— Cityscapes

Cityscape: Tokyo

Photos Robin De Nys

5 min

Photos Robin De Nys

5 min

Hot on the heels of our collaboration with Japanese sneaker experts Flower Mountain, we’re shifting our attention to their spiritual home and the country’s capital: Tokyo. As one of the world’s prime epicenters of culture and innovation, Tokyo is a city of endless inspiration. It’s limitless, breathtaking, enormously fascinating. A lifetime would not suffice to portray all its facets, so we won’t even try to go there. In this article you can discover how our talented friend and photographer Robin De Nys experienced Tokyo.

From ultramodern to traditional, from dizzying skyscrapers to ancient temples, Tokyo has it all. Its 23 wards offer an endless array of sights and sounds. Some of the more obvious places to see are the Imperial Palace (the residence for all Japanese emperors since 1868, amidst a large park), the notoriously photogenic Shibuya Crossing or the Oedo Antique Market (a marvelous outdoor antique fair held twice a month), and those are not even the tip of the iceberg.

What initially strikes most people is Tokyo’s sheer scale, as it’s truly immense. That’s why every single travel guide will warn you to reserve at least a week to explore Tokyo. But despite its size, pulsating energy and big crowds, Tokyo’s calmer and feels more welcoming than you’d expect. The city has a magnetic pull that encourages exploration, with every corner promising new discoveries and experiences.

Instead of going all out on the dos and don’ts, we figured we’d just ask Robin to describe his experience there, and to highlight his own favorites in a short Q&A.

Q.

What are the sounds and smells you associate with Tokyo?

A.

Contrary to popular belief, Tokyo isn’t as noisy as you’d expect. While certain areas certainly have their fair share of activity, much of the city exudes a surprising tranquility. The traffic flows smoothly; no chaos, no horns, no roaring engines. Perhaps this is partly due to the efficiency of the city’s public transportation system.Either way, one of the joys of exploring Tokyo is the ability to discover different neighborhoods without being overwhelmed by noise. As you wander through charming streets, camera in hand, the gentle rustle of the wind provides an amazing feeling, allowing for moments of peaceful contemplation.

Taste and smell are intimately connected, and Tokyo’s culinary scene is a testament to this. The smell and the taste of food there is truly unique. Eating sushi, ramen, and other Japanese specialities in Tokyo does not feel the same as going to your favorite Japanese restaurant here in Europe. I stumbled upon new tastes and new smells while I was eating something I thought I already knew. Rediscovering these dishes was something that I enjoyed all day long, everyday.

Q.

Visually, what do you think makes Tokyo so different from the cities we know best here in Europe?

A.

Well, Tokyo is immense and features areas dominated by towering buildings, yet the surrounding environs aren’t as vertically dense. The streets are notably wide, allowing ample natural light to filter through the cityscape, creating stunning interplays of light and shadow. Moreover, the city doesn’t feel overwhelming; there’s a sense of spaciousness that prevails. Tokyo’s cleanliness isalsoremarkable; smoking in the streets is prohibited, and litter is a rare sight. Should one have any trash, it’s customary to hold onto it until reaching a hotel, cafe, or restaurant. While initially this practice might seem unusual, the widespread adherence to these rules fosters a sense of pride and contributes to the overall pleasantness of the city.

Personally, I found the juxtaposition of traditional and modern architecture particularly striking, especially in the narrower streets. This fusion creates a captivatingand unusualvisual harmony thatonlyadds to Tokyo’s allure.

If you’d have to recommend 5 must-see or must-visit places (museums, stores, restaurants, parks, buildings etc.) what would those be?

The Tokyo Skytree

It’s a definite tourist attraction but also allows you to absorb how big Tokyo is. Sunset there is incredible.

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Twelv (Secret Sake Bar)

On invitation only, so I was lucky to get the opportunity to enjoy a full sake degustation. Warm, cold, salty, sweet – my mouth and my brain went crazy discovering new tastes in that amazing, warm place. Probably the best I’ve had so far.

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Koffee Mameya

An amazing coffee experience, allowing you to see the whole process behind (and precision) behind real coffee. The area is also really nice to get lost in. You can take your coffee to go, and visit the Unby General Good Store, which is an outdoor concept store with amazing selection.

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