JAPAN - TOKYO

Coming from Liechtenstein, a country with serene surroundings, my first weeks in Tokyo were a reality check. It was amusing at times but exhausting at times too. There was noise everywhere, noise of voices, of people, of vehicles, furiously moving around on roads, the street sound. It was like being transferred to another world when I compare it to places like Shibuya, famous for its tight crossing and screening of flashy lights. 

Initially, I could not cope with this new speed. In Liechtenstein, my days often consisted of peaceful walks and quiet places where one could listen to birds and the whispering of leaves in the wind. It was a huge adjustment to adapt to life in fast moving Tokyo. It was as if the city never went to bed, it was active all hours of the day. I'd leave my campus and into a place where streets were always bustling with people and all manner of activities going on. The immense size of Tokyo, its tall buildings, and its crowd of people all in constant motion was too much to take in in the beginning. There was always an event going on, and it was exciting but also quite tiresome. 

Furthermore, the trains during rush hour were also a different kind of experience. Watching people going to and returning from work was fascinating, yet moving among so many people was difficult. I was not used to the idea of being pressed against a number of bodies all the time. During some moments, it was so overwhelming that I started to miss the times Liechtenstein where one could simply walk for hours without more than two or three people within the vicinity. 

But since the first days, I tried to find, look for and later on even find some of those peaceful corners in the city. Places such as Shinkoiwa and Chigasaki with more suburbanite feel and atmosphere were populated. In places like these, with wide walking streets and relaxed traveling, I began to feel like myself again. The green public gardens were equally soothing from the busy mess outside. In those few minutes, I had a chance to rest, think and be at peace, something which I never thought would happen in such a large and vibrant city.

Sitting in a small café in one of these quieter neighborhoods or walking through a quiet park reminded me of the stillness I left behind in Liechtenstein. It was in these moments of calm that I felt more at peace, like I had found a small slice of familiarity amidst the chaos of Tokyo. Over time, I found that these quieter experiences helped me balance the overwhelming aspects of the city.

I started embracing both sides of Tokyo. I learned to appreciate the fast-paced energy of Shibuya and Shinjuku, where there was always something new to discover, but I also made sure to seek out those quieter moments in less crowded areas. That contrast helped me find that even in vast  metropolises, like Tokyo, pockets of peace and quiet may exist if you know where to look.

This experience finally settled me into Tokyo because the experience of learning to live with noise and energy was supplemented with finding spots which speak to an inner quiet. This process taught me that wherever you are, there is always something that can make one find familiarity and comfort, often in places most unexpected.