I documented the things I saw, and my experience traveling to Tokyo for one week, for an independent study for photography! It was my very first time traveling to Japan, and traveling without knowing anyone in the tour group. However, I was able to become friends and get along with everyone there! – Japan beholds one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. – This is a portfolio of all footage and images captured during the trip. I have also included my written experience. This section will often be updated with more pictures and a new video for each day.
Day 1: The Arrival
We are embraced by a warm breeze as we exit the doors of Narita Airport. The cold weather of New York no longer lingers around us, but the comfortable air of the start of Spring was suddenly introduced to us. It was a beautiful feeling.
We take the bus from the airport to Pearl Hotel in Ryogoku. It took us around an hour, but the sight outside the windows of the bus were pleasant, and the sunset of Tokyo was extraordinary. At that moment, I understood why the kanji for Japan includes the character for the sun. 日本 (ni hon). Literally meaning, “sun origin.”
We manage to settle in and enjoy a refreshing tempura dinner. After that, we take a calm walk at night, on the streets that surrounded our hotel. That’s when it hit me: I was finally in Japan, surrounded by the galore of the culture. I admired the street’s bright, beautiful lanterns and signs that contained big splashes of Kanji over each one. What was once a dream for me, became a reality much sooner than I have ever anticipated.
Day 2: Prayers, History, and Life
Our adventure of the day began with visiting the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The large plaza surrounding the front of the palace is called Kokyo Gaien. It consists of a a very green, open-spaced park, and as you get closer to the “Spectacles Bridge”, you end up in a vast, flat field of gravel. The bridges consisting of the Spectacles Bridge and the steel bridge behind it is called “Nijubashi,” meaning Double Bridges. Tourists and citizens in Japan are only allowed to walk across the bridge on the Emperor’s birthday and on New Year’s Day celebration. However this wide open space is perfect for observing the landscape of buildings behind you and the historical Imperial Palace standing peacefully in front of you.
After our trip to the Imperial Palace, we made our way to the Meiji Shrine, to experience the unique religion and the ways of prayer that takes place in Japan. A very touristy but also historical area, the Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine that gives insight of Japan’s beliefs and traditions. There is a main shop where one could buy a charm to wish luck and good fortune, good health, and more to a family member or friend
Harajuku is a highly saturated, colorful street that is lined with stores containing cute, gothic, or very flashy clothing and items. Not only will you find clothing and jewelry stores, you will also find animal cafes and all different types of restaurants to eat at. Students and tourists tour down this lane to do some shopping for unique pieces of clothing or to take part in a unique cafe experience. I was very captivated by the style of clothing that was sold here, and to be able to see the streets decorated with stickers, graffiti and colorful mannequins.
After our very satisfying visit in Harajuku, we made our way to the Metropolitan Government Building. Free of charge, one is able to visit the top of the building to observe Tokyo.
Visiting Asakusa and the Senso-ji Temple was a magical experience. Entering buildings covered in the very traditional color of red, lined with white, black and gold, we went back in time to experience Japan’s history and culture. Serving as a place to say your prayers and to obtain good fortune, one can be ready to indulge in this cultural experience. There were also places to eat and shop for unique or traditional souvenirs. The sunset falling behind the solitary streets around Asakusa and the beautiful infrastructures of the temple, was the sweet cherry on top.
Day 3: Tea Time
In order to get more of a taste and experience of Japanese culture, we made our way to a Tea Ceremony. “The Way of the Tea” consists of a very ceremonial preparation and presentation of a very popular tea called, matcha. It can bring a group of people together and closer as they all take part of the experience in drinking the tea together.
After the Tea Ceremony, we got to enjoy lunch in Ueno and made our way to Ueno Park to enjoy the peaceful scenery. Walking through a path lined beautifully with decorations and buildings, we came upon an open space, with the Tokyo National Museum straight ahead. We journeyed through Japan’s past as we learned it’s history through the museum’s collection of clothing, statues, and paintings.
Akihabara is a place where manga and anime makes a bold presence. Anyone who is a fan of anime will surely feel like they’re in paradise. However, though one may not be familiar be with anime, the burst of printed color that radiates from each billboard and building can stun anyone. One can also equally enjoy the calming presence of cafes and shops here.
Shibuya is New York’s sibling. At night where the district shine’s brightest, anyone from New York, like me, can feel comfortable in it’s presence. It almost feels just like home. Upon arriving, I immediately fell in love, even more so when I saw colorful lanterns still aligning the streets.
Day 4: Hello Hakone
A two hour ride to Kanagawa prefecture, “Fuji-san” made an appearance against the flat landscapes of the country-side.
Upon arrival, we were able to enjoy a walk around the shops and village by Lake Ashi. Then we made our way onto a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, towards Mount Hakone, where we rode a cable car up Mount Komogatake. We were able to enjoy a lovely view of the landscape and river below. We were surrounded by the unique beauty of nature in Japan. After our trip up the mountain, we enjoyed the scenery of Hakone National Park and had lunch. We then took a short ride on bus to the natural sulfuric gas vents, that were breathing in the mountainous terrain. Though the smell was rather pungent, seeing the smoke and the natural yellow created from the sulfur was an enjoyable experience.
We then made our way to Odawara Joshi Park, the most peaceful and beautiful park to rest and reflect in. Many enjoyed an ice cream, while I enjoyed the pleasant view of the sun setting behind the Odawara Castle.
Japan Day 5: Fun and Games
With a map of the station, we ventured off in small groups to do whatever we dreamed of. For our group, this meant visiting Harajuku again to obtain unique items to bring back home, and to enjoy the wonderland of Akihabara. It almost felt like we were living in Japan for some time now, and we were just enjoying it’s presence the same way any Japanese citizen would, navigating swiftly through each street and station.
Harajuku 
Akihabara
Japan Day 6: Itadakimasu! Gochisosama! Sayonara!
Our last day of Japan consisted of learning about how to make one of the most popular Japanese foods of all time, visiting a fish market, and a very popular shopping district. It ended quite humorously with a delicious hot pot and a performance by a Sumo Comedian.
Our first stop was Sushi Making Class. We all joined together to learn and make a delicious meal for ourselves!
Then the Tsukiji Fish Market; selling all kinds of seafood and souvenirs. Though I am not fond of seafood myself, I was able to enjoy the overall ambiance of the place.
After that we made our way towards Ginza Street, a very high-end yet crowded shopping district.
It was inevitable that night would approach, and the time would come to say Goodbye to Japan. I enjoyed one last walk around the streets of Ryogoku, near our hotel. I made sure to absorb all that Japan had to offer me that night; the lights, the peaceful ambience, the nice breeze. I made sure to take it all in, to be able to remember and look back to how calm and content it made me feel.
Rosemary Maldonado 