Yakitori, turtles and photographers

Series of photographs taken on May 21, 2025 in Tokyo (Japan) as part of a touristic trip.

After leaving the airport, we headed to Hibiya Park, and the change of scenery was already underway when we saw the turtles strolling peacefully around the park. At first, with the noise, K and I thought it was rats.

5/6 photographers were trying to capture a large turtle resting in a pond while K and I were enjoying some snacks (onigiri and matcha pocky) from 7eleven.

The day we arrived, it was hot and humid. It wasn't very pleasant because you stink of sweat, you sweat continuously and you're out of breath. I then observed the types of clothes that the people around us were wearing and I realized that for the majority it was linen or cotton fabrics that breathe, volatile and airy. Many people, especially women, have anti-UV umbrellas.

From the first hours on site we understood that our primary needs would be met with the number of free, clean and accessible public toilets but also that the Japanese only speak Japanese so our language courses would greatly help us to find our way, communicate with the locals and understand what was happening around us.

From the first hours in the city, what I was told about this country and especially its capital proved to be true. We constantly have this impression of being between modernity and tradition, like this imperial palace surrounded by such tall towers.

Not far from this area is a location that was featured in the manga and anime Death Note. Here's the address: Kasumigaseki 35.6742586, 139.7511530, near a station.

In the evening, we met a friend of ours (Soyoon) in Shibuya for dinner.I took the opportunity to take pictures of the streets we were walking through with K.

We met Soyoon in front of the Starbucks at Shibuya Crossing. She then took us to the well-known statue of the faithful dog at Shibuya crossing, next to which it is possible to obtain a stamp, if you ever wish to keep a material souvenir of this place. And then to the restaurant.

The way there made us a bit lost because in Tokyo, it happens quite frequently that restaurants are located on different floors of a building. In our case, the restaurant was on the 5th floor (with an elevator). So we entered a building lobby that we thought was random on a street, while Soyoon knew exactly where she was taking us. We headed to an elevator at the end of a corridor with warm colors, reds and oranges. It wasn't dirty or scary, but rather surprising. We took the elevator with few people who were going to other floors and other restaurants. When we reached the 5th floor, we waited some little 5 minutes before being seated to enjoy Japanese beers, yakitori and yakiniku.

Wet towels in small plastic bags or hot towels were given to us before the meal.

At the restaurant, S told us about the work culture here in Japan. Apparently, the hours are very strict and the managers are quite abusive. At the end of the meal, we paid around €16 per person. S also told us that if you live in the city center, it's more cost-effective to eat out rather than cook.

After that, we had desserts, ice cream, mochi, and ice mochi at the Konbini around the corner. We then walked through the bustling streets of Shibuya before parting ways for Kornelia and I to return to our hostel.

End of the first day on Japanese land.