Japan is not a popular destination for many South Africans, mainly because it is expensive to get there. Tokyo itself is also quite pricey, but if you really like Japan, then it is definitely worth saving up for. Tokyo is a very big city, with the largest number of inhabitants in the world. This place offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining. It is an amalgamation of worlds with historical temples, futuristic architecture, green spaces and nice residential neighbourhoods. No matter your taste, there is something for everyone. My advise would be to figure out what you would like to see and explore before arriving, as being spoilt for choice in Tokyo can get very confusing.
I chose to see the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka as my first outing. Rori and I are huge fans of anime and animated films, and being able to see where Hayao Miyazaki, the grandmaster of animation, created his magical animation was a must. One has to book months in advance to gain entry into the museum. Photos are not allowed, instead you immerse yourself in the magic of animation and it makes a difference in the experience. We explored Mitaka a little afterwards.
Then it was off to Minato for the Tokyo Art and Book Fair at Kyoto University of Art & Design, Tohoku University of Art & Design Gaien Campus. The fair is held annually and includes independent publishers, galleries, bookstores as well as individual artists and art groups. We met up with an old friend and made new ones there, including Andile Buka, a fellow South African who happened to be showcasing his book, Crossing Strangers.The night ended up in Tokyo Skytree, in Sumida, with the view of the city.
On our second and last day in Tokyo, we headed for the Harajuku district in Shibuya. There, we explored the contrast of the popular youth culture and fashion in the bustling Shibuya, and the Shinto shrine, Meiji Jingu and its surrounding forest.
Enjoy Tokyo Through My Lens.
Through My Lens series is a project that aims to look at some of my favourite adventures through a series of simple images.
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Ghibli Museum & Mitaka
Tokyo Art Book Fair.
Ended off the night in Tokyo Skytree.
Meiji Jingu
Harajuku Hey.
Our Tokyo journey ended here. We packed up and caught a Shinkansen in Tokyo Station for the next destination, Kansai.
rando abroad 
Love Tokyo….. you capture it well
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Thank you Wangui 🙂
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Wow… I’ve only been to Narita. Didn’t get the chance to go see Tokyo. Your images are amazing.
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Thank you…. I would like to go back and see other parts of Japan, including Narita!
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I’m hoping to visit a friend in Japan within the next year. Not many people from Ireland visit Japan either for the same reasons you mentioned. I love your style of blogging. Seeing a place through your eyes tells way more than a standard Wikipedia type article. I had no idea there was so much green around Tokyo!
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Thank you!! and yes, It is quite pricey, but I was thankful to have a friend living there to guide me. I was also surprised that there are so many pockets of green in Tokyo. It was really a breath of fresh air!
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Tokyo is a great place. I loved my time there and saw so much of the city. Should be a place everyone visits 🙂
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My whole Japan experience to date has been two layovers in Osaka on the way to London from Sydney a million years ago. I would love to go back but was a bit put off by the cost. You have inspired me to take another look and consider Tokyo now.
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Ah… I also went to Osaka, it was a wonderful experience. I would suggest that you visit more than one place when you are in Japan since the cost of getting there is a bit high, then it will be worth it! I found that things become cheaper once you are outside of Tokyo, but it is a definite must!
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That might be tricky given I usually only have a week break at a time. It’s possible to get a cheap flight from Oz these days but unfortunately for Sydney Siders these are usually not direct (through Cairns, Brisbane or Melbourne) which is a bit annoying. Good to know it gets a little more affordable outside of Tokyo.
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Tokyo is definitely super expensive, from what I hear. But your cityscape pictures make it seem totally worth it! That Ghibli Museum seems like it’d be pretty cool to visit, but booking months in advance?!?! Wow! Where do you book that?
-Lauren @ http://www.televisionofnomads.com
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Ghibli Museum is really really cool and the tickets are quite cheap. It is cheapest to get the locally, at any Japanese Lawson’s Store (they are everywhere), trying to get them through agencies from anywhere becomes very expensive. Some agencies charge up to 600% more, so be careful.
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Great shots of Tokyo. I agree that Japan is not cheap place to travel but it is so beautiful that it is really worth to spend.
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Thank you!
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Wow all your photos show that there are so many people in Tokyo. I’m baffled! Would you go back if you have the chance?
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There are parts of Tokyo that are not so crowded, If I went back I would avoid Shibuya/Harajuku. And generally I would prefer Osaka or Kyoto as less crowded alternatives
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