Guest post - Roni in Japan - part 3

 

From Anime Dreams to Tea Ceremonies: My Final Days in Japan – Exploring Tokyo

My dream trip through Japan began in Osaka, continued with the magic of Kyoto, and wrapped up with nearly two weeks in Tokyo. And honestly? While the other cities let you dive deep into authentic Japanese culture and daily life, Tokyo was pure anime heaven for me – and so much more.

Living My Anime Dreams in Real Life

Let’s be real – I visited Akihabara multiple times. I walked 40 minutes just to see those famous stairs from the iconic scene in Your Name. And yes, I bought... a lot of things. Mostly One Piece figures, because that anime has completely stolen my heart. But if you think Tokyo is just about anime, you’re in for a surprise.

The Unexpected Harry Potter Paradise

Plot twist: our hotel happened to be near Tokyo’s Harry Potter street! I’m talking themed cafés, a tower, magical shops, and even a subway entrance decorated like Hogwarts corridors.

Despite its plot holes, Harry Potter was probably my favorite book series as a kid. I still remember anxiously waiting for the final book to arrive at our local library – I was first in line and devoured it in three days.

Being surrounded by Harry Potter in Japan of all places made me want to reread the entire series again.

Imperial Encounters and Hidden Castles

Beyond the anime fever, Tokyo serves up some seriously impressive historical sites. We visited the Tokyo Imperial Palace, where the Emperor lives. Unfortunately (and quite logically), it’s not open to the public – we could only admire it from the outside. Nothing too spectacular, but still fascinating to see.

More interesting was our accidental discovery of Akasaka Palace while hunting for those Your Name stairs. This place is essentially Japan’s version of the White House – official accommodation for visiting state dignitaries. Unlike the Imperial Palace, this one was open to visitors, and we managed to explore the stunning interior. Everything inside follows a Western architectural style and is absolutely breathtaking.

Temple Treasures and Lucky Gods

Of course, Tokyo has its share of beautiful temples like the famous Senso-ji, but the one that truly captured my heart was Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Annex. This small temple near our accommodation popped up on Google Maps during one of my random browsing sessions.

The first thing I noticed was a review saying, “Don’t forget to find and pray to all seven hidden luck gods.”

Perfect timing! I had brought lucky charms featuring the Seven Gods of Fortune from Kyoto for my boyfriend and also for my best friend (who owns this wonderful blog). Naturally, I took the talismans to each god’s statue and left a small offering for every one of them.

Checking Off Bucket List Dreams

Here in Tokyo, I crossed off several items from my Japan bucket list: experiencing a traditional tea ceremony and wearing a kimono.

Well – more accurately, being dressed in a kimono, since it’s surprisingly complex. But absolutely worth it!

The tea ceremony was incredibly calming and pleasant. We even did some light meditation while our guide explained every step – not just how it’s done, but why each element matters.

My only complaint? Sitting seiza (on your knees) is absolute torture. I wondered how Japanese people manage it without pain, but I learned that even their legs fall asleep and go numb in that position!

Turns out there’s a fascinating historical reason behind this “torture” position:

The Tokugawa shōgun, who brought peace to Japan after a century of wars, deliberately made seiza the “proper” way of sitting. Why? To render anyone having an audience with him completely harmless by making their legs go numb. Brilliant strategy, really – no one who’s been sitting seiza for an extended period can stand up quickly enough to launch a surprise attack. It was basically a built-in security system disguised as etiquette!

The Dark Side of Japanese Work Culture

Here’s where I need to share the main reason why Japan feels perfect for vacations, but not for permanent living (besides the tiny apartments): the people are overworked beyond belief.

Our first week coincided with Golden Week, but during our second week – when everyone returned to work – we witnessed crowds of suited businesspeople heading home at 9–10 PM, looking absolutely exhausted, moving almost mechanically. Many were sleeping on the trains.

We also got a firsthand look at their infamous drinking culture – you simply cannot refuse when your boss or clients invite you out, no matter how tired you are.

During one of our tours, we chatted with an elderly Japanese retiree who shared his story: he used to work late into the evening, then go drinking with clients, and often ended up sleeping on the streets because it was easier than going home. He only made it home 1–2 times per week. He mentioned having serious health problems that mysteriously disappeared after retirement.

Imagine that – stopping the overwork cycle actually makes you healthier!

So while I absolutely love how clean Japan is and how technologically advanced everything feels, I’ll take our messy streets and relaxed work culture over that lifestyle any day.

Visual Wonders and Must-See Spots

The beauty of Tokyo would take me ages to fully describe – from stunning parks and botanical gardens to the mind-blowing light artistry at teamLab Borderless, where we sipped tea that made flowers bloom in lights around us.

Massive shopping malls, more anime treasures, and of course, the obligatory Shibuya stop.

We didn’t just go for the famous scramble crossing – though that’s spectacular – but also to see Hachiko’s statue, visit the Nintendo store, and make the essential tourist pilgrimage to Mega Don Quijote, where we bought an embarrassing variety of Kit Kat flavors.

I had no idea that Shinjuku houses the famous Instagram 3D cat and a King Kong statue! And right there, I checked another item off my bucket list: karaoke.

Karaoke Confessions

As a musician who plays cello and piano, I love music – but I absolutely cannot sing. And I’m mortified to sing in front of people.

Back home, when the opportunity arose, I was thrilled... until I realized this particular venue had a huge stage where you perform in front of everyone, and it was basically a gathering for the city’s talented singers to showcase their skills. We’re talking professionals here – not amateurs.

There was no way I could get up there with my off-key warbling after hearing flawless performances!

But in Tokyo? Karaoke is exactly as you see in anime. We rented a private room, ordered drinks, and were left alone to scream-sing to our hearts’ content. It was hilarious, loud, and actually relaxing.

Japan's Healing Effect

Overall, Japan worked wonders for my anxiety – I barely felt it during my entire stay and managed to try so many new things. I stepped way outside my comfort zone without panicking or overthinking, simply because everyone there is so kind, calm, and genuinely non-judgmental.

Would I want to visit Japan again?

Absolutely – if I ever get the chance!