Takao-san

an hour's train ride to the south western peripheral of Tokyo takes one to Takao-san, famous for being one of the many nature-centered vantage points where one can view Fuji-san on a clear day. the hiking trail up to the peak was a leisurely affair - along the way up, one may indulge in Takao-san's many snacks including their famous matcha ice-cream and red bean cakes shaped like the tengu of the mountain. on that particular January morning, our hike up was pleasant thanks to the generally warm and clear weather. to make things a lot more magical, it had been snowing here in Takao-san a week prior to our arrival, so the trails were covered in a blanket of snow. for yours truly, this is the first time i've ever set foot on snow, which adds to the excitement of the hike up. the peak, sitting 499.5 meters above sea level, was brimming with people - hikers, couples, a surprisingly large amount of old folks, school kids, and the odd traveller or two. everyone was wandering about, admiring the view of Fuji-san, opening up their bentos for a picnic at the peak, taking selfies after selfies, and generally having a grand time at the top of Takao-san. we settled for lunch at the vegetarian soba restaurant at the peak, with a fantastic view of Fuji-san and the mountain range it sat on to accompany us for lunch. nothing quite feels as comfortable as that one moment where my bowl of soba arrived and i started slurping up the delicious noodles. it truly is amazing how the world is such a beautiful place, and the chance to experience its awe and beauty is something i'll never get enough of.

Quiet Tokyo

Tokyo, being a bustling metropolis, surprisingly has some spots that are incredibly quiet and serene. walk the quiet streets of any suburb outside of Shibuya and Shinjuku, and you'll be surprised at being able to listen to your own thoughts. the temple grounds also evoke a zen-like feel, not only in the horticulture and landscaping, but the general hushness leaves its visitors at peace. for all the insanity that is the Tokyo subway system, the bright neon lights, blaring speakers, and chaotic streets of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Akihabara, it's no wonder the Japanese take their time to envelop themselves in the tranquil of the shrines, bookstores, and that little walk through the suburbs before one has to jam themselves in the subways. i personally love the contrast - it makes Tokyo such a dynamic city.

Nightcrawler: Tokyo

never in my life have i returned to the same foreign country within the span of a single year. it is no secret to the people i know that my initial visit to Tokyo was indeed one filled with astonishment, gratification, revelations, and unfortunately too short-lived. a second trip was eventual, however it was only the issue of when it would occur. wanderlust took over, and there we were touching down into Haneda International Airport, scrambling into a local cab and getting literally lost in translation.

the neon lights of Tokyo reflect upon the taxi's windshield, we turn a corner and a familiar sight comes into view. the Shibuya crossing remains as busy as ever - thousands of Tokyoites scrambling across the street and dispersing into hundreds of directions. the lanky dudes in swanky coats, their sweet darlings hanging onto their arms keeping up in their high heels. this is the Tokyo i always envision in my imaginations - the infinite lights, the indefatigable people. the organized chaos, and the kombinis that never close. we disembark outside our hotel and make our way to the reception, greeted by an elderly receptionist who struggles a bit with his English, but was fairly able to comprehend our queries and requests. he comments on how we got ourselves the big room, when in fact it is probably three fourths the size of my room back home. hardly a problem - it is Tokyo, after all. i am back in Tokyo, and i am glad to be back.