Tokyo - Japan time!

Hellooo, here is the first of the Japan blogs on Tokyo!

After an overnight flight, I landed at Narita Airport and headed straight to Shinjuku by bus. I was staying there for one night before joining a group tour the next day. After checking in at the hostel, I met a few people, and we went out for lunch. Somehow we ended up collecting stamps - something I hadn’t expected but really enjoyed.

Stamp collecting in Japan is a surprisingly popular thing. Most major train stations, landmarks, and temples have unique stamps you can collect in a book. There’s also a more traditional version at temples called goshuin, handwritten seals with ink stamps that you can get from monks. It’s a fun way to document your trip.

That evening I grabbed a bowl of ramen nearby and had an early night.

The next morning I had some time to explore on my own. I started at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which has a free observatory with great views over the city.

Afterwards, I headed to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. I’d just missed the cherry blossom season, but the rose garden was in full bloom and impressive. It’s a peaceful place to wander and a nice break from the noise of the city.

For lunch, I tried a conveyor belt sushi spot. Japanese food was a big reason I wanted to visit, and this place didn’t disappoint. Every five plates you eat gives you a chance to win a capsule toy from a gashapon machine. I made it to 10 plates but no prizes for me unfortunately.

Later that afternoon, I made my way to Asakusa, checked into the next hostel, and met up with the tour group. I chose a group tour for Japan because there’s so much to see - it felt easier to let someone else handle the logistics and focus on just enjoying it.

There are 18 of us from all over the world. We introduced ourselves and went out for Japanese hot pot, then explored Asakusa during the last night of a local festival. It was busy with crowds and food stalls. We visited Sensō-ji, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and walked through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) with its massive red lantern. After that, we ended up at a Ninja-themed bar for drinks and karaoke. Very fun.

The next day, we started in Harajuku, known for its youth fashion and street culture. We wandered through vintage shops, grabbed snacks on Takeshita Street, and walked Cat Street, which has a more relaxed vibe. Lots of people watching of people in cosplay and bold outfits.

After Harajuku, we went to Akihabara, the go-to district for electronics, anime, and arcades. We went to an arcade and played mario kart, air hockey and claw machines. It’s loud, packed, and a lot of fun if you're into games or pop culture.

The next day started with a sushi-making class, which was really fun. After that, we visited Tsukiji Fish Market (the largest fish market in the world!)

That night we headed back to Shinjuku to take in the skyline and have dinner in one of the tiny yakitori bars on Omoide Yokocho (also known as Piss Alley!). It’s a narrow alley full of tiny restaurants and smoky grill smells, packed with people after work. We ended the night with some drinks and dancing, and at some point, snuck into a nearby hotel to get a close look at the giant Godzilla head on the terrace.

Really really enjoyed Tokyo!