Travel Diaries: Tokyo

Introduction

Hi from the other side of the world! I am making myself write this post before I forget any part of this amazing trip. The past four days in Tokyo have been filled with so much good food and shopping, but one of the most unforgettable parts of this trip will undoubtedly be the chance I got to experience such a new and unique culture.

Arrival and First Impressions

Our travel day started when we left for DFW at 1:30pm. After a 3.5 hour flight to JFK, a 4.5 hour layover, and a fourteen-hour flight, we finally arrived in Tokyo at five in the morning.

Walking around the city at 7am on a Sunday, we got to see a unique version of Tokyo. The city was asleep. There was a hardly anyone outside, all the stores were closed, and the streets were empty. It was nice to see the city at peace before we were thrown into the chaos and crowds the streets of Tokyo are famous for.

Exploring the City

Day 1 Shinjuku - best for clothes shopping

Our first stop in Tokyo was the infamous Don Quijote in Shinjuku. At 9am, this was one of the only stores open. Luckily, we were able to beat the crowd, because this was one of the most chaotic stores I have stepped foot into. With 8 floors filled with all kinds of snacks, cosmetics, luxury goods, and everything in between, the whole thing felt like a fever dream and we were able to kill almost 2 hours here. I came out with a handful of beauty products (everything was so cheap). For anyone who visits Tokyo, I'd definitely recommend stopping by in the early morning or late at night to avoid the crowd, but either way exploring Don Quijote is a must just for the experience.

Once things started to open, we spent the rest of the day shopping at the endless number of stores in the neighborhood. From American brands to Japanese brands, they had everything. I ended up buying a couple pieces from the Gap, ZARA, and Uniqlo! I'd definitely say that Shinjuku had the best shopping for clothes out of all the neighborhoods we visited.

After taking a shopping break at the hotel, we went back to Shinjuku for dinner. The nightlife was top tier. The city looked amazing all lit up and the streets were filled with people and lined with all the bars and restaurants you could want. While we weren't able to really go out with my younger sisters, if you're looking for a fun place to go out at night, Shinjuku is the place to be!

Day 2 Shibuya - best for souvenir and vintage shopping

Our second day, we explored the Harajuku area of Shibuya, also known for its great shopping and adorable cafes. From vintage shops and souvenir stores to food stands and animal cafés, every corner had something new to see. We strolled down Takeshita Street, weaving through crowds, popping into almost every store we passed by. Some of the highlights were visiting the Sanrio store, Luna Accessories, and seeing the Shiba Inu cafe. Despite the copious number of tourists, it was chaotic in the best way, and easily one of the most fun neighborhoods we visited.

Later that day, we made our way deeper into Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s most iconic and fast-paced districts. The moment we stepped out of the station, without even knowing it, we found ourselves in the middle of the organized chaos of Shibuya Crossing. Before the trip, I had seen TikToks of people fighting to be the first person to cross the street and get the perfect picture before the chaos -- this was not an exaggeration. At all times of day, the crossing is filled with people. It truly is such a great picture of the city -- nonstop, busy, and filled with excitement.

While I didn’t get anything, this area is a must-visit just for the experience of seeing that version of Tokyo. Every corner felt alive -- neon signs lighting up the sky, music spilling from shop doors, and the constant buzz of people out and about. It was the kind of place that made you want to keep going, even when your feet were tired.

Day 3 Asakusa - best for traditional Tokyo charm

On day three we made our way to Asakusa. The highlight of Asakusa is the Senso-ji Temple, one of Tokyo's most visited temples. Leading up to the temple is a long row of small souvenir shops and street food stalls. I bought a cute little coin purse and picked up my favorite strawberry mochi to snack on while a walked. Walking down the street and around the shrine I saw many people dressed in rented kimonos, taking pictures. After passing all the shops, you arrive at the historic shrine.

There is also a beautiful pagoda and newer shrine on the temple grounds. Overall, this wasn’t my favorite part of the trip. I had expected to experience a deeper sense of history, but it felt more commercialized than I imagined -- almost like a tourist trap. While the temple itself was beautiful, it was a little disheartening to see what used to be a peaceful and meaningful place of worship, overtaken by so much emphasis on tourism and money.

