“So old. So new. So Tokyo”

An ad for Tokyo with a tag line “So old. So new. So Tokyo” has prompted me to write about the old and new experiences I have had of Tokyo.

When one think of Tokyo, you think ultramodern architecture and a city straight out of a Sci-fi movie. Take a closer look, there is a lot of hidden magic under all the bright neon lights. Let the city seduce you with one of its many secrets such as a Torii Gate near crowded Shibuya or Asakusa where you can catch glimpses of women swirling in traditional silk kimono. For a city that moves at a lightening pace, Tokyo still has many finer attributes. The Japanese concept of beauty is deeply ingrained in the country’s traditional customs, and visitors will find a wealth of experiences at which to try. From calligraphy classes at Koomon Salon in Nihonbashi to learning the intricacy of paper craft at the Ozu Washi Paper Museum to wrapping yourself in a traditional kimono to embrace your inner geisha. Every time I hear the click-clack of wooden sandals (geta) on the pavement , it calls to mind images I saw of the days of pre-Westernized Japan. I admire the Japanese women that still carry on the tradition of wearing beatifically saturated hues of purple and red silk kimono. Even though most of the city is ‘taken over’ by skyscrapers and neon signs, you can still feel a sense of harmony on the carefully sculpted grounds in various gardens scattered around the city. The city also takes pride in preserving its more traditional architecture and landmarks. While I was in Tokyo in the fall of 2009, there was a massive reconstruction project on Ginza’s most celebrated Kabuki Theatre. I read “the new façade will be as stunning as the costumes of the drama’s actors”. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but I am certain there is something to capture every visitor’s imagination in Japan’s captivating capital.

How to get there:

Shibuya – you can get to the Shibuya Station on the Ginza, Hanzomon Line, JR Yamanote Line, JR Saikyo Line or the Keio Inokashira Line.

Asakusa – You can catch any train on the Ginza Line or the TOEI Asakua Line.

Nihobashi – you can reach the Nihonbashi Station on the Ginza, Tozai and Asakusa Subway Lines or Mitsukoshimae Station on the Hanzomon and Ginza Subway Lines. Nihonbashi can also be accessed in a 5-10 minute walk from the Nihonbashi Exit of Tokyo Station.