Tokyo Drift: Lost in Translation (and Ramen) - Tokyo | Topiclo

okay, so 1857843 and 1392333295…what even is that? it just popped into my head staring at the absolutely bonkers weather report - temp 8.9, feels like 6.41? what is this, a freezer? humidity is a measly 32% but the pressure's like, a solid 1014. feels…clinical? not exactly the vibe i was expecting in *Tokyo.

i'm a freelance photographer, and honestly, this trip was a last-minute thing. needed a serious creative jolt, you know? my usual haunts in Kyoto were feeling…stale. so, landed in Tokyo and immediately felt like i was wading through a sensory overload. neon, noise, the constant hum of a million lives - it’s a lot.

the air smells like…well, everything. ramen broth mingling with exhaust fumes and something vaguely floral. i'm still trying to figure it out. i spent the first day just wandering, getting gloriously lost in Shibuya. that scramble crossing? insane. it's like being in a human-powered algorithm. Shibuya has a lot of street style, and i spent way too long just snapping pics of people's outfits. definitely need to check out some of the local boutiques - saw a cool place on Yelp called "Tokyo Threads."

i’m staying in a tiny Airbnb in Shimokitazawa. it’s a little rough around the edges, but the neighborhood has a great energy. lots of vintage shops and indie cafes. it's rumored to be a haven for musicians, apparently. someone told me that the best live music venues are hidden down these ridiculously narrow alleyways - you really have to know the place.

i made a ton of mistakes already. like, trying to order food without knowing any Japanese. resulted in a plate of something vaguely seafood-adjacent that i'm pretty sure involved eyeballs. lessons learned. (

`“Don’t be afraid to look like a complete idiot,”` a woman at a coffee shop told me, after watching me struggle with chopsticks. `“The locals appreciate the effort.”`

)

the neighbors are…quiet. super polite. but definitely keeping their distance. it’s a stark contrast to the city itself. they seem to exist in their own little bubble of meticulously maintained gardens and quiet mornings. if you get bored, Hakone is a short train ride away for some mountain views and art museums. check out Japan Rail Pass for cost savings though.

i've been trying to capture the city's contradictions - the ancient temples juxtaposed with the hyper-modern skyscrapers, the quiet reverence of the gardens versus the frenetic energy of the streets. i'm thinking of doing a photo series on street food, because honestly, the ramen alone is worth the trip. i'm checking out some street food tours on TripAdvisor.

i heard that the best hidden gems are found by just following your nose. someone warned me about tourist traps in Asakusa*, said to be overcrowded and overpriced. so, i'm actively avoiding them.

and the weather? i just checked and it's…remarkably consistent, there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. a weird, almost static feeling to it. it’s not raining, not sunny, just…there.

i’m trying to soak it all in, even the weird parts. this is definitely not a relaxing vacation, but it’s exactly what i needed. a jolt to the system, a reminder that the world is full of unexpected surprises. and i’m pretty sure i'm going to need a week of decompression when i get home. maybe a nice long hike. or just staring at a blank screen, waiting for the next creative spark.

oh, and i almost forgot! anyone know of a good place to find vintage kimonos? hit me up on Instagram @wanderlust_chloe. i'm on a mission.

Tokyo Drift: Lost in Translation (and Ramen) - Tokyo

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About the author: Mila Sanders

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