A Week in Tokyo: Streets, Markets, and Towers

My first trip to Tokyo was in the middle of March, 2017. The city felt immediately overwhelming in the best way. After dropping my bags and heading out, the first thing that struck me was the density of everything. I walked down streets packed with people, walled in by buildings covered from top to bottom in colorful signs for karaoke, restaurants, and shops.

During the day, I'd just wander. One afternoon I ended up in Roppongi and came across the giant spider sculpture, 'Maman', standing in front of a modern tower under a clear, bright sky. It was such a strange and imposing sight against the glass and steel. Later, I explored the covered alleyways of the Tsukiji outer market, a completely different scene full of shoppers navigating the narrow, damp lanes between stalls.

The evenings had their own energy. The first time I saw the Tokyo Tower, it was glowing orange behind an old temple gate, a perfect picture of the city's contrasts. I ended up getting closer, finding the spot with the illuminated 'TOKYO' sign. The tower was bright against the dark sky, and I stayed for a while trying to get the photo just right.