City Lights & Quiet Moments in Tokyo, Japan
After weeks of tropical beaches and salty days, landing in Tokyo felt like stepping into the future. There are a million reasons to love Tokyo (amazing coffee, the cutest small restaurants, crazy cool concept shops, and everything moving in order) and I’m a HUGE fan. How can you not be?!
It’s a city where tradition and modern life sit side by side, ancient temples are tucked between glowing billboards, quiet coffee shops hidden down alleys, and train stations that run like clockwork. Every corner is intentional. Every detail is designed.
You gotta love it
Tokyo has this rhythm that’s unlike anywhere else. Everything moves, fast, polite, and full of purpose; it’s chaotic and calming in one. On our first night, we wandered through Asakusa, home to one of the city’s most famous temples. I got my Chinese fortune, which was…pretty good:)
Lots of smells floated through the air, and we of course had to grab some famous treats. It was peaceful and electric all at once. The contrast is what makes Tokyo feel so alive. You can be surrounded by hundreds of people and still find quiet.
morning coffee runs
If you’ve followed my travels for a while, you know I’m obsessed with local coffee spots :) and Tokyo might just take the crown. Every cafe feels like a tiny masterpiece, clean design, minimal signage…attention to detail that makes my artist heart singggg!
Owen (my husband) and I made it our little morning ritual to find a new cafe each day. He’d always order something iced while I went for something off the wall, then we’d sit outside watching the city slowly wake up. Those quiet mornings, just us, good coffee, and the soft hum of Tokyo, ahh nothing better! (And the calm before the day’s adventure.)
Tip: Don’t rush your coffee in Tokyo. Find a quiet corner, sip slowly, and people-watch. It’s an art form here. :)
STrolls through the city
We spent the day exploring without a plan (which is my favorite way to see a place). Tokyo rewards curiosity. Every turn I do leads somewhere new and cool!
If you stop anywhere, you’ll spot neon signs reflected on rainy streets, soft pop music drifted from open shop doors, and bicycles leaned perfectly against tiled walls. It feels cinematic, like living inside a Wes Anderson frame.
There’s an unspoken respect for space and design here that I can’t get enough of. Even the smallest details, like the fonts on street signs and the way plants are trimmed outside cafes, it makes me want to sit down and sketch (or change up the entire interior design of my house!)
NIGHT LIGHTS And NOISE
When the sun sets, Tokyo turns into a galaxy of light. We, of course, had to stop by Golden Gai for some drinks. This area is NOT TO BE MISSED! Cool little spots and signs glow against the dark sky. The streets were full but never chaotic, just an easy kind of motion. I could spend all evening peaking into tiny restaurants and getting a glimpse of the various vibes that are happening in these small spaces. There’s something about Japan at night that feels sacred, even when surrounded by neon and noise.
Go asap!
This Tokyo trip was short but unforgettable. It’s a city that doesn’t shout for your attention but definitely stays on your mind for years to come, begging for a return trip.
If you ever get the chance to visit, take it slow. Tokyo reveals itself in layers, and every one of them is magic.
Watch my Tokyo travel vlog to see my full adventure with Owen. :) You can also join my newsletter for more art inspired travel stories, mural projects, and colorful escapes from around the world!
Missed the earlier adventures? You can start here.