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my favourite Tokyo memories

Last month I watched Steve Backshall’s Japan’s Northern Wilderness documentary and I loved it as it was so passionate and took me to a world I didn’t know. So I was excited to see a new documentary called The Art of Japanese Life, but the first episode soy didn’t do it for me (like, what’s with the suit Dr James Fox?) Anyhow … it did remind me some of my favourite Tokyo memories which I want to share with you.

The visit to Studio Ghibli museum was probably one of the main reasons I wanted to go to Japan. But before I went, online tickets were sold out for the period of my trip and I almost didn’t want to go, because how could I possibly not visit the birthplace of one of the things that introduced me to the country? Thank God my friends and me managed to find arrange tickets in the end and I cried. The museum itself was small but packed with intricate secrets and magic and I felt like Kiki discovering her new place. (Yes Kiki is one of my favourites, I know it’s not their most artistic or heartbreaking one but to someone who loves coming of age stories and finding your way in the world this has to be a favourite). The only down side was my mouth hurt afterwards from smiling so much.

I arrived at Asakusa directly from the airport and after having dropped my suitcase at the hotel and taking Asakusa in from the top it was time to go out and explore. It was a warm Sunday afternoon, so it meant everyone was out and about and I got thrown into it the best way possible without getting too overwhelmed after a long flight.

The stay at a ryokan was definitely one of the highlights of my trip! Who would have thought I loved sleeping on a thin mattress and boiling in an onsen bath? It was almost a little adventure within an adventure and the walk to the ryokan cuts you off from Tokyo business life. I loved everything about it, from stepping into the traditional, to finding a kimono set in your room and making green tea and pot noodles after a long day out. If you are heading to Japan I highly recommended booking one if you’re looking for a step back in time and for a quiet stay away out of the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

Like any basic white girl I’ve dreamt of crossing at Shibuya ever since seeing ScarJo and Bill Murray in Lost in Translation. And it all was there: the crowds, the chaos, the see-through umbrellas, the neon lights, the loud music and the traffic. Bucketlist moment.

100 Yen Shops, Don Quichot, Tokyo Hands and pretty much every supermarket was an attraction that needed exploring. Baby’s first chopsticks? Hello Kitty battery? 15 types of green tea? Did I need it? No! Did I want all of it? YES. I’ve posted a selection of my some of my favourites here.

Have you been to Japan or are planning to go? What was your favourite place you visited or thing you did?

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One Comment

  1. The Ghibli museum is the best place ever!! I cried when I went too and must have spent hours in there. Would so love to go back to Tokyo! Also, what is that ‘Fit’ contraption? Please don’t say it’s an instrument for creating a thigh gap…xx