Discovering the Real Tokyo

Tokyo can feel like several cities living on top of each other — loud, soft, traditional, futuristic. The trick is to stop trying to “see” Tokyo and instead let it happen around you.

Start in Asakusa. It’s where old Tokyo still breathes — temples, street snacks, shop owners who’ve been there for decades. From there, take a short train ride to Akihabara, where everything flips: neon lights, arcades, anime stores. The contrast is part of the city’s charm.

When you need calm, find a small park or shrine. Even in the busiest areas, there’s always a quiet corner. Yoyogi Park on a Sunday morning is full of people doing their own thing — jogging, painting, practicing instruments — and somehow, it all fits together.

And don’t leave without trying ramen from a shop with no English signs. You’ll probably have to point at a picture on the vending machine to order. It’s awkward at first, then kind of fun.

Tokyo isn’t about big attractions. It’s about noticing — the sound of trains, the politeness in small gestures, the way everything runs with quiet precision.

Before I forget, there are so many anime locations you can check if you love anime that are real