The bustling capital of Japan, a city that never sleeps. The towering skyscrapers and vibrant neighborhoods made driving in its streets a scenic excursion. Our family’s chance to explore a little bit of Tokyo by car, weaving through its diverse districts, was a cool experience, for sure.

From our hotel in Minato City, Asakasa, we drove away. But first things first. Ramen. Well, because… Japan.

Now fat and happy, we head on to Shibuya City. We spent the morning at Meiji Jingu then drove over to Harajuku, a fashionista’s paradise. Takeshita Street is a kaleidoscope of colors, with shops selling everything from Lolita dresses to oversized sneakers. We parked our car and wandered around, spotting cosplayers and eccentric street style while sipping on our foofoo matcha concoction. Across the street is the Harajuku Station, with the Meiji Shrine forest in the background.

I even saw the weirdest thing ever – a cafe where you can enjoy a cup of latte while petting micro pigs! Micro pigs!! Harajuku is truly where imagination runs wild, where I felt like I had stepped into a world of anime.

Next we drove through downtown Tokyo all the way to Asakusa. Lots of pretty concrete along the way.

Asakusa is a district of Tokyo where tradition thrives; where ancient meets contemporary. The juxtaposition of ancient temples and modern shops was fascinating, a snapshot of Tokyo’s rich history.

Across the river is Sumida, home to the iconic Tokyo Skytree, a futuristic tower that pierces the sky. We caught glimpses of the tower’s reflection. The contrast between the modern architecture and the serene riverbanks was striking. I was hoping we could take the elevator ride to the Skytree’s observation deck for panoramic views of the city but alas, time was not on our side. Maybe, someday.

Going back from where we were earlier, we drove by Marunouchi Square which was in front of the Tokyo Train Station where we will be back to hop on the bullet train to Kyoto in a couple of days. But more on that in a later post.

As the day neared its end, we drove back to Shibuya City and passed by more pretty concrete.

In Shibuya, we found ourselves passing through what looked like a futuristic movie scene. The famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing (world’s busiest pedestrian crossing), where pedestrians flood the streets from all directions, is a mesmerizing sight. It reminded me of NYC’s Times Square. There were even Mario Karts cruising the streets like in an amusement park! I couldn’t help but feel the energy of this youth-centric district with trendy boutiques, quirky cafés, and colorful street art everywhere you look. And yes, I did attempt the Shibuya scramble, dodging people while crossing the road. Quite an adventure that was!

Driving in Tokyo felt oddly familiar, despite the left-side driving. The orderly traffic, efficient roads, and courteous drivers reminded me of home. With Tokyo’s unique blend of tradition and modernity, you’re bound to get lost in the beauty of its character.