Tokyo, a city of contrasts
Discovering the different sides of this amazing city

Today, I have decided to share with you one of the most amazing aspects of Tokyo. Overriding the obvious cliché describing this city as a massive block of concrete, I would like to take you on a tour that will make you discover this city’s different sides. From the buzz of Shibuya and Shinjuku to the peaceful streets of Hiroo, walking across this town is always full of surprises. It is a pleasure for me to spend time wandering around new neighborhoods. But one of the most amazing things is that even when I stroll around my own neighborhood, I keep finding new places that I haven’t seen before. Little hidden treasures.


When I look out of the window from my office, I see plenty of high rises. It looks as if the ground were covered by them. Sometimes one would wonder if there is still room for people to walk out there.


The first time I came here, I spent my time visiting the most obvious tourist places that my guide book was described. I ended up in these crazy places, full of people, very dense, with buildings every where (sometimes wondering how these constructions can resist earthquakes)…

For example, Shibuya and Shinjuku (on weekends) are those kinds of places with neon lights that make you feel like it’s perpetually daytime. When I walk there I sometimes felt like I am carried away by the global motion of all the people surrounding me.


Who would have known that by putting the guide book away and allowing myself to get totally lost, I would discover the most amazing places!

Hiroo, where a lot of the embassies are located, is full of little streets, some even paved with cobblestones. You get the impression of wandering around a quiet little village. Perhaps even a European village but by no means, in the center of Tokyo.

Even when I walk around my house I keep on discovering new things (like old temples, little gardens etc. Hidden alleys jammed with wooden houses take you back in time. The occasional ancient looking motor bike defies the well known image of high-tech Japan.

I really like the contrast that this city has to offer.
It is not always easy to find your way in Tokyo, sometimes even very frustrating, but the chance of uncovering surprises is an awesome reward.

-Nico