Tokyo
Where ancient traditions meet futuristic innovation
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Plan Your Trip
Tokyo Travel Tools
Interactive tools to help you plan the perfect Tokyo trip.
Writing Inspiration
Tokyo Journal Prompts
Thoughtful questions to capture the essence of your Tokyo experience.
Location-Specific
Describe the sensory overload of Shibuya Crossing. What did you see, hear, feel?
Write about the contrast between ancient temples and neon streets.
What was it like to be in a city where you couldn't read anything?
How did the precision and efficiency of Tokyo impress or intimidate you?
Sensory Details
How did you experience the Japanese concept of omotenashi (hospitality)?
Describe a meal that changed your understanding of Japanese food.
Write about the silence in a Tokyo temple, surrounded by millions of people.
Describe an unexpected act of kindness from a stranger.
Memory Triggers
If you could take one Tokyo habit home, what would it be?
What will you remember about Tokyo's vending machines?
Describe your most "only in Japan" moment.
What would you tell someone intimidated by Tokyo's size and complexity?
Reflection
How has Tokyo changed your idea of what a city can be?
What did Japan teach you about attention to detail?
If you lived here, how would your daily rhythm change?
What part of Tokyo will you carry with you forever?
Photography Guide
Tokyo Photo Checklist
Essential shots to capture, with tips from photographers who know the city.
Shibuya Crossing from above
Starbucks or Shibuya Sky for the classic overhead view
Senso-ji Temple and Thunder Gate
Before 6am for empty shots, or evening for lantern glow
Tokyo Skytree at night
From Sumida Park across the river for reflections
Meiji Shrine's torii gate
The massive wooden gate surrounded by forest
Golden Gai's tiny alleys
Evening when the lights come on and doors open
Shinjuku neon at night
After rain for the reflections on wet pavement
Train arriving at a station
The precision of Japanese rail is photo-worthy
Convenience store onigiri selection
The aesthetic of Japanese 7-Eleven is surprisingly photogenic
Themed café details
Cat cafes, owl cafes, maid cafes—pick your quirk
Vending machine in an unlikely place
They're everywhere, even in nature
Harajuku street fashion
Sunday at Takeshita Street for the most creative styles
Salary workers at an izakaya
The after-work culture of loosened ties and beer
Places to Remember
Your Tokyo Memory Map
Pin these locations in TripMemo and use the prompts to capture meaningful moments.
Shibuya Crossing
landmark
The world's busiest intersection
How did it feel to be one of thousands crossing at once?
First Ramen Bowl
food
Where you fell in love with noodles
Describe the broth, the noodles, the toppings.
Senso-ji Temple
landmark
Tokyo's oldest temple
What did you wish for? What incense did you smell?
Lost in Translation Moment
personal
When you couldn't communicate but connected anyway
What happened? How did you understand each other?
Tsukiji/Toyosu Market
experience
The famous fish market
What time did you wake up for this? Was it worth it?
Neighborhood Discovery
hidden gem
The area you found away from tourists
How did you find it? What made it feel local?
Izakaya Night
food
Your Japanese pub experience
What did you eat and drink? Who was there?
Convenience Store Surprise
local
Something that amazed you in a konbini
What did you discover? Why was it so much better than back home?
Train Station Navigation
experience
When you figured out the system
How did it feel when the trains finally made sense?
Your "Only in Tokyo" Moment
personal
The thing that could only happen here
What was it? Why was it so perfectly Japanese?
Inspiration
Sample Journal Entries
See how other travelers captured their Tokyo experiences.
Crossing Shibuya
Shibuya, Tokyo
I watched five light cycles from the Starbucks above before I gathered the courage to join. Then the light changed and I was swept up—thousands of people crossing in every direction, somehow never colliding. It's not chaos; it's choreography nobody rehearsed. In the middle, I stopped and looked up at the billboards, the lights, the sheer vertical density of it all. Someone bumped my shoulder and apologized in English. The light changed. Everyone cleared. And I was already waiting to cross again.
Photo Captions
- “The view before I gathered the courage to cross.”
- “One of thousands. Moving together. Never touching.”
- “The light that starts it all.”
The Ramen That Ruined All Other Ramen
Fuunji, Shinjuku
Tiny shop. Eight seats. A line down the street at 11am. The ticket machine confused me for three minutes. When the bowl arrived, I understood the wait. The broth was so rich it felt like a meal itself. The noodles had a chew I'd never experienced. The chashu melted. The egg was impossibly perfect—runny yolk, firm white, exactly soft-boiled. I slurped without shame because everyone else was slurping. When I finished, I almost ordered another. This is what ramen is supposed to be. Everything before was practice.
Photo Captions
- “Worth every minute in line.”
- “The ticket machine I eventually conquered.”
- “When the bowl arrives and you forget photography.”
Ready to write your own Tokyo story?
Start Journaling with TripMemoDocument Your Journey
What to Journal in Tokyo
Tokyo offers countless moments worth capturing. Here are the experiences that make the best travel journal entries.
Temple visits
Cherry blossom viewing
Street food culture
Traditional vs modern contrast
TripMemo for Tokyo
The perfect travel journal companion
- Works offline throughout your trip
- Auto-organize thousands of photos
- See your Tokyo journey on a map
- Collaborate with travel companions
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Tokyo is Perfect for
Tokyo Travel FAQ
Common Questions About Tokyo
What's the best time to visit Tokyo?
The best months to visit Tokyo are Jun, Sep, Aug when you'll find ideal weather and manageable crowds. Peak season is Mar, Apr, May, while Jun, Aug, Sep offers a good balance of weather and fewer tourists. Climate data sourced from historical weather records.
View data sourceHow much does it cost to visit Tokyo per day?
Daily costs in Tokyo range from ¥8,000 for budget travelers (hostels, street food) to ¥40.0K for comfortable travel (4-star hotels, nice restaurants). Budget estimates based on crowdsourced cost data. Use our budget calculator for a detailed breakdown.
View data sourceWhat should I journal about in Tokyo?
Tokyo offers rich journaling opportunities. Focus on Temple visits, Cherry blossom viewing, Street food culture. TripMemo helps you organize photos by location and create beautiful day-by-day entries of your journey.
How do I document a Tokyo trip with TripMemo?
TripMemo is perfect for Tokyo. Create a TripBook, add photos and notes daily, and watch your journey unfold on an interactive map. The app works offline—essential for areas with spotty WiFi—and organizes thousands of photos automatically by date and location.
Ready to Explore Tokyo?
Document your Tokyo journey with TripMemo. Create beautiful TripBooks, collaborate with travel companions, and relive your adventure for years to come.