Tokyo Special
Tokyo
There is soo much I would want to tell you all about Tokyo, that it would probably deserve a book of its own. A never ending journey of discovery and wonder. There is so much this place have taught me already, but it keeps going, and every day brings something new (…).
Ueno
When I arrived in Tokyo for the first time in 2017, I remember that Ueno, a newer-heard of before neighbourhood, was the very first place I explored. To be honest, it didn’t leave a strong impression on me at the time. But what I soon learned was that my initial assumption couldn’t have been more wrong (...).
Jimbocho
I remember a couple of years ago, back at home, I was discussing the meaning of ‚freedom’ with my Japanese language teacher, and she told me something that forever changed the way I look at and perceive other cultures through the lens of linguistics (...).
Shimbashi
Japan is often viewed through the lens of its 70s and 80s when it was a peak of technological progress and land of limitless possibilities. However, today’s Japan is quite different. It has become a much slower place, with younger generations often feeling constrained by various societal pressures and difficult economical circumstances. Despite this, Japan is still widely regarded as one of the best places to live.
Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa, also known as Shimokita, has long been an underground music and culture hub tucked away behind the towering districts of nearby Shibuya and Shinjuku. One of Tokyo’s most important and influential cities. And while travel guides might depict this place as district with a well-established character, particularly in thrift-fashion stores and other niche peculiarities, the truth is far less simple (...).
Edogawa
I honestly can’t tell how many times I got lost exploring my own neighborhood as a kid. I remember looking under every rock and admiring the details of an otherwise mundane daily life, with so much curiosity and fascination. I remember creating stories and fantasizing about all of the unknown aspects of the world around me. Where are those people going? What’s in that suitcase? And what is the mysterious piece of machinery out there? The mysteries hidden in that tall abandoned structure near the river, and who lived in the house with all of those tall hedges around? (...)
Ikebukuro
Before visiting Japan for the first time, my perception of that country was heavily influenced by stereotypical images prevalent in Western culture: futuristic technology, samurai, kimonos and robots, sushi for every meal, and, of course, anime.
Unsurprisingly, many of these tropes turned out to be far from reality. The real Japan, as opposed to the fantastical version depicted in media, felt much more familiar and yet distinctively unique. The national character, even among young people and in bustling cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, was different from anything I had expected. Everything seemed to be more harmonious and less exaggerated.
Kichijoji
So many of us rush through the lives consumed by an overwhelming amount of meaningless tasks and pointless achievements, that we don’t even consider the true value of our time. We get caught up in the pursuit of external validation, material possessions, and expectations, neglecting the things that matter the most – our relationships, personal growth, and inner peace (...).
Nakano
In an era where video editing is accessible to everyone, equipment is affordable, and social media offers a vast array of sounds, music, and effects to enhance your work, it’s easy to believe that we’ve mastered the art of storytelling. With endless tracks, filters, and editing tools at our disposal, one could argue that we’ve perfected our medium.
Photography, a typically static medium, holds a unique challenge and opportunity. Unlike in Harry Potter, our captured moments remain frozen in time forever. Yet, it is exactly that stillness which opens a door to portray life from an uncommon perspective, engaging our imagination with an urgency of the moment unfamiliar to our brains (...).
Setagaya
Motoakasaka
I feel like I’m living a second life now. I can’t tell you when or how my previous life ended, but sometimes, when people talk about me no more than a couple of years ago, it feels like they’re telling a story about someone else I maybe used to know. A no-doubt familiar person, yet it’s hard to believe it was me, not because I’ve changed so drastically, but because it’s incomprehensible to me that one can encompass so many different paths in one lifetime.
Tsukishima
What I love about Tokyo is that there is always yet another neighborhood somewhere out there that has something unique to offer, no matter how many times I crisscross the entire city. And Tsukishima—the Moon Island—is a prime example of that.
Originally populated mainly by fishermen and later designated as an industrial area, this artificial island in Chuo-ku was created as a byproduct of dredging Tokyo Bay at the end of the 19th century. Today, Tsukishima is renowned for its famous monjayaki, a savory pancake that is a local favorite, and the best melon bread in existence—Tsukishima Kyuei.
Ota
In a current world consumed by debates over right and wrong, where every viewpoint is dissected and critiqued, rationalised and classified, it’s easy to forget the role faith and religion plays in lives of billions across the world (...).
It’s incredible to reflect on how Japan has evolved for me, from a land of mystery—filled with an unfamiliar customs, a language I couldn’t comprehend, and cultural norms that seemed so intricate it will took a lifetime to understand—into a place that, in many ways, feels closer to my heart than my own homeland.
Arakawa
Sanja Matsuri
Sanja Matsuri, held on the third weekend of May, is Tokyo’s largest Shinto festival, attracting more than 2 million visitors over the span of the weekend.
One of the most enjoyable traditions in my view is the mikoshi—a portable shrines carried through the iconic Kaminarimon gate and around the Asakusa grounds.
“Natsu Matsuri” (夏祭り), meaning summer festival in Japanese, is a broad term for various summer events organized in Japan. A particular type of such festivals is known as “Hanabi Taikai” (花火大会), where the night sky is illuminated with breathtaking fireworks, drawing crowds from around the country. The Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival, held annually on the last Saturday of July, is one of Tokyo’s most iconic summer events. Dating back to 1733, the event originally began as a way to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity, and it has since evolved into a grand spectacle that attracts over a million spectators each year.
Sumidagawa Festival
Kanda
Japan’s work culture is notoriously infamous for its long hours, strict hierarchies, and a deep-rooted sense of obligation toward one’s company. It’s common for employees to stay in the office long after official work hours, even if they have no urgent tasks to take care of. This overwork culture is driven by a combination of societal conditioning and widely expected corporate loyalty, where personal time is often sacrificed for the company’s success.
The first Nihombashi bridge was constructed in 1603, made of wood during the early Edo period, under the rule of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nihombashi served as the central point of the Gokaidō, the five major roads leading from Edo (now Tokyo) to other parts of Japan. It became the symbolic „kilometer zero,” from which all distances were measured in Japan. The bridge was an essential navigational point for merchants and travelers, cementing its future status.
Nihombashi
Eifukucho
Usually, when October and November roll around, I catch myself saying, "Oh wow, it's the end of autumn already—how time flies!" But this year? I can't believe the year isn’t over yet. The sheer amount of work, travel, personal milestones, and unforgettable experiences has been overwhelming in the best way possible.