I have been quiet for a while, as we have been travelling through Japan for a few weeks! This country has been on my bucket list for such a long time, and finally we made it happen.
What was supposed to be a family holiday turned into a couple’s holiday. Due to the tension in the Middle East, my family’s flight got cancelled last minute. Of course, I was a bit sad when I heard the news, as I had been really looking forward to seeing my family again. But I have to say, in the end, we had one of our best holidays ever in Japan.
This country absolutely fascinated me.
First of all, the people are so kind, respectful and calm. We arrived in Tokyo, one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the world, and yes, there were people everywhere. Tokyo is huge, busy and full of life, but somehow it did not feel as stressful as other big cities. People are quiet, organised and just behave so well. Even on the trains, which are known to be very quiet, people barely talk, or if they do, they speak very softly to respect everyone around them.
Another thing that surprised me was how clean the streets are. You literally do not see any rubbish on the floor, and at the same time, it is almost impossible to find rubbish bins anywhere! People simply take their rubbish home, and somehow, it works perfectly. Maybe the rest of the world needs to take notes here.
Tokyo itself is such an interesting mix of old and new. You can walk through streets full of neon lights, modern skyscrapers, luxury shops and busy train stations, and then suddenly find yourself standing in front of a peaceful temple or a quiet little side street with traditional houses and tiny restaurants. Every district feels like its own little world.
As I mentioned before, Tokyo is huge, so I really recommend wearing decent footwear. We walked more than 20,000 steps every day exploring the different districts, and my feet definitely knew about it by the end of the day. But after a session in the public bath you immediately feel renewed!
If you ask me where to stay in Tokyo, I would recommend the Ginza district. Ginza is a well-known shopping area and one of the more elegant parts of the city. You will find beautiful department stores, designer shops, great restaurants and stylish cafes. It feels a little more relaxed compared to areas like Shibuya or Shinjuku, and it also felt super safe. From Ginza, it is very easy to travel by train to many other parts of Tokyo.
Shibuya is probably one of the most famous districts, especially because of the iconic Shibuya Crossing. It is busy, colourful and full of energy. This is the Tokyo you often see in movies or travel videos, bright lights, big screens, crowds of people and lots of shopping and food options. It is definitely worth seeing, even just to stand at the crossing and watch the organised chaos happen around you.
Shinjuku felt even bigger and busier to us. It is one of Tokyo’s major entertainment and business areas, with huge train stations, restaurants, bars, shops and nightlife. It can feel a little overwhelming at first, but it is also exciting to experience. There is always something happening, and it gives you a real feeling of how massive Tokyo really is.
For our last night, we stayed in Asakusa, and I really loved the atmosphere there. Asakusa feels more traditional and a little more relaxed. This is where you will find the famous Senso-ji Temple, beautiful streets to stroll along, small shops, street food and lovely restaurants and cafes. It is a great area if you want to experience a more historic side of Tokyo.
And then, of course, there is the food!!
We absolutely loved Japanese cuisine. From exceptional seafood and hearty ramen to artistic, fresh sushi and the best wagyu beef, we tried everything and enjoyed every bite. Japanese food is not only delicious, but it also feels very thoughtful. Everything is beautifully prepared, the portions are often smaller, and the quality is amazing. And on top of that very affordable.
Now I can understand why Japanese people are known for living longer and why the obesity rate is one of the lowest in the world. The food is fresh, balanced and often includes fermented vegetables, rice, fish, soup (Miso soup) or small side dishes. On top of that, people walk a lot, spend time in nature and enjoy natural onsens. They really seem to know how to take care of themselves.
We stayed in Tokyo for four days, which we really enjoyed. For us, it was enough time to get a first impression and explore some of the main districts before we continued our journey by train to Takayama.
Tokyo was busy, fascinating, clean, organised, delicious and full of surprises. It was the perfect start to our Japan trip, and I already know this was not our last time visiting.
Follow me on Instagram to see some snapshots from our time in Tokyo!