Writer at Sensoji, Asakusa |
I
have travelled to many cities all over the world. However, I have yet to find a
city that is remotely similar to Tokyo. This megapolis concrete jungle
illustrates an unexpectedly harmonious collision between the Zen of traditional
urbanity and the zest of modernization. Like Ying and Yang of life, Tokyo
offers a perfect balance of the old and the new.
The
land of the rising sun’s capital is undoubtedly the world's most populous
metropolis. It is estimated that there are over 13 million people live and work
in Tokyo. In addition, around 8 million foreign visitors come to this city
every year. Tokyo is always packed and never quiet, yet serenity is abundant
here. One can do grocery shopping on a
vending machine here and head to a park for a lovely stroll along a Sakura
covered path.
Busy people in Tokyo |
Beautiful sakura near Tokyo Tower |
Today,
Tokyo offers a full spectrum of culture, shopping, entertainment, and dining
experience to its visitors. There is definitely something for everyone here. Hence,
it makes more sense for me to call this city a land of the rising fun!
My
adventure in Tokyo began with Asakusa. Many locals and foreigners come here to
witness the iconic Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), which is popular for its enormous
red lantern called Chochin. Come rain or shine, this gate is constantly
surrounded with people. Tour guide services by the locals are available here in
multiple languages.
Asakusa's
other famous attraction is Sensoji, the most visited Buddhist temple in the
country, built in the 7th century. Various cultural events are held throughout
the year in the Sensoji Temple area. The major one is Sanja Matsuri, the annual
festival of the Asakusa Shrine, held in the month of May. Other festivals include
the Asakusa Samba Carnival in August and the Hagoita Market where decorated
wooden paddles used in the traditional game of Hanetsuki are sold.
Sensoji in Asakusa |
Also
known as Asakusa Kannon, the Sensoji Temple is approached via the Nakamise, a traditional
shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with an array of local
snacks and tourist souvenirs for decades. Items like Osenbei (rice crackers),
ice cream, folding fans, Yukata (Japanese robe) and t-shirts are widely
available with countless choices to choose from.
Worshipers at Sensoji |
Peaceful Sensoji |
Here,
I saw a little stall with an old lady busy making handmade colorful candies. I
entered the stall, browsed and decided to purchase a small bag of candies. Not
knowing any Japanese phrases except for “Arigatou”, I just smiled and handed
the old lady a note of Yen. What I was about to experience was unexpected but
really lovely.
It
took the old lady a good 3 minutes to complete that rather simple transaction.
Speaking in Japanese, she began by carefully explaining to me the amount of
money that I just passed to her. I didn’t understand any word she said but her
body language was obvious. Then, she told me the price of my candies and the
balance she owed me. She reconfirmed the
amount by showing the math on her calculator. She put the cash I gave her into
her cash box and took out the balance. She recounted the balance 2 times.
Finally, she handed it to me. This slow yet proper transaction demonstrated how
polite Japanese people are. I was completely blown away by her graciousness.
This is Japan living up to its expectations.
Nakamise at Asakusa |
Akihabara,
almost the complete opposite of Asakusa, is where geeks and gizmo addicts claim
as their “heaven”. This district is
famous for its many electronics shops. The recent birth of Otaku (diehard fan)
culture has caused many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga to
spring up all over this area.
Electronics
here are not exactly cheap, but one can bet to find the latest trends and
technologies available on the market. From a talking animal-shaped toy that
greets you every time you open your refrigerator to the most advanced digital
cameras, Akihabara has it all.
Akihabara |
Another view of Akihabara |
Out
of my strong curiosity, I decided to take a coffee break at a local maid café
in the area. Maid cafes are cosplay themed cafes and they are one of the most
iconic things about Japan. I was served by a waitress dressed in a
vibrant-colored French maid costume. She also surprisingly spoke some simple
English. Waitresses at the cafe don’t just serve guests drinks and snacks. They
engage in conversation and games with the customers and address the customers
as their “masters”.
An
experience at a maid café can be weird to some people, but it was definitely
fun for me. Something I personally have never experienced before. I was a
little uncomfortable at first with the level of attention I received from the
maid, but after a while, I got used to it. The most interesting thing about the
whole experience to me was when the bill came. Instead of service tax, the café
charged me for the “maid’s charm”.
