A Week in Tokyo: First Impressions of Japan
March 14, 2026
The first day in Tokyo feels like stepping into a different reality. Everything runs like clockwork: trains arrive to the second, the streets are incredibly clean, and strangers genuinely try to help even if they don't speak English.
What I remember most is the Yanaka district quiet streets with wooden houses, old temples surrounded by skyscrapers, and tiny family-run restaurants where the menu is handwritten on a piece of paper.
A practical tip: buy a multi-day metro pass right away; it pays for itself instantly. And don't be afraid to try street food it's fresh and cheap.
China: Shanghai Between Old and New
February 28, 2026
Shanghai is a city where the historic Bund waterfront is just a few steps away from the futuristic skyscrapers of Pudong. The contrast is so strong that it's a bit disorienting at first.
If you ever go there, definitely take a ferry across the Huangpu River at night. It costs next to nothing, and the view of the illuminated skyscrapers from the water is one of the best in the city.
Food is a separate pleasure. Xiaolongbao, Shanghai-style noodles, duck tongues on skewers... I think I tried more dishes than I can actually remember.
Plans for This Spring
February 10, 2026
Right now, my plans include a short trip to Korea and, if the visa works out, another visit to Japan, but this time to the Kansai region. Osaka, Kyoto, Nara I really want to see the spring cherry blossoms in the old quarters rather than in a Tokyo park.
I'll write here whenever I can internet access while traveling can be unreliable, but I'll try not to disappear for too long.