Day 3/4- best fish markets & shopping

Earlier that morning we explored two fish markets down by the coast in Ginza. Our first stop was Tsukiji, the more well-known and historic of the two. The outer market was so alive, full of energy, fresh seafood, and street food stalls. Our second stop was Toyosu Market, the newer and more modern counterpart to Tsukiji. The market is located in a beautiful indoor-outdoor complex and had many of the same kinds of dishes you could find at Tsukiji. After eating enough food to last us a lifetime, we explored the shopping scene in Ginza.

The streets are lined with all kinds of designer stores, as well as other shops like Muji. My favorite stop was this giant gift shop called Loft. The store was seven stories with all kinds of things from beauty, to snacks, to travel souvenirs. I even got a new pair of prescription glasses made in 30 minutes! Overall, Ginza is one of the quieter, nicer neighborhoods of Tokyo and provided a great break from the craziness of Shibuya and Shinjuku.

On our last day, we went back to Ginza for the TeamLab Borderless experience. Borderless is one of the multiple TeamLab locations throughout Tokyo. Borderless consisted of a maze of rooms and hallways all with a different interactive art experience. We spent around two hours wandering through the different exhibits, all of which are amazing photo-ops.

Food Highlights

• Sushi - Toyosu Fish Market

• Matcha - The Matcha Tokyo

• Soft Serve - Mori no Terrace

• Wagyu - MeatBox Sandwich

• Mochi - Tsukiji Fish Market

• 7/11 Food - Salmon Onigiri

Reflections on Tokyo

Despite all the incredible sightseeing and mouthwatering food, what will stay with me most is the truly unique and beautiful culture of the Japanese people. Even in one of the most modern, technologically advanced cities in the world, there's an unmistakable and deep-rooted respect for tradition that shapes everyday life.

What struck me most was how people seem so unified in their values and behaviors. There’s a shared understanding of courtesy, order, and consideration that goes beyond rules, it is like second nature. Whether it was the quiet politeness of bowing, the silent train rides (which we would always forget about), or the way people naturally form lines without needing to be told, there’s this sense that everyone is working together to maintain order in such a bustling, fast-paced city. That commitment to respect and consideration seems to shape not just how people act, but also how the city itself is designed. Even with all the energy and crowds, Tokyo offers intentional pockets of peace and quiet in tranquil gardens, serene temples, and calm side streets that let you slow down and breathe. It felt like the city’s way of reminding everyone to find balance, to pause amid the rush, and to make space for a moment of peace in everyone's busy lives.

Another thing that really struck me was seeing so many older people out and about. I loved watching groups of older friends chatting in parks, enjoying meals together in small restaurants, or even just smiling as they shopped for groceries. It made me think about how different that feels from home, where the idea of graduating and growing up often comes with anxiety about leaving behind close friends, shared memories, and the carefree fun of college life. However, watching the elderly in Japan live with such joy and connection reminded me that growing older doesn’t mean you have to leave behind the fun, care-free parts of life. It showed me that there is beauty in every stage of life, and that it’s possible to keep building friendships, have fun, and live like your young long after college ends. It gave me hope that while leaving this chapter is scary, it’s also the start of new opportunities to live meaningfully and see what else God has in store.

In all honesty, my trip was over a month ago and it took me a lot longer than I wanted to finish this post. From coming home and going off to my next trip, then starting an internship right after, I got caught up in the busyness of life after this trip. But intentionally finding time to just slow down and sit down to finish it reminded me of exactly what Tokyo taught me: the importance of slowing down and making time to reflect. It felt like the perfect time to remind myself to pause and enjoy my last summer at home with my family before I graduate, to not get so worried about rushing into what’s next, and to just appreciate life where I am now.

Overall, my time in Tokyo gave me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of the Japanese people and their respect for tradition and peace woven into everyday life. It challenged me to see the value in small acts of respect and slowing down in my own life. However, it also made me reflect on my own culture in a new way. Immersing myself in such a different environment, even for just a week, gave me such an appreciation for the openness, individuality, and boldness that define the Vietnamese and American cultures I grew up with. It also reminded me how much I missed those familiar parts of home while I was away. Traveling to Japan didn’t just teach me about a different culture; it gave me the gift of seeing my own with a renewed gratitude for both the differences and the shared values that connect us all. After our quick stop in Tokyo, I was even more excited to arrive in Vietnam and experience my own heritage on a deeper level.