Day 4

Somehow, I’m still wrestling with jet lag like it’s a sparring match I forgot to train for. After a patchy night of sleep but still wide awake at 7 a.m., I finally gave in, grabbed my gear, and ventured out. Tokyo on a Sunday morning? Surprisingly peaceful. Armed with a Starbucks coffee in one hand and a mission to locate a new subway to whisk me off to the Skytree, my day kicked off. At 634 meters, the Skytree towers over Tokyo, which, combined with my 28th-floor hotel room, means I probably racked up as many vertical meters as I did horizontal ones!

Despite the cloudy skies, the view from the middle platform was solid, though the top floor was, quite literally, in the clouds. Visibility? Non-existent. After that lofty experience, I wandered towards Asakusa, a bustling traditional part of Tokyo. On Sundays, the place is filled with locals decked out in kimonos, whether rented or lovingly owned, parading through narrow streets. Honestly, the Japanese seem to take as much pride in their appearance as the Italians do – fashion diplomacy at its finest 😉

Next up was Akihabara, Tokyo's electric town. They shut down the six-lane street for cars, turning it into a pedestrian playground. It's the ultimate pilgrimage spot for the city’s otaku (pop-culture devotees), with everything from second-hand game consoles to towering arcades and manga havens. Even if you're not a manga or anime fan, Akihabara it's equal parts sensory overload, cultural immersion and just plain fun. And when my battery needed recharging, I found a sushi place where plates cruise by on a conveyor belt – a life-saver when language barriers strike!

Jet lag called for a quick hotel siesta, but once revived, I hit Ginza. They also shut the roads there, leaving the streets wide open for leisurely strolling. My sweet tooth demanded attention, so I booked a seat at a “Happy Pancake” spot – those impossibly fluffy Japanese pancakes. Let me tell you, they were divine. Another unforgettable day in Tokyo, with plenty of adventures and altitude (and sugar) under my belt!