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Tokyo Travel Diary: Land of Modernity and Tradition

Traveling to Japan feels like stepping into both the past and the distant future at the same time. Our journey started in Amsterdam with a layover in Shanghai, and while the 10-hour flight was long, China Eastern took great care of us. For accommodation, we chose the Hotel Monterey chain—a practical choice, as they quickly transfer luggage between their properties, and the rooms come equipped with every extra (even pajamas!).

Shrines and Temples: Islands of Tranquility

Tokyo’s sacred sites are breathtaking, each carrying its own unique story:

  • Tobiki Inari (飛木稲荷神社): The shrine for onigiri lovers, where you can pray to the "onigiri deity."

  • Sensō-ji (浅草寺): The city's oldest temple, reached via the atmospheric Nakamise-dōri shopping street.

  • Meiji Shrine (明治神宮): Tucked deep inside a massive forest. A special highlight is the joined "husband-and-wife trees," where couples pray for blessings on their life together.

Gardens Where Time Stands Still

  • Imperial Palace East Garden (皇居東御苑): Walking among the ruins of the former Edo Castle, you can see the original stone walls and moats.

  • Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑): A vast park nestled at the foot of skyscrapers, blending French, English, and traditional Japanese garden styles.

  • Meiji Jingu Gyoen: The former private garden of the Imperial family, famous for its iris garden and crystal-clear spring well.

Neon Lights and Skyscrapers: The Urban Jungle

  • Akihabara: The mecca of anime and electronics, where neon lights never sleep.

  • Shibuya: Home to the statue of the loyal dog Hachikō and the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world.

  • Skyline Icons: Tokyo Skytree (634 m), built with earthquake-resistant technology inspired by pagodas, and the orange Tokyo Tower, the Japanese sibling of the Eiffel Tower.

  • Metropolitan Government Building: Offers a free observation deck and a spectacular light show every half hour after dark.

Unique Experiences: Disney and Digital Art

  • Tokyo DisneySea: One of the most unique Disney parks in the world, where you can get around by steamboat, monorail, or even a Venetian gondola. Our favorites were the runaway train ride inside the volcano and the underwater world of the mermaids.

  • teamLab Exhibitions: In the digital labyrinth of Borderless, lights and projections roam without boundaries. Planets is a barefoot, sensory adventure: we waded knee-deep through water filled with digital koi fish and relaxed beneath floating orchids.

  • Samurai Ninja Museum: Located in Asakusa, where you can not only learn about history but also try your hand at throwing ninja stars (shuriken).

Public Transport: Professionalism at Its Best

A Suica card is essential for getting around, allowing you to pay with a single tap on the subway or at vending machines. The transit system is brilliant: everything is color- and letter-coded, and signs on the platforms indicate which car to board for the fastest transfer or exit. (Tip: On weekday mornings, keep an eye out for the women-only cars!)


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Location: Tokió, Japán

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