Maid cafes around Akihabara area |
Japanese girls in French maid costumes giving out flyers, promoting local maid cafes |
One
can’t complete a trip to Japan without visiting its shrines. Meiji Shrine,
situated in Shibuya district in Tokyo, is one of the most famous shrines in
Japan. The shrine was built in 1920 and dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the
Empress Shoken who passed away a few years prior to that.
Walking
towards the main complex of the shrine buildings was a very pleasant stroll.
The area is surrounded by a rather tranquil forest. Most trees here are at
least 15-storey building in height. Approximately 100,000 trees were planted
around the shrine during its construction process. The trees were donated by
local major companies and elites.
There
are 3 major entrances to the shrine grounds. They are all marked by a big Torii
gate to welcome worshipers and visitors. Most people enter the area from
Harajuku entrance because it is the most accessible by public transportation.
Meiji Shrine |
Torii Gate near Harajuku station leading to Meiji Shrine |
The offering
hall of Meiji Shrine receives millions of people every year and hosts hundreds
of traditional Shinto weddings as well. Not only limited to Japanese people,
anyone who come to the shrine are allowed to pray, make offering and write
wishes on an Ema (wooden rectangular plate). There are also a few gardens in the shrine
area. During summer, people come here to jog, have picnics, read books and even
do yoga.
Main building of Meiji Shrine
|
An ema, written by a foreign tourist, at Meiji Shrine |
One of the parks inside Meiji Shrine's compound |
From
Meiji Shrine, I headed to the famous shopping street in Japan, Takeshita Dori.
As the face of Harajuku, this narrow but long street is never quiet. During
weekends, there will be even more people here, especially teenagers and foreign
tourists. This is a perfect place to shop and hang out with friends. There are
a handful of shops, boutiques, cafes and fast food outlets here to cater to
everyone’s needs.
Takeshita Dori, Harajuku |
Famished
from the walk at Meiji Shrine, I decided to try one of the popular desserts
here, Japanese crepe. Locals love this snack because of its portability, easy
to eat and for its “mochi-mochi” texture, which simply means chewy.
The
stall that I went to offers at least 30 different flavors. It was a little
intimidating for me at first. I didn’t know which one to choose and I couldn’t
ask for a recommendation from the storekeeper as I couldn’t communicate in
Japanese. From a wall that displays an array of fake crepes made of wax, I
pointed at the one with strawberries and whipped cream on it. For under 500 yen (approximately 15 ringgit),
it was definitely a satisfying snack on the go. As a health cautious nation,
local food here is rarely too sweet. Therefore, one can avoid having the guilt
while trying all the local delights.
Japanese crepes in Harajuku |
Another
main attraction of Harajuku only happens on Sunday afternoons. If you are lucky
enough to be there during the time, you can witness Japanese eccentric fashion
sense at its most extreme. Youngsters gather around Harajuku Station (near the
Meiji Shrine entrance) in their out-of-this-world cosplay costumes and enjoy
each other’s company. Don’t be afraid to take pictures of them, as they love to
be photographed. In fact, that is the
whole point of it.
Standing
there with my camera, I realized something. The view of these teenagers in
crazy outfits with a background of the Torii gate to the Meiji Shrine reminded
me again about this unique city. A combination of old and new is everywhere
here.
For
the rest of my trip in Tokyo, I managed to visit a few more places as well like
Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza and Tokyo Tower.
If I
learned anything from my trip to Tokyo, it was definitely about learning to
appreciate the old while living in the new. The symbiotic coexistence of traditions
and modernization here proves a vital need for both in order for a nation to
thrive.
I
left Tokyo with a heavy heart but I know one day I will be back there again. I
brought back with me a pair of Yutaka and a small Doraemon pillow to symbolize my
great discovery of the city. Sayonara, Tokyo…until next time.
Random back alley in Tokyo with a few food stalls |
Sakura blossoms in Tokyo |
To
explore Tokyo this year end, head to www.pototravel.com.my
for an all-in tour package with MAS flights starting at RM4,999 for 6D4N.
Dear Mr Fazdlee Isa,
ReplyDeleteYou wrote this post beautifully but I think it's a bit too long. Maybe you could make it into a series post. It's only a suggestion but good job. Nice pictures too.
p/s: It's quite stiff.
Thanks Anis for your feedback.
ReplyDeleteThis article is longer than my usual write ups because it is also meant for a magazine feature. Magazine feature usually requires at least 1500 words :-)
Thanks again for reading POTO's blog.