Tokyo hits you immediately, but not in a chaotic way. It feels controlled, precise, and strangely calm for a city of this size.
From the moment you arrive, you notice how everything works: trains arrive on time, people move with purpose, and even the noise feels organised.
Tokyo is not just a destination, it’s a system you slowly learn to understand. Walking through the city for the first time feels like stepping into the future, while constantly being reminded of the past. This contrast is what makes Tokyo addictive.
You are never bored, but you are also never overwhelmed for long. Tokyo invites you in, but it doesn’t explain itself right away.
History of Tokyo
Tokyo was once a small fishing village called Edo, long before it became one of the largest cities in the world. In the early 17th century, Edo became the political centre of Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate.
When the Emperor moved from Kyoto in 1868, Edo was renamed Tokyo, meaning “Eastern Capital.” Since then, the city has experienced massive earthquakes, devastating fires, and near-total destruction during World War II. Each time, Tokyo rebuilt itself with incredible speed and resilience.
Modern Tokyo is the result of constant reinvention, but its traditions never disappeared. Shrines, rituals, and customs still play a daily role in city life. This layered history is something you feel everywhere you go.
Flying to Tokyo from Europe
Tokyo is very easy to reach from Europe. There are direct flights from several major European cities, making it one of the most accessible destinations in Asia. Many travellers also fly indirectly via hubs like Dubai or Abu Dhabi, which offer comfortable connections and flexible schedules. Tokyo has two main airports: Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport.
Haneda Airport is closer to the city centre and often more convenient if you want to start exploring quickly.
Narita Airport is further out, but extremely well connected by fast trains. No matter where you land, getting into Tokyo is smooth, efficient, and stress-free. Your journey into the city already feels like a preview of what Tokyo does best.
Shibuya Crossing
The Shibuya Crossing is not just a crossing, it’s a symbol of Tokyo itself. Standing there for the first time feels unreal, because you’ve seen it so many times in photos and films.
When the traffic lights turn red, the streets suddenly fill with people from every direction. Hundreds of pedestrians start walking at the same time, yet no one bumps into each other. There is no shouting, no rushing, no visible chaos. Everything moves in perfect, silent coordination. Watching this from street level feels intense, but watching it from above is almost hypnotic. You realise how disciplined and aware people are of their surroundings.
Nakamise-dori Street
Nakamise-dori is one of the oldest shopping streets in Tokyo, and walking here feels like stepping into a living postcard. The street leads directly to Senso-ji Temple and has existed in some form for centuries. As soon as you enter Nakamise-dori, the atmosphere changes completely. Modern Tokyo fades into the background and traditional Japan takes over.
The street is lined with small wooden stalls selling snacks, sweets, souvenirs, and handmade items.
You smell freshly grilled rice crackers, sweet pancakes, and incense almost immediately. Vendors greet you politely, even when the street is crowded. Despite the number of tourists, Nakamise-dori never feels rushed or stressful. People take their time, browse slowly, and enjoy the experience.
Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa)
Senso-ji is the oldest and most important Buddhist temple in Tokyo. The moment you step through the Kaminarimon Gate, you feel the weight of history around you. This temple dates back to the 7th century and has survived fires, earthquakes, and wartime destruction. Each time it was rebuilt, it became a symbol of resilience for the city.
Inside the temple grounds, everything slows down. People stop talking loudly, movements become softer, and respect fills the air.
Visitors cleanse their hands at the purification fountain, following rituals that have been practiced for hundreds of years. Incense smoke rises continuously, and people gently wave it toward themselves, believing it brings good health.
Meiji Shrine
Meiji Shrine feels like a reset button in the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities. The approach alone is unforgettable: you pass through a massive torii gate and suddenly the city noise drops away. A wide gravel path leads you through a dense forest that feels ancient, even though it was intentionally planted to create this sanctuary.
Walking here slows your pace without you even noticing. People speak softer, phones disappear into pockets, and footsteps sound louder on the gravel.
Yoyogi Park
Right next to Meiji Shrine lies Yoyogi Park, one of Tokyo’s most relaxed and social green spaces. After the calm of the shrine, the park feels open, casual, and full of life. On sunny days, locals gather here to picnic, play music, practice dance routines, or simply lie on the grass. The atmosphere is friendly and unpretentious. No one is in a hurry.
Harajuku
Harajuku is Tokyo at its most playful and expressive. The moment you step onto Takeshita Street, you’re surrounded by colour, sound, and creativity. Fashion here isn’t subtle. It’s bold, experimental, and unapologetic. You’ll see outfits that feel like art projects, mixing styles, eras, and influences freely.
The street itself is packed with small shops selling accessories, clothing, and snacks. Crepe stands are everywhere, and grabbing one feels like a Harajuku tradition. Despite the crowds, the mood is light and fun. People are here to express themselves, not to impress. Harajuku celebrates individuality in a way that feels refreshing.
