Cavan man Joe Moore takes me on a tour of vibrant Tokyo.  We chat about this city of contrasts which Joe describes as five cities in one.  From ultra-modern skyscrapers and bullet trains to ancient temples, we talk about the many faces of modern Tokyo.

Joe takes me on a walk from Yoyogi up to the Meiji shrine, situated in a tranquil forest just a few minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo.  We head to Harajuku and Takeshita Dori,  the centre of j-pop culture and people watch.  We wander along Omotesando, Tokyo’s Champs Elysees with its designer shops and beautiful trees.

Joe explains the rich Japanese food culture to me from sushi to yakiniku, ramen to tempura, and gives me tips on where best to taste the wide variety on offer. 

He advises me to take a trip out of the city to Mount Fuji and watch a sunrise, or take a train to Hakone, just an hour from Tokyo, and experience its famous natural hot springs.

Joe shares his choice of books, films and music that capture the atmosphere of Tokyo and gives me lots of tips for my next visit, including taking a wagashi cookery class and visiting the samurai museum in Shinjuku.

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Thanks to Top Flow via Pixabay for the background track, Sunshine Jaunt.