Tokyo At A Glance

'Wandering in a smart Tokyo neighborhood is like wandering in a box of Quality Street: everything is different, everything tastes the same.' - Donald Richie 

Mr Richie got it right exactly how I felt when I first stepped into that fascinating land. For years and years fantasizing about one day visiting Japan, reading their manga and watching anime, it stroke right at my heart that this would be the country I would fall in love with. I finally made it to Tokyo last July and determined a goal to come back their at least once a year haha. You see how deeply in love I am with Japan.

Me at Meiji Jingu

It is true that no matter how much I heard about the Japanese people, I was still struck by how immaculate and professional they were right when I arrived at the airport. Everything was white, clean and shiny. With a minimalism freak like me, this kind of architecture really gave me somehow exciting satisfaction. The staffs there were the friendliest customs I had ever dealt with. Good impression right from the start.

Inside a subway carriage

Another thing that impressed was their train system. Trains arrived literally every few minutes and you would not have the feeling that you have been waiting for ages like here in Sydney and most importantly, THEY WERE NEVER LATE. Even though it was peak hour, people were stuffed inside one carriage but still very organized and people were exceptionally quiet and polite. You would not find people pushing each other on the train. I was always wondering why while Japanese hustling during peak hour to catch the train, they were always staring at their feet, this really gave me the feeling that these Japanese people are sad and depressed. Until a month ago, I read 'Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of His Years of Pilgrimage' by Haruki Murakami, and I finally found the answer. It is simply that they just don't want to lose their shoes. How interesting it is!

On the way from the airport to city central

Tokyo is beautiful both at day and night. I seriously cannot stop praising about my adoration for this city. I think I'd better save it for the next posts. My intended plan is to go through everything from very touristy spots to some hidden secret places I discovered. Stay tuned for some more interesting tips and reviews.

Tokyo to me is full of unsolvable enigmas and beautiful endless melancholy 

Till next time guys!

-Anne-