Tokyo is a city of contradiction.  It holds its traditions, history and ancestors up to the highest pedestal while simultaneously embracing the creature comforts of the present. We spent a whirlwind 2 days touring the city and seeing the highlights Tokyo offered, wearing out our bodies as we traversed miles on foot, rail and sea, simultaneously engaging our minds, opening up our souls and filling our bellies with life altering food of Japan.

Our first day started at Sensoji Shrine, seeing people in prayer, watching people wash their hands and wave incense towards their bodies cleansing their aura, bodies and minds of any impurities.  Our spiritual visit was immediately followed by some intensely crowded shopping at Nakamise, full of commercialized goods, tourist trappings and little trinkets for sale to prove that one visited this amazingly populated city.

Afterwards, we took to the sky and had our first traditional Japanese meal of sushi, sashimi and tempura at a high rise overlooking the Sumida River.  Then we took to the sea and had a beautiful boat cruise reminiscent of the Seine River in Paris.

We docked and explored an earthly gift to the city of Tokyo, arriving at a beautiful respite from the chaotic and frenetic pace of the area. Hamarikyu Garden was expansive, lush and serene.  I saw long expanses of greenery, fields of wildflowers, arched bridges over water.  I felt the rain start to cool the air and heard the drops patter onto its lakes.  The air cooled and I automatically began to unwind, my movements became more deliberate and purposeful, my breathing slowed and I began my introspection. Here was this amazingly beautiful and peaceful garden in the middle of an otherwise chaotic and frenetic city.  The beauty of its simplicity helped me focus and see everything around me in a different light.

This reflective visit was followed by one of the most amazing sushi and sashimi experiences of my life.  The freshness and quality of the seafood was unlike anything I had ever tasted. The shrimp sashimi had this amazing buttery quality to it which I did not ever think was possible.  The various types of fresh fish was overwhelming. The roe and uni rolls exploded in my mouth and I was forever changed.  As if one amazing dinner wasn’t enough, it was followed up with a less expensive but by no means inferior meal at Ramen Street.  The garlic ramen soup was thick with chopped garlic nearly covering every millimeter of the top layer of the broth which complimented the plentiful and delicious thin ramen noodles.  This exceptional simple and yet complexly flavored rustic meal was combined with the very unique curry rice which made the second meal on par with the flavor explosion of the more refined and restrained sushi we ate earlier in the evening.

Our second day began with a visit to Hanazonoinari Shrine which was deep in Ueno Park.  The striking beauty of the Torii Gates will remain forever etched in my memory.  It was followed with a visit to the zoo and the Metropolitan Museum, both also in Ueno Park.

We then headed to the Metropolitan Government Building to view the city from its free observatory decks.  That was the first time I fully understood just how massive the city truly is.  I developed a great respect for the city’s ability to catch up to other cities and countries at an accelerated pace, and in some instances, surpassing other countries with their technological advancements.

After seeing the expanse of the city, we visited the famous Piss Alley, full of history and inspiration despite its diminutive space and narrowness.  We decided to just have a drink in a tiny, 8 seat bar which shockingly and coincidentally smelled like piss.

We then proceeded to Shibuya, first visiting the famous Tokyu Food Show which did not disappoint in its fresh display of seafood, sashimi, desserts and fully prepared meals for those busy working city people to quickly grab on their way home from work.  Our next stop was the famous Shibuya Crossing which was a meh considering there were only tourists walking back and forth from one side of the street to another, using their selfie sticks and cellphones to capture a very touristy moment.

Our last venture was to find a top rated meal near this famous crossing.  I believe we ended up having dinner at a Teppanyaki restaurant which was about 9 minutes away, walking.  It was delicious and appeared to a busy spot for the young local millennials.  The presentation was beautiful.  The food wasn’t overly abundant in quantity but the quality was quite good. We left, bellies full and with money still in our wallets.

Tokyo was a surprise to me but has warmed my heart.  I still have many questions but I will definitely be wanting to return to find those answers and to learn how to find my peace within its chaos.