ahead of time, there are a number of tourist information centers and other convenient locations that you can peruse on their official website.

Particulars:

- The Grutto Pass is non-refundable. In the case of unavoidable circumstances like natural disasters, the period of validity may be extended.
- The Grutto Pass will become invalid if the booklet's cover and contents become separated, or the booklet is otherwise badly damaged or illegible.
- The user's name must be written on the cover before use.
- Some facilities already offer discounts for children and senior citizens (over 65 years old), so it's a good idea to check in with such facilities as necessary.

Some of the more popular attractions accessible for free on the Grutto Pass:

- Ueno Zoo (normally 600 yen, 5 minute walk from JR Ueno Station)
- National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, A.K.A. Miraikan (normally 620 yen, 4 minute walk from Telecom Center Station on the New Transit Yurikamome Line.)
- Edo Tokyo Museum (normally 600 yen, 1 minute walk from Toei Ryogoku Station, 3 minute walk from JR Ryogoku Station)

These three alone come to a total of 1820 yen, basically paying for the pass already! But we also recommend some of the discounted museums.

- Mori Art Museum (200 yen off, 3 minute walk from Tokyo Metro Roppongi Station, 6 minute walk from Toei Roppongi Station)
- The National Art Center (100 yen off, at the Tokyo Metro Nogizaka Station, 4 minute walk from Toei Roppongi Station)

Check here for a complete list of all 95 facilities!

Let us give you a taste of all the options available: Edo Tokyo Museum!

Step into a time machine and try out a new (very old-fasioned) life at the Edo Tokyo Museum! The permanent exhibition at this museum focuses on artifacts from the past 400 years, especially those related to Tokyo itself (formerly called Edo). From everyday items used by residents centuries ago, to entire homes and theaters with rooms you can peer into, this museum really helps you feel what Tokyo was like in the past. In addition, the museum generally has a selection of temporary exhibitions, lectures, and special events every year.

Image Source: Edo Tokyo Museum

The permanent exhibition of the museum also offers free guided tours by volunteers, which last about one and a half to two hours, so definitely check those out. Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, French, German, and Spanish tours are available, although some are only offered on certain days. If you want a guide, drop by the ticket office or the volunteer guide office between 10:00 and 15:00.

Edo Tokyo Museum
Hours: Sun~Fri 9:30~17:30, Sat 9:30~19:30
(Closed Mondays.)
(Admission ends 30 minutes prior to closing.)

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