Oh, oh Tokyo or Miso all day.

Oh, Oh Tokyo or Miso all day.

After my night in the capsule I felt ready to see Tokyo. As a first experience I chose Asakusa district- an old townscape that still lets you feel the mood of the Edo era. So I took the Metro (first the reception explained where to go) and although it is a little bit overwhelming at the beginning, the Metro system is actually easy to use in Tokyo. And simply the best, cheapest and most effective way. So from Ginza (my district) I just had 20minutes to Asakusa. I did not get lost (I honestly expected to) and could really orientate very well. The Tokyo Metro is – needless to say – very clean and also – funny to see – very well organized. There are signs saying which way you have to use the stairs up and down. And everyone is really following these rules. So somehow felt proud to touch down in Asakusa without asking again… Asakusa is also home of the oldest and most important Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century and beautiful to see: The Sensoji Temple. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that provides visitors with a variety of traditional snacks and souvenirs. I had a special Japanese desert on the street. Very delicious, like Mochi ice cream with strawberry. Generally I need to mention that Japanese food is not only about the very good salty things. It is also well known for its incredible deserts. So you find cafes with super delicious looking ice cream and cakes on every corner. Although I am actually more the salty one, I already found myself sitting in such a desert restaurant for the third time. It is easy to explore Asakusa per foot or the very special alternative is to go on a guided tour on a rickshaw with your own rickshaw runner. So I chose this option as Kasu – my later runner – was so friendly and promoted it quite well to me. So we started our tour at the temple and he took me around, showed me how to clean myself (meaning purify) and how to behave in the temple. He explained for example that people bring white reddish to the temples – as this is for good health. Then he showed me the oldest shopping streets in Tokyo. Selling very special stuff, like for example a brush store – a store only for brushes of every kind. So Kasu took me around, showing me every corner. Quite crazy these guys, they run next to cars and busses on the street and you are sitting on a pre-warmed seat in the rickshaw, covered with cozy blankets. I felt (almost too) spoiled and could enjoy all the little things around me, while Kasu was running (and sweating) like hell, while simultaneously explaining the district to me. Asakusa is also known for its entertainment places. Japanese love to laugh and they regularly visit shows with stand up comedy, Kasu explained. So we also saw the most famous theater, well known all-over Japan. In walking distance to Asakusa you can also visit the Tokyo Skytree, it is next to Sumida River and with its 634m height it is now one of the main tourist attractions in the city. After I said good-bye to Kasu I felt quite hungry and had my first Japanese Tempura. Asakusa is also know for this special type of deep fried seafood and vegetables. Of course served with the Miso Soup as well which by the way is also the typical morning dish for Japanese people. And when you have a sushi meal for dinner, the last course is a Miso soup, too. Well, I do love Miso soup, so no prob at all. Eating Miso all day – maybe this is why I am so hungry for sweets as well because of all the salty soups. After my tempura (shrimp and vegetables) I strolled through Asakusa, lost myself in paper and handkerchief stores (!) – looking at all the tiny and well-designed things. Beautiful! As a design-lover Japan is simply great. Very special and unique stuff that I have never seen so far. It is not about to shop it but just looking at it makes simply happy. People are so friendly and nice – they love to explain the purpose of the things – and do not expect you to buy. Well, I bought some stuff, of coz. 😂 But only light-weight paper-things as I need to carry it all. This is definitely protecting me from falling into all of this beautiful artsy stuff. When on the rickshaw tour Kasu also showed me one of the things on my list for Japan: An owl cafe. So after my paper shopping I went to the owl cafe, sitting in front of the owls having my tea. Very special and totally crazy. Japanese people love animals of all kind but they have to space for them. So that is why all the animal cafe do exist. So I had an owl hour and cuddled them as they really like it. Was happy to had the chance to go there on my first real day. So with a happy heart I made my way home with the Tokyo Metro again, already feeling like a local because I found home easily. For dinner I was recommended to go to a very good Sushi Bar in Ginza – so back there I refreshed and headed to the restaurant. Well tried to head to. The names of the restaurant sometimes are in Japanese only. So not that easy to find but I made it as a nice Dutch guy asked if I am lost and helped me (had his 7th time in Tokyo, show-off 😂). So finally found the sushi place and oh my god!!! The way of how the do it (I sat at the bar) is amazing. And the taste is extraordinary good. What is really cute is that Japanese love when Europeans eat raw fish. They almost cannot believe it. So the whole team somehow enjoyed that I ate so much of their beloved Sushi and smiled the whole time at me. Maybe I have to add that as a single tourist you are a kind of attraction. They find it really interesting that you travel alone through their country and ask you about the tour and where and how long you are staying, always recommending things. Also a lot of times people asked me if they should take a photo of me in front of a monument. So nice. And this is actually the greatest thing here next to the super-cleanness, the super-food and the super-designs. Japanese people are so overwhelming polite, friendly and helpful. Incredible. Really. Never felt this kind of hospitality. Japan – I am in love. So grateful to get to know you right now. 🇯🇵❤