Beyond Takeshita Street, the neighbourhood becomes quieter and more refined. Hidden cafés, boutiques, and galleries show another side of the area. This contrast makes Harajuku more than just a tourist stop. It’s a place where youth culture shaped modern Tokyo. Walking here reminds you that fashion, music, and self-expression play a huge role in the city’s identity.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku is Tokyo at full volume, and the first time you arrive here it can feel overwhelming in the best possible way. This district never seems to sleep, and no matter the time of day, something is always happening. Skyscrapers rise above narrow streets, trains arrive every few minutes, and crowds flow in all directions. Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s main transport hubs, which already tells you how important it is to the city’s rhythm.
During the day, Shinjuku feels businesslike and efficient. Office workers rush between buildings, department stores open their doors, and cafés fill up quickly.
You notice how organised everything is, even with so many people around. There is a sense of purpose in how people move. At the same time, green spaces like Shinjuku Gyoen offer moments of calm just minutes away.
Golden Gai
Hidden within Shinjuku lies Golden Gai, one of the most unique nightlife areas in the city. Golden Gai is made up of tiny streets and even tinier bars, many of which only fit five to ten people at a time. Each bar has its own personality, theme, and regular crowd. Some focus on jazz, others on punk, film, or literature.
Stepping into Golden Gai feels like entering another world. The big neon signs of Shinjuku fade away, replaced by narrow alleys and warm lights.
Inside the bars, conversations happen naturally. You sit close to strangers, share drinks, and often end up talking to people from all over the world. The atmosphere is intimate and social, something rare in a megacity like Tokyo.
Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station is much more than just a transport hub. It’s one of the most impressive and important buildings in the city. From the outside, the red-brick Marunouchi façade looks almost European, standing in contrast to the modern skyscrapers around it. At night, the building is beautifully illuminated, making it a perfect photo spot.
Inside, Tokyo Station is a world of its own. Trains arrive and depart with incredible precision, and everything runs like clockwork.
Despite the enormous number of passengers passing through every day, the station never feels chaotic. Clear signs, polite announcements, and helpful staff keep everything flowing smoothly.
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree dominates the Tokyo skyline in a way that’s impossible to ignore. Seeing it from street level already feels impressive, but going up changes your entire perspective on the city. The Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan, and once you’re inside, everything feels smooth, modern, and perfectly organised. Elevators move quickly and silently, and within moments you’re rising above neighbourhoods that just minutes ago felt endless.
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower may be smaller than the Skytree, but emotionally, it carries just as much weight. Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower was built during Japan’s post-war reconstruction and became a symbol of hope and progress. Its red-and-white structure feels nostalgic, almost romantic, especially at night when it lights up against the dark sky.
Zojoji Temple
Zojoji Temple offers one of the most striking contrasts in the city. Standing in the temple grounds, you see Tokyo Tower rising directly behind it. Ancient stone, wooden halls, and prayer flags in the foreground, modern steel and light in the background. This single view perfectly summarises Tokyo.
Zojoji Temple has deep historical roots and was once the family temple of the Tokugawa shoguns. Walking through the grounds feels calm and respectful. The rows of small statues, often dressed with red bibs, represent unborn children and lost souls. It’s quiet here, emotional without being heavy. People walk slowly, speak softly, and pay their respects.
The Imperial Palace
Imperial Palace sits quietly at the very heart of Tokyo. Surrounded by water, stone walls, and lush gardens, it feels completely separate from the city around it. This is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan, and while much of it is closed to the public, the outer gardens are open and absolutely worth visiting.
Walking around the Imperial Palace grounds feels peaceful and almost surreal. Tall office buildings rise in the distance, yet inside the palace area, there is silence, space, and greenery. The paths are wide, the water reflects the sky, and everything feels carefully maintained. It’s one of the few places in Tokyo where you can truly slow down.
Akihabara (The District)
Akihabara is unlike any other neighbourhood I’ve ever visited. The moment you step out of the station, you’re hit with colour, sound, and movement. Neon signs cover entire buildings, anime characters stare down from billboards, and electronic jingles play from every direction. Akihabara feels alive in a very specific way, as if the district runs on electricity instead of people.
Historically, Akihabara grew after World War II as a centre for electronics and radio parts. Over time, it transformed into the heart of otaku culture, embracing gaming, anime, manga, and technology. Walking through the streets, you see how this evolution happened naturally. Old electronics shops exist next to modern anime megastores, and nothing feels forced.
Gaming in Akihabara (Arcades & Multi-Storey Game Buildings)
Gaming in Akihabara is an experience on its own. Multi-storey arcade buildings dominate the streets, each floor offering a different type of game. Rhythm games, racing simulators, fighting games, claw machines — everything exists here at a level you’ve never seen before. You hear button clicks, music beats, and victory sounds constantly overlapping.
