Exploring Japan's largest city through a more appreciative set of eyes.
Narrow passageway in Kagurazaka, Tokyo.
Last May, I visited Tokyo, Japan for the first time in about 15 years. I was excited at the prospect of taking in this bustling city from the vantage point of a young adult rather than a five-year-old girl who wouldn't stop thinking about anything other than Tokyo Disneyland (I still have my Mickey ears to this day!). In the months leading up to leaving for Japan, I found myself scouring the web, watching travel vlogs on YouTube, and reading articles on Japan travel. I was inspired by all that Japan had to offer, from its peaceful rural countryside to sprawling city life. Yes, I was looking for travel tips and places to check out in Tokyo, but I was also looking for any excuse to immerse myself in the country way before the trip came around.
Pastries from Paul Bakery in Kagurazaka ft. my mom digging into an epic croissant.
At the recommendation of my mom's friend from Tokyo, my mom and I stayed at the Agnes Hotel in Kagurazaka, a quaint neighborhood apparently known as Tokyo's "Little Paris". This moniker finally made sense after walking down Kagurazaka's bustling main street and passing by numerous French restaurants and bakeries. One such bakery, called Paul, had THE most delicious croissants I'd tasted in a long time. *sigh* I've never been to Paris but hey, it was a flaky, buttery, airy, damn good croissant. Kagurazakan's are serious about their French cuisine and croissants are no exception. Staying in Kagurazaka turned out to be a great decision. The neighborhood was so peaceful and quiet at night, and returning to the comfort of the hotel after long days on our feet was such a great feeling.
Tokyo Station in the Marunouchi district on a perfect, clear spring day.
“The station's red brick facade stands out amongst a sea of towering glass skyscrapers and just by looking at the building, you'd think you were in Europe rather than in Japan.”
Tokyo has so many eclectic and fun neighborhoods that it can be hard to decide where to explore. One of the first places we set out for: Marunouchi. This was an unconventional choice. Marunouchi is known as Tokyo's financial district, dotted with skyscrapers housing some of Japan's largest banks and also home to a wide array of upscale department stores and of course, Tokyo Station. The station's red brick facade stands out amongst a sea of towering glass skyscrapers and just by looking at the building, you'd think you were in Europe rather than in Japan. While walking the streets of Marunouchi, I passed countless suited men, out and about for their lunch breaks. I'm glad that we got to experience Marunouchi, as it has a very distinct vibe to it. Very corporate, very immaculate, very... professional. I definitely would recommend checking the district out if you have free time in your day. Wouldn't say its a priority over other exciting districts like Ginza or Shinjuku, but I appreciated the quieter and calmer vibe of Marunouchi.
Night lights shine bright all throughout the night in Shinjuku
Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza are three other districts that I had the opportunity to explore. Unlike Marunouchi, these districts are poppin and are some of Tokyo's more touristy districts for sure. Ginza is where the glitz and glamour are, packed with some of Tokyo's most expensive boutiques and dining options. Other than a cute little Parisian themed cafe (home to the best latte I had that summer), there wasn't much for me in Ginza. I didn't get to experience Ginza at night, but I have heard that the district transforms after the shops close and the nightlife comes alive. Honestly, I always confuse Shibuya and Shinjuku because they both start with 'S'. They are also situated right next to each other, so there's that. From my experience, Shinjuku is livelier and more in-your-face in the sense that there are so many neon signs and so many eccentric personalities roaming the streets. I also got a sense of grittiness and an unapologetic vibe while in Shinjuku. People were just out doing their thing whether it was flaunting their neon pink hair or engaging in a dance battle outside a huge movie theater. It was a freeing experience to be in the presence of such people. Shibuya, on the other hand, felt more refined and upscale. There were more name-brand shops and white-collar professionals on the streets. I got the chance to walk Shibuya Crossing, and it was exhilarating. Looking up at the tall buildings and lights surrounding me, along with the waves of people shuffling about in all directions, it was hard not to feel small in that environment.
Tokyo is such a densely packed, dynamic, and lively city that someone could live in Tokyo for a year and only experience a small fraction of it. The exciting neighborhoods surrounding the city all have something different to offer, whether in the form of shopping, restaurants, or nightlife. I feel lucky and grateful to have had the chance to visit this special city for the first time in 15 years and re-experience what it had to offer. I was in Tokyo for a week, and you bet I tried to make the most of my short time there. As I was getting ready to leave Japan and fly back home to Honolulu, there was only one thought racing through my head – I can't wait for the next trip back.
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