May the 3rd 2025, just past noon and my first visit to Japan is finally beginning! With me are my three amazing travel companions: Valeria, Davide, and Stefania. Four people, two couples, who after months and months of getting together to organize the trip, now find themselves on the other side of the world, in a country that feels lightyears away both geographically and culturally from the life we know. The first stop of this sixteen-day adventure could only be Tokyo, the largest metropolis in the world. After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we immediately head towards Sensō-ji.
Senso-ji temple
Located in the heart of Asakusa, the Sensō-ji temple dominates the entire district with its imposing structure and the characteristic pagoda standing tall above the surrounding streets and houses. Among the temples of Tokyo, it is the oldest and one of the most important Buddhist temples in the Japanese capital. Founded in 628 AD, the temple is dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kannon. According to legend, two fishermen found a statue of the goddess in the Sumida River and decided to build a temple to honor her.
Sensō-ji is famous for its majestic Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), whose entrance is guarded by two imposing statues representing the god of thunder and the god of wind, along with the gigantic red lantern, the symbol of the temple. Passing through it, one enters the lively Nakamise-Dori street, lined with little shops selling traditional souvenirs and local snacks.
Tokyo Skytree
After the visit to Sensō-ji, it’s time to head towards the Tokyo Skytree, another major attraction in Asakusa. The Tokyo Skytree is one of the most iconic structures in the Japanese capital and the tallest tower in Japan, standing at 634 meters high. Inaugurated in 2012, it primarily serves as a television broadcasting tower but is also a popular tourist attraction. The tower offers two observation decks, located at 350 and 450 meters, where visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of Tokyo and, on clear days, even catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji. At the base of the tower is the Tokyo Solamachi shopping complex, with numerous stores, restaurants, and an aquarium. The Tokyo Skytree is a perfect example of modern technology and futuristic design, while still being inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics, making it a symbol of contemporary Tokyo.
Hamarikyu gardens
The following day, we continue exploring the various districts of Tokyo and, after struggling through the Tsukiji Market, now merely a tourist trap, we arrive at the Hamarikyu Gardens.
The Hamarikyu Gardens are an oasis of tranquility in the heart of bustling Tokyo, located near the bay and the Shiodome district. Originally a hunting reserve for the Tokugawa shōguns during the Edo period, today it is an elegant garden in traditional Japanese style, open to the public.
The park is known for its brackish ponds, which fill and empty with the tides, and for the Nakajima Tea House, where visitors can enjoy matcha tea while admiring the landscape. Among the well-maintained paths, ancient pines, and seasonal flowers, the Hamarikyu Gardens offer a stunning contrast between nature and the modern skyscrapers in the background.
A perfect place to relax and immerse oneself in the elegance of traditional Japan, right in the heart of the city, providing a stark contrast similar to the one experienced at Central Park in New York.
This is the first part of the photographic story of Tokyo. The next city to be featured will be Hiroshima, along with the magnificent Miyajima Island.
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