My favorite part of Tokyo was wandering around all the different neighborhoods and observing the idiosyncrasies of each. Take a look at some of my favorite scenes of Tokyo…
1. Takeshita Dori in Harajuku
Takeshita Dori, a street running perpendicular from Harajuku Station, is known for its hip clothing stores aimed at Japanese teens. Looking for a Lolita outfit, rainbow tutu, or shorts that more closely resemble underwear? Then you’ve come to the right spot. Though most of the clothes made me feel middle aged, it was fun to walk down the street, people watching and listening to some of my favorite K-pop songs drift out from the shops.
2. Shibuya: Day and Night
Waiting to cross the world’s busiest intersection
Shibuya is often compared to Times Square in New York or Picadilly Circus in London because of its bright lights and billboards. The number of people that flock to this neighborhood, mostly for shopping, make the crosswalk in front of the station the supposed busiest in the world. I wandered around Shibuya one afternoon during the day, determined to see this famous intersection with my own eyes. The best vantage point is from the Starbucks across from Shibuya Station, so with a matcha in latte in hand I snagged a table on the second floor and sat mesmerized for the next hour. Because all traffic stops at the same time, pedestrians flood from every angle as soon as that little green man appears. When the rains started and the umbrellas came out, the crosswalk appeared even more crowded. I returned a couple nights later to check everything out under the lights. It’s in Shibuya where you truly feel like you’re in the biggest city in the world.
3. Shopping in Ginza
Ginza is Tokyo’s high end shopping district, reminding me of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. It is here you can find opulent department stores and high end shops like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. While Rolex isn’t in my budget, Ginza is home to my new favorite store. G.u., a sister store to Uniqlo, offers fashionable clothes for ridiculously cheap prices. My favorite piece I picked up was a lace mullet skirt. The best part about g.u.? Nothing cost me more than $15! In Tokyo!
4. The view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
When you look out over Seoul, you see one thing. Tall, white apartment buildings that look identical. Maybe there’s a shiny, metal skyscraper thrown in the mix occasionally but for the most part everything is white and the same. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped off the elevator on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. This free observatory, 202 meters above the ground, offers a spectacular view of the city. A city which is much more than mid-20th century apartment blocks.
5. Ameyoko Market
Ameyoko Market runs underneath the Yamanote Line tracks between Okachimachi and Ueno Stations. Best known for selling black market American goods immediately following World War II, Ameyoko now sells just about everything else. I came in search of some of the uniquely flavored Japanese Kit Kats, and while I unfortunately left empty handed, the market ended up being quite interested. Besides the typical market junk, older Japanese men and women were selling spices in bulk, fresh fish, and mountains of colorful produce. Street food was plentiful, and I was disappointed that I was there before to takoyaki (octopus balls) stands opened.
What photo of Tokyo is your favorite? Do you have a Tokyo neighborhood you like to explore? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
I like the one of Shibuya with the giant Forever 21 sign. My weakness.
Thanks
And yes, I forced myself to not enter knowing I’d cause some damage if I did!
Love the umbrulla picture and the people waiting to cross the street! It’s amazing how many people out there in the world are constantly moving, going places…
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It is! Shibuya is definitely one of those places where you feel like just a tiny, insignificant person in the world!
I love the Shibuya in day and night photos – it looks like such a contrast. I love cities that have a completely different personality when the sun sets.
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Thanks, Jessica! Shibuya is definitely a place worthy of a visit during both times to see how it changes.
These photos are great, and are killing me! On a scale of 1-10 how much do I need to go to Tokyo immediately??
Thanks Laura! And 10. 10. 10. It’s such a cool, beautiful, and tasty city!
Tokyo is easily my favorite cities out of the ones I’ve lived in. It’s been a few years now, so thanks for the reminder. I definitely need to get back.
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It made its way to the top of my list while I was there! What a wonderful place
This is fabulous. I’m currently applying to work either in Korea or Japan and, while it looks more likely that it’ll be Korea, Tokyo’s one of my “must go” places in the next few years. Absolutely love the pics!
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YES! Tokyo is AMAZING. It would probably kill you to live there (so expensive), but it’s easy to pop over for a few days from Korea.
My favorite picture is the second one under Takeshita Dori. I spent a year living in the Tokyo area and I’ve wandered that street
An unbelievably fun place.
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