A City Where Goals and Plans Matter: Tokyo

Posted on December 12, 2024  •  7 minutes  • 1291 words  • Other languages:  Korean

Tokyo felt overwhelming to me.
It’s such a vast city with so much to do and see.
It was also my first time visiting Tokyo, so I struggled with how to fit my plans into the train travel theme.
So, I decided to follow a beginner’s guide to Tokyo that I found on YouTube.
After doing some research, I settled on key spots like Roppongi, Shinjuku, Ueno, Shibuya, and Akihabara.
I planned to use the Yamanote Line, Tokyo’s circular JR line, to get around these spots while making the most of my JR Pass.
The JR Pass, which had been useful for long-distance Shinkansen rides, proved to be just as valuable in navigating the city.

Exploring Museums in Roppongi

On my first day in Tokyo, I was greeted with clear skies.
The weather remained pleasant throughout my trip, allowing me to enjoy the city to the fullest.

I started the day by exploring the Roppongi area.
I passed by Tokyo Tower but only admired it from a distance.
I decided to skip the observation deck this time, planning to visit a higher one later.
Next, I headed to Mori Art Museum.
I’d heard it had a “modern” vibe, and it certainly lived up to that description.
Having mostly visited museums focused on historical artifacts and paintings before, this was a refreshing experience.
While I wasn’t deeply moved by any particular piece, I enjoyed pondering the meaning behind each artwork.

📸 Exhibits at Mori Art Museum

Giving hand and receiving hand. The iconic spider sculpture by Louise Bourgeois. Perhaps a portrayal of the sacrifice and suffering of women? A piece called "Couple"—what are they doing, I wonder? The unstable curves of the human form. Evoking the poem 'Heavenly Ascent' by Korean poet Cheon Sang-byeong. A girl turning into a tree—did the branches even take her face?

After exploring Mori Art Museum, I strolled around the Tokyo Midtown area.

Behind Tokyo Midtown lies Hinokicho Park, a modest yet beautiful spot with plenty to see.

As the sun began to set, I took a leisurely walk, admiring the stunning scenery.

Next, I visited 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT, which offers a glimpse into the future of 21st-century design.
True to its name, the space had a modern feel, with exhibits crafted from everyday materials.

📸 Highlights from 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT

It was a day immersed in art and creativity.

As I exited Midtown, I walked through the streets of Roppongi and returned to my hotel.

On my way back, Tokyo Tower greeted me once again.
It looked even more beautiful illuminated against the night sky.

Wandering Around Shinjuku in the Daylight

On the second day, I explored Shinjuku and Ueno.

In the morning, I took a walk through Shinjuku Gyoen.
Although parks and gardens can feel a bit repetitive, there’s always something soothing about visiting them.

Shinjuku Gyoen didn’t seem particularly unique compared to other gardens or parks in Japan.
However, the idea of having such a large green space in the heart of a massive city like Tokyo, especially in Shinjuku, felt remarkable from the perspective of someone living in Seoul.

As I experienced in Osaka, visiting parks often ends up being more about observing people than admiring nature.

The lush greenery is undeniably calming, but it’s the sight of students enjoying bento boxes or families on picnics that adds a unique charm to the park’s atmosphere.

After leaving Shinjuku Gyoen, I grabbed lunch and decided to explore Kabukicho.

Kabukicho felt quite empty during the day.
It was a bit disappointing not to experience its vibrant nightlife.
During this trip to Japan, my evenings were mostly spent planning itineraries or organizing hotel bookings, leaving no time to visit izakayas or explore nighttime spots.
This made me resolve to fully enjoy Japan’s nightlife on my next visit.

Later, I took the Yamanote Line up to Ueno.
I liked how Ueno Station opened directly into a park area.
It was my second park visit of the day after Shinjuku Gyoen 🌳, but instead of leisurely strolling through the park, I decided to visit an art museum.

I went to see the Monet exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art.
In addition to art pieces, there were displays about Monet’s life and even videos of him painting.
Perhaps because I had seen so many fresh and exciting things the day before, it didn’t leave a strong impression on me.

In the evening, I wandered around Ameyoko near Ueno Station to find a place for dinner.

I chose a restaurant called ‘Kamotonegi.’

The name translates to ‘Duck and Green Onion,’ and they serve ramen.
Since I’d been having mostly tonkotsu ramen during this trip to Japan, I wanted to try something a bit different.

The duck and green onion were delicious, but the tangy broth stood out the most.
While tonkotsu ramen better suits the Korean palate, this felt like a flavor I might occasionally crave.

A City Full of Shopping Delights: Shibuya

On the third day, I explored Shibuya and Akihabara.
First, I visited Shibuya Scramble Crossing, one of Tokyo’s iconic landmarks, and spent a peaceful morning at Shibuya Starbucks watching the hustle and bustle of people.

After observing the lively crowds, I headed to Shibuya Sky, a famous observation deck.

While Harukas 300 in Osaka offered stunning views of Osaka, Tokyo was overwhelming in its sheer scale—an endless urban expanse stretching to the horizon.

While I usually refrain from taking pictures of myself, I mustered the courage to ask a foreign couple to take one for me.

At observation decks, I often find myself staring endlessly at the scenery rather than pinpointing specific landmarks.

After descending, I enjoyed monjayaki at Shibuya Scramble Square.

Although I had heard monjayaki is a must-try Tokyo delicacy, I found its tangy flavor not quite to my liking.
Perhaps I chose the wrong dish—next time, I’ll try a different one to see if my opinion changes.

I then walked up to Omotesando, exploring the shopping streets.

While I didn’t purchase anything, I enjoyed window-shopping and people-watching.

The newly released iPad Mini was tempting, but since I didn’t urgently need it, I resisted the impulse to buy. 🥲

After leaving Omotesando, I took a stroll through Meiji Shrine, a sudden contrast to the luxury-filled streets I had just left.
Unlike parks, Meiji Shrine felt more traditional, with torii gates and temple-like structures providing a unique experience.

What Is Akihabara Like?

Known as a haven for otaku culture, Akihabara intrigued me more than Osaka’s Den Den Town.
While I’m not a hardcore fan, I do occasionally watch Japanese anime and have long been curious about its unique culture.
Akihabara offered a chance to see its essence up close.

Though many of the anime characters were unfamiliar, I felt a sense of nostalgia whenever I encountered something recognizable.

Even unfamiliar characters’ beautifully designed figurines often caught my attention.

Compared to Den Den Town, however, Akihabara was more challenging to navigate, with its numerous stores spread across a larger area.
As a result, I couldn’t explore as efficiently as I had hoped.

For my final night in Tokyo, I was determined to visit a maid café.
Having heard so much about this unique aspect of Japanese culture, I couldn’t resist experiencing it for myself.

At the maid café, I sipped on several drinks while the staff explained their fictional world to me.
I also took a photo with one of the maids and had engaging conversations.
It reminded me of the warmth and stories exchanged between hosts and customers, akin to the ambiance of the Japanese drama Midnight Diner.

However, as I left the café, a wave of solitude and self-reflection weighed heavily on me—a stark contrast to the lighthearted fun I had experienced inside.