I recently spent six days in Tokyo with my boyfriend at the end of September, and I can’t wait to share my favourite moments from the trip. We stayed in Koto Ward, a quieter part of the city, and had an amazing time exploring everything Tokyo has to offer, from the temples at Asakusa to the city lights at Shibuya. Here are the top five highlights that made Japan one of my favourite countries I’ve visited.
1. The Food: Sushi, Noodles, Pancakes, and More
Japan’s food scene is a dream come true, it is easily one of the best cuisines in my books. We tried almost everything from sushi to dipping noodles, Japanese curry, and ramen. I don’t eat beef, but my boyfriend also tried Kobe and Wagyu for the first time. He describes it as being top tier; so tender it practically melts in your mouth, and easily some of the best meat he's ever had. You can really tell the cow's got some luxury service. Yet, for me the standout meal was at Nihonbashi Sushi Shiba, a sushi spot I found through Savour Japan, a food blog I would definitely recommend. It was a truly intimate experience—just us, the chef, and his assistant. For about $80 USD (12,000 yen), we enjoyed the Omakase course of 15 fresh seafood dishes, all caught that morning. The Chef, Mr.Shiba was charismatic and highly skilled, spending years learning Edo-Mae sushi from his experiences in France and Japan. During the dinner, I got to try sea urchin and octopus for the first time. I will say the Sea urchin wasn’t really my thing, it was a bit too bitter for my taste, but I absolutely loved the mackerel, eel, and fatty tuna. Pairing it all with my current favourite fun drink - plum wine – tied together the whole experience. This was a great tasting opportunity to try and little bit of all the key elements of .
On a different day, we stopped at a local spot for dipping noodles in Asakusa, which I had been very excited to try after seeing it all over my social media. The dish was delicious, and while my slurping technique still needs work, I totally get why it's such a hit! The noodles I picked had a fish-based soup packed with savoury flavours, was a hit and super fun to try.
With all the 10/10 the whole trip, there was only one that didn’t really meet my personal mark. Something I was looking forward to try was Japanese pancakes after hearing about how light and fluffy they are. So, we went to A Happy Pancake in Ginza. Unfortunately, this one didn’t live up to the hype for me. The pancakes tasted way too eggy for my liking, which was a bit disappointing since I’d heard so much about them. Yet, It was the only miss out of all the amazing food we had, though, so I can’t complain too much! It also could have very much been a one-off pancake or the café I chose, but I will have to give it another go some other time. :)
2. Onitsuka Tiger: Finally Got the Shoes
I’ve been eyeing a pair of Onitsuka Tigers ever since my friends Marielle and Eliy got theirs in the UK last year, and have been absolutely rocking them since. They are my go to inspiration for shoes. So, when we got to Japan, I knew it was the perfect chance to grab my own pair. We headed to Ginza, where there are 3 different Onitsuka Tiger stores within walking distance of each other. One of them even offered free embroidery on the Mexico 66 shoes, which was super fun. I walked away with a silver pair that I’m obsessed with—they go with everything and make such a cool souvenir. Alongside, some classic basics from Uniqlo, this was defiantly my favourite purchase from Japan, and my favourite shoes I currently own.
Â
3. Matcha Everywhere:
Over the past few years, I’ve really developed a liking for matcha, so like many other matcha girlies out there, Japan felt like absolute heaven. Now, Matcha originated in China during the Tang Dynasty, where tea leaves were steamed, formed into bricks, and powdered for easy transport and use. In the 12th century, Zen Buddhist monk Eisai brought powdered tea to Japan after studying in China, introducing it to Japanese monks who integrated it into their meditation practices. Over time, matcha has evolved into a central part of Japan’s tea culture, becoming a key element in the traditional tea ceremony known as chanoyu. Being in Tokyo I tried Matcha from a couple of different places, but my two favourite spots were Atelier Matcha and The Matcha Tokyo. Both places had a variety of intensity levels, and although I stuck with a classic matcha latte, it was still fun choosing how strong I wanted it. I can tell that over the past few years I have gone from liking a sweeter vanilla flavoured matcha to now preferring it a bit more flavourful and strong, so I think it’s a cool concept that you can perfectly tailor your matcha In Japan to fit whatever vibe you are going for that day. It makes getting a matcha whole experience. There's something about drinking matcha in Japan that just makes it taste better. I feel like I’ve grown to appreciate the subtle yet rich flavors of matcha even more after this trip.
4. The People: Warm and Welcoming
The kindness and patience of the Japanese people made the trip even more special. Even with a bit of a language barrier, everyone was so welcoming and helpful. A highlight for me was when stopped at a small café called Café Uno one morning during a run, and the owner was thrilled to show us the framed photos of Japanese currency on the walls. Each frame had an artistic spin on the beautiful scenic images from the bills, and his enthusiasm really made the experience feel personal. I feel like there are so many cute cafes in Japan all with their own aesthetic and every business owner does their best job at making sure you are comfortable. The Asian hospitality was for sure some of the best.
5. Experiencing Japanese Tradition:
We attended a traditional tea ceremony at Maikoya Tokyo, and it was easily one of the most fascinating experiences of the trip. Not only did we learn how to whisk matcha the proper way using a traditional chasen (a bamboo whisk), but we also got to dress up in beautiful kimonos, which made the experience feel even more special. The ceremony’s attention to detail was incredible—we learned about the significance of turning the teacups a certain way and how to walk carefully to avoid stepping on parts of the floor where lines meet.
Another aspect of Japanese culture that really stood out was the tradition of bowing. It’s a way to show respect, thanks, or a greeting, and it’s used in so many aspects of daily life. Whether it’s a quick nod of the head or a deeper, longer bow, it’s a beautiful gesture that carries so much meaning. As a business student, I think it’s crucial to understand these cultural practices because they reflect the values of a society. Being aware of these traditions helps build more meaningful connections in a globalized world. Finally, to top off the tea ceremony, we also enjoyed a delicious red bean mochi alongside our tea, which made the whole experience even sweeter. It truly gave us a deeper appreciation for Japanese culture and its rich traditions.
Final Thoughts:
Tokyo is truly a city like no other. It’s the perfect blend of modern excitement and deep-rooted tradition. One of the most unforgettable moments for me was seeing Mount Fuji at sunset from the top of the Tokyo Sky Tree, 350 floors above the ground. The view was breathtaking and gave me such a peaceful feeling, it was the perfect way to take in the beauty of Japan from such a height. Whether you’re into food, fashion, or history, there’s something for everyone. I hope I can go back one day and explore more of Japan beyond Tokyo. If you get the chance to visit, I promise you’ll be blown away by the beauty, culture, and people just like I was!
Commenti