One of the most famous arcades is GiGO Akihabara (formerly SEGA), a massive building filled with games across multiple floors. You can easily spend hours here without noticing time pass. Locals take their games seriously, and watching them play is just as impressive as playing yourself.
Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro feels more local, more lived-in, and slightly less tourist-driven than other major districts. It’s busy, but in a practical way. People come here to shop, commute, eat, and live their daily lives. That makes Ikebukuro feel authentic and approachable.
The area around Sunshine City is a major highlight, with shopping malls, entertainment venues, and observation decks. Ikebukuro is also a hub for anime and pop culture, especially with a strong female-focused fandom scene. Stores here often feel calmer and easier to browse than those in Akihabara.
Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji Outer Market is where Tokyo’s food obsession becomes tangible. Even though the famous tuna auctions moved away, the outer market remains one of the best places to eat in the city. Narrow streets are packed with food stalls, small restaurants, and vendors selling everything from knives to seaweed.
The smell of grilled seafood fills the air, and everywhere you look, someone is eating. Sushi counters open early, serving incredibly fresh fish. Vendors shout orders, steam rises from pans, and the entire area feels alive. Eating here is informal and fast — you stand, eat, smile, and move on.
Eating Ramen in Tokyo (An Absolute Must)
Eating ramen in Tokyo is not just having a meal, it’s taking part in a ritual that the city takes very seriously. You don’t casually “grab ramen” here — you commit to it. Many ramen shops are small, sometimes with only ten seats, and often you order from a vending machine before you even sit down. At first, this feels strange, but within minutes it makes perfect sense. Everything is efficient, focused, and designed around the bowl in front of you.
The moment the ramen arrives, you understand why people queue outside these places. The broth is deep, rich, and layered, whether it’s tonkotsu, shoyu, miso, or shio. The noodles have the perfect bite, cooked to exact timing. Toppings are simple but precise — slices of meat, spring onions, seaweed, a soft-boiled egg that is almost creamy inside. Nobody talks loudly while eating. People lean over their bowls, fully present.
The New York Bar (Views Over Tokyo)
High above the city sits the New York Bar, one of the most iconic bars in Tokyo. Taking the elevator up already feels special, but stepping inside is where the magic really happens. The lights are low, jazz music plays softly, and the windows stretch endlessly across the skyline. Tokyo spreads out beneath you, a sea of lights that seems to go on forever.
What makes the New York Bar special is that it doesn’t feel rushed or touristy, despite its fame. You can come here just for a drink, sit quietly, and take in the view without pressure. Of course, you can also dine here, and the food matches the setting — refined, well-executed, and elegant. But honestly, even a single drink is enough to make the visit worth it.
Cherry Blossom Season (If You Time It Right)
If you visit Tokyo during cherry blossom season, the city transforms completely. Usually happening between late March and early April, this short window turns parks, rivers, and streets into soft pink landscapes. Locals gather under the trees for hanami, sitting on blue tarps, eating, drinking, and celebrating the arrival of spring.
Cherry blossoms are beautiful, but also symbolic. They represent impermanence, reminding people that beauty doesn’t last forever. Walking through places like Ueno Park or along rivers lined with blossoms feels almost poetic. Petals fall gently, people take photos quietly, and the entire city seems to slow down just a little.
Favourite Restaurants in Tokyo
Tokyo is one of the best food cities in the world, and choosing just five places is almost unfair. Still, these stand out for quality, atmosphere, and experience.
One of the most famous is Ichiran, known for its individual ramen booths and intense focus on flavour.
Sukiyabashi Jiro is legendary for sushi craftsmanship and discipline.
Gonpachi offers classic dishes in a dramatic setting.
Uobei Shibuya combines speed, fun, and surprisingly good quality.
Afuri is known for its lighter, yuzu-based broths.
Each of these places shows a different side of Tokyo’s food culture.
I like these Cafes in Tokyo
Tokyo’s café culture is creative, calm, and detail-oriented.
Blue Bottle Coffee is minimalist and precise.
Streamer Coffee Company brings bold flavours and relaxed vibes.
Fuglen Tokyo blends Scandinavian style with Japanese precision.
Onibus Coffee feels local and personal.
Cafe Kitsune combines fashion, coffee, and design beautifully.
Cafés in Tokyo are places to pause, not rush through.
These Hotel i stayed in
Tokyo offers incredible accommodation options across all budgets.
Park Hyatt Tokyo is iconic for views and atmosphere.
Aman Tokyo blends serenity and design.
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku is central and lively.
Shinjuku Granbell Hotel offers style at a fair price.
Mitsui Garden Hotel is reliable, modern, and comfortable.
No matter where you stay, Tokyo’s transport makes everything accessible.
