Day 2: Tokyo

The adventure for the day was navigating the subway system here in Tokyo, the largest city in the world! 

Our first stop was teamLabs Borderless—a fascinating interactive virtual museum—an awe-inspiring digital art museum that completely immerses you in a world of light, color, and motion. I’ve never experienced anything like it—stepping inside felt like entering a dream where art moves, breathes, and responds to your touch.  

On the way, we walked by Tokyo Tower and the evidence of the start of cherry blossom season:

From there, we hopped on the subway toward Shibuya, home to the world-famous Shibuya Crossing—the busiest pedestrian intersection on the planet. Watching the sea of people surge in all directions when the lights changed was mesmerizing! Just a short walk away, was the Hachiko Statue, a tribute to Japan’s most loyal dog. If you ever want a heartwarming (and tear-jerking) movie based on a true story, I highly recommend “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale”.  

Next, we passed through Shinjuku Station, the busiest train station in the world, where over 3.5 million commuters move through its maze of platforms and corridors each day. 

Just a few blocks away, we arrived at Shinjuku Gyoen, once an imperial garden and now a beautifully maintained public park. The cherry blossoms were just beginning to emerge, delicate pink buds hinting at the breathtaking bloom to come. We enjoyed a peaceful stroll through the park, soaking in the contrast between nature’s beauty and the towering city skyline beyond.  

After our relaxing walk, I set off on an ambitious 9-mile walking tour of Tokyo! Highlights included the interesting St. Mary’s Cathedral, several serene Shinto shrines, and the vast green spaces of Ueno Park. I had hoped to attend Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 4:30 PM, but after waiting for about ten minutes with no sign of a service starting, I decided to return to our Airbnb. I would have loved to find another location for a Saturday evening Mass, but my Verizon international plan had been acting up since I arrived, leaving me unable to search for nearby options. Instead, Id try again tomorrow—would love to attend a Japanese mass!

After a short break, I headed back out with David, Maria Rose, and Josie for one last adventure of the night: ascending Tokyo Skytree, the tallest tower in Japan and one of the most impressive structures in the world.  

Fun Facts About Tokyo Skytree:

- Tallest Structure in Japan– At 634 meters (2,080 feet), it is the tallest tower in the world and the second tallest structure overall, behind only the Burj Khalifa.  

- Broadcasting Hub – Built to replace Tokyo Tower, it now serves as the city’s primary television and radio broadcasting  center.  

- Architectural Marvel– Designed to withstand earthquakes, its structure blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with cutting-edge seismic engineering, inspired by ancient pagodas.  

- Panoramic Views – Its two observation decks offer breathtaking 360-degree views of Tokyo, and on a clear day, you can even spot Mount Fuji in the distance

- Cultural Significance– The name “Skytree” reflects Japan’s harmony between nature and innovation. Its height, 634 meters, is also a reference to history—"634" can be read as “Musashi,” the old name for the region around Tokyo.  

Standing at the top of Skytree, looking out over the twinkling cityscape, was the perfect way to end our first full day in Tokyo.