Journey to Japan: Tokyo Tower and other touristy things

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Day 7

Exploring Tokyo was a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and a bit of shopping. We started the day with a visit to Tokyo City View in Roppongi Hills, a sleek observation deck offering one of the best panoramic views of the city. From up there, Tokyo sprawls endlessly, with landmarks like Tokyo Tower and even Mount Fuji visible on clear days. It’s a perfect spot to get a real sense of Tokyo’s massive scale and vibrant energy. Too bad that Mount Fuji was more hidden than visible, but I have a feeling that I will return there in a future visit. 


Afterwards, we swung by the base of Tokyo Tower itself. Even though it’s smaller than the newer Skytree, Tokyo Tower still has that classic charm and is iconic in its own right, painted bright orange and white to comply with aviation rules. The bottom area bustles with souvenir shops and little eateries, making it a nice place to soak in the atmosphere.


For lunch, we stopped at Yoshinoya, a popular Japanese fast-food chain known for its gyudon, beef bowls served quickly and at a good price. I practiced my Japanese by learning how to yell “sumimasen” just right to get the waiter’s attention. It’s trickier than it sounds, you want to be polite but loud enough to be heard over the busy restaurant!

In the afternoon, we hit Akihabara Electric Town, the ultimate paradise for electronics, toys, and all things geek culture. First stop was Yodobashi Camera, a gigantic electronics store with every gadget imaginable. I checked out some Shokz bone-conduction headphones there, which looked promising for my next cycling headset upgrade. Then we stopped for a coffee at Doutor, a cozy Japanese coffee chain, perfect for a little recharge.


Next, we wandered into BicCamera’s Akiba store, another massive electronics and gadget mecca, before heading over to Super Potato, a retro gaming shop that’s a true treasure trove. I couldn’t resist and bought a Japanese version of Mario Kart for my Super Nintendo, a nostalgic throwback that’ll definitely spice up my gaming sessions back home.


Later, we explored Shibuya, starting with the Mega Don Quijote, a huge discount store with everything from snacks to cosmetics, gadgets, and quirky souvenirs. Then we checked out the famous Shibuya Scramble crossing. It’s only really impressive from above, where you can see hundreds of people cross from all directions in perfect chaos. We also stopped by the Hachiko statue, the loyal dog famous for waiting years at the station for his owner, a touching reminder amidst the urban rush.

Dinner was at a cozy izakaya near our hotel. The lively, casual atmosphere was just what we needed after a packed day. We shared small plates of grilled skewers, fresh sashimi, and warm bowls of miso soup, washing it all down with some drinks. It was the perfect way to wind down, soaking in the local vibe and chatting about the day’s adventures.



Location: Tokyo

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