First Impressions of Tokyo

After long hours in the air – broken up by a few restless naps, stretches in the aisle and countless sips of water – the plane finally descends over Tokyo, From the window, the city unfolds beneath me in a vast sprawl of high-rises and carefully ordered streets. Even in my jet-lagged state, there’s a thrill in knowing I’ve arrived in Japan.

Stepping off the plane, the first thing that strikes me is how smooth everything is. Immigration is efficient, signs are clear, and even the hum of the airport feels … polite. The air carries a promise of adventure.

Once outside, Tokyo greets me with its contrasts. Towering skyscrapers loom over ancient shrines. Hyper-efficient trains whisk people through streets that, just a few blocks away, lead to quiet gardens. It’s a city where the ultramodern and the deeply traditional exist side by side.

Tokyo wasn’t always the mega-city it is today. Originally known as Edo, it was a small fishing village before becoming the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1603. For over 250 years, Edo flourished as a political and cultural centre while the Emperor remained in Kyoto. In 1868, during he Meiji Restoration, the Emperor moved here, renaming it Tokyo- Meaning “Eastern Capital”.

Since then, Tokyo has been rebuilt and reimagined multiple times – after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, after the World War II bombings and even in preparations for events like the 1964 and 2020 Olympics. Yet, despite its futuristic skyline, echoes of old Edo remain.

After navigating the airport train into the city – a long long ride – I take my first steps into Tokyo proper. Maybe it’s the neon billboards blinking, the calm order of the station, or the quiet charm of a small alleyway where steam rises from a ramen shop—but something tells me this trip is going to be unforgettable.

For now, I need sleep. But tomorrow? Tokyo awaits.

Until I write again, I hope you’ll enjoy these glimpses of Tokyo. Now? I’m off to walk and walk and walk some more …

Ana