When I think about Tokyo, I think about the city’s rich history and culture.

So the day we had planned to go to Asakusa and see Senso-ji Temple, I was so eager to get up and go.

My family and I headed to the metro and rode about 20 minutes to Asakusa, and once we got back up to street level, it was like we were in a new country. The sidewalks were full of people, the shops looked familiar but unique to this neighbourhood.

The street leading up to the temple is full of stalls with touristy gift shops and trinkets. But hidden in these are also some of the best spots to stop in for a sweet treat: taiyaki, dango, fresh strawberries and pastries. I knew we’d be coming back for these.

The Temple and surrounding area is awe-inspiring. It’s like stepping back in time and experiencing a whole new world.

I love to sit and people-watch, especially in touristy spots. You see all types of people from across the world approaching the same situation in entirely different ways.

I could have sat outside of Senso-ji for hours. But we had somewhere to be! My mom and I had booked tickets for a tea ceremony experience. Honestly, I was the most nervous and excited about this moment of the whole trip.

*Getting all dressed up in Tokyo (March 2025)*

Let me start by saying: the Maikoya Tea Ceremony was one of the top highlights of my trip to Tokyo.

If you’re looking for an accessible tea ceremony experience where you get to wear a kimono and learn about Japanese history and culture, I’d recommend this every time. It was incredible.

Staff helped participants select a kimono that suited them, including hair accessories, and took the time to get us dressed up. Then we had an opportunity in their lovely space to take some photos before the tea ceremony.

A group of about ten of us sat on the traditional tatami floor mats in our kimonos and were guided through a step-by-step tea ceremony, including how to mix the matcha and how to drink from the cup the right way.

I was nervous it was going to be a terribly strict ceremony, but the guide was incredibly laid back and funny. She made the entire event quite relaxed and welcoming for everyone.

My mom and I got back into our basic clothes and made a stop at Starbucks to buy a sakura jelly matcha latte before heading onto our next destination.

The sugary drinks gave us the energy to go for a long walk to Ueno Park. It was beautiful early spring weather, and we had such a nice time just wandering through the small streets of Tokyo. Once we arrived at Ueno, it was so peaceful.

I loved exploring the different sights at the park, and just taking in the sunshine through the cherry blossoms.

It had been such a long day full of excitement that we went back to the hotel for a bit of a rest before dinner. For me, this looked like resting in a hot bath and watching my favourite shows on my iPad.

My mom’s partner made us a reservation for dinner that night at Buco di Muro. The reason for our Tokyo trip was because he was running in the marathon. So pre-marathon day required carb-loading!

*Italian food at Buco di Muro and strawberry mochi (March 2025)*

And you can’t go wrong with Italian food. The pizza and pasta was really good, and we indulged until we couldn’t eat anything else.

Except for dessert. We stopped at Taiyaki Kanda Daruma on our way back to the hotel so I could buy a strawberry mochi (ichigo mochi o kudasai). Absolutely incredible.