Travel to Japan Fascinating World Through Eyes of a Programmer

Travel to Japan through the Eyes of a Programmer

Japan is a land of contrasts that captivates with its blend of tradition and technology. As a programmer, I had the opportunity to travel to Japan, a fascinating country and experience a unique adventure that combined my love for technology and exploration. During my journey, I had the chance to explore the capital city of Tokyo, feel the spirit of the historical Kyoto city, and delve into Japanese culture and customs.

The adventure in Japan began with a tiring flight with layovers, but the excitement grew as we approached this distant destination. The first encounter with Japan’s capital was at the airport, where we could already glimpse what awaited us in this country. The transfer by train to our accommodation was thrilling, providing us with the first glance of modern architecture, wide boulevards, and the bustling atmosphere of this megacity.

Exploring Tokyo’s Past and Majestic Imperial Palace

Our first day started with a visit to the Imperial Palace or the former Edo Castle, where the imperial family still resides today. A walk through the Imperial Gardens offered us peace and serenity. Located just a few minutes walk from Ginza, Tokyo’s beloved shopping district. Ginza sets apart by modern architecture and a fast-paced lifestyle. The harmony between traditional and modern is something you can often witness in Tokyo.

Tsukiji market

After Ginza, we decided to visit the Tsukiji market, the largest fish auction market in the world. The variety of fish we saw there was beyond our imagination. Tsukiji market is also known for its street food, with numerous vendors preparing a wide array of dishes mainly made from fish and seafood, which you can taste. The bravest among us tried many things 🙂

Senso-ji Temple Place of Spiritual Healing

The next stop was Asakusa, one of the ancient parts of the city. A walk along Nakamise Street leads to Senso-ji Temple, where we encountered our first Buddhist temple in Japan and learned about the temple’s customs and practices. The size of the temple and the abundance of intricate details left few unaffected. We ended the day by going to the banks of the Sumida River, offering a spectacular view of the river and the SkyTree, the tallest building in the capital.

Meet Meiji Shrine and Park an Enormous Green Lung of Tokyo

The next day, we start at Meiji Park and the Shinto shrine Meiji, dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji, the first emperor of modern Japan, and his wife Empress Shoken. This beautiful complex is nested in a forest in the heart of Tokyo, which was created through afforestation, planting 100,000 trees from all parts of Japan and the world. Meiji Park offers an oasis of tranquillity in the bustling city of Tokyo, with its walking paths providing an escape from the urban crowds and noise. Here, we learnt about the differences between Buddhist and Shinto shrines and the preparation for prayer. Inside the shrine, we were fortunate to witness a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony, which looks entirely different from our own, trust me 🙂

Shibuya Crossing the World’s Busiest Intersection

Continuing our stroll, we walk through Takeshita Street, a small street with many shops related to manga culture. The high number of people in this small place on Takeshita Street gives a real sense of how densely populated Tokyo is. We proceed with our day by visiting one of the most modern parts of the city – Shibuya.

Capture the insane busyness of Tokyo

Shibuya is where you can find the world-famous pedestrian crossing that thousands of people simultaneously cross. You can imagine how fascinating it is to be part of that synchronised mass of people while traffic lights change colours and music fills the street. The excitement and energy you feel while crossing the pedestrian crossing are a unique experience. Next to the Shibuya crossing, there is a statue dedicated to Hachiko.

Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe Experience

We continued our walk to the Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe, where robots serve you. The café is distinctive for robots operated by people who, for various reasons, cannot leave their homes. This remote way of working allows them to socialise and be part of regular life routines. Some of them can communicate with you in English. The robots are very adorable, wearing ties 🙂

Upon returning to Serbia, I learned there is also a “Restaurant of Wrong Orders” in Tokyo, where employees with dementia work. To visit this place must be a unique experience. We end the day by going to the Akihabara district, known for its electronics shopping, retro gaming items, video games, and arcade games. This district also attracts a large number of manga culture enthusiasts.

Exploring Authentic Japanese products and Flavors

The following day, our exploration continued with a visit to Ueno Park. Within the park, there are numerous museums and a zoo. The park is situated on the lands that once belonged to one of the largest and wealthiest temples. The Kaneii temple is a family temple of the Tokugawa clan during the Edo period. It is particularly popular during the cherry blossom season when the ground is covered with a carpet of pink petals. We visited the National Museum and had the opportunity to learn about the rich history of Japan.

After we visited Ueno Park, we headed towards the vibrant Ameyoko Street. This colourful street is a paradise for all culinary delights and shopping lovers. You can explore various shops, stores, and restaurants offering authentic Japanese products and flavours. Try some of the local treats, such as freshly prepared sushi or ramen, or indulge in shopping.

We continued our day with a ride on a driverless metro train. We positioned ourselves in the first car, creating the impression that we were driving the train ourselves. The feeling of floating during the ride was surreal. With the floating metro, we reached the Odaiba district, where the replica of Statue of Liberty, just like the one in New York, is located. Odaiba is also home to one of the biggest robot models. When we visited, Odaiba was hosting Oktoberfest in May, very similar to the one in Munich 🙂

Our day ended by visiting the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest building in Tokyo, and ascending to 350 meters height, where we could see the panorama of Tokyo. The view was spectacular, especially at night. From here, you truly get to experience the literal size of Tokyo.

To be continued ….