A Japanese guide to Tokyo

One of the very reasons I started writing columns is to let people know about my country, Japan. 

Many Carroll Saints might not have the opportunity to visit Japan, but I was raised there, so I’d like to introduce the best places to go to in Tokyo. 

Tokyo consists of 23 districts, and Shibuya is one of the famous districts where you can have a basic modern Japanese experience, in other words, a chaotic experience. It can be described as “the middle of the city”; there are many skyscrapers, a huge amount of traffic, and massive public transportation which allows us to access most of the other big districts by train. Because many people visit there for a variety of reasons, this place is always packed. You can enjoy many activities such as karaoke, bowling, gaming, taking a picture in the print sticker machine, and so on. At night, you can see neon lights everywhere in the city. 

For people who want to enjoy the Japanese subculture, I recommend you visit Shimokitazawa. It can be described as “a town of fashion” as there are many thrift stores. Also, people there wear unique outfits which make you even feel like you are reading a fashion magazine while walking around the town. Shimokitazawa is also loved by music fans, as they have concert venues and jazz cafes. 

To see the cultural side of Japan, Ueno would be a good place. Ueno is known for Ueno Park where they have a variety of features such as the Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Zoo, and an amusement park. This place is crowded by both tourists and locals. Especially in the spring, many people visit here to see the fully bloomed-cherry blossoms. Besides the park, the famous market street “Ameya Yokocho” and retro coffee places allow you to enjoy “kissaten” – a traditional Japanese cafe. 

If you are a huge fan of food, I suggest you visit Asakusa. The most famous thing in Asakusa is “Sensoji (Asakusa Kannon temple),” a historical temple whose main gate is connected to a shopping street called “Nakamise.”

 In Nakamise, there are many shops where you can try many kinds of traditional Japanese meals, snacks, or desserts. It is so fun to walk around the street with friends or family to try every food you can find there, that looks good and tastes good.

Now as you might be able to tell, Tokyo is a city that has many faces. It has a modern side, a historical side, or a mix of both, and it is definitely my favorite part. If you have a chance, I highly recommend you to visit here!

Rin Yanase was raised in Tokyo, Japan. She attends Seikei University in Musashino, Japan, where she studies cross-cultural studies. She is spending the 2022-2023 school year at Carroll to study languages, communications, and sociology. She dreams of a career where she writes articles and columns about cultures, music, fashion